come on fordforumers!! buy a new falcon

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Scott

From the outside too Sam, the G6E's look like a world class luxury car.

This I agree with, G6ET's just ooze class and look world class.

[BFYOOT]

I am in the position to buy a new falcon, my BFxr8 lease expired last year. Fact is, I just really like the ute I have. Sure, the new ones prob drive better, are safer, better value for money etc, but for my liking, the BF still ticks all the boxes, I like the cloth seats, I like the hard back/sports bar combo, I like the "slow" Boss 260, itd just be irresponsible to update to the new one. So I guess the problem is for me, not that Ford are doing a crap job with the current Falcs, more that in my eyes they did a great job with the old ones.
As far as dealers go, just use a broker, I saved heaps on mine, no hassles, let them do the work, then use someone trustworthy to perform log book/warranty servicing. Issues under warranty may be a different story but.....

[Donny]

Originally Posted by 701let

This post is unbelieveable.. You cant stand the look of an FG falcon saying they look like pooh inside and out yet you are quote 'totally happy with your AU xr8'???!!!!

Ive got some news for you mate, the reason Ford are in the position they are now owes very largely to your beloved AU Falcon... That is the model that BROKE the Falcon and everyone knows it. Im sorry and I realise its a public forum but how anyone can say an FG looks like pooh inside and out then say they are totally happy with an AU falcon blows me away..

BTW Im not a Ford person at all, and judging by the response on this topic its no wonder the Falcon is gone!

Thats right, I am more than happy with my AU. I'll admit it was an aquired taste for me at first, and the XR's look is my favourite followed by the T series. I'll admit the normal mum n dads ones arent for me looks wise.
"All" the FG's look plain and generic and the interiours are boaring, characterless places to be in IMHO.. The AU XR's & T's ooze of older school character and feel.

The OP asked if people were going to buy a new Falcon, I said NO and I stated my reasons why. You dont have to agree with them, and I dont care if you dont, but thats how I see it being asked the OP's question. Its nothing against the Ford Motor Company, I just dont want one, end of story.

The AU never broke the falcon, thats just a wives tale.. Take a look at how many sold, did better than the B series with better QC and was way more reliable to boot. The AU was a groundbreaker in every area and its taken the Falcon upto the FG model just to get to the level of quality the AU had.

Originally Posted by martyk54

Irony. Most would agree that AU is comfortably the worst looking Falcon ever built. Just saying.

FG is a far superior automobile to AU so why wouldn't you take one if money wasn't an issue? Anyone who purchases a new car surely knows they'll lose money on it quickly, its part and parcel of the experience. But no, someone else's stinky, sweaty **** hasn't been in the seat. Win.

I must admit that I've purchased a new Ute on a novated lease partly because of their superior 2nd hand market saleability / FAR less depreciation compared to sedan... I love new cars and will upgrade every 2-3 years till I retire.

Most would agree that AU is comfortably the worst looking Falcon ever built?... I hardly think so. The EA will take that honour IMHO, for uglyness and poor quality.


Why wouldnt I take one? Simple, I dont like em, already said why. If I was buying a superiour type of car, Id look to euro cars.
If money wasnt the problem and neither was space then I still wouldnt buy another new Falcon for 70k, Id buy another old GT for 70k. And 70k plus is where Id have to budget as Id not consider anything less than a GT.

Iv bought 2 new cars in the last 10 years, an auto BA XR6 for the missus and what a dog that car was, and a manual BF2 GT-P. So, been there n done that.. Im happy with my ugly as sin (according to some) AU XR8.. It does everything I want for a fraction of the cost...

Either way its horses for courses, the FG dosent do it for me, never has and a doubt it ever will, and no matter how good the new V8 engines are, I just dont want one, so I wouldnt throw down that kinda money on one. When I bought my GT-P, I had the choice of BF2 or FG, I couldnt own an FG then, just as I couldnt now.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by DJM83

This I agree with, G6ET's just ooze class and look world class.

Indeed it is...best falcon ever buy far.

*Edit, i should say best australian car

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Donny

/snip.

And now the EA is brought into it...the car that won many design awards...

[lockieoc]

Originally Posted by Donny

The AU never broke the falcon, thats just a wives tale.. Take a look at how many sold, did better than the B series with better QC and was way more reliable to boot.

