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Old 06-09-2010, 11:43 AM   #31
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The bloke that wrote that article is obviously an idiot, there are a few things wrong with his list.

1. AU Falcon - We all know his comments are basically rubbish. Styling is subjective and down to personal taste, radiator is an issues afflicting nearly all Aussie built cars for the past 15 years, Head Gasket woes are non-existant, transmission is quite the opposite of what he says considering BA rebuilds generally use an AU trans and I still can't figure out what he means by them blowing thermostats???

2. Datto 120Y - Yes it was horrible but it showed an entire generation around the world that there was an option. It was reliable and cheap, it really did change the motoring world. Especially in Britain.

3. Hummer - He's clearly talking about the original. Clown, it wasn't built to impress you. It was built to do a job. A job it did well, there just happened to be a market that opened up for it in the US and that market was taken full advantage of.

4. The Magna - If they really were such a failure then why, over 20 years later, are there still a heap running around doing daily duties. They were epically popular and opened up the market for Mitsu in Australia. Hardly a failure.

The others I do agree with but not really for the reasons he listed. it's quite clear that he has little to no motoring knowledge or interest.

EDIT: Stuff it, I've emailed them my thoughts.
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Old 06-09-2010, 12:35 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by SirHenry
You expect reviewers to be credible and have the correct facts I found this review most disappointing.
Rupert's pups don't have a requirement to be credible, factual or unbiased.

The decent reporters migrate to decent employment.
Hacks stay with Rupert's rags and write these nothing pieces.
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Old 06-09-2010, 12:44 PM   #33
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Old 06-09-2010, 01:20 PM   #34
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Wow. One of my cars is regularly in worst cars lists, and now my new one is in one of the lists too! I must be doing well in life! lol
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Old 06-09-2010, 01:21 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dezza
Wow. One of my cars is regularly in worst cars lists, and now my new one is in one of the lists too! I must be doing well in life! lol

Haha... 2 from 2 Dezza.. well done!
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Old 06-09-2010, 01:32 PM   #36
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Haha... 2 from 2 Dezza.. well done!
Haha. Ah well, just as long as I like them.
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Old 06-09-2010, 02:28 PM   #37
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This writer needs to put the crack pipe......down. As mentioned already, he doesn't know what he is writing.
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Old 06-09-2010, 02:35 PM   #38
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Originally Posted by Jimmyd

Simply put, AU was built by the Engineering Dept, BAs were what happens when the Execs let the Marketing Dept have their way......

Cheers

James
B-series was a rush job as the AU was failing hard (which is funny that the AU1 actually made a profit).

But either way the AU doesn't deserve to be in this list there are much much worse cars then that. AU got on that list due to looks pure and simple.
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Old 06-09-2010, 04:10 PM   #39
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I vote Korean cars such as hyundai/daewoo/Kia goto the top ten and early mitsubishis.

the XF is ugly... the AU is just... ROUND. nuff said. its like coffee and tea when it comes to looks, come people love there tea and cant stand the coffee, the body is well built and practical.

To all those who think its ugly, go cry in the corner, it has the best windsor and the best sohc 6. if you want pretty go buy a holden make it pink and go play with ur barby dolls and dont forget ur T wing.

+1 for AU reliability.
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Old 06-09-2010, 04:21 PM   #40
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Ugly and pretty cars are all a matter of opinion... I would hope this 10 Worst list is based off of technical data, rather than looks, otherwise I know my dream '69 Charger Daytona wouldn't be fairin' too well :P

Out of all of them, I'm honestly suprised about the H1 making the top 10. It was a purpose-built military support vehicle, not a civilian car. Though, I will admit that they're mechanical unreliable, and the Yanks have been looking to offload them and get replacements for quite some time. Anyone remember Wacol Prison here in Brisbane buying 8 ex-military ones, and how much they regretted that decision?? :P

Anyways, I'm sure there's a heap worse cars in the world other than the ones listed... As much of a lemon the AU is said to have been, out of every car ever produced, I doubt it'd have even made Top 100 worst.
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Old 06-09-2010, 04:45 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RG
The bloke that wrote that article is obviously an idiot, there are a few things wrong with his list.

