Ford Falcon Ute AU (1998-2002)

Ford AU Ute – The AU was not popular in sedan form but the ute version is just great. Has 3 seater option with the column shift auto which is very handy when you have an extra person. Big roomy cabin and tough as nails. Love the styling - actually I love everything about it.

F**king ripper – This is hand down one of the best cars ever driven off a factory floor. the inline 6 delviers a smooth and reliable power train that makes it great for towing, highways, mountains or just cruising. these days you get one cheap as chips, make sure the bushes and drive trains not too clapped out and you get a rely deal for only a frew grand. most fun you can have with your pants on.

Great cars, forget about the image problem – AU1 XR8 falcon ute. Bought at 120,000km for $11k and just clocked up 400,000, 8 yrs later. The engine is insanely solid - American v8s, <3. Transmission just dropped its guts. Google 'falcon milkshake'. Common thing that WILL happen. Not a bad run though. If you have a falcon, get an external transmission cooler fixed and youll avoid this nasty incident. Do IT!!

Considering whether to buy a new car or replace transmission for $2500 max for good as new. Looking around at other utes, well, what else is out there? The dual cab pick up fashion sure, but my goodness they are expensive. Mitsubishi Triton is reasonable price but they get some shocking reviews (and some good ones). And all of them no where near the comfort of my darling xr8 which is seriously comfortable and easy on your back with great lumber support seats, still even after 400K!! I have a bad back, i value that. Can get a v6 hilux second hand but they chew more juice than the v8 au! Faaaarrrk!!

Anyway, for a falcon, i know them well by this time, - and Im no tech rev head, just an average bloke - maintenance involves: replacing brake rotors - Costs nothing; constant wheel alignments; water pipe leaks all the time; water seal in top end went once, not an expensive fix; change the leads twice in that time, leads are expensive thing, but use the generic brands, just as good, and they're fine. ford leads very very expensive.

The oil light / gauge started playing up, dropping to 0 and beeping, at about 280,000 or so, and scared the bloody out of me. 3 years later and the engine still normal, must be the sensor somewhere. My mechanic doesnt know what it is, just drive it and see how it goes. Looked on ford forums and its a common thing. It must be a faulty sensor, the engine couldnt still be going all these years later with oil pressure constantly dropping to 0.

Thats about it. Then getting around 360,000, new alternator. Expensive for the v8. About $900 with new quality battery. Then needed a major service, new leads, and an air petrol sensor, all set me back about $1700. That was the most major thing. Then the transmission milkshake famous bang.

Now when you have a look around at other cars problems and maintenance costs, this car is insanely reliable and easy to maintain. Most services are just cheap $200 - $350 max for the big ones. That's incredible. I cant believe how reliable it is. I keep it serviced all the time mind you, every 10,000kms, sometimes 15,000 if time goes quick but generally not.

Rust? Yep, a bit appearing in around the bottom of the windscreen. That's where they go. These cars should be garaged.

The cabin electrics are crap. The door locks rattles and clunk, the electric windows stop working, new switch, big deal, aerial only goes up when it wants to.

And thats it folks. You cant ask for a more reliable car. I read heaps of terrible reviews about au falcons before i bought it and thought, oh well, ill take a punt. Basically people are full of it. That engine is a stonking beast. No annoying timing belt that needs changing.

The au is extremely comfortable, and Id happily drive it over any modern car ive been in. The stock sound system is the best ive ever heard bar none. It purrs along, quietly and smooth, and put your foot down if you must and baaaaam! After 400,000kms that thing pulls like a 14 yr old boy (as I read the other day). My wife is a total non rev head hippy and even she loves going for a big drive in it.

So what am I going to do, fork out big time for a new car or renew the transmission and cut some rust out soon and see how we go? Reaplce what, diff, exhaust, engine might need a top end rebuid some day. Still all cheaper than a new equivalent at $45k. Hmmm.

But if you can find a falcon v8 with low kms and wonder if you should buy it? yes is the answer. Yes they chew juice. About 12 -13 l/100km. 650 kms out of an 80 litre tank, or more on along trip. Actually quite good on a hwy journey, terrible in the city, about town. But so are the big heavy 4WD dual cabs, apparently. No car drops value second hand like a falcon = great deal. Great cars. So sad to see them go.

Very Reliable – I bought a 2001 AU III SE auto ute new in Jan 2002. Only have clocked 85k on it but have had no major problems. I replaced the Plastic brake cylinder pistons with aftermarket steel ones after one seized and put slotted rotors on. Have replaced the exhaust system twice due to short trips and rusting out. Last fuel check i was getting 9.7 or in the old way 28mpg on E10, not bad for a non aerodynamic 1.8 tonne Aussie built vehicle. Reliability could have a bit more power

Excellent – AU3 XR8 has been fantastic - Ford replaced radiator under warranty at 98K, other than that serviced per the book and only had to replace power steering other than the usual wear and tare on tyres and brakes. Styling, carrying & towing capacity, cabin space (storage behind seats) Mag wheels easily marked on curbs.