Best Aussie car of last 30 years

[ford71V8]

I voted for the AU in the end.
Had the poll differentiated between Territory models I am have chosen differently... having owned an early Terry than a 2011, I can say I am not a fan of the early one.
And I love driving our AU Fairmont and miss my AU wagon. These cars are just so comfortable to drive.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by rare ss

Put simply it took HSV 8 years to release a car to beat it, you have to wonder without the FG F6 would the LSA have happened?

Sixes have been quicker than eights at various points in time. They're arguably different customer bases, plenty of whom would never consider a six over an eight (assuming the disparity wasnt ridiculous).

Honestly, after the VE, Holden didnt care what Ford did, nor did they really need to.

[lra]

Territory .................. I don't know when the term SUV came into general use, but ours was bought as a wagon to replace our sadly departed '74 HJ Kingswood which died from tin cancer.

The VE Commodore must rate an honourable mention as 'missed by that much'.
After Holden ramped up its exports and different variations of the same platform in the late '90s- early '00s, the stage was set for the VE to become a big player in the GM world.
Big problem was that GM encouraged the potential of the VE, then cancelled the whole party after all the arrangements were made and invitations sent out.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

So get your votes in folks, it appears the best Aussie car of the last 30 years is the AU Falcon at present! Like David Cameron putting up a Brexit vote and having to accept its results (lol), the car that had Ford in damage control upon public release is turning out to be Cinderella and the best!

Here's a timely lesson on internet polls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiTqIyx6tBU

Nope. Had one from new for four years and covered over 70,000 km. Standard Forte sedan in black, with 5 speed manual and Tickford sports suspension, 16" tyre and wheel combo all factory fitted. Drove well and was almost fault free. Looked awful inside and out and still looks awful inside and out.

Brexit was a good result. The AU wasn't

[Franco Cozzo]

Hello, yes I would like to report someone with Alzheimer's disease

Yes, I'm willing to hold

[willo56]

Originally Posted by rare ss

100% biased vote but my choice is the FG FPV F6

Put simply it took HSV 8 years to release a car to beat it, you have to wonder without the FG F6 would the LSA have happened?

pretty sure the LSA GTS was in response to FPV switching to the Miami platform on the GS/GT though

[Sprintey]

It appears the AU is streaking further ahead of the Territory... my vote was for the latter, but the strength of the AU meme is too strong.

So: is it really the legendary AU reliability that makes the best Aussie car of the last 30 years? (I'm distilling it's popularity down to this one thing) Is reliability the single most important thing on what works in Australia? Toyota sales, and Kia's rise (7 year warranty, ie no risk) might confirm this. Or is it the way it had that cruisy/comfort drive common to the E series, and Australians really prefer that to the 'handling' bias in the 2000s? Or is it just memes?

Quite happy to give it the crown. MIL's AUII SR owned from new was a really nice solid car, a little bit wheelspinny on takeoff on gravel, and I was one of the 25% of Australians who liked the styling.

Such a strange situation that Ford could produce such a good car and yet be in such crisis with the same car (good things came out of this: BA turbo, Territory)

[Mont5.0]

you got every late model falcon, and territory as 1.
SZ RWD barra. Best aussie car ever produced!

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

SZ RWD barra. Best aussie car ever produced!

Time to sell the Sprint then!

[Mont5.0]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Time to sell the Sprint then!

Thats your call .
His poll should have read-
Territory
Falcon
Other..

[Franco Cozzo]

Magna not getting much love in the polls or in the thread,

Mates ex missus Mum had a 3.5L V6 Magna wagon with 800,000km on the clock, that thing went like the ****ing clappers it was nuts, it chopped our other mates VY Ecotec Commodore in a drag race like it was standing still.

A radiator ended up taking it out, it shat the bed and cooked the motor.

Then she bought a Turbo Territory to replace the mighty Magna wagon.

[fgpsi]

[HIPO]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Magna not getting much love in the polls or in the thread,

Mates ex missus Mum had a 3.5L V6 Magna wagon with 800,000km on the clock, that thing went like the ****ing clappers it was nuts, it chopped our other mates VY Ecotec Commodore in a drag race like it was standing still.

A radiator ended up taking it out, it shat the bed and cooked the motor.

Then she bought a Turbo Territory to replace the mighty Magna wagon.

