The Best Falcon model

[Ben]

A manual v8 or turbo one.

But out of the XB,XD and AU v8 falcons the AU was most comfortable and had the least amount of issues in a much longer time. Biggest let down was wanting to mod the AU's 220 Windsor engine. I can understand people not liking the looks I always liked them with the right wheels and bodykit. First time I saw one at Bathurst in pitlane I wanted one.

Thinking about buying a turbo car next not sure if it will be a falcon, chaser or R34. Would not sell the AU.

Would love to drive a modded FG F6 and some of the sc late v8's.

[Bossxr8]

Too many good ones to mention.

But if I was given the choice of what earlier model I would want as a good weekend cruiser, I would choose a charcoal black XE ESP 351. With grey interior, not that awful tango fox orange interior. Always wanted one, but out of my price range. I'd take a Phase 3 as well but could never afford one, and they are more agricultural than an XE, without the luxuries like ac, power windows, power steering etc. Plus coil spring rear, 4 wheel discs.

[FTE217]

Too hard to pick one as best for me as well.
We love them depending model and year, worse when you were young couldn't afford the one you really wanted.
In order from late teens for me :
XB/C coupes !
XE ESP's
EB GT
AU TE/TS 50's
Force 8's
F6 310
RSpec
Sprints 6/8's

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Best at what?



Hard to compare cars from different era's, you seem to have a few distinct groups IMO, XL-XP, XR-XC, XD-XF, E Series, A Series, B and F Series. Even then you could part out XR-XY perhaps.

No need to have "bests", so many good examples but even the best have flaws.

Agreed on all points.

I think you should look at best from each evolution, so as you say XL-XP, XR-XY, XA-XC, XD-XF, E series, A series, B series, and F series.

Personally I don't know enough about the XL-XP series so I couldn't pick a best.
XR-XY, for me its the XW, much better looking grill styling.
XA-XC, XB hands down, just looked finished but without the big overdone bumpers.
XD-XF, V8 option aside, XF was lightyears ahead in every other area.
E-series, Late EL with the hybrid 4.0l but it'd have to be in XR or Fairmont guise, cant stand that hole in the front of the Gli/Futura.
A series, S3 high or performance spec.
B series, BF2, much better front styling from the XT.
F series, FGX in any form.

So that narrows it down to XW, XB, XF, EL, AU, BF and FGX personally and from that lot for the reasons I mentioned previously im still picking AU.

[MercuryT]

Saw that nice AU XR8 again my way this arvo.

Shape not my thing (as I've stated) but it's in perfect nick. Sounds really nice too.

Will try and get a photo next time. Hardly any around these days.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Ben

Would love to drive a modded FG F6 and some of the sc late v8's.

I've driven a modded F6 as a dealer had one (I couldn't afford it but wanted to drive it).

Was fast as......but lacked something? The novelty wore off quick as my BA turbo was quick too (not close to F6 obviously) - never driven a SC V8 but i suspect has much more character.

[El Venom]

For me it's el

[roKWiz]

I'm bias,
I love my 93' XF bog stock panel van.
I like that its the last of the carby big six crossfows and the simplicity of it.
I can carry big stuff in the back, sleep over night in it and cruise all day with the comfy bench seat, great touring car.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I'm bias,
I love my 93' XF bog stock panel van.
I like that its the last of the carby big six crossfows and the simplicity of it.
I can carry big stuff in the back, sleep over night in it and cruise all day with the comfy bench seat, great touring car.

Awesome mate.

[ozpacman]

XT GT in Zircon Green!

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

As in don't rate newer models at all?

No not really,

I’ve had plenty of them up as far as FG and they don’t excite at all

They’re reliable transport, no question but put them in a rear wheel drive Camry type basket

[MoreHPformyXR6]

I have only ever owned 2 x Falcons BA Mk II XR6 & FGX XR6 and still have both.

My first 4 cars were Holden's.

