|
|
The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
View Poll Results: Best Aussie car of last 30 years | |||
Territory | 36 | 29.51% | |
AU Falcon | 35 | 28.69% | |
B-series Falcon | 19 | 15.57% | |
GTF Falcon | 6 | 4.92% | |
Falcon Sprint (last version) | 6 | 4.92% | |
FG X Falcon (any model) | 9 | 7.38% | |
VF Commodore (any model) | 7 | 5.74% | |
VT Commodore (any model) | 1 | 0.82% | |
Mitsubishi Magna | 1 | 0.82% | |
Toyota Camry | 2 | 1.64% | |
Voters: 122. You may not vote on this poll |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
18-05-2023, 02:45 PM | #121 | ||
Donating Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,730
|
The Cockroach is now running second
|
||
18-05-2023, 03:58 PM | #122 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Maryborough VIC Votes for: Coalition
Posts: 450
|
Quote:
- Last Commodore with the Buick V6, much more reliable and better to drive than the Alloytec that followed - Styling is crisp and fresh UNLIKE the blobby VE/VF that succeeded it The only thing that it lacked was a V8 option for the Executive, which all previous Commodores had.
__________________
1996 XH Falcon GLi manual - Dynamic White 1998 EL Falcon Futura auto - Dynamic White 2023 SKODA Octavia RS - Moon White 1997 BMW E36 318i manual - Alpine White |
|||
18-05-2023, 04:47 PM | #123 | ||
Dunnydore Destroyer
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 600
|
AU V8 Fairmont in Sparkling Burgundy. Owned it for 9 years and was an exceptional car.
I'd still have it if i didn't get wiped out by a Bogan Commo Ute owner. Solid car that ended up saving my life.
__________________
______________________________________ "SKIN ON SKIN, LET THE LOVE BEGIN" |
||
18-05-2023, 10:21 PM | #124 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,705
|
__________________
I6 + AWD |
||
18-05-2023, 10:22 PM | #125 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,705
|
Quote:
__________________
I6 + AWD |
|||
18-05-2023, 10:24 PM | #126 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,705
|
Quote:
__________________
I6 + AWD |
|||
This user likes this post: |
18-05-2023, 11:15 PM | #127 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,418
|
Was a hard decision to make as ive owned most Falcon models over the years but being a mechanic/technician at a Ford dealership since 1978 and owner of a few AU's im giving the vote to the AU. They hands down gave me the least amount of grief over the years. Special mention to the BA turbo, Territory ,the miami powered Falcons and the RTV utes.
|
||
19-05-2023, 12:27 AM | #128 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,679
|
The GT-F was certainly a highlight for me. That car was different. It had a real street presence and quite a raw feel to the power delivery. The owners were also a different breed. They were also finished better than regular Falcons and obviously got a bit more tlc on the production line. I’ve been lucky enough to drive half a dozen of these beasts and I’ll never forget it.
Some may argue the Sprint 6 is really the best Aussie car because the V8 isn’t Australian. That’s probably a valid point. But to me it was a little too subtle and lacked presence on the road. Some may like that. I’ve hardly driven any of these further than around the block. However. The. Best. Aussie. Car. Of. All. Time. Is….. my 2015 SZ II Barra powered Territory. I love it. |
||
19-05-2023, 05:16 PM | #129 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,705
|
The AU and Territory are still neck and neck, and the AU vote is mentioning the substance of the cars, interesting
__________________
I6 + AWD |
||
This user likes this post: |
19-05-2023, 05:52 PM | #130 | ||
B1 - J & D Services
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brim, Victoria
Posts: 1,632
|
AU vs Territory. I think that is a clear vote of style over substance. Love both, only one could get mentioned as the 'best' with any hindsight...
