Ford Falcon 2009 Problems

There have been many important events in the Falcon's long running history in this country, but none more so than the release of the FG Falcon in 2008.  The FG represented the last play in the Falcon fight back from the AU disaster. Ford couldn't afford to have another lame duck on its hands, so it had to be right.Two years on from the launch, as it appears on used car lots around the country as company lease cars, fleet units and ex-renters come up for sale, it's the winner Ford had hoped it would be.Model WatchThe FG came in the wake of the BA and BF models, two solid models that managed to recover much of the ground lost by the unloved AU.  Had it not been for the AU's failure the BA, and the BF makeover, would never have been.The model slated to replace the AU was to be a mild makeover to keep Falcon sales ticking over until an all-new model could be developed.  But such was the alarm over the AU sales slide that Ford pressed the go button on a major revamp that became the 'Barra' or BA.The BA proved a success, as did its BF cousin, and the AU became a distant memory.  Enter the FG, the much-trumpeted all-new model that pushed the AU even further into the depths of history.With a new body, smart new looks, and new chassis, engines and transmissions the FG truly was an all-new car.  What's more there was a new model line-up that clearly differentiated between luxury and sports models.By the launch of the FG the XR6 was a well-respected sports sedan model on the local market and was the entry model to Ford's new sports range. The other sports models were the XR6 Turbo and the V8 XR8.While the FG boasted a new look, the XR's sporty look came from its specific headlights, grille, front bumper, fog lamps, rocker panels, and 17-inch alloy wheels.  The sports theme continued inside where in addition to all of the features of the FG XT, it also came with sports dials, sports seats, alloy pedal covers, and on the manual models there was an aluminium shift knob.Under the bonnet lay the familiar 4.0-litre double overhead camshaft six, but it now had a new fast-burn cylinder head and clever dual- mode intake manifold, and a revised engine calibration.  As a result of the upgrades the peak engine output rose to 195 kW at 6000 revs and 391 Nm at 3250 revs.Not only was the engine's performance increased, its efficiency was also improved, and that meant better fuel economy.  There was also a new five-speed auto, with sports shift function, and a new six-speed manual transmission.A new suspension package, with lightweight virtual pivot control link front suspension and control blade independent rear suspension, along with revised steering and new monotube shock absorbers gave the FG impressive on-road dynamics.  Unique 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped with Dunlop SP Sport rubber completed the XR6 package.In the shopOwners of previous model Falcons have regularly complained to carsGuide about problems with their cars, but to date the complaints about the FG have been few and far between.One regular complaint from owners of those previous models related to the adjustment of the park brake, which was tricky, but the FG has a self-adjusting park brake that should eliminate that issue.The overall lack of complaint is a good sign for FG owners, hopefully one that is a pointer to future reliability.  But with less than 50,000km on average it's still early days for this model.It's worth making a thorough check of all systems to make sure everything on the car works, listen for odd noises while driving, make sure auto transmission engages smoothly and without hesitation.  Check also for signs of crash repairs, mismatching paint etc., gouged alloy wheels from contact with gutters and kerbs, and scarred bumpers.In a crashThe XR6 came standard with an impressive list of safety features, including driver and front passenger airbags, front side head/thorax airbags, dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist.  By any measure it's an impressive array of safety systems, enough to be given a five-star ANCAP rating.At the pumpDriven by Carsguide, an FG XR6 returned 10.0 L/100km in general running around town, which was spot-on with Ford's official figure.Owners sayJames Creece has owned several Falcons over the past 10 years and is bewildered by the complaints owners make about them. He currently owns two FG XR6 Falcon autos and is very happy with both of them. One, a work ute, has done 75,000km mostly with a load and towing a loaded trailer, has averaged 12.2L/100km and he says it's a good ute with a tight body, it handles well, everything works, and it's good value for money. The other is a sedan with premium sound, leather, 18-inch alloys, iPod/Bluetooth