1) HQ 308 GTS 4 Door
2) LJ GTR
3) VH poverty pack
4) VH SL/E 4.2L (still one of my favourite cars I've owned that and my 240Z with a 260Z engine that was fun through the twistys)

I've owned about a dozen cars I suppose.

My 2005 BA MkII XR6 was my first Ford and I purchased in new and I've been Blueoval man ever since. Ford Falcons/ F-Series and Mustangs I can't express in words how much I love them all. From memory Ford won Bathurst in 2005 the first time in a bit from memory. My switch over to the darkside (and I love it) must have been a lucky charm. rofl

When I was younger my good mate had an XF Fairmont Ghia and I loved those things.

My B series has been such a great car and I love them. They still look great today and they introduced us to the Barra. What an I6 that is.

But on looks alone I'd have to say my favourite is the FGX (the rear taillights are sex on wheels) the slight change in the boot lip shape vs FG is subtle but sexy and they look even better in person than they do in photo's.

Got to give an honorable mention to the XA to XC 351 done right there tough and pure muscle. Tubbed in the rear, skinny's upfront the correct stance together with a highly modified engine and a roller cam and that's motoring music right there.

[BENT_8]

Skaife and Toddler won the 05 race, 06 was the Falcon with a very emotional Lowndes after the passing of Brock and co driven by Jdub.

[oldel]

I still love the xp coupe and wagon. Never owned one but I love the design and had a mate with the xp coupe so I have driven one and ridden in one for a while. Beware the shift pattern on the 3spd r-1 then 2-3

XW ute, timeless classic. It's basically the 2nd gen ranchero but improved.

AU was well built but should have a b series look on launch, so it's shame. If the AU was more normal in looks like the BA ended up being then 1999 would have been the best year falcon as looks are very important in a car. But the AU was all oval ovals ovals and also under braked despite everything else being so good. The later b series was designed and made like a hulk toddler ( ^sorry, couldn't resist ^) had to smash them together on the assembly line, and it shows.

[mick taylor]

Best Falcon model, well XR on to XY Ford came into a era of something one would want to drive with the V8's.
Sure the XK to XP were good in the day and the XP finished that off well with a 3sp auto Fairmont.
Then come the XA to XC well now we were flash XA GT was king of them, XB and XC looked good.
Then come the XD to XF just transport, maybe a ESP is nice.
EA on good performing engines now.
Is What impressed me with all such cars.

[MustangNicko]

Best looking?

FG MK2 GT
EL XR (with kit)
XP Coupe

[MercuryT]

Nah FG (any model) is not close to best looking. Ok from front I guess. Each to their own.

With mods came up ok

[burnz]

XP ute 221 3sp column, bench seat..

[kypez]

XB Hardtop
FG GTF (maybe a little biased here)
B Series GT/XR8 (and here too)

[CyberWasp]

I am sorry if this ill attempt of humor has been posted before in a previous thread.

[Burnout]

Mmmmm! Been thinking about this.
First car; '54 Mailine ute. (Great car, not a Falcon).
So, Me RTV is pretty good.
So is the 50th G6ET.
I had an XE ESP 5.8, got it new. Would go very, very close.
My pick is an XWGT, Silver Fox.

[Sar4890]

Like all you other blokes I'm struggling to pick the best Falcon or variant of all time as there were so many great cars made. Im going to pick an XM Futura coupe stock as a rock. A timeless shape that looks as good today as it ever did.

[DFB FGXR6]

I love all Falcon's, they were a basic car that came in many different flavors over the years to suit Australian needs and wants.

I love the AU, I was in my teens when they were new and, like me, the AU Falcon was the underdog so I had this subconscious affection for them.

But I think the BA Falcon was the best. Despite some build quality and durability (diff bush) issues, I can remember the excitement that surrounded the lead up to and launch of the BA. In fact the whole brand benefited from the popularity of the BA Falcon. Combining new power trains, aggressive styling/colours, a strong V8 Supercar program and a wide variety of options makes it a definite high point for Falcon, and Ford as a brand in Australia.

[MercuryT]

I've only had a BA (nearly a decade) so I can't really compare models.

