Very few AU's on the road in 3 years? - Page 2

Sox · 31-10-2013, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optional

Hi, new member here.

I was interested to see a couple of people say the AU would outlast the BA models on the road.

Is this because the Au is a better car or just that more were sold?

I am trying to buy a cheap ute at the moment.

Given the choice between a 2000 model AU with 240,000km and a 2002 model BA with 290,000km in similar condition which would you choose?

I would choose the AU, in fact I traded a BA ute for a AU ute, and now I have 4 AU's.

Is the AU a better car? Not necessarily, but it does do some things better than the late model.

I prefer the AU for it's simplicity, mongrel, and styling.

The B series cars are more refined, and as a consequence more sterile feeling with less feedback.
An AU talks to the driver.

B series are also more complex, and as a consequence less reliable.

In many respects they're similar, and so they should be, but the drive is quite different, and it's the drive of an AU that I prefer.

Horses for course though, drive them both.

**Uncle_Ken** · 31-10-2013, 08:10 AM

Well said (How goes your build?)
UK

Road_Warrior · 31-10-2013, 09:56 AM

Early BA's were dogs, they suffered from Ford bleeding cash and the EA syndrome of Ford rushing them to market and left it to customers to finish field testing. Mine is a 2004 and has all the running changes made over the course of the model and is tight as a drum, never let me down. The AU I had (SII 2000 model) now THAT was a dog of a car, the only redeeming feature about it was that it was cruisier to drive whereas the BA feels busier to drive.

But of course, neither example is indicative of the reliability of the model overall.

Optional · 31-10-2013, 10:04 AM

Oh well, the deal is done. I just bought it.

Is this an AU I or II?

Paid $2200

Think it's a really good price.

**FTE217** · 31-10-2013, 12:39 PM

Funnily now most had noticed the thread which Falcon model has been the most reliable.
No 2nd guess's which model has been getting most mention - goes to prove many will still be running around in years to come I reckon.
You can't beat the fresh look of a new model no doubt about that but you can't beat a old model that has proven reliability and better finish quality at the time all round nuff said.

SantoAU · 31-10-2013, 02:42 PM

I'm just starting to notice a few rust points popping up in my AU. If I can keep these to a minimum then I dare say this car will last for quite a few years yet. Motor and box are strong as an ox.

If I had my time again I would go AU again.

mik · 01-11-2013, 01:40 AM

There's no doubt some people will deem their trusty au limo to old and tired to refurbish for the cars value at its age, but they are a good car to drive, and easy to maintain, and there is still plenty of well kept unit s around, probably the buggered lower spec models will end up at the wreckers, but the well kept units and sought after models will be around for a long time to come imo.