AU Series Falcon - Any good (for what they are)?
Discussion
Hi,
My wife (two young children) and myself are planning a move to Adelaide next year.
(we are working to 1st May as a moving date)
Been using the Poms in Oz and Poms in Adelaide forums as a great source of information for lots of things regarding the move. But there is not much car related on there.
I don't really know to much about domestic Australian cars but plan to own one when i move there.
There are two reasons for this. The first being, that European cars seem to be very expensive over in Australia (like for like with the equivalent Uk model)and the second reason, is that we plan to rent out our property over here in the UK for our forst 2 years in Australia and as such, will need to budget in Australia.
So, my max budget for a car will be $4-$5000 it will need to be a four seater and automatic with comfort probably being the main requirement.
I want it to be Australian (not Japanese or European)-something a bit blue collar.
I have always been a Ford man over a GM man, so no Holdens.
Having a look, it seems some nice (if rather bland) 1998 onward Ford Falcon AU saloons can be had for this money.
I quite like the thought of having a nice clean and tidy silver one of these boring looking cars, but with the big V8 engine.
Were all the trim levels available in V8? (I quite like the thought of a Ghia V8)
Are they fairly strait forward cars? is there anything cool about them?
Am i right in thinking that specification levels go like this:
Forte - Futura - S - Fairmont - Ghia - XR ?? What are the 'FTE' cars? and realistically what kind of car could i get for $4500.00? (in a years time)....
Thanks,
Richard.
My wife (two young children) and myself are planning a move to Adelaide next year.
(we are working to 1st May as a moving date)
Been using the Poms in Oz and Poms in Adelaide forums as a great source of information for lots of things regarding the move. But there is not much car related on there.
I don't really know to much about domestic Australian cars but plan to own one when i move there.
There are two reasons for this. The first being, that European cars seem to be very expensive over in Australia (like for like with the equivalent Uk model)and the second reason, is that we plan to rent out our property over here in the UK for our forst 2 years in Australia and as such, will need to budget in Australia.
So, my max budget for a car will be $4-$5000 it will need to be a four seater and automatic with comfort probably being the main requirement.
I want it to be Australian (not Japanese or European)-something a bit blue collar.
I have always been a Ford man over a GM man, so no Holdens.
Having a look, it seems some nice (if rather bland) 1998 onward Ford Falcon AU saloons can be had for this money.
I quite like the thought of having a nice clean and tidy silver one of these boring looking cars, but with the big V8 engine.
Were all the trim levels available in V8? (I quite like the thought of a Ghia V8)
Are they fairly strait forward cars? is there anything cool about them?
Am i right in thinking that specification levels go like this:
Forte - Futura - S - Fairmont - Ghia - XR ?? What are the 'FTE' cars? and realistically what kind of car could i get for $4500.00? (in a years time)....
Thanks,
Richard.
I would say you should be able to get an ok BA (ie 2002 onwards car) for that money. Something like a BA Futura or a BA Fairmont.
Not sure there was an S as such in the AU. Think it might have been a limited edition car.
Forte is the bottom one, Futura is a Forte but all the Safety stuff on, like Airbags, cruise control ABS. Fairmont would be next which is a luxury version, Fairmont Ghia is a luxury luxury version! XR6 and XR8 slotted sort of next to them. XR6, XR6 HP? and XR8 I think it was. Check what options is has, because in those days, some of them were very sparse. When the BA came along, I think it had more standard gear on it.
BA versions were XT, Futura, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia.
V8 versions were rare in the AU, mainly the XR8 had one and some Fairmont Ghias. I remember seeing a few more V8s in the BA versions. BA XT V8s came up occasionally and BA V8 Fairmonts but you pay a bit extra for them.
Fairlanes and LTD are the Long wheel base versions.
Not sure there was an S as such in the AU. Think it might have been a limited edition car.
Forte is the bottom one, Futura is a Forte but all the Safety stuff on, like Airbags, cruise control ABS. Fairmont would be next which is a luxury version, Fairmont Ghia is a luxury luxury version! XR6 and XR8 slotted sort of next to them. XR6, XR6 HP? and XR8 I think it was. Check what options is has, because in those days, some of them were very sparse. When the BA came along, I think it had more standard gear on it.
BA versions were XT, Futura, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia.
V8 versions were rare in the AU, mainly the XR8 had one and some Fairmont Ghias. I remember seeing a few more V8s in the BA versions. BA XT V8s came up occasionally and BA V8 Fairmonts but you pay a bit extra for them.
