Best All-Round AU?

Mr Hardware · 02-05-2010, 10:03 PM

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 · 02-05-2010, 10:09 PM

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 · 02-05-2010, 10:22 PM

Fairmont Ghia V8 dual fuel

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

InfernoSR · 02-05-2010, 10:33 PM

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 · 02-05-2010, 10:42 PM

i thought all AU's were IRS

**Peuty** · 02-05-2010, 10:43 PM

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.

TheInterceptor · 02-05-2010, 10:44 PM

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.

InfernoSR · 02-05-2010, 10:46 PM

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** · 02-05-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

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?

Cam · 02-05-2010, 11:18 PM

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!

JC · 02-05-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

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).

FGX335 · 03-05-2010, 12:52 AM

Quote:

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 · 03-05-2010, 09:13 AM

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** · 03-05-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

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.

**DJM83** · 03-05-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

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.

Mr Hardware · 03-05-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

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 · 03-05-2010, 10:11 AM

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 · 03-05-2010, 10:27 AM

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

**DJM83** · 03-05-2010, 10:29 AM

AU's are rubbish anyway

broken_suave · 03-05-2010, 10:36 AM

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 · 03-05-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

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

FGX335 · 03-05-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

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** · 03-05-2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

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

sd1800 · 03-05-2010, 02:03 PM

I love how certain people here are avoiding the IRS even though it has been hailed as the best rear end suspension system on any falcon to date.

Who cares if you need to do shock mounts every 100k. It's not that big a issue considering it's far superior in nearly every way to live axle.

RG · 03-05-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd1800

I love how certain people here are avoiding the IRS even though it has been hailed as the best rear end suspension system on any falcon to date.

Who cares if you need to do shock mounts every 100k. It's not that big a issue considering it's far superior in nearly every way to live axle.

Agreed. Considering you really should be doing shocks at 100k or so it really isn't that much more of a task to replace the mounts at the same time.

InfernoSR · 03-05-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Also, where are you getting the A from?

Keyboard?

smoo · 03-05-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd1800

Who cares if you need to do shock mounts every 100k. It's not that big a issue considering it's far superior in nearly every way to live axle.

Unless you want to put some weight on it. It does good on comfort, handling is a null point cos shes still a flimsy AU at the end of the day.

As for me, Fairmont wagon with the windsor.

RG · 03-05-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

Unless you want to put some weight on it. It does good on comfort, handling is a null point cos shes still a flimsy AU at the end of the day.

As for me, Fairmont wagon with the windsor.

What?

Seriously have you ever even driven an AU with IRS?

**DJM83** · 03-05-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

Unless you want to put some weight on it. It does good on comfort, handling is a null point cos shes still a flimsy AU at the end of the day.

As for me, Fairmont wagon with the windsor.

Go and have a drive an in IRS equipped AU, much better then live axle. I gather you have never driven one.

BEST IRS EVER

BIGJB · 03-05-2010, 06:51 PM

I have to agree AU IRS is awesome. In fact it is one of the main reasons I love AU's.