Help please: What’s wrong getting a BA over an AU?

[FGII-XR6]

it's a car yard I'm sure he has room to move for no trade

[Uncle_Ken]

I like this one but its to rich for me...
Grey XR6
UK

[FGII-XR6]

yes I saw that one but didn't post it because

1. in Qld
2. more Ks
3. too expensive for what it is by a long way
4. the XR8 was leather trim this was cloth better overall value on the 8

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ken

I like this one but its to rich for me...
Grey XR6
UK

[Uncle_Ken]

I agree with all your valid pointsm I do like grey XR6's. The red rebel looks greta from behind, thats why I got the Rebel rear for my AUII.
Uk

[Uncle_Ken]

What do you guys think about this TE50 on gumtree? Seem way to cheap to me

UK

[FGII-XR6]

looks ok yes it's cheap but bear in mind it comes with a blue slip so add another $1000 for rego . even if you need to spend another $1000 to fix up a few things it's still reasonable value

[b2tf]

I'd go the XR over the TE50. Most will disagree with me but for ease of sourcing parts, general condition and cost, that red XR8 has it for me.

If V8 is where you're looking I would definitely stick to AU. Too many little issues with BA's both XR and non XR V8 that can add up to big repair bills. I have owned a BOSS engine but would probably not buy another one unless it was covered by warranty, which for obvious reasons it wouldn't be! Windsors are a well proven (over 40 years of use in various forms) reliable engine that are well supported in the aftermarket so parts are easy. Granted the modulars have the edge in terms of power, but there's so many tradeoffs to me it just isn't worth it.

........and you can't beat the sound of a Windsor....

[zx10]

^^^^^ this! The windsor just sounds angry. Like it knows ford dumped it. I love the sound of my 220. I have owned a 290 and it didnt compare. Sure it was quicker but I enjoy the 220 more.

[FGII-XR6]

I'd agree, the XR8 is a nwer car with less Ks and is registered, it also has leather interior ( a plus or a minus depnding on preference) in general the XR8 looks a cleaner car. but the TE is of course a rarer car and maybe a bit of a collectable car in the future.
My opinion? both are nice cars but if I were laying down the cash the XR8 would win hands down

Originally Posted by b2tf

I'd go the XR over the TE50. Most will disagree with me but for ease of sourcing parts, general condition and cost, that red XR8 has it for me.

If V8 is where you're looking I would definitely stick to AU. Too many little issues with BA's both XR and non XR V8 that can add up to big repair bills. I have owned a BOSS engine but would probably not buy another one unless it was covered by warranty, which for obvious reasons it wouldn't be! Windsors are a well proven (over 40 years of use in various forms) reliable engine that are well supported in the aftermarket so parts are easy. Granted the modulars have the edge in terms of power, but there's so many tradeoffs to me it just isn't worth it.

........and you can't beat the sound of a Windsor....

[FNQracing]

I have a AU and a BF in the stable. The BF is light years ahead of the AU in every single way. AU is embarrassingly slow (I get smashed by hairdresser cars every day) , unrefined and inefficient in comparison. It was made for another era. BA/F whilst not current, more resembles a car made for this century as far as refinement and handling are concerned. AU is more like a rickshaw. The Barra engine is much sweeter than the wheezy lump in the AU. Its much much harder to find a good AU these days. Most are knackered and ready for the crushers. Plenty of nice clean BA's around (plenty of rubbish too mind you).

AU has more character. I can't bring myself to say better looking. They're frakin ugly as a crushed crab, but I have a soft spot for them. I like them both but for different reasons. AU feels a little stronger and much much less to go wrong with it, just as you;d expect from a rickshaw :-)

[Uncle_Ken]

I have seen a few ads now saying "EX COP car" Should I /we stay away from Ex COp cars? I assume the boys in Blue would drive them FAST.
UK

[auIILTD]

Another factor Ken that I do not believe has been brought up is weight. B series are a much heavier car. Without knowing the exact fuel economies (depending on what you buy of course), a heavier car will of course cost more to run on average - especially in your loverly Sydney traffic!

Cheers and good luck with your decision.
Stu

[Mr Hardware]

BA/BF disadvantages:
Fly by wire throttle (damn infuriating to me, and a deal breaker)
Heavier
Hard Plastics interior
Unnecessarily heavy steering
IRS
XT/Futura look very, very plain and rather dated

BA advantages:
More accepted looks, especially interior
Nice looking cars in XR/BFII/Ghia guise
Far more refined ride and seating
ICC is cool

[pundit]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

I don't see why people bring up the fly by wire so much. Going from an EL, to the current BA, I really don't see what the fuss is about. Maybe when you first get into one? It's like ANY car, no matter if it's an EA-FG. If you are used to an AU, you WILL find fault with all other models. It's just what happens. I didn't like the BA when I FIRST got it. Now I would NOT go back or forward for that matter. Give one a chance, I'm sure you would be surprised. Just don't go the povvo pack one though

This! I was die hard E-series fan for years (not much different than AU) and would hang crap on BA/F like no tomorow. After a few thousand kms worth of road trips in a mates BA it completely changed my opinion on them.