1. AU Falcon - We all know his comments are basically rubbish. Styling is subjective and down to personal taste, radiator is an issues afflicting nearly all Aussie built cars for the past 15 years, Head Gasket woes are non-existant, transmission is quite the opposite of what he says considering BA rebuilds generally use an AU trans and I still can't figure out what he means by them blowing thermostats???

2. Datto 120Y - Yes it was horrible but it showed an entire generation around the world that there was an option. It was reliable and cheap, it really did change the motoring world. Especially in Britain.

3. Hummer - He's clearly talking about the original. Clown, it wasn't built to impress you. It was built to do a job. A job it did well, there just happened to be a market that opened up for it in the US and that market was taken full advantage of.

4. The Magna - If they really were such a failure then why, over 20 years later, are there still a heap running around doing daily duties. They were epically popular and opened up the market for Mitsu in Australia. Hardly a failure.

The others I do agree with but not really for the reasons he listed. it's quite clear that he has little to no motoring knowledge or interest.

EDIT: Stuff it, I've emailed them my thoughts.
100% whole heartedly agree, let us know your reply if you get one Russ
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Old 06-09-2010, 04:49 PM   #42
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me too...
Great post...
I'd be interested in hearing their reply..
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Old 06-09-2010, 07:20 PM   #43
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Only thing as bad as a biased motoring scribe is a one eyed brand supporter...
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Old 06-09-2010, 09:52 PM   #44
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well my au blew a head gasket had it replaced then a month later had to replace the head because it had a small crack in it.
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Old 06-09-2010, 10:16 PM   #45
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The fact the AU is even on that poorly devised list simply points out that a cars failure in creating good public perception instantly destroys it. And that everything about it must be horribly wrong.

The AU is without a doubt the most reliable and well built Falcon ever produced. As far as a second hand buy goes, its the best kept secret in Australia. And im loving it.
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Old 07-09-2010, 12:18 AM   #46
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Dr.feelgood you think the au is a lemon?
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Old 07-09-2010, 12:25 AM   #47
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i wonder what the dude wo did the article drives?? probably a daiwoo??

the au probably didn't get the award for the hardest looking ford but i think the ts modes look hard..(is that au based??) and didn't the ba get its appeal from the au?
anyways, i like the au fairmont ghia..

magna.. we had an oldi, which had a design fault in the timing chain.. saying that, it lasted 300000km's as a daily ride.. still managed to pull chicks in it...
lol...
anyway, i still see some of these cars on the road..

how bad can these cars be? if you can get laid in them they can't be that bad..

Last edited by motorcycles4eva; 07-09-2010 at 12:39 AM.
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Old 07-09-2010, 06:09 AM   #48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by private9
Only thing as bad as a biased motoring scribe is a one eyed brand supporter...
Considering I drive a pug yet have made comment I can't see how this post was necessary nor relevant.
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nah mate, aussie cars are the besterest and funnerest, nothing beats them, specially a poofy wrong wheel drive
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Old 07-09-2010, 09:27 AM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stattic
Dr.feelgood you think the au is a lemon?
Oh crap, whoops!! I always get my modern Fords mixed up... I'm thinking of the EA. From what I've heard from people that've owned them, they're trouble.

Disregard my comments about the AU
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Old 07-09-2010, 10:08 AM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotty85
The fact the AU is even on that poorly devised list simply points out that a cars failure in creating good public perception instantly destroys it. And that everything about it must be horribly wrong.

The AU is without a doubt the most reliable and well built Falcon ever produced. As far as a second hand buy goes, its the best kept secret in Australia. And im loving it.
I agree, while everyone else reads these rubbish reviews we in the know can buy good reliable cars at a great price. We win.
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Old 07-09-2010, 10:29 AM   #51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Feelgood
Oh crap, whoops!! I always get my modern Fords mixed up... I'm thinking of the EA. From what I've heard from people that've owned them, they're trouble.

