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Old 30-06-2008, 10:45 PM   #1
private9
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Default What do you hate most about the AU Falcon?!

Instead of a thread praising our beloved AU's, I thought I'd start one where we can all nominate something that we hate about them!

I don't specifically mean your particular car such as scratches etc, I mean design aspects.

For me, overall I'm happy with it, but I REALLY hate the seating position.

I don't know why, but I can never, ever get comfortable in the damn thing. You seem to sit too high, and slightly offset from the centre.



What do YOU hate about the AU's???

BTW, this came about as I did a 400km drive in the old girl over the weekend!

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Old 30-06-2008, 10:48 PM   #2
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povo pack seats .. feels like school chairs -> fix: get a custom set made
sagging roof lining -> fix: get a custom made
EECV controlling everything -> fix: replace it with aftermarket unit
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Old 30-06-2008, 11:01 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EvilChief
povo pack seats .. feels like school chairs -> fix: get a custom set made
Nah, I've got a full Fairlane leather interior to go in when I get off my butt to do it!

Are there AU's around with sagging roof lining?!

Surely you think they could've got it right by the AU - it's a bit like clutch cables and cracking firewalls isn't it!
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Old 30-06-2008, 11:23 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by private9
Are there AU's around with sagging roof lining?!
Yeah mine is and its really annoying. Must get around to getting it replaced!
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Old 30-06-2008, 11:30 PM   #5
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1. That the ESS equipped cars lost the steering wheel audio controls.

2. Nowhere to run a decent exhaust on the IRS models.

3. No quadcam engine from factory


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Old 30-06-2008, 11:31 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by private9
a bit like clutch cables and cracking firewalls isn't it!
thats what i hate at the moment, a car thats not designed for a manual gearbox having one in it. Bloody firewall and now the pedal box.

Cheers
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Old 01-07-2008, 03:36 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by private9
For me, overall I'm happy with it, but I REALLY hate the seating position.

I don't know why, but I can never, ever get comfortable in the damn thing. You seem to sit too high, and slightly offset from the centre.
Definately agree with you there. I can never get comfortable in the drivers seat.

Plus the damn doors! I still manage to knock a door into my shoulder now & then. Arrgghhh!! :

Can't really think of anything else right now. Probably will later on.
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Old 01-07-2008, 07:37 AM   #8
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Seating position for me. Bloody accelerator leg gets really sore from lack of support from the seat. I have it fully adjusted up at the front, and down at the rear to try and help support your leg, but after a few hundred km it doesn't matter anyway.
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Old 01-07-2008, 08:34 AM   #9
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The damn vent controls. I want hot air on my face AND my legs, damn fools. I'm also going to agree with Daniel about the exhaust on IRS equipped AU's. To even get a twin 2.5 under there was a challenge.
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Old 01-07-2008, 08:36 AM   #10
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I reckon its gotta be the rattles that build up over time... Sometimes it seems I get a new one every week!
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Old 01-07-2008, 08:40 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by superroo
thats what i hate at the moment, a car thats not designed for a manual gearbox having one in it. Bloody firewall and now the pedal box.

Cheers
Gee thought you were talking about e-series then! lol.

I can't stand the AU series 1 Forte, but I guess thats a given!
I don't mind the taillights on the AU but I don't like the massive headlights, they look heaps better with the XR lights on them.
Another one I don't like is the Series 1 XR. The lights and the stock bumper really don't go together, thank god they improved it with the series 2.
Mechanically I don't really know much with the AU's, I haven't driven my parents car enough to really know.
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Old 01-07-2008, 08:53 AM   #12
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The seats for me as well but the most annoying thing for me is the rear windows on the wagon keep winding themselves down about 20mm and it sh!ts me to tears. My EL wagon did the same thing :

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Old 01-07-2008, 10:38 AM   #13
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I love the seats in mine! aswell as its sudden learning of how I drive... i drive it in "D" (auto) with the Economy button off... you'd be surprised with how it learnt my "bad" habits :

