Buying Advice - 2000 FALCON AU II Forte

[Kove]

Gudday All,

I am after some advice on purchasing a 2000 FALCON AU II Forte station wagon. Asking price for the one that I am looking at is 8 grand.

What type of things should I be looking out for? Both good and bad.

Initally buying it as a 'family car' but once we have it, I'll get to play and make all sorts of mods!!

[ThePistonHead]

8k is too much for a 2000. I got my AUII for 9k 4 years ago, so you should be looking for something around 5k for that.

Early 2002 BA's have been going in auctions for 6k lately. Probably 1k extra for the wagon.

[Kove]

Cheers for that. I'll see what I can knock off the price.

Was LPG a standard on this model? It states that it has 'factory gas'.

[XR6_190]

LPG, was a factory option, but it wasn't standard, a lot of the wagons out there are on gas, as most were fleet cars and fleets prefer to run on gas.

[Riksta]

Would probably be either e-gas (which means no petrol, dedicated gas engine) or factory fitted dual-fuel. Not sure whether both these were available on the wagon though.

Definitely try knock the price down a bit.

[ThePistonHead]

That would be correct, it was a factory option. I'd add $6-$800 for the gas. Just be careful of the potential maintenance costs of getting the gas tank replaced/serviced.

Check out the service history of the gas tank itself. Don't quote me on this but they have a 10 year lifespan, before needing replacement/something done to them??

Maybe that was for aftermarket gas.

[Kove]

Brilliant. Thanks for all the advice.

Based on that I'll make an offer between $6500 (as low as possible anyway!). 5K for the vehicle, + 1k for wagon and up to $800 for gas.

Looking forward to getting some good modification\maintenance\'looks' advice from you all if I get it!!

[outback_ute]

After Egas was introduced Ford didn't make any more factory dual fuel cars, so a dual fuel AU2 would have to be aftermarket - not that there is a problem with that. Gas tanks need to be pressure tested every 10 years.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by Kove

Gudday All,

I am after some advice on purchasing a 2000 FALCON AU II Forte station wagon. Asking price for the one that I am looking at is 8 grand.

What type of things should I be looking out for? Both good and bad.

Initally buying it as a 'family car' but once we have it, I'll get to play and make all sorts of mods!!

If this car is at a dealer then the 8K sounds about what he would be asking, depending on how many K's it has,but not what you should be paying. I would be looking at a drive away price of 6K for it but there are two things which may not quite get you there. 1. Its on gas and with petrol prices these days its a wanted car. 2. Not many wagons around so you are restricted in choice and he may think he has you over a barrell. LPG tank needs to be tested every 10 years for rego and I think its about $200 but don't quote me on the price but definately 10yrs. Have you seen the car yet and how many K's has it got?

[Kove]

Going to have a look at it tomorrow. It's a private sale and it has 232k K's on it.

Redbook price suggests $6900 based on about 200k K's.

One family owner since new.

[deesun]

K's are high, average K's these days are 20k per year. That would make it 160k for average K's. That means it has done 50% more work per year than the norm. Doesn't sound like a family car. Maybe the "one" family has a business and its used for work. Unless its in exceptional condition with full log books I would be wary. Have you considered buying a low k wagon and having it converted to gas? General pricing these days is $2800-3200 for a conversion less $2000 federal gov rebate means $1000 outlay which you would regain quickly these days.

[Kove]

Yeah, I have thought of that but there is not really anything around at the moment in Adelaide.

Am considering hanging off and waiting a bit but I want to get rid of my other car (Alfa 156 Selespeed) which is gorgeous to drive but costly to maintain and run. without a car neither of us can get to work!!

Will check out the 'For Sale' and see what I can coem up with...

[deesun]

Good luck with it all, Adelaide prices may be higher than other capitals or as I have found sometimes the price is the same but K's much higher. Scan the usual sites, Trading Post,Carpoint,Drive,Carsales and Carsguide you will find something. Try using Glass's Guide for values accessed easiest through Drive. Red Book hasnt a great rep in these forums. All the best.

[Black XR]

Originally Posted by Kove

Going to have a look at it tomorrow. It's a private sale and it has 232k K's on it.

Redbook price suggests $6900 based on about 200k K's.

One family owner since new.

I'd keep looking 8k for a au11 wagon with 232k's sounds a bit over the top to me

[Chamelion]

I don't know where these people are seeing 7k BA wagons... Auctions don't count!

8k is too much for an AUII with that many K's on it. 6.5k, maybe 7k if it's tip top shape with impressive service records.

Matt.

[private9]

Originally Posted by Chamelion

Auctions don't count!

Why not?

[deesun]

Originally Posted by Chamelion

I don't know where these people are seeing 7k BA wagons... Auctions don't count!

8k is too much for an AUII with that many K's on it. 6.5k, maybe 7k if it's tip top shape with impressive service records.

Matt.

I think thats what I said.

[Kove]

Checked it out today. It really wasn't that impressive. Apparently they lived in Tassie and would come back to visit Adelaide quite a bit so that is why the k's are up so high.

Anyway, it felt quite heavy to drive and I decided to look a bit more.

Cheers for all the suggestions and advice fellas.

[allycat45]

In Brissie AU11 and 111 wagons r going for 6k to 7500 av kms.DONOT buy a 1 series.Had an AU11 6 seat col auto with 4 kids that was my only option at that time had only minor probs with it.9.2lts per 100 on trips 12 around town top family wagon

[au2sw]

currently have series 2 wagon....best car i have ever owned. 12g with 85 thou ks on it wasnt too bad a price (also got them to tint and throw in 5 yr warranty for free) done a few mods to her now and shes comming up nicely.....just need to up date in aufalcon.com and my build thread in here.

[Mont5.0]

yep agreed with the above. I bought a V8 with 200 on the clock for 8, around 3 months ago.