- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
4.0i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
157kW, 357Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 8.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Ford Falcon AU 1998
Ugly duckling
As used-car bargains go, they don't come much better than an AU Falcon. While big cars are dropping plenty of value on the used-car market as a result of an over-supply of trade-ins and concerns about petrol prices, the AU Ford also has an image problem.
It is regarded as being ugly but image-driven price tumbles, combined with the car's stout mechanical package, add up to a tremendous used car.
When it was launched in 1998, the country's motoring press drew a sharp collective breath.
Confronting would be a kind way to describe the AU Falcon in its lower-specification forms, especially the grille on the Forte base model and the angular headlights and sad, drooping rear styling.
The fact that it sat high on its suspension, atop weedy little wheels and tyres, did it no favours either.
Higher-specification versions, with a more conventional grille and front styling, were less polarising but even they had to contend with the curved themes elsewhere.
The other reason for spending the extra for a Fairmont or Fairmont Ghia was these models' more upmarket interior. Lower-spec models, such as the Forte and Futura, were afflicted with the odd, circular centre console that dominated the interior.
The interiors of these cars were comfortable and ergonomically sound.
And that's really the AU Falcon in a nutshell: nice legs, shame about the face.
The new Falcon was quiet inside and while it rolled a little in corners, it was pretty good to ride in. Its biggest problem was that it didn't have the rock-solid feel of its main rival, the Holden Commodore.
The basic driveline package consisted of a 4.0-litre, six-cylinder, single-overhead camshaft engine and a four-speed automatic that was streets ahead of the Holden's default transmission.
Five-speed manuals were offered but sold slowly and aren't around in significant numbers now. Nor are they worth the bother, because the auto is very good.
There was also a V8 option but given the six's willing performance and relatively good fuel economy, the 5.0-litre V8 simply won't figure for most people.
While you will pay more for the range-topper, Ford's excellent independent rear suspension provides a good reason for doing so. Lower-spec cars got a simple but effective live rear axle, the Fairmont Ghia had the new suspension set-up that gave it better ride and handling.
The Series II was rushed onto the market in 2000, just 18 months or so after the original AU. Stronger graphics at the rear attempted to lift the saggy appearance of the car's rump; a stronger, less controversial, grille treatment was added and 16-inch wheels and tyres attempted to make it look a bit tougher.
Under the skin, the brakes were upgraded, which necessitated altering the front suspension (so the improved brakes are not able to be retro-fitted to Series I cars).
Even the Series II cars suffered at the reputation of the AU, of course, and while they're better cars than the original version, they're not quite the bargains that the first one has become.
Need to know
Plagued by warped front-brake rotors. Addressed (to an extent) in Series II. Water leaks around the engine could be head gasket problems or a small O-ring in rear of water pump. Engine oil leaks can occur. Automatic transmissions have a finite lifespan of about 150,000km. Avoid an ex-rental car at all costs.