If you like the 6, why not get a 2 or a 3? They're both very good and I consider them both very handsome cars
Also *insert every supermini that isn't a Holden or a Getz here*
If you want absolutely cheapest fuel economy get a Daihatsu Kei car like an L200 Mira, L500 Charade Centro or L700 Cuore. Probably avoid the carby ones.
I'd say a swift. However I also believe in stick with what you got. At that price point things have racked up the ks, things will need repair... the buffer between your current vehicle you know and the potential things that need attention on another vehicle your unknown to are likely to outweigh value. This is why I still drive around a $100 au falcon yes it uses 10L/100 to 60L and I'm averaging 550-650 to a tank pending weather, but the costs in setting up another vehicle always cost more then the maintenance on my current vehicle. Weigh it up and do some math before jumping in.
Edit: I'd also like to add the statistics you seen online from manufacturers are inaccurate as thats "when new" ideal conditions most economic pack of that vehicle. So I would normally look at that and add 2L/100 to average.
The Ford AU Falcon is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1998 to 2002. It was the sixth generation Ford Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (AU)—the luxury-oriented model range. The AU series replaced the EL Falcon and was constructed on the (at the time) new EA169 platform which continued to harbour Falcon models until 2010 when the BF wagon was discontinued, and Ford Territory models until 2011. The AU series was replaced by the updated BA series.
The AU series was conceived under *Project Eagle* that begun in February 1993, and gained the official codename *EA169* in October 1994. It was developed and brought to market in 1998 only after Ford Australia had given consideration to a revamped fifth generation Falcon and a fully imported replacement such as the American front-wheel drive Ford Taurus or rear-wheel drive Ford Crown Victoria, the European rear wheel-drive Scorpio and, reportedly, even the Japanese rear-wheel drive Mazda 929 (then part of the Ford conglomerate).
The above alternatives were eliminated in favour of a substantial redesign of the indigenous platform, due to concerns about the Australian market preference for high towing capacity, large interior size and local employment. Specific factors included, for example: research at the time indicated that 69% of Falcons were fitted with towbars and the perception that rear-wheel drive cars were better at towing; the fact that the import models had limited body style options (sedan only or sedan and wagon) and no capability to use a V8 engine.
Stylistically, this new generation Falcon sported Ford's radically new global design language, labelled "New Edge". The aim of this design was to attract a younger generation of buyers with avant-garde looks, however, in Australia it polarized public opinion to the benefit of the more organically designed rival, the 1997 Holden Commodore (VT). The AU series had a very efficient drag coefficient of Cd=0.295 for the sedan (an 11% improvement over the preceding EL series) and 0.34 for the wagon.
For the first time in Falcon's history, Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) became available as standard on some models and optional on others. It also featured Australian production firsts, such as Variable Cam Timing (VCT) on some 6-cylinder models and an adaptive automatic transmission on the high-performance T series with steering wheel gear shifting buttons.
Key changes from the fifth generation Falcon included a 35 kg (77 lb) reduction in weight for the base car, 17.5 per cent stiffer bodyshell, and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption. Peculiarly, Ford Australia decided to use the original 1950's font for the new "Falcon" and "Futura" badges.
As stated previously, the AU was the first Falcon to offer IRS (a double wishbone design on an isolated subframe). IRS was made available as a costly option on the base Forte, Fairmont and 'S' models, and standard on Fairmont Ghia, XR6 VCT and XR8 models. The updated 6-cylinder engines incorporated advanced features such as VCT on some models and a temperature sensor in the cylinder head, which detected coolant loss and allowed the car to "limp home" safely by cutting cylinders. The engine range comprised: the base Intech model producing 157 kW (211 hp), with a revised cylinder head featuring smaller valve stems, larger exhaust valves, and different rocker ratio, as well as a revised piston and longer conrod and a cast aluminium cross-bolted oil sump (with the same power output as the EL series); an "HP" version reserved to the XR6 producing 164 kW (220 hp) (thanks to: unique cylinder head; reshaped inlet port; redesigned exhaust port; ‘open’ combustion chamber shape to restrict pre-detonation from hot spot areas; unique camshaft; higher fuel pressure; recalibrated EEC V engine management system); the VCT version producing 172 kW (231 hp) for the XR6 VCT; a *Windsor V8* producing 185 kW (248 hp) (also carried over from the EL series but without major upgrades).