I dont like the dash... no matter what i do... nearly though about adapting the BA dash, centre console and door skins... but seats will stay the same, as i am far more comfortable in them... :
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Old 01-07-2008, 10:51 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushbasher
The seats for me as well but the most annoying thing for me is the rear windows on the wagon keep winding themselves down about 20mm and it sh!ts me to tears. My EL wagon did the same thing :

Bushbasher
Oh dear, since I bought mine back in October this has been happening to me. I've been getting really grumpy at my kids for doing it... Looks like I owe them an apology! :togo:

What I hate, bloody oil leaks. My engine is only 168,000km old and in the 8.5 months I've owned it the following leaks have had to be fixed:

1. Sump gasket
2. Rear main seal (possibly missdiagnosed)
3. Speedo transducer
4. Power steering high pressure lines
5. Timing case gasket
6. Timing chain tensioner bolt
7. Oil pressure sender
8. Crank case extension housing

AND the HEAD GASKET is leaking oil down the passenger side of the block. Fan-bloody-tastic. Thankfully all but the oil pressure sender was replace under used car warranty (with a lot of pushing and shoving)... However, with lifter noise (or worse) recently popping it's head up I'm not doing any bloody more to it. I'll wait until it dies in the and then spend LESS replacing the entire engine than what it would cost to do the head gasket.
God knows what will go wrong with this bucket of bolts next.

Matt.
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Old 01-07-2008, 11:55 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT
I dont like the dash... no matter what i do...
Agreed .. the dash is UGLY .. and it's the thing you see the most!!
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Old 01-07-2008, 12:15 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OzJavelin
Agreed .. the dash is UGLY .. and it's the thing you see the most!!
i like the dash, i dont like that its a pain to make aftermarket cd plays look good because of the curve in it.
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Old 01-07-2008, 12:23 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chamelion
Oh dear, since I bought mine back in October this has been happening to me. I've been getting really grumpy at my kids for doing it... Looks like I owe them an apology! :togo:

What I hate, bloody oil leaks. My engine is only 168,000km old and in the 8.5 months I've owned it the following leaks have had to be fixed:

1. Sump gasket
2. Rear main seal (possibly missdiagnosed)
3. Speedo transducer
4. Power steering high pressure lines
5. Timing case gasket
6. Timing chain tensioner bolt
7. Oil pressure sender
8. Crank case extension housing

AND the HEAD GASKET is leaking oil down the passenger side of the block. Fan-bloody-tastic. Thankfully all but the oil pressure sender was replace under used car warranty (with a lot of pushing and shoving)... However, with lifter noise (or worse) recently popping it's head up I'm not doing any bloody more to it. I'll wait until it dies in the and then spend LESS replacing the entire engine than what it would cost to do the head gasket.
God knows what will go wrong with this bucket of bolts next.

Matt.
Gee. I thought they'd fixed a lot of that on the AUs. That sounds like an E-series!

I must admit, the cheaper dash design looks pretty bad. I like the Fairmont one, but the Forte/XR one looks pretty ordinary.
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Old 01-07-2008, 12:29 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dezza!
I like the Fairmont one, but the Forte/XR one looks pretty ordinary.
Thats my thoughts too... but even the up-spec'd cars still didnt have an overally good one...
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Old 01-07-2008, 01:00 PM   #19
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i dont mind my xr seats there good!

but i cant seem to get the position of them correct and its bloody annoying!
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Old 01-07-2008, 01:42 PM   #20
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Just a few issues.

The driver's power window controls are too aft for me. I have to curl my hand under my wrist just to use them and my chair is quite far back. They put them forward on an angle in the B-series. Must be nice.

The very common fading climate control LCD display is annoying.

Can't complain about the seats - I find they're great.

I hate also having to cycle through the vent controls twice just to get it working right.

The rear door access is difficult for tall people.
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Old 01-07-2008, 01:44 PM   #21
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Series one brakes, sagging roof lining:(
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Old 01-07-2008, 03:05 PM   #22
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I think interior-wise I've been lucky (touch wood!) the hand brake still works fine, theres no squeaks anywhere, roof isn't sagging.

