Update: Advice on buying an AU - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

matty_02 · 12-12-2004, 16:39

Hi all,

I'd like to just thank everyone for all your help, really appreciate it!!!

Ford AU Fairmont 2000 Series II, burgundy, auto, full electrics, 115,000kms, CD player, airbags, rear spoiler, SOU-012, $13,800

Went and had a look at the car above on Saturday and was quite impressed, I checked the oil, coolant, checked for leaks, rattles, weird engine noise and all seemed OK by me (Although im no mechanic). Then took it for a test drive, eased off the accelerator, then gave it a fair bit didnt hear any signs of anything unusual, was a very smooth ride... Only things wrong i found was that the Rear Left electric window doesnt go UP, I can do it from the driver controls, but not from the back!! Is this anything serious? probably not!!

The car has service books, has been serviced every 15,000 Kms and has just been re-registered so its got 11 months reg.

Went back on the Sunday and put a deposit on the car... Hes going to get roadworthy done today or tommorow, i'm going to look at the things which need fixing, if there is anything i'll probably ask him to drop the price...

At the moment we've got a deal at $13,400 is this reasonable??

Once again, thanks for your help and am looking forward to my conversion from previously owning 2 Holdens to now a Ford.

Cheers

XRFPV8 · 12-12-2004, 16:52

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pickles have the best fixed priced cars...www.pickles.com.au
this is a selection from there Melbourne site..
CP 07/01, FORD, FALCON, AU II Forte, Sedan
$11,550 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, UNLEADED, Multi-Point Injected, 79,639 kms (Showing On Odometer), NAROOMA BLUE, Rego.No:RFJ456, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Jack, Tow Bar

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CP 11/01, FORD, FALCON, AU III Forte, Sedan
$15,300 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, Gas, Single-Point Injected, 61,840 kms (Showing On Odometer), MONSOON, Rego.No:RFO578, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, ABS, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Jack

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CP 10/00, FORD, FAIRMONT, AU II, Sedan
$13,100 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, UNLEADED, Multi-Point Injected, 107,943 kms (Showing On Odometer), METEORITE, Rego.No:QLO203, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind, ABS, Cru. Cont, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Jack, Traction Control, Tow Bar, Alloy Wheels

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CP 10/00, FORD, FALCON, AU II Forte, Sedan
$11,850 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, UNLEADED, Multi-Point Injected, 50,343 kms (Showing On Odometer), MONSOON, Rego.No:QNJ102, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Jack

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</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 1em">CP 08/01, FORD, FALCON, AU II Forte, Sedan
$10,950 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, UNLEADED, Multi-Point Injected, 107,507 kms (Showing On Odometer), WHITE, Rego.No:RDS977, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, ABS, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Jack

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CP 11/01, FORD, FALCON, AU III Forte, Wagon
$13,050 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, UNLEADED, Multi-Point Injected, 139,379 kms (Showing On Odometer), WINTER WHITE, Rego.No:RFI053, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, ABS, Cru. Cont, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Jack, Cargo Barrier, Tinted Windows

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CP 10/00, FORD, FAIRMONT, AU II, Sedan
$15,750 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, UNLEADED, Multi-Point Injected, 80,140 kms (Showing On Odometer), SPARKLING BURGUNDY, Rego.No:QNS294, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind, ABS, Cru. Cont, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Jack, Tow Bar, Alloy Wheels, Tinted Windows

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CP 05/01, FORD, FALCON, AU II Forte, Sedan
$11,300 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, UNLEADED, Multi-Point Injected, 118,148 kms (Showing On Odometer), SPARKLING BURGUNDY, Rego.No:RFJ315, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Tow Bar

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CP 11/01, FORD, FALCON, AU III Forte, Sedan
$14,050 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, Gas, Single-Point Injected, 101,083 kms (Showing On Odometer), SILHOUETTE, Rego.No:RFO503, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, ABS, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio

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CP 03/01, FORD, FALCON, AU II Forte, Sedan
$10,850 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, UNLEADED, Multi-Point Injected, 116,977 kms (Showing On Odometer), MONSOON BLUE, Rego.No:RFJ345, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Tow Bar

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CP 11/01, FORD, FALCON, AU III Forte, Sedan
$14,050 (GST inc.)
AUTOMATIC, 4.0 ltr, 6 cyl, Gas, Single-Point Injected, 108,034 kms (Showing On Odometer), ORGANZA, Rego.No:RFO553, Aircond., Airbag Dual, P/Steer, P/Wind Front, ABS, Cent.Lock, CD Player, Radio, Tow Bar

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matty_02 · 12-12-2004, 17:25

I've been looking at Pickles fixed price cars, although i really do want a Fairmont, and they have only got a few there, which arent even registered either!! So i basically have to pay an extra $1000 on most of those cars, which will cover a RWC, Registration, Transfer Fees etc.

Whereas privately, comes with RWC, Rego, and the transfer fees can be negotiated by saying i payed less for the car, which this guy is willing to do.

I do really wish i was just after a Forte, cos i'd definately buy one of those, but i've got my heart set on a Fairmont....

Cheers, Matt

loxxr6 · 12-13-2004, 01:49

A little bit up on km's but still sounds like a reasonable price.

Just make sure you screw the dealership over with getting as much as possible fixed by them for any repairs needed that they pick up on with the RWC.

chief · 12-13-2004, 02:54

Pickles is really great. That is where I bought my wagon. It was ex lease from a Loreal sales rep. Probably a chic who drove very slow and steady. Everything was great dealing with Pickles. If paying by Cheque it has to be a Bank Cheque (Personal Cheques not accepted).

Good luck finding your car mate

Ghia5L · 12-13-2004, 03:04

Get that window switch fixed! It'll really shit ya later on...

Soxx · 12-13-2004, 13:55

We'll be putting our AU on the market shortly, watch the for sale section on this site for more details.

Just briefly, it's a 99 S-pac, 5spd, with 110,000k's.
I suspect we'll attempt to get around $14,000 initially.

It's in excellent condition.

Rick.

AUsome · 12-13-2004, 16:24

That's a pretty damn good buy there. Where abouts are you from?

FPV TURBO · 12-13-2004, 18:11

Good buy alright!! $13400 is cheap for a fairmont!!

Did you check to make sure the Six stacker worked properly and also check the climate control to make sure none of the digits have faded.

012 · 12-13-2004, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by loxxr6

Just make sure you screw the dealership over with getting as much as possible fixed by them for any repairs needed that they pick up on with the RWC.

That's just it. They will do the RWC and they will find no problems at all. If you're not a mechanic by trade, get them to agree on a independent pre purchase inspection (a lot more detailed than a RWC), and what ever is picked up has to be repaired before signing the transfer of ownership. Depending on the number of faults or seriousness of the repairs needed following the independent inspection, you buy or you don't buy. A follow-up inpection post repairs costs half of the first inspection. It might seem a waist of money ($100 average for a ind. inspection), but it pays in the long run, if you really want that particular car.