tough choice - worked XE or AUII fairlane Ghia?

[blueoval]

It looks like I may have a tough choice ahead of me in the next few months.

I have the chance of buying one of 2 cars:

Worked XE with XF front, hot 351 with twin GRA system, hot cam, manualised and shift kitted C4 with stall, fresh paint, scoops, fresh interior, lowered, quick car and owned by my cousin. Car has done 5000ks since rebuild, and owned since 1992. Spent about 30k on it. Price to sell to me less than 10k. The car is immaculate and always garaged.

Buy a black AUII fairlane ghia and put 18in chromes on it. Price to buy around 20k.

Which should I buy?

I have sentimental feelings for the XE as I saw how my cousin built it and I grew up seeing the progression of how it is today. On the other hand the AUII fairlane is another good option and holds many feature advantages over the XE that appeal. The XE is a car I would like to keep in the family, the fairlane would be a nice addition though.

Whats your opinion?

[Psycho Chicken]

XE. It ain't going to lose any more value. Drive it for a while, if you still want an AU get one in 2 or 3 years when they are half the price.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

XE. It ain't going to lose any more value. Drive it for a while, if you still want an AU get one in 2 or 3 years when they are half the price.

Thanks man. I was sort of thinking the same way but wasn't sure if it is a good move. I mean I love my cousins car, it sounds tough as, looks good, and goes friggin hard as, but the perks of the luxo cars seems hard to go past. Im not sure which way I should go.

[montyv8]

the xe dammit Shav.thern you can join me and barry and dave cruising on weekends lol

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by montyv8

the xe dammit Shav.thern you can join me and barry and dave cruising on weekends lol

very true phil. It would be good to get back on the cruises again. Sorry if I sound funny typing on here mate, Im a little ****ed at the moment. (drunk that is) :

[LUXO_8]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

XE. It ain't going to lose any more value. Drive it for a while, if you still want an AU get one in 2 or 3 years when they are half the price.

yep, you cant go past this logic...

AU Fairlane's will be around for far longer than nice XE's

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by MADNC_8

yep, you cant go past this logic...

AU Fairlane's will be around for far longer than nice XE's

hmm, you have a valid point. seems like the XE is getting the thumbs up so far. Plus I have had a past with XE which I do admire. :

[Psycho Chicken]

Or just do what I'm doing, Fairlane Ghia for a daily and a 351 XB for a weekend warrior :P Not that the XB leaves the carport....

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

Or just do what I'm doing, Fairlane Ghia for a daily and a 351 XB for a weekend warrior :P Not that the XB leaves the carport....

The mrs wont let me have 2 cars. So the choice is one or the other. :

[LUXO_8]

the XE sounds like it'd make an awesome shopping cart / family hack haha

good luck with the decision, though it looks like the mob has spoken

[blueoval]

yeah thats what I thought. The pros about getting the XE would be the fact that parts are dirt cheap. Repairs are cheap and service and tuning should be pretty cheap too aswell as fuel would be affordable.. The Pros about the fairlane would be the features are high, and comfort levels would be high and it would look nice as a pimp spec vehicle.

[Racecraft]

20k .. throw another 3k into the pot and you could have a BA Fairmont

[Walkinshaw]

Do you really want an AU? Thats the question you have to ask yourself.

[fauxpas]

That much $ will get you an '03 Ghia.

The black fairlane would look nice though...

[JD86]

get the xe

[blueoval]

some very true comments.

But apart from being a newer car, what makes a BA better?

[347Stroker]

It won't blow away in a storm......

[SPS85]

I currently own an AU and I love it! But at the same time, old skool has just as much of that sex, and quite often even more, as a car of the more modern times. Whilst they may not be as refined as there younger siblings, we all know that nothing sounds hotter than sitting behind an old Ford V8... To be honest, even though I own an AU now, if I were in the situation of needing to buy again, I would almost definately go ye old skool. Don't suppose you have any pictures of this 80's beast do ya?

[dansedgli]

Do you want an old muscle car or a refined luxury barge? Will it be a daily driver?

Do both have air con?

[blueoval]

well as far as features is concerned:

The XE doesnt have power steer or a/c due to the fact my cousin wanted to have maximum power from his setup. Thats not an issue for me as I would just put all that back on. It does have electric windows and a power drivers seat from an LTD which I think is cool.

The fairlane will obviously have all that plus more,but as SPS85 has mentioned, not exactly the presence of old skool muscle.

I dont have any up to date pics of the beast, but I do have an old one from before the new engine rebuild and respray, but I'll need to dig that up. But she is immaculate and very well looked after. In fact, my cousin felt it needed another respray after about 5 years because he didnt quite like the paint colour, apparently it had too much green flake in it so he got it resprayed that same colour without the green flake. Go figure!

The interior is retrimmed full velour with some 90's accents added to it which still looks quite unique and modern. The dash is still 80's style with some extra VDO gauges and a 5" monsta tacho. Windows are tinted. Stereo is Phillips h/u with splits up front. It did have subs and stuff but he took all those out and added an extra lpg tank to the system. YES, an extra tank! 120ltrs usable! So thats a bonus on longs trips.

It will be a daily driver, and it should handle being one ok. He has also a dry cell odessey battery and kill switch added which Im not too sure on the battery type for.
The wheels are old style 15" 5 spoke performance wheels he added about 10 years ago with 215's up front and 245's at the rear. The car is lowere 1.5" which is plenty for me.

I have had both refined luxury and old skool cars and both have their advantages. But I thought I'd run it past you guys to see which has the everyday appeal to most.

[Blue Oval Mopar Man]

Go the XE mate ! They are a great car ! Still very comfortable on long drives ,not as much money tied up in it , you will get most or all of your money back if you look after it and decide to sell! I have a 79 XD which I will never sell ! I wonder if the last owner of my car regrets selling it ! I bet the hell he does every day !

[XD-Machine]

remebr you have 10 000 to make the car just as luxerious. Neways sounds like you are more pasionate about the xe over the au.

go with your feeling and leave the thinking out of it cause in the long run you will be more happy. Problems can be fixed but if you dont like the car whats the point.

get us some picks of it mate

[fordel]

Defiantely the XE shav.

Would be so much better then just another AU, something that would stand out a bit

Chris

[MAFIA]

Blueoval i'm in your exact position now. I know how you feel buddy as i own an XE V8 and a AU TL50 Black. I love them both and not selling any. Originally the XE was a daily driver until i bought the TL and any got to the point where both cars became weekend driver. so i bought an XF as my daily driver.

Trust me Blueoval get the XE as you weekend driver and the fairlane as you daily duty. Your mrs will understand your rights.

[Racecraft]

well another thing to consider is the LPG. A Daily driver on a GRA set-up will be cheaper to run than a AU.. ANd the XE has a known history, better the devil you know I say

[HOON69]

yep XE all the way with au's dropping in price you could buy one dirt cheap later on down the track..

[HLC]

XE.


Chromes = yuck.

[XYGTHO]

XE XE XE XE XE. LOL sorry mate. Definetly the XE. They are such a tuff car and theres not many nice ones gettin around anymore. Theres AU's with chromies everywhere. The XE is a much nicer car in my eyes i wouldn't even have to think about it. I could not justify spending 10grand extra for a car that will drop in price as much as the XE will rise in value anyhow. Especially when the XE is a one of a kind which you will be proud to own and cruise in.

[BuuBox]

Sounds like you've already made the (right) choice... :P Go the XE.