AUIII Fairmont V8 or V6 ? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

SnaggS · 08-19-2003, 19:01

Looking at a 2nd safe car for the Mrs, and since the AU's have deprecriated soo heavily, they seem to be a good buy as opposed to getting an Astra or other hatch.

Is the economy on the V8 terrible compared to the V6 ?
Whats a realistic price for a 2002 AUIII Fairmont V8, low k's ?

Daniel.

TS50 · 08-19-2003, 19:15

a V6 AU
wow i only know of a straight six

VH-PBC · 08-19-2003, 19:23

Must have been typing too quick or maybe someone offered a V6?

Aussie Pete · 08-19-2003, 21:29

The V8 is only 175kW - a true boat anchor. having said that it's more than the alternative and everyone I know who has one reckons it is actually very good for day to day driving. Plus buying secondhand you won't be paying the exhorbitant premium that was requested when new.

davway · 08-19-2003, 21:59

straight 6 AU doesnt get the best fuel economy around town. highway is good but i cant speak for the V8s. if you want fuel econmoy buy a 4 cylinder...still get good power out of some. for the price you'll pay for a fairmont you can buy a new little car and get better warranty (5 years are most small cars) some even offer free servicing upto 100000km.

TS50 · 08-19-2003, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie Pete

The V8 is only 175kW - a true boat anchor. having said that it's more than the alternative and everyone I know who has one reckons it is actually very good for day to day driving. Plus buying secondhand you won't be paying the exhorbitant premium that was requested when new.

Are you sure Pete? I'm not saying I am right, but I thought the Windsor in the AU's especially the III's was rated higher than the EF's / EL's
but hey it wouldnt be the first time i have been wrong, just ask my wife

Bearman · 08-20-2003, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by TS50

Are you sure Pete? I'm not saying I am right, but I thought the Windsor in the AU's especially the III's was rated higher than the EF's / EL's
but hey it wouldnt be the first time i have been wrong, just ask my wife

Pete's right. EF's and EL's in non XR models were only 165kw!!! The first signs of Ford doing anything with the 5L was the EL2 XR8 upgrade from 170kw to 185kw.

Swordie · 08-20-2003, 20:27

If you are concerned with economy, one fitted with gas may be worth considering.

JC-XR8 · 08-20-2003, 20:33

I had an AU2 V8 and I still have an XR6VCT - the fuel consumption difference is about 0.5l per 100km in favour of the 6. Bugger all really. Go the 8! With extractors and 3" exhaust, you will get some decent power - ie about the same as Holden got from theirs about 4 years ago! lol.

I've said it before and I'll say it again "I miss my V8"

rod c · 08-20-2003, 21:09

A bit of topic. I had a 165kw in a el fairmont ghia very ordinary power. I had a au1 xls ute (all autos) 175kw that went a lot harder than the 165 engine. Than I got the xr8 au2 ute 200kw engine that honestly you could not pick the differance between that and the xls until you hit 3,000rpm than it was very noticeable and they all used about the same amount of fuel. Now there is my ba xr8 ute that's another story. I always compare my modern day v8's I have owned over the years to my old XC-GS ute 4 speed, 351 ( few mods) and nothing I have owned has ever shaped up to the raw power and accelleration of that old ute. Maybe because I was younger, who knows!!