Buying EA Fairmont Ghia

efgoofy · 03-04-2006, 08:32 AM

Hi all,
Am looking at getting an EA Fairmont Ghia, just want to know what to look out for?
Thanks

EA2BA · 03-04-2006, 08:36 AM

niko · 03-04-2006, 08:40 AM

something straight, condition of the motor, (how new things look in engine bay), and any repairs that have been done to it

Dezza · 03-04-2006, 09:03 AM

Besides the obvious head gasket, I'd check that all the power windows work, the climate control funtions properly, the cruise works, all the electrics work fine etc. The rear power windows in the EA are rather fragile after at least 15 years. (I know from experience - I still need to fix mine). Overall, they are a great car, the only problems I've had are all those extra features.

niko · 03-04-2006, 09:06 AM

i had problem withmy rear left window, other than that never touched the electrics. had it for 35000k's only serviced it and replaced all hoses. it ran beautiful

efgoofy · 03-04-2006, 10:19 AM

thanks guys, appreciate the help.
going to look this weekend

mcflux · 03-04-2006, 11:15 AM

Hopefully the one you're looking at has 4 gears instead of 3... Unless you want to put 5 in it that is!

Pix of car will be mandatory.

ON_DUBS · 03-04-2006, 11:23 AM

y would u want an ea fairmont ghia? nothing ghia about it.
get eb or ed

Kenaz · 03-04-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiefalcon

y would u want an ea fairmont ghia? nothing ghia about it.

Please explain.

Dezza · 03-04-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiefalcon

y would u want an ea fairmont ghia? nothing ghia about it.
get eb or ed

Sure, the EB Fairmont is very similar to the EA Fairmont Ghia, but that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the EA. The EA Ghias had a huge range of standard features from the 3.9i MPi to alloy wheels, LSD, colourcoded bumpers and mirrors, a nicer rear garnish, full velour interior, rear headrests, lumber support, climate control, cruise control, trip computer, digital dash, premium stereo (well, premium for it's day) and heaps more... including the classy looking Ghia badges, something a standard Fairmont lacks.

Elaborating on what I said earlier, the main problems I've had in the 4 years I've had the car are my right rear power window, a blocked heater core, the aircon needed regassing (and has a weird problem now as well... I think I'll start a thread about it), and my SLS suspension had a weird problem that was fixed with a cable tie! It hasn't broken down yet, it's actually been quite reliable.

TURBO_GHIA · 03-04-2006, 11:42 AM

why dony you look at a ED fairmont or EF/EL there cheap as these days

**Professor Farnsworth** · 03-04-2006, 11:45 AM

maybe the person just likes EA Ghias, i know i do. My dad had one and it was an awesome car, comfortable, reliable, did well over 320,000 with no major issues. Hated the self leveling rear suspension, was a crap idea but you can easily change that over. What isn't Ghia about the EA Ghia ?

Having said that, this is a pretty nice price for what it is:

EB 2 Ghia

niko · 03-04-2006, 01:40 PM

there much cheaper to.

efgoofy · 03-04-2006, 04:39 PM

all comes down to cost, dont have the money to fork out for a eb or ed, would like to but they are out of my price range, have only about 2 1/2k to 3k to spend.... saying that, it is actually going to be a trade in for the capri, as am in need of larger car due to new baby boy.

Shonky · 03-04-2006, 04:59 PM

I got my ED Ghia with full leather interior for $3100.

It had 240 000kms on the clock, but is in good condition and runs sweet as a nut.

I have had it for almost a year now and put over 16 000kms on it, and it has never missed a beat.

There are certainly EB/ED Ghias around in your price bracket.

That said: whats wrong with an EA? They are still a great car. (sshhh.. they are! :P)

efgoofy · 03-04-2006, 05:10 PM

depends on the dealer, have to go through a dealer as have had no interest in the capri selling privately... so depends on what they have to offer.

mcflux · 03-04-2006, 06:20 PM

EA thru dealer?

Hmm... $5k lol

ON_DUBS · 03-04-2006, 06:58 PM

no offense to anyone who likes the ea ghia but theres nothing special about it imo.

much better off getting an eb or ed ghia for the revisions alone if not the nicer interior.

when i think of ghia, i expect at least some woodgrain if not leather interior.
ea ghia is the same as a regular eb fairmont.

but being an ea, really, i wouldnt go there.

mcflux · 04-04-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiefalcon

no offense to anyone who likes the ea ghia but theres nothing special about it imo.

much better off getting an eb or ed ghia for the revisions alone if not the nicer interior.

when i think of ghia, i expect at least some woodgrain if not leather interior.
ea ghia is the same as a regular eb fairmont.

but being an ea, really, i wouldnt go there.

