What are your thoughts on the Falcon? - Page 2

2011G6E · 04-05-2011, 10:14 AM

I'm not comparing directly something like a G6E to an Audi or a BMW or a Mercedes. I've spent time in BMW's and Mercedes Benzes, and a pleasant time it was. I can honestly say that the G6E is pretty damn close in ride and quality...apart, as I said, from a few little "cheap" niggles that could be easily fixed. I suppose that's price-based.

If someone had paid good money for a BMW 5 series or a Merc 380SL, I am quite certain they'd storm back to the dealership and demand to know why the engine looks rusty, why the center console lid just bangs back down with no padding or soft-close, and things like that. The more money you pay, the more expectation there is that all the little details will be right. Personally, I call the price of a $50,000 G6E "plenty of money", and realistically you should expect all the little details to be right.

The thing is, most people aren't comparing a Falcon to a BMW or Merc...they are comparing equipment levels with things like cheap Toyota Corollas and Nissans, which are loaded with little touches that let you know someone has spent five minutes thinking about "the little things".

Falcon just needs to lift its game a little and they'd shine, and a great car would be a outstanding car.

sarrge2001 · 04-05-2011, 10:40 AM

I've owned a ZJ, XF, 2 x EB's, EL, BA XR6T and now the G6ET.

Were they faultless? No, of course not. But lets put it in perspective. They are a mass produced vehicle, built to a price. Some things will fail, that's what warranty is for. Some things will become ongoing (E series head gasket anyone?).

In my view, it's how Ford deal with the warranty and ongoing obvious problems that lets them down. But i'm sure that other manufacturers have the same issues and probably treat some of their customers the same. We're probably more aware of Ford's issues in this respect because we frequent this site and not holden or toyota or subaru or mazda sites.

Falcon is a great car, in fact to my mind it is the best value large car on the market in Australia. It will tow with no problem, has plenty of power with reasonable (for its size) fuel usage, has plenty of room and is comfortable on long trips.

What it comes down to is that it does what I want, when i want, how I want for a price I can afford.

That's why i bought it.

Wretched · 04-05-2011, 10:51 AM

Owned two from new (BA XT and BF2 XR8) and sold them after too many problems.
I come from a family of many falcons (XB, XD, XF, EL, B series).

I've moved on from the Falcon and can't say I have looked back. I won't be buying a Falcon again.
I have had too many problems with them, some you expect but others should have been sorted before being released. I would hate to see if they were loaded with the tech other makes offer.

They are ok for what they are but compared to other cars in the market or even what is on offer within the Ford camp value is questionable.
Of course the performance market is good with the turbo and the SC V8 but other than that I can't see anything of value.

phillyc · 04-05-2011, 10:51 AM

We have now recently bought our 3rd Falcon. An FG XR6. Love it.

We had an AU XR6 VCT which we had for 7 years and 100k of great driving. I replaced 2 water pumps for a total of $300 during that time. My run-around vehicle is a AU2 XL ute which has done triple the warranty period in both age and kilometres. It too has been a trusty beast and goes pretty hard when called upon.

The Falcon is a large car built to a price with only minor compromises, but offering something that is good looking, durable, built for Australian conditions, is fuel efficient (particularly the FG series), 5 star safe, spacious, reasonable tech and fun to drive.

If we hadn't bought the FG it was going to be a Territory for the extra space.

**Polyal** · 04-05-2011, 11:00 AM

Well personaly my history has been EA>EA/B/D thing>EL>XD>AU

The EA's for what they were are ok, I cant bag it to much because it was my first car and I was at uni; therefore I had no cash...LOL

The EL was awesome, EL Ghia with a few mods, great cruising car and looked nice.

The XD I wont count as it was really a toy I tried to use as a daily for a while, good fun, not good for the bank account. My first V8 and a clevo...Ill get another Clevo very soon.

The AU, well, honestly, its such an awesome car. I love the look, its reliable enough, on SVI LPG I average 12L/100. Im forever thinking about getting something else, and I will eventually, but the AU for a daily does everything I need and whats funny is that it is costing less than the Barina to own and run...work that out.

Next on the list is a diesel tezz or mondeo/focus for the missus and I will build a XR8 that Ford should have. Exciting times.

