Guess what a BA Mk2 XR6 is going for at the auctions ?

[robjh80]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

IMHO the Govt fleet auctions are the only way to buy a late model car. Stuff lining the pockets of a car shark.

The trouble is "you just dont know how Govt cars have been treated," some may have been treated fine,....... but they may also be the exeption.

I work for a very large Govt dept who go through cars like running water, they generally get shoved off to Auction after about 20-30k..........I see how they get treated in that short life with the dept..............."thrashed, thrashed and then thrashed again, unwashed, never polished" and generally treated like _ _ _ _ ("you know what.")

Not for me thanks, you can have them.

[rapom1]

Originally Posted by robjh80

The trouble is "you just dont know how Govt cars have been treated," some may have been treated fine,....... but they may also be the exeption.

I work for a very large Govt dept who go through cars like running water, they generally get shoved off to Auction after about 20-30k..........I see how they get treated in that short life with the dept..............."thrashed, thrashed and then thrashed again, unwashed, never polished" and generally treated like _ _ _ _ ("you know what.")

Not for me thanks, you can have them.

Too right, and the condition usually reflects this. I trawled the auctions when searching for my BA. The prices looked ok on paper but the cars were (generally) in very very poor condition considering their low ks and young age. I was shocked and dissapointed with the vast majority of cars I saw. dents, scratches, water smells, cigarette smells, filthy dirty, 1 service in 40,000km etc etc seemed to be the norm.
I ended up finding (private sale) a mint 1 owner, garaged, BA SR, with 14000km for $18500, and was more than happy to pay the extra $1000 or so over the auction price.

[TURBOTAXI]

I got my 9/2005 XR6 Turbo for $20,750 at Fowles. Had 79K but Meh, I'm doing 40,000 per annum.

[DTFRMONT]

Originally Posted by robjh80

I work for a very large Govt dept who go through cars like running water, they generally get shoved off to Auction after about 20-30k..........I see how they get treated in that short life with the dept..............."thrashed, thrashed and then thrashed again, unwashed, never polished" and generally treated like _ _ _ _ ("you know what.")

Not for me thanks, you can have them.

Yep, sounds like where I work as well. The cars are all pool cars, so they aren't assigned to the one driver, it's the same as buying a rental.

Mind you, if you know what to look out for, the auctions are the way to go, I've never bought a car from a dealer. I got my Au3 Fairmont at fowles in January 06. When I first saw it, it looked immaculate, with a good report, but the mileage put me off a bit (191,000 k's). However, when it went up, the starting price soon changed that, I took it home for $7100!. Only thing for the roady was 2 back tyres. I've done 30,000 in it so far & I've had no probs at all, however it was previously a stock agent's car, all highway miles. The same day I got mine, a very rough Egas BA with 175000 up, went for $14500! (taxi boys got that one)

[v8falconsrule]

Originally Posted by needaXYGT

only problem is you cant test drive them! in 2002 my dad bought an AU 2001 fairmont Ghia. it was the cleanest fairmont he could find with 48,000ks (now done 200,000ks). the previous owner was single, no kids and was only ever used by himself. the back seat was never used lol. BUT, this didnt mean that it wouldnt need a brand new engine :O. there was fault in the crank shaft which eventualy wore out the engine, and being still under warranty (lucky) the ford dealer just slapped a new one in.

this no different to buying a used car in a yard though. i shall relate a brief history of our old car, an eb fairmont wagon, purchased at a "reputable" dealer.
- leaked water within 2 hours of purchase-fixed under warranty
- air-con compressor buggered - normal wear no warranty $700
- head gasket buggered(while on honeymoon)- normal wear sort of- $1400 they paid half (had to machine head supposedly)

all this in less than a month, never did buy another car from them.......

oh moral of this story? never ever under ANY circumstances but a car on friday the 13th, ever!

[05MkIIFutura]

Originally Posted by robjh80

The trouble is "you just dont know how Govt cars have been treated," some may have been treated fine,....... but they may also be the exeption.

I work for a very large Govt dept who go through cars like running water, they generally get shoved off to Auction after about 20-30k..........I see how they get treated in that short life with the dept..............."thrashed, thrashed and then thrashed again, unwashed, never polished" and generally treated like _ _ _ _ ("you know what.")

Not for me thanks, you can have them.

I think you will find alot of cars that come through are on novated leases, in addition to the traditional "fleet", thats why there are fewer XT's and Futura's and lots more Ghia's and XR's. Yes there are some shite cars that come through, but there are also some gems. Historically, NSW Dept of Education (country), Riverina Health, RTA (to name a few) keep their cars in pristine condition.

You can easily pick a good car from a bad one - just takes a bit of time and care. I will tell you when my new car comes and I send the current one to auction if you like :voldar02:

PS: Where do you think 95% of the second hand Falcons come from that Ford dealers advertise in the papers?? I see the Canberra Ford and Holden dealers at the auctions every week. All they do is drive it onto their lots and add $5k.

[05MkIIFutura]

Originally Posted by XF460

See any Teritories go?
How much?

Territory's seem to be holding their values at auction very very well. Not as good savings as on the sedans (a XT Falcon will sell for less than a Corolla of the same buidl date)

[bigAl]

resale suck on australian cars. Holdens do a wee bit better.

What i find absoultely farsical, is the taxes the govt apllies to euro car makers.
Eg. VW, BMW ect.
Over there they are just common cars like our fords and holdens. But they are so well built.
I think its a good thing people arnt buying much aussie cars anymore, fed up with the so-so quality. Not to mention the resale!

[Iphido]

Im looking for either a XR6T with I design interior or a BF Fairmont Ghia I6. Im looking around $25,000 but somewhat flexable.

Im leaning towards the XR6T now I've heard how much it costs to get a LSD fitted.

Atleast with newer cars they are still covered by some warrenty. There is a small amount of risk, you can inspect and start the cars atleast. Modern cars with 30-60,000 km should be pretty trouble free, even with hard lives.