uestions about
U Falcons

[Daymoe]

I'm looking at an AU III XR6 manual for my first car soon, I've found a really nice stock clean example for $13,000 in Victoria, its a bit much but I reckon i might be able to bargain him down a bit, how is the AU Falcon like for a first car? Also, whats the difference between a VCT XR6 and a plain XR6? Thanks.

Anyone had any specific problems with a series III?

Also, Series III AU XR6 vs Series I BA XR6?

[Mr Hardware]

Price is a little high, unless it's ultra mint.

VCT XR6 had the Variable Cam Timing motor, which is good for about an extra 15kw or so, but they were usually optioned with IRS too, slowing them down. In some cases a Non-VCT XR6 (usually referred to as a HP due to a mildly upgraded stock motor) without IRS were actually faster than the VCT version.

They are awesome cars, but as a first car? Well, i hope you know how to handle a big car with bags of torque.
But $13k on a first car, you're obviously not 16 are you.

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

But $13k on a first car, you're obviously not 16 are you.

I wouldn't say that. Heaps of kids his age get loans on cars. Heaps of them can't afford the repayments...

For your first car, get a Corolla, or if you have to have a Ford, get a Laser.

You will, and this is not being smart, but you will stack your first car. It might not write it off, but, an accident is an accident. If you stack a Falcon, they aren't cheap to repair - hell, nothing is really cheap to repair, but with a Corolla, or a Laser, they are cheap to buy, and insure. Nobody is an excellent driver straight off the bat, and you will be no exception.

Get a small, cheap car to begin with, and then, with experience, move into a Falcon.

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by Paxton

I wouldn't say that. Heaps of kids his age get loans on cars. Heaps of them can't afford the repayments...

For your first car, get a Corolla, or if you have to have a Ford, get a Laser.

You will, and this is not being smart, but you will stack your first car. It might not write it off, but, an accident is an accident. If you stack a Falcon, they aren't cheap to repair - hell, nothing is really cheap to repair, but with a Corolla, or a Laser, they are cheap to buy, and insure. Nobody is an excellent driver straight off the bat, and you will be no exception.

Get a small, cheap car to begin with, and then, with experience, move into a Falcon.

Great advice. Get a little japo buzzbox for your crashing! So much safer than a good built solid Falcon, which with the AU III XR, was the safest car in its class when built!

Daymoe,

A Falcon, any model, is a great first car. Not everyone is going to crash their first car, but incase it happens, thats why we insure.
The on road differences between a HP and a VCT are limited, but there is less to go wrong with the HP. I would be happy with either.

As for the AU v BA. The BA was much heavier, with a very bulky Control Blade IRS. The Engine was also new for the BA and It tended to be very thirsty on fuel, when compered to the AU. The BA has a very different look, considering the 2 cars shared floor pan, doors and roof as a minimum, but I dislike the interior treatment. All the switch gear looks like it was designed for another car. The NA XR6 is very limited in changes from the XT, same engine, HP, suspension, and changes were limited to Light/ Bumper treatment and seats. (this is slightly over simplifying it) but you get the idea. Built and Engineered entirely by Ford.
The AU XR was the last Tickford Model, and differs from the base model with some engine mods, more HP, Quad Light Front, Suspension mods, dash treatment. The AU was Fairmont based (the BA falcon).

I feel the AU is a better package, but the BA is newer, more power, more popular. Its entirely up to you!

Mike

[MRJUCY]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

VCT XR6 had the Variable Cam Timing motor, which is good for about an extra 15kw or so, but they were usually optioned with IRS too,

The VCT always had IRS as well as a few other goodies like LSD, 17s, rear power windows etc.

The IRS makes a big difference in real world grip & handling as well as a more comfortable ride. It's worth checking the rear shock mounts on an IRS equipped AU tho as they tend to flog out.

The VCT had 172kw & 374Nm vs 164kw & 366Nm.

The HP has a bit better fuel economy then the VCT
VCT manual highway 8L per 100km vs 7.8 & city 12.5 vs 12
VCT auto highway 8.5L per 100km vs 7.8 & city 12.5 vs 12.5

The manual versions had different gear ratios too & I'm sure there is some other detail differences I've forgotten about.

