Ideas for a cheapy daily driver, ~$5k

PH47 · 07-06-2006, 01:32 AM

Help?

Requirements:

1. Needs to be a Ford.

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2. Around $5k give or take.

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3. Good on highways.. 1hr drive to work, each way.. :eclipsee_

I'm open to ideas..

I was thinking XA/XB/XC or that era of cars.. then convert to straight LPG..

Or something like a late 80s early 90s falcon?

Dunno.. and that's exactly why this thread was made.. share ideas and opinions.. preferably with pics (unlike most you guys i don't have detailed images and every tiny detail of every single ford in my head yet.. but i'm working on it!)

Yes i've looked through trader etc but I want to know from owners/ex-owners opinions etc.. better than me just picking based on looks and price :P

Steffo · 07-06-2006, 01:58 AM

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsa...ch_distance=25

Something like that would be what I'd look at.

That one's a '97 EL GLi wagon, 170,000km, $3600. I'd probably take a look at it. Price is fair, km's are reasonable (170,000 over 9 years would translate to approx 19,000 a year, which is fairly normal). Can't think of a more suitable vehicle for a longer highway drive each day.

Best of luck with your search & decision.

nb_351 · 07-06-2006, 06:57 AM

go for a fairmont or ghia... they are the best buys...
they were worth 40/50 grand in their day, only 15 years agao... now theyre under 5... ibought and sold my eb ghia, had 200k, pristine condition, one owner, for 3 grand... the best cruiser... had no problems with it... wasnt even bad on fuel depending how it was driven... could get 600 ks out of a tank, highway and city... and the most comfy seats ever...

mr_efxr · 07-06-2006, 08:18 AM

You can get a EF-EL in good nick for about $3000-5000. Will most likely need a major service and general clean-up but thats about all.

GreenMachine · 07-06-2006, 08:33 AM

I bought a 5.0 EB Ghia for exactly the same reasons - great for long daily drives and fairly cheap to buy. Fuel cost is slightly more than a 6, but well worth it.

Quicklier · 07-06-2006, 08:51 AM

The problem is that if you buy an XA/B/C, you'll want to fiddle with it.
They're a beast on the road, handle well (once you've spend 2k at pedders) and are cheap to run on gas.

Personally, if I had just the 5k (no more money to fix it up), I'd be looking to get an EB->EL falcon, preferably a sedan without a tow bar. Manual would be best, but I'd probably focus on getting one with the original ticky gas.

Good luck!

Quicklier · 07-06-2006, 09:23 AM

This looks pretty good.
EB/ED Manual on Gas

For the money...

Kryton · 07-06-2006, 09:33 AM

i spent yesterday at Pickles auctions in the Gov fleet/finance and repo section.
here are some things that SOLD:
2000 AU Futura 165000 sold for $3700
1995 EF Fairmont Ghia, buggered starter motor sold for $1300
ED V8 sold for $900
all cars had no damage and can be driven away on the day with a permit (if you could start them).

Shonky · 07-06-2006, 09:35 AM

I bought my 94 ED Fairmont Ghia with 240 000kms for $3,100 about 6 months ago.

New set of tires and no problems since! (except for ones that were my fault :P)

EBII > ED Ghias or EF > EL Falcon/Fairmont would be the best buys in this price range in my opinion.

07-06-2006, 09:49 AM

For a daily driver, look at a Falcon on LPG or perhaps a 4cyl Ford.

MotherNatureVer2 · 07-06-2006, 09:54 AM

I will have my EA for sale very soon ........ Shes not the average EA though ..... we have just put in a 4ltr engine and a 4spd auto gear box ....... will be rego'd for 12months and will be well under what you want to pay ............... let me know If your interested ......... Im only a few hours away from you ;)

nat_daly · 07-06-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

For a daily driver, look at a Falcon on LPG

i agree with you on that... even though lpg has gone up its still half the price of petrol..

**Polyal** · 07-06-2006, 11:54 AM

so it has to be a falcon?

