AU Fairlane??

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 22nd, 2010, 6:58 pm

Hi guys,
We are wanting to upgrade from a 2006 Astra to a bigger family car that can carry our relatively tall family around in comfort, as the Astra's getting a bit too small. We have of course been looking at BA MkII and BF falcons which are around the same price as what we could sell the Astra for ($12,000-$13,500), but after suggesting a Fairlane for the extra leg room, my mum has sort of grown on AU Fairlanes, and we have found a few good example with low kays that are still cheaper than the falcons we've been looking at. Basically my question is, what are they like?? My dad has an AU forte, which is a great car, but is there anything special we should know about the fairlanes? Opinions and advice would be much appreciated but if there just a good as any falcon, then we will hopefully snap one up.
Thanks

by **SNR** » November 22nd, 2010, 7:02 pm

Can't go wrong really. As long as it's been looked after. The lower kays the better and more service history is a plus; but really they are the same as any other falcon and should be capable of hundreds of thousands of kilometers

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 22nd, 2010, 7:07 pm

SNR wrote:Can't go wrong really. As long as it's been looked after. The lower kays the better and more service history is a plus; but really they are the same as any other falcon and should be capable of hundreds of thousands of kilometers

Alright thanks mate,
The one's we're looking at have all got low kays and are in good condition. They're the same engine as the falcs, so I assumed they'd be reliable, but I was just asking in case...
Anybody else's opinions and advice are still appreciated!

by **OZBMX** » November 22nd, 2010, 7:26 pm

Yeah well not exactly the same, vct motors, so basically has all the sprts goodies, minus exhuast, they fit a slightly more restrictive exhuast supposedly to quiet it a hair. Irs, leather, woodgrain, could even hunt a bit harder and get an ltd has satnav etc. although, very rare.

overall brillaint cars, although be weary they were used for silver service cabs, so as with anything keep your wits when shopping around. and 12-13s plenty for any au, shy t series etc.

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 22nd, 2010, 7:31 pm

OZBMX wrote:Yeah well not exactly the same, vct motors, so basically has all the sprts goodies, minus exhuast, they fit a slightly more restrictive exhuast supposedly to quiet it a hair. Irs, leather, woodgrain, could even hunt a bit harder and get an ltd has satnav etc. although, very rare.

overall brillaint cars, although be weary they were used for silver service cabs, so as with anything keep your wits when shopping around. and 12-13s plenty for any au, shy t series etc.

Hmmm, well all the more reason to get one! Thanks but we're not really bothered with satnav, and yeah we'll also be saving cash, most of the ones we are looking at are around the $8,500-$10,500, although there are a few overpriced ones.

by **Eb Barbie** » November 23rd, 2010, 7:26 am

I LOVE my fairlane

Had it a year now and haven't had any major problems with it. Bought it off an old guy that had hardly driven it and looked after it well. It's costing me a bit to run (not sure if that has anything to do with being a 5L though) so if you can get one on gas that would be an ideal family car.

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 23rd, 2010, 8:11 am

Eb Barbie wrote:I LOVE my fairlane Had it a year now and haven't had any major problems with it. Bought it off an old guy that had hardly driven it and looked after it well. It's costing me a bit to run (not sure if that has anything to do with being a 5L though) so if you can get one on gas that would be an ideal family car.

Good to hear! We'll just be getting the 4L, not the V8. One of the ones we're looking at is an elderly one owner car, although it's a little overpriced.
Thanks for the input

by **pHaT`eL** » November 23rd, 2010, 3:56 pm

Id you can, go the 5L.. LWB need to be V8's

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 23rd, 2010, 5:49 pm

pHaT`eL wrote:Id you can, go the 5L.. LWB need to be V8's

Well I'd love too, but then I wouldn't be able to steal the keys and take it for a spin when I'm on my P's.... :glare:

by **xrghiawagon** » November 23rd, 2010, 6:07 pm

im going v8 next year and i dont give a rats arse wether i can or not

also destroy all v8 badges and keep a quiet(ish) zorst on it and you should be right

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 23rd, 2010, 6:14 pm

Well it's not my car so I'm not gonna do that. And besides we're not even getting a V8!

by **private9** » November 23rd, 2010, 9:15 pm

OZBMX wrote:Yeah well not exactly the same, vct motors, so basically has all the sprts goodies, minus exhuast, they fit a slightly more restrictive exhuast supposedly to quiet it a hair. Irs, leather, woodgrain, could even hunt a bit harder and get an ltd has satnav etc. although, very rare.

overall brillaint cars, although be weary they were used for silver service cabs, so as with anything keep your wits when shopping around. and 12-13s plenty for any au, shy t series etc.

