Cheapest 2nd hand car to run big distance

[Big_Damo]

Originally Posted by AussieCJ7

In a situation where might have to be driving over 1000klm per week most of it freeway with up to 4 hour sints behind the wheel largely Hume and pacific highway

instead of killing any of my current cars contemplating buying something sub $20k that will be comfortable, safe and reliable but cheapest overall running cost.


Thinking an FG XR6 or commodore v6 would have to be up there ? might be slighty more on fuel but less on servicing and parts.


I have a terriotry turbo that has 180,000klms on the clock i was going to use but started to look closely at what is or will needing to be done maint wise due to age (no major defects owned since new and well maintained). so contenplating off loading it and getting something cheaper to run

Looks like the FG xr6 with a 6 speed ZF box is the go
just something about the Ford being able to run without coolant makes it a no brainer for long distance country running
Able to continue driving to the next town if there is a failure is a massive safety feature in a country with remote travelling like we have in Australia

[XR6_power]

Originally Posted by Big_Damo

Looks like the FG xr6 with a 6 speed ZF box is the go
just something about the Ford being able to run without coolant makes it a no brainer for long distance country running
Able to continue driving to the next town if there is a failure is a massive safety feature in a country with remote travelling like we have in Australia

Agreed, there is simply less to go wrong with an I6 Falcon, and a record for robustness that has been proven over and over..

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by Big_Damo

Looks like the FG xr6 with a 6 speed ZF box is the go
just something about the Ford being able to run without coolant makes it a no brainer for long distance country running
Able to continue driving to the next town if there is a failure is a massive safety feature in a country with remote travelling like we have in Australia

I thought AU series was the one with failsafe coolant system.



Ford Falcon AU Series and Territory Fail Safe Overheat System
The Falcon AU and Territory engine management system has a failsafe overheat system. How this works is:
Instead of the usual ECT (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor) which measures the engine coolant temperature, it has a CHT (Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor) which is mounted at the rear of the cylinder head and measures the actual engine temperature. This sensor operates on a very wide temperature band width.
• When the engine temperature reaches 108°c, the engine sends a signal to operate the climatic control in a recycle state to help cool the engine down.
• At 120°c the OBD (Onboard Diagnostic System) warning lamp and the overheat warning lamp in the cluster illuminate and a fault code is stored in the Engine Management System to later be retrieved using the diagnostic test equipment.
• At 140 °c the Engine management system will command two injectors at a time to be switched off and reduces the engine power. This allows these two cylinders to be used as air pumps to help cool the engine. The hotter the engine and the more the throttle is pressed down at this the more injectors are switched off. At the same time the automatic transmission line pressure is increased.
• Finally at 180°c the engine is switched off, preventing a meltdown of engine components. The engine is then allowed to restart and run for 2 minutes on all six cylinders, to be able to drive the vehicle out of a danger zone.
The engine will only be able to restart once the engine temperature has dropped below 140°c.

[Big_Damo]

I thought this is something that is on all NA I6 falcons since the AU
I may be mistaken on that though

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Yes they are, I have a manual LV TDCI.

The LV was the last of the manual diesel Focus, the LW went to auto only with that crappy Powershift box and now they don't sell the TDCI in our market.

Woops 'my bad' thought the Powershift was the only option for diesel.

[Swordie]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Yep, certainly is.
Returned 11l/100km at an average price of roughly 70cpl.
Paid 73.7cpl in Adelaide before I left and 65.9cpl in Sunbury.

That's with 2 adult men the wrong side of 115kg...lol

Ballpark my G220 would cost $300 for same distance.

[jobeli]

Took the dedicated LPG 2013 VE Sports wagon to Woodside VIC on Sunday and back. From Doncaster to Traralgon via freeway, and then through the steep Strezlicki Ranges down to Woodside beach.
Driving normally at the 100 and 110 kmh limits, 4 adults plus beach gear, hot day. so air con the whole way too.
A total of 513.6 kms, refuelled 47.44 litres the next day. That is 9.24 l/100km actual.
Similar results with other tanks i've filled at different servos mirror these results, so no fluke. Amazing.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by AussieCJ7

In a situation where might have to be driving over 1000klm per week most of it freeway with up to 4 hour sints behind the wheel largely Hume and pacific highway

instead of killing any of my current cars contemplating buying something sub $20k that will be comfortable, safe and reliable but cheapest overall running cost.


Thinking an FG XR6 or commodore v6 would have to be up there ? might be slighty more on fuel but less on servicing and parts.


I have a terriotry turbo that has 180,000klms on the clock i was going to use but started to look closely at what is or will needing to be done maint wise due to age (no major defects owned since new and well maintained). so contenplating off loading it and getting something cheaper to run

Provided you have adequate access to servos, its a no-brainer. Buy a Falcon with LPG.
For starters, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything more comfortable for long journeys (unless you go European.)
Secondly, unlike most common cars, Falcons (especially the engines) are built for huge kms. (Mostly its a waste, most people don't need it, but if you do there's nothing better.)
LPG on freeway driving is very cheap to run.
Parts are plentiful and cheap, provided you stick to models that were still volume sellers.

If you are going to go looking at Diesels, do your homework. All are expensive to fix, but some are extortionate and have limited life.
My son has a Patrol with the old 4.2TD. Agricultural, but goes forever