Talk me out of a BA - Page 2

Joshmcmillan · 16-07-2010, 06:27 PM

We have 2 BA's. Both VERY nice cars. They seem extremely refined. But all you'd have to do is test drive it and you'll see whether you think the same thing. Maybe test drive a low K's BA to compare to? I know ours you can easily notice the difference between our one with 65,000k's and the one with 137,000.

**DJM83** · 16-07-2010, 06:49 PM

Why post a thread like this in the AU area? Of course you will hear all praise for the AU and heap it on the BA, i wont voice my opinion as most will know the answer. But lets not turn this into which is better thanks

**Mont5.0** · 16-07-2010, 07:12 PM

Its a $3200.00 car. What more do you want for your money?

**Mechan1k** · 18-07-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

Its a $3200.00 car. What more do you want for your money?

Pretty much spot on there.

$3200 for a 7 year old vehicle is not bad really.
If the vehicle has been serviced regularly it shouldn't have too many dramas.

With high km cars though you will always get inherent problems due to this ... it just depends if you want to spend the $$$$ on getting this sorted or not.

I do miss some of the things from my old AU ... but now in a B-series .... there's a number of things though that I don't miss as well.

It's a natural progression as vehicles age ... you do end up upgrading as time goes on.

In the end ... it is up to you ... drive the vehicle and see if you like it or not ... and not just a short drive ... take it for a bit more of a drive if you can (shouldn't be an issue if it has high kays on it already surely). You yourself have to be happy with the vehicle. There's a few ex-AU owners that have gone to B-series now and seem quite happy with their purchases.

**Mont5.0** · 18-07-2010, 12:39 PM

Being over 6 foot, the only thing i like about my AU is space. Everything else seems so much more refined in the BA. Cant wait for my BF MKII in a couple of weeks.

**Mechan1k** · 18-07-2010, 12:40 PM

You upgrading again???
ute or sedan???

**Mont5.0** · 18-07-2010, 12:54 PM

wagon

**Mechan1k** · 18-07-2010, 01:12 PM

Going to mod it???
Turn it into a GHIA wagon like I am turning my ute into a GHIA ute :P
Petrol or LPG???

**Mont5.0** · 18-07-2010, 01:16 PM

Sent you a PM simon.

AMB · 20-07-2010, 07:10 PM

Hi there Mr Hardware, here's my 2 bobs worth.
If you really like your current AU, and the body's nice and straight and the interior is in good nick, then I'd spend the $3200 on getting a reco engine etc and keep it another 5 years. You know the auto etc is good.

GT0132 · 20-07-2010, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

No one can really speak for yourself regarding a purchase its your choice.

I really couldn't put myself in your shoes as I wouldn't even consider buying it Ba or not with 400k's no matter what been rebuilt.....

Agree with that...I wouldn't even buy it for my teenage son as a first car and I love the B series.....Many may not agree with me but I've been around awhile and owned a few cars and the ones that gave the most grief were the high milers....reliability factor = zero

smoo · 20-07-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT0132

Agree with that...I wouldn't even buy it for my teenage son as a first car and I love the B series.....Many may not agree with me but I've been around awhile and owned a few cars and the ones that gave the most grief were the high milers....reliability factor = zero

To counter that I'm on my fourth AU, combined mileage between them is nearly 1.7 million km, Ive done nearly 130k in them and only been let down by a split heater hose (my fault, lack of maintenance), O2 sensor in my old Fairlane and my current Fairmonts LCD display isn't working. Pretty good run I'd say.
At the end of the day an early BA is 8 years old, if mileage doesn't get the better of it time will. At 400k most major thing would hav been dealt to, some parts maybe coming up for round two. I believe the OP is a mechanic so no worries there.
For that price I'd rather a higher series privately owned AU personally.

**SSD-85** · 20-07-2010, 10:21 PM

Being an AU fan i am going to be a little partial to it. From my experience of driving a BA1 XT for at least a week:

The BA feels like an executive sort of car, not in a luxurious way. The SSS provides a lot of primitive thrills, but the BA definitely felt heavier to steer. Those chunky 15" steelies really did not help the cause and I found the steering wheel inappropriate for the XT model (having driven BA XR8s and GTs). Its a lot more sure-footed than the AU, but I found it far less engaging to drive. Which is naturally not the purpose of the models in question, but something I grew to enjoy about the AU.
Theres no doubt its a big, comfy and heavy car which makes it ideal for leisurely drives. I also found myself visiting the bowser more often in the BA too. I dont know how this would go for LPG, but given power outputs are identical I would say the BAs fat bum would make it more a guzzleslug in theory.

Plus like others have mentioned, the BA has greater potential for things to go wrong with it. Due to more sophisicated equipment. The AU is a simple car by modern standards, which has contributed to its virtual indestructiveness.