No chance is any AU Fairlane/LTD worth 12-13k, that's BA Fairlane money easy.

by **xrghiawagon** » November 23rd, 2010, 9:17 pm

an AU fairlane you can get for 5-7k easily? am i right?

by **YBHVE4** » November 23rd, 2010, 9:29 pm

yeah under $10k easy with the works.

got one for sale if interested (see the for sale section)

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 24th, 2010, 8:04 am

YBHVE4 wrote:yeah under $10k easy with the works.

got one for sale if interested (see the for sale section)

Yea mate I saw it, but a bit too many kms for us, thanks anyway.

by **xrghiawagon** » November 24th, 2010, 8:19 am

25xxxxkms? too many kms? it sounds about right for a fairlane.. plus you know most stuff that breaks has been replaced

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 24th, 2010, 8:35 am

Yeah thats too much. Most of the ones we're looking are under 100, which I know is low but yeah 250's a bit much. Considering the average car does like 15,000kms-20,000kms a year.

by **pHaT`eL** » November 24th, 2010, 10:08 am

AU Fairlanes are around the 10 year old mark now.. So thats about right. Beths had 170 on it a year ago and that car had hardly been driven at all for a few years.

Beth drove hers on her P's and not one cop picked up on it, theres a TINY V8 badge on the guards that you could take off

If you can, go for an LTD though, muuuuuuch nicer

by **deansxr6** » November 24th, 2010, 10:22 am

yeh but 250000kms is good if it's been looked after.

by **xrghiawagon** » November 24th, 2010, 10:23 am

go the LTD... and your right, the luxo barges need a 5.slow as to why my non-luxo barge is going V8...

Pete... What model and year is Beth's AU?

by **pHaT`eL** » November 24th, 2010, 10:32 am

Beths AU is an umm.. AU?

Its a 99 model

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 24th, 2010, 10:37 am

Back on topic......Well we might not necessarily be getting one, it was just an idea. We're looking at an '04 Futura as well....
But if we get one we'll have a look at an LTD.
Your fairly lucky to get away with driving a V8 on your P's, but I still wouldn't risk it

by **xrghiawagon** » November 24th, 2010, 11:12 am

My bad... i meant series, not model...

im just doing a bit of research comparing the EL/NL/DL's to the AU/NU/DU's in relation to rarety of problems, cheap parts replacement etc etc...

i still don't know why i typed model instead of series... and dont mention blonde... i am not blonde

and i would risk it... you only live life once

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 24th, 2010, 11:31 am

Yes you only live once, but you could just wait till your off your P's of course....
Although I would love to have a V8, probs would have had mums old SS, that was an awesome car

by **pHaT`eL** » November 24th, 2010, 1:28 pm

After you go for a drive in the lane, you wont want a BA Futura, lol.. There just so easy to drive and comfortable to cruise in.

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 24th, 2010, 3:58 pm

pHaT`eL wrote:After you go for a drive in the lane, you wont want a BA Futura, lol.. There just so easy to drive and comfortable to cruise in.

Haha okay mate, we'll go for a drive in both. They both seem good and we haven't decided which one we'd like yet...

by **KR1STO** » November 24th, 2010, 7:39 pm

AU lane + 5L....!
Can't go past it...
Don't even bother with the BA futura....

by **EFFalcon** » November 24th, 2010, 9:04 pm

BA Futura is probably the smarter buy, you'd likely be able to get one with lower k's and its obviously newer.
at the expence of the luxury, but a fairlane will be a nicer drive.

the sort of money you're looking at spending could get you into a BA Fairlane, or even a lower spec BF II

I wouldn't read into the km's of the car too much.

by **xrghiawagon** » November 24th, 2010, 9:13 pm

higher kms = run in more = good for if you have a heavy foot and a blower

by **KR1STO** » November 24th, 2010, 9:24 pm

xrghiawagon wrote:higher kms = run in more = good for if you have a heavy foot and a blower

fukk you talk some shit.....

by **FordFairmont** » November 24th, 2010, 9:36 pm

Lanes are big cumbersome heavy barges

would be more inclined to buy a fairmont Ghia which has the same specs, but 100kg lighter

also wouldnt bother with a BA...... imo the picks would be

AU2/3 Mont Ghia's
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/res ... 4294932595

OR if you had to go B-series, then spend a little more on a BFII Plain Fairmont
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/res ... l_String|0

by **Eb Barbie** » November 25th, 2010, 7:26 am

Yeh I'd go AU Lane/LTD or BF if you got the money. When I was looking at the AU Fairlane's a year ago, for a 5L they were around 10k+ so I'd imagine you would be able to get one under 10k easily.
I was worried about the km but as Pete said, it's a 10 year old car so you gotta expect it to have at least 200,000kms.

