Need advice on which used Ford (or not) family car to get

[HMC]

Hi all

Been more than three decades since I last owned a Ford, when I lived in the northern hemisphere. My car-experience since moving down-under some 15 years ago has basically been centred around Korean and Japanese cars, and a Holden.

I'm thinking of switching to Ford. This time a used one. Need your advice on what to get, and what to avoid.

Back-story is that I'll be getting a new Ranger XLT dual-cab ute, and wanted to also get a Ford as a family car, to transport the kids around. The Ranger will accommodate the kids with no problems, provided we drive no longer than a 100kms, which is about the distance I'd be able to cover before the kids start a fight in the backseat. I'm thinking of something that'll take us in comfort from Brissy to Sydney.

So... need something with a bit more leg-room in the back. Also something that my wife's going to be happy to drive. Bonus if it's something that sits a bit higher off the ground.

But above all, it needs to be fairly reliable as a 10+ year old car.

Here's what I've looked at so far:

- 2009 to 2013 model years
- Between $7000 and $12000
- Mileage: < 200,000 kms
- SY and SZ Territory (diesel)
- Mondeo wagons (diesel)
- FG Falcons

So far, I'm finding that the Territory and Falcons are most likely to have issues costing around $2000 to fix.

Not sure about the Mondeos.

Ford Focus is too small, so haven't considered it. In fact, I'd argue that the Mondeo might also be too small for our needs.

Any advice? Or should I not be considering a Ford?