I'd go the AU over the BA the BA is a little more refined but the AU is a bit sportier & fun to drive as well as I always think the last of a model run usually has less dramas then an early build car. Falcons are great first cars big safe, reliable & cheap to run.

[Whoosha]

A AU 111 for your first car would be a great choice good tough and reliable as for getting a crapper.... for your first car thats your choice and your attitude will determine how that turns out, both my sons and my self had good cars first up with out trashing them . May be if others had spent the extra on a good car first up they may have learnt to be a bit more carefull in both driving and looking after them .. but hey Im old now and what would I know .....

[Daymoe]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Price is a little high, unless it's ultra mint.

VCT XR6 had the Variable Cam Timing motor, which is good for about an extra 15kw or so, but they were usually optioned with IRS too, slowing them down. In some cases a Non-VCT XR6 (usually referred to as a HP due to a mildly upgraded stock motor) without IRS were actually faster than the VCT version.

They are awesome cars, but as a first car? Well, i hope you know how to handle a big car with bags of torque.
But $13k on a first car, you're obviously not 16 are you.

I'm not 16.... I'm 17

Originally Posted by Paxton

I wouldn't say that. Heaps of kids his age get loans on cars. Heaps of them can't afford the repayments...

For your first car, get a Corolla, or if you have to have a Ford, get a Laser.

You will, and this is not being smart, but you will stack your first car. It might not write it off, but, an accident is an accident. If you stack a Falcon, they aren't cheap to repair - hell, nothing is really cheap to repair, but with a Corolla, or a Laser, they are cheap to buy, and insure. Nobody is an excellent driver straight off the bat, and you will be no exception.

Get a small, cheap car to begin with, and then, with experience, move into a Falcon.

Mum was thinking of giving me her Festiva, but I don't really want a small car, the only cars I've driven are small cars and they're boring and too cramped. Also, no I didn't get a loan I can't afford the repayments on, I've been working since 2006 started off on $17.50 an hour, now on $22 an hour.

Originally Posted by MNM96

Great advice. Get a little japo buzzbox for your crashing! So much safer than a good built solid Falcon, which with the AU III XR, was the safest car in its class when built!

Daymoe,

A Falcon, any model, is a great first car. Not everyone is going to crash their first car, but incase it happens, thats why we insure.
The on road differences between a HP and a VCT are limited, but there is less to go wrong with the HP. I would be happy with either.

As for the AU v BA. The BA was much heavier, with a very bulky Control Blade IRS. The Engine was also new for the BA and It tended to be very thirsty on fuel, when compered to the AU. The BA has a very different look, considering the 2 cars shared floor pan, doors and roof as a minimum, but I dislike the interior treatment. All the switch gear looks like it was designed for another car. The NA XR6 is very limited in changes from the XT, same engine, HP, suspension, and changes were limited to Light/ Bumper treatment and seats. (this is slightly over simplifying it) but you get the idea. Built and Engineered entirely by Ford.
The AU XR was the last Tickford Model, and differs from the base model with some engine mods, more HP, Quad Light Front, Suspension mods, dash treatment. The AU was Fairmont based (the BA falcon).

I feel the AU is a better package, but the BA is newer, more power, more popular. Its entirely up to you!

Mike

The BA is more expensive also, the manual ones cost an arm and a leg, I'd have to buy towards the end of the year if I wanted one, unless I bargained them down by about $3000, which probably wouldn't happen. My cousin just picked up a BA XR6 4sp auto for his first car for $11,000, why do the manual ones have to be so expensive for.

Originally Posted by MRJUCY

The VCT always had IRS as well as a few other goodies like LSD, 17s, rear power windows etc.

The IRS makes a big difference in real world grip & handling as well as a more comfortable ride. It's worth checking the rear shock mounts on an IRS equipped AU tho as they tend to flog out.

The VCT had 172kw & 374Nm vs 164kw & 366Nm.

The HP has a bit better fuel economy then the VCT
VCT manual highway 8L per 100km vs 7.8 & city 12.5 vs 12
VCT auto highway 8.5L per 100km vs 7.8 & city 12.5 vs 12.5

The manual versions had different gear ratios too & I'm sure there is some other detail differences I've forgotten about.

I'd go the AU over the BA the BA is a little more refined but the AU is a bit sportier & fun to drive as well as I always think the last of a model run usually has less dramas then an early build car. Falcons are great first cars big safe, reliable & cheap to run.

