Good value second hand cars - COVID times, Falcon/Commodore tax - Page 13

Sprintey · 27-10-2023, 02:51 PM

Re: having another classic, I think I'm happy too. I wouldn't mind picking up one of the last VF Calais wagons as it is to me the classic 'Kingswood' or 'Premier' wagon of the future, with it's white stripes on the seats like the HJ GTS, and lots of chrome cos I like chrome the more the merrier. To drive them they are quite like the Kinga 202s - not the greatest amount of torque in the world, but really good paint, fit and build quality, simple (except sludging, timing chain), good looking and smooth and comfortable around town.

Other than that, covid saw the young one buy a 90's Disco and I've been enjoying the classic and traditional 4x4 zeitgeist vicariously through his exploits. Amazingly, it's more reliable than his mates' equivalent-age 4x4s and equally capable, so a healthy respect has developed for it. Yes you get leaks. The overall engineering is really well thought out.

smoo · 28-10-2023, 02:04 PM

Nice V8 Fairlane at a reasonable price.

**janddbone** · 28-10-2023, 04:25 PM

The old Disco will definitely be a future classic.

ToryMikey · 29-10-2023, 08:37 AM

Anyone else noticed a softening in E Series prices? Perhaps my dream of owning a manual EF XR8 would be achievable after all.

XD-XF? Forget it. Remember when nobody thought they would climb in value because they didn’t have chrome bumpers?

smoo · 29-10-2023, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToryMikey

Anyone else noticed a softening in E Series prices? Perhaps my dream of owning a manual EF XR8 would be achievable after all.

XD-XF? Forget it. Remember when nobody thought they would climb in value because they didn’t have chrome bumpers?

I’ve been keeping an eye on manual EF EL XRs and there doesn’t seem to be much movement at the top end of the market, but don’t think prices will fall much further for good examples?
This red XR8 has been on there for months. I might try and get there to see it in a few weeks.

As for other 1990s modern classic performance sedans, can only see the Mercedes E55 AMG as offering as good value. Some VS Clubsport and Senators are now around the $30k mark but manual and 5.7s are still expensive.

Citroënbender · 29-10-2023, 10:35 AM

Will that E-Class be from the era of self-digesting wire insulation?

smoo · 29-10-2023, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Will that E-Class be from the era of self-digesting wire insulation?

It didn’t affect the w210 E Class.
It was from when they brought out new engines in 1991 but (supposedly) fixed it by 1996.

Franco Cozzo · 29-10-2023, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

Nice V8 Fairlane at a reasonable price.

image

That's mint, I was chasing an AUII Fairlane Ghia or LTD before I bought my Caprice, it's the only good Ford LWB, the aside from the NC Fairlane and the AU, BA-BF LWB cars are junk compared to Holden offerings IMO.

NF/NL Fairlane and BA-BF Fairlane, they look like taxis, they just need to be yellow and the interior leaves a lot to be desired.

smoo · 29-10-2023, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

That's mint, I was chasing an AUII Fairlane Ghia or LTD before I bought my Caprice, it's the only good Ford LWB, the aside from the NC Fairlane and the AU, BA-BF LWB cars are junk compared to Holden offerings IMO.

They look like taxis, they just need to be yellow.

I’m pretty tempted to go and see that Fairlane but it will be too long for my garage.
But I think that is the right combo for an AU LWB, colour, year and engine. I’d prob put it on standard Fairlane dish wheels.

Not a fan of the DF/L LTDs?
I like them with the premium sound and chrome wheels.
Always wondered why the Fairlane got the povo spec stereo while the EL Fairmont Ghia had the same as the LTD.

**janddbone** · 29-10-2023, 02:52 PM

That was nearly always the case. Fairmont / Fairlane were equivelant roughly and Fairmont Ghia / LTD.

**DFB FGXR6** · 29-10-2023, 06:02 PM

1999 LTD with just under 100,000 km on the clock. Big money though, I guess that's why its been up for sale for a while..........

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...3254097/?Cr=14

1998 LTD with only 80,000km, again, big ask for such an old car.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...0573511/?Cr=50

This BA looks decent, 62,000 km on the clock. Nice colour, but shame about the incorrect wheels.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...2336014/?Cr=28

**mad2** · 29-10-2023, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

1999 LTD with just under 100,000 km on the clock. Big money though, I guess that's why its been up for sale for a while..........

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...3254097/?Cr=14

1998 LTD with only 80,000km, again, big ask for such an old car.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...0573511/?Cr=50

This BA looks decent, 62,000 km on the clock. Nice colour, but shame about the incorrect wheels.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...2336014/?Cr=28

the BA also has the wrong grille as from what i've seen it's a LTD one.

then there's this

AU1

**DFB FGXR6** · 29-10-2023, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad2

the BA also has the wrong grille as from what i've seen it's a LTD one.

then there's this

AU1

Seems to be quite common for BA Fairlane's to fitted with LTD grills. Not sure why, perhaps they have a front ender and only LTD grills are still available?

**FairmontGS** · 29-10-2023, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

This BA looks decent, 62,000 km on the clock. Nice colour, but shame about the incorrect wheels.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...2336014/?Cr=28

Ban stick for putting up click-bait missing 2 cylinders...

smoo · 29-10-2023, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janddbone

That was nearly always the case. Fairmont / Fairlane were equivelant roughly and Fairmont Ghia / LTD.

Oh yes make sense, they must’ve done away with it on the AU and B series as I can’t recall seeing a Fairlane with cloth since the NL?
I think all AU Fairlanes were badged Ghia (badges on the door cards that often fall off, lol).

