keep EA or get ED or EF

brax · 13-09-2005, 08:54 PM

Ok here is my dilemma:
I have currently an EA
problems with it include:
1) a bit of rust above the front/main windscreen
2) a bit of rust in the rear right wheel arch
3) auto transmission having issues(i.e. at times i would lose all 'gears' in that the car was rolling after turning a corner ,however in 'D' there was no engagement of a gear for about 10-20 secs)
4) more than likely head gasket is going
5) losing water somewhere
6) oil leaks (from rocker cover gasket and possibly head gasket, you can see the oild at the front of the car)
7) The heater sometimes works
8) I have had the cabin of the car fill with smoke twice(possibly has something to do with (7)
9) something goes clunk when turning(does not sound like a good clunk)

All these problems can be fixed, this i have no doubt, however would it be better, to get another car, i.e. An ED or EF??

keep in mind that this is a series 1 EA, no rear stop light on the rear parcel self, an aftermarket one has been installed. Also another thing to consider is that it is dual fuel...

Any help would be mostly appreciated.

XRated · 13-09-2005, 08:59 PM

Hmm sounds troublesome. If I was in your position, I'd be looking for a clean EF on gas. Otherwise if you come across a VERY good example of an ED with low kms on gas (maybe a Ghia? XR6 etc) maybe that'd be worth a look. Bloody cheap these days = great value for money.

INJECTED_250 · 13-09-2005, 09:11 PM

Man.... id go for and Eb2-ED fairmont ghia...... CHEAP AS and worlds away from an EA

CruizinEB · 13-09-2005, 09:34 PM

i would say go for the EB2 mine only cost me $2000

Damo · 13-09-2005, 09:34 PM

fix your EA and save up for another car which is not an E-Series, like a BA XR6T :P If I had my time over this is what I would have done.

Age182 · 13-09-2005, 10:06 PM

go an EF mate there all good ;)
<<<-----

EA_Hooligan · 13-09-2005, 11:43 PM

Look mate, you are planning on basically getting another E-series which means you are going to get exactly the same problems you currently got in a few years time. You should either fix the problems you currently have, upgrade to a newer model like an AU or BA Falcon or even go for a completely different brand.

I'm taking the second option myself, time to move on from the EA and onto something better built. I'm currently saving up for a Subaru Liberty as they are reliable, large cabin space, looks good, pretty good power for a 4 banger especially if you chuck a couple of turbo's on and most importantly All Wheel Drive(front wheel drives are crap)

If you aren't happy with your E-Series there is no point moving onto another E-series, just asking for more troubles IMHO.

CruizinEB · 13-09-2005, 11:52 PM

you've got to remember that a EF-L is a compleatly different car to the EA, there not all the same.

EFFalcon · 14-09-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brax

1) a bit of rust above the front/main windscreen
2) a bit of rust in the rear right wheel arch

not pressing issues, yes they're roadworth and safety problems but its a matter of how you feel in regards to fixing this, generally going to be an expensive fix.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brax

3) auto transmission having issues(i.e. at times i would lose all 'gears' in that the car was rolling after turning a corner ,however in 'D' there was no engagement of a gear for about 10-20 secs)

sounds like its low on fluid.. but its a 3 speed anyway so it'd be a cheap replacement (unless u gotta pay someone to replace it)
gearbox's = big money
new model would have 4 speed... and thus much nicer to drive

Quote:

Originally Posted by brax

4) more than likely head gasket is going

another expensive fix.. mroe common on ea's then later models.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brax

5) losing water somewhere

might be headgasket.. or heater tap, or any number of places.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brax

6) oil leaks (from rocker cover gasket and possibly head gasket, you can see the oild at the front of the car)

probably rocker cover, not a major deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brax

7) The heater sometimes works

could be fauly heater tap, where coolant may be leaking from.
heater box may be stuffed.. means dash out at worst

Quote:

Originally Posted by brax

8) I have had the cabin of the car fill with smoke twice(possibly has something to do with (7)

woulnd't even bother with that anymore.. just sounds crazy

Quote:

Originally Posted by brax

9) something goes clunk when turning(does not sound like a good clunk)

most likely bushes, age does that.

IMO: upgrade.
too many expensive problems.

niko · 14-09-2005, 12:22 AM

ea=older than eb/ed etc...

eb/ed are at that age now that stuff starts letting go also...

