Any Advantage??

[MAD]

We're currently looking at buying an EL fairmont ghia, and there's not a whole lot of em out there and so far the ones that we've looked at have been average to shithouse, so now we're looking at extending our options...
So what I want to know is.... apart from age, is there any real benefit to buying an EL over an EF or EFII? Apart from the coil packs were there any other changes to the mechanicals?
Are there any issues with either car I should know about?
Oh and what should I be paying for a real good one? eg. leather in tact, no sratches/dents on the exterior, etc etc.

Thanks.
Paul.

[b2tf]

Paul,

EL got a bit of a suspension upgrade over EF (EF Series II did get one too but EL went even further in what it changed and how it worked), and generally an EL is, IMHO, the most refined of the entire E Series range. Whilst if you were to look at an EFII Ghia and then an EL one they would be very similar physically (i.e. same layout, body shape, panels, interior etc), there is a bit of difference under the skin. EL ran a dizzy which is actually a bit of a backward step if anything, but its no big deal, and with a later model EL you may possibly end up actually getting one with a hybrid EL/AU motor, which is a little stronger than your average EF motor, although that said they will take a lot of punishment too.

EL's will be worth more due to age, and they just have a few finishing touches over the EF and EFII which make them a more desirable car IMHO.

Expect to pay up to about $13-15k for a really top shelf example of an EL Ghia, thats what they go for up here anyway.

[MO]

Madxf;I don't know too much about the models you speak of ....except that their lights were not much good around town..ie they did'nt show to much..but on the open road were'nt to bad but not real flash.

[LTDHO]

Paul,

My mate wanted an EL. He said he wouldn't buy anything else. He wanted to upgrade from EB.

I ended up setting him up with a EFII. Other than the front they are practically identical.

Also you might be able to get an EF 5.0 ;)

[347Stroker]

EL has laminated sump in Ghia trim, reduces noise in cabin, EL Ghia gets Tickford head on I6, has relocated and different length upper control arms out back, different spring rates and valving, different pin height for watts link, effectively lowering the rear roll centre of the car, better seating position, colour coded dash, all in mako grey, better fabric options. Just a better car overall.
Ditch the EFI EFII idea, and hunt out an ELII Ghia, either I6 or 8

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by 347stroker

.. all in mako grey, better fabric options.

Not quite right, mine is the fawn colour dash & carpets as well as fawn leather seats.

[LTDHO]

347 Stroker is discribing the ELII by the look of it.
EFII is similar to ELI

[FRDXR6]

Originally Posted by 347stroker

Ditch the EFI EFII idea, and hunt out an ELII Ghia, either I6 or 8

I dont think theres such thing as an EL2 Chia, im fairly sure the only EL to recieve EL2 classification were the EL2 XR8 with 185kw. The gli, futura, fairmont etc were all just classified as EL's throughout their production.

[b2tf]

I'm pretty sure there is an EL Series II however the XR8 was one of the models that benefitted most from it. Other than things lile Paint colours there wasnt much (if any) change made between EL Series I and II.

[#Russ#Es#]

There were models updated other than the XR8 in EL2. My friend had a EL2 XR6 with a AU1 XR motor from the factory (it was the XR HP, not the VCT).

[b2tf]

Russ thats true, but it was most likely more a hybrid engine unless it was literally one of the last EL's ever built. The very late EL's copped engines that were EL bottom ends but the rest was AU, or something like that.

There have been many comments on the "coil pack" engine, mostly negative.
However rather that look at specific models you should be looking for quality cars, never mind a year or two's difference, look for a low km's well serviced example of the car.

Regards Prof. Rabbit

Originally Posted by MADXF

We're currently looking at buying an EL fairmont ghia, and there's not a whole lot of em out there and so far the ones that we've looked at have been average to shithouse, so now we're looking at extending our options...
So what I want to know is.... apart from age, is there any real benefit to buying an EL over an EF or EFII? Apart from the coil packs were there any other changes to the mechanicals?
Are there any issues with either car I should know about?
Oh and what should I be paying for a real good one? eg. leather in tact, no sratches/dents on the exterior, etc etc.

Thanks.
Paul.

[Ghiadude]

i bought my tickford EL ghia its got the lot, light brown leather interior, xr6 engine,tickford suspension and bodykit with 77000kms in december for $14500 and that was from a car yard!!. you should be able to find one cheaper than that i tend to think i paid too much .

i must say its the best car ive ever known ! i cruise from wollongong to nthsydney for work every day... very comfy!

btw it looks exactly like this>http://www.fordforums.com.au/photos/...cat=627&page=1

[pauljh74]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

I'm pretty sure there is an EL Series II however the XR8 was one of the models that benefitted most from it. Other than things lile Paint colours there wasnt much (if any) change made between EL Series I and II.

Officially, there was no definitive EL2 - it was mainly around late 97 when the EL2 XR8 came out. My EL XR6 got a few extra accessories standard as it was built in may 98. So around Oct 97 onwards, some models got extra specs as standard - and that is largely all there is to the "series 2" upgrade, unless it's an XR8.

[PULLY6]

not enough sleep - ignore!

[Smoke Pursuit]

Id stretch it to an AU I Fairmont Ghia, much better car to drive plus they have got more balls with the VCT motor... You can pick these up for around $14,000.

ELs are alright, but they are a worn out model and those headlights are absolutely shocking... :

[Ghiadude]

au is a better package overall but i just dont like the dash for some reason... the rest is bewdiful!! specially with a set of 18s on it!