__________________
Mr. Brett Johnstone. 2002 Ford Laser 2000 Ford Falcon Wagon Egas 1999 Subaru Imprezza Sportwagon 1998 Holden Suburban 2500 1995 Land Rover Discovery TDI 1994 XG XR6 Longreach 1983 Holden Rodeo 1975 Datsun 120Y wagon 1970 MG Midget 1967 Rover 2000TC Soon: Model T. |
||
This user likes this post: |
19-05-2023, 09:32 PM | #131 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 13,407
|
I voted Territory. It was the direction the Aussie industry needed to move towards and Ford did very well to get onto it and made a very good product.
Second place to VE/VF. The VE dug the $1b trench and the VF laid the pipe at least in Redline trim. It's a shame all round when Aussie manufacturing was producing the best we have ever had that it was closed down :( |
||
19-05-2023, 10:35 PM | #132 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 276
|
Yes. With greater management appetite and funding the Sprints and other pre-concepts would have taken the gong and I believe dethroned the phase III.
|
||
20-05-2023, 08:45 AM | #133 | |||
Barra Turbo > V8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,857
|
Quote:
I think the Phase 3 has been dethroned numerous times.
__________________
-2011 XR6 Turbo Ute - Lux Pack - M6 -2022 Hyundai Tucson Highlander Diesel N Line |
|||
20-05-2023, 09:17 AM | #134 | ||
Chairman & Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: 1975
Posts: 107,117
|
I'm going to add an honourable mention for the EcoLPi powered Falcons.
They hardly bothered the sales charts and I doubt more than a few thousand were sold over the ~5 years (from July 2011) they were on sale but they advanced the LPG vehicle into the 21st century and removed nearly all the drawbacks of the vapour systems that had been around in Australia for 5 decades plus. That they produced more power than the petrol version of the I6 (and that could have been a lot more than it was) while not suffering any increase in consumption and using a fuel that still costs less than half the cost of diesel and ~60% that of petrol makes them a bargain to run.
__________________
Observatio Facta Rotae
|
||
10 users like this post: |
20-05-2023, 03:22 PM | #135 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brisbane (Southside)
Posts: 1,158
|
Easy one, the VF, especially in Series 2 V8 Form.. Redline for Holden, any HSV, but especially the W1. A way better all rounder than the FGX.
Territory deserves a very special mention, a truly epic SUV, before we went completely SUV mad. The perfect family car for our Aussie conditions. If they still made them I would 100% have one in the garage as our family truck. Barra Turbo needs a metion. Not a car, but (again, IMHO) the best engine Australia has ever made... So much tuning potential, and they sound awesome with some work. The yanks are starting to like them as well..
__________________
2008 FG XR6 Turbo ZF In Sensation - Gone, but not Forgotten.... Hers: 2024 Ford Everest Platinum in Equinox Bronze His Daily: 2020 (MY21) Kia Sorento GT-Line in Mineral Blue His Weekender: 2017 Commodore SSV Redline manual in Light My Fire Orange |
||
20-05-2023, 04:13 PM | #136 | ||
Seasoned One
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Toowoomba
Posts: 151
|
Soft spot for me was my Tickford 220kw xr8, never spent a cent on it bar consumables for servicing, loved to drive it , more comfortable than my g6et.
The g6ET is my pick over xr8 basically for its economy v power balance, like the look, goes when you need it, smooth and so far very reliable, no problems so far, same as xr8 My territory , done nearly 3 times the k's of the falcons, been a solid work horse, treated like a work horse, towed with it, travelled distances with it, kids grew up in it, never let me down , ever, will be sad when it goes. she needs rear bushes, door rubbers are sagging, paint starting to peel on rear lift window, but overall for the sheer work and punishment its had, the old girl gets my vote. What do I replace it with? might spend a few dollars and keep it another 15 years
__________________
AC Cobra 351w G6E Turbo FG mk 2 2007 Territory 1967 xr Falcon ute 289 1966 xr Fairmont 289 |
||
20-05-2023, 05:51 PM | #137 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 130
|
To be the best for me it has to be aesthetically pleasing, this rules out FGX and AU, I don’t smile when I see these. That leaves Terry, FG 1 or 2 and VF. Add a turbo and a a bit of styling like the Panda Eyes of the F6, and give it 310Kw and it has it all, silent but deadly, the sheer force of these things at sweet spots of 80-120 for a stock vehicle @$60k with that ZF has to be driven to be appreciated.