The man has a point.
To this day there are still 20,000 more AU's (239k vs 259k) on the road than there are BA's (they were both in production for 3 years), this goes to show that a car that has spent an extra 3 years on the road over the BA either sold a bucket load more or are just far more reliable, either way Ford must have done a good job...
By the way i am no AU lover i actually have a BA...

So enough bashing and lets stick to the original question.

[RAPID_BA]

There is a bit of sour grapes in this thread. The FG has more than acceptable looks but better yet its a great car from XT to GT. Price hasnt moved from 15 years back, model for model. I think the VE looks better but the FG model for model is a better car.

Look at the WRX, it has always looked like a pigs bum but sold like hotcakes because of its performance credentials. People used to park them next to Ferraris and admire the WRX.

Ford is not short for offering a motoring enthusiast a great car that is falcon based. Ford is not short on offering a family a great car in falcon. What other criteria do we fall in?

Surely its the financial position of most on here which prevent buying a new falcon, They are not in the new market full stop. Otherwise how can we ignore falcon?

[duaned]

No more Falcons for me. I've had them since 2001, and to be quite frank I will be going to another brand just for a change. I love the FG shape, but curiosity has got the better of me. Surprisingly, I can't seem to keep my head out of Hyundai and Kia brochures. To me, a good car is not how quick 0-100kms arrives under my backside, but the whole package as a car. I'll leave those quick times to those that need to compensate for other areas or the plain immature. In saying this, I do like the Mondeo. But sadly my dollars will be going off-shore for my next car.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by duaned

No more Falcons for me. I've had them since 2001, and to be quite frank I will be going to another brand just for a change. I love the FG shape, but curiosity has got the better of me. Surprisingly, I can't seem to keep my head out of Hyundai and Kia brochures. To me, a good car is not how quick 0-100kms arrives under my backside, but the whole package as a car. I'll leave those quick times to those that need to compensate for other areas or the plain immature. In saying this, I do like the Mondeo. But sadly my dollars will be going off-shore for my next car.

youre saying im immature.. hung like a budgie and drive a big fast boofy falcon....

[Scott]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

youre saying im immature.. hung like a budgie and drive a big fast boofy falcon....

2 outta 3 aint bad

[duaned]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

youre saying im immature.. hung like a budgie and drive a big fast boofy falcon....

lol, next time i'll be sure to include "pottery beige" into a replica post!

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Nikked

True, (cut and paste job) but there are still a few things on there you wont find on a falcon...and all that stuff is standard.

i've changed to blue all the things falcon has (i may have missed a couple or got a couple wrong. feel free to correct)

Kia Optima.


ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD and BA
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with TCS
Driver & front passenger SRS airbags
Front side SRS airbags (pelvis & thorax protection)
Curtain SRS airbags full length (head protection) -not sure but falcon still 5 star ancap rating
Active front headrests
Rear park assist system with dash display
Impact sensing auto door unlocking
Speed sensing auto door lock
Electrochromic rear view mirror
Front fog lights
HAC (Hill-start Assist Control)
Dusk-sensing automatic headlamps
LED daytime running light (DRL)
Static corning lamps

Electric folding mirrors (heated)
Panoramic sunroof (powered)


Driver & passenger sunvisors with vanity mirrors
Interior light with delay out
Digital clock & dual trip meter
Rear window defroster with timer
Leather wrapped steering wheel & shift knob
Alloy sports pedals
Ambient temperature display
Cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls
Driver’s foot rest
Sunvisor extensions
Alloy door scuff panels with illumination
Mood lamps (door trim)
Interior lights (front & rear)
Artificial leather door/ centre fascia trim
Colour TFT supervision instrument cluster
7 function trip computer
User selectable options (Auto door lock/unlock, headlamp escort, easy access)

Wood look interior trim
Driver's seat lumbar support (powered)
IMS driver's seat with 2 seating position memory & easy access function
4-way power front passenger's seat
8-way power driver's seat
Leather trim seats
Rear centre armrest
Split fold rear seats (60:40)


Auxiliary input (for external audio device)
USB audio input with iPod® compatibility
Bluetooth connectivity (phone/ media stream)
SDVC (Speed Dependent Volume Control)
6 speakers (front door, rear door & front tweeters)
External amp, centre speaker & sub-woofer
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Glass antenna
6 CD changer
MP3 compatible CD player with AM/FM tuner
Infinity premium sound system


Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning
Ventilated driver's seat
Front seat warmers


so here's a list of the things it has that falcon doesn't.

