Advice on buying a AU Falcon - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

matty_02 · 11-09-2004, 17:49

Hey there,

I'm new to this site and was seeking advice on buying a AU Falcon!!

How much should i be looking at paying? Are these a good car? (No major faults etc.) Stuff like that if people could give me advice it would be good!!
I'll also be using the car to tow a 17ft boat, i've heard Ford's are quite good for towing, so i shouldnt have a problem?
I've been looking on redbook.com for cars for sale and there are a few good ones but then again, what would i know!!
Any advice would be good..

Cheers

FPV TURBO · 11-09-2004, 18:48

Hey matty 02

Welcome to Ford Forums mate...

Depends how much you really wanna spend, but there are some great buys out there atm specially with the later AU Series III cars, some have less then 20,000 kms and there are a few Fairmonts / Ghias around with a stack of options. They are good for towing providing you option the bigger towbar with the load leveling kit. If i was in the market for another AU (previously owned an AU II XR6) id either buy an AU II XR6 VCT or an AU II / III Fairmont Ghia with some Tickford Options. AU II / III Futuras and SRs are also good value as they have alloys, cruise, abs, power everything etc.

matty_02 · 11-09-2004, 18:55

Hey FPV,

Thanks for the info!!

Those cars are probably a little out of my price range, Maxiumum i would want to spend it about 15K!!
There are a fair few 1999-2000 Ford Falcon AU Forte priced between 10K-15K although im not sure if these are any good??
Please advise

Cheers

FPV TURBO · 11-09-2004, 19:02

A few usefull websites ive found with cheap Falcons are...

www.pickles.com.au (search Fixed price Cars)
www.carnet.com.au

For that kind of money you could probarly get a decent AU II Fairmont (around 150,000 kms) or an AU III SR (100,000 kms). I'd be going more for a Series II car rather then a Series I, Series II were built after April 2000 and have better brakes, a little bit better resale and also better looks. Series III are basically Series II with some minor cosmetic changes like wheels etc.

FPV TURBO · 11-09-2004, 19:06

99 FORD FAIRMONT Ghia AU SEDAN NSW $10,850
WHITE AUTO Multi-point injected 4.0 136132 KMS WNA245 AB ABS AC AW BKS CC CDS CL CLIM DAB ES IMM IRS LS PM PS PW RC TC TRC - MORE DETAILS

Thats a good example!! found on www.carnet.com.au, bascially has every option u can get on an AU!

matty_02 · 11-09-2004, 19:13

Thanks once again FPV

Whats the average kms on these cars? or should i say how many kms is TOO much?

Thanks for the links, i'll keep an eye out on both of them!! Its a shame that car is in NSW, im in Victoria :( Hopefully something will come up though..

Forte? Is that similar to an Executive in Holdens range? I currently own a holden and arent too familiar with Fords layout!!

If you find anymore good cars for sale, please dont hesitate to post em on here :)

Thanks once again

FPV TURBO · 11-09-2004, 19:18

Anything between 100,000 and 130,000 is about the going rate with early cheap AU's anything under 100,000 is usually worth a fair bit more..

Basically the Model line up goes as follows

Forte - Executive
Basic Auto with Aircon, Possible Cruise Control and ABS. CD Player in AU II

Futura - Acclaim
Alloy wheels, spoiler, cruise control, ABS, CD Player.

Fairmont - Berlina
Alloy wheels, climate control, woodgrain, upgraded interior, computer, ABS, CD Player colour coded mirrors, chrome grill.

Fairmont Ghia - Calais
Alloy wheels, climate control, woodgrain, leather interior, CD stacker, computer ABS, Colour coded mirrors, chrome grill, electric seat. Bigger Tickford Motor with 168 Kw and IRS suspension.

matty_02 · 11-09-2004, 19:28

Ahh goood :) Thanks for that
Makes things ALOT clearer now!!
So it would be better to look for a fatura or a fairmont...
I actually havent even searched for fairmonts, here are a few!!
I really like the look of the chrome at the front/rear and also the spoilers make them look alot nicer!!!

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!rb_content.pv_display_vehicle?vehicle_id=1966876&current_rec=1&total_rec=8&sort_type=&price_min=750 0&price_max=15000&make_id=6&model_id=10&state_id=7&search_distance=25&year_min=1999

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!rb_content.pv_display_vehicle?vehicle_id=141023&current_rec=4&total_rec=8&sort_type=&price_min=7500 &price_max=15000&make_id=6&model_id=10&state_id=7&search_distance=25&year_min=1999

Are these prices any good??

FPV TURBO · 11-09-2004, 19:35

Both are a good buy, but the green one has less kms whereas the gold one is a newer car...

loxxr6 · 11-09-2004, 19:41

As has previously been said, go for a series 2 onwards. I have a series 1 XR6 and have had no drama's whatsoever however the series 1's were meant to have brakes which weren't as good as the later models. Personally for everyday driving they're fine. I doubt most everyday people would put them to test.

In Sydney car yards, a base model Forte(series 1) will go for anything from 10k+. They're relatively cheap as far as newish cars are concerned. You can do better though.

The second series onwards are cosmetically nicer but it all depends on what model you're looking for. If you aim for a Fairmont or so which should be within your budget you should do ok. The higher end models score IRS which you'll definately like if you're not a fan of a bumpy ride.

Try http://www.drive.com.au/buy/market_value/ for some help with rough pricing. Best thing to do as always is take your time and look around. There's stacks of bargains with AU's.