Buying car for my son - 2006 LS Focus Zetec (Manual) VS BA Series 1 Fairmont Ghia

[fgpsi]

I am looking to buy a car for my son, this will be his 2nd car. He really wants the fairmont ghia mostly because of the interior but a relative is selling his 2006 LS Focus Zetec and I feel this will be the better car for my son as it is more fuel efficient and could be less problematic. I know the series 1 BA's had some issues. I'm not aware of any issues with the Focus..

He isn't worried about fuel consumption (of course ) He's also 6'2 and wants more leg room. As you would but having driven the Focus there is plenty of room imo. (I'm only 6'0 though)

Thoughts and opinions on what to go for ?



VS

[Smoke Pursuit]

Comes down to how many kms they have.

The LS Focus's can be expensive when it comes time to replace things.

Personally I would look at neither and go for something like a 2006 Corolla, Camry 4 cylinder or even a Mitsubishi 380 if you are looking for reliability.

[fgpsi]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Comes down to how many kms they have.

The LS Focus's can be expensive when it comes time to replace things.

Personally I would look at neither and go for something like a 2006 Corolla, Camry 4 cylinder or even a Mitsubishi 380 if you are looking for reliability.

Looking for a Ghia with under 200,000 but the Focus has around 185,000. and if I mentioned those cars he'd kill me he wants a Ford

[Alan D Segal]

Originally Posted by fgpsi

he wants a Ford

What's that? You're looking for a decent quality almost 10 year old car for your son?

He wants a Toyota? Good choice.

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Personally I would look at neither and go for something like a 2006 Corolla, Camry 4 cylinder or even a Mitsubishi 380 if you are looking for reliability.

You're a cruel cruel man. How could you wish any of those on your own flesh and blood?

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Comes down to how many kms they have.

The LS Focus's can be expensive when it comes time to replace things.

Personally I would look at neither and go for something like a 2006 Corolla, Camry 4 cylinder or even a Mitsubishi 380 if you are looking for reliability.

Seriously he did say it was for his son and he is 6'2", not for his daughter.

A 380, at 6'2"???I have driven one and I am 6'2", not fun, I hated it and felt like I was in a sardine can, as we had one for a company car, we also had BA's, I would take a base model BA over a 380 any day, and at our work there was always first in best dressed for the BA's (we had a few), the 380, was mostly parked up and driven when no other vehicle was available.

I have driven Falcons for the last 25 years and will always own a few Falcons and love driving a full sized sedan, a H3 Hummer is not bad either the only car I drive apart from Falcons….

[ZGM86]

I find it amusing the number of people saying that Fairmonts are "old people cars". Fairmont as a name has plenty of heritage.

Would you consider an XR Fairmont 289 to be a boring old person's car? Are XY Fairmont GS 351s, XA and XB Fairmont GS Hardtops, XC Fairmont GXLs, XD and XE Fairmont Ghia ESPs, and EL Fairmont Ghias (with their Tickford XR6 motors) all boring old people cars? Were BF2 Ghias with their aggressive styling an old person's car? No way!

Fairmont was a great badge. Maybe I'm slightly biased though, my parents had a couple of V8 Fairmonts when I was young (an XW 302 and an XC 302 wagon)...

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by ZGM86

I find it amusing the number of people saying that Fairmonts are "old people cars". Fairmont as a name has plenty of heritage.

Would you consider an XR Fairmont 289 to be a boring old person's car? Are XY Fairmont GS 351s, XA and XB Fairmont GS Hardtops, XC Fairmont GXLs, XD and XE Fairmont Ghia ESPs, and EL Fairmont Ghias (with their Tickford XR6 motors) all boring old people cars? Were BF2 Ghias with their aggressive styling an old person's car? No way!

Fairmont was a great badge. Maybe I'm slightly biased though, my parents had a couple of V8 Fairmonts when I was young (an XW 302 and an XC 302 wagon)...

Agree.

My first car was a Barossa Red AU III Fairmont sedan with Tickford wheels. Not much police attention in the three years on my P-Plates.
If I had gone a XR6 on other hand.....

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by ZGM86

I find it amusing the number of people saying that Fairmonts are "old people cars". Fairmont as a name has plenty of heritage.

Would you consider an XR Fairmont 289 to be a boring old person's car? Are XY Fairmont GS 351s, XA and XB Fairmont GS Hardtops, XC Fairmont GXLs, XD and XE Fairmont Ghia ESPs, and EL Fairmont Ghias (with their Tickford XR6 motors) all boring old people cars? Were BF2 Ghias with their aggressive styling an old person's car? No way!

Fairmont was a great badge. Maybe I'm slightly biased though, my parents had a couple of V8 Fairmonts when I was young (an XW 302 and an XC 302 wagon)...

