1994 Ford Fairmont 4.0 6 cylinder from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A bargain, Good highway cruiser

Faults:

The only notable thing to go wrong with this car is the radiator blocked up causing it to overheat at 150000km's. I am told this is fairly common for all the falcons and fairlanes from 1990 to 1998. EA to EL. This was relatively inexpensive to fix at around $200.

The motor still purrs quietly with no rattles at 175000km's.

The interior trim is still good.

The paintwork is still good.

The car still looks nice, and presents well on the road.

General Comments:

This car has been the most reliable car and the best car I have ever owned. In the five years I have owned this car I have spent very little on the car. I have only ever replaced parts that you would normally expect to replace through normal wear and tear, such as the shocks, brake pads, battery, radiator, tyres, coolant, oil, plug leads, distributor cap. A total of about $2000. Not bad when you consider this is spread over five years of ownership.

Good Towcar with the 2300kg Hayman Reece.

Excellent value, when you can now buy these cars for around $5000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th August, 2003

7th Jul 2004, 03:41

Good to see the review about my car has stood the test of time. It is almost a year later and the ED fairmont is about to roll over 200000kms. The only 2 mechanical failures in the last 12 months have been the fanbelt idler pulley, which I replaced myself for a cost of $8. Not bad for 25000 kms done in that time.

The second failure was the odometer stopped at 197000kms, highlighting the need to be cautious about accurate readings on second hand cars, when I had it repaired at a cost of $60 the guy said he fixes heaps of them, mostly when the cars are being sold, who knows how long they have been broken for. Not winding back, but it might as well be.

Modifications I have done to the car in the last year include lowering the ride height, improving the handling and ride, although causing it to ride rough when heavily loaded such as traveling interstate. So a word of caution to those considering lowering. If you frequently travel long distances on rough country highways with 5 people and the boot fully loaded, keep standard height.

I still believe this to be a good car and I intend to see it through to 300 or maybe 400000kms. My XE did 350000kms.

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1994 Ford Fairmont ED 4.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Very good and very bad in different ways

Faults:

Not a lot has gone wrong with the car except general wear and tear.

Shocks.

Head gasket.

Belts.

General Comments:

This car has the most stupid interior space for a car this size compared to a Commodore. The leg and head room is horrible and even worse with a sun roof for head room. There is no extra leg or head room in the front or back. Compare the Fairmont/Falcon to Commodore and there is a very big difference. If you are over 6 feet tall you will feel uncomfortable in the Ford.

Apart from that, the car looks and goes great.

Oh steering is not very direct, in fact poor. The car is very good and very bad in different ways.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th July, 2001

18th Feb 2009, 15:19

I'm 6ft 4", and my partner is 6ft. We fit in our 1994 Fairmont with ample space and comfort, are you trying to live in yours?

Also the steering on ours is quite precise, the soft suspension demands smooth inputs so it doesn't pitch and roll when changing directions, but on the whole it's a very relaxing car to drive. They are different to Korean and Japanese cars to drive, but this doesn't make them worse. Would have a Fairmont over a Daewoo any day mate.