Might be getting an AU

[matt6n]

Alright I'm nearly 18 and I've been driving an EA around for the past 2 years but my parents think I need a new car. They are saying something about safety and I shouldnt drive the EA by myself.
My dad reckons a VT Commodore would be good and he wants to spend about $10,000. I've been looking up carsales.com.au and noticed that you can get a pretty damn good AU for around 10grand.
Would you reccomend getting an AU? I've seen a few fairmonts on the site that all look very good but have fairly high KMs.
What should I look for if buying one? What would be a good amount of KMs for an AU to have and still have a lot of life left in it?

Any help appriciated.

I made this thread in the wrong section and I was told to look for a series 2 with dark interior and average KMs. What number is average KMs?

[stiddy]

Hey mate..

AU is a pretty good car, well mainly the AU XR's, not the biggest fan of Forte's but they do have loads of potential and can be had very cheaply.
For 10k you can probably pick up an XR6 or a very nice AU like you said you've seen on carsales, ive seen some XR6's for 8k around.
and km depending on the year of the car about 100,000 - 150,000k's is where id be looking for.. and at those sorts of k's they are really only just getting run in lol. should go on for another 100-150k's problem free.

When looking at buying one, just look for the usual stuff, engine noises, diff whine, service history, any leaks, gearbox/slipping, suspension shock towers IF irs, cracked fire wall IF manual.. etc etc

[I6corp]

Buy privately lol. I brought from a car dealership, and found i paid a little too much!

though i must say your going to get very biased opinions here.

GL with the buy, i know you'll make the right choice ;)

[minheim]

I have an AU series 1 classic (2000 model). Bought it new with Tickford gas. Been a great car and nicely decked out standard No intentions of getting rid of it indeed shudder to think what it would fetch now as a trade in. An AU Classic might be something to look at- nice alloys, dual airbags, rear deck spoiler, egg crate grill, charcoal black interior vinyl as opposed to Forte grey, cruise control and ABS brakes. Generally sold to private sellers I suspect too.

While an XR6 would be nice at your age insurance will be a killer. Fairmonts are nice also but generally a bit dearer.

An Au series 2 and 3 Futura would also be good buy but a low km car might be a bit pricer than an equivient series 1. Look for low kms, a good service history and no major past collusion damage and you should do well.

Good luck and I think you will find an AU a nicer car than a Commodore. The Commodores have pretty basic autos compared to the AU.

[onfire]

I picked up an 1999 AU Forte for $9000. With only 74,000kms on it. It was in great condition. Since then, Iv seen 99-00 Fortes in the paper with between 120,xxx-140xxxkms asking $7500.

Go for the AU.. if your area is anything like mine.. theres too many ' done up ' VTs getting around.. same wheels, same looks. Even if u pick up an apparently ugly AU1 forte.. drop it, with some nice wheels.. tint the windows.

And compared to the VT.. the AU still looks some what modern.

[Fairlane]

Go the AU, if you can get past the looks, it is a much less comprimesd car than the VT. The VT's look the goods, but archaic IRS, the Buick 3800, the crummy 4 speeder and its extra bulk take the shine of the purchase.

[Kryton]

go to the Auctions. we just picked up a 2000 VT2 with 85000km on the clock for $7850. passed a RWC with nothing needed. that was fixed price as well so it has 3 months warranty.
there was also a 2000 (or 01- cant remeber) AU Futura that was auctioned off, it had 165000km and was a very clean car. it SOLD for $3700 (sold...not passed in).
youd be suprised what you can do with 10k at the auctions...your only about $1500 short of a 2 year old BA XT with 40-50000km.

[camerooch]

I have an AUII Futura Sedan, Black, Tickford CAI with Filter, Herrod Cats-Back Exhaust, 140,000 kms.
Has been a great car, I would highly recommend them.
What state are you based in ??

[bazz]

I have an AU3 LPG. Only bought it because of factory LPG. Bought from Private sales for $10k.

I think buying at the Auction has it's risks, because you have very little time to spend with the car and you don't get a test drive. But Auctions are generally very cheap, so you can pick up absolute bargains. The best purchases are ex government/company cars because you know they're always serviced.

Take someone who knows abit about cars (or the specific car you like) to the auction for an inspection before you make a bid.

[HLC]

bought my AU2 Fairmont with 92 000 kays for around 10 - 11 grand at a Ford dealership. ;) there are bargains to be had.

[GK]

Go the AU. Build quality will be way above the VT, and the rear end won't sag and chew out the tyres!

The engine is great, the gearbox eats and V series one for dinner and they are cheaper to buy.

I've read many a post here from ex holden guys who tried the AU and VT back to back. They own Fords now!

Go a Fairmont, you'll get lots of nice goodies in there. Look for one private sale from an old Grandpa, I've seen a few one owner ones around.

Happy hunting.

GK

[loxxr6]

While an XR6 would be nice at your age insurance will be a killer.

Definately right.

A Fairmont or Classic models with a few extra goodies will be way lower to insure and still have some nice comfort features.

Aim for a series 2 or better because you'll benefit with some of the better features (although there's nothing wrong with the series 1 I have....)

[galaxy xr8]

Yeah go for a series II if you can find one, Fairmont's are very classy and nice.

[SirHenry]

Originally Posted by minheim

I have an AU series 1 classic (2000 model). Bought it new with Tickford gas. Been a great car and nicely decked out standard No intentions of getting rid of it indeed shudder to think what it would fetch now as a trade in. An AU Classic might be something to look at- nice alloys, dual airbags, rear deck spoiler, egg crate grill, charcoal black interior vinyl as opposed to Forte grey, cruise control and ABS brakes. Generally sold to private sellers I suspect too.

