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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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#1 | ||
The only thing u'll see!!
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Brisbane QLD
Posts: 498
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Having been a taxi mechanic for a few years now, ive been very impressed with how well the falcon, especially the wagon have served as almost indestructible tanks, very well suited to the abuse shelled out by our (completely incompetent) taxi drivers. The falcon has it's issues, but a very robust chassis and suspension setup (on the wagon anyway) has served taxi owners very well.
However, no more wagons, and the rising fuel prices have forced a shift in vehicles being recruited for taxi duties. In my opinion, the biggest issue facing this industry is very few truly suitable vehicles that could possibly suit taxi use. These are some of my criteria: Suspension setups that won't collapse at sight of gutter or pothole, fords, fields, or anywhere else these idiots end up. Body work that can withstand (to a point) constant collisions with everything using the road or footpath, field etc. Interior that doesn't fall apart upon customer ripping and tearing, throwing up, hammering, stabbing etc. Mechanically strong, not oil leaking disaster like EA-EL. So what do you think, maybe a WW2 pantzer.
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My car has launch control, simply BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM then select D for maximum respect, it bushfires the s**t house everytime!!! |
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#2 | ||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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Falcon is and can still be used. That's what I see most of on the roads - even after the Avalon trials.
The wagon only gained momentum as taxi cabs from the AUs onwards. There were some EF/EL taxi wagons but they were few and far between. As most taxi wagons were AU-BF, then I can't see it being a major problem that there are no more wagons. Taxi operators can still use 2010 BFIII wagons for the next 6 years.
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Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#3 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: GEELONG
Posts: 7,946
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Quote:
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no longer have a ford but a ford man at heart R.I.P 98 EL MAY YOU HAVE A GOOD LIFE IN FALCON HEAVEN [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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#4 | ||
Boss 335
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,330
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What happened to the Avalons, Camrys and Magnas from about 4 years back? They all seemed to have just vanished into thin air.
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#5 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: GEELONG
Posts: 7,946
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Quote:
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no longer have a ford but a ford man at heart R.I.P 98 EL MAY YOU HAVE A GOOD LIFE IN FALCON HEAVEN [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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#6 | |||
Boss 335
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,330
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Quote:
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#7 | ||
B-Series Powered!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Northern Suburbs - Melbourne
Posts: 582
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If Holden ever wanted a grab at the taxi market, they'd shape up and take this chance. There needs to be taxi wagons, they just need to find a reliable vehicle.
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2003 BA Futura Pacemaker 4490's, 2.5" metal cat, 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust, hi-flow air filter, more to come! |
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#8 | ||||
Chasing a FORD project!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: adelaide
Posts: 5,114
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Quote:
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1996 BMW 740iL V8. TV, phone, leather, sunroof, satnav, all as standard. Now with 19" TSW Brooklands, 2 1/2" stainless steel exhaust, plus more coming soon. |
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#9 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: ...in the shed
Posts: 3,386
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hmm, looks like all the Falcon sedans have been replaced by Camrys and Prius up here (Gold Coast Cabs) Still see quite a few old BA mk 1 Wagons limping around but they're rare, most of the larger taxis are Hiace and Tarago, even a few Ssangyongs
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#10 | |||
GT4.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,218
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Quote:
They'd never have its reputation tarnished by pushing it to taxi fleets (one of the main reasons idiotic people baulk at Falcons is because of those clinking clanking squeaking shuddering farting rubbishheap old BA BF XT XR Futuraghiamont mutations with AU Forte hubcaps and dragging exhausts sliming round in phlegm yellow mica. Usually with one headlight and a primer coloured bumper that is hanging off.) Besides, there are so many private buyers flocking to the sportwagons that they'd nay need to. |
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#11 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: GEELONG
Posts: 7,946
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Quote:
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no longer have a ford but a ford man at heart R.I.P 98 EL MAY YOU HAVE A GOOD LIFE IN FALCON HEAVEN [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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#12 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 22,900
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Theres alot of Hybrid Camry's in Brisbane and V6 Aurions nowdays.. They are way more popular then FG's atm, I think yellow cabs must be getting a good deal on them for their own fleet, plus they are holding together pretty well.