WILDB · 04-05-2011, 11:10 AM

I've had 3 Falcons - bit of a mixed bag for me as well.

96' EFII Fairmont - drove well but had something go wrong every other week. I bought it off the original owner with a full service history and reciepts for work carried out. I had it for 9 months and in that time it cost me dearly. I couldn't wait to get rid of it.

04' BA XR6 manual - I really liked it at the start - bought it with 30000km on it. I had it for 2.5 yrs, it was a pretty good car but the diff and gearbox were crap for the whole time and felt like they were about to die by the time I got rid of it with 70000km. It had also started rusting in a few places. I vowed after that to never buy another Falcon.

I then bought an LV XR5T Focus, loved that car and modded it a bit. Unfortunately I was in a pretty nasty motorbike accident and busted my left leg badly - it's never really recovered properly to be able to drive manuals for long periods. I looked at all sorts of autos, but the one I kept coming back to was an FG XR6T - I test drove one with very low expectations and loved it.

I've had my FG since september and love it. It's had a few minor issues, but all have been resolved. It drives very nicely, goes hard and is very comfortable. I think I'll keep this one for a while.

FG XR · 04-05-2011, 11:18 AM

Owned a number of fords and falcons at that and they have all being very very reliable. Have driven a mates VE ss and whilst it is a nice car that quality is nothing compared to the fg...

xisled · 04-05-2011, 11:20 AM

I have had 2 falcons BA XT and a XF GL. My current car is also a BA GT. Found the B series to be good so far. I had my BA XT for just over 4 and a half years got it when I was 21. The car had 33000k and was a year and a half old when I got it, (ex hire car) and sold the car with 166000k.

Now the XT was a good car would start everyday no trouble, apart from the flat battery. The car it self got flogged to an inch of its life. I done burnouts, drag races, track runs in it, you name it I probably did it. Car was all standard. Never really did regular service's on the car. Sometimes it would go 25000k without a service. It was one thrashed XT. But the only 2 problem's I had with it, was that the radiator and transmission oil mixed together and the flat battery. When the radiator and transmission fluid mixed, I did drive the car around for bout 3 months like that. When I got it fixed, had the car for another year, and not a single problem. Even the transmission was still good. I do not want anyone to tell me, I should look after the car better. So I found the BA XT to be a very reliable car. Would start first time every time.

So the XF was a tough car, when I scrapped it, the XF had about 400000 on the clock, all I can really say about the car is that it was like a tank.

So in general the falcons are good cars and I found them to be tough. I could not break my XT, I think it should have.

mik · 04-05-2011, 02:33 PM

i`ve had 3 falcons a 67 289 a 5.8 xc and my s2 au xr6, they all have been serviced properly and not a one has ever let me down, the au has been the most care free vehicle i`ve ever owned, not to say they could`nt improve in a couple of small area`s, but i look forward to an fg or terri when the time comes(or the money

).

Falcman0o7 · 04-05-2011, 04:08 PM

Seems the AU is a winner yet again.

A car that is so good yet gets beaten in sales by a crappy V6 VT

Perko · 04-05-2011, 04:32 PM

Must agree that Ford and the Falcon do cop a fair bit on the forum (some warranted but most not) Like most here I have owned heaps of Fords. These being KH Laser, XF ute, XH ute, AU2 ute, EL Furura and finally have a BA XR8 ute and the wife has a SX Territory. We both love them and they have had their ups and downs but nothing that doesn't come from normal use. Overall, the Falcon is still great value for money. My mates from overseas still reckon for large cars we get the best combo of car and power for price. Will I buy another Falcon. Probably not.... too happy with the one I currently have!

OLD BALDY · 04-05-2011, 04:45 PM

I have owned Ford Escort Twin Cam, XW GT, XA 351 panel van, 302 XB hard top,351 XD sedan, Ford Maverick??, EB 5.0litre, EF 5.0l, EL 5.0l, XH XR6, TS AWD territory, BF2 XR8 ute. never had a major problem so will stay with Ford.

2011G6E · 04-05-2011, 05:19 PM

Ford Escort Twin Cam??

...you lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, jammy, bastard...

