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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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#1 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 35
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Gidday
I've owned a 97 Futura EL wagon for the past 9 years. She's done me proud, but the repairs are almost ongoing, so now is the time for me to update. I hear the AU's were terrible, but have heard good things about the BA's. Was wondering if anyone can offer me advice on what to get? My budget is between $5000-10000, and she has to be a wagon. I would prefer LPG too. Any ideas on what's good that fits that criteria? Thanks for your time and help. Shaun
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#2 | ||
Cobblers!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Shire, NSW
Posts: 4,489
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AUs aren't terrible. Never have been. They are most reliable Falcon to date.
If you can, try and find a late AUIII E-Gas Futura, or an early BA Futura. Both were readily available on dedicated LPG.
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#3 | |||
Straight Eight
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 2,049
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Quote:
To me the BA looked like a tribute to the early E series falcons.
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The Falcon is dead. Long live the Mighty Falcon. |
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#4 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 35
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Thanks guys.
So Au's were mechanically as sound as the El, BA and BF? It was just the style that people didn't like?
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#5 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Bayswater, Vic
Posts: 197
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the au's were more reliable than the b series cars.
if u have to get a b series, the later the better, but generally, au's dont have any of the niggling little problems ba's can have |
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#6 | |||
Straight Eight
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 2,049
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Quote:
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The Falcon is dead. Long live the Mighty Falcon. |
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#7 | |||
Cobblers!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Shire, NSW
Posts: 4,489
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Quote:
I'd lose the blinkers, or you may miss out on a great car.
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Ego BFII Ghia Titanium Silver E53 X5 4.4i Gunmetal EF XR6. Now retired from active duty. Roses are red. Violets are blue. OS X rocks. Homage to you. |
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#8 | ||
Racing improves the breed
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SE Melbourne
Posts: 3,982
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You can't go wrong with an AUIII, very reliable, a good range of models to choose from and priced very well.
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#9 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,922
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Hi
I will be completely honest and fair AU's are pig ugly but known to be very reliable robust cars Ive spoken to cab drivers (who does the most km?) who swear by the last of the AU series as extremely reliable cars, moreso than the BA series Otherwise i know someone who is selling a 97 EL futura? |
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#10 | ||
Ford Fiesta
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 235
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For that money you would be getting the best of the AU III models ... or the early BA models.
The AU will definitely be the more reliable vehicle with less niggling issues - not that the BA is badly built, it's just that the AU's were so solid. Should be able to find an AU wagon on gas with fairly low km's and have some $ to spare |
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#11 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 35
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Anyone had experience with the Falcon Forte AU?
How are AU's compared to AUIII's? Thanks for all your help guys - I'm in research mode all night!
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#12 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 512
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I agree with Grippy above. If I had up to $10K to spend on an LPG Falcon wagon I'd be going with the AUIII. All the faults had been ironed out by the third series and it would be much more reliable then a BA1.
However the BA does have slightly better looks, a more comfortable driving position, tiptronic gearbox etc. I'd take both for a test drive and go for the model you like the best... And with $10k theres plenty of wagons out there to choose from. Good luck mate
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#13 | |||
Cobblers!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Shire, NSW
Posts: 4,489
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Quote:
__________________
Ego BFII Ghia Titanium Silver E53 X5 4.4i Gunmetal EF XR6. Now retired from active duty. Roses are red. Violets are blue. OS X rocks. Homage to you. |
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#14 | |||
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: searching for cubes
Posts: 6,672
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Quote:
Seriously mate there is nothing wrong with an AUII or AUIII and 10 big ones will get you a very nice low km example - they can be had for much less than that if you shop around. |
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#15 | ||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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I went from an EL Fairmont to a AUIII Futura with factory dual-fuel. It's just as reliable as the previous 2 AUs I've had.
Fantastic and robust cars, but their looks let them down. The quality of interior materials is much higher than in the BA model as well. Go for the AUIII.
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Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#16 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
![]() Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Riff
Posts: 12,362
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AU's mechanically are tough, but start checking the older models bodies for rust. Around boot lid hinges,rear tail lights and behind rear bumper are all proven water traps.
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#17 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,922
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For your price range, AU3... solid car, get the best example around under $10k
BA's will only get the rougher examples for under $10k, more km, more issues |
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#18 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 22,909
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http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...eot=1&__Ntt=ba fairmont&silo=1011&__sid=12ED4EA2B268&keywords=ba falcon&__D=ba fairmont&SearchAction=N&trecs=59&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 751&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode matchany
Something like this.. BA Fairmont Ghia, less then 100,000 km for 10,990. You should be able to get it for 10 kay! |
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#19 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,699
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Quote:
But the BA does drive nicer, however saying that the AU drives incrediblely well.
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EB II 1992 Fairmont - koni reds, wade 977b, 2.5inch/4480's and much more to come! |
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#20 | |||
Cobblers!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Shire, NSW
Posts: 4,489
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Quote:
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Ego BFII Ghia Titanium Silver E53 X5 4.4i Gunmetal EF XR6. Now retired from active duty. Roses are red. Violets are blue. OS X rocks. Homage to you. |
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#21 | |||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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Quote:
__________________
Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#22 | |||
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,922
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Quote:
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#23 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 35
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Thanks so far for all the replies.
Is there a list floating around of what goes wrong at certain kms for the different models. I've been told you can set a clock by when heads crack etc on Futuras. Cheers
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#24 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Golden Grove, SA
Posts: 1,333
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ive got an AUIII XR6 and love it, not 1 thing has gone wrong with it (touch wood). AU's are definatly more reliable then BA's, mechanically AUs are very similar to E series which means everythings tried and tested. On BAs everything mechanical is pretty much new, which is why they have a lot more little problems.
And what do you mean about the heads going on futuras? They have the same motor as all other models so why would they?
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'96 EL Fairmont Ghia 5L |
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#25 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 35
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I have a Futura, so that was an example of my experience.
BF XTs - anyone with experience?
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#26 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,876
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Along with the TL Magna, is an AUIII one of the best second hand cars on the market? Definately.
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#27 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,699
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Quote:
__________________
EB II 1992 Fairmont - koni reds, wade 977b, 2.5inch/4480's and much more to come! |
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#28 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,699
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Quote:
__________________
EB II 1992 Fairmont - koni reds, wade 977b, 2.5inch/4480's and much more to come! |
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#29 | |||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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The rust issues are not huge holes or half of the car missing like the old XA-XF models. It's common on the AU sedans to have rust on the boot strut knob. Guess it pays to keep your car under cover and always wipe the channels after washing to compensate for poor design.
Quote:
Perhaps you should drive one before commenting on them ![]()
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Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#30 | |||
Cobblers!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Shire, NSW
Posts: 4,489
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Quote:
__________________
Ego BFII Ghia Titanium Silver E53 X5 4.4i Gunmetal EF XR6. Now retired from active duty. Roses are red. Violets are blue. OS X rocks. Homage to you. |
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