Lemons I have owned

[The Apostle]

Ford XE Falcon...door handles...enough said.

I know as recently as 2009 they still sold XD-XF series door handles at Supercheap Auto and it was the only door handles they stocked.

[Ian]

Ford XE Falcon...door handles...enough said.

I know as recently as 2009 they still sold XD-XF series door handles at Supercheap Auto and it was the only door handles they stocked.

If you bought genuine door handles, then adjustyed them correctly (XD's had built in rod length adjustment, XE/F's you had to slightly kink or straighten the rod) so that they opened the door after about 4 or 5mm of handle travel they didn't break, sold my XE with 300,000km on it, between my dad and I we had it from 60,000, never changed one handle while either of us had it

[Strawb]

Ford XE Falcon...door handles...enough said.

I know as recently as 2009 they still sold XD-XF series door handles at Supercheap Auto and it was the only door handles they stocked.

If you bought genuine door handles, then adjustyed them correctly (XD's had built in rod length adjustment, XE/F's you had to slightly kink or straighten the rod) so that they opened the door after about 4 or 5mm of handle travel they didn't break, sold my XE with 300,000km on it, between my dad and I we had it from 60,000, never changed one handle while either of us had it

I took them off and put in a bigger pop rivet.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Ford XE Falcon...door handles...enough said.

I know as recently as 2009 they still sold XD-XF series door handles at Supercheap Auto and it was the only door handles they stocked.

If you bought genuine door handles, then adjustyed them correctly (XD's had built in rod length adjustment, XE/F's you had to slightly kink or straighten the rod) so that they opened the door after about 4 or 5mm of handle travel they didn't break, sold my XE with 300,000km on it, between my dad and I we had it from 60,000, never changed one handle while either of us had it

Buy a new car, pull doors apart, make adjustments so product doesn't fail. Sweet deal.

Had a Cortina that had 4 busted door handles.

[grant j]

Ford XE Falcon...door handles...enough said.

and push rods. bent 3 in 6 months

[Ian]

and you never flogged it either

[Psyber]

Ford XE Falcon...door handles...enough said.

and push rods. bent 3 in 6 months

I admit to not having any training as a mechanic, nor knowing much about Fords as I've never owned one, but I thought push rods disappeared many decades ago with the move to overhead cams??
Please enlighten me...

[tipper]

you are correct, overhead cam cars dont have pushrods, however there are still many cars that are still sold new with traditional cam in block designs. the current holden V8 for instance. and the XE falcon was most definitely not overhead cam (and i dont thing the current falcon six is either, although i may be very wrong on that)

[Ian]

you are correct, overhead cam cars dont have pushrods, however there are still many cars that are still sold new with traditional cam in block designs. the current holden V8 for instance. and the XE falcon was most definitely not overhead cam (and i dont thing the current falcon six is either, although i may be very wrong on that)

The Falcon 6 has been Overhead Cam (OHC) since the EA Falcon was released in 1988, and double OHC since the release of the BA in 2002.

The Falcon V8 was also released in OHC (performance version DOHC) with the BA in 2002

[Psyber]

Thanks guys, for the confirmation.

The last car I bought that may have had push rods was probably in 1969 - HK 327 Monaro (Bathurst model).
It's only faults were the boot light that stayed on and flattened the battery, and its fuel consumption.
But, IIRC, petrol was about 36 cents a gallon then - about 8 cents a litre.

[tipper]

you are correct, overhead cam cars dont have pushrods, however there are still many cars that are still sold new with traditional cam in block designs. the current holden V8 for instance. and the XE falcon was most definitely not overhead cam (and i dont thing the current falcon six is either, although i may be very wrong on that)

The Falcon 6 has been Overhead Cam (OHC) since the EA Falcon was released in 1988, and double OHC since the release of the BA in 2002.

The Falcon V8 was also released in OHC (performance version DOHC) with the BA in 2002

thanks Ian, i had a feeling i was wrong with the falcon six.

