Help please: What’s wrong getting a BA over an AU?

[Uncle_Ken]

Who would have thought finding a car would be so hard. I have been looking for another AU for the past month and a half with no luck. The closest I have come was TMans AU (2 many ks to convince my wife and wrong colour). I saw a very nice Fairmont (a 6, full Tickford gear low ks but the price was 2 high for me).
Seen lots o AU's (Fairmont’s, XR6&8s and even Fairlanes in VIC but nothing I liked in NSW. Bugger...

BUT I have seen more BA's in the sub $6000 range than I thought I would (varying types of course). So now I have a problem.
My wife likes the look of BA's more than AU's (Yes I now its grounds for divorce in some countries) for a couple of reasons. 1. They are younger and will should get a higher trade in in 4 years’ time. 2. They on average have less K’s on the clock. 3. They seem to be in better condition.
So my questions is:
What’s wrong getting a BA over an AU?
I know AU3XR6 has thought about this and has decided to stay with his AU’s. But he has an AU and now I don’t.
Now my wife has made it clear I CAN GET AN AU. She just thinks a BA is a better option.
What do you guys think? So again What’s wrong getting a BA over an AU?

UK

[SantoAU]

less driver feel, poxy interior, brake shudder, every man and his dog has one...

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by SantoAU

less driver feel, poxy interior, brake shudder, every man and his dog has one...

You forgot the clunky rear end

[SantoAU]

Originally Posted by Polyal

You forgot the clunky rear end

and they have a clunky rear end

[Uncle_Ken]

What have you heard about brakes?
PS This is a serious post, not lookinh to 'bagout' BA's lookign for tech differences.

UK

[Mont5.0]

Brake shudder is easily resolved with some aftermarket rotors. If you want the positives of owning a B series, throw this thread up in the B series general discussion area. Like any model they have their flaws. I went from A-B series and am very happy with my purchase.

[XR6T0Y]

AU - outside looks if not XR looks terrible
inside is one of disgust
Not as much power

BA - as has been said - brakes )which can be easily fixed)
ball joints
diff bushes.

BA anyday

[SantoAU]

AU low series dash is pretty average, high series is where it's at. B's are just....boring. Too much same same across the whole lot. XT, XR, 'mont's - where's your difference?

AU's have character, and they have aged a hell of a lot better than people give them credit for. Everything that needs to be said is here: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11350680

[TheSneakiness]

Heavy steering in the BA, used to **** me to tears. The fly by wire throttle annoyed me too.

[SantoAU]

Now watch me defect and go buy a BA turbo

[Legit290]

Matter of choice mate. Get what you like.

[SantoAU]

fly to Tasmania, buy this, road trip home. Thank me later.

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de.../?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

[Muzzle]

Originally Posted by SantoAU

fly to Tasmania, buy this, road trip home. Thank me later.

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de.../?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

I wonder if this car is sold or not, the link is still good and it is a nice car you are right Santo.

[zx10]

I actually found most BAs I looked at in worse condition than the AUs. My way of thinking was I could get the low end of BA for the same money as the high end of AU.

I do like the BA six more than the AU. BA fairmont with leather and roof would be nice but prob into 7-8k.

[Uncle_Ken]

Thanks for the thoughs so far guys just back from work. Design is different. I do like the high series dash on an AU more than the BA but I like the front of the BA's, the rear doesn't quite work for me. Any diference in the engine area?
UK

[raised by monkeys]

To be honest, you usually get what you pay for. There's probably a reason why youre seeing more at sub 6k now, especially since their getting older, their faults are becoming quite noticeable. This is of course not to say the AU isn't shy of its own, but when a new model car is introduced with a new motor, and as you'd know this includes the barra and boss, your bound to experience problems. Aus ford used the 302 since the early 70's (??) until 2002, so, its bound to of had its bugs largely ironed out. Lets see how long on average it takes the 290 to die in the ars3

[SantoAU]

One thing the b-series has going for it is stickers. Everyone knows chicks dig stickers

[Uncle_Ken]

Originally Posted by SantoAU

One thing the b-series has going for it is stickers. Everyone knows chicks dig stickers

At my age thats not an issues. I do agree with the engine difference.
Anythng else guys?

