1994 Ford Fairmont from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

The only notable thing to go wrong with this car is the radiator blocked up causing it to overheat at 150000km's. I am told this is fairly common for all the falcons and fairlanes from 1990 to 1998. EA to EL. This was relatively inexpensive to fix at around $200.

The motor still purrs quietly with no rattles at 175000km's.

The interior trim is still good.

The paintwork is still good.

The car still looks nice, and presents well on the road.

This car has been the most reliable car and the best car I have ever owned. In the five years I have owned this car I have spent very little on the car. I have only ever replaced parts that you would normally expect to replace through normal wear and tear, such as the shocks, brake pads, battery, radiator, tyres, coolant, oil, plug leads, distributor cap. A total of about $2000. Not bad when you consider this is spread over five years of ownership.

Good Towcar with the 2300kg Hayman Reece.

Excellent value, when you can now buy these cars for around $5000.

Good to see the review about my car has stood the test of time. It is almost a year later and the ED fairmont is about to roll over 200000kms. The only 2 mechanical failures in the last 12 months have been the fanbelt idler pulley, which I replaced myself for a cost of $8. Not bad for 25000 kms done in that time.

The second failure was the odometer stopped at 197000kms, highlighting the need to be cautious about accurate readings on second hand cars, when I had it repaired at a cost of $60 the guy said he fixes heaps of them, mostly when the cars are being sold, who knows how long they have been broken for. Not winding back, but it might as well be.

Modifications I have done to the car in the last year include lowering the ride height, improving the handling and ride, although causing it to ride rough when heavily loaded such as traveling interstate. So a word of caution to those considering lowering. If you frequently travel long distances on rough country highways with 5 people and the boot fully loaded, keep standard height.

I still believe this to be a good car and I intend to see it through to 300 or maybe 400000kms. My XE did 350000kms.

Fair call on your comments. At 170000 kms I have problems with the brakes, viz no fluid to the rear calipers. Any advice? regards..

Well here I am once again adding to the review about my own car. The ED fairmont has now done over 240000kms and still going strong on the orig motor. It still uses no oil and has no rattles. It has always been serviced and runs on penrite HPR30 oil changed every 8 to 10000 kms.

I have sorted the harsh ride on lowered springs, it is now fitted with KING low springs and BOGE 30mm shorter shocks. It now rides comfortably with load and handles well in the twisty stuff.

A recent highway trip returned 8L per 100 without really trying hard. Engine is stock, but with a 2 1/2 cat back sports exhaust now fitted. I now also own a AU3 and it can't do that on the same trip and to be honest I prefer to drive the ED over the AU.

Only recent problems is some looseness coming in the front end, I have replaced all the ball joints and bushes in the front end. I suspect the steering rack is on the way out, but I will swap it for a reco unit in a year or so. And the roof lining is falling down.

In summary, the old ED is a good car, the younger generation are getting hold of these cars now and getting some good performance out of them with some simple mods too. In all the years I have owned this car it has never given the trouble described by some AU and BA owners. Like my older XE's I had it seems to be going to go forever.