Wish i still had mine :(

https://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11449741

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Magna not getting much love in the polls or in the thread,

Mates ex missus Mum had a 3.5L V6 Magna wagon with 800,000km on the clock, that thing went like the ****ing clappers it was nuts, it chopped our other mates VY Ecotec Commodore in a drag race like it was standing still.

A radiator ended up taking it out, it shat the bed and cooked the motor.

Then she bought a Turbo Territory to replace the mighty Magna wagon.

Is that you Hulk??

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Is that you Hulk??

Haha.

The Magna is no Aurion. That thing would chop anything.

[FTE217]

there was only so few Magna's that behaved and stayed together well enough compared to the bulk of them.
POS more than not.
The aftermarket made a killing on them incl Sigmas/Centuras, thankyou.
I suppose the 380 was their best effort in the end.
Bitsofmishi says it all though a few were worth trying till they broke/leaked/over heated etcetc

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

It appears the AU is streaking further ahead of the Territory... my vote was for the latter, but the strength of the AU meme is too strong.

So: is it really the legendary AU reliability that makes the best Aussie car of the last 30 years? (I'm distilling it's popularity down to this one thing) Is reliability the single most important thing on what works in Australia? Toyota sales, and Kia's rise (7 year warranty, ie no risk) might confirm this. Or is it the way it had that cruisy/comfort drive common to the E series, and Australians really prefer that to the 'handling' bias in the 2000s? Or is it just memes?

Quite happy to give it the crown. MIL's AUII SR owned from new was a really nice solid car, a little bit wheelspinny on takeoff on gravel, and I was one of the 25% of Australians who liked the styling.

Such a strange situation that Ford could produce such a good car and yet be in such crisis with the same car (good things came out of this: BA turbo, Territory)

your title is last 30yrs.
By then AU11 came to be and a hell of improvement compared to 1 followed by 111.
They were the typical Falcon of old (forgetting exterior look), reliable, comfortable, 6 or 8, sedan/wagon/LWB/ute/cab chassis.
Choices, Falcon rep was always even going back 30yrs earlier renowed for being the best open road cruiser for families and all so AU did hit that same mark.
The other good thing its interior was pretty damn good for a local as we know going into BSeries it got cut and cheaper.
Like I said before AU is the unexpected lazarus of Falcon.
I've never been a Terri fan but kudos to it, diesel came way too late.
Performance wise being biased best is the T3 and the F6's followed by Miami's.

[mick taylor]

Best for what and best for who ?

What would i like to have ? and at what year ? or keep if i could.

Best Ute, P van, Wagon, Sedan, 2 door Hardtop and 4X4 of sorts.

I would also add the progress of cars made over the years, i drove a 4 cyl now and 30 years ago would i be content to have a 4cyl, No !

But i think that a Holden vy ss 6sp manual was the best overall car as from then on no one can not boast really as stating anything really being better.

And the last Falcons from 6sp auto 4.0L on is the best falcon ever by far. for the average dude.

Like would i be more happy in driving a VZ SS or VE-F SS from a VY SS, No ! how could one truly brag about one being so much better.

Same with the last Falcon who can say that the last was worse, if you have a 6sp auto that's the ones to have.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by FTE217

there was only so few Magna's that behaved and stayed together well enough compared to the bulk of them.
POS more than not.
The aftermarket made a killing on them incl Sigmas/Centuras, thankyou.
I suppose the 380 was their best effort in the end.
Bitsofmishi says it all though a few were worth trying till they broke/leaked/over heated etcetc

Driving behind a Magna usually meant smelling burning oil. They were notorious for leaking valve seals and a cloud of blue smoke behind them when they accelerated. Well the 2.6 Astron ones anyway.

I actually saw one of the early ones a few months ago, they are getting pretty rare now. And yep, there was a puff of oil smoke when it drove off. Iconic pairing.

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Haha.

The Magna is no Aurion. That thing would chop anything.

A Aurion will flog a V6 Magna.
My brother had the last V6 Magna.
Not that i would own such cars myself, but my wife has the Aurion and the power difference running 91 octane and 95 octane is astounding !
I was hosing of every 3.6L Commodore and 4.0L Falcon that wanted to have a go easy, then i found using 95 octane makes a hell of a difference.

Not that the Aurion is a sports car but as a highway driven car within reason of the Joe average it's a fine car. just don't drive on dirt roads as such is rubbish without the advantage of rear wheel steering of the Falcon and Holden that such roads can be made fun ! or without the fear that you can just hang the tail out if need be, but the Aurion would just plow out of control to easy.

