Best All-Round AU?

[Mr Hardware]

So the AU came in many flavours, and I'm after your opinion on what was the best all-rounder AU.
What i mean by all-rounder is most definitely a daily driver, and the best balance of setup vs cost. This most certainly isn't what was the 'best' AU.

For me the pinnacle of the AU range when it comes to sensibility and practicality would be the 2001/2002 AUIII E-Gas Futura Sedan, probably in Regency Red or Narooma? Blue with the black interior.

For me that would be the best. No bodykit to scrape, no IRS to play up, no VCT to drink the juice.

Which one is it for you?

[KR1STO]

i'm gonna say the Fairlane/Ltd..
full house options, like sitting on a couch..
quite great prices atm..
majority on gas..
they'll do the long trips perfectly and heaps of room for the shopping....

[GS608]

Fairmont Ghia V8 dual fuel

top of the line, comes with everything, v8 power and sound and cheap to run

[JC]

Originally Posted by XR-CHIEF

Fairmont Ghia V8 dual fuel

top of the line, comes with everything, v8 power and sound and cheap to run

That, or Fairmont wagon V8 (dual fuel).

[InfernoSR]

i'm going to add my biased opinion, after owning 2 different types of AU's... AUII/III SR 5.0ltr... good power, great economy, high amount of mods available, affordable purchase price, slight rarity, all sorts of options available...

[Dreama]

i thought all AU's were IRS

[FGX335]

Originally Posted by Dreama

i thought all AU's were IRS

No, the Falcons dipped out, mostly.

They were an option, but it was hardly optioned.

Standard cars are:
Fairmont Ghia
Fairlane Ghia
LTD
XR6 VCT

Basically, any car with the Intech VCT engine got it standard. If it got the V8, it still had it in these models.

[V8falcons]

Ive had 3 AU's a Au2 vct xr6 ute,Au2 vct ghia(to be honest the VCT didnt do alot for me) and my SR wagon, Id have to vote an AU2/3 SR wagon 4ltr on gas.

Great for work,family and a play and It tows my trailers and cars with ease,and is very good on gas. And handles well with the firm SR suspension.

cheers

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by jsarchibald

No, the Falcons dipped out, mostly.

They were an option, but it was hardly optioned.

Standard cars are:
Fairmont Ghia
Fairlane Ghia
LTD
XR6 VCT

Basically, any car with the Intech VCT engine got it standard. If it got the V8, it still had it in these models.

Incorrect a Fairmont V8 had live axel.

[FGX335]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Incorrect a Fairmont V8 had live axel.

You mean the Ghia? I never said just the Fairmonts. I had an AU Fairlane Ghia, and that had IRS.

Also forgot to mention, no utes or wagons had it either.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but just thought I'd try to give some clarity to the cars that have it. Cheers.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by jsarchibald

You mean the Ghia? I never said just the Fairmonts. I had an AU Fairlane Ghia, and that had IRS.

Also forgot to mention, no utes or wagons had it either.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but just thought I'd try to give some clarity to the cars that have it. Cheers.

Yes V8 Fairmont Ghia is IRS
V8 Fairmont is live axle
Yes all LWB AU's have IRS IE Fairlane, Fairlane Ghia and LTD

[Peuty]

So basically the thread title should be - "Justify why you think your car is good".

I'm going to say the best one is an AU2 XR8 220 manual in Narooma with a Rebel rear bar and 19 inch ANZ Tazer wheels.

EDIT -

I forgot to mention that it is only good if it lowered beyond practicality and does a good skid.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Peuty

So basically the thread title should be - "Justify why you think your car is good".

I'm going to say the best one is an AU2 XR8 220 manual in Narooma with a Rebel rear bar and 19 inch ANZ Tazer wheels.

EDIT -

I forgot to mention that it is only good if it lowered beyond practicality and does a good skid.

Pffft they are a : Guess its blue thats a start.

[TheInterceptor]

S2/3 Fairmont wagon on lpg/dual fuel

Looks the goods with enough power to haul a ton of stuff in the rear without breakin a sweat, leaf sprung with no IRS.

Also makes long trips a breeze when packed full with 5 people plus a cat n dog and the boot filled to the roof.

[T3man]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

S2/3 Fairmont wagon on lpg/dual fuel

Looks the goods with enough power to haul a ton of stuff in the rear without breakin a sweat, leaf sprung with no IRS.

Also makes long trips a breeze when packed full with 5 people plus a cat n dog and the boot filled to the roof.

Give this man a cigar!

To fit the criteria as stated in opening post this is undisputably the correct answer ... and that pertains to the standard car. Take one and add some nice enhancements (suspension, exhaust, premo brakes under XR8 17"rims, 3.7 diff) and for a pretty modest cost and you can get a very versatile family/work hack combined with the little niceties of the Fairmont interior, and a great handling vehicle that surprises!! Oh and did I mention SO CHEAP to run - I can get 500km from 70l of LPG and another 700km from 70l of ULP - great for those long weekend drives.