Ah righto, with the VCT's 172Kw vs the BA's 182Kw, wouldn't the AU be better than a BA because its lighter? Also, by the way, 95% of my driving is country roads so fuel shouldn't really be a big issue here

Originally Posted by Whoosha

A AU 111 for your first car would be a great choice good tough and reliable as for getting a crapper.... for your first car thats your choice and your attitude will determine how that turns out, both my sons and my self had good cars first up with out trashing them . May be if others had spent the extra on a good car first up they may have learnt to be a bit more carefull in both driving and looking after them .. but hey Im old now and what would I know .....

You can tell someone no until the cows come home, ultimately they'll do what ever they like and that means they'll have to bare the consequences for their actions, I've been keeping that in mind.

Thanks for the comments, keep them coming, here is the car in question:

Click me!

It looks mint, the engine bay looks rather dirty but.

[GS608]

personally i wouldn't go a S3 XR6 for first car, maybe a S1 XR6 or S2 fairmont/ghia

Just remember if you are still a young bloke then insurance will cost you a killing on an XR6.

[Mr Hardware]

I agree with Paxton entirely.
Get a shtter for your first car. You're gonna stack it, so don't stack something good. Move up to a big powerful falcon when you've learnt your way around a shtter and can truly appreciate the awesomeness that is a Falcon.

[Stattic]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I agree with Paxton entirely.
Get a shtter for your first car. You're gonna stack it, so don't stack something good. Move up to a big powerful falcon when you've learnt your way around a shtter and can truly appreciate the awesomeness that is a Falcon.

sorry but i cant agree with you
they first car i learnt to drive in was a huge dirty great manual toyota tarago... that thing was huge
soon after all ive driven is falcons for the past 2 years, i learnt in my dads xh, my mums worked au and my uncles highly worked sIII xr8
...oh and of course my own au!
i think its rubbish to say a car is bad for a learner/p plater because if theyre taught to drive with power in all conditions and in unfamiliar environments (the way i was taught by my dad) then they will be fine on their own in anything.


go for the falcon mate, you wont regret it. you start driving a festiva around as your own and soon enough you will start counting down the days til you can drive a falcon like every other revhead on the forums :

edit: the car is nice, very very tidy! still, id cringe handing over 11k for it

[T3man]

It's a good example but definitely overpriced. bargain him down to no more than 11 and you'll be getting a very reliable and rewarding car to be proud of for several years. AUs are ageing very well for several reasons - the design was ahead of it's time and therefore still looks contemporary. The were very well designed and built - even better than B Series in my opinion. And they had a good balance of performance/comfort/economy that is hard to achieve. They are especially good for country driving and the manual is absolutely the best option in the XR6 every time! get him down on the price and go for it.

[Daymoe]

Originally Posted by T3man

It's a good example but definitely overpriced. bargain him down to no more than 11 and you'll be getting a very reliable and rewarding car to be proud of for several years. AUs are ageing very well for several reasons - the design was ahead of it's time and therefore still looks contemporary. The were very well designed and built - even better than B Series in my opinion. And they had a good balance of performance/comfort/economy that is hard to achieve. They are especially good for country driving and the manual is absolutely the best option in the XR6 every time! get him down on the price and go for it.

I thought so too, its a bit over priced, I don't really like the front bar with the funny lights, but its sort of grown on me now haha, its weird how that works. I've only ever been in an AU Falcon once and it was a wagon, one of my old mates Dad's, but I remember it being comfy, it was about 4 years ago now

Originally Posted by XR-CHIEF

nice very nice, tell him to drop the price about 3k because of that damn ugly window shade, spoiler and towbar lol

Window shade will come off but I actually like the spoiler and tow bar could come in handy for Dad, instead of killing his Mazda 323, he can use my car for towing the 6x4 trailer But price should come down though.

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

As long as the vehicle check's out and you go over it and find nothing, that is a very good car for a young fella to start out with.
I would be happy with it.

I believe so too, I'd be real happy with that.

[GS608]

nice very nice, tell him to drop the price about 3k because of that damn ugly window shade, spoiler and towbar lol

[galaxy xr8]

As long as the vehicle check's out and you go over it and find nothing, that is a very good car for a young fella to start out with.
I would be happy with it.