[grant j]

and you never flogged it either

I lived on a corner block with the garage on the side street and was told by the mechanic (who worked across the road) that they bent because I would get the car out of the shed and drive it around the front, turn the motor off go inside the house and within 5-10 minutes would restart the car and go out.

the thing was an EFI that was nothing but trouble.
The computer went in it and Maughn Thiem Ford had no idea. They first told me it was the fuel pump, replaced it no difference. Then they said it was the injectors, replaced then no difference. then they said it could be the computer, replaced it, then sold the bloody lemon

Never bought a Ford since and wouldn't deal with Maughn Thiem again

[Ian]

There were a few teething problems with the early EFI's, most makes had issues in the 80's, Ford were using a Bosch system which was supposed to be the world leader in EFI at the time, the improvements to motor vehicle electronics since then has been huge,

Maughan Thiem.......mmmm, tend to agree with you there, as a Mazda owner I'm not too impressed that they were bought out by Maughan Thiem

[The Apostle]

Ford XE Falcon...door handles...enough said.

I know as recently as 2009 they still sold XD-XF series door handles at Supercheap Auto and it was the only door handles they stocked.

And don't forget the door sag as well. It was so bad on the front passenger door that the bottom door hinge pushed through the end of the door...

[The Apostle]

A 1966 Morris Major

My grandfather owned one of those. We had it in the 90s and you used to still be able to find them in the wreckers. Uncle has it now and it is still going.

A 1985 Magna

I've actually taken a TP magna past 180km/h which is off the speedo!

[dedja]

doesn't count down Willunga Hill unfortunately ...

[Booney]

At the XE - All of the above.

Burnt Orange XE S Pack which included additional Ghia bonnet emblem. Ripped that off when I got it home.

First ever car. 250 X Flow, door handles galore, used to keep at least one in the boot and tools to replace it. Puch rods smacking into rocker cover regulalry. Then, complete over haul.

Early 1990s I spent about $8000 doing dedicated LPG work, new shocks/struts/bushes, new LPG system and did some minor body work. The thing now owed me about $12k.

At the time, being young and naive I drove around uninsured. Long story short, back end of a 3 car pile up on Henley Beach Road cost me $22,000 and mine was a write off. Bad memories. If not for the bingle I am sure I would still own it to this day.

Took the engine out and whacked it in a green XF that was full of rust and drove that around for about 4 years until I had paid off the insurance money.

Next car a 97 TE Magna with the 3.5lt V6, auto,electric. Never missed a beat. Sits in the shed now with 205,000k's on it waiting for Junior Boon to step into it. Had it since it had done 35,000 and I could not fault it for one thing.

[Ian]

Next car a 97 TE Magna with the 3.5lt V6, auto,electric. Never missed a beat. Sits in the shed now with 205,000k's on it waiting for Junior Boon to step into it. Had it since it had done 35,000 and I could not fault it for one thing.

Magnas (TR onwards) were one of the most underrated cars sold in Australia, unfortunately the earlier models tarnished the name

[The Apostle]

Next car a 97 TE Magna with the 3.5lt V6, auto,electric. Never missed a beat. Sits in the shed now with 205,000k's on it waiting for Junior Boon to step into it. Had it since it had done 35,000 and I could not fault it for one thing.

Magnas (TR onwards) were one of the most underrated cars sold in Australia, unfortunately the earlier models tarnished the name

Agree with the first part but not the second part. The best car I ever driven was TW series ES. Next is a TP series GLX.

I think what sunk the Mitsubishi Magna/380 was that they didn't have a hero car like a Charger or GT-HO. One of my workmates is ex-Mitsi and he agrees with that.

[HH3]

Next car a 97 TE Magna with the 3.5lt V6, auto,electric. Never missed a beat. Sits in the shed now with 205,000k's on it waiting for Junior Boon to step into it. Had it since it had done 35,000 and I could not fault it for one thing.

Magnas (TR onwards) were one of the most underrated cars sold in Australia, unfortunately the earlier models tarnished the name

Agree with the first part but not the second part. The best car I ever driven was TW series ES. Next is a TP series GLX.

I think what sunk the Mitsubishi Magna/380 was that they didn't have a hero car like a Charger or GT-HO. One of my workmates is ex-Mitsi and he agrees with that.

They have the Evo's that still have a pretty big following. A guy at work just bought a 99 model late last year. Cost him just under $30k.