It will be interesting to see what the Hybrid Camrys are like after 500,000 kms or 3 - 4 years. They will get mighty expensive.
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2022 RAM Laramie 5.7 2023.50 Ranger Wildtrak 3.0 V6 Premium Pack 2024 Everest Sport 3.0 V6 Touring Pack 2024.50 Mustang Darkhorse 6M Blue Ember + Appearance pack ETA Jan 25. |
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#13 | |||
Virtuous Bogan (TM)
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,559
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#14 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 589
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the toyota hybrid if it can last for the magical 1million K's. a few of the guys have prius's got a rebate from the govt for getting 'green' cars, they love em smaller fuel bill than a falcon, front pads last over twice as long better boot (more usable) and no ******** with warranty from the local dealer (i guess thats luck of the draw, but i chose to buy the parts my self instead of trusting the three ford dealers around my area so its saying something)
the current falcons are rubbish for taxi use, i do balljoints every second pad change. what i'd give to get the old ef again only major thing we did in the 6 years and 1.2milion K's was 2 pairs of rear shocks, one new converter, one radiator and one coil pack. when it came off dad through some new shocks on a dash mat and it was my first car, loved to rev that thing, a little bit of rattle at idle but it went to 5000 sweetly. still got a grand for it when i sold it. |
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#15 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 164
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Aurion
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#16 | |||||
Captain Malcolm Reynolds
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 3,830
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Currently: 2014 Mazda6 GT (Daily) and 1999 Mazda MX5 (Fun Car) Previously: 2001 Ford Escape XLT; 2010 MC Mondeo; 1984 FD LTD; 2001 AU2 Falcon Forte; 2005 LS Focus Zetec; 1988 RE Colt; 1982 RB Colt; 1974 KE20 Corolla Quote:
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#17 | ||
LIKE A BOSS 351
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 2,779
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There are only Ssangyong, Camry's and Prius's up here on the GC. I don't remember the last Falcon taxi I saw in QLD.
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#18 | ||
Cruising...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Perth
Posts: 3,819
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Next taxi?
By the way things are going.... Behold the Pedapod ![]()
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FBT '98 BA XT '04 F100 4x4 '82 Subaru Outback '02 |
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#19 | |||
Chasing a FORD project!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: adelaide
Posts: 5,114
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Msman I refuse to believe that in 1.2million klms no ball joints, cv joints or other rubber items where not replaced.
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1996 BMW 740iL V8. TV, phone, leather, sunroof, satnav, all as standard. Now with 19" TSW Brooklands, 2 1/2" stainless steel exhaust, plus more coming soon. |
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#20 | ||
BF XR6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 1,809
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the holden sportswagon has NO room in the boot, its a joke that its called a wagon. its unsuitable for a taxi
have we stopped to remember that one of the reasons there is no falcon wagon is because there is a territory wagon? theres a few territory taxis running around perth
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BA Falcon XR6 [JS92WA]in Winter White, 6 Speed ZF - BF Tail Lights, Pacemaker Twin 2.5" catback DBA Gold Series Rotors, 5% tint >>ITS BACK - The REBUILD IS ON, BF 2 Ghia 3v V8 5.4L, Full Fairmont Ghia Interior with FPV GTP seats,Boss Bonnet,BF Front End, DJR 302 Rear Wing, BF steering Column with BF ignition and FG keys, << 2010 FG Falcon XR6 [XRLNT] in Lightning Strike, 6 Speed Auto - 15% Tint, Ipod, Bluetooth, Climate Control, custom plates, DJR 302 Wing |
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#21 | |||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
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Quote:
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Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
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#22 | ||
PX3 WildTrak & RTV
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Central Coast Sydney
Posts: 1,931
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I get to ride a heap of cabs with work. in Darwin the otehr day, the prius i got in which had covered a few miles, was rattling and shaking, all the seat springs gone - but the boot is good for luggae. A day later had this displeasure fo getting into a Tarago with about 350,000km on it - again, it was falling to bits, the transmission up there with some of the old BTR boxes in Xfs!
So much though depends on drivers - ive been in Silver Service Fairlanes that were like hire crs despite 300,000km. Its swings and roundabouts... The Tezzas are starting to pop up, but there will be a staxck of ex Fleet 'Coon wagons being snapped up. heard Silver Service are going down G6E path too..saw a few in brisvegas.
