Help me pick a first car

[4.0i OHC]

Hello. I'm seventeen years old, and I soon plan on buying a first car. This car will be used frequently, covering many kilometres per year. It must be a Ford, as I've loved them ever since I was growing up and my grandfather owned a 1978 Ford LTD, complete with 5.8 litre V8. My parents say that they will buy me my first car, but
1) It must be sold for under $35000 or so
2) It cannot be older than about 8-10 years (they consider cars like XB Falcons to be unsuitable as daily drivers, although I'm not sure why).

I have come up with a few choices sofar.

1) Ford BF Fairlane
2) Ford FG XR6

Out of these, I prefer the Fairlane, but I'm worried that the sheer size might make it difficult to park, and for some reason unknown to me, they have a poor reputation amongst Ford lovers. However, I love the way they look (my dad considers it an old man's car and encourages me to buy the FG XR6 as he feels that it looks more modern), and the sheer size and luxury compared to the others. It also has some nostalgic value (due to the aforementioned LTD) and due to the relative unpopularity, it is a little more exclusive. I'm not interested in a BA Fairlane, due to the lack of the 6 speed automatic transmission.

I have heard many great things about the FG XR6 (as opposed to the Fairlane, which I don't think a kind word was ever said about). I've heard that it is dynamically pretty great. They also have a five star safety rating and come in manual! These cars also have street cred. However, I consider them to be quite ugly (sorry!), as I have never liked Euro cars, and the FG looks far to Euro for my liking. The BF cabin is also a much nicer place to be, with better air conditioning (which is very important to me). Speakers/etc. don't matter to me, as they'll most likely be replaced. Buying new might be a little expensive, but I should be able to find one in good condition, manual, and slightly used.

I could also buy a BA/BF XR6, but it's a bit difficult to find in manual (if it's going to be auto, why not just get the Fairlane?), and even more difficult to find a manual in great condition.

Which of these should I buy? Are there any other Fords which I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Grippy]

What about a BF2 Fairmont Ghia if you can put up with an auto? They come with all of the good stuff the Fairlane has, but not quite so big and they're priced really well these days

[flappist]

At 17 I would recommend something like a BA XR6 for about $8-10k.

Drive it for a year or so until you learn how park other than by feel or any of the other "mishaps" that plague new drivers.

Then sell it for a couple of $k less than you bought it for and buy the car you really want.

[jaydee]

17 and getting a car valued up to 35 grand, lucky you.
As said a BF Fairmont is very very nice, but I'm sure as a 17 year old an XR6 would be more the look.
As you say a manual is hard to find and probably had a good working over.
Let us know how you get on.

[old_mate]

Fairlane is a nice way to cart your mates around, pretty comfy back seat too for those, well, friendliest passengers.

Pretty damn big car to get used to driving with though, i'd stick with something less LWB. I'd be looking at a EL XR6, cheap to buy, maintain, parts everywhere, you can bang it, prang it, get it all out of your system, get off your P's and buy a Coyote.

[janddbone]

Go the Fairlane, any one that you like....

[TheZHLANE]

The lane isnt that much different to the falcon when parking imo. 35 grand wow

[TheZHLANE]

go the lane

[mik]

pretty hard to go wrong with any Falcon that has a 6 speed in it imo(as long as its been looked after).

[Kaan]

fg xr6 is my pick mate. Also have you considered XR5 Turbo?

[Crazy Dazz]

For that money you could get a new XR5, but I understand that in some states you can’t drive a turbo or V8?
I wouldn’t recommend plonking down that sought of cash on a late model XR6, they are boring as, barely a step up from an XT. As Flappist said, I would recommend going cheaper for your first car. Fixing and upgrading is part of the fun of owning your first car. Then once you’re able to drive a turbo or V8, I would go for the nicest XR8 you can buy.

[wrongwaynorris]

Lucky man , I agree with Flappist buy a cheaper car first so any youthful insdiscretions are not going to be visited on a later model more valuabe car . 35 grand wow , I remember my first car , a $600 Hillman Imp , you've either worked very hard or have loving parents either way make the most of it and enjoy .

[OzJavelin]

As per a few others here, save some $$$ and buy something cheaper as your first car .. the BF Fairmont sounds like a great first car .. and I've seen a few around owned by P-platers which look pretty cool even in the stodgy dark grey but with nice wheels and a nice tint ..

[Glen 5150]

$35k...... Geez? They don't want to adopt another son do they? I can be very loving also. Good luck to you though. I'd buy something nice for around $10-15k and save the rest for a house deposit. Or maybe spend the remainder on some shares? If you invest in the big banks and food (Coles/Woolworths) shares in Australia's dominated monopoly you'll never go wrong, and before you know it you'll be getting 10-15% annual returns.
Good luck though mate. I'd give my left nut to be in your position. Don't waste it!

[EB#]

Hey Fairlaneman....
I agree with other suggestions that an older car is a better place to start for a 'first' car.
Also, I'd suggest doing a few sums on your insurance costs per year, as this may well
determine what sort of car you can afford to run.

[chevypower]

What about getting a pile of junk for your first car? What's with kids these days? They want to start off with the very best. Sorry, I'm just jealous! Either of those two would be awesome.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by chevypower

What about getting a pile of junk for your first car? What's with kids these days? They want to start off with the very best. Sorry, I'm just jealous! Either of those two would be awesome.

No different to my day .. just more money and better cars available. When I started driving in 1987 all the cool, "rich" kids drove VK-VL Commodores maybe 3years old? No different to now really, except you get a lot more for you money these days ..

[XRSEX]

Originally Posted by chevypower

What about getting a pile of junk for your first car? What's with kids these days? They want to start off with the very best. Sorry, I'm just jealous! Either of those two would be awesome.