EA_Hooligan · 14-09-2005, 12:35 AM

Correct Niko.

No point upgrading to something thats going to show exact same signs in 12 months. IMHO he should seriously consider a newer model or a completely different brand.

JADED6 · 14-09-2005, 12:44 AM

Best thing i did was gte rid of my EA, took me 7 years as i kept fixing the problems (which wasn't a lot) & continued to drive it as it was very reliable but buying something newer was the way to go.
Bought an ED ghia and it is worlds ahead of the EA s-pac.
Completely up to you what you do.
EF or EL would be the way to go or if you can scrape together 10k an AU is the best choice.

5speedeb · 14-09-2005, 08:04 PM

try your luck at the auctions
plenty of bargins there

brax · 19-09-2005, 12:02 AM

seeing as i will be getting rid of the car, what do people think about buying an ex taxi with between 300,000kms and 500,000kms on the meter?

INJECTED_250 · 19-09-2005, 09:18 AM

EX cabs are stuffed.. mate... TOTAL PUSS BAGS.. i fix them.. and mate you end up spending loads on them.. full of dents, bog, holes, rattles, spew, vinal... Man you will 100 percent regret it... if i had a choice of an EL ex cab or an EA s pac with 180,000 on the clock id pic the EA 100 times over..

Once a cab always a cab.. and worst of all bright JEFFRO kennet yellow

brax · 20-09-2005, 05:47 PM

how about a '96+ EL falcon with about 250,000 on the clock?

also i'm a ford person, can't go another brand, toyota's are good reliable cars, however they only have the lexcen(falcodore size), which in my books is another holden in a different shell. I have looked at the camry, however the falcons are roomy and have (when treated well) enough power + they can tow a boat.

RavenLS1 · 20-09-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA_Hooligan

or a completely different brand.

Another brand WTF!

xr6 ausome · 20-09-2005, 06:55 PM

the prices fords go for save some more cash get a newer car theres a eb xr6 at a yard for 3500 dont know what its like
But i wouldt bother save some more get a ef xr u can find a nice one around 8- 10

I sold my ed fairmont and got a au xr6 i loved my fairmont but the au is heaps better

RUKIDN · 20-09-2005, 07:14 PM

i just went from a EA cfi, 300 thou+ km on the clock with problem after problem to my recent EB2 and it feels like a 'totally' different type of car! (alot to do with the 5speed tho) best thing i ever done i love it. so mate its up to you if you got the cash, a newer car may be the way to go, startin fresh but in the end every car will brake down sometime in its life! Good luck with it anyways mate

_2:

20-09-2005, 08:41 PM

yer mate definetly get an ed or an ef

i have an ea simply cos they r the worst model to buy cos lot of probs but thats cos i dun like it easy

aim for an ed fairmont ghia with sunroof thats what i would've chosen feully optioned n gotta luv that leather buckets not a fan of the ef/l the seats are weird lotta lumps n bumps (they call it lumbar support) i call it pain in the *** if i ever bought an ef/l i would put ea-ed seats in it hehehe

tommo74 · 21-09-2005, 06:57 PM

The best thing ANYONE can do (unless they know substantial amounts of panel and paint ,mechanics,electrics etc is find the BEST example of any car.
I will agree though i would never seriously contemplate a series 1 ea or the 1st car of a shape change(hence i would rather go an el than an ef)
An rac check is mandatory when buying a car,also maybe (if from a car yard an extended warranty)
Noone said it was going to be cheap owning a car that you want to run like a well oiled machine!
i paid more than 7 grand for my '94 ed (with options) just this year
a rip off you might say?pah! it came with 3 years warranty,had "sensible"mods already done(genie extractors k&n panel filter etc) and less than 150 on the clock.
It doesnt use oil,water,blow smoke,no rust ANYWHERE no dents,interior even SMELLS new!
I included some more mods like edelbrock heads,intake,tb,mandrel 3 inch and leather seats all up for maybe just over 5 grand?hmmm i think!
Anyhow story goes for less than 13 grand i have a beautiful example of this car that drives down to the deli at 40 ks OR hits the highway producing more than 250 kw(flywheel)
Seriously it's best to find a spotless example of ANY car but you must maintain it if you want it to stay that way.
Or...you can keep buying thousand dollar cars that cos you 6 grand a year to keep fixing(not mods either!)I ,however got sick of doing that a long time ago...ahem!
good luck with your choice of vehicle!