**janddbone** · 29-10-2023, 07:10 PM

That BA is absolutely not genuine kays etc.

anobserver · 29-10-2023, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

This BA looks decent, 62,000 km on the clock. Nice colour, but shame about the incorrect wheels.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...2336014/?Cr=28

Joining the pile-on, why did a low mileage car need a trans rebuild? Did it spend 62000ks towing a horse float?

Thats surely not a 6x4 hitch out the back. Was looking for the trailer brakes, but cant see a controller unit.

**DFB FGXR6** · 29-10-2023, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anobserver

Joining the pile-on, why did a low mileage car need a trans rebuild? Did it spend 62000ks towing a horse float?

Thats surely not a 6x4 hitch out the back. Was looking for the trailer brakes, but cant see a controller unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by janddbone

That BA is absolutely not genuine kays etc.

This could be why I don't like buying second hand cars, clearly I have no idea what I'm looking at.

smoo · 09-11-2023, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Will that E-Class be from the era of self-digesting wire insulation?

The answer I gave you was partly wrong, the R129 SL came out in 1989 not 1991 with new effected engines m104 6 cylinder and m119 V8.
I looked at a 1991 600SEL V12 yesterday, and what I could see of the loom had the insulation cracking, would probably flake away if disturbed.
Didn’t buy, seller wanted $16k and it was a neglected POS.

E34 M5 auction finished today for a good price. The buyer will be stoked.
Cheapest one on car sales is $50k while another has been on there for at least a year pushing 6 figure asking price.
Another reality check.

Citroënbender · 09-11-2023, 09:20 PM

That closing price bodes ill for my E46 snotbox.

Franco Cozzo · 09-11-2023, 09:30 PM

I've seen the wiring loom problem on an SL500 - came into my workshop for dramas, all the sensor wiring the insulation cracked and they were shorting on each other everywhere, the whole engine loom was toasted with it in various stages of decay.

At the time there was no easy source for an SL500 engine loom either and the car was an economic write off.

smoo · 09-11-2023, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I've seen the wiring loom problem on an SL500 - came into my workshop for dramas, all the sensor wiring the insulation cracked and they were shorting on each other everywhere, the whole engine loom was toasted with it in various stages of decay.

At the time there was no easy source for an SL500 engine loom either and the car was an economic write off.

There’s a couple of places in Europe that refurb them but if the plugs are still good can’t they be done locally or by a capable diy owner with some patience?

https://r129.co/products/mercedes-ex...l600-m120.html

Franco Cozzo · 09-11-2023, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

There’s a couple of places in Europe that refurb them but if the plugs are still good can’t they be done locally or by a capable diy owner with some patience?

https://r129.co/products/mercedes-ex...l600-m120.html

Sure can be done locally, if you're willing to pay what it costs in labour

Dr Terry · 10-11-2023, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I've seen the wiring loom problem on an SL500 - came into my workshop for dramas, all the sensor wiring the insulation cracked and they were shorting on each other everywhere, the whole engine loom was toasted with it in various stages of decay.

At the time there was no easy source for an SL500 engine loom either and the car was an economic write off.

It's called 'bio-degradable wiring' ! Commonplace in Euro cars of the 90s & 2000s.

Dr Terry

smoo · 10-11-2023, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Sure can be done locally, if you're willing to pay what it costs in labour

Yeah makes sense.
Had an S500 around 8 years ago bought from original owner. It had two looms in his ownership. One to replace the original around 2010, another a couple years later to fix a misfire that was misdiagnosed at the dealer. The cause was one of the distributor caps. MB prob still had stock back then.

**fordomatic** · 10-11-2023, 08:53 PM

I've been watching B series GT's absolutely plummet in price. Cars that were selling for mid 40's during COVID are now sitting unsold for under 30k. I've seen two very good looking manual BF GT's with under 120km this week, advertised for 25k quick sale.

BF GT is my favourite looking Ford ever made, if they keep going down, it'd be hard for me not to buy one.

**Rallye Sport** · 10-11-2023, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordomatic

I've been watching B series GT's absolutely plummet in price. Cars that were selling for mid 40's during COVID are now sitting unsold for under 30k. I've seen two very good looking manual BF GT's with under 120km this week, advertised for 25k quick sale.

BF GT is my favourite looking Ford ever made, if they keep going down, it'd be hard for me not to buy one.

Funny you mention the B series GT's I've been seeing alot of them out lately, both in traffic and on Sunday cruises.
I still keep an eye out for Force 8's, would jump on one if I could find one, even if another toy is a bit unrealistic with my daily FG getting a bit long in the tooth.
Definitely a model I'd go out of my way to own though.

Sprintey · 10-11-2023, 10:37 PM

Loved those F6 Typhoons of BF vintage when new, cheers for mentioning that, just went and had a look. Agree on it's looks - keep coming back to BF, good memories from having XR6s as work cars then too.

**Polyal** · 12-11-2023, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordomatic

I've been watching B series GT's absolutely plummet in price. Cars that were selling for mid 40's during COVID are now sitting unsold for under 30k. I've seen two very good looking manual BF GT's with under 120km this week, advertised for 25k quick sale.

BF GT is my favourite looking Ford ever made, if they keep going down, it'd be hard for me not to buy one.

$25k! Jeez that is crazy, any links?

There is an Octane BF GT, manual, 120km for $35k that I thought was a good deal but it appears not!

**fordomatic** · 12-11-2023, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

$25k! Jeez that is crazy, any links?

There is an Octane BF GT, manual, 120km for $35k that I thought was a good deal but it appears not!

Both sold real quick, they don’t hang around long. One was a yellow BF GT manual, just got to be quick. The cheap ones are always advertised on Facebook and the FPV pages generally. FG F6 went up on Friday for 32k with only 70,000km, that went quick too.

Also noticed heaps of quick sale cars coming out of WA. Not necessarily just Fords, just nice cars going cheap for a quick no fuss sale.