loachboy

G'day all, I'm new to this Forum but My Dad and myslef had a few Falcons over the years.
I am looking at travelling some distances around the country later this year and am interested in advice on which wagon would be a better option. I'm thinking the model that came out with the LPG option, which ever model that was.
Any thoughts ???

PS - I would be buying second hand and don't want to spend over $12000.00 if possible.

Thanks in advance

Loachy

Curls

I think you'll find it was the EF that came with a "factory" (Tickford installed as apart from a dealer supplied unit) lpg duel fuel conversion that used the triple "scuba" tanks fitted in the spare wheel well. As with any car, provided its routine maintenance was kept up to the required periods they should be fine. LPG burns drier and so good oil and REGULAR changes are very important. The fact taxis run for hundreds of thousands of kays shows this but they are running warm for long time/distances and don't do a lot of short trips were things don't warm up greatly like exhausts. I've heard of some air boxes blowing due to back-firing while on LPG and again this is a tune-up issue. The triple tanks, as apart from the underside slung single tank meant your rear overhang ground clearance is really un-effected which means you won't go scraping it over steep driveways, etc...The car when in LPG mode should start in petrol and switch over to LPG automatically which makes cold morning starting far easier. Duel fuel will give you greater range as (I think) the full petrol tank size is maintained. My parents run an ELII Futura wagon (new in '98) duel fuel and its been trouble free but again they service it by the book. As to which model, obviously you will be trying to buy the latest model you can afford and in the case of falcon wagons they got better with every update. I personally think the EL wagons are the better buy as their front ends were improved over the earlier E-series, had better security (if you can call it that), stonger roof/a-pillar construction...happy shopping...

Swordie

An XF in good condition may be worth a look. These should handle many Kms and if something goes wrong will be easy to fix. If you can find a manual it will be more fuel efficient than an auto.

Curls

If the budget is $12K I think something more recent is affordable, although as I speak we have an XF Series III Fairmont wagon, ELII Futura wagon and BA Futura wagon in the driveway. If you do go after an XF I'd head towards the carby models only (we have EFI) and they are more troublesome due slow ECU. The engine needs to be airtight, ie if the dipstick is out slightly or oil filler cap not tight it effects the idle and sometime you can stall while changing from reverse to drive etc...when on song great but not easy to keep this way.

O/T but when I have to shift all three to get out I'm still blown away by the idle quality of the BA over the other Falcon engines, not often mentioned but truely one of the BAs I6's best features.

GTposiblee

Just be aware that if you go to out of the way places Gas is quite often unavailable. So you would need dual fuel.
Cheers