Fairmont is far from a boring old persons car. I like the old XD-XFs the best and I don't care that the XF didn't have a V8 option either

[The Yeti]

I'd look at the Focus for a first car

I wouldn't touch a Mitsubishi 380 (and I like Mitsubishi's)

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

I'd look at the Focus for a first car

I wouldn't touch a Mitsubishi 380 (and I like Mitsubishi's)

Why not?

For the price of them they are great cars.

I wouldnt touch either the Focus or the Fairmont Ghia with those sort of kms unless you are mechanically minded, you will have to spend a ******** on R&M.

What does he have now?

[fgpsi]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Why not?

For the price of them they are great cars.

I wouldnt touch either the Focus or the Fairmont Ghia with those sort of kms unless you are mechanically minded, you will have to spend a ******** on R&M.

What does he have now?

He's been driving his mums car but he had a VT Commodore which is now gone

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Why not?

For the price of them they are great cars.

I wouldnt touch either the Focus or the Fairmont Ghia with those sort of kms unless you are mechanically minded, you will have to spend a ******** on R&M.

What does he have now?

I get out of my work one on Wednesday it is the biggest chunk of **** I have ever driven, the diff is noisy at 175k, the engine is rattely on start up, it eats tyres like there is no tomorrow (wheel alignments regularly buy all the so called gurus) window regulators worse than any falcon I've had, power seat switches the list goes on. My company had a fleet of these shitters and they have all suffered from some or all of the above.

I'm not a massive fan of the BA the Giha would be a basket case I know my series I BA fairmont was and I got out of that in 07 with 95k on the clock

I would recommend the corolla, or a lancer though

[ZGM86]

The Fairmont Ghia, easily. My mum has had an 03 Fairmont for the last 7 years (has 220 klms on it now), and it's been no problem at all. The only thing that's gone wrong in all that time was a minor problem with the door locks. And you can't beat them (Falcons in general) for comfort if you're a taller bloke.

When I was 16, my parents tried their hardest to talk me out of a Falcon and tried to get me into a 4 cylinder like you're suggesting, they used the same fuel economy argument as well. I wanted an XB. We eventually compromised and I ended up with the 4.1L TE Corty in my signature haha. My point being that he's going to care about it more and look after it more if it's something he really wants and loves. Get him into the Fairmont, too few young guys want to get into Falcons these days as it is!

[Raptor]

Let's see;

He really wants the fairmont ghia....
He isn't worried about fuel consumption....
He's also 6'2 and wants more leg room....

Get the Fairmont

If it's still under 200 thou kays it's barely run-in.

Point him to this forum for any helps he needs and he'll soon be a member of the community here and you will have done him a huge favour.

What's to think about

[kevino]

The focus will do about 8.0-8.8 ltrs /100km around town.
Plenty of room in Focus for a 6 ft 2.
We got rid of our 2006 CL Manual LS focus at about 130000, it felt like it was wearing out.
Brakes were binding on cold start only wshop could 'nt fix.
Never much liked the motor in it (mazda derived) never seemed to breath properly or go as well as 107kw would suggest. Always thought a well driven Fiesta manual seemed quicker. At 130,000 it felt like it was wearing out . Also they are a ***** to start at times on a start when its only been stopped for a few minutes.

If petrol aint a big deal I reckon the Falcon.

Having said all that I drive a LT TDCI Focus which has done 165000 and its still goes like a rocket and everything feels good.

Maybe the LS Focus you are looking at is a goodie not a slug like the one we had.

[Xauterus]

The Falcon will be much better to find parts for and the aftermarket parts are more readily available for the BA. If it does blow a gearbox or an engine then they are cheap to buy used.

[gtfpv]

ok . 2nd car . he is male , he is very tall , not concerned about fuel . lets look at the prospects , buying a car for him that he doesnt want , versus buying a car for him that he does .
he is male , he is tall . what is the safest car ? what fits him best ? what does he like most ? what is most likely going to last longer ? what is going to put a bigger smile on his face ?
too me , the falcon ticks all the boxes .
if he was a 5'6 daughter , then perhaps the focus . but he is a 6'2 son .

both cars are likely to need regular maintenance and/ or repairs at that age . thats all part of it . the falcon will have plenty of parts avail

[Franco Cozzo]

There is more room in the front of the Focus than in the BA Falcon for the driver as in leg room as the seat can adjust up/down and back pretty far.

BA Falcon has a problem with high seat and low steering wheel too.

Don't buy the Focus unless it has been 100% maintained.

Young kid and RWD car - single legger paradise.

[BIONIC MAN]

^^^ I agree GTFPV, ok, I am 6ft5, but I HATE small cars.. they feel like tin cans.
I know small cars are meant to be safe(r) as big cars blah blah, but in real world testing, IE me slamming into the side of him in my F250, there is still a few extra inches of car around him, and probably more airbags in the Fairmont too. I know what my son will be driving when the time comes. (maybe my ,old by then, F250!? ha ha)
Only thing I would say, some of the extra electronic gizmos in the Fairmont could be troublesome after this many years, maybe a similar age XR6 could be an option?
Used falcons are so cheap for the level of comfort and standard equipment they have..

