Au or BA?

[RepSpec]

hey all im thinking of selling the van and am not quite sure what to possibly buy as my next car

i want to stay in the ford family but want a few different opinions and recommendations on the 2 series

possibly looking at a ute or sedan, in either Au2 to BA. any help or info would be great, ie current prices, costs, benefits of one over the other, any things to look out for when buying either model?

thanks guys
brendan

[stiddy]

Having an AU1 XR6, BA MKII XR8 and a BA XR6.. If I had a choice to buy again I would definately get the BA XR8..
IF I was buying a n/a 6 I would definately go the AU again for sure. Wouldnt even have to think about it. The AU feels lighter, more agile, cheap, a whole lot of fun.. and from my experiences noticeable quicker and better on fuel. Im not overly impressed with the BA XR6. I honestly expected more get up and go, and a smoother ride. Dont get me wrong the BA looks the part thats about all I can put in its favour, for the money now why buy a BA XR6 for $20,000 when you can get an AU XR6 or fairmont for half that?
I do like all 3 cars, I love my AU XR6, I still have more fun in that, then what I do in the XR8. As for the BA XR6, my sister drives that cause yeah I dont really want to. So its pretty much hers now.

[Falc'man]

A BF NA6 with ZF gearbox will give you sub 15's in stock form and excellent mileage as well. With a few mods and you're in the 13's.

[RepSpec]

not too intrested in mods, and a BF would be way outside my price range

thinking up to about 20k tops


thanks for the responses so far peeps keep em coming

[Falcon4L]

Ive had both AU forte and now a BA XT and I must say looks wise the BA wins hands down. The only thing the AU had over the BA was some mechanical parts were stronger. ie 4 pinion diff vs 2 pinion diff. But performance wise the BA is much quicker. I dont know what was wrong with stiddys BA but the AU had nothing on it. As for handling they were both pretty similar with the BA being a little smoother and less floaty, especially the XR versions.

[Falcon Coupe]

If looking for a Ute the E gas option, something like an AU Marlin would be a good buy now days and cheap to run.

[Auslandau]

Sold the AU for the BA but was a bit dissapointed. I enjoyed the AU much more. THe BA seems heavier to drive, dont like the transmission but thats only on a comparison. In its own right the BA is a good car but just thought the AU being a better package. Just bought another AU and gave the BA to the Mrs. to drive.

AU's are cheaper as well. You will get a bit of an arguement on which is better though as it is such a personal thing!



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[Kryton]

since YOU have to live with the decision, test drive bith first and see which one YOU like better.

and look out for rust on both models as well.

[Nostalgia]

I own a AU 1 and use the BA work ute daily and i must say that i prefer the AU. Good luck mate with your choice.

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by davway

since YOU have to live with the decision, test drive bith first and see which one YOU like better.

and look out for rust on both models as well.

Agreed. This is just going to turn into a petty BA vs AU fight otherwise.

As davway said, go drive a variety of models in your price range with the features you want and see which one you prefer. Nothing that anyone can tell you on here will offer you anywhere near the experience you'll get after getting behind the wheel of a few models...

Either way, just make sure it looks like it's in good condition and been looked after, and do some research on places like Carsales to make sure you know roughly what each model your looking at should cost (to make sure you don't get ripped off).

For under $20k, you should get a pretty decent second hand model in either the AU or BA range, so I think you'll have lots of choices.

i.e. (some comparable km's versions)
BA XR6 Example $18k
AU III XR6 Example $13k

If you go with an AU, you'll probably save some $ though, as they'll still be a decent amount cheaper than BA's. That's not a dig at the BA's either, I own a BA :P You could probably get a BA XT at a much better price than the XR6, just depends what you want and how much $ you want to spend to get what you want...

Let us know what you choose (and why)

[HLC]

go the AU. im not bias, my old man has a BA. the only thing the BA has over my AU is the BOSS motor and i like the dash better. that is about it.

[schuldiner]

Originally Posted by HLC

go the AU. im not bias, my old man has a BA. the only thing the BA has over my AU is the BOSS motor and i like the dash better. that is about it.

yeha but your old mans isn't decked out with fully sick L.E.D's :

[Sonik]

To me the AU feels more raw, and power delivery is just stronger, its a better feeling, you know exactly what the engines doing, as opposed to the BA, being in a more refined environment, you look down and go holy crap I'm going XX fast!
Not sure what you like in a car, but to me the AU feels like it has more torque, probably not the case, but its rougher. For that reason I like the AU.

[Elks]

We have had several of both through our household. 3 x AU's 2 x BA's and a BF.

Very model dependent. All were (are) good cars. The BA is a little more refined but some bits that were clearly done on the cheap. The diff as previously mentioned and the loss of the double wishbone IRS. The BF was quieter and a lot nicer than the BA. Effectively looks the same.