Active front headrests
Rear park assist system with dash display
Impact sensing auto door unlocking
HAC (Hill-start Assist Control)
LED daytime running light (DRL)
Static corning lamps
Electric folding mirrors (heated)
Panoramic sunroof (powered)
Driver’s foot rest
Sunvisor extensions
Alloy door scuff panels with illumination
Wood look interior trim
Driver's seat lumbar support (powered)
IMS driver's seat with 2 seating position memory & easy access function
4-way power front passenger's seat
8-way power driver's seat
External amp, centre speaker & sub-woofer
Infinity premium sound system
Ventilated driver's seat
Front seat warmers


there isn't enough in there to entice me away from falcon.

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by prydey

there isn't enough in there to entice me away from falcon.

+1

Who needs electric folding heated mirrors? I could live without those plus light-up scuff plates and a bit of fake woodgrain. To be honest the FG has a very important feature the Optima lacks and that is a personality.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Donny

Most would agree that AU is comfortably the worst looking Falcon ever built?... I hardly think so. The EA will take that honour IMHO, for uglyness and poor quality.

EA was one of the best looking Falcons ever, especially in Ghia form. I'll concede that quality wasn't the best, though.

Back on topic, I doubt I'd be buying a new Falcon any time soon. Even if finances wasn't an issue, the FG just isn't a substantial step over and above my BF. (Coming out of an EA into a BF was a substantial step forward, as it was from a KA Laser to an EA Falcon). ZF 6 speed is fantastic (I have the 4-speed BF) but that alone isn't enough to convince me to switch. I have a relatively modern car that I'm very satisfied with.

Falcon's rapid depreciation rates is another reason why I'm not prepared to change over too soon. If I buy Falcon, chances are I'll keep it until it falls apart. Selling it after three years is a waste of money.

[MelsGolf]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

+1

Who needs electric folding heated mirrors? I could live without those plus light-up scuff plates and a bit of fake woodgrain. To be honest the FG has a very important feature the Optima lacks and that is a personality.

Wow Falcon really is pretty well appointed, the list of things it lacks are mostly irrelevant, the one thing the Optima lacks is RWD.

You cant compensate for that.

[My poor XF]

Originally Posted by prydey

i've changed to blue all the things falcon has (i may have missed a couple or got a couple wrong. feel free to correct.

so here's a list of the things it has that falcon doesn't.

Active front headrests
Rear park assist system with dash display (hi series gain reverse camera and sensors)
Impact sensing auto door unlocking (think this is common tech too)
HAC (Hill-start Assist Control)
LED daytime running light (DRL) (unless the drl on the hi series aren't LED)
Static corning lamps
Electric folding mirrors (heated)
Panoramic sunroof (powered)
Driver’s foot rest
Sunvisor extensions
Alloy door scuff panels with illumination
Wood look interior trim (on some models)
Driver's seat lumbar support (powered) (falcon has this but not powered)
IMS driver's seat with 2 seating position memory & easy access function (hi series get memory function along with mirrors etc)
4-way power front passenger's seat
8-way power driver's seat (is it 6 way or 8 way on G6E's?)
External amp, centre speaker & sub-woofer (I think again available in hi series)
Infinity premium sound system
Ventilated driver's seat
Front seat warmers


there isn't enough in there to entice me away from falcon.

Couple more falcon things. (in blue)

Though yes most are hi series items. I agree with Prydey

[DJM83]

Still a long way behind then in those stakes
But the falcon wins under the bonnet but not many mums and dads care about that

[prydey]

Originally Posted by NX74205

the FG just isn't a substantial step over and above my BF.

have you driven a FG? i came from BF2 and its easily better. its without doubt the best falcon ever made and arguably the best australian made car.

[prydey]

i tried to include a pic of the interior as well and i know looks are subjective but the optima didn't look very good to me on the inside. the seats look ok, but that centre console looks pretty basic.

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by prydey

have you driven a FG? i came from BF2 and its easily better. its without doubt the best falcon ever made and arguably the best australian made car.

you will find that he & anyone else here that complains about the FG model simply dont have any money to blow in one hit for the car

but it makes them feel better by trashing the model, and go on how their current falcon is much better, hence the need not to upgrade

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

you will find that he & anyone else here that complains about the FG model simply dont have any money to blow in one hit for the car

but it makes them feel better by trashing the model, and go on how their current falcon is much better, hence the need not to upgrade

Your bang on there !