I would say that the stability control has been the best function ever on wet bitumen roads, it's fantastic ! I think it has saved me loosing the Aurion twice and it Kept the car in the same lane, so this saves people from having a head on.

[fgpsi]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

Best for what and best for who ?

What would i like to have ? and at what year ? or keep if i could.

Best Ute, P van, Wagon, Sedan, 2 door Hardtop and 4X4 of sorts.

I would also add the progress of cars made over the years, i drove a 4 cyl now and 30 years ago would i be content to have a 4cyl, No !

But i think that a Holden vy ss 6sp manual was the best overall car as from then on no one can not boast really as stating anything really being better.

And the last Falcons from 6sp auto 4.0L on is the best falcon ever by far. for the average dude.

Like would i be more happy in driving a VZ SS or VE-F SS from a VY SS, No ! how could one truly brag about one being so much better.

Same with the last Falcon who can say that the last was worse, if you have a 6sp auto that's the ones to have.

VY SS was the last good looking SS. Had one. didnt buy the ve ss when it came out cos it looked ****house so went for an fg xr6 turbo instead which looked much nicer.

VF SS looked ****house too

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Haha.

The Magna is no Aurion. That thing would chop anything.

Hence my vote!

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by FTE217

your title is last 30yrs.
By then AU11 came to be and a hell of improvement compared to 1 followed by 111.
They were the typical Falcon of old (forgetting exterior look), reliable, comfortable, 6 or 8, sedan/wagon/LWB/ute/cab chassis.
Choices, Falcon rep was always even going back 30yrs earlier renowed for being the best open road cruiser for families and all so AU did hit that same mark.
The other good thing its interior was pretty damn good for a local as we know going into BSeries it got cut and cheaper.
Like I said before AU is the unexpected lazarus of Falcon.
I've never been a Terri fan but kudos to it, diesel came way too late.
Performance wise being biased best is the T3 and the F6's followed by Miami's.

Yep, the Great Australian Road Car, and there was truth to the term.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by fgpsi

VY SS was the last good looking SS. Had one. didnt buy the ve ss when it came out cos it looked ****house so went for an fg xr6 turbo instead which looked much nicer.

VF SS looked ****house too

I remember first seeing the VE and going wtf and wondering why my reaction to those huge wheelarches and slab sided design was so out of tune with what the magazines were reporting. FG much nicer at the time.

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I remember first seeing the VE and going wtf and wondering why my reaction to those huge wheelarches and slab sided design was so out of tune with what the magazines were reporting. FG much nicer at the time.

Those A pillars and that high belt line sadly have been copied by everything else as of late.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by fgpsi

VY SS was the last good looking SS. Had one. didnt buy the ve ss when it came out cos it looked ****house so went for an fg xr6 turbo instead which looked much nicer.

VF SS looked ****house too

Looks are always subjective.
But id pick a VF SS all day over a VY SS
VY wheel design was rubbish.
Tear drop lights looked horrible.
The small changes they made with VZ fixed those issues for me anyway.
VE i think even is some SS specs was rubbish. But an SSV Redline i wouldnt say no to.
I agree FG was nicer at the time. But it would have been nice to get some of the nicer things that the SSV Redline got front brembos/better suspension as an option with FG XR6T/XR8

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Looks are always subjective.
But id pick a VF SS all day over a VY SS
VY wheel design was rubbish.
Tear drop lights looked horrible.
The small changes they made with VZ fixed those issues for me anyway.
VE i think even is some SS specs was rubbish. But an SSV Redline i wouldnt say no to.

Each to their own mate but when I was 12 and the VE was revealed it was a huge disappointment. I used to subscribe monthly to Motor and they came up with a VE vs VZ comparo for the HSV models one month. The cars were parked next to each other and they said "the VE instantly dates the VZ"...but all I could think about is how crisp and clean the VZ looked compared to blowfish VE.

[Fordman1]

Territory

[stock1991]

always going to be personal preference, i like this colour

[290GTP]

Going to buck the trend and say the B series. Yeah they have their faults, just like every other car on the list, but they did kick start Ford Australia more than any other model in the last 30 years.

They looked great in XR and FPV guise and were successful in taking the fight to Holden in the sales race and the track (thanks Marcos) as well.