The only car that was close for me was LSA Clubsport, had the looks and sheer grunt to rival the F6 but for $25k more brings me back to FG F6, the only car that has me wanting to buy exactly the same one a second time. Terry comes in a close second but in Barra form you need a second job to fuel the thing
__________________
2013 G6E 2014 Territory Barra TS 23.5 Raptor 2016 R8 Clubsport Lsa sold for beer money F6 sold AND SAD ABOUT IT |
||
This user likes this post: |
20-05-2023, 07:26 PM | #138 | |||
Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,366
|
Quote:
I think if we are looking at the Ford that made the most impact, and is remembered/mentioned the most, it's the Phase III. As a performance car, obviously the newer turbo and supercharged V8's are "superior", but apart from the original BA XR6 Turbo, the later stuff didn't have the knockout blow to the competition like the Phase III did.
__________________
PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
|||
20-05-2023, 07:34 PM | #139 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Geelong
Posts: 1,723
|
Quote:
What I compare is the impact and standing they have in their eras over their competitors, compared to the ones that came before and after. And on that the Phase 3 wins it, just over the XR6 Turbo. |
|||
20-05-2023, 11:04 PM | #140 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,011
|
Quote:
However, I do disagree with a narrow interpretation of what "best" actually is. Sure the GTHO produced a lot of power for its day (somewhere in the region of 260 to 280 kW). However, the Territory FPV F6X produced 270 kW, while complying with very erroneous pollution controls and only burning unleaded petrol. The GTHO Phase 3 does the standing quarter in 14.2. The Territory FPV F6X does the standing quarter in 13.3 s @ 111.2 mph; whilst running pollution controls, whilst pushing a much heavier 2000kg+, blunt nose SUV body down the track. Lets be realistic. Ford spent money on both the GTHO and the Territory with only one purpose in mind. To make a handsome profit on its investment. Everything else is marketing spin (e.g. blue flag fluttering in the breeze as Ford crosses first at Bathurst). Development teams for both the GTHO and The Territory F6X raided the parts bin, to do "go faster" on the cheap, and stuck go faster bits on standard passenger vehicles. Only a few could afford to buy one, and numbers were very limited. But both certainly raised Ford's brand awareness. For me, the criteria to judge what is the "best" Aussie car is to understand which car made the biggest leap forward (of its time) to position that brand for ongoing sales. The GTHO Phase 3, as fast as it was around the race track, was just an iteration of the XY GT, which was an iteration of the XY. The Territory is in another class of business thinking and engineering. FoA had a long hard think about where the car market was going. They came up with the answer of "big sedans are dying, it will be SUV". Next, FoA raided the existing parts bin (engine, transmission, etc) while crafted a new shell around it. But this time concentrating on the layout, packaging, ergonomics, etc, etc, in the shape of an SUV. When it was released, the Territory was a super controversial decision of its day. The typical left wing media (think SMH, The Age, ABC) absolutely panned it. Greenies bemoaned the Americanisation of Australian family cars. Wheels had a lot of explaining to do why that gave it car of the year. Whereas the GTHO Phase 3 was an incremental engineering jump. The VE Commodore, as good as it is, was just another engineering iteration, albeit a $1B iteration, of the family sedan. Whereas the Ford Territory is different. The Territory's development was a calculated business risk that leveraged some incredible engineering done on a modest budget. It was done with a long term view to provide a sales platform that could keep the production line running longer with both sedan and SUV variants as the local Australian market evolved. And that is why, in my view, the Territory is the best Aussie car in the last 30 years. |
|||
16 users like this post: |
21-05-2023, 05:02 AM | #142 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,705
|
Quote:
I remember in 2002 when AU was running out the Horsham dealer had a Blueprint AUIII XR8 auto sitting in the yard, how I daydreamed while working based out of the town...