Although it isn't just a AFF thing.

[Nikked]

Kia Optima comparisons aren't to be taken literally, th' e basis is to show that the Falcon may be seen as 'too pricy' to the average buyer.

For so many years the Falcon has really only been compared to the Commodore, and only had to better against each other. While this was happening, medium cars have been getting bigger, adding more into the package.

Now we are left with 'entry spec' or 'pov pack' cars that lack some basic things that other cars have. You would assume the G6 would have leather standard, like the Kia...but its an option.

While the price of the falcon wont drop, but the class structure might need to. And they are halfway there, the line up stratergy is smarter (XR or G series). Thie thing is, the G6 should have what the G6E has standard.

There is no mistaking the fact that buyers are looking elsewhere, little over 10 years ago the stigma of "the large australian car' was enough to attract buyers. But now, cheaper cars are plentiful, and have enough quality and 'wow factor' to gain buyers.

[CFOUR]

Love my au xr8 its tight as a drum, was too slow in stock form (modern standard not when I bought it)
Love the ba2 one tonner I use for work. (its worn out with less km than my au)
Love pinching my dads FG gs at every available opportunity. (no complaints)
I will buy a new Miami ute, I'd have one already but I'm close to paying cash in full opposed to wasting 10%+ on intrest.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

you will find that he & anyone else here that complains about the FG model simply dont have any money to blow in one hit for the car

but it makes them feel better by trashing the model, and go on how their current falcon is much better, hence the need not to upgrade

I do, I don't have a falcon but whilst looking for a car for my missus I sat in a G6ET today and I loved it felt so plush and a nice place to be. Ford might win me over in 18 odd months time if the new ST isn't to my liking

[Racecraft]

The lack of sales as NEW cars = cheaper 2nd hand ex lease cars....

I wouldn't pay 70k for a car that'll sit at mid 30's as a year old low klm 2nd handy....

THe depreciation was painful and now with the undesirability the Falcon will suffer the same massive down turn the new euro cars have hit.

(tax perks aside of course)

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Scott

From the outside too Sam, the G6E's look like a world class luxury car.

Strangely on my way home in my F6, I found myself drooling and envious over a black G6ET coming the other way.

[Jason[98.EL]]

If ford AUS had what I am now looking for (preferably made here ) I would do my hardest to buy it

that would be a people mover as the falcon will no longer fits the family size come june

If I was looking for a car that could carry 3 in the back a new xr or poss a gs supercharged would be in my driveway as soon as the finance was available

Jason

[Auslandau]

My 1995 LTD has static cornering lamps. So yesterday ..... And yes. they do bugger all

[MITCHAY]

I am looking at a new car but it won't be a Falcon though. I'm hoping to get around to taking a Focus for a test drive tommorow. I don't need and don't want a big car.

I want a new car with warranty with decent value for money for A to B driving to save money for when I'm paying a mortgage.

My 89 TX5 was a great car so I'm pretty sure the Focus will fit the bill nicely on paper since even the base is better than that so I will just need to test it out.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by prydey

have you driven a FG? i came from BF2 and its easily better. its without doubt the best falcon ever made and arguably the best australian made car.

I have, actually. Drove both the base XT (5 speed) and the top of the range G6ET, both for extended periods of time. It was certainly quieter and more refined ride than the BF, but beyond that, there wasn't a noticeable increase in build quality, nor (turbo aside) was there any increase in driving pleasure. I know the B-series cops a lot of flack on here for build quality, and yes, my BF's silver door inserts have the tendency to fall out, but beyond that, my BF feels pretty solid. Driving position wise, I felt more comfortable in my BF than in the FG.

Is the FG better than the BF? Yes, no doubt about it. Is it a lot better? No, I don't think so - certainly less so when I consider that I can get a BF with the excellent 6-speed ZF trans. What does the FG1 have that the BFII doesn't? FGII certainly raises the game with EcoBoost, touch screen, and curtain airbags, though. I intend to test drive the FGII EcoBoost when it becomes available and re-evaluate my position.

When I jumped from my EA to a BF, the two cars were so far apart that there is just no comparison between the two. If I am to upgrade to another Falcon, it has to be a similar leap forwards before I'll consider it.