The Positive Ford Thread

[vztrt]

I don't realise how nice the Falcon is to drive until I have to drive something else. They are just a great car for long distances and really make me appreciate the car even more. Ford Australia do a great job and every model is better and better.

[Drizz06]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

This one is for ford customer relations centre. Having my car in August for a service I reported a problem with the cruise not working. Factory warranty ended 6 months back in Feb. So I rang the relations centre and stated my case for it to be fixed for me under the expired warranty. My grounds were simple. I purchased the car new, always had it serviced by the book, no mods, completely factory and well maintained. Only 1 claim made during the 3 years of ownership and I've purchased several new fords. My service manager also spoke with them after they called him.

A few weeks later I got a call saying ford have agreed to cover the repairs. 2 weeks ago the car was fixed.

Looks like my next new car will be a ford and not another brand.

Big thanks to ford for looking after a loyal customer.

That's good to hear mate! I had the water pump start making a weird noise On the wife's focus 1 WEEK out of warranty and it was replace without hesitation.

[Grunter]

Not a vehicle, but a man that drove FOA during his time at the top. Geoff Polites to me was what FOA needed (and needs now). He bought so many positives to all areas of FOA. BA launch, Tickford to FPV (GT), pushed the Territory design to the bigwigs in the states and ultimately got approval to get it into production and so much more. Even had the diesel slated for the Territory back in 2006/7 (?) until his replacement knocked it on the head.

And on top of all his achievements, was a great bloke. Was a time I was very excited and proud to be a Ford supporter!

[FGII-XR6]

Falcon taxis can get Ks up that would have killed many other cars twice over. these cars can work hard all day every day. I have seen many Falcon taxis do 800 000 Ks or more on one engine try that with your high reving V6s that everone raves about

[Fiesta_Man69]

Best engine in Aus - I6 or I6T take your pick. EB4 runs a close 2nd...
Best rwd large passenger car on the planet (excluding exotics like Rolls of course)
Best small light car - Fiesta
Best small car - Focus
Arriving soon - best medium car Fusion/Mondeo
Best bang for your buck performance car XR6T
Bring back the LTD!

[Phil B]

My XH ute is built tough as. I have towed about 2,500kg with it before, taken it mud bashing down dirt roads, once with a trailer, and the latest feat it has performed with no breakages or issues is driving from Victoria, all the way to Nhulunbuy/Gove in Arnhem Land NT, down the dirt track in, through river crossings up the the headlights.

Must also mention how well my XB coupe is going too, it's now 36 years old, 380,000km on it, still with the original 302, hasn't been rebuilt. The rest of the running gear and all the parts and panels are the original ones, all in good nick.

I daily drove it during winter in Melbourne for about a month and only had one problem, which was fixed in my shed. My sisters Barina had more issues in that time, and I've been in cars only 10 years old that felt older, more worn out and more dated than my coupe does, great experiences with Ford's and their reliability. So good in fact that I'm currently trying to persuade someone to buy a Focus over a Cruze!

[DJR David]

I drove from townsville to cairns yesterday and I swear every second vehicle coming the other way was a new ranger

[jpd80]

From XD to FGII, every new Falcon I've sat in whether its owned by me or rented has instantly felt like an old familiar friend,
I have never had that same feeling with any other make of car...that's what makes Falcon special to me.

[302 XC]

Im positive my mate in his 5 L carbed holden 1 tonner wont take on my 4L AU ute
Im positive he will get it handed to him
Im positive he knows that

[blk6t]

Good thread, but in general Ford Motor Company is in a good position. Ford are one of the major global car manufacturers, they are investing in new technologies and becoming more streamlined to ensure they can compete with Asian car manufacturers.

The Falcon is a great car but just not what the markets wants, sadly...a lot of people see the Falcon's disappearance as a bad thing, yes it's a big change for us Falcon enthusiasts but some positives of what I see in the future post Falcon is.....

- Introduction of Ford Mustang into the Australian car market....although it's not confirmed, Ford would be stupid not to import the Mustang. Toyota / Subaru's little car is a market hit, the Mustang is leaps and bounds ahead of the 86, its a RWD coupe WITH grunt...even in V6 form.

If you haven't already, downloaded the Mustang Customiser app onto your Ipad DO IT and have fun...even better if someone did the same thing for the Falcon / FPV...

[Silver Ghia]

Todays Carsguide in the Melbourne Herald-Sun newspaper, head to head comparison between the new Focus ST and the Toyota 86 GTS.

