How Good Is Your Au?

[mik]

i can`t speak for you guys , but this week past i`ve been in 2 cars i have never been in before, and after driving the other 2 vehicles and hopping back into my old ford,(AU s2 XR6) i thought dam this thing is good to drive, admittedly the first car i drove was a Hyundai getz, ......... OMG IT WAS HORRIFIC, truly i hated it,
the ride in the au and effortless nature of driving it wonderful steering, very stable handling compared to the economy car,
early saturday i drove a lexus ls400, and it was very good car,did everything well, had everything that opens and shutsand over $100,000 buks new, but it just did`nt have the feel of the AU, but after driving it and hopping back in the au , wow Ford got it right in the AU,

i`ve had mine for 7 years, it`s been the rock of the family, when other family members cars have bit the dust, out comes the AU with a trailer for rescue operations, when a family member was sick in hospital for three months the au was the ever reliable taxi to go back and forth to hospital daily,
i`d be lying if i said i did`nt get bored with it at times, as i said it`s been my daily taxi for 7 years, a bit sorry i did`nt get the v8 (note to self if you really want the bigger engine get the bugger), small flaws aside, mine has been a truly ripping car.

any one else have a similar experience??

[MNM96]

I purchased my AUIII XR6 new in Feb 02. Just a few moms till it rolls past 200k and apart for replacing the PS hose and the alternator which the resulting oil leak killed, it has been an amazing car! I will never sell it.

[Cúl-Báire]

I often think jumping between my AU XR8, and our BA XR6 is like chaulk and cheese - that AU is just so well balanced, and offers a little oversteer (it is a ute); the BA understeers pretty hard and often has me wondering if it will turn in when pushed hard.

I find the AU tends to feel like it's gonig fast, where as the BA you can easily go fast but it feels like your walking.

I love the XR8 it's a fantastic package, even if it is a little under powered.

[Evgeni]

In 2000 I had an AU2 egas for a company car. Loved it. They upgraded in 2003 to a BA egas. What a nightmare. This was backfiring constantly and the rotors would warp after about 2000k's. When I left the job in 2006 I bought a camry - understeers and handles like a boat, but the only work I have to do to it is change fluids.
I went and bought a AU3 in 2008 caused I missed it. They just have that nice feel on the road. We have a range of cars in our fleet at work, Corolla's, Focus', Commodores, Hyundai I30' and Subaru Forresters.
Nothing compares with the AU in terms of driveability. Everything in our fleet has is short geared, so they rev and there is a lot of throw back, but you don't go anywhere. Mind you the balance on those other cars is probably better, but there is just something that makes them feel like you are driving a billy kart. Having said that the focus has so much grip. This would be my pick if I couldn't drive my AU.

[nassi]

Yes they are a nice car, I have a III xr8 sedan and a III xr6 ute. Both have been excellent cars with ute well over 200,000 and still a pleasure to drive.

[BHDOGS]

Damn good

[blue._.skyes]

I was brought up a fully fledged Holden fan (my Dad is v8 supercar mad and lovesss Holdens)
Since about 6 months after buying my AU (Dad was devo I bought a Ford but it was cheap and and I was a P plater... anything was better than a 4 cylinder Corolla) I decided I was officially Ford all the way thats gotta mean something lol

[GK]

Wagon has near 255,000 kays and I still love it. A wonderful family car.

SR has 200,000 and I love driving it also.

GK

[DFB FGXR6]

My first car was an AU III Fairmont, sold to buy an FG. I have just returned to the AU series with a TS50, and I have to say its good to back. I still have the FG and its a fantastic car. However there is just something about the AU series that I just cant shake. Its probably because it was my first car, but the feel and simplicity of the AU that makes it feel so familiar after 4 years apart. I also love the curves and angles that laterm models traded for relative conservitism.

[EgoFalcon]

AU series 1 Fairmont Ghia had from new with 308,000k's still going strong. At the helm is my dad which calls it a 'retro' car.

Paint & the aerial lets it down though.

[Murph-51]

I just bought my first SERIES II XR8 and wow!!! Compared to the FG XR6T I had prior to that, this AU just handles and steers way better!!! Doesn't have the out right speed or acceleration of the FG, but the sweet sound of the Tickford 302 on song sounds awesome, and its still quick enough to get you into trouble!!! Fully optioned with the big brake package as well, makes braking a breeze!!! I love the damn thing

[Bushbasher]

Our wagon is getting close to ticking over 300k and ya can't kill it with an axe handle let alone a stick. I keep the fluids and spark plugs up to scratch and it just goes and goes and goes. If it got killed tomorrow I'd have no hesitation in going out and finding another one in an instant.


Bushbasher

[TheSly1]

Ive had my s3 SR for 5 years, got it at 187k ex company car, but was in good condition, its now about to tick over 330k and its doing well, slightly feeling its age which means ive got a bit of work to do on it, just the minor things (suspension soon but its done allot of kms i dont blame it) about 5k ago i did a motor swap, the old one was using lots of oil and the sump plug bolt was threaded, now got a mint motor...

Still love my falcon ive taken care of it mechiancally and its never let me down not even once...

what else can you ask for?

[Polyal]

yeah its doing a smashing job and I will keep it for a few years while I sink money into some classic cars instead of buying new.

I always think about upgrading it, Ill get something new for the missus to cart the kids around but just for me I dont care so much. It has space, enough power for a daily, with a SVI system its good on fuel dollar wise ($150 for Melb to Canberra and back is nice) and I love its curves.

So while it is not costing me alot to keep on the road it will stay, only think i would change is converting it to a manual but thats way to much effort.

Its a rock.

[raised by monkeys]

mines been pretty solid. Still ironing out minor issues due to previous neglect, but i cant complain really.

[SSD-85]

If cars are a "labour of love", then the AU takes out the labour part. Thats how good it is.

[auIILTD]

I probably shouldn't comment. Very heavily biased. I will say though, buying an AU was quite by chance and probably would not have been my first choice. Converted now, and will be hanging on to mine until it dies.

Dare I say it, LTD luxury, ~270fwkw, Brembo stopping power and handling to boot! One happy camper!

Cheers
Stu

[GUTLES]

I purchased my 3rd AU a few weeks ago, can't go past them for a reliable nice to drive car. Good value now too!

[mik]

i stuffed up really bad this past week, i had a chance to buy a garaged all it`s life car, used as second car with only 77,000 kliks on it, a 200 kw Au s2 xr8 in pristine order......some one slap me., and then i did something even dumber, more on that later in the week .

[nassi]

Originally Posted by mik

i stuffed up really bad this past week, i had a chance to buy a garaged all it`s life car, used as second car with only 77,000 kliks on it, a 200 kw Au s2 xr8 in pristine order......some one slap me., and then i did something even dumber, more on that later in the week .

You told Proffesor Farnsworth about?

[mik]

nah i think the professor already had his . we will wait an see.