Fairlanes and LTD are the Long wheel base versions.
AUs are s
te.
The Police here stopped using them because during a couple of high speed pursuits, the body flexed so much the rear windscreens fell out.
As with any old falcon, you will need to upgrade the stereo in order to drown out the rear diff whine. Very hard to actually kill stone dead though.
te.The Police here stopped using them because during a couple of high speed pursuits, the body flexed so much the rear windscreens fell out.
As with any old falcon, you will need to upgrade the stereo in order to drown out the rear diff whine. Very hard to actually kill stone dead though.
Our $350 ED Fairmont wagon disproved the $5k rule with its 4000km of punishment through the outback.. 
Personally I'd go for one of the last of the E series rather than an AU, not a fan of the blobby shape, too similar to the Taurus.
They're used as taxis for a reason, do huge KMs consistently without serious issue.
Personally I'd go for one of the last of the E series rather than an AU, not a fan of the blobby shape, too similar to the Taurus.
They're used as taxis for a reason, do huge KMs consistently without serious issue.
richard300 said:
is there anything cool about them?
In short, no.Firstly it's just a old average falcon. Bit like saying a 1995 Mondeo 1.8 LX is cool. Too common, functional, dated and commercial to have any panache.
Secondly, the V8. To the average pom the V8 is a romantic notion but here old V8 saloons are quite common and unfortunately tends to be driven by white trash with a ridiculously loud abortion of an exhaust, burn out steel wheels on the back, alloys on the front and a paint job more faded and f
ked than Lindsay Lohan's career. Also, like the same, lots of blow but not much go.As a UK equivalent Imagine a 97 Saxo VTR on 18""rims with a max power bodykit hanging out at a maccas and you get the idea.
If you could find a bog standard clean one that would be nearly ok.
Personally for $5k I'd buy something Jap, or as said a BA Falcon. However a Lexus LS400 would be pretty nice if not old.
I'm tempted to take the V8 plunge in due course but for something more modern.
Edited by Pommygranite on Friday 5th July 09:52
Pommygranite said:
In short, no.
Firstly it's just a old average falcon. Bit like saying a 1995 Mondeo 1.8 LX is cool. Too common, functional, dated and commercial to have any panache.
Secondly, the V8. To the average pom the V8 is a romantic notion but here old V8 saloons are quite common and unfortunately tends to be driven by white trash with a ridiculously loud abortion of an exhaust, burn out steel wheels on the back, alloys on the front and a paint job more faded and fked than Lindsay Lohan's career. Also, like the same, lots of blow but not much go.
As a UK equivalent Imagine a 97 Saxo VTR on 18""rims with a max power bodykit hanging out at a maccas and you get the idea.
If you could find a bog standard clean one that would be nearly ok.
Personally for $5k I'd buy something Jap, or as said a BA Falcon. However a Lexus LS400 would be pretty nice if not old.
I'm tempted to take the V8 plunge in due course but for something more modern.
Yeah this. +1. Like. Firstly it's just a old average falcon. Bit like saying a 1995 Mondeo 1.8 LX is cool. Too common, functional, dated and commercial to have any panache.
Secondly, the V8. To the average pom the V8 is a romantic notion but here old V8 saloons are quite common and unfortunately tends to be driven by white trash with a ridiculously loud abortion of an exhaust, burn out steel wheels on the back, alloys on the front and a paint job more faded and f
ked than Lindsay Lohan's career. Also, like the same, lots of blow but not much go.As a UK equivalent Imagine a 97 Saxo VTR on 18""rims with a max power bodykit hanging out at a maccas and you get the idea.
If you could find a bog standard clean one that would be nearly ok.
Personally for $5k I'd buy something Jap, or as said a BA Falcon. However a Lexus LS400 would be pretty nice if not old.
I'm tempted to take the V8 plunge in due course but for something more modern.
Edited by Pommygranite on Friday 5th July 09:52
Ran a 99 AU Falcon (ex cop) with 160km for a while. Didnt need anything bar servicing and brakes. Insanely tail happy in the wet (6cyl) so stick good tyres on it...
Dad ran a 00 AU Fairmont (6cyl too) for a while till it got written off in the hail storm - again superbly reliable and wanted nothing - had 180km from memory.
Friend now running a 02 AU 6cyl SR with 170km - no issues to report.