The Focus ST wins, only by 0.5 of a point, but we know the 86 was probably the most outstanding affordable car that has come out in recent times, until now. The Focus scored better in the 'Driving' section by being "more civilized than the 86 in traffic", "makes better noise when exploiting the bags of grip" and "covering long distances in better shape".

[stang65]

Would love to hear something from Ford Pr if he is around...... throw us a bone ....even a little one... ;-)

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by 302 XC

Im positive my mate in his 5 L carbed holden 1 tonner wont take on my 4L AU ute
Im positive he will get it handed to him
Im positive he knows that

my mate had a 308 powered HZ tonner. nothing too fancy had a nice note. it went alright for what it is was and was rather nice too drive. the AU trayback i have now would give it a hiding thou.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by blk6t

Good thread, but in general Ford Motor Company is in a good position. Ford are one of the major global car manufacturers, they are investing in new technologies and becoming more streamlined to ensure they can compete with Asian car manufacturers.

The Falcon is a great car but just not what the markets wants, sadly...a lot of people see the Falcon's disappearance as a bad thing, yes it's a big change for us Falcon enthusiasts but some positives of what I see in the future post Falcon is.....

- Introduction of Ford Mustang into the Australian car market....although it's not confirmed, Ford would be stupid not to import the Mustang. Toyota / Subaru's little car is a market hit, the Mustang is leaps and bounds ahead of the 86, its a RWD coupe WITH grunt...even in V6 form.

If you haven't already, downloaded the Mustang Customiser app onto your Ipad DO IT and have fun...even better if someone did the same thing for the Falcon / FPV...

I'd love too see mustang and falcon share the same plattform under one ford!! ford will need a four door rear drive sports car!!!

[TheSneakiness]

I had my AU ute for 4 and a half years. Although it spent plenty of time in mechanics for modifications not once did it ever breakdown anywhere.

Can't say the same for the EA and BA I had but I would definitely get another AU purely based on my experience with my ute.

[Dusty1]

My 2010 XR6 is an ex Avis car. It had done 21k when I got it in Dec 11. It is tight, no rattles, starts every time, radio works, wide enough across the back seat for me to potentially pit in three child seats. I've got twins and a four year old.

Now up to 30k, and going very well. Always serviced, and on,y been in for minor warranty tweaks (window slow, I think) If only I could get my partner to do the drive into neutral into park, handbrake on, I'd be a very happy man.

[strobe]

http://smh.drive.com.au/new-car-comp...012-27gd4.html

"And that engine will start pulling from 1000rpm. At 2000rpm it gets frisky, and by 3000rpm it's looking for a Holden to murder."

[barra240t]

Just hit my 10 year mark working for Pacific Ford and still going. I think that is a positive. We have quite a few long termers on board which shows the faith we have in the brand we come to work for each day.

[JTFG]

My AUII Fairmont has been a very positive story.
Never had any trouble with it, and recently managed to rack up just over 10,000kms in 6 weeks recently without any dramas

[HULK EF]

G6E Turbo. =WIN. "007 looks, stealthy looks -Giant killer. XR6 Turbo crossed with Fairmont ghia. Would love a g8e!!!!

[zilo]

Best thing about Ford australia is that they employ Australians at every level.

The spin offs to the rest of the economy are huge, it must not be left to be diluted like other manufacturers here.

[1TUFFUTE]

I may have thanked/liked every post in this thread so far
Im a self taught Ford Tragic. And every single post i make in justification of the ford brand and what they do and represent for us in australia makes me even more proud because i know im right ...because theyre right

Ford aus has always done the best it could for us over the years...keeping the GT brand pure and performance based...as it was always meant to be.

We still have stripes and starter buttons

And for as long as i remember AND ESPESCIALLY NOW ford has had the best in class..if not at least better then holdens offerings in almost every model
.....ranger
.....au-fg falcon6s including the amazing turbo6s
.....focus has been amazing for years
.....fiesta including xr4 has been amazing for years
.....ford engineering and design has been world class for years
.....Fg falcon is the safest 2nd hand car you can buy in the aus market.
.....ford and fpv have ALWAYS had a slight uphill battle with journos and media and even now greater holden support will always ensure it continues.(just read the last comparo for GT335 v HSV and then the latest GT Rspec v HSV)
.....ford has the best older muscle cars in the world

I better leave something for everyone else!