The motor has been a bit of a bastard, Seems the previous owner(s) didn't service it too often, seems to be coming good now after a few decent oil changes and a flush.

Also, my biggest prob would definantly be the series one brakes.
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Old 01-07-2008, 03:23 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell
The damn vent controls. I want hot air on my face AND my legs, damn fools. I'm also going to agree with Daniel about the exhaust on IRS equipped AU's. To even get a twin 2.5 under there was a challenge.
Got to agree with you on this one, the vent control layout wasn't thought out very well,
And the roof pitch , or using the sunvisor, it's a pain.
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Old 01-07-2008, 03:39 PM   #24
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Slow electric windows.

Handbrake shhh, shhh, shhh noise.

Sun visors hang too low, even with the seat right down - and I'm only 179cm tall.

Windscreen wash reservoir is too small.

Mirrors are too small.

That is all.

Well not quite.

What really gets my goolies are the clowns that criticise the AU's looks. They have their visual taste in their collective bums.

Also, the guys above who mentioned rattles - drive a BA/BF one day, then you'll know what rattles really sound like.

Overall, the AU was the best all-round package Ford Australia has released, at least prior to the FG. Top car. I miss mine. It crapped all over the BFII I've got now.

Last edited by Abacus; 01-07-2008 at 03:45 PM.
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Old 01-07-2008, 03:41 PM   #25
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you all make good point's

- S1 Brakes
- Fading LCD Display
- No Hot air on Face and Feet at the same time?? wth's with this
- The delay in power when i floor it
- the way the power window switches like too stop working, especially when it starts raining
- They way the car doesn't shut up when you're at 80/40/20kays till empty

Although I love my seats and ride comfortability
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Old 01-07-2008, 03:52 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chamelion
Oh dear, since I bought mine back in October this has been happening to me. I've been getting really grumpy at my kids for doing it... Looks like I owe them an apology! :togo:

What I hate, bloody oil leaks. My engine is only 168,000km old and in the 8.5 months I've owned it the following leaks have had to be fixed:

1. Sump gasket
2. Rear main seal (possibly missdiagnosed)
3. Speedo transducer
4. Power steering high pressure lines
5. Timing case gasket
6. Timing chain tensioner bolt
7. Oil pressure sender
8. Crank case extension housing

AND the HEAD GASKET is leaking oil down the passenger side of the block. Fan-bloody-tastic. Thankfully all but the oil pressure sender was replace under used car warranty (with a lot of pushing and shoving)... However, with lifter noise (or worse) recently popping it's head up I'm not doing any bloody more to it. I'll wait until it dies in the and then spend LESS replacing the entire engine than what it would cost to do the head gasket.
God knows what will go wrong with this bucket of bolts next.

Matt.
All that stuff sounds like age-related wear and tear to me, rather than design issues with the car.

How many kms has your car done? Old cars get issues. That's why I eventually sold mine.
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Old 01-07-2008, 04:18 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by V3RSAC3
you all make good point's


- No Hot air on Face and Feet at the same time?? wth's with this

- They way the car doesn't shut up when you're at 80/40/20kays till empty

Although I love my seats and ride comfortability

I know WTF? Can only have airconon the face and hot on feet.
As for the shutting it up, push the "-" button on the climate control, that stops it.
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Old 01-07-2008, 04:28 PM   #28
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After having to fix/improve everything on my car the thing I have to say I lovveeee it now.
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Old 01-07-2008, 05:06 PM   #29
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Reflection in the instrument cluster. Drives me nuts in summer...
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Old 01-07-2008, 05:24 PM   #30
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Cheap Carpet!!!
The rest I looove.
As for the seating position if youi have driven a falcon for a long time you will be used to it as it has allways been off centre. It allows you to prop your elbow on the door sill, Can't do that in a B series elbow keeps slipping off.
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