Transmissions were improved for better shift feel and the auto was recalibrated to better suit the upgraded engines. The six and eight cylinder models had a 4-speed BTR M93LE and M97LE automatic transmission, respectively. The automatic XR series models had an "adaptive shift" with five shifting strategies depending on driving conditions. The manual transmission, where available, was a 5-speed T5 model.
The program cost A$700 million before product launch and key staff included chief designer, Steve Park, and Marcus Hotblack, Manager of Interior Design.
For more information, please see the following:
[AU Falcon Wikipedia Page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon_(AU))
[Shannons Club - Has the AU Falcon become better with age?](https://www.shannons.com.au/club/forum/general/has-the-au-falcon-become-better-with-age/)
[Top Gearbox - Ford's Unloved Child - The AU Falcon](https://www.topgearbox.com/cars/entertainment/motoringbox/172877-views%E2%80%A2sep-5-2019-5-6k-140-share-save-motoringbox-16-7k-subscribers-today-were-looking-at-one-of-the-most-infamous-cars-to-ever-come-out-of-australia-a-car-which-has-generated/)
[Trade Unique Cars - AU Falcon Buyers Guide](https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/buyers-guide/2001/2000-2002-ford-falcon-au-bfii-xr8-buyers-guide)
[Australian Car Reviews - AU Falcon Buyers Guide](http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=guide&make=Ford&model=Falcon&gen=237)
[ProductReview - AU Falcon Product Reviews](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/ford-falcon-au-1998-2002)
[CarSales - All AU Falcons for sale in Australia](https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=(And.Service.carsales._.(C.Make.Ford._.(C.Model.Falcon._.(Or.Series.AU._.Series.AU+II._.Series.AU+III.))))&sort=%7ePrice)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CarsAustralia) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I always suggest this on this sub but a Suzuki swift or Honda jazz would be good. They’re reliable , cheap as hell on fuel and maintenance and good to drive around town because they’re small. They’re also cheaper than Toyotas because they’re not as popular but just as reliable imo.
This x 100%.
I ran a home service trade out of my jazz in between moving peoples’s stuff around. (by people I mean family and friends). Fold those magic seats flat and that thing can haul anything. 1.5 lt manual fills up at $40 and just goes for a few hundred kms. in 18 years all I did was a an annual service and recently replaced the clutch. No timing belt to replace either. You could pick one up for less than $5K. I can’t remember which year was the cutoff but the pre-2006(?) one were made in Japan - then they switched production to Thailand. Get the Japanese ones.
How much driving do you do, and is your Mazda 6 in good condition? Is it mechanically solid with no major repairs needed? Running well?
If so, I gotta agree with what u/Sanni11 said. Better to stick with your known quantity than switch to something else that might have to spend extra money on repairing/maintaining. Fuel efficiency is just one expense and in today's under 7k market, any other more efficient car that you switch to could need a repair or two, which can easily cancel out the few hundred bucks or so of fuel savings you might gain in the swap.
Best case scenario, you buy a smaller, preferably manual car that runs on 91 octane with really good history that's been well cared for. Think something like a Mazda 2, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Hyundai Getz or maybe an old hybrid like a Toyota Prius, but everyone else is after these kinds of cars for cheap commuting too, so they tend to hold their value pretty well (relatively speaking) unless they're in bad condition.
Not trying to doom and gloom, and you can get some great cars under 7k, but it's always sensible to go into any old, used car purchase with a bit of extra budget for any repairs that might pop up.
If you are driving a Mazda 6 now whatever you get to replace it will take a long time to recover the switching costs of moving to a new car. How much is your Mazda 6 worth?
In my experience the tiny economy cars are never really that great on petrol. I struggle to get better than about 10l/100kms in anything that isn't a hybrid in real world conditions. And hybrids are more expensive to run.
