[ToryMikey]

I was just having a think about how far backwards the standard Australian family car has fallen since 2016.



1. Reasonable cost. The FGX Falcon cost $36,400 when new in 2016. The XR6 Sprint only cost $55k which is insane by current standards! A Recirculux auto costs $60k in SR5 diesel trim, that's not even counting crazy high prices for Rogue etc, and surely you can't consider the weedy 2.8 in the Hoylux a competitor for the turbo Barra.


2. Good power and torque outputs. A standard Barra 195, naturally aspirated, all stock in taxi spec, made 195 kW and 391 Nm of torque spread out all over the rev range. A base spec Recirculux only makes 110kW and 245 Nm! Yes, the 2.8 diesel makes some torque but you still have to put your foot down for it, compared to the relaxed driving style of the Falcon.


3. Fuel economy. Combined fuel consumption for the most popular Thailand Tractor is 10.9 L/100km! That's more than a Barra FG/FGX...heck it's even more than my XH Longreach gets! Yes, Recirculux has a claimed 7.8L/100km for the Diesel, but that fuel is 20% more expensive, and you're flogging the motor more to actually get anywhere due to the extra heft lugging around a useless 4x4 system.


4. Braking (and active safety in general). Drum brakes? Come on! Ford stopped offering that in the Falcon sedan in 1986. How "safe" can a car be if it takes ten more metres to come to a stop in an emergency?


5. Rear Suspension. The Falcon sedan had a Watts link in 1982...and all big sellers are making do with leaf spring or torsion beam rears.


6. Steering. Monocoque, double wishbone front suspension and rack and pinion steering has given way to ladder frames and archaic suspension and steering layouts.


7. Interior comfort and convenience. Try not to cut your fingers on the interior plastics of a Hilux or Ranger. Not to mention the lack of rear seat room.



Anything else that I'm forgetting here? Why the heck do we as consumers put up with this third world crap...and pay top dollar for it?