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Old 03-06-2013, 12:17 PM   #1
BlueOvalPrint
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Default The most disappointing Falcon ever?

So... while we're getting all misty eyed at the demise of our beloved Falcons, while most models bring fond memories it also has to be acknowledged that some were not exactly the pick of the bunch.

Examples: The XK - released when not strong enough for Australian conditions; the EA - great design but the engineering was severely undercooked; the AU - THAT styling and average specs...

For mine (and this might start a BIG fight) it was the XF. Yes it was the best selling car of the time and had the traditional Falcon values of space, comfort and toughness but it was a dead set boat to drive, with wheezy OHV 6's once ULP arrived and matched to the three speed auto. The rounded front styling didn't mesh with the squared off XD style window profile and rear, the digital dash in the Ghia was awful, and the "euro style" moulded door trims were made of plastic about as hard as the door metal itself. Stepping out of one of these into a VL felt like 10 years difference.

Without starting a poll, what Falcon model(s) were you most disappointed with and why?


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Old 03-06-2013, 12:21 PM   #2
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

The XK, the original Falcon that was just rubbish, fell apart when it came here.
The EA for it's reliability issues.
The BF (and MK2), just not a great advancement over the BA2 (except for the ZF), really the FG should have been the BF.
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Old 03-06-2013, 12:30 PM   #3
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

Anything with a GT badge after the XY and before the 335.
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Old 03-06-2013, 12:30 PM   #4
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

The EA due to the early CFI engines and poor resale.
The BA's looked great but heard too many stories of diff, gearbox and suspension issues, plus poor resale compared to the AU.
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Old 03-06-2013, 12:35 PM   #5
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

For me, the design low point of Ford AU was XD-ED. Yes, we had the ESPs another GT and a Sprint, but these only served as distractions to what were absolute heaps as far as appearance is concerned. Not to mention the door handles on XD-XF and head gaskets on EA-ED, breakable door locks on EB/ED (EF/EL included in this I guess, but I think they were miles apart from their predecessors, regardless).
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Old 03-06-2013, 12:35 PM   #6
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

For me the crudely designed XD....anyone can draw with a straight edge ruler....didn't look strong, just 'brittle' .
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Old 03-06-2013, 12:49 PM   #7
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

From an 'outsider' perspective, AU was the biggest flop of Ford's modern times.



I remember going to Etheridge Ford with Dad to check it out on the weekend of release and could not believe my eyes. In the corner of the showroom they had a new burgundy EL Fairmont Ghia 5.0 with the XR body kit...and it looked sensational.
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Old 03-06-2013, 12:51 PM   #8
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

For me,

The XC, never liked it, frond end did not blend, bumpers too bulky, dash a step down from the "cockpit" XA XB style.

EL GT just could not live with a car that looks like that

AU styling was an epic fail

Early FG GTs, don't do it for me at all.
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Old 03-06-2013, 12:53 PM   #9
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

i think the op is on the wrong forum . the hide of the guy .
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Old 03-06-2013, 01:00 PM   #10
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

Most disappointing Falcon? This thread
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Old 03-06-2013, 01:03 PM   #11
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

What's wrong with the thread?

I am a WRX enthusiast and we regularly bash our least favourite on the forums - the ugly 2008 hatch.

Liking a particular brand doesn't mean you have to love anything they pump out unconditionally.
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Old 03-06-2013, 01:04 PM   #12
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

EA and XC..everything else was good
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Old 03-06-2013, 01:04 PM   #13
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

BA falcon. Twice bitten. Loved the aesthetics but was let down by reliability issues on both.
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Old 03-06-2013, 01:07 PM   #14
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Default Re: The most disappointing Falcon ever?

This topic has been discussed numerous times & ends up bashing one model over others.
Getting tired of it all really....
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