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 25th, 2010, 8:14 am

KR1STO wrote:AU lane + 5L....!
Can't go past it...
Don't even bother with the BA futura....

We're not getting a V8!!!
I'm sure they're great but we just don't want one.....

FordFairmont wrote:Lanes are big cumbersome heavy barges

would be more inclined to buy a fairmont Ghia which has the same specs, but 100kg lighter

also wouldnt bother with a BA...... imo the picks would be

AU2/3 Mont Ghia's
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/res ... 4294932595

OR if you had to go B-series, then spend a little more on a BFII Plain Fairmont
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/res ... l_String|0

The BF's are good, but the kms are all too high. We wanna be able to drive this thing for quite a while.I mean there was one that did 195,000kms in 4 years!

Eb Barbie wrote:Yeh I'd go AU Lane/LTD or BF if you got the money. When I was looking at the AU Fairlane's a year ago, for a 5L they were around 10k+ so I'd imagine you would be able to get one under 10k easily.
I was worried about the km but as Pete said, it's a 10 year old car so you gotta expect it to have at least 200,000kms.

I had a look, but there aren't to many AU LTD's, and yeah, I'd expect 200km or more, but we're looking for 100kms or less, and surpisingly there are quite a few with under that. We've also found quite a few good BF Futura's.

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 25th, 2010, 8:20 am

EFFalcon wrote:BA Futura is probably the smarter buy, you'd likely be able to get one with lower k's and its obviously newer.
at the expence of the luxury, but a fairlane will be a nicer drive.

the sort of money you're looking at spending could get you into a BA Fairlane, or even a lower spec BF II

I wouldn't read into the km's of the car too much.

Yeah mate, that's what I was thinking, but the less kms the better in our case, and knowing my mum who will be driving it, she'll appreciate a newer car.

xrghiawagon wrote:higher kms = run in more = good for if you have a heavy foot and a blower

Heavy sigh....

by **EFFalcon** » November 25th, 2010, 8:23 am

http://www.pickles.com.au/cars/listing/ ... D&x=42&y=7

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 25th, 2010, 8:28 am

EFFalcon wrote:http://www.pickles.com.au/cars/listing/?ed_item_type_id=100000001&ed_make_id=100000189&ed_model_id=10001035&ed_fromyear=2007&ed_toyear=&ed_city=All&ed_price=All&ed_description=&ed_damage=REG&ed_sort=description&ed_search_type=FIXED&x=42&y=7

Thanks, they look alright, but most have lots of kms, or they're in the wrong state :roll:

by **FordFairmont** » November 25th, 2010, 10:10 am

a country car thats done 150,000 easy highway km's, would have less wear on it than a city car thats done 80,000km trying to beat heavy traffic every morning to work.

Also once you get your mint low km' BA, make sure you put aside a couple grand for failed Diff bushes, broken mixer shafts, snapped handbrake cable, warped rotors, random idle issues etc.... :-P

by **nothin suss** » November 25th, 2010, 10:31 am

From a mechanics point of view I'd go a LOW KLM AU2 or 3 over an early BA purely for cost of repairs and reliability. BA sedan rear legroom and headroom when getting in and out is poor also.
I also wouldn't be paying over $7k for a VGC low klm AU2 or 3. Fairlane or not.
Especially when a BF2 Falcon can be had for $10k.

by **92EBFAIRMONT** » November 25th, 2010, 10:45 am

nothin suss wrote:From a mechanics point of view I'd go a LOW KLM AU2 or 3 over an early BA purely for cost of repairs and reliability. BA sedan rear legroom and headroom when getting in and out is poor also.
I also wouldn't be paying over $7k for a VGC low klm AU2 or 3. Fairlane or not.
Especially when a BF2 Falcon can be had for $10k.

Very good point, one of the main reasons my dad has an AU is because of the availability and cheapness of parts. Although, the curveness of the body impares the vision a bit if you see what I mean...
Well I dunno, a lot of you have suggested the AU Fairlane, and putting into consideration the price of parts, it seems like a good buy.....
Please continue with the advice....

by **krisisdog** » November 25th, 2010, 12:25 pm

Have you gone out n driven any cars yet? Even if theyre too much/too many k's, just go and drive a couple to get the feel of them.
I'd also recommend an AU 'Lane. They dont really have the 'curveness' of the SWB sedans, especially in the rear quarters.

EDIT - Why do you have almost the same avatar as me Tony Martin?? On first glance I thought I was the one posting up retarded shit in this thread :roll:

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