Getting a half decent affordable car with ABS and TC is a good start for a youngin.

If i had spent a few grand for my first car like I did on my VT commodore, I would of had an airbag, traction control and ABS so I wouldnt of hit a tree like I did..

I know its a commodore but they can be had for around 5k, fairly safe cars.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by chevypower

What about getting a pile of junk for your first car? What's with kids these days? They want to start off with the very best. Sorry, I'm just jealous! Either of those two would be awesome.

Here Here! i was in the same boat and had to buy and old bomb for my first car. (mazda 1500 sedan).

to the OP, if you are doing a lot of city driving, have you considered getting something like a mondeo or focus? they'd be easier to park too

[TheInterceptor]

35k now thats a fair bit money to spend on a car at 17!
Im 17 aswell and i ended up buying an old subaru banger for $950, which is more a project than anything (ive got my reasons haha, shame ford didnt have anything like it, but its ok, i drive a BF wagon most of the time so im still in the ford family )

Driving a larger fairlane isnt that much of a hassle, you learn how to park it etc in no time, althought you need larger parking spaces. A BF xr6 would be somthing to look into since you dont like the euro styling of the FG.
But from what i can tell you seem to be inclined to the Fairlane, go and do some test drives of the Fairlane and then an XR6 (BF or FG) if your confident enough.
Remember to look out for any mismatched panels, discolouration, rust, leaks, patch ups etc etc and service history/logbooks also would be quite essential for the vehicle to have. People seem to be rolling kms back to charge more nowadays...
Some people say that being a p plater youd scratch it and bang it up, i beg to differ! But it could depend on how much you drive...
Good luck with it.

[XCwillo]

I thought the 35000 was a typo untill i saw the FG XR6 part :|
God damn son wish my rents had that sorta money to splash on me! haha

Don't go a new car untill you've gone through some of what the road has to throw at you (loosing control, ect ect)
Get a older car, hell, for that amount of money you could buy an XB falcon and get it fully restored! I'm 18 and have a XC falcon ute
You'll never complain about fairlane parking again once you've tried parking my tank!

But go for a BA XR6 or something like that, even an AUIII tickford spec would be awesome! then next year after a full years driving, get a new car like the FG

[Smoke Pursuit]

BFII Fairmont Ghia, you can get them for less then 20 kay..

If you really want a Fairlane buy a BA G220 if you can (v8) and learn in that.. You can get them for 12-14 kay and they are pretty much identical to the last of the BF Fairlanes, except the gearbox.

Ive always wanted a G220 or G8... I reckon they are a great looking car.

[AndrewR_AUII]

Also think about insurance. What would insurance be on a $35,000 car for somebody who is 17 without any driving history ??
Whatever you get it MUST have at an absolute minimum Third party property

Oh...and welcome aboard... noticed this is your first post.

[Mr Brooksy]

I agree too with Flappist id it MUST be a new car.

But I don't understand the logic behind getting into this kind of debt on your first car. Sure the new ones have airbags etc... but if was me, I would be getting an XE-XF for cheap and have money left over to play with it. Learn how to do absolutely everything to it... The experience alone would be worth not having a new shiny car...

I think I must be getting old at 28!

[phil.50thxr6]

Do what i done and get a xr50

[FTE72]

Flappist is on the money again.

[PHANTMXR6]

I would think a G6E could be had for that price range, and be a better purchase than a BF Fairlane.

But as has been mentioned. A B series for around the $8-10k mark would be a good starting point.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Get an older / cheaper car first, I've had a lot of country driving experience before I got my licence, and was pretty confident I wouldn't be plauged with the bumps and bruises others encounter in their first year of driving.... until I backed into my mates corolla and ripped the front bar off...

Start cheap, get something awesome a year or so later.

[EgoFalcon]

Seems to be a very 'touchy' subject. There are alot of opinions and you did ask for them so I will give mine.

My first car was a bf xr6, people saying get a banger for your first car. That to me is pointed towards people that don't give a dam about there cars. If you are sensible and can drive (we all know it, some people are not meant for driving) choose whatever you want.

Because I can have a say I am gonna go for BF XR6 Manual. If you want the car bad enough, you will be willing to wait for it.

Get your bf fairlaine (guessing 16-25k) and convert it to manual professionally. I don't recommend it but your parents are paying for it afterall *insert smiley face here*. And the value will probably decrease more then an auto.

There's my 3 cents worth.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by EgoFalcon

Seems to be a very 'touchy' subject. There are alot of opinions and you did ask for them so I will give mine.

My first car was a bf xr6, people saying get a banger for your first car. That to me is pointed towards people that don't give a dam about there cars. If you are sensible and can drive (we all know it, some people are not meant for driving) choose whatever you want.

Because I can have a say I am gonna go for BF XR6 Manual. If you want the car bad enough, you will be willing to wait for it.

Get your bf fairlaine (guessing 16-25k) and convert it to manual professionally. I don't recommend it but your parents are paying for it afterall *insert smiley face here*. And the value will probably decrease more then an auto.

There's my 3 cents worth.

The problem is that there is no such thing as a car enthusiast who is does not believe they are an EXPERT driver.

Not only are all car enthusiasts expert drivers but they don't even have to learn to drive or get any experience on the road whatsoever.

They don't need to learn how other people can do just crazy things or how fast an oncoming vehicle is going regardless of its size or shape.

They don't need to learn how different weather or road surface conditions may affect how their vehicle reacts.

They never misjudge anything even by a millimetre and know exactly what to do, for example, on a blind corner in the rain or into the setting sun when truck appears coming the other way encroaching on their lane.

They know exactly the limits of their vehicle in all regards and can judge exactly what everyone else is going to do on the road at all times.

All of those things are just instinctive........