Avoid series 1 au's if possible. Series 2 & 3 much better, I like the Hi series dash in the AU better than the BA. You might sneak a BF into the $20k barrier but only an XT with high KM's on it. It really will come down to the car and it's condition. An AU3 XR rebel, would be a good thing or my favorite an AU2 T series can be had for $20k. But I think I'm biased.

Check this out.. http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars...e_id=0&trecs=9

[RepSpec]

thanks people for all your input, i dont want it to turn into a AU v BA bash thread, i was more after things like davway said regarding rust and other problems

but im possibly looking at buying late on in the year, all depends on how the car goes for the rest of it lol


thanks people
brendan

[HLC]

Originally Posted by schuldiner

yeha but your old mans isn't decked out with fully sick L.E.D's :

wrong, he made me do them and neons in his car

[V3RSAC3]

If it was me, i'd ask myself this question, which do i want, I6 or V8?

but i'd do this;

I6 - Buy an Uppermarket AU, rather than a Bass Model BA
V8 - Go the BA FOR SURE .. that bonnet buldge is the sex

Originally Posted by HLC

wrong, he made me do them and neons in his car

Fully Sick!!

[sfr rob]

Do you even need to ask the question?
It's pretty clear which car ANYONE would select if they were the only 2 vehicles to choose from.

[RepSpec]

Originally Posted by sfr rob

Do you even need to ask the question?
It's pretty clear which car ANYONE would select if they were the only 2 vehicles to choose from.

clearly there was gonna be bias here mate, but i was more asking if there were any real problems that i should look for if it was to be buying one

[Dauphin]

Have a look at a T-series AU. They just seem so rare these days - I hardly ever see them on the road anymore.

[Mont5.0]

Go a AU 5 litre.

[LTDterri]

Originally Posted by MrXhUteMan

Go a AU 5 litre.

Drove an AU2 as a company car, it was a fantastic car, gave it hell never gave up. Own a BA1 and have been real happy BUT I dont feel its as strong as the AU.

So my advice AU 5 litre...MMMMMMMM

[FalconXR6]

If your looking for a car to throw around.
Through round abouts.
Quick sprints through the twisties, etc.
Grab yourself an AU XR.
Lighter.
Better feedback.
Easier to drive on the limit becuase you don't reach the limit as quickly as you do in the BA's which are less communcative that the AU.

If it's a GT you're looking for.
Try and find an XR6T.
There is no better GT car than an XR6T.

[dishpig]

I was in this delema once to and I chose the AU for several reasons.

1. There are about 99999999 BA's on the road now and none of them stand out unless you spend $10000, And I wanted a car that was atleast a little bit different.

2. The AU interior is sooooooooo much nicer then the BA, feels more cosy and solid then the ba's plastic fantasic.

3. If you buy a BA xr6 the only thing people will talk to you about are the turbo models eg.
Random: Hey is your BA a turbo
You: Na just a standard six (intsert heart breaking sound here)
Random: oh is that all...
Then they talk about how great the turbo is

I still get this in mine but only from idiots who thought the turbo was an option since 1992.

[5L]

i would rather settle for an older car that is not a povo pack, that a new car that has got nothing going for it.

[LeadFoot81]

The AUs mechanicals are fairly well sorted, whereas the BA introduced some new dramas.

AU is much better bang for your buck. Ive read comments on FF that the AU utes are nicer to drive than the BAs.

[V8falcons]

Yep,
Another AU vote from me too,as much as every one bags them,I love the feel,look and handling Over a BA,We sold our BA fairmont ghia 5.4ltr V8 ,leather (grey EWEWEWE),sunroof and all the usually gear as it just felt no where near as good to drive as an AU.
So we've got 2 AU2s a Fairmont Ghia VCT (black leather MMMMMM),and a SR wagon and cant find anything better to replace them with (value for money) so they are staying for a while it looks like.
The good thing about AUs is not many people like them so there cheap to buy and very cheap to service as there were millions of them used as taxis.

I wouldnt mind getting a series 3 XR6 manual,with tickford kit,leather sunroof.

Go for a HP tickford engine if you go that way as to me the HP feels as though its torquier down low.
Marlin utes have a HP tickford engine in them,as well as 4 pinion LSD,and black interior,they are very good buys in my opinion.
Get one of these and put a high series bonnet on it,it'll look even better

[dishpig]

Originally Posted by sfr rob

Do you even need to ask the question?
It's pretty clear which car ANYONE would select if they were the only 2 vehicles to choose from.

Did you happen to read the responses lol, after reading this it seems strange that the AU still takes crap on this forum : Here I thought I was the only one that would prefer the AU

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by Dauphin

Have a look at a T-series AU. They just seem so rare these days - I hardly ever see them on the road anymore.

For under $20k - it'll be high km's and an AU1 or pretty flogged AU2 IMO ...

[V3RSAC3]

Steal one of each, and see which you like best..