**DJM83** · 04-05-2011, 05:30 PM

Where do i start w/o looking like im 'bagging' the falcon

I had 2 XF's one GL and a Ghia both were pretty robust cars has the usual issues associated with the model and lots of door handles.

ED Fairmont was a pretty good car no major issues with it just wear and tear didnt replace anything major on it.

AUII XR6HP never liked the AU but bit the bullet and bought one, well this was the tip of my love for the AU it was a fantastic car, i didnt really have it all that long 18months~ not because it was bad, it wasnt. but because of below...

AUII TE50, this car came up and i had to have it so i bought it. Although this was a fantastic car it had a couple more issues then previous AU, power steering hose, headunit, rocker cover gaskets and in the end a fair bit of driveline feedback (Was a demonstrator after all)

It was time to move it on and i looked at another falcon but decided i wanted something different and i havnt looked back, one thing that needs to improve with the falcon is the build quality, my focus it leaps ahead in that aspect.

Powdered Toast Man · 04-05-2011, 05:51 PM

Iv'e owned an XA, 2 XCs, a ZF, an EA, an EF and now my BA. The EB in my sig is a project which I'm not counting, but for it's kays and years it's even in remarkably good condition.

Been happy with them all as second hand cars (apart from the BA which was practically new). All have been reliable, or as reliable as I expected. I'm even one of the few people to have had a good experience with an EA.

Sure things have broken over time but all but my BA had reasonably high kays and or many years under their belts before I bought them.

My main issue with the BA is the interior plastics quality as far as tactile feel and look are concerned. But all modern cars are the same. It's been very reliable and I am very happy with it as an aussie built car considering the price they are built for.

My next car won't be a falcon, but thats because it's time for something different, not because of any bad experiences. In fact it wont be a large sedan of any sort.

Generally speaking I have always thought of the Falcon brand as a robust, reliable, aussie beast that can always be counted on to get you where you want to go.

93EB_SXR6 · 04-05-2011, 08:38 PM

EAs were made in the late 80s/early 90s... how could you possibly expect it to be in perfect condition now?
The doors fade on them quite badly (I've found this from mine) but they will last forever - their struts were poorly designed but if you don't mind driving around sounding like an old rusty bed filled with pornstars, you'll be just fine.

Btw, mine has 388 xxx on it, still going strong (I don't really drive it anymore though as I have the XR6)

mik · 04-05-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

Iv'e owned an XA, 2 XCs, a ZF, an EA, an EF and now my BA. The EB in my sig is a project which I'm not counting, but for it's kays and years it's even in remarkably good condition.

Been happy with them all as second hand cars (apart from the BA which was practically new). All have been reliable, or as reliable as I expected. I'm even one of the few people to have had a good experience with an EA.

Sure things have broken over time but all but my BA had reasonably high kays and or many years under their belts before I bought them.

My main issue with the BA is the interior plastics quality as far as tactile feel and look are concerned. But all modern cars are the same. It's been very reliable and I am very happy with it as an aussie built car considering the price they are built for.

My next car won't be a falcon, but thats because it's time for something different, not because of any bad experiences. In fact it wont be a large sedan of any sort.

Generally speaking I have always thought of the Falcon brand as a robust, reliable, aussie beast that can always be counted on to get you where you want to go.

actually i drove an ea last year (first time), i was bit surprised the bloody thing was good to drive, good vision, turning circle was dam good too, one has to wonder if all the flak for this model is warranted?

Ford_The_Win · 04-05-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

actually i drove an ea last year (first time), i was bit surprised the bloody thing was good to drive, good vision, turning circle was dam good too, one has to wonder if all the flak for this model is warranted?

I don't think it is. It would have been quite a nice car in it's day, especially in Ghia form. Odd that I had a great experience with supposedly one of the worst Falcons (EA) and am currently having a bad experience with one of the more highly regarded models (EL).

**janddbone** · 04-05-2011, 11:09 PM

Falcon has not been any good for me since the EL finished, due to the stupid body of AU onwards. I cant see out of an FG at all, so I will never drive one yet alone buy one.

AU were okay for quality and build other than rust, particularly in the Fairlane/LTD. BA onwards is basically appalling for build and quality.

Territory... Completely useless and awful...

I still love Australian Fords, but only EL backwards for me. Also love the straight six, in any guise... Hopefully they stop cost cutting on that too...