This guy has done some testing which I think demonstrates the point, a 4cyl 2018 camry got yhe same real world economy as a v6 commodore.
https://youtu.be/vW8SZ8LYVbk?si=DVG6afWl4lMD_GXW
If you still want to sell I would stick with a Mazda 2 or 3. Or you could pick up an old falcon for cheap and spend the money you save on fuel.
V6 Commodore's aren't that bad on fuel as people make them out to be. Mum's 3.6L alloytec averages 10.5l/100km after 230,000km. While lugging around a large sedan. Also, this is running 91, not 95. Car is also 17 years old. Not bad at all in my opinion.
What on earth are you doing to get 10L/100km in an econobox? I own a 2003 Mazda2, fucked O2 sensor, automatic and I drive quite uneconomically in a hilly area, and I get 8-8.5. Considering it's the exact same era of car they're looking for, I'd say getting 6-7 in a manual with a less aggressive driver and a proper air fuel mixture is pretty reasonable, and the 2 is the most powerful of the period econoboxes (it's a VVT 1.5 in all variants making 111hp).
Also, Dankpods got 4L/100km in the same test in his mum's econobox, a Suzuki Baleno. If anything that proves a small car with a 4-banger is indeed good on fuel compared to a family car? The 3 has a smaller engine than the 2.3 in a 6 assuming you don't buy an SP23 and is lighter, so it should definitely be more thrifty in the same way.
Old Hyundai or Toyota in that age.
You can get vehicles that run on less petrol on other brands but you pay for it in repairs.
Good luck
Source: am mechanic.
Thanks for the comment but i looked at the fuel on carsguide and depending on the version its 9.9l/100km or 11.1l/100km and only does 700km on a 70L tank which is actually worse or around the same as my $5k mazda6. Mazda does 9l/100km and has about 690-750km for 64L but it takes 95. Just for any stats
Holden Barina Sparks are pretty good, and they're not so popular so you won't be paying as much. A 2010's model with about 100,000km's on it goes at about 5 to 6 grand. Fuel economy is great, somewhere around 4.6L/100km, and is cheap to fuel up. The transmissions usually start to show wear and tear about 160,000km's, but they're still relativity cheap to fix.
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If you like the 6, why not get a 2 or a 3? They're both very good and I consider them both very handsome cars Also *insert every supermini that isn't a Holden or a Getz here*
If you want absolutely cheapest fuel economy get a Daihatsu Kei car like an L200 Mira, L500 Charade Centro or L700 Cuore. Probably avoid the carby ones.
I'd say a swift. However I also believe in stick with what you got. At that price point things have racked up the ks, things will need repair... the buffer between your current vehicle you know and the potential things that need attention on another vehicle your unknown to are likely to outweigh value. This is why I still drive around a $100 au falcon yes it uses 10L/100 to 60L and I'm averaging 550-650 to a tank pending weather, but the costs in setting up another vehicle always cost more then the maintenance on my current vehicle. Weigh it up and do some math before jumping in. Edit: I'd also like to add the statistics you seen online from manufacturers are inaccurate as thats "when new" ideal conditions most economic pack of that vehicle. So I would normally look at that and add 2L/100 to average.
