Ford Falcon Au Bad Stigma? - Page 4

**Polyal** · 28-11-2019, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiji

The T3 was doing lowish 14s back in the day and about 6s 0-100.. they were basically same as a boss 260.. the boss made more power and torque , looked better and was way more tunable. It also cost less.

The LS cars the same , about level in performance but way more tunable and looked better, cheaper as well.

I've spoken to a ford workshop who had a T3 in there and they said they were very disappointed with its performance. No upside to it's oerfoemance. Said the Barra turbo and boss engines were a way better base to work from. Neither a T3 nor Barra turbo / boss are particularly explosive stock.

Yes I sold by blown fgx. Boring car to drive even with over 400rwkw, I've owned stock and modded Barra turbos as well. I was bored also. I'm hard to please, what can I say. you can understand why I see a T3 and say "meh".

For the price of a used T3 these days, Go drive a used Merc C63 for the same money, you won't remember what a T3 is, it won't know which way you went.

Used C63 sound better, go way harder, handle better, kill you every which way. But somehow people pay the same money for the T3?

A BA xr8/ba xr6t for a quarter of the money today is a way better car for the money.

Your way off on a tangent.

Google C63 engine issues and rebuilds and see how well you fair owning a used euro in Australia.

You cant compare the cars unless you work for WHEELS or MOTOR magazine?

Citroënbender · 28-11-2019, 12:21 PM

Cav’s got it right; the AU Fairlane Sportsman is where it’s at. Cruising, cake and chicks in your private entertainment suite.

Everyone else is just blowing a plastic trumpet in the stands.

Sprintey · 28-11-2019, 12:43 PM

Fiji, may I suggest you get a base Hilux workmate with the 2.7, manual?
Tune the 2.7 to make as much power as you can, but don't put a kg of weight on the tray. Then drive it around the suburbs with spirit.
You may not be so bored.

Ben · 28-11-2019, 01:12 PM

A new car is faster than a 20 year old car? Did an AU steal your lunch money Fiji?

**GasoLane** · 28-11-2019, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiji

I just think the automotive world has moved on.

I think we've had enough with the 'then and now' comparisons, so can we also move on and get back to the OP's original question.

Falcon SXR8 · 28-11-2019, 01:23 PM

When I had my manual 220 Au xr8 I had two relatives with the much "superior" ls1 equipped commodores. One was a statesman it had piston slap so bad it sounded like a diesel on start up. And the other was a ss auto..... funny thing was my uncle in the ss refused to race my xr8 because he had been in it before and knew it was no joke. I felt sorry for him actually he spent so much on exhaust work to try and get it to sound as good as my old wheezer and it still sounded like crap.

I then bought a ba xr6 turbo and stock it was a huge disappointment after all the hype I had read my old xr8 was way more fun to drive.

I miss that xr8 every day, it was just the right amount of refinement without the unnecessary gadets of more modern falcons, and it still had that old school edge to it with the old factory lumpy Windsor.

But anyway you keep telling all the au lovers how much better everything else is fiji each to there own

Bossxr8 · 28-11-2019, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiji

.

For those on here trying to compare it with the VT commodore, outside of this community you will be laughed out of any room. it's a ridiculous argument. The VT commodore slaughtered this au car so bad, in looks, interior and exterior, engines were better (supercharged 6 and LS1). They sold 4 VT/VX commodores to one AU. Prior to this it was a 50/50 sales split between falcon and commodore, then after the AU it was a 50/50 split in sales.

4 VT's to every 1 AU

You couldn't be more wrong if you tried. Go and look at the sales statistics from the time. The AU was maybe 10% off the VT's sales numbers, at worst. It wasn't that far behind as some people think.

**Polyal** · 28-11-2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kustomz

A new car is faster than a 20 year old car? Did an AU steal your lunch money Fiji?

You win.

**Polyal** · 28-11-2019, 03:04 PM

Can we get a clean up in aisle 3?

**Giant Cranium** · 28-11-2019, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiji

I didn't find the T series anything special to be honest. The base model b series XR6 turbo and xr8 were better cars at a cheaper price and looked better.

