Ford Problems

I CAN'T really give you a definitive answer because many factors can affect your decision. If you buy a new smaller car, the Fiesta, you have to be sure it will be big enough to transport your family. You will also suffer the depreciation that affects all new cars in the first year of ownership, but you will have the new-car smell and the coverage of the full warranty. If you buy a secondhand car you run the risk of having problems simply because it has been on the road for a time before you buy it. For me, the big advantage is you can get into something that is bigger and better equipped for the same money.

FORD six-cylinder engines are generally thought to be thirstier than rival sixes, and it's reasonable to expect consumption to increase significantly when towing something as large and weighty as a caravan. Depending on the conditions, size and weight of the caravan, consumption could double, but to go up four times seems extreme. Do a consumption test with and without the caravan so you have actual numbers to make an accurate assessment.

SOUNDS as if there's a sealing problem on the dash. I haven't heard of a widespread problem with the EA, so it's more likely to be a one-off related to your car. The EA is now getting old and it could be many things, from rust around the windshield or in the plenum to holes in the dash itself. If it has been worked on by a previous owner they could have left seals out or not refitted them correctly. The seals could be old and brittle and no longer sealing. Try putting it through a car wash and trying to locate the leak.

YOUR poptop would probably weigh about 1500kg when loaded, so that's the weight you need to consider when buying a vehicle. In my view it comes down to where you want to go when travelling, and what you want to do with the vehicle for the rest of the year. If you stick predominantly to the blacktop on your travels, then a regular Commodore or Falcon is probably the best way to go. Both will easily tow your poptop, are comfortable and will give you reasonable fuel consumption. An X-Trail will tow up to 2000kg if the trailer has brakes, so that will also handle your poptop. A recent experience with a 3.0-litre Subaru Outback, rated to tow 1800kg, showed that when it was towing a 1200kg camper trailer the fuel consumption rose about 30 per cent, and rose even more when towing a camper weighing close to its rated tow capacity. That said, the Outback would be a great compromise for round-town use and towing capacity.

THE LPG gas engine in the BA has stronger connecting rods than the standard Falcon six. They're the same rods as in the new FPV Typhoon and were put in the gas engine because in at least one instance in development a rod was bent after a back-fire. I haven't heard of a widespread problem in service.

IT'S generally safer for a child to be seated in the centre rear position. The next safest positions are the outer rear seat positions and, if that's where the booster seat fits correctly, then that's where you should seat the child. It's a good idea to have a trial fitting of any child restraints you're thinking of buying to make sure they can be correctly fitted in your car.

THE BA XR6s you are seeing in used-car lots may be ex-lease cars that have been turned over after the lease has expired. There's no other explanation. The car is sound and a good buy if you make sure you get one that hasn't been flogged by an uncaring owner.

IT DOESN'T sound like an electrical problem, rather a problem with the carburettor, the auto choke in particular. I'm not sure what your mechanic did when he advanced it to open more quickly. But if the choke comes off too soon it will be too lean when you come to restart the car. When you turn off the engine after a short distance the auto choke will come off. But because the engine isn't fully warmed up it can need some choke to restart. With no choke it won't start. Have your mechanic check the choke to make sure it is set to specification and is working correctly.

THE XF Falcon ute has an alloy-headed engine, so it should run a coolant rather than water. But I'd be reluctant to recommend you change now. After 380,000km, it seems to be going OK. I wouldn't change anything.