Which Ghia Was This?

cosmichobo · 14-07-2007, 05:26 PM

Gday,

I'm currently looking for a 4 door family car, with some urgency (let's say - before 8 October this year...).

Have been running around to car yards all day, and really liked a Ford Ghia that I sat in, supposedly 1996 model, with leather(fake?) seats, lots of electrics, and a circular middle console (with CD/air con etc controls). (also had a body kit, and a cup holder for 1, that had an adjustable arm on it...)

Now I'm home, I've been trying to find out more info on this model... but nothing matches! All the Fairlane, or Fairmont Ghias that I've spotted have "normal" dashes... instead of this one that had a rounded one...

Anyone know what I'm talking about? I know I'm not insane... :togo:

Cheers

cosmichobo

RUQ1KA · 14-07-2007, 05:32 PM

1996 models would be Ef/l's but the ones with rounded dashes are AU's

you might be talking about the AU? heres a few pics

is this the car that you mean?

**Falcon Coupe** · 14-07-2007, 05:32 PM

Moved to E series for better response.

Falc'man · 14-07-2007, 05:33 PM

The only other (large) Ghia I can think of would be a... Taurus.

RUQ1KA · 14-07-2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falc'man

The only other (large) Ghia I can think of would be a... Taurus.

this is a taurus

this could be what he means the dash is pretty round and it's a ghia and a 96 model

cosmichobo · 14-07-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUQ1KA

this is a taurus

this could be what he means the dash is pretty round and it's a ghia and a 96 model

That's it!

I liked the lines of the bonnet too... and all the features...

I'm coming from driving a Nissan 280zx (no room for a baby seat..), and was thinking Nissan Bluebird, but they're hard to find... and when I sat in the - Taurus - it felt pretty good.

I see the mileage is around the same as most of the cars I've been looking at (Camry, Commodore, Falcon), at 11L/100Km City, and 7L/100Km highway...

Was this considered one of the top of the line Ford cars when it came out? I see on Redbook it had a $45k price tag... just short of being classified as a "luxury" car by Aust Gov Taxes I believe...

Scott · 14-07-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmichobo

Was this considered one of the top of the line Ford cars when it came out? I see on Redbook it had a $45k price tag... just short of being classified as a "luxury" car by Aust Gov Taxes I believe...

The Taurus was never thought of as "top line", it's carried a stigma among most as being an ugly duckling and an orphan product as it was never continued when it flopped on arrival. Whether it's actually any good or not I have no idea.

Powdered Toast Man · 15-07-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmichobo

That's it!

I liked the lines of the bonnet too... and all the features...

I'm coming from driving a Nissan 280zx (no room for a baby seat..), and was thinking Nissan Bluebird, but they're hard to find... and when I sat in the - Taurus - it felt pretty good.

I see the mileage is around the same as most of the cars I've been looking at (Camry, Commodore, Falcon), at 11L/100Km City, and 7L/100Km highway...

Was this considered one of the top of the line Ford cars when it came out? I see on Redbook it had a $45k price tag... just short of being classified as a "luxury" car by Aust Gov Taxes I believe...

The Taurus was sold here as a supossed top of the range luxury car although I don't know why as we already have the Fairmont Ghia.

The Taurus sold here was only the top of the range Ghia model. It is essentially America's version of the Falcon, that is the large 4 door family sedan. But being American it is front wheel drive and powered by a small V6. Ford were thinking of using it as a high end model to replace the 'mont but sales flopped, probably due to it's ugly looks (E series was the current Falcon at the time. It was before AU with it's similar design cues) and it's relative lack of power compared to the Falcon. Not to mention the front wheel drive equation.

If you don't mind a large front wheel drive sedan I think they were fairly good cars and would be very cheap as second hand buys I would think. It would be in a similar class to a Camry, Maxima or even maybe a Magna to drive but probably not as high a quality build and finish. (my preference out of those would definitly be a Magna)

But if you care at all about the driving experience then look at at least an equivelent Fairmont Ghia or an AU Fairmont Ghia. Much better drivers cars plus they were designed for our conditions.

Falc'man · 14-07-2007, 05:51 PM

Its sad when a Taurus is mistaken for an AU. It happens, but nevertheless its sad.

DEVL-XR · 14-07-2007, 07:14 PM

Personally I think the Taurus would have to be the ugliest car any manufacturer has ever brought out!
Mate I think you'd be better off going for an AU Falcon. There a really well built car and look (dare I say it) pretty good too.

EF_Frmnt · 14-07-2007, 08:52 PM

taurus mobiles are suckass pieces of shyte. do not buy one you well spend thousands trying to keep it on the road

barra190i6 · 15-07-2007, 12:16 PM

This Taurus model was 4 cylinder, front-wheel drive configuration right?

And just wondering, did the Taurus come out with the same model structure as the EF/ELs of the time? I.e. 'GLi', 'Futura', 'Fairmont', 'Fairmont Ghia'? Or just 'Ghia'?

LUXO_8 · 15-07-2007, 12:18 PM

3 litre V6.........regular taurus.....and ghia

BTW
i fail to see what this thread has to do with eseries..........

ef_classic · 15-07-2007, 01:03 PM

I think you should go and test drive an AU series 2-3 Fairmont.

