AUIII Fairmont V8 Purchase??

hoich · 31-05-2011, 12:26 PM

Hi,

Thinking of moving back into a AU from my BA as I miss the V8 noise. I have a couple of questions I have found a AUIII Fairmont V8 but it has done 148,000k which the missus doesn't like.

I would be putting the car on lpg and planning on driving it for as long as it will run. What is the normal running life of Windor motors and 4 speed gearboxes on AU?

I always get my cars serviced every 15,000 as I do about 22,000k a year.

Also is $8300 too much for the car from dealer? It has tickford 17 wheels and full bodykit.

Thanks,

Hoich

**Polyal** · 31-05-2011, 12:34 PM

Much the same as 6's with the box I would have thought, they suffer from the same things but keep them maintained and dont trash them all day long and it should be good for 400,000k's without a rebuild I would have thought. Even then Im sure their are many examples with more k's still going.

While the 5.0 mightnt be a powerhouse its pretty damn tough, again aslong as temps are controlled and its serviced Ive heard them going strong for about the same period as above.

$8300 seems ok for those k's.

Got a link?

galaxy xr8 · 31-05-2011, 12:39 PM

To me 148,000 thou is average klm's for an AU they are pushing 10 yr's these day's.
I would service it more often then every 15 thous though, unless you were doing alot of hwy only driving and clocking up the klm's quickly.
A good healthy windsor will give you no trouble, 148 thou, is nothing if it has been well looked after.

blueoval · 31-05-2011, 12:40 PM

The v8 windsor's will last ages if maintained well. 15000km between services is ok as long as you use high quality fluids and filters. The auto trans is ok too as long as you have a trans cooler. They are susceptible to over heating sometimes, and make sure servicing intervals are kept constant. 148,000km isnt all that much, they will last longer than 6's before needing a rebuild. 8k is a reasonable price too, but you have room to negotiate as well seeing as its a buyers market.

If all the servicing records and receipts for work are in tact, it would be a good buy. But be on the safe side and get an independent inspection in case there are any hidden nasty's.

GK · 31-05-2011, 12:46 PM

I think I know the Fairmont you're talking about. Let me guess, the colour is white?

Looks to be a tidy example and well worth considering.

I actually spoke to the dealer about this car myself, earlier when they were asking almost 10K for it.

I still feel 8.3K is too much, hence why I didn't buy it myself. If it were a Ghia though, it'd be sitting outside my office at work right now!

If you really like it though, and have enough coin not to be concerned about paying top dollar, then go for it.

GK

macman · 31-05-2011, 12:46 PM

148,000k's is a baby for a Windsor. Both my 5.0 AU's (AU1.5 and AU2) have 250,000 and 270,000k's respectively and neither have required any major repairs/work. Keep on top of things that need replacing and keep the services/preventative maintenance regular (as you would with any ~10 year old car) and it'll be happy.

To prevent trans issues, the major thing to keep on top of as the k's rack up (in my opinion) is the radiator. Invest in an external trans cooler ASAP or alternatively replace the radiator every three years. You want to keep the auto cool and you want to minimise the risk of coolant getting in there. A full trans service wouldn't hurt at the same time too.

EDIT: I service my daily driver TE50 every 8,500k's!

hoich · 31-05-2011, 12:55 PM

Thanks for the info guys, just need to get the wife to agree to change cars again. Will be my 7 car in 10 years.

I had a AUII XR8 220 a few years back and miss that car the most out of my cars.

GK,

It is a white Fairmont that is at the dealer in Footscray. I haven't had a look at the car yet. Did the car look alright?

GK · 31-05-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoich

Thanks for the info guys, just need to get the wife to agree to change cars again. Will be my 7 car in 10 years.

I had a AUII XR8 220 a few years back and miss that car the most out of my cars.

GK,

It is a white Fairmont that is at the dealer in Footscray. I haven't had a look at the car yet. Did the car look alright?

Thought that would be the one.

I only saw the pics, but it looked really good.

GK

347 mont · 31-05-2011, 10:50 PM

140000k's is fine, if its had a a good service history,same with the auto. I get

my auto sevice every year. I suppose things like suspension and rattles

and other general wear and tear things have to be considered with all cars.

Generally you can tell if a car has had agood life by checking the condition of

the paint, if inside the door jams are clean, condition of the interior and underneath

the car look tidy. Perhaps $8300 might be a little too much. Good luck, JUST DONT RUSH YOUR DECISION

mik · 31-05-2011, 11:10 PM

i had a ride in my mates au fairmont v8 on lpg on the weekend , it had 200k on the odo, i was pretty impressed at the smooth way it drove, i know my mates had ball joints done recently(too be expected at this k`s) and the only other concern he has is the oil pressure is a little low at idle, but it does`nt seem to affect the way it runs, and the motor was quite, no knocks or rattles that i could detect while hot.