Buying an AUII/III

[billyb35]

Hey guys,

I just recently got my first "real" job after studying for an embarrassingly long time and I'm on the look out for a new car.

I've done a fair bit of research and I'm happy that an AUII or AUIII (if it's in my price range) is what I'm after. Having a look around there are AUIII Falcons going ridiculously low, around the 11-12K mark for a low km vehicle. My problem is, I've seen 1 XR6 AUII for $15K and unbelievably on carsales.com.au, and AUIII XR6, 5sp, 54km for $16,000!

Here are my options
a) and go find a good series 2/3 Forte with low ks and save my money
b) Find a low K series 2 XR
C) find a higher Km XR series 3?

Considering my salary is going to be mid to high 30s, whatya reckon?

Also, problems with these models, the whole HP v VCT thing, what is your advice?

[EA2BA]

You can get some BA's fork very nice prices these days.

[The Mighty Red]

An AU XR6 series III with 54k's on it for $16,000 is a steal and i think you should buy it ASAP, and if not you should tell me were it is so I can have a look at it.

[AU-MUSTD]

Dont listen to the ba boys as it'll cost you another 15 grand too keep it going if it's out of warranty. :hihi: Series 3 for 15 is definatly worth it with such low kays. No troubles should be had with it either as my series 1 vct motor has done 155,000 and a load of heavy towing for 55,000 of them and she still purs as sweet as ever.

[Dark Horse]

Get a good look at that 5sp AUIII XR6. Doesn't matter if it's HP or VCT, if it's in good nick, grab it. Mine's done 90,000 k's and I've had mine since new, used not a drop of oil, so with half those k's, you'd be mad not to.

Ideally a safe way of paying for the car is half of what your annual pay is, which it is.

[Au2falcons]

Ok i've owned an AUII for about four years, and i've owned a BA for nearly a year. Do not put your money towards a BA, the AU's in my opinion are a much better car, much more refined as the single cam motor has been heavily refined. The BA twin cam engine is good but needs more refinement, plus the fuel consumption on an AU is much better and if you get a five speed it will do even better. Just as a comparison, i drive like an old man, I will get on average, 500 to 570 k's a tank in AU compared to 400 to 450 in the BA. As for resale value all falcons hold their value poorly so which model you get, I think doesn't really matter.


Cheers

Adrian.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by L.F.C

An AU XR6 series III with 54k's on it for $16,000 is a steal and i think you should buy it ASAP, and if not you should tell me were it is so I can have a look at it.

i sencond that notion i bought my AUII XR6 HP in june this yr i paid 17490 with 79k km's its a 5 sp and has premium sound ud be made not to pass up any off those 2 cars

[xbcoupe302]

i bought a au11 last year with 65000klms on it 6cyl 5 speed manual plus its called a havoc i thought whats this crap never heard of it but it was a dealer thing they did.

and compared to my xb coupe this au handles fantastic and the fuel economy is great went to qld at start of the year i was getting just over 880klms from the tank could have tried for 900 but didnt want to risk running out in the middle of nowhere.

[SVR73]

These posts make me feel good
90,000 km's on a series III, 22 thou more than my 98 XR.
I'm not a fan of S II's due to bad experience with dozens of them from a previous job.

Mate, go with a series III XR6 VCT, they are a great car
My S1 VCT is a fantastic car to drive, far better than my dumped, 200kw AU1 forte 4.0 six that I had from 98-04

I only wish I had 20,000. There was the exact same car as mine with geniune 17's on it with 30,000 km's for sale in unique cars.

Quality of the paint, interior etc of an S III should be better than a S II
I find private owned cars are in better nick than dealer cars

Good luck

[billyb35]

This is the car I'm referring to:

carsales.com.au

Thanks Dark Horse, that old rule about 50% of your salary I reckon is a good one.

Interesting to see some opinions about BA v AUs. My parents have had both AU Fairlanes and now a BA g220 and the AU is not even close to being in the same class of car as the BA.... BA so much more refined, interior is beautiful compared to bland etc.

I think I'm getting a bit hopeful. A week ago I had my heart set on an EL Fairmont with 18s and I would be happy. Now it seems as if I'm prepared to spend 16 odd K for a S2 XR.

[billyb35]

removed

[silver rogue]

Originally Posted by billyb35

PS why is my message ed?

i bought an au 11 xr8 220 full leather 108 000 on clock for 19 000 had a couple of problems with it,other than that its a top car,they go well too!

i brought my au 3 fairmont in april this year for $19,000 and had 75,000km on the clock. no problems on it. au series 3 are a bargain now and the good thing is there a good car much better than the BA. AU ALL THE WAY

FORD IS THE GOING THING!!!!!!!!!!

[The Mighty Red]

I am still seeing SeriesIII AU XR6's up here on the coast in yards for high 20's
There is a very nice red serIII XR6 with low k's on the nicklin way for $28k ,now the dealer might be dreaming abit but there is no way you will find one with low k's for the kind of money you are on about.

[billyb35]

It makes me want to stay very far away from dealers.

Unless these cars I have seen are screwed, how can a dealer jusitfy charging $10K more for a inferior (more ks, older) car??

Then again, I can't see a private sale giving me anything for my rust bucket XF...

[hoich]

I just bought a AUII XR8 with 220 motor with 56 k and it also has MOMO steering wheel and t-bar handle. Was only $19,888 from a dealer in Melbourne.

Hoich

[Sleeperau]

I bought my AU2 with full ford History & garaging for 11k. It had only 80k on the clock. Shop around & you will find a good car. Remember to ask why they are selling it? & check the service history. Good Luck & remember to check the "common problems with Au "thread before you look at one. :sm_headba