[mik]

another vote for get a decent 1st car, air bag/s , abs brakes, much better chance of keeping you and it in one piece, Au`s are not with out fault like any car but they are good to drive and easey to maintain and live with, had my series 2 xr for 4 years approximatley still enjoy driving it, very little difference between series 2 and 3 i think, someone might point them out.

[Lightning Strike XR6]

Mate get what you want. You will appreciate it and look after it.

I've been told by many not to get a six. But bugger em its your money and if your heart says to get the XR then do it. I don't regret it for a minute. :

When you get your license? Got 3 months personally.

[RG]

There are two very nice AU XR6's for sale in local car yards up here in Ballarat atm. One is a Silver AUII and has the full kit for $9999. The other is a SIII in Blueprint, full kit and AU3XR6 plates but I'm unsure of the price but it should be quite reasonable as they are a good yard. Not sure on the kays on either but I could check if you want.

[Coogs289]

Originally Posted by RG

There are two very nice AU XR6's for sale in local car yards up here in Ballarat atm. One is a Silver AUII and has the full kit for $9999. The other is a SIII in Blueprint, full kit and AU3XR6 plates but I'm unsure of the price but it should be quite reasonable as they are a good yard. Not sure on the kays on either but I could check if you want.

is this it Russell? also, i think i've seen the blueprint sprint you're talking about, i'll look for it.

cheers, Anthony
EDIT: woops, wrong link :evil3: i lost it, i'll keep looking
http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars...=25&__Qpb=true another one on carsales, although it isn't $9999

[Coogs289]

Originally Posted by RG

There are two very nice AU XR6's for sale in local car yards up here in Ballarat atm. One is a Silver AUII and has the full kit for $9999. The other is a SIII in Blueprint, full kit and AU3XR6 plates but I'm unsure of the price but it should be quite reasonable as they are a good yard. Not sure on the kays on either but I could check if you want.

is THIS the blueprint one?

[RG]

Originally Posted by velocity_avisGT

is THIS the blueprint one?

It is, not worth that money though. Nice looking thing though.

[Daymoe]

Originally Posted by RG

There are two very nice AU XR6's for sale in local car yards up here in Ballarat atm. One is a Silver AUII and has the full kit for $9999. The other is a SIII in Blueprint, full kit and AU3XR6 plates but I'm unsure of the price but it should be quite reasonable as they are a good yard. Not sure on the kays on either but I could check if you want.

Are they manual? I'm only after a manual car, thanks for the offer but I don't want to waste your time checking out cars for some random on the internet

Originally Posted by Lightning Strike XR6

Mate get what you want. You will appreciate it and look after it.

I've been told by many not to get a six. But bugger em its your money and if your heart says to get the XR then do it. I don't regret it for a minute. :

When you get your license? Got 3 months personally.

I'm getting my license in September, a bit of time left but if I can get used to my own car before I start driving by myself that would be ideal. I reckon if I spend my own hard earned on a car, rather than having someone buy me one/give me one I'd treat it with respect because after all, it was my own money.

Thanks for all the replies guys, keep them coming. I emailed the guy yesterday, waiting on reply, if he doesn't I'll ring him up soon.


Edit: Holy crap, he actually replied. No one ever replies to email enquiries on Carsales.

[Coogs289]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Are they manual? I'm only after a manual car, thanks for the offer but I don't want to waste your time checking out cars for some random on the internet



I'm getting my license in September, a bit of time left but if I can get used to my own car before I start driving by myself that would be ideal. I reckon if I spend my own hard earned on a car, rather than having someone buy me one/give me one I'd treat it with respect because after all, it was my own money.

Thanks for all the replies guys, keep them coming. I emailed the guy yesterday, waiting on reply, if he doesn't I'll ring him up soon.


Edit: Holy crap, he actually replied. No one ever replies to email enquiries on Carsales.

the SIII Sprint in blueprint is a manual. Here is the ad. I don't know about the silver one though. Here are some on carsales at the moment.

Cheers, Anthony

[MGM]

13g is a bit much for a 6, i paid 13 for my series 3 XR6 ute 2 yrs ago when i was 18, but its ok, it was my second car, and what a great car it is, never had problems
*touch's wood*

[Cookie-XR8]

the au had lots of different choices, would of hated to buy one new, i wouldn't know where to start with the options