If you dont care about it so much Id be getting a laser as a daily. KJ models are good and maybe around that price

PH47 · 07-06-2006, 01:19 PM

Doesn't have to be a falcon, just has to be a Ford

I've owned a few lasers before, all KE's :P I do have a spot for them, and my gf has a KE at the moment.. but looking for something a bit bigger/cruisier..

The $5k is just for vehicle cost.. i'll have a bit of money to play with after that to play with the car a bit.. either straight lpg conversion or 'fun' modifications.. whatever I get will be my daily for the next year or so as I want to take my time with my project and not rush it.. so yer "fun" is a factor too

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.. heaps more than I expected! I'm torn between something like a fairmont/ghia (lastest model i could afford).. or an XA/B/C and convert to LPG..

dansedgli · 07-06-2006, 01:27 PM

For an everyday car get the latest model you can afford with all the features you want. Its surprising the comfort factor difference between a GLI and fairmont.

Should get an EF/EL for $5K now. If you look you will likely find one on gas too.

I just bought a ford maverick for $8k and I love it as a daily. Its slow and lazy but its big and comfy, tows well and has stacks of room. Its great for road rage

**Polyal** · 07-06-2006, 02:13 PM

Yeah there are alot of bargins out there...I paid $6200 for my Ghia and I love it, and cant wait until I save for a couple of mods.

But if I had my time again, for a daily, id still get a 4cylinder, but a good one, like a Golf Gti, or something like that.

Also, I was in the market for a ED, but I used the extra money I had for mods and went up to an EL. Im happy I did that now too, so not all is lost.

MITCHAY · 07-06-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

For a daily driver, look at a Falcon on LPG or perhaps a 4cyl Ford.

Yep a TX5, TX3 or any laser for that matter will get the job done.

deesun · 07-06-2006, 02:24 PM

Go to the usual sites, Type in Ford, then your price,Keywords dual fuel or LPG, and see what it comes up with. If you have 5K and 3K for gas try searching for cars between 7k + 8K which still may leave you some for transfers etc. I went searching recently and made the blue of not searching for a brand. I was surprised what came up. Some bargains to be had out there.

jmc-007 · 07-06-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PH47

Doesn't have to be a falcon, just has to be a Ford

You have a PM

Fairlane · 07-06-2006, 03:11 PM

NA 2 Fairlane or NC Fairlane, that being said i just did a search on carsales and there are awesome low milage ED Falcons for $3000.

PH47 · 07-06-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deesun

Go to the usual sites, Type in Ford, then your price,Keywords dual fuel or LPG, and see what it comes up with. If you have 5K and 3K for gas try searching for cars between 7k + 8K which still may leave you some for transfers etc. I went searching recently and made the blue of not searching for a brand. I was surprised what came up. Some bargains to be had out there.

Yeh just spent a few hours doing that.. some real good bargains out there but they just scare me.. hehe.. it's like 'wtf is this so cheap?!'..

I really love my mates XC running straight LPG (2ndowner on here) so i'm leaning heavily towards doing that.. spend about $4-5k on an alright XC then couple grand on conversion.. will be economical, cruisy, and still a bit of fun

Problem is finding an XC.. !

deesun · 07-06-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PH47

Yeh just spent a few hours doing that.. some real good bargains out there but they just scare me.. hehe.. it's like 'wtf is this so cheap?!'..

Unfortunately the only way to find out is go and look. More unfortunately is that bargain XC you will find will be in Upper Kumbuc de West.

XA Coupsta · 07-06-2006, 04:18 PM

Im biased towards the XA/B/C's but I say go one of them.

Even a ute in those models? Not interested in a ute?

You'll be everyones friend come house moving time!

eed-250 · 07-06-2006, 04:55 PM

1.6L laser on gas.
Cant go wrong... remember its only a daily so who cares what iot looks like and how it drives!! Aslong as its good on fuel!!!!!!!!!!

PH47 · 07-06-2006, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XA Coupsta

Im biased towards the XA/B/C's but I say go one of them.

Even a ute in those models? Not interested in a ute?

You'll be everyones friend come house moving time!

Loooooove the XC utes but so hard to find one in good condition. I need to use whatever I buy pretty much starting straight away, and already got one project in the garage (hence the need for a second car).. so don't have time to buy a fixer-upper.