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[COLOR=Red]I really am Falcon Crazy[/COLOR NextGen Ranger Wildtrak with loads of goodies Sold PX3 Ranger Wildtrak 2.0Ltr UHF, Long Range Tank, Bullbar, Snorkel - 104,000km BA Falcon RTV - Project Ute 265,000km Sold PXII Ranger XLT Cool White. 105,000 Sold PX Ranger XLT in cool white, 151,700km on clock. Sold FGII XR6T Ute LTD Edition in Kinetic. Sold FG XR6 Ute Sold BA Falcon RTV. 251,300km.Was a great mate for last 7 years Sold AUII XLS Ute Sold '85 XF & Crashed 84 XF |
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#23 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 589
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Quote:
by the way last i checked falcons didn't have cv's until au option or ba standard. also one of our current ba's is on 700K no sign of looseness in the rear. |
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#24 | |||
Ford 4 Life
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: BANKSTOWN
Posts: 675
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Quote:
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-------------------------------------------------- [CENTER]NEW - BA XR6 FalconFull Leather , Sunroof, 5 Speed 2nd Car - AU Falcon , Black Tickford wheels and Bodykit ---------------------------------------------------
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#25 | ||
Flairs - Truckers Delight
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brisbane Northside Likes: Opposite Lock
Posts: 5,731
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In all seriousness, the AUII/AUIII's were the best cabs australia has ever seen. Egas or dual fuel, they were king.
No IRS, No ABS, No weird electronics. The right size, the right durability, the right price. Ran so well on gas it's not funny, they were great. Back in the day we had one career cabbie who started driving cabs in an XC. He always used to say the XF's were the best cabs he'd ever driven. One day, about five years ago, he said to me, 'you know, I've been driving cabs for almost two and a half decades, and I always said the XF's were the best taxis ever. But not any more - the AU's were the best taxis ever. And he's right.
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Current: Silhouette Black 2007 SY Ford Territory TX RWD 7-seater "Black Banger"
2006-2016: Regency Red 2000 AUII Ford Falcon Forte Automatic Sedan Tickford LPG "Millennium Falcon" |
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#26 | ||
No plastic bumpers
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Magpie (near Ballarat) Vic
Posts: 38
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Camry Hybrid looks to be the answer. Here in Ballarat there are about eight old Avalons nearing the end of their life (about 50 taxi licences in town) and all the Avalon owners reckon they will go Toyota again - never back to Falcon or Holden. The first two Hybrid Camry taxis in Australia went on here and both have clocked 90,000km in six months with one having an ABS sensor being th eonly problem. Both replaced Falcons and the guy who bought the first one reckons he is $10-$15 per day cheaper running that his Falcon Wagon on gas was. Others are holding off and running normal Camrys on gas - there are about five of them floating around. Drivers reckon more room and more comfortable than the Falcons that they have replaced - only thing is the stupid handbrake positioning that gives temptation to dickead passengers. Dunno why they can't put the foot operated one in like the Avalon / Aurion.
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#27 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: jimboomba
Posts: 4,638
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MsMan,
I actually refused to beleave that, you didnt have to do a head gasket change, as they were common for it
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Welder/Fabricator at Beaudesert Exhuast Posted by Xcabbi, Does it slap or rattle? Rattle is more to do with timing chains and tensioners. Slap is more to do with lifters, rings, bearings or GENIII boat anchors |
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#28 | ||
RAGE Engineering
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 651
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[QUOTE=EFPWR]If Holden ever wanted a grab at the taxi market, they'd shape up and take this chance. /QUOTE]
Holden have stated they don't want the TAXI market. And I agree. Most peoples memories/impressions of Falcons are formed in clapped out Taxis. They stink, creak and groan and are generally unpleasant places to be. Hows that for branding?
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If it doesn't fit, use a BIGGER hammer |
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#29 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 589
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Quote:
the au's were great as well we had to reco the tranny at abt 600K and diff at 800K, but were let down by ford penny pinching. not a real factory taxi pack like e-series. i.e. true H/D shocks/springs, factory tranny cooler. |
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#30 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,645
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Quote:
The AU1 was a bit poor, but AU2/3 are fantastic cars. |
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