There's a bloke down the road who buys Fords in very poor nick and restores them and sells off for profit - does it from home and runs it as his job. (bit dodgy I know but good luck to him).

He knows his stuff......he has just finished a Cortina but usually they are old Falcons. I'll take a pic of his next one.

[.:4:.]

The bloke at the end of my street buys crap cars that werent insured but crashed, so not technically written of. Dodgeys them up, blue slips them and sells them. There often are arguments with him and people who buy the aketchy cars.
Back on topic. I do like the shape of the e series, the 4 eyed e series xr6/8 are in my book good looking cars. Same as the xg and xh xr utes. But my favourite, not because i own one, its part of the reason i bought it. The bf mark 2 fairmont ghia. I love the shape of the b series, but the mark 2 bf ghia, ford hit the nail on the head with the passive aggressive lower bodykit and i prefer them with no spoiler. Semi classy up top but look the business down low. Thats my opinion purely on looks. I still have the bf, had it for a decade. The only other falcon ive had was a series 2 fg and it wasnt a bad car or a bad looking car at all, i just like the bf more. Neither had anything more then service items.

[Franco Cozzo]

While the BA was a huge leap in terms of powertrain technology, the cars themselves seem very fragile, aside from the Barra.

Chopping out suspension, brake shudder, ball joint failures, door locks, HIM and heater shaft failures, ICC issues etc.

They're not as hardy as other previous Falcons.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

While the BA was a huge leap in terms of powertrain technology, the cars themselves seem very fragile, aside from the Barra.

Chopping out suspension, brake shudder, ball joint failures, door locks, HIM and heater shaft failures, ICC issues etc.

They're not as hardy as other previous Falcons.

You would be quite right there.

Only reason I sold.mine as the car literally fell apart. I had all those, electic windows needing to lift with hand, seatbelts broken, door actuators fmd they nearly did me in. Fix then blows in 5 minutes.

Plus the coils were never any good. I had about 8 Sets, 1 per year and I've never had a car with those issues before.

Barra Turbo ran as strong as new at 300K. Still fast as and no leaks EVER. Absolutely supurb engine other than the thirst but you can't have everything.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Reliability - AU2 / AU3. Bog stock fortes are excellent cars still today! Cheap to repair and economical to run! They also have the best headlights out of any Falcon Ive ever owned.

Best styling and overall probably the FGX. Reliability is questionable tho.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

While the BA was a huge leap in terms of powertrain technology, the cars themselves seem very fragile, aside from the Barra.

Chopping out suspension, brake shudder, ball joint failures, door locks, HIM and heater shaft failures, ICC issues etc.

They're not as hardy as other previous Falcons.

The barra was stout as its just effectively an evolution of years of knowing what works. I suspect most the design flaws with suspension etc might have something to do with ford australias smaller market and attempting to keep things affordable to the limited people they sold to. So trying to keep up with the bigger brands with world wide consumers so us in australia and new zealand still buy local, yet other brands, say toyota had bigger budgets for global platforms, ford aus didnt. As a global entity, yeah ford can splash all the cash for global r&d on platforms that will sell millions of units, but financially theres no reason to waste money on 2 small markets. Hence why theyre pushing cars that arent designed for our country, well, cars i dont really get excited about bar maybe the mustang, but its only got 2 doors, on us. I had a ranger, yeah it did its job well, but i wouldnt consider it exciting to drive. It was a utility, and it uted well. I dont need the high seating position of an suv, dont need the off road capability of a 4x4. I prefer the rwd sedan life. A bit of fun when the fuzz isnt in the rear view mirror.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Reliability - AU2 / AU3. Bog stock fortes are excellent cars still today! Cheap to repair and economical to run! They also have the best headlights out of any Falcon Ive ever owned.

Best styling and overall probably the FGX. Reliability is questionable tho.

I live the FGX from the front, side good, back I don't rate at all.

Just looks all squished up and wrong.....but that's just my opinion.

AU must have been a brilliant car. Lots of votes in this thread.