__________________
I6 + AWD |
|||
This user likes this post: |
21-05-2023, 05:21 AM | #143 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,705
|
Quote:
I remember reading it was sent to Finland in the snow for ABS development (hi-hat BA mules) and calibrated there. At the same time, Ford had an ethos of having cars that handled well, fun to drive so that might have been a goal. Whatever it was, the Terry is still completely brilliant in the snow and on the winding roads to get up there. Also, I remember reading that 3 of them did the Gibb river road at high speed in development? Would they have embarked on such a program if the response to the AU hadn't sent them soul-searching so much?
__________________
I6 + AWD |
|||
This user likes this post: |
21-05-2023, 05:46 AM | #144 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,705
|
I note there is no-one mentioning the Cruze...
Or the Adventra for that matter. As a juxtaposition to the Territory it's really interesting! Edit: might as well include the creativity in all of Peter Hannenberger's extra variants of the VT-Z: the Crewman (anticipating the dual cab ute, but not really being what the market wanted?) the rebirth of the One Tonner, the rebirth of the Overlander as the Adventra, and AWD on all of these. Combined with the Monaro, it was very much like the Kingswood era and every spin-off you could think of, had come again. And it didn't work, perhaps?
__________________
I6 + AWD Last edited by Sprintey; 21-05-2023 at 05:55 AM. |
||
21-05-2023, 07:23 AM | #145 | |||
Oppressive patriarch
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 747
|
Quote:
Wonder what resale values are like? Especially compared to a Territory. Edit: soft, if a quick scan of gumtree is of any use, which surprises me.
__________________
. Lamenting lost Australian manufacturing. Last edited by anobserver; 21-05-2023 at 07:51 AM. Reason: Afterthought |
|||
This user likes this post: |
21-05-2023, 08:15 AM | #146 | |||
Barra Turbo > V8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,857
|
Quote:
__________________
-2011 XR6 Turbo Ute - Lux Pack - M6 -2022 Hyundai Tucson Highlander Diesel N Line |
|||
21-05-2023, 08:32 AM | #147 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,011
|
Sorry, no. I am not inside the industry at all. Just a sparkie, who my later years, has studied how business do things.
|
||
This user likes this post: |
21-05-2023, 08:41 AM | #148 | |||
#neuteredlyfe
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 10,575
|
Quote:
I think that Adventura and Crew Cab were not successful for two reasons - they were not properly executed and maybe just slightly before their time. These days, people are jacking up their Falcon wagons (including me) and taking them places that most modern day 4x4s (in standard form) would not dare to go. I think the crew cab these days as a V8 with AWD in a VF model would be moderately popular. Maybe I am completely wrong. |
|||
3 users like this post: |
21-05-2023, 12:26 PM | #149 | ||
Falcon RTV - FG G6ET
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: In Da Bush, QLD
Posts: 31,458
|
Yep, Id toss between the G6ET & RTV, but Im biased.
The Tuo G6 is just immaculate motoring on the Hwys & the RTV is my go anywhere vehicle.
__________________
BAII RTV - with Raptor V S/C. RTV Power FG G6ET 50th Anniversary in Sensation. While the basic Ford Six was code named Barra, the Turbo version clearly deserved its very own moniker – again enter Gordon Barfield.
We asked him if the engine had actually been called “Seagull” and how that came about. “Actually it was just call “Gull”, because I named it that. Because we knew it was going to poo on everything”. |
||
This user likes this post: |
21-05-2023, 01:25 PM | #150 | |||
BLUE OVAL INC.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,646
|
Quote:
|
|||
This user likes this post: |