Far superior to opposition? The LS powered hsv cars were in my opinion considerably better, way more tuning potential and again better received by the market. The LS engines really punished every version of the Windsor V8s. That's why they sat in dealerships for so long, ford couldn't catch a break. Ford responded well with Barra turbo and boss 260/290 which were about level with the LS cars from Holden/hsv.

I honestly don't think the T series was a bad car in isolation but compared to b series XR turbo, xr8, fpv cars of hsv LS cars they were measurably short

i ran a 13.7 in my manual p250 with a slipping clutch right through first gear, yet to see a stock ba v8, 6t or even a 255 ls1 beat that stock.

a ba gt 290 would be lucky to crack a 14 flat,

ive owned a fg xr8 and that wasn't as quick as my p and a bf xr8 zf that did a 15.4

PooDog · 28-11-2019, 05:03 PM

Fiji ...your Ford's all bored you and you moved on ....each to there own yet you can't stop coming on here and talking about them .....i don't get that ?

**PG2** · 28-11-2019, 05:10 PM

OK ladies and gentlemen.

Fiji has got what he wanted and ruffled you all up. He is sitting back probably laughing at the moment and he doesn't even have to log on to see it.

No more responding to him otherwise I will have to close the thread - and I hate closing AU related threads.

Franco Cozzo · 28-11-2019, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

i ran a 13.7 in my manual p250 with a slipping clutch right through first gear, yet to see a stock ba v8, 6t or even a 255 ls1 beat that stock.

a ba gt 290 would be lucky to crack a 14 flat,

ive owned a fg xr8 and that wasn't as quick as my p and a bf xr8 zf that did a 15.4

How much does an AU weigh compared to BA/BF/FG?

It's right on that cusp of when cars were still light - Lebonator only weighs 1550kg and it's got an all cast iron engine and it's nearly 5M long

FordGeezer · 28-11-2019, 05:41 PM

Hahaha wasn't expecting this thread to come back to life!

Still thanks for the reply's everyone, it's been enlightening.
Like Mr Moderator said might be time to take it out the back and put a bullet in it haha.

**GasoLane** · 28-11-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

How much does an AU weigh compared to BA/BF/FG?

It's right on that cusp of when cars were still light - Lebonator only weighs 1550kg and it's got an all cast iron engine and it's nearly 5M long

What does it weigh with the driver though?

**FairmontGS** · 28-11-2019, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

How much does an AU weigh compared to BA/BF/FG?

It's right on that cusp of when cars were still light - Lebonator only weighs 1550kg and it's got an all cast iron engine and it's nearly 5M long

That's racist!

**Giant Cranium** · 28-11-2019, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

How much does an AU weigh compared to BA/BF/FG?

It's right on that cusp of when cars were still light - Lebonator only weighs 1550kg and it's got an all cast iron engine and it's nearly 5M long

I think it’s about 1.8t

When I ran it I did full street spec. Hardlid with spoiler. Rubber mat in tray with hardwood divider. Spare tyre and 40psi all round.

Franco Cozzo · 28-11-2019, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasoLane

What does it weigh with the driver though?

With me driving 2750kg

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

That's racist!

**PG2** · 28-11-2019, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiji

No intention to ruffle anyone up. In my opinion, the reality of the AU falcon is very different to what many try sell on here.

The OP felt the wrath of the general public when he revealed his AU falcon. He comes on here to understand why and all the AU owners say no it's a masterpiece, peaches and cream.

It's no value seeking reassurance from AU owners, like asking smokers if cigarettes are good. some like to think Mercedes copied the AU, hopefully that's enough to discredit them.

Maybe see what reception an AU gets from people outside of the fordforums community for a legitimate yardstick. Go to a Mercedes Meetup perhaps.

But if AU owners want to enjoy their car, talk it up, good on them, they are not hurting anyone thinking what they think.

You now have had your say. Any more posts from you will be deleted.

I am going to have the last say on this for a change.

You will find that most people who say that Mercedes copied the AU have their tongue firmly in their cheek.

Last I checked, this is a ford forum and as a result it will have a Ford bias. If you don't like that Ford bias then simply bad luck.

