Looking at an AUII Fairmont Ghia

[BrisVegas]

Hi Guys,
Long time listener, first time poster in this section! I am looking to buy a second car as my wife has picked up work 30km out of town (mostly highway) next year. Only have about $4k to spend and have been looking around at the various options in used cars. Whilst I'd love a low km small car, they just don't exist in my price range. There are plenty of AU shape Falcons and Fairmonts around though. Geez they depreciate fast!

Anyway, a mate of mine has a 2000 AUII Fairmont Ghia 4.0 auto with 240k on it that he is selling for $4k. It's Meteorite with black leather. It's got a couple of issues (ball joints, exhaust, weeping steering rack) that he is having fixed to get a safety certificate, but I think it's reasonably straight.

redbook value on these is $3,800 - $5,400 private sale with 165,000 - 275,000 km, so I think the price is right.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on what to look out for on this particular car and what sort of fuel consumption it would give on 80% highway driving, real world etc. Is it worth putting it on injected LPG ?

Thanks in advance for your help. I've never owned a Falcon, but have several Fords over the years (Escort, Focus, Fiesta).