While an XR6 would be nice at your age insurance will be a killer. Fairmonts are nice also but generally a bit dearer.

An Au series 2 and 3 Futura would also be good buy but a low km car might be a bit pricer than an equivient series 1. Look for low kms, a good service history and no major past collusion damage and you should do well.

Good luck and I think you will find an AU a nicer car than a Commodore. The Commodores have pretty basic autos compared to the AU.

I've got a 2000 series 1 Classic with the egg crate grill, have had for close to 18 months now all I can say is WOW what a fantastic car.

The Classic's as everyone's said are good because they come with a few more goodies on.

Oh yes the blue oval bug will get into your system very quickly and you will wonder why didn't I get this car sooner... :voldar02:

Cheers

Chris

[onfire]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Go the AU, if you can get past the looks, it is a much less comprimesd car than the VT. The VT's look the goods, but archaic IRS, the Buick 3800, the crummy 4 speeder and its extra bulk take the shine of the purchase.

VTs had the V6 Ecotec 3.8l not the V6 Buick 3.8l. But overall because of the extra bulk.. VTs are some what sluggish compared to the VS and even the VR.

[S3SR]

buy a 4.0L fairlane and ill swap you....

[XR_Strider_GuY]

Abit rare but if you can buy an AUII/III SR ot Forte manual in decent condition go for it. I cannot stress how much better and more fun an AU Falcon 4.0L is with a manual.
Ofcourse there are more manuals in the XR6 but as everyone says insurance could be an issue.

[OZFORDAU]

Originally Posted by stiddy

AU is a pretty good car, well mainly the AU XR's, not the biggest fan of Forte's but they do have loads of potential and can be had very cheaply.

My forte has potential.....Look what i've done to it so far and im not even finished yet........

Here's the link to my forte when i first braught it....to what it looks like as it sits right now....

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=53019

Buy the AU!!!!!!

Cheers

Simon :king:

[I6corp]

*hint* its not the one in his avvy, ;) lol

I'd go the AU, and if you think about it ... the forte's just a blank slait, and you can make it how you want it

[S3SR]

Originally Posted by XR_Strider_GuY

Abit rare but if you can buy an AUII/III SR ot Forte manual in decent condition go for it. I cannot stress how much better and more fun an AU Falcon 4.0L is with a manual.
Ofcourse there are more manuals in the XR6 but as everyone says insurance could be an issue.

this might help - get some quotes on insurance on AU forte and XR models and the VT.. also see what you'll use it for in this day and age a more fuel economical car can go a long way even if its a holden.
im pretty sure the XR models should be about the same as the forte was for me just couldnt find a nice one i could afford.

and yes MANUAL is ALOT more fun and better than the Auto

FalconSR

[loxxr6]

Abit rare but if you can buy an AUII/III SR ot Forte manual in decent condition go for it. I cannot stress how much better and more fun an AU Falcon 4.0L is with a manual.
Ofcourse there are more manuals in the XR6 but as everyone says insurance could be an issue.

A manual is all fun and games until you crack the firewall or pedal box (which is common in certain model manual falcons).

Performance wise with the right bits an auto will prob give you the same fun.

[GTWHOA]

Originally Posted by loxxr6

A manual is all fun and games until you crack the firewall or pedal box (which is common in certain model manual falcons).

Yeah that sucks. If you go the au make sure its a series 2 or 3 better brakes and a nicer looking front end.

[AU2PWR]

Dude , Au2 Falcon is my Car of Choice ,

Mines a AU2 SR with Stock Everything , K&N Filter , and Tickford Intake , and its Awesome to Drive !!

But Yeah , If you buy a Commodore , Be Prepared to be Bagged on Here , or better yet , just join the www.streetcommodores.com website !!

Cheers
Daniel
AU Owner and Proud of it !

[GK]

Originally Posted by SR_AU

Dude , Au2 Falcon is my Car of Choice ,

Mines a AU2 SR with Stock Everything , K&N Filter , and Tickford Intake , and its Awesome to Drive !!

But Yeah , If you buy a Commodore , Be Prepared to be Bagged on Here , or better yet , just join the www.streetcommodores.com website !!

Cheers
Daniel
AU Owner and Proud of it !

Why would a commodore owner (if that was their only ride) want to hang out with us. They wouldn't learn much about their car! LOL!

AU SR's are good vehicles. But like all cars could do with a little mod here, and a little mod there.......LOL!

GK

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by GK

Why would a commodore owner (if that was their only ride) want to hang out with us. They wouldn't learn much about their car! LOL!

How the handling of the AU IRS setup wallops the........

Anyway, in all seriousnous though I have been on mixed car cruises and the biggest comments others make is how well the AU steers and handles for it's size.

[matt6n]

Thanks guys. I'm currently looking at an AU II Fairmont. It has done less than 100,000kms and comes with some BA wheels. It looks very sweet and is $10,500. Looks to be a great deal and if I get it I'll be sure to post some pics and come on some cruises.

Cheers

[Smoke Pursuit]

AU is a great car for the money your talking.

If i was on a tight budget and needed a nice, powerful and cheap car to run it would certainly be an AUII / AUIII, SR or XR6 HP!

I know the XRs are a little more but if you want something your going to be happy with for a quiet a few years i suggest spending a few xtra dollars now and getting yourself the XR6 HP, they are a REALLY nice car!

[GK]

Originally Posted by matt6n

Thanks guys. I'm currently looking at an AU II Fairmont. It has done less than 100,000kms and comes with some BA wheels. It looks very sweet and is $10,500. Looks to be a great deal and if I get it I'll be sure to post some pics and come on some cruises.

Cheers

Sounds great! If I had my time again, I would have bought a Fairmont Ghia, Fairmont, or an XR6 or XR8.

Hope you get it, and post some pics soon.

GK