Lastly, I own four AUs - I love them. I know for a fact that they are not peaches and cream. My XR8 has been nothing but trouble and heartache. The XR6 ute currently has a blown diff and the wagon has a very very sick transmission. I still love them though.

**Cav** · 28-11-2019, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Cav’s got it right; the AU Fairlane Sportsman is where it’s at. Cruising, cake and chicks in your private entertainment suite.

Everyone else is just blowing a plastic trumpet in the stands.

You can say that again ...

Cav’s got it right; the AU Fairlane Sportsman is where it’s at. Cruising, cake and chicks in your private entertainment suite.

Everyone else is just blowing a plastic trumpet in the stands.

NX74205 · 29-11-2019, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphanna

i know its been said time and time again.....but the CLS MERC came out with near identical proportions not long after the AU and i recon for a whole generation of MERCS since then........they still paying homage to the AU shape.

It's no coincidence that the first generation CLS was one of the ugliest cars Mercedes has ever produced. It's not until this current third generation that the CLS has truly hit the mark styling wise.

**Cav** · 29-11-2019, 08:08 AM

What a stupid thread this is.

How can anyone compare this ...

with this ...

jphanna · 29-11-2019, 09:26 AM

there is only one other Falcon in history, than can create such emotion amongst the Ford die hards.

GTHO III

auxr · 29-11-2019, 09:59 AM

Ha - windsor V8 on song - how can anyone not like that, has got to be the best of both worlds old and new mixed together - what do you have AUXR8

Sprintey · 29-11-2019, 12:41 PM

Here's 'AU Falcons doing incredible things'

https://www.facebook.com/pg/aufalcons/photos/

Edit: here's the Road trAUn:

https://www.facebook.com/aufalcons/p...2789296169776/

Not on FB myself but the car has become something of an icon. It's tough, can keep going while abused, reliable, very ugly but some see the beauty. It became the butt of so many jokes it became endearing. Now with memes, it's a fertile ground for the inner comedian. And it keeps on going.

Being of a certain age, it was the Kingswood that had this role when I was young. You could get them for $500 or so, beat up but the red 6's just kept on running and were cheap to fix, you could aspire to a V8 prem or Monaro - the AU does all of this now. There was no internet, so Ted Bullpit had the Kingswood meme monopolised.

My own memories of the AU, AU2 SR was in the family, it was a great car new. Should have bought AU3 red wagon on runout, and a blueprint AU3 XR8 auto... Oh well. As they aged, they became more contemporary. Now maybe they are finally visually aging? Or maybe the 'unique' styling is truly timeless?

Tesla has now gone and released their version of the AU experience.

Maybe we should crowdfund getting an AU to Mars first?

**Raptor** · 29-11-2019, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprintey

...Tesla has now gone and released their version of the AU experience.

image credit to Beastie

The Tesla actually looks better

Hehehe

Sprintey · 29-11-2019, 04:05 PM

Hhahahahahahahahaha!!!

Now witness the power of this fully armed and operational internet...

(It's amazing you can colour code an AU1 front to everything from skin tone to Pepe the frog...)

**DFB FGXR6** · 29-11-2019, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cav

You can say that again ...

Cav’s got it right; the AU Fairlane Sportsman is where it’s at. Cruising, cake and chicks in your private entertainment suite.

Everyone else is just blowing a plastic trumpet in the stands.

What sort of cake are we talking Cav? Cheesecake? Perhaps Black forest, or may carrot cake with cream cheese icing?

**Cav** · 29-11-2019, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

What sort of cake are we talking Cav? Cheesecake? Perhaps Black forest, or may carrot cake with cream cheese icing?

jphanna · 03-12-2019, 10:44 AM

it has been suggested that when the AU was being conceived......Ford Aust was on the back of an unprecedented 15 years at the top....or near the top of the aussie sales charts and financially at their peak in local history.

forgetting the styling, that as we know was not accepted......the engineering that went into the AU, is the reason why TODAY......it is renowned as one of the toughest aussie cars ever built. even the Holden faithful, admit the AU is bullet proof for strength.

no one can take that away from its history.