nobody wants an AU

[raised by monkeys]

g'day guys,

Just thought i'd come in here and see what other people think.

Im in the market for a new ute and ive been trauling the internet for the last 3months. Id prefer an 5spd XH (but would settle for a sedan - EL xr8) but their prices, especially the XH's are quite astronomical.
Generally, the prices of AU's (s1-3's included) are quite low, even ones with lower km's than that of an XH or even EL.
Not to offend any AU owners, but I personally think that the AU shouldve have been Fords version of the spartan cliff babies in 300, but thats my opinion. However, i do believe that the AU definitely showed great improvements on the preceeding Xh and EF/EL models mechanically.

But the general consensus appears to be that nobody wants an AU.

Any thoughts?

[AUIIPURSUIT]

my au pursuit doesnt want you.

[FTE217]

LOL talking peanuts !

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by AUIIPURSUIT

my au pursuit doesnt want you.

fair call.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by FTE217

LOL talking peanuts !

based on the observation of the price of cars??

and considering that im talking about xr8's in general, not t series or pursuits for that matter.

[Pinkbits]

Of course they're going to be low, there's been three model changes since.

[anto]

all those Silly fools dont know what theyre missing out on. tis true though, they seem to be worth next to nothing... go figure. Lucky I didnt buy one as an investment.

[Dezza]

I bought my AU for a very good price August last year. No regrets at all. I know of lots of people upgrading from E-series to AUs. An AUII-AUIII (not that a series 1 is bad) is mechanically what E-series should have been. I'd considered an EF-EL but the newer and more reliable car for a similar price was definitely the smarter move... plus I quite like the AU Fairmont dashboard. BAs still cost a lot more, so that wasn't an option.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by anto

all those Silly fools dont know what theyre missing out on. tis true though, they seem to be worth next to nothing... go figure. Lucky I didnt buy one as an investment.

thankyou, this is my point. EF and EL (particularly xr series) appear to be holding their value as opposed to AU series'.

this was just a discussion based on observation.

I think that this is due, what i believe is a more complete/practical cosmetic choice rather than statistical (minus xh sporting the ea-ed style dash out of the cosmetic factor here)

[StealthAu]

It's just the way the market goes, 10 years ago you could pick up an ea for less then an xd, maybe that's a bad example... Holdens, 10 years ago the vn's were cheaper then the vb's, that's not really a good example either. Maybe it isn't just how the market goes, maybe it is just the ea's and vn' were complete pieces of **** and everyone thinks AU's are ugly

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

(minus xh sporting the ea-ed style dash out of the cosmetic factor here)

More like XF style dash. All they did was change the cluster and switchgear to EF/EL style, and fit an EA-ED console.

[SSD-85]

Im glad no one wants an AU. It means theyre without a doubt the best bargain in modern automobiles. I for one am enjoying this fact immensely, and all because everyone thinks theyre ugly. Its almost sad....

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by Scotty85

Im glad no one wants an AU. It means theyre without a doubt the best bargain in modern automobiles. I for one am enjoying this fact immensely, and all because everyone thinks theyre ugly. Its almost sad....

lol hope it doesnt affect the sale of your xr8 ;)

[Whiskeyonesix]

Funny that...... When was looking around for a Falcon, the AU's seemed to be cheaper than the EL's. Even the Car Dealers admitted to me that sometimes it was a struggle to sell them..

[SSD-85]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

lol hope it doesnt affect the sale of your xr8 ;)

It does, but ultimately im not concerned. We dont buy cars with any hope of making money off of them.

[Linkachu]

AU XR8 manuals are more expensive than my EF XR8 manual, even though that wasnt cheap.

[dansedgli]

You cant look at a car when your're driving it.

I'd much rather drive my AU then an E series. Even as a stocker. I've had a few good condition EA's, EB's, ED's and EF's and only 1 high km AU ute.

I've been thinking about getting a sedan that is better suited to trackwork and thought about getting another E series but don't think I could choose one over an AU given the price.