Disregard my comments about the AU
I wouldn't call either of them trouble... and I own both. The EA's been a good car to me, but it is a SeriesII. Most people think all EA's were trouble but it was only the early ones. The AU's been faultless in my 3 weeks of ownership lol
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Old 07-09-2010, 12:51 PM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by telstar1
well my au blew a head gasket had it replaced then a month later had to replace the head because it had a small crack in it.
well yours appears to be a rare one, but they are getting a little long in the tooth now,however it does`nt take a lot to make any engine fail, lack of maintenance, abuse, poor choice of lubricants, coolants will do it, or one thats been put together poorly.
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Old 07-09-2010, 11:39 PM   #53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eb91xr6
there is nothing worse then a EA
Cough Cough VN Commodore!

In my younger days i had pity & would assist those fools who had broken down in them, now i just keep on driving.

why didn't the FWD Ford Capri make the list? With its pathetic leaky soft top.
Or Alfa's, no particular model just in general they rust and the electrics fail badly!
Um
Ford Taurus
FWD Gemini
Citroen's, again no particular model's!
Current model Mitsubishi Triton, pathetic turning circle
Current model Ford Ranger/Mazda Bravo everything about it feels like a elastic band!
Anything with a "Flappy padel" gearbox
Mitsubishi 380
Etc. Etc.
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Old 08-09-2010, 07:00 PM   #54
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Originally Posted by vztrt
But either way the AU doesn't deserve to be in this list there are much much worse cars then that. AU got on that list due to looks pure and simple.
Is it really ugly though or are people still parroting what others said when the AU was launched in 1998. Compare an AU1 Fairmont Ghia to a VT Calais (or even a BA) and see how good the AU has aged (excluding the AU1 low series).
I was closing on a Mercedes C Class (W203, launched in 2000) the other day on my motorbike, my eye sight isn't the best but I thought she was an AU Falcon from behind. Theres no denying the similarities, much like the CLS launched even a few years later.



This article is further proof why journalists shouldn't be trusted as far as you can throw em.
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Old 08-09-2010, 08:55 PM   #55
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Is it really ugly though or are people still parroting what others said when the AU was launched in 1998. Compare an AU1 Fairmont Ghia to a VT Calais (or even a BA) and see how good the AU has aged (excluding the AU1 low series).
Looks are a personal thing. I like some AU's and dont like others.
But all I was trying to say was that car gon the list cause of its looks cause it wasn't a lemon of car...the VT1 on the other hand was.
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Old 08-09-2010, 09:04 PM   #56
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Anyone that doesnt include the Hillman Hunter in there top ten worst list needs a bullet,back in 89 i had a Ducati 750 Sport (what a joke) that had a Hillman Hunter carb somehow stuck in the middle,it was the Hillman of motorcycles without doubt.Fwiw theres plenty of others you could put way ahead of some on that list,stuff like non power steer Nissan Sentras in 88 were givin away for less than cost at the time,happily i was at the time selling Toyotas for a living.
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Old 08-09-2010, 10:47 PM   #57
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My 1999 au1 ghia has still got its original radiator,headgasket,hoses etc etc, has been the most reliable car i have ever owned.
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Old 09-09-2010, 12:19 AM   #58
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Anyone that doesnt include the Hillman Hunter in there top ten worst list needs a bullet,back in 89 i had a Ducati 750 Sport (what a joke) that had a Hillman Hunter carb somehow stuck in the middle,it was the Hillman of motorcycles without doubt.Fwiw theres plenty of others you could put way ahead of some on that list,stuff like non power steer Nissan Sentras in 88 were givin away for less than cost at the time,happily i was at the time selling Toyotas for a living.
hey , hey , hey, my partner used to own a hillman hunter safari wagon , that little thing was reliable as , went pretty good too. spearmint green the colour.


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