that has done 30,000km. He says it's great on the road, the best car he's ever owned. James runs it in PULP and it has averaged 8.9L/100km on mostly country driving.On the other hand, after 1000km Steve Walters noticed a clunking noise in the right front of his FG XR6 manual when backing it out of a driveway. The dealer checked it and tightened the front-end, and declared it fixed after a test drive, unfortunately when Steve subsequently checked it he found it was still there. This time, after another check, the dealer compared it to another XR6 and found it too exhibited the same noise. The dealer's response was that it was a characteristic of the car and told Steve to "put up with it". After some frustrating discussions with Ford's Customer Relations people, the dealer, and a Ford service rep, the car was once more checked and the noise was diagnosed as being caused by the front lower control arm. The arm was replaced and for a time it seemed the problem was fixed, but after a few days it returned. The car has now done 15,000km and the noise is still there.Look for. Sports looks. Great chassis. Responsive six-cylinder engine. Five-star safety. Few problems reportedThe Bottom LineGrunty engine, good driving chassis, good buy.Rating85/100

The traditional prestige players are priced beyond the means of most of us -- but the qualitative difference separating the business class and the topline versions of the rest has diminished to the point of non-existence. All right, you'll look better in the car park comparison stakes if you drive the exxier choices listed here, but you're by no means always driving the better car.WAGONSOne's a classy Volkswagen Group sport wagon with a direct injection turbo petrol engine with the option of a cutting-edge transmission. And so's the Audi.The Czech-made Skoda is essentially a bigger in the body, more discreet, better riding and cheaper VW Golf GTI, the car that more than any other blurs the distinction between the prestige pack and the rest.The handling-enhancing electronic diff of the new GTI is on its way to the RS, so while the twin clutch DSG adds $2300, the generous standard kit (including tasty 18s) and skinny options list means there's not a lot more to spend. Rare is the Audi of which that can be said.The output of the front-wheel-drive Avant's turbo four is similar (132kW/320Nm plays Skoda's 147kW/280Nm), limited for its continuously variable transmission. Quattro and the full-fat engine sets you back another $13,000 -- and the premium is already just a bit silly.SEDANSOne's a perfectly balanced, rear-wheel-drive, inline petrol six with great steering and a six-speed ZF automatic. And so's the BMW.All right, we're comparing a big tarted-up Aussie taxi with a thoroughbred mid-size Bavarian sport sedan here, but what of it? Priced $33K south, this Falcon is probably the best-value car in the country on a metal for money basis and that price difference buys a lot of basic unleaded petrol for that 4.0-litre atmo six with its whacking 195kW/391Nm. If there's a quickish car that rides as well as the Falcon, it's known not unto us.As to the Bimmer, well, you'd go there if you could, even if the peerless handling comes at the price of run-flat tyres and an options list to make your eyes bleed.DIESELSOne's a European-built front-wheel-drive with a sophisticated turbodiesel engine and bank-vault build quality. And so's the Volvo. Now the first prestige Euro to be owned by a Chinese company, Volvo did rather well out of its association with Ford (certainly better than Saab did out of GM). But the years of proximity invite comparison.Long the choice of UK sales reps and families, the Mondeo's marriage of the diesel with an auto and capable dynamics give it a comfortable niche position at this level of the market. The Titanium edition gives the long Ford the trim and kit to compare with the premium brigade.Despite its more potent five-cylinder engine and Swedish aura of invulnerability, we just can't see the extra spend in the stolid Volvo.SUVSOne's the best-driving compact SUV and... uh, that's the BMW, actually. We've often said that if BMW made front-wheel-drive family cars they'd handle like Mazdas, so the two brands' respective four-wheel-drives should logically be even closer.Not quite, but not to the extent that the X3 is nigh-on $20K better. The X3's only real advantage in Australia's restricted conditions is its standard six-speed auto. Stop us if you're tired of hearing this, Mazda doesn't yet have a slusher for its diesel.While the Mazda's engine is slightly bigger and more potent than the BMW diesel, it has to haul a nearly two-tonne kerb weight. The X3 is 250kg lighter but, within, it's also the most dated Bimmer.How much is that badge worth, again?