UK

[SantoAU]

Engine : 4.1 Litre Barra

lolwut?

[Uncle_Ken]

This shows an example: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11400272
No offense to the seller
UK

[OffRoadFalcon]

I personally don't like the electronic accelerator... occasionally taking off is jerky if you're not careful. It's less predictable.
I also don't like the Barra I6's sound... it sounds so much more 'vacuum cleaner' like, and not as smooth as the AU I6. There really is a sound that sounds like dust and sand flicking around the engine (in both the old engine we had in Dad's BAII and the new engine from an XR6).
And the interior quality, just isn't as good as the AU in my opinion. The AU isn't great, but it's better than the BA. I look around and see many more faults in the BA than an AU.

Other than that, they're a good car, but I'd find a nice AU instead.

[Uncle_Ken]

I'm looking
UK

[b2tf]

BA has more tech in it i.e. the ICC etc - all good in theory but costs more to fix should something go wrong.

Both AU and BA have their own faults which are fairly well documented by now. Forget any Falcon for resale value least of all the BA's - look at the prices you're seeing now and think about what those cars would be worth in 4 years time - thats what you can expect to get too irrespective of AU or BA.

If I was looking at B series cars I think I would skip BA and go to BF - again more tech, but more refined, better inclusions and still very cheap for what you get. BF's just seem to be a better built car IMHO.

[FGII-XR6]

one thing not mentioned that I experienced a few times in cabs, bursting brake hoses apparently quite a common problem. most cab owners kept a full set of hoses on the shelf . not a nice experience coming up to the lights and the brake pedal goes to the floor

another one is the spring return on the ignition , the spring goes and the key won't return. now heres the catch "for security reasons" Ford made the ignition switch a sealed item in the steering column . so you can't replace the switch you have to replace the steering column

drivers seats are far more fragile the mountings crack on the base especially if your of larger proportions like me

[XR6T0Y]

I don't see why people bring up the fly by wire so much. Going from an EL, to the current BA, I really don't see what the fuss is about. Maybe when you first get into one? It's like ANY car, no matter if it's an EA-FG. If you are used to an AU, you WILL find fault with all other models. It's just what happens. I didn't like the BA when I FIRST got it. Now I would NOT go back or forward for that matter. Give one a chance, I'm sure you would be surprised. Just don't go the povvo pack one though

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

I don't see why people bring up the fly by wire so much.

I don't think the feel was too bad but as they age they become problematic. they were another drama in the cabs

[pundit]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

I don't see why people bring up the fly by wire so much. Going from an EL, to the current BA, I really don't see what the fuss is about. Maybe when you first get into one? It's like ANY car, no matter if it's an EA-FG. If you are used to an AU, you WILL find fault with all other models. It's just what happens. I didn't like the BA when I FIRST got it. Now I would NOT go back or forward for that matter. Give one a chance, I'm sure you would be surprised. Just don't go the povvo pack one though

This! I was die hard E-series fan for years (not much different than AU) and would hang crap on BA/F like no tomorow. After a few thousand kms worth of road trips in a mates BA it completely changed my opinion on them.

People like what they are use to and get slightly biased toward that.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

Give one a chance, I'm sure you would be surprised. Just don't go the povvo pack one though

Back in the day, even though I loved AU XRs I was quite excited by the BA's launch and I couldn't wait until the day I could afford an XR6T.

Then I drove a BA2 XR6 and it destroyed my excitement for B-Series. I thought to myself "E-Series are the only Falcons worth having if the newer stuff drives like this"

A couple of years later I drove my mate's bog stock AU2 Forte. A few weeks later I picked up my AU2 XR8.

Irrespective of the upgrades and jewellery on the sports/luxury models, the base model has to have the basics right, for the whole range to shine.

Epilogue: I ended up driving a (very quick) modded BF XR6T later on, I regret nothing, AU FTW.

Re: your decision, Uncle Ken: If the car (BA-BF) suits your needs, is within your budget, is in good condition, and you like the way it drives...why not? At least test drive one to see if you like it and go from there.

[XR6T0Y]

Higher K's, but you get the idea

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...?Cr=12&sdmvc=1

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

Higher K's, but you get the idea

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...?Cr=12&sdmvc=1

Thats done more Ks than my AU