People like what they are use to and get slightly biased toward that.

[mik]

i love my AU , i do like the look of the b series much better, interior as well, but the Au for me has some things going for it, no throttle by wire for one thing, the Au is a bit simpler which i like, handles like its on rails, and it is a tuff old thing.
That said , i nearly weakened and bought a b series fairlane 220 because i wanted the luxo v8....... then went back looking at Au xr8 which i should have bought in the first place cos that is what i really wanted, but thought of fuel savings ,as it turns out the v8 is pretty good on juice in the au's any way.
i would say if you want a b series go for it, not as good in some ways better in others.

[Uncle_Ken]

I think I'm not worried about resale (in 4-5 years time) anymore (or the wife ). Like must guys (and gals) on the forum you wither like the look of Aus or you don't, I like them (with my mods). So I reckon I'll still try mainly for an AU over a BA (not BF etc). Just looking for somthing good around the $6k mark, under 230k's on the clock, an XR6/8, fairmont and/or Fairlane, with l
UKeather, (not that I'm fussy or anytihng )

[Bushbasher]

A nice Sportsman is what you're after UK, not that I'm biased or anything.


1
2

Personally I'd take the blue one if for no other reason than the headlights are still clear unlike the silver one which generally means it hasn't spent it's life out in the weather.

Bushbasher

[SantoAU]

boom.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/iluka...ell/1013382856

[zx10]

http://m.gumtree.com.au/2000-ford-fa...51047#fairlane

Saw this today out for a drive. If only the mrs would let me buy more cars.

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by SantoAU

boom.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/iluka...ell/1013382856

^^^^^^^^^^

Nice car but it don't have the presence or the comfy Howe leather LTD seats of the Sportsman

[SantoAU]

Thread needs to be renamed "Buy Ken an AU"

ps: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/river...sr-/1024249776

[XR6T0Y]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d.../?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

[SantoAU]

Ok, last one.

edit: te50 been posted already. seriously, get it though.

[FGII-XR6]

Saw a really nice TE50 today, blue clean and straight with L plates on it
no way I would put a learner in a nice car like that, too hard to replace ( the car not the learner )

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

Give one a chance, I'm sure you would be surprised. Just don't go the povvo pack one though

Back in the day, even though I loved AU XRs I was quite excited by the BA's launch and I couldn't wait until the day I could afford an XR6T.

Then I drove a BA2 XR6 and it destroyed my excitement for B-Series. I thought to myself "E-Series are the only Falcons worth having if the newer stuff drives like this"

A couple of years later I drove my mate's bog stock AU2 Forte. A few weeks later I picked up my AU2 XR8.

Irrespective of the upgrades and jewellery on the sports/luxury models, the base model has to have the basics right, for the whole range to shine.

Epilogue: I ended up driving a (very quick) modded BF XR6T later on, I regret nothing, AU FTW.

Re: your decision, Uncle Ken: If the car (BA-BF) suits your needs, is within your budget, is in good condition, and you like the way it drives...why not? At least test drive one to see if you like it and go from there.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by SantoAU

boom.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/iluka...ell/1013382856

Awww Ken, you have to buy this car. It's like the hot chick that the rest of us can't pick up because we're taken, but you're single and can totally hit that!

[Uncle_Ken]

Originally Posted by SantoAU

Thread needs to be renamed "Buy Ken an AU"

ps: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/river...sr-/1024249776

If someone posts a car I end up buying I'll buy them a case of beer !!!
Thanks for the links guys. Not allowed to get the same colour as before
So the 2002 Ford Fairlane AU II Sportsman Ghia I like but colour the same
haven't seen the 2002 Ford Fairlane AU II Ghia before. Have not been looking at standard AUs as that is what I had before and looking for a change.
Come on guys a case of beer awaits
UK

[Bushbasher]

So Ken, what colour are you not allowed to have?

[Bushbasher]

After looking again at the silver Sportsman it may just be that the headlights are fogged up from condensation after a wash. If that's the case, and it's a common problem, you can just pull them out and pull them apart (a heat gun and some gentle persuasion will work here) and clean them up inside and reseal them. I had to do that with mine.

Bushbasher

[Uncle_Ken]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

So Ken, what colour are you not allowed to have?

Colours not allowed () but seriously:
White
Black
Burgundy (the colour of my sons AU)
Moonson Blue
Orange
UK