Because you will forget about that POS taurus!!!

ilsautomotive · 15-07-2007, 02:22 PM

As others have said, the Taurus was outclassed in almost every area by the EF II Fairmont Ghia when new, so when it is an old car with a reputation for uninspiring reliability and high running costs, the decision should only be easier again!

Or for something different, a good example of a Japanese sedan from the era would be worth considering also. The Telstar/626 family including Eunos is a bit of a bargain these days if you get a good one. The Ford Mondeo is cheap but longer term has rarity working against it.

GlennBA · 15-07-2007, 02:28 PM

The parts for them are VERY expensive if anything goes wrong. Probably better off getting a magna or something if you're after a large car thats not too bad on petrol.

cosmichobo · 15-07-2007, 08:29 PM

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

Ok - maybe the Taurus is out

(I actually do like its curves... maybe a bit Jaguar-ish?)

What I liked most about the car though was its interior. Leather (fake?), stylish, DIFFERENT...

I sat in a late series (well, late 90's) Magna the other day... then sat in a similar vintage Camry... and I swear it was like I hadn't moved - exactly the same cruise stick, dials, dash shape...

I know my 1979 280zx is a P.O.S in reality, but it's a car that has specialised gauges, remote control everything... and whilst most late 90's cars (which is basically what I can afford - $8k max) now have those features, I want something that stands out...

Just looking now at some pics of 2000 Fairmont Ghia AU... that indeed looks pretty good... exterior is I guess just a little bit "different" from "everyone else"... and the interior looks a bit more "spec"...

Wife's keen on a 2000 Camry we saw... Still got an eye out for a SSS Bluebird... but I'll start looking out for the Fords a bit more... now I know there are "interesting" ones that are in our price range.

pauly85 · 15-07-2007, 09:19 PM

you are definalty much better off in an ef/el - or an AU falcon compared to the taurus, also think of whats going to be easier to sell when it comes time for an update, and i feel very sorry for anyone who is trying to sell a taurus,

ive just stepped out of a 2001 model commodore wagon, into a 1995 model falcon wagon, which has 100,000 more kms than the commodore, and the falcon is miles ahead as far as im concerned,

it would be a good idea to test drive a few different cars, and make your opinion on that, but take everyones advice and stay away from the taurus

private9 · 15-07-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauly85

you are definalty much better off in an ef/el - or an AU falcon compared to the taurus, also think of whats going to be easier to sell when it comes time for an update, and i feel very sorry for anyone who is trying to sell a taurus,

ive just stepped out of a 2001 model commodore wagon, into a 1995 model falcon wagon, which has 100,000 more kms than the commodore, and the falcon is miles ahead as far as im concerned,

it would be a good idea to test drive a few different cars, and make your opinion on that, but take everyones advice and stay away from the taurus

As you say, resale would be shocking on a Taurus, and would take forever to sell as they don't have the best rep, are very "different looking" and spares are quite exxy.

Know what you mean about the commo, a few years back I stepped out of a VX Berlina wagon with the Gen3 that we bought with 40,000 on the clock, and bought an AU3 Futura wagon from the auctions with nearly 160k on the clock, and the AU to this day still feels better and has been fare more reliable than the POS VX.

bodes-sh · 15-07-2007, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmichobo

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

Ok - maybe the Taurus is out

(I actually do like its curves... maybe a bit Jaguar-ish?)

What I liked most about the car though was its interior. Leather (fake?), stylish, DIFFERENT...

I sat in a late series (well, late 90's) Magna the other day... then sat in a similar vintage Camry... and I swear it was like I hadn't moved - exactly the same cruise stick, dials, dash shape...

I know my 1979 280zx is a P.O.S in reality, but it's a car that has specialised gauges, remote control everything... and whilst most late 90's cars (which is basically what I can afford - $8k max) now have those features, I want something that stands out...

Just looking now at some pics of 2000 Fairmont Ghia AU... that indeed looks pretty good... exterior is I guess just a little bit "different" from "everyone else"... and the interior looks a bit more "spec"...

Wife's keen on a 2000 Camry we saw... Still got an eye out for a SSS Bluebird... but I'll start looking out for the Fords a bit more... now I know there are "interesting" ones that are in our price range.

for that price you could, depending on where you are, find a decent ef/l or au fairmont or ghia even....if you get the chance and you can go and look at some auction yards, you can get great deals, way better than car dealers

ilsautomotive · 15-07-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmichobo

Wife's keen on a 2000 Camry we saw... Still got an eye out for a SSS Bluebird... but I'll start looking out for the Fords a bit more... now I know there are "interesting" ones that are in our price range.

You can't go wrong with a Camry but it's not the last word in 'different'. The Bluebird SSS is a nice car but doesn't share any major parts with more mainstream models (compared to, say, a Toyota Celica of the time which had similar mechanicals to the Camry, or the Nissan Serena mpv with a Pulsar-based 2.0 four). Also, no Australian delivered Bluebirds had ABS, which is a major oversight - even if head up display is a neat touch.

Any Falcon is a good all rounder, or if curves are your thing, test drive a Eunos 500.

FRDXR6 · 16-07-2007, 02:05 PM

Could also look at a 1996-1999 Mitsubishi Verada, they would be in your price range.

You would be able to pick one up in your price range with sunroof, leather etc