Reliable Ford for $1000-$1500?

[Fossil]

What sort of Ford would you choose if you needed a car to drive while working on your project. Prob for a year or two. They always need TLC but no major repairs required. Has to be able to tow a trailer. So no Lasers!

I have seen all of these models for sale in this range. Obviously in varying condition. I guess Im worried I buy a bunky EF, and something electrical fails that I dont understand, and it costs a fortune to repair. Or I buy an XD or older only to spend more time working on it than my ZA

What would you look at?

[dave289]

na fairlane.top cruiser, I had one with sunroof ,I paid $1,100 for it about 4-5 yaers ago,tuff as until some tool totalled it while my brother had it parked out the front of his house.really liked this car.

[Cam]

EB/ED for sure, and if you look hard enough you could end up with a Fairmont or a GHIA!

I picked up a EB Fairmont for 1800 10 months ago, with 220 000 on the clock, still going strong!

Parts are everywhere, so easy to repair should the need arise

[Bearman]

I'd go for the XF/ZL. Simple and bullet proof, will fulfill your needs.

The only E series I'd touch would be a V8 manual of which there are stuff all. Otherwise you'll be forever popping head gaskets in the 4L, the electrics are crap and those 4 speed autos cost a bomb if anything goes wrong!!

[ZA-289]

Originally Posted by Bearman

I'd go for the XF/ZL. Simple and bullet proof, will fulfill your needs.

The only E series I'd touch would be a V8 manual of which there are stuff all. Otherwise you'll be forever popping head gaskets in the 4L, the electrics are crap and those 4 speed autos cost a bomb if anything goes wrong!!

I disagree.

You may have to do one head gasket it 2 years on a eb, the parts are cheap and the job is pretty easy. XF/ZL will do as many head gaskets as an EB anyway. What electrics? A dizzy module, smartlock module and maybe a door actuator would be all that would go wrong, and i've seen 2nd hand 4spd autos for $50-

[elxr6racer]

Had my 96 4.0L EL falcon now going on 9 years, no head gasket yet(knock on wood) but transmission went in 2006, $1800 to supply and find new unit. Nothing else to report...

[stav50]

BTRs are only expensive if u replace with new or rebuild one, used ones range from anywhere from 50-250. id go an EB2 or ED if u want cheap and reliable, better than the 3.9. and get one on gas! cheap an to run. if ur not sure about the elecs, easy get one without :P

[Nashy86]

Originally Posted by ZA-289

I disagree.

You may have to do one head gasket it 2 years on a eb, the parts are cheap and the job is pretty easy. XF/ZL will do as many head gaskets as an EB anyway. What electrics? A dizzy module, smartlock module and maybe a door actuator would be all that would go wrong, and i've seen 2nd hand 4spd autos for $50-

If you use an AU gasket then you'll only ever have to do it once, its a common practice which definately extends the life of the engine

Also as said you can replace the 4spd autos for under $100

I'd say go EB2-ED, cheap to buy and cheap to run (especially on LPG)

[XR Martin]

If repaired properly, you will only ever do a headgasket once in an E-Series.

[Rob]

EB-EL is a safe bet. As mentioned before, 2nd hand autos are worth peanuts, and AU engines are getting cheaper and cheaper. As for electrical gremlins... I don't think they're that bad. Mine has been fine.

[Mr Hardware]

I'd buy an EF-EL, preferably as late as possible, AU headgasket, put it on LPG, cheap cruiser for years to come.

[ieatsports_cars]

i would go a el series a late 1997 or 1998 el or a or any e series with a v8 motor the winsor are a top motor, and the in line 6 is brilliant too ! look just find some thing if you like go for it, no matter what you have their still will be problems

[Fairlane]

Zk, Zj Fairlane or XE Falcon. Tough dependable and no electronic frippery to worry about. E series will probably do head gaskets unless you can get a nice one which wont really happen for that price.

[Auslandau]

Good EL/F's wouldnt be available for under $1500, unless its yellow with vinyl seats.

An EB and onwards would also get my vote. Cheap reliable and comfy. Most have had a head gasket done now anyway and parts are so cheap and readily available. Any Pick a Part wreckers have a minimum of 20 sitting in various degrees of quality and autos etc are cheap.

If you want a good car also try and find an XF Fairmont Ghia or Fairlane Ghia. One of the best interiors but the electrics on dash can be annoying if things arent working as they should. They can be bit rusty but if you find a good one they are a moving lounge room, cheap to keep.



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[MotherNatureVer2]

Most definitely the EB/ED option. Good cheap reliable if maintained and easy to work on .... crikey even I can work on them ;)

[Zed7fiddy]

Mate for sure id go a XD/E/F was my first car and that thign was awesome, can find soem sweet examples for cheap, easy as to fix if you have a gregorys manual and the parts are so easy to find, most parts are interchangable between them as well.

[XR6_190]

personally I would go for a good EL, but that would be hard to get for this budget, this then points me too something older, the OP asked for something that was RELIABLE, not something that was cheap to fix, I can't see a cheap ED or EF being reliable enough but a ZL Fairlane will fit the bill perfectley in my eyes, it's cheap, a good one can be had for within the budget easily, it's also reliable as if my memory serves me correctly the XF Falcon was very reliable especially compared to early E series.

I would go for the Fairlane over a Falcon mainly because you mentioned a need to tow, what your towing I don't know, but a Fairlane will be better suited to towing. Also I would go for something post 1986 so it runs fine on Regular Unleaded and there isn't a need to be messing around with fuel additives and such.

