Its done...One hamburger with the lot for me!

**Polyal** · 21-03-2006, 10:25 PM

Well...I drove all the way to Yarra Junction this afternoon from Geelong. A damn long drive, and most of the time it as beautiful, top place for a cruise!

But the length was worth it. As much as I hate auto's I couldn't pass this car up. So firstly, thanks for ALL the advice, much appreciated.

I am now the very happy owner of a 1997 EL Fairmont Ghia

:

So the specs that i know of are:

Full Leather
All the electronic gizmo's
That god alwful steering
All the ticky gear
Has the spoties
215000 on the clock

All for a VERY reasonable price (it will make current el ghia owners cry). It was country driven and the previousowner before was a RACV manager or something.

I have to learn all the buttons, but damn...a huge step up from the EA

Oh and one more then I have to say - Mr Bracks :thebirds: to your speed cameras on the geelong FWY...cruise control rocks!

Can anyone verify what colour it is? I think its heritege but its very dark, almost black sometimes.

Cheers guys...I not really have many pics as its dark..ill give her a polish ASAP and get some better pics.

From the trading post..lol

Ive been thinking of changing the username to suit, but I cant be stuffed...lol

EFFalcon · 21-03-2006, 10:29 PM

heritage green
cuppa interior (that looks like all it needs is a clean!)
turning lamps

nice stuff

InitialD · 21-03-2006, 10:29 PM

That doesnt look too bad, Pretty high K's for a El thou...

How much was it?

(Ps change your shifter to a cappa one ;))

Poetic Justice · 21-03-2006, 10:31 PM

Not a bad score if it was a cheapie at all.

Definately needs a bit of a tidy up, and like InitialD said change the shifter ;)

Slightly high k's but eh, who cares :P

Stevo · 21-03-2006, 10:38 PM

That will look great with a bit of work. You didnt mention if it was a 6 or an 8? Congrats on the purchase

Poetic Justice · 21-03-2006, 10:39 PM

judging from the smudge of colour i can see on the side of the car in the first pic its a 6 :O

**Polyal** · 21-03-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackout

Not a bad score if it was a cheapie at all.

Definately needs a bit of a tidy up, and like InitialD said change the shifter ;)

Slightly high k's but eh, who cares :P

I paid $6200 for it. There is nothing wrong with it other than some bloody sqweek form the dash or drivers door, its driving me insane.

k's really are not that high. Ive been looking for ages and the best I ever found was 166000.

yeah I thought the shifter look weird.

Its a six, and I REALLY miss the instant response of my T5, but its very cruisey...lol

So what do I need to change?

1. Shifter..anyone got one thaey want to swap?
2. Steering wheel...John I like yours, with the woodgrain, where did you get that and what type is it?
3. I dont know if the turning lamps work, they dont come on when I signal, nor when I high beam, shouldn't be hard to fix though

Tomorrow I am buying some superlows, going to TTF to see what they have, and hopefully getting a tint done

mik · 21-03-2006, 10:45 PM

nice cruiser, and gotta love leather .....enjoy

EFFalcon · 21-03-2006, 10:45 PM

2: my steering wheel is an AU II Fairlane steering wheel (i think) i got it new from ford when thye were on special so i don't know how much or where you can get one now.

InitialD · 21-03-2006, 10:46 PM

Just hook the turning Lamps up to your parkers so they come on with your headlights. Thats all I would do and have seen done on most EF/EL that didnt have them stock

Im sure with a bit of TLC it will clean up like mint ;)

**Polyal** · 21-03-2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

2: my steering wheel is an AU II Fairlane steering wheel (i think) i got it new from ford when thye were on special so i don't know how much or where you can get one now.

So do i get in trouble with the airbag situation?

Does all your cruise buttons still work?

LUXO_8 · 21-03-2006, 10:52 PM

looks good allan....

EFFalcon · 21-03-2006, 10:54 PM

EF/EL airbag will go striaght on, how ever will be grey
i dyed mine

LUXO_8 · 21-03-2006, 10:55 PM

you use your own airbag and cruise buttons.....

Stevo · 21-03-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

So what do I need to change?

1. Shifter..anyone got one thaey want to swap?
2. Steering wheel...John I like yours, with the woodgrain, where did you get that and what type is it?
3. I dont know if the turning lamps work, they dont come on when I signal, nor when I high beam, shouldn't be hard to fix though

1. I have been looking for a shifter for a few months, (Chrome button has broken, its common) I havent been able to get one, (havent tried very hard though), and ford wanted $400 just for the handle.

3. Mine are wired to headlights.

If your getting it lowered and tinted, all i would do next is get some interior cleaner and leather condioner and scrub like hell!

Have a talk to Niko, he has the same car and has spent alot of time cleaning and fixing his up. He has done a awesome job as well. He might be able to give you some pointers ?

Keep us updated

**Polyal** · 21-03-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

EF/EL airbag will go striaght on, how ever will be grey
i dyed mine

Hmm sounds involved...lol

Are the DL steering wheels anygood? Or just the same?

Stevo · 21-03-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Hmm sounds involved...lol

Are the DL steering wheels anygood? Or just the same?

I have been tempted to swap wheels, but havent found anything that looks good with cappa but cappa. Ie why interior mods are nil. However if I do swap, it will be for a EL GT wheel, with the wheel dyed as I have seen done on fordmods.

apolloxbgt · 21-03-2006, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Hmm sounds involved...lol

Are the DL steering wheels anygood? Or just the same?

