Faults:

Door actuators.

General Comments:

Having bought and sold many AUs, I can honestly say they are the best used car value on the market. They drive nice and smooth, and are very reliable. I'll go out on a limb here and say they are probably the best 6 cylinder engine in the world. Nothing goes wrong with them, ask any mechanic.

The most common problem I have with AUs are the door lock actuators, but they are an easy and cheap fix.

If you're going to buy one, get a Series 111 Fairmont; they're great value for money. They look great slightly lowered with big wheels.

The AU was a much misunderstood car, but take your hat off Ford, you built a good one here.

Faults:

Rear boot leak.

Shocks/struts all round.

Discs/pads all round.

Front rack end to be tightened.

Transmission service due to slipping gears (needed new oil).

Radiator needed a flush.

Driver's seat rail weld break.

Factory Tickford gas service.

Moisture in indicators.

Continual wheel alignments.

General Comments:

The car has given near on half a million kays so far (and it isn't uncommon to see million plus kay cars still cruising round on the original motor with new transmissions).

Virtually trouble free apart from regular servicing and wheel alignments.

No problems with factory Tickford gas until recently, when the gas leaked out, but just needed a service and a few screws tightened.

Various bits and pieces required tightening, but it is a high kay example, so is expected.

Condensation in lights fixed by removing and gluing seams.

Average 500-550k on fuel, 400 on gas.

Very comfortable. Very smooth. A fair amount of power.

An excellent, reliable vehicle.

Faults:

Very bad wear and tear on the front seatbelt and front seats.

Air conditioner condensation damaged switch for automatic transmission.

Paint fades very quickly even when not exposed to a lot of sun.

General Comments:

It is about what you would expect from a basic model sedan in looks and comfort, but it has a lot of engine power when you need it, especially when towing. Which is something you wouldn't expect from such a basic model.

It has been very reliable for me, even though it has been mistreated by previous owners.

If you don't have a lot of money, but want a sedan with decent power that feels good on the road, this would be a good car to buy. Just get past the fact that it is a dead ugly design.

Faults:

The car has been running strong ever since I bought it. The only thing that has gone wrong, with it is the transmission needed a new solenoid because the gears were slipping a little.

General Comments:

The car goes surprisingly quick. As standard I timed a constant 0-100km in 8.2 seconds, and now that is down to 7.0 and 7.1 seconds because of the mods I have done.

The mods I have done to the car are Pacemaker competition extractors, high flow cat, 2.5" straight through exhaust, XR6 turbo intake snorkel, K&N high-flow filter and a fully adjustable shift-kit.

The car handles quite well for the size and weight of it. Although you may want to lower it if you drive your car hard, because body roll can be a problem if you drive it hard around corners.

Faults:

Seat lumbar support adjuster knob keeps falling off

Stabiliser bushes needed replacing at 145000km

Air conditioning struggles to cool station wagon

Intermittent rough idle hot or cold.

General Comments:

This vehicle handles really well.

The fuel economy is good

No drive line problems at speed.

However the drivers seat is uncomfortable over a long distance, it seems to sag the longer you are in it.

Despite the adjustments available to the seat and the steering wheel I can't seem to get comfortable.

The paint finish is very thin and marks easily.

So far the interior is holding up well.