Another one that I would consider, that should fit the bill perfectley, isn't a Ford at all, the old Volvo 240, they are bulletproof, fairly economical, big on space, good at towing and very safe for an older car. But it isn't a Ford so it doesn't fit the bill. I'm just trying to offer a different idea that might appeal to somebody not wearing the blue goggles.

[FuturaFalcon]

all the way wid Ed's

[Fossil]

Originally Posted by XR6_190

personally I would go for a good EL, but that would be hard to get for this budget, this then points me too something older, the OP asked for something that was RELIABLE, not something that was cheap to fix, I can't see a cheap ED or EF being reliable enough but a ZL Fairlane will fit the bill perfectley in my eyes, it's cheap, a good one can be had for within the budget easily, it's also reliable as if my memory serves me correctly the XF Falcon was very reliable especially compared to early E series.

I would go for the Fairlane over a Falcon mainly because you mentioned a need to tow, what your towing I don't know, but a Fairlane will be better suited to towing. Also I would go for something post 1986 so it runs fine on Regular Unleaded and there isn't a need to be messing around with fuel additives and such.

Another one that I would consider, that should fit the bill perfectley, isn't a Ford at all, the old Volvo 240, they are bulletproof, fairly economical, big on space, good at towing and very safe for an older car. But it isn't a Ford so it doesn't fit the bill. I'm just trying to offer a different idea that might appeal to somebody not wearing the blue goggles.

This is sort of what Im gettin at. E-series cars are better vehicles, but almost everyone thats for sale mentions the head. Either has a new head, or needs gasket or whatever. But then people here have stated they bought cheap ED's and such and have had no dramas.

The other thing is there are far fewer X-series vehicles for sale in the paper. But then I can pinch the brakes off em for my ZA if they blow up! ;)

Am only towing the dirt bike, but sometimes long distances.

Problem with Volvos or cars that you dont like is you hate working on them. Only need a fuse to blow and I would send it off to the scrap yard!

As with anything it depends whats in the classifieds on the weekend you go looking. But it is interesting to see what people think.

[Melz]

I would say EL, they are getting cheaper by the minute, and the one I had turned out to be a ripper of a car. The most expensive 'repair' was a new set of rotors! I racked up 45000km in the EL in the 1 year I owned it and it didn't miss a beat.

[ebxr8240]

At the age of E series the head issues would be addressed by now..
Its just the general condition of the car your buying!!
No matter what model..

[XR Martin]

I cant believe people are recommending ZLs over EB-ELs.
They had nothing but electrical problems from day one, letalone 20+ years later. And theres the fact that the ZL specific parts are hard to come by now. Good luck finding a working dash cluster, power window switches, trip computer, ECU etc.
Atleast with the E-Series the stuff is still quite easy to find and fix.

When you are spending so little on a car, there is no such thing as guaranteed reliability. You have to weigh up the cost of parts and availability also.

[Nostalgia]

EA/NA get's my vote.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by Nostalgia

EA/NA get's my vote.

I agree

Originally Posted by XR6_190

personally I would go for a good EL, but that would be hard to get for this budget, this then points me too something older, the OP asked for something that was RELIABLE, not something that was cheap to fix, I can't see a cheap ED or EF being reliable enough but a ZL Fairlane will fit the bill perfectley in my eyes, it's cheap, a good one can be had for within the budget easily, it's also reliable as if my memory serves me correctly the XF Falcon was very reliable especially compared to early E series.

Cheap to fix is a requirement for cars this old. E series would have less dramas than XF, especially on rust issues and electronics on ghia models. Both are as reliable as each other but when things do go wrong, the availabilty of parts and the price of them then becomes the issue.

As mentioned 90% of E series has had the head gasket replaced. Its a one off job.



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[Dezza]

Definately go an EA-ED Falcon. Plenty of people will tell you to avoid an EA and go an EB onwards, but all the problems the EA had, the later cars still had them. In all honesty, I'd prefer to buy a decent EA than spend the same amount on a rundown EB.

One thing you have to worry about with e-series, on the higher end models, power windows can play up, and they are expensive to replace. They're the only electronics I've really had problems with. Everything else has been great. My EA has over 280,000kms on it now, and despite a head gasket going at 220,000, and a few oil leaks, the engine's still going well. Around the same time I retired the auto because it was very worn out too, so they're the most common problems. The good thing about EA and EB, if there is a problem, generally later model parts bolt straight up anyway

[MITCHAY]

I had a Telstar TX5. It cost $4k to buy and I still had to fix stuff but for the majority of time it was pretty good.

You can't reasonably expect to buy a car for $1-1.5k and expect it to be reliable. It's pure hit and miss mate :

[LUXO_8]

my nephew just bought an awesome EL GLI... for $800
has 220,000km, is metallic red (regency), is reasonably clean - interior is great, but the paintwork has a few scratches etc..... a good detail should get it sorted..

all it needed for RWC was headlights polished(they were yellowed), a washer jet to be unblocked, and some wiper blades....

the bargains are out there so just look around....

[TuMor]

For sue an EB-ED....not ruling out the EA, pretty much if its an EA thats still around there wont be anything going wrong with it fast hah.

Also should add to the poll the Laser sedans around 88'-92' best secondhand pickup ever.

[Trek]

I'd say ZJ/ZK, then EB/ED. Most EF's and EL's in G.W.O. would still be outside your price range, methinks. Otherwise, if by chance you do find a decent EF/EL, within your stated price range, I'd be suggesting that instead.

[EDManual]

Get a manual EB,ED or EF. They last forever I have found, only just did a clutch on our ED Manual at 320,000!! They head gasket is starting to get a small leak to the outside though, not inside. Stuck some of that gasket fixing solution and its fixed it so far!