HUNTER8 · 05-05-2011, 12:36 AM

I may be biased but I've owned an EA, EB, EF, AU (2), BA and FG Falcons. I've also owned a ZB Fairlane, 3 Cortina's, 2 Mondeo's, 1 Escort, 1 Laser and a Focus.
All bar 1 have been good reliable cars. The one that wasn't was purchased used and had been a Catholic Church car. What the nuns were doing on the weekend is anyone's guess but it was an absolute piece of crap.
Yes there has been some niggling problems with some but they were all fixed and repaired under warranty.
Best of the lot? The HB Mondeo Ghia, highly underrated car, and the current FG XR8. Why people continue to bag the FG is beyond me.
Problems with the FG? Yes we've had a cracked bush but not sure if this was a designed problem or the result of having to have it pulled out from this .......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rmwS...eature=related

onfire · 05-05-2011, 06:32 PM

Love my BA XR6. For me theres been a couple of problems.. mostly with actuators in doors.

As for the drive. In the normal mode, it's a big, smooth, comfortable ride. Others may disagree. When flicked over to the sports shifter, it's a hell of a good time, we're only talking 182kw, but out on the highway or on a good nice, long road it's great.

malazn mafia · 05-05-2011, 07:47 PM

EL Fairmont hands down. Bought it with 200,000km on the clock, drove awesome. Once mounted a kerb at 50km/h while swerving to avoid a blind commodore driver pulling out without looking. Tyre exploded, but put on the spare wheel and drove away. Still steered straight. Alternator, coil pack and a heater I could never get to work properly were the only let downs in 3 years/30,000km of ownership.

buickman · 05-05-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Personally I think the FG has MUCH better build quality than a new Camry or Aurion

I agree not because I brought a FG but the Current Toyota's seem to leak water in through the drivers side back window. My Sister inlaws 2009 Touring Aurion had to have the dealer remove the rear window to fix it and my parents Prodigy had the same issue rear glass removed to stop the right rear wheel well filling with water and the climate control readout fading out like the AU C/C on the Fairmonts /Fairlanes was replaced under warranty.

fordv8! · 05-05-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

I don't think it is. It would have been quite a nice car in it's day, especially in Ghia form. Odd that I had a great experience with supposedly one of the worst Falcons (EA) and am currently having a bad experience with one of the more highly regarded models (EL).

yeah everyone who drove or was in my EA where surprised how good it was.......... as per norm unwarranted bagging of a ford, like almost all of it is

dylancox · 05-05-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onfire

Love my BA XR6. For me theres been a couple of problems.. mostly with actuators in doors.

As for the drive. In the normal mode, it's a big, smooth, comfortable ride. Others may disagree. When flicked over to the sports shifter, it's a hell of a good time, we're only talking 182kw, but out on the highway or on a good nice, long road it's great.

Haha only talking 182kw.. I think its time for you to try out BA XR6 Turbo + nice, long road.. you don't know what you're missing out on until you do

Ryan · 05-05-2011, 10:47 PM

Falcons are no good mate. Commodores are better.

RSgerry · 05-05-2011, 10:48 PM

fit and finish isnt up to the levels of the Japanese, but i is a great cruiser and it wont fall apart any time soon. i have had one stupid little plastic part go that hobbled the car (part of the cooling system), but that is the knd of thing that can go on any car. love driving it and love the kick i get when i put the boot in. would love an F6 or GT.

Ford_The_Win · 05-05-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

Falcons are no good mate. Commodores are better.

Them's fightin' words! Don't make me get mah stick!

DanielXR8 · 05-05-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordv8!

yeah everyone who drove or was in my EA where surprised how good it was.......... as per norm unwarranted bagging of a ford, like almost all of it is

Nothing like a sweeping generalisation to sweep under the carpet all the build quality and dealer issues hey.

People certainly make a lot of stuff up for a faultless car.

No they aren't all bad, but a large enough number aren't good.

Supercharged · 05-05-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcman0o7

After reading a certain thread the falcon seemed to get a bashing for reliability and built quality, .

Can't see how they can say that, isn't like you see them broken down on the side of the road every time you travel anywhere. None of mine have ever let me down but if you don't maintain any car you will get what you don't pay for.