[Buntz]

A positive Ford thread on Ford Forums?

Has the world gone mad?

[SSD-85]

The AU.

FoA's finest achievement. Possibly the only Falcon where the bean-counters werent in charge since the days of Bill Bourke.

A financial & public perception disaster for the time, but it rises out of ashes as a Phoenix-like testament to the sheer magnitude of FoA ingenuity that wasnt limited by the pen-pushers of the corporate automotive world.

How different the Ford world would be if the buying public appreciated its near-automotive-perfection.
It will not win any popularity contests, but it doesnt have to. It will go down as one of the greatest Falcons ever produced; timeless styling & bullet-proof engineering will see it etched forever into Ford history.

[dawsman]

BOSS 335. Nuff said.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by Eagleheart

The AU.

FoA's finest achievement. Possibly the only Falcon where the bean-counters werent in charge since the days of Bill Bourke.

A financial & public perception disaster for the time, but it rises out of ashes as a Phoenix-like testament to the sheer magnitude of FoA ingenuity that wasnt limited by the pen-pushers of the corporate automotive world.

How different the Ford world would be if the buying public appreciated its near-automotive-perfection.
It will not win any popularity contests, but it doesnt have to. It will go down as one of the greatest Falcons ever produced; timeless styling & bullet-proof engineering will see it etched forever into Ford history.

yes the AU sedan and wagon didnt fare too well sales wise but you do see alot of AUs still about!!! the AU ute was very popular thou!!! I still remeber the first one i seen in 1999!! a green cab chassis!! after that i seen them everywhere!!! my favorite falcon utes are the AU-BF and FGs just for the tray back option!!!

[russellw]

I'm old(er) and thus it's harder for me to change long held opinions on just about anything but the time I spent with the Focus ST earlier this week (review here) has gone a long way to convincing me that, done properly, we can have FWD and fun too.

I've also spent the last few days in a VZ Commodore while the Ute gets a new front courtesy of a Skippy who wanted to play in traffic and it has served as a timely reminder just how good the FG is. It handles significantly better (I'm taking off about 20% of my normal speed in corners to compensate); is much smoother in the drive-line and has a considerably better cabin ambience. Indeed, the only positive for the VZ is that it does have better visibility of the extremities than the FG.

Cheers
Russ

[Luke Plaizier]

I'm still struggling to find any other car in the world - and in my mind a Territory is just ajacked up Falcon, given that just about every major component other than the bodyshell is interchangeable between the two - that has 4 Cyl Turbo, 6 Cyl Turbo, V8 Supercharged, Turbo Diesel, Liquid Injected LPG, RWD and AWD, with some models that have running costs less than opposition 4 Cyl small cars, and others than can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.

People claim that Australian cars are Dinosaurs, but really, with that engine line up, and range of cheap-to-run versus high performance, there's not another car in the world that can claim that breadth of coverage. It may not have auto-tailgate close, park assist, lane-change sensors, radar cruise, puddle lightsor or many other tinkery electronic gizmos, but for the sophistication of it's engineering - such as the virtual pivot front suspension - in my mind it is a very very advanced motor vehicle.

My fear is that integration into One Ford may be a step forward in gizmos, but may well be a step backward in engineering excellence.


Lukeyson

[Elks]

Originally Posted by strobe

http://smh.drive.com.au/new-car-comp...012-27gd4.html

"And that engine will start pulling from 1000rpm. At 2000rpm it gets frisky, and by 3000rpm it's looking for a Holden to murder."

LOL I read that this morning. "It's looking for a Holden to murder" If you look a the video on line the GT is 5+ car lengths ahead of the 325 HSV at the end of the quarter. All the times are off owing to a dusty track, but heads up.

So a quick overview;

Feista - Best in Class
Focus - Best in class (at worst equal with golf)
Mondeo - nearing the end of its run but a strong performer
Faclon - Just brilliant
Territory - A Standout
Ranger - A class leader
FPV - You need to take a pic of the front to give to yours mates with HSV's as all they will ever see is tailpipes.

All in all not a bad line, arguably the best it has ever been. There is a long way to go, but they are on the right track.

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by Elks

FPV - You need to take a pic of the front to give to yours mates with HSV's as all they will ever see is tailpipes.

and thats even from the F6, a 4.0L I6 that will kill a V8 holden
Ford have shown ovet the years that when they are trying they can bolt together a true muscle car