People are missing out. I guess they cant see the forest for the trees. :S

That being said, I'd probably choose a BA over an AU anyday of the week if my stuff fit. They are worth **** all too.

[Big Bird 17]

I'm not sure how far from Mt Gambier you are but there is an XH ute on carsales for 3 grand.

[AUIIPURSUIT]

on a more serious note, i only like te XR6/8 design... i was offered and XL ute for cheap but i do not like the design. i love the xr design however, even though its slightly quirky, i get alot of good comments. And surprisingly, to those who arent holden buffs, many thinks its ALOT newer than it is (s2).

[Zero_PSI]

Probably cos they're hidious.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Linkachu

AU XR8 manuals are more expensive than my EF XR8 manual, even though that wasnt cheap.

Probably because EF/L Xr8s are thirsty gutless slugs that get their **** handed to them by an AU XR6 manual while the EF/L XR6s raises the question of why, apart from catering to the V8 crowd, there was any need for an XR8. A bit like the Xr6t/5.4 situation.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

But the general consensus appears to be that nobody wants an AU.

Any thoughts?

Shhhhh.....keep it under your hat!

[Windsor220]

Most people thought the rear of the AU was ugly. The ute doesnt suffer that. I remember back in the day even Holden types didnt mind the ute and they still sold ok. If I was in the market for a cheap ute I would definitely get the AU over the older E series ones. Like chalk and cheese. Only a mint condition XH XR8 could possibly sway me.

[onfire]

When talking AU's, you're talking about a 12+ year old car. So you're demographic is becoming quite a bit younger than say 5-6 years ago, when families were considering the AU and VT/X Commodores as affordable large cars.

So, we're talking about young buyers. Either those looking for a first car or those looking for an even more affordable large sedan/wagon or ute. When style means so much to those under 22-25 and those looking south of $10,000 to spend, the EL ute is just that little bit better looking.

[XESP351]

I love AU's. Reliable, nice interior, cheap and tastefully modded they don't look bad at all. We need to get a wagon soon and the first choice will be an AU Fairmont wagon, missus even reckons they're better looking than BA/BF wagons, I'm not complaining because they're also cheaper.

From what I hear around this forum EVERYBODY wants an AU.

Oh and one day I will have a T3 parked in the garage with pride.

[GK]

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11332634

Check this thread, first post. He's giving up a BA because he misses the AU!

A lot of people really miss their AU when they go a BA.

GK

[T3man]

I love that no-one wants AUs - means every time I need one I get it dirt cheap! LOL.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by GK

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11332634

Check this thread, first post. He's giving up a BA because he misses the AU!

A lot of people really miss their AU when they go a BA.

GK

i dont doubt at all that the AU offers some particular qualities not offered in other series. However, the above post discussed going back to an AU v8 from a BA xt. Not particularly relevant, however, i note your point again that the AU is more desireable to some than others.

I guess i was just curious in developing this thread as to what people thought about the apparant value holding of an XH or EL XR8 as opposed the the AU series.

I have definitely considered buying an AU for the reliability, performance and financial benefits, but definitely sitting next to an EL or XH... to me, the AU is a disgusting looking inbred; a wolf in ugly clothing ... but with the obvious benefits.

Maybe i look for a modded XH/EL or a cosmetically enhanced AU???

Thanks for the input guys.

[Mechan1k]

People who dismiss AUs due to the initial glance at it and think it is ugly ..... is actually really missing out on something .... really.

I have had my AU experience ... and for what it was worth .... it was a great experience really ... I have moved on now to a BF ... and in some ways i do my the AU .... but in other ways I don't.

Still ... I enjoyed those 5 years of ownership with the AU ute.

[GK]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

I have definitely considered buying an AU for the reliability, performance and financial benefits, but definitely sitting next to an EL or XH... to me, the AU is a disgusting looking inbred; a wolf in ugly clothing ...

Thems fighting words bud!

I honestly like the look of the AU, although freely admit the Forte in the Series 1 was pretty off.

The base model of most falcons is average though.

GK