1992 Ford Fairlane NCII Ghia review from Australia and New Zealand

When a new stereo was installed, the park lights fuse kept blowing, so further investigation found that the previous owner had wired the park light wire to the earth wire.

Shifter linkage is dodgy.

Needs a new exhaust, it leaks.

Leaks oil.

Cooling system leaks.

Was running too rich one day, found that the vacuum pipe to the MAP sensor had disconnected itself somehow, was promptly fixed.

Air-con doesn't work.

Drivers side headlight has dodgy connection, needs some encouragement to turn on.

I received this car for free as a 21st birthday present and despite the above problems the car starts first time every time.

But at almost 320,000kms the engine and transmission are starting to get a little tired and reconditioned units are on the cards, including a new exhaust, headers and XR6 cam, I may also consider an LPG conversion.

The interior has stood up very well and is very comfortable, I envy the rear passengers in terms if the vast legroom they have, but it needs more woodgrain and some leather seats, so I plan to get a good set of LTD leather seats and the woodgrain centre console.

These cars also came with a factory fitted premium sound system developed in conjunction with alpine, but the previous owner had replaced that with a cheap $29 unit, so that in turn was replaced with an brand new alpine head unit, 4 type-s speakers, mono-block amp and an 8" rockford fosgate subwoofer, following factory guidelines.

The ride is a tad bit soft but it makes it up for soaking up the rough roads.

Fuel economy is alright for a large car as well, achieving approx. 10.5l/100km on highway and 12.5-13l/100km in suburban driving.