[InfernoSR]

lol@peauty... you have a very good point... we are all basically going on about why your own car is good for you...

each to their own... i thought a dual fuel fairmont wagon be a fair contender for a good all rounder...

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by InfernoSR

lol@peauty... you have a very good point... we are all basically going on about why your own car is good for you...

Exactly.

Also, where are you getting the A from?

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by Peuty

Also, where are you getting the A from?

Keyboard?

[Cam]

I agree with Dan, but...

I vote a SII / III AU fairmont / GHIA in 5L. All the luxury in the world, and some power to boot, but then its missing a manual and decent brakes and suspension, so the XR8, but its missing the fairmont interior, so instead the TS50, but that costs a fortune....
So, I vote the AU wins!

[Mr Hardware]

So basically the thread title should be - "Justify why you think your car is good".

Sigh, yes. I was hoping most people would choose something other than what they have.

V8 Dual Fuel Fairmont Wagon is a pretty good one though.

[RG]

AUII XR8 220.......


In white, with the Tickford Kit, Premo sound, Premo brakes, sunroof, Momo gear and a bloody manual. Brilliant.

Hopefully early next year one of those will be sitting in my driveway.

[Bushbasher]

I agree with the Fairmont wagon but I'd lean towards a factory dual fuel I6 for the fully integrated LPG system and cheaper running and maintenance costs on consumables and parts. The extra few KWs' and torque of the V8 can just about be got back with a decent exhaust system and tune and for me is outweighed by the extra rego/insurance costs (depending on what state you are in) plus extra fuel consumption.

I'd love to have the creature comforts and options of my Fairlane in our wagon; pity there was never a Fairlane wagon......... but then again, maybe not. I saw a wagon the other day with a full AU LTD front clip that got me all excited for a moment but then I had a good look at it and it just didn't look quite right, the front was just too bulky and square for the wagon body. Maybe if it was a little longer again to get the rear leg room back it would look better proportioned, but then that would cause it's own problems......... no, forget it , sorry, I'm rambling.............. as you were, lol.


Bushbasher

[RG]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Sigh, yes. I was hoping most people would choose something other than what they have.

Just thinking about this comment, why would they?

They bought their car and it was obviously because that was the car that best suited their particular needs, therefore to them it would actually be the best one.

[JC]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Sigh, yes. I was hoping most people would choose something other than what they have.

V8 Dual Fuel Fairmont Wagon is a pretty good one though.

You know how they say 3 out of 4 ain't bad? I just found an AU V8 Fairmont wagon that I may be taking a look at in the not too distant future. Might even strip the gas off the sedan ready to fit it to the wagon if I buy the wagon (it's 50/50 at the moment - funds being a major factor).

[DJM83]

AU's are rubbish anyway

[broken_suave]

I'm going to say a Series II/III Falcon SR, preferably in meteorite. If I had to buy another one (my Futura dies/crashes/is stolen/etc) Thats what I'd be looking for. Preferably not on gas, as I'd be doing a few N/A mods, and would prefer a purely petrol system.

Second would be a Series II/III Fairmont Wagon on gas, maybe dressed in Congo Green with series I Tickford 17's.

And finally third would be a Series II/III Fairlane Ghia on gas, dressed in two tone Barossa Red, with meteorite (or other dark metalic grey) lower half. Azzuros and small, simple non-intercooled turbo setup.

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by broken_suave

And finally third would be a Series II/III Fairlane Ghia on gas, dressed in two tone Barossa Red, with meteorite (or other dark metalic grey) lower half. Azzuros and small, simple non-intercooled turbo setup.

You've pretty much described my Sportsman except for the hair dryer and top half colour.


Bushbasher

[samftr]

The TS50 handles quite well, a lot better then some smaller vehicles thats for sure.

[XR6_4EVA]

Best allrounder, the AU series 3 XR6 VCT ST run out limited model that was released, good power, good economy when driven nicely, great wheels and body kit, nice interior, a car you dont have to do much to to make it look great or perform well.

[LukeyST]

Originally Posted by XR6_4EVA

Best allrounder, the AU series 3 XR6 VCT ST run out limited model that was released, good power, good economy when driven nicely, great wheels and body kit, nice interior, a car you dont have to do much to to make it look great or perform well.

I'll 2nd this!

- Looks the part with the T series wheels and the ford racing body kit (i think that's what its referred to as).
- With the VCT engine its quick for an NA 6.
- Handles great with the IRS, the 18" wheels would make a difference in this department aswell.
- Interior is awesome with leather everything (and i've had plenty of people comment on how comfortable the leather seats are).
- Economy very good for supposedly thirsty VCT engine (i average 11L/100km, good mix of in town and country driving).

To me the handling is the best aspect by far!! (and so much fun with the manual tranny).