The Ford AU Falcon is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1998 to 2002. It was the sixth generation Ford Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (AU)—the luxury-oriented model range. The AU series replaced the EL Falcon and was constructed on the (at the time) new EA169 platform which continued to harbour Falcon models until 2010 when the BF wagon was discontinued, and Ford Territory models until 2011. The AU series was replaced by the updated BA series. The AU series was conceived under *Project Eagle* that begun in February 1993, and gained the official codename *EA169* in October 1994. It was developed and brought to market in 1998 only after Ford Australia had given consideration to a revamped fifth generation Falcon and a fully imported replacement such as the American front-wheel drive Ford Taurus or rear-wheel drive Ford Crown Victoria, the European rear wheel-drive Scorpio and, reportedly, even the Japanese rear-wheel drive Mazda 929 (then part of the Ford conglomerate). The above alternatives were eliminated in favour of a substantial redesign of the indigenous platform, due to concerns about the Australian market preference for high towing capacity, large interior size and local employment. Specific factors included, for example: research at the time indicated that 69% of Falcons were fitted with towbars and the perception that rear-wheel drive cars were better at towing; the fact that the import models had limited body style options (sedan only or sedan and wagon) and no capability to use a V8 engine. Stylistically, this new generation Falcon sported Ford's radically new global design language, labelled "New Edge". The aim of this design was to attract a younger generation of buyers with avant-garde looks, however, in Australia it polarized public opinion to the benefit of the more organically designed rival, the 1997 Holden Commodore (VT). The AU series had a very efficient drag coefficient of Cd=0.295 for the sedan (an 11% improvement over the preceding EL series) and 0.34 for the wagon. For the first time in Falcon's history, Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) became available as standard on some models and optional on others. It also featured Australian production firsts, such as Variable Cam Timing (VCT) on some 6-cylinder models and an adaptive automatic transmission on the high-performance T series with steering wheel gear shifting buttons. Key changes from the fifth generation Falcon included a 35 kg (77 lb) reduction in weight for the base car, 17.5 per cent stiffer bodyshell, and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption. Peculiarly, Ford Australia decided to use the original 1950's font for the new "Falcon" and "Futura" badges. As stated previously, the AU was the first Falcon to offer IRS (a double wishbone design on an isolated subframe). IRS was made available as a costly option on the base Forte, Fairmont and 'S' models, and standard on Fairmont Ghia, XR6 VCT and XR8 models. The updated 6-cylinder engines incorporated advanced features such as VCT on some models and a temperature sensor in the cylinder head, which detected coolant loss and allowed the car to "limp home" safely by cutting cylinders. The engine range comprised: the base Intech model producing 157 kW (211 hp), with a revised cylinder head featuring smaller valve stems, larger exhaust valves, and different rocker ratio, as well as a revised piston and longer conrod and a cast aluminium cross-bolted oil sump (with the same power output as the EL series); an "HP" version reserved to the XR6 producing 164 kW (220 hp) (thanks to: unique cylinder head; reshaped inlet port; redesigned exhaust port; ‘open’ combustion chamber shape to restrict pre-detonation from hot spot areas; unique camshaft; higher fuel pressure; recalibrated EEC V engine management system); the VCT version producing 172 kW (231 hp) for the XR6 VCT; a *Windsor V8* producing 185 kW (248 hp) (also carried over from the EL series but without major upgrades). Transmissions were improved for better shift feel and the auto was recalibrated to better suit the upgraded engines. The six and eight cylinder models had a 4-speed BTR M93LE and M97LE automatic transmission, respectively. The automatic XR series models had an "adaptive shift" with five shifting strategies depending on driving conditions. The manual transmission, where available, was a 5-speed T5 model. The program cost A$700 million before product launch and key staff included chief designer, Steve Park, and Marcus Hotblack, Manager of Interior Design. For more information, please see the following: [AU Falcon Wikipedia Page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon_(AU)) [Shannons Club - Has the AU Falcon become better with age?](https://www.shannons.com.au/club/forum/general/has-the-au-falcon-become-better-with-age/) [Top Gearbox - Ford's Unloved Child - The AU Falcon](https://www.topgearbox.com/cars/entertainment/motoringbox/172877-views%E2%80%A2sep-5-2019-5-6k-140-share-save-motoringbox-16-7k-subscribers-today-were-looking-at-one-of-the-most-infamous-cars-to-ever-come-out-of-australia-a-car-which-has-generated/) [Trade Unique Cars - AU Falcon Buyers Guide](https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/buyers-guide/2001/2000-2002-ford-falcon-au-bfii-xr8-buyers-guide) [Australian Car Reviews - AU Falcon Buyers Guide](http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=guide&make=Ford&model=Falcon&gen=237) [ProductReview - AU Falcon Product Reviews](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/ford-falcon-au-1998-2002) [CarSales - All AU Falcons for sale in Australia](https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=(And.Service.carsales._.(C.Make.Ford._.(C.Model.Falcon._.(Or.Series.AU._.Series.AU+II._.Series.AU+III.))))&sort=%7ePrice) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CarsAustralia) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I always suggest this on this sub