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by BIONIC MAN

^^^ I agree GTFPV, ok, I am 6ft5, but I HATE small cars.. they feel like tin cans.
I know small cars are meant to be safe(r) as big cars blah blah, but in real world testing, IE me slamming into the side of him in my F250, there is still a few extra inches of car around him, and probably more airbags in the Fairmont too. I know what my son will be driving when the time comes. (maybe my ,old by then, F250!? ha ha)
Only thing I would say, some of the extra electronic gizmos in the Fairmont could be troublesome after this many years, maybe a similar age XR6 could be an option?
Used falcons are so cheap for the level of comfort and standard equipment they have..

yes my 16 year old daughter starts driving this year , toying with the idea of a 2nd hand lancer/ mazda 2 , barina or something for her , but couldnt help looking at the 2nd hand 2005 commodore the other day for $4500

[Bluehoon]

Does he have a mechanical interest in cars?

If so go the BA, far easier and more forgiving to work on. Plus parts are cheaper.

You can do much better than 180000km BA's.

BF Ghia's can run through the auctions with 120k for sub 12k.
Shop around - hard.

[EVL BOS]

Originally Posted by fgpsi

I am looking to buy a car for my son, this will be his 2nd car. He really wants the fairmont ghia mostly because of the interior but a relative is selling his 2006 LS Focus Zetec and I feel this will be the better car for my son as it is more fuel efficient and could be less problematic. I know the series 1 BA's had some issues. I'm not aware of any issues with the Focus..

He isn't worried about fuel consumption (of course ) He's also 6'2 and wants more leg room. As you would but having driven the Focus there is plenty of room imo. (I'm only 6'0 though)

Thoughts and opinions on what to go for ?

image

VS

image

Speaking as a 26 year old 6"2 guy go the fairmont Ghia he will like it more and will look after it better. Don't get me wrong the focus is a great car but as a young guy go the fairmont. I work in the auto industry and parts for ur falcon are dirt cheap compared to the focus. I had my ba xr8 while in uni and only worked weekends but still managed to run it with no issues. Like others have said point him in the direction of the forum if he needs help down the track.

[Suvo]

My BA Fairmont Ghia has been a great car, minor issues here and there but that is expected. I bought it when I was 18 and it had a hard life, it took 4 years of it and the gearbox only recently started to go. If you keep up regular maintenance plus some preventative (external trans cooler etc) they are virtually bulletproof.
That being said my old lady has an 03 LR Ghia Focus and it has only had 1 major failure and that was only the starter but it has had minor things the same as the BA.
As with all 2nd hand cars you don't know what you are buying but in my opinion the Fairmont will be cheaper to fix if something does go wrong. Have a look in the spare parts sales area, if something goes wrong someone has B series parts laying around.

[BrisVegas]

Both are good options. The Falcon will be cheaper in the long run for parts and servicing and tyres etc. The Focus will obviously use less fuel, which is the day to day expense.

I'm 6'2" and had an LS Focus Zetec. Plenty of room front and back and they're surprisingly wide. Mine was trouble free for 90,000km til I sold it to buy a 4wd. They're a cam chain driven motor, which is a bonus and they're very comfortable to drive. Downsides would be that the tyres are 205/50R17 which is an odd size. I put Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalins on mine at about 75,000km and they were $250+ per corner from memory. I also didn't like the front bucket seats much. They were a little short for my long legs and you sat "on" them rather than "in" them like the awesome seats in my Fiesta.

[zilo]

Get the bigger heavier car for when he prangs it.

the young blokes all prang them sooner or later.

[smoo]

Singling out the BA as unreliable is a load of crap. Any 10 year/200k old car is a mixed bag. You should expect to carry out the odd repair at that age on any car - alternator, radiator, suspension bushes etc. On the positive side IF anything goes wrong with your used purchase the Falcons are the easiest and cheapest cars of modern times to work on. Not to mention what the favorite cab of the '00s were too.
Best I've achieved is 7.2l/100km highway with a light foot. Usually around 8-8.5, and 11-12 around town. Just fit an aux input to the stereo, external trans cooler and be done with it. Great cars.

[pottery beige]

Falcon, hard to ****, easy to fix

[Wolfinsheepsclothing]

a lot depends on how the car(s) were looked after previously, some of the high mileage cars may have had some of the high k repairs done already, get a mechanic to give the cars a check over

[mechanic]

Get him something from the early 70's and then he'll have a 6 or 8 cylinder rwd car and a hobby for the weekends.
I have 2 sons and they both learnt that you can keep driving them but at some stage you have to do some work on your vehicle [ your son could be a full time auto mechanic for all I know but you get my drift ]