Think thing you need to do is find a good one.
Dad ran a 00 AU Fairmont (6cyl too) for a while till it got written off in the hail storm - again superbly reliable and wanted nothing - had 180km from memory.
Friend now running a 02 AU 6cyl SR with 170km - no issues to report.
Think thing you need to do is find a good one.
Thanks for the feedback chaps..... maybe have to have a re-think.
How much difference (say in percentage) is a cars value in Australia, effected by it being an import.
For example the E46 325ci M-Sport i am hoping to pick up in the Uk tonight (For £2650) would appear to have a value of about $14.000 - If it was an official Australian car - Just wondering if the Maths can justify shipping it over... I appreciate i would need to keep it and use it for 12 months here, first.
Some basic man maths...... (All in AUD)
purchase price 4200
Shipping 1000
Customs clearance 650
Port Inspection 250
Valuation 275
Customs duty 800
Total 7175
Cars value as an Import 11000
11000 - 7175 = 3825 (which i could either look at as profit if i sold the car, or a saving if i kept the car)??
How much difference (say in percentage) is a cars value in Australia, effected by it being an import.
For example the E46 325ci M-Sport i am hoping to pick up in the Uk tonight (For £2650) would appear to have a value of about $14.000 - If it was an official Australian car - Just wondering if the Maths can justify shipping it over... I appreciate i would need to keep it and use it for 12 months here, first.
Some basic man maths...... (All in AUD)
purchase price 4200
Shipping 1000
Customs clearance 650
Port Inspection 250
Valuation 275
Customs duty 800
Total 7175
Cars value as an Import 11000
11000 - 7175 = 3825 (which i could either look at as profit if i sold the car, or a saving if i kept the car)??
Richard it is years since I saw an AU Falcon with all it's lights working. That is probably the worst thing you can say about them, other than the styling is hard to love. Still who cares about that, you can't see it from inside.
I used to regularly have to get from the Whitsunday Islands to Cairns & back. You could not do it flying, as the schedules were hopeless. I had to drive to Townsville, about 328Km, catch an 8.00AM flight to Cairns, then a 6.00PM flight from Cairns to Townsville, & drive home.
They were long days, & I always tried to rent a Falcon for the day, nothing would have made me take my company Toyota Tarago. Falcons were definitely the best car to waffle away the miles on the return trip, when you were tired. A Commodore required much more attention, & all the European & Jap things were a pain, requiring your full attention. Much more fun when you wanted to really drive, none could live with the Falcon for easy mile munching on B grade highways.
As cheap family transport their reliability far out ways their fuel consumption.
I used to regularly have to get from the Whitsunday Islands to Cairns & back. You could not do it flying, as the schedules were hopeless. I had to drive to Townsville, about 328Km, catch an 8.00AM flight to Cairns, then a 6.00PM flight from Cairns to Townsville, & drive home.
They were long days, & I always tried to rent a Falcon for the day, nothing would have made me take my company Toyota Tarago. Falcons were definitely the best car to waffle away the miles on the return trip, when you were tired. A Commodore required much more attention, & all the European & Jap things were a pain, requiring your full attention. Much more fun when you wanted to really drive, none could live with the Falcon for easy mile munching on B grade highways.
As cheap family transport their reliability far out ways their fuel consumption.
I took our surplus to requirements BF for its fortnightly run to work and back today.
It never fails to impress me. It soaks up the crappy 3rd world freeway, fuel consumption is reasonable, and it shifts when I want it too.
Overall it is a far more relaxing drive than any of the Commodores I've had ( although they are all SV6s or SSs). My current manual SS is a real pain in stop/start traffic, so I might start using the Falcon more often.
The only downside is no iPod connection/bluetooth.
It never fails to impress me. It soaks up the crappy 3rd world freeway, fuel consumption is reasonable, and it shifts when I want it too.
Overall it is a far more relaxing drive than any of the Commodores I've had ( although they are all SV6s or SSs). My current manual SS is a real pain in stop/start traffic, so I might start using the Falcon more often.
The only downside is no iPod connection/bluetooth.
WeirdNeville said:
ouple of hundred bucks on an aftermarket head unit should sort that, no?
Probably, but it as an integrated screen that shows hvac settings etc as well, so I'm not sure how easy it is to swap over.I think it is possible to buy a cable to hook one up. If Krudd wins the election and screws my company lease scheme with his FBT changes I might look into it because I'll need to hang on to the Falcon!
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