Ford Telstar Review, For Sale, Specs, Models & News in Australia

Ford Telstar Review, For Sale, Specs, Models & News in Australia

FROM
$2,860

"Launched in 1983, the Ford Telstar was Ford Australia’s answer to the popular mid-size family car segment, replacing the long-running Cortina. Developed in collaboration with Mazda, the Telstar was essentially a rebadged Mazda 626, offering buyers a front-wheel-drive layout, improved refinement and more modern styling. It arrived in sedan and hatchback form, later joined by a wagon.

Over two generations sold locally until 1997, the Telstar evolved significantly. The first generation (AR/AS/AT/AV) delivered solid performance and comfort, while the second (AX/AY/AZ) brought sleeker styling, advanced features and even a V6 option in the sporty TX5 Ghia variant. Built in both Japan and locally at Broadmeadows, the Telstar offered a strong value proposition.

While the Telstar name was unique to Australasia and select other markets, its close relative — the Mazda 626 — enjoyed broader global reach. By the late '90s, the rise of the Mondeo saw the Telstar quietly retired, marking the end of a well-regarded nameplate."

The line-up currently starts at $2,860 for the Telstar Glx and ranges through to $6,710 for the range-topping Telstar Tx5 Ghia (4Ws).

10.0L/100km (combined)
Sedan
4 Speed Automatic
Unleaded Petrol

Ford Telstar FAQs

Tyres for Telstar

The Bob Jane All-Rounders and the Firestones are both budget brands. Both tyres are 195 mm wide and fit a 15-inch wheel, but the one with the 65 per cent aspect ratio is taller, which makes it larger in diameter. Tyre life is impossible to predict with any precision, because of the many variables that can affect it, but 95,000 km is excellent.

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Fuel confusion

IT depends on the compression ratio of your engine. When it was sold new there was a choice of standard and super petrol. Standard had an octane rating a little below the 91 of the current unleaded, super was 98. Most cars of the time were running super and I believe that would be best for your car, with an additive for protection of the valves and valve seats.

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Car to commute

EITHER car would be fine for your purpose. But remember that whatever car you choose, it's likely to have lots of kilometres on the odometer. By all means try to find a Telstar or a Camry, my preference would be for Toyota as long as it's a four-cylinder model, but if you cast your net wider you might land a mint model of some other make. The key things with a car that old is to find one that's in good condition with the lowest odometer reading possible. Hopefully, you will find a car that has been lovingly looked after by its owner, and perhaps not often driven.

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See all Ford Telstar FAQs
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