EA Ghia and EBI Fairmont basically share seats, console, mirrors, cruise & dash, plus same mechanicals. EA Ghia has more electrics in it & slightly different doorskins + electric windows, fully colour-coded bumpers...

efgoofy · 04-04-2006, 06:59 AM

well at the moment its either that or a 87 fe ltd that im looking at, so not really sure at the moment just in need of a bigger car.

xr8man83 · 04-04-2006, 07:10 AM

man my first car was a ea and it was a dog it was under powered and the engine use to blow all its hoses the doors were crap actually the whole build quality was crap man and it only had 31000km on the clock be carefull dude if i was you i would go and get a eb or ed much much better and not that much more dosh

EA2BA · 04-04-2006, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xr8man83

man my first car was a ea and it was a dog it was under powered and the engine use to blow all its hoses the doors were crap actually the whole build quality was crap man and it only had 31000km on the clock be carefull dude if i was you i would go and get a eb or ed much much better and not that much more dosh

Its going to be a GHIA the ones lefton the road are going to be better built and better condition, I bought mine a series 1 EA Ghia and it has been a very good car despite my constant modifying.

Dezza · 04-04-2006, 09:59 AM

Dave, the fully colour coded bumpers (eg. the top bits also colour coded) were EB Ghia onwards. But you're right about the EA Ghias having the extra electrics.

mcflux · 04-04-2006, 10:10 AM

Oh, my bad! (bumpers)

<3 EB Ghia bumpers

EA 290 · 05-04-2006, 03:54 PM

hi guys, i have an EA Fairmont Ghia and I have not had any problems with it. all cars have small problems even those you can get brand new. Also I think you would be much better buying the car private then thru a dealer. then you can sell your Capri later. Firstly you can actually talk with the person who has owned and driven the car and would be able to tell you more about that car then the dealer.
also the only or main difference between the EA Ghia & EB Ghia is the engine going from a 3.9mpi to a 4.0.

big_waity · 05-04-2006, 04:17 PM

EA2BA hit it in one. There is a guide there. Just look for all the stuff you look for when buying a car. All fluids in appropriate places. Everything that should be straight is. The things that should be the same colour are etc.....

need psi · 05-04-2006, 04:25 PM

ea ghias rock, i dont like the look of the rear end of the eb/d they dont have much shape in the tail lights, the three slits in the c-pillar is nice and im not a huge fan of the fender blinker on the eb/d. a eb/ed fairmont is pretty much a ea ghia with a spack dash and different velour. as far as the motor the guy is buying it because his having a child not because he wants to work it off its head, and they've all got a clutch fan.

i got mine for 1800 but needed some things done to it, it had high kilometers but also had a full service history (+$23,000 of receipts). so i didnt really care. anyways every one has different views and opinions.

good luck with the buy, pics and specs would be nice too.

Ehab

05-04-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need psi

ea ghias rock, i dont like the look of the rear end of the eb/d they dont have much shape in the tail lights, the three slits in the c-pillar is nice and im not a huge fan of the fender blinker on the eb/d. a eb/ed fairmont is pretty much a ea ghia with a spack dash and different velour. as far as the motor the guy is buying it because his having a child not because he wants to work it off its head, and they've all got a clutch fan.

i got mine for 1800 but needed some things done to it, it had high kilometers but also had a full service history (+$23,000 of receipts). so i didnt really care. anyways every one has different views and opinions.

good luck with the buy, pics and specs would be nice too.

Ehab

Yeah man, i like the ea ghias too.

$23k of receipts, thats one hefty repair bill over 16-17 years..

need psi · 05-04-2006, 05:07 PM

two owners one driver if that makes sense, he worked as a sales rep for a wine company moved to melbourne came back to adelaide bought the car off them and kept it, it took me for ever to count it all up. he traded it in on a fairlane at the caryard that i bought it from.

Ehab

efgoofy · 09-04-2006, 08:51 PM

OK, so the EA has fallen through, second car am looking at is:

89 SVO LTD, 238ks, RWC, rego till sept, says 4 litre, did these come out with the 4.0, thought they came out with the 3.9.

Any thoughts?