My 2c as requested, but in the end its up to what YOU would like and what makes YOU happy. After all, thats what car ownership is all about.

grandpa_spec_F6 · 20-07-2010, 10:23 PM

Mr Hardware?.... Mechanic?!....... *rolls around laughing*..... ask him why they 'really' let him work on cabs.... i'll give you a hint... he has small hands :P

**Mont5.0** · 21-07-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty85

Theres no doubt its a big, comfy and heavy car which makes it ideal for leisurely drives. I also found myself visiting the bowser more often in the BA too. I dont know how this would go for LPG, but given power outputs are identical I would say the BAs fat bum would make it more a guzzleslug in theory.

single Vs double OHC, 168kw Vs 184kwBarra, how are Power outputs identical?

Mr Hardware · 21-07-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpa_spec_au

Mr Hardware?.... Mechanic?!....... *rolls around laughing*..... ask him why they 'really' let him work on cabs.... i'll give you a hint... he has small hands :P

wow quitting the smokes has turned you into a grumposaurus

mont 5.0, i think he's read the egas figures. but at any rate, power to weight ratio difference between stock au and stock ba is approaching zero. and yes i would imagine like scotty said that they'd be more thirsty because of weight.

This thread has really helped me a lot actually, because it has confirmed my feelings of sitting on the fence.

**Mont5.0** · 21-07-2010, 02:01 PM

so whats the outcome mr hardware?

Mr Hardware · 21-07-2010, 02:07 PM

i'm gonna borrow it soonish. i shall report back, you guys'll be the first to know my experience & decision.

if the choice was up to mrs hardware and grandpa spec, i'd be staying in the AU for lyfe yo

PoweredByCNG · 21-07-2010, 04:31 PM

BA over the AU any day of the year.

Oh, and SVI over mixer any day of the year too!

**SSD-85** · 21-07-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

single Vs double OHC, 168kw Vs 184kwBarra, how are Power outputs identical?

We are talking LPG motors here. I am unsure of how the SVI works, it may put out the same as the Barra petrol, I just went off Fords factory unit.

AMB · 21-07-2010, 06:18 PM

No people, we are talking about a cheap $3200 BA with 400K on the clock, unknown history, possibly due for a lot of spending, versus a well maintained AUII with an engine that's getting a bit tired after 760K. If the BA looks really nice inside and out, then yes well worth spending the money on it.

**Mont5.0** · 21-07-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty85

We are talking LPG motors here. I am unsure of how the SVI works, it may put out the same as the Barra petrol, I just went off Fords factory unit.

Yep. Sorry my bad.

**DJM83** · 21-07-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoweredByCNG

BA over the AU any day of the year.

Oh, and SVI over mixer any day of the year too!

Yeah...... NOT, im not a sheep. This isnt the LPG forum either so if you wanna talk BBQ's go to the correct area.

PoweredByCNG · 21-07-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Yeah...... NOT, im not a sheep. This isnt the LPG forum either so if you wanna talk BBQ's go to the correct area.

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot that the world is all about you and nobody else...

04baford · 21-07-2010, 09:25 PM

i would buy it the ba is a much better car than the au. when you think about it some people are selling efs dearer than this .as said before if it is good inside and the body is ok. go for it .

diatribal08 · 21-07-2010, 10:04 PM

Hey if you like it go for it AU BA both Fords both awesome

grandpa_spec_F6 · 21-07-2010, 10:08 PM

Or just give the BA to Mrs Hardware, im sure she'd like it, then you can join me in being poor

**DJM83** · 22-07-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoweredByCNG

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot that the world is all about you and nobody else...

NO the world isnt about me at all, but im not going to have a which LPG is better thread, but thanks for your opinion

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04baford

i would buy it the ba is a much better car than the au.

Based on? Love to hear

PoweredByCNG · 22-07-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

NO the world isnt about me at all, but im not going to have a which LPG is better thread, but thanks for your opinion

The OP asked for opinions. I gave my opinion. If you don't like it then maybe you should reconsider your position as a moderator.

**Mechan1k** · 22-07-2010, 10:38 PM

In the end .... you NEED to drive it ... and it comes down to the feel of the drive of the vehicle.

There's going to be pluses and minuses in regards to looking at upgrading ... and I can tell you are well aware of that.

There's a number of die-hard AU fans that did eventually move on (myself and Taxi-Pak for instance). There's a few of us that can safely compare the 2 vehicle. But it also comes down to luck in the end. Some of us have had a few bad experiences ... others good.

I upgraded for reliability issues for my line of work ... and I can say I am happy with it. Sad to see the old girl go as well, but it was time she was retired from my sort of duties.

Stock EGAS for stock EGAS ... I can safely say the following:
AUII better economy (due to weight and aerodynamics differences) ... not much in it though .. 0.5-1L/100km approx on average.
BFII better pull ... everywhere ... even though it is heavier ... response is much different.
AUII is lighter (as mentioned)
BFII stock headlights are MUCH better than AUII (with driving lights) ... I know it too as you well know my previous setup.
Interior is borderline ... AUII seats were more snug ... BFII has a clean centre console that is very intuitive.
Handling is hard to tell as my AUII was lowered for a long time. But the BFII feels just as good stock as the AUII was lowered and modified.
BFII ... exterior looks comparing base models it's a winner here.
EDIT: BFII LPG senders actually work properly and are accurate ... surprise surprise.

That's my personal views on experience of both vehicles.

As i said ... drive it ... you make the decision in the end.

Looking forward to your actual views from you experience.