Not that involved realy,it's all pretty staight forward.

mcflux · 21-03-2006, 11:08 PM

VERY good price mate, I'd be proud with that. Jeez I remember when they were $20k (albeit the V8s...) Damn I wanted one so badly, but could never afford one. Enter my dodgy EB lol. And I paid more for it at the time than what you paid for the EL! Very good purchase made there...

Don't forget to post up pix after the SLs are on!

2000th post :sm_headba

EFFalcon · 21-03-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

I have been tempted to swap wheels, but havent found anything that looks good with cappa but cappa. Ie why interior mods are nil. However if I do swap, it will be for a EL GT wheel, with the wheel dyed as I have seen done on fordmods.

its called an Fairlane by Tickford steering wheel Stevo

Poetic Justice · 21-03-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

1. I have been looking for a shifter for a few months, (Chrome button has broken, its common) I havent been able to get one, (havent tried very hard though), and ford wanted $400 just for the handle.

Same here!

Is it possible to upgrade to the AU momo ones? I liked the one I had in my AU.

**Polyal** · 21-03-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

VERY good price mate, I'd be proud with that. Jeez I remember when they were $20k (albeit the V8s...) Damn I wanted one so badly, but could never afford one. Enter my dodgy EB lol. And I paid more for it at the time than what you paid for the EL! Very good purchase made there...

Don't forget to post up pix after the SLs are on!

2000th post :sm_headba

Mate nothing wrong with the EB at all, I jst wanted the different dash after having two EAs.

There are some crazy prices out there, most EL Ghias seem to be in the 8's and high 9's, all of which are in exactly the same condition as mine.

There was one excellent example, in tassie, 98000's but for 9k....a bit out of my budget.

Oh I got an insurance qoute today to..$550 full comp!..woot

py:

Sundeep · 21-03-2006, 11:35 PM

Mate that is a great choice you made getting an EL Ghia. You got everything you wanted in one sweet package it looks like. I don't usually comment in threads like these but EL Ghia is my personal favorite E-Series ;)

The shifter is a common problem like everyone said and Ford wants a fair bit of cash for 'em. The other thing you get in those is squeaks and rattles from the dash when you get past about 120,000km and the leather seats wearing down to the canvas layer underneath the leather and looking all grotty. I don't think there's any remedy for that either.

Other than that, you got about what you should expect for the price. I sold our EL Ghia for $11,400 last December with 138,000km on the clock in absolutely mint condition. The car popped up again for sale recently for some unknown reason and I think they guy wanted $8,900 for it. The prices have dropped pretty quick since the new year. I've seen some with 160,000km or less for around $7,500.

Sundeep

**Polyal** · 21-03-2006, 11:35 PM

Another question guys..thought id ask in here instead of making another thread.

It has the double DIN deck....do you guys keep the stock system and get better speakers? or do you change the tape player?

It comes with a stacker and all that...can I use the stacker with my after market VDO HU? And even if I can, its going to look weird becuase its black.....

Just curious what others have done...

**Polyal** · 21-03-2006, 11:37 PM

Sundeep - 2nd hand car values are dropping like its hot...lol

I could ahve gone the AU route...but ti would have been very basic...and in stock form I think the EL ghias are the best of the e series (excluding Gt's and sprints of course).

apolloxbgt · 21-03-2006, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Sundeep - 2nd hand car values are dropping like its hot...lol

I could ahve gone the AU route...but ti would have been very basic...and in stock form I think the EL ghias are the best of the e series (excluding Gt's and sprints of course).

I like el ghias 2,but el2 xr8 would still be farther up my list than a ghia.
Just out of intrest polyal,my eb xr8 now has the ef xr6 rims off your last ea on it as of today.

InitialD · 21-03-2006, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Another question guys..thought id ask in here instead of making another thread.

It has the double DIN deck....do you guys keep the stock system and get better speakers? or do you change the tape player?

It comes with a stacker and all that...can I use the stacker with my after market VDO HU? And even if I can, its going to look weird becuase its black.....

Just curious what others have done...

That stock system pretty much sounds as good as its going to sound. I mean you could update the speakers but your not going to get ALOT from them.

Id be replacing the factory headunit at least. You cannot use your VDO headunit with the FMS stacker. Different brands and signals/plugs, etc

You can get a single Din pocket to fill that bottom DIN slot. VDO make one that is pretty cool and can hold 5 cd's. You can hook an aftermarket headunit into the factory amp however to run your speakers and sub

Racecraft · 22-03-2006, 12:06 AM

if your chrome button is ok, i have one of those crappacino leather t bar handles sitting here

**Polyal** · 22-03-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecraft

if your chrome button is ok, i have one of those crappacino leather t bar handles sitting here

mate I think my chrome is 100% ok...a swap sounds on the cards to me. ill PM ya!

**Polyal** · 22-03-2006, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InitialD

That stock system pretty much sounds as good as its going to sound. I mean you could update the speakers but your not going to get ALOT from them.

Id be replacing the factory headunit at least. You cannot use your VDO headunit with the FMS stacker. Different brands and signals/plugs, etc

You can get a single Din pocket to fill that bottom DIN slot. VDO make one that is pretty cool and can hold 5 cd's. You can hook an aftermarket headunit into the factory amp however to run your speakers and sub

Sounds good to me...the speakers definately have to be changed, I think one has popped anyway.

Im glad I can use the amp though...save one purchase, and i already have a sub sitting here...

About the 2nd DIN space, do most audio places stock the VDO pocket thing?

Thanks Mick!