Buying a car

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[DirtyHarry]

Hey guys, still looking to buy a first car.
I took a good look at what my driving routines are and realized that I have no reason to give a shit about fuel economy. This widened my options a bit. 
There are some really nice, relatively low km 03-04 Ford Fairmonts on the market for <$8500 which I have been looking at. The reasons I have been looking at these, based on no real practical automotive knowledge:
- They seem to just be a falcon with a fancy hat, so cheap parts shouldn't be a problem
- Insurance is a little cheaper for my age bracket than on -insert dinky economical japanese thingo here- (I don't know why this is)
- Nice interior, lots of great features

Basically, someone who knows more about cars than me, please tell me if this is a good direction to be leaning in.

[DonutKing]

BA falcons/fairmonts are a great car.

BUT they are big, heavy, powerful, rear wheel drive. I don't think they are ideal for a first car, because you can easily find yourself getting in trouble with one.
I don't know what your driving habits or experience is like, but this is something you should consider.

But they're decent cars. Older falcons (AU and earlier) tended to have head gasket problems, don't think thats so much of an issue on a BA.
Also check the transmission fluid. If its black or burnt smelling give it a miss, the transmission hasn't been serviced on schedule and they are expensive when they shit themselves.

[Mummbles]

i work for ford, chrysler, jeep, hyundia, kia dealer in adelaide as a mechanic.... only one i would reccomend to friends is hyundia..... as for ford falcons steer clear of anything prior to BA mk2

[littletex1]

my uncle has a BA and he tells me best car he has brought, but i would listen to mummbles he knows his stuff

[Mummbles]

ba's arnt bad just the first series or mark 1 (mk1) are bad for doing in ((p/s pumps.... alternators from oil dripping onto the alternator) this accurs on all BA's and BF's) head gaskets, manifold gaskets, ps hi pressure hose weaping, rose bushs in upper rear control arms. this list goes on but those are the common issues with em... but i would still buy one for a work ute.... utes have alot less issues

[Slash]

From experience, the equivalent Holdens are better. And I say that as a neutral, I'm not a brand supporter.

I had a V8 Commodore that was more economical than the dirty straight 6 Falcon I was driving before that. Go figure. The Holden V6s are MILES better for fuel economy. (Again this is my personal experience, normally when I say these things someone comes up with some factory specs that contradict)

All cars have common problems. Mumbles obviously knows whats up with the Fords. I work at a Holden dealership and it's the same sort of stuff, things like hoses, suspension bushes, water pumps etc etc.

The equivalent Holden to a BA Falcon would be like a VY or VZ Commodore. The VY was the last model to take a 3.8L V6 Ecotec. Which means they'd ironed out the kinks well and truly by then. The VZ brought in the 3.6L V6 Alloytec motors but since it was the first use of that engine they had their issues to begin with.

In that sense it comes down to the car. My point is though, don't restrict yourself to considering one make or manufacturer.

[Carples]

My cousin is a panel beater, asking what car to get just says Toyota!!
Look up the dogs and lemons book for listing of most cars available and assessment of reliability fuel economy etc

[Budh]

Holden by choice i own a VX commodore and no problems with it and i also have a Nissan Navara which i prefer to drive over the Commodore , so ultimately the choice is yours and what you would like to drive 

[DirtyHarry]

Thanks for all the advice guys. As for Holden, I have no brand loyalty only bad experience, family bought a rodeo 2 years ago which has been a complete hunk of shit. I know that shouldn't cloud my perception of an older, Australian made car though so I'll try to keep an open mind

Toyota = much more expensive insurance, but I'll keep it in mind. Mummbles, that stuff is very helpful to know, cheers.

[bageled]

Insurance on a Toyota is more expensive? I didn't think car brand affected insurance specifically. I would have thought driver age & sex, modifications and purchase price would be the main contributers.

[bageled]

Piqued my curiosity.

I just read this article about car insurance.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/car-insurance/sink-or-switch-complete-insurance-guide-20110624-1gibb.html

They don't mention car brand as a contributer to increased price. Best advice in there I thought was

Buy an affordable, mainstream car. The dearer and faster the car, the more expensive it is to insure.

And apparently white cars are the cheapest to insure and black cars the most expensive.

Another contributing factor is petrol consumption, if the car uses under 5.5 litre per 100k's ie hybrid cars, you get a discount with some insurers.

[cowcar]

Piqued my curiosity.

I just read this article about car insurance.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/car-insurance/sink-or-switch-complete-insurance-guide-20110624-1gibb.html

They don't mention car brand as a contributer to increased price. Best advice in there I thought was

Buy an affordable, mainstream car. The dearer and faster the car, the more expensive it is to insure.

And apparently white cars are the cheapest to insure and black cars the most expensive.

Another contributing factor is petrol consumption, if the car uses under 5.5 litre per 100k's ie hybrid cars, you get a discount with some insurers.

If you buy any Ferrari it will cost a lot to insure....
and the reason hybrids are cheap to insure  is because they are shit, and no bugger will steal them , let alone want to be seen dead in one....

[bageled]

If you buy any Ferrari it will cost a lot to insure....

This is true Cow, and exactly what I said

The dearer and faster the car, the more expensive it is to insure.

I don't think the actual brand has much to do with it. TBH given the combination of driver age and alterartions, it wouldn't suprise me if Damits drift racer would cost as much to insure as it would cost my dad to insure a older Ferrari.

Granted, you may have a point with with luxury brands, like Ferrari and Bugatti there could well be a premium. But we're not talking luxury brands, we're talking Toyota's. Corolla's, Taragos, Hi Ace, these cars are as common as dog shit. I know two people who own and run vehicle fleets and both use Toyotas because they are reliable and cheap to repair.

I am curious why Harry thinks/knows Toyota's cost so much more to insure.

[Carples]

I would just like to note comprehensive insurance is always nice even if it cost more per year than your car.
I had a mate at work cheap car and decided no need for insurance.
was in 3 car pile up as the middle car, guy he hit gave him bill for repairs, he had his bill for repairs and the guy that caused it all was in a coma, so my mate was stuck with the cost of his and the other guys bills and unable to recover money from the coma dude to cover every thing.
Side note when making a claim always check the status of your cover before reporting accident if your cover is lapsed for say you moved and the insurance company did not notify you of extra charges for your new address and did not send renewal notice cause you did not pay it, renew it first as it can be a long wait to find out if you are covered.

[kesawi]

I would just like to note comprehensive insurance is always nice even if it cost more per year than your car.
I had a mate at work cheap car and decided no need for insurance.
was in 3 car pile up as the middle car, guy he hit gave him bill for repairs, he had his bill for repairs and the guy that caused it all was in a coma, so my mate was stuck with the cost of his and the other guys bills and unable to recover money from the coma dude to cover every thing.

Third party fire & theft insurance would cover this situation. Basically it covers you for damage you do to other property, but not damage to your car. If you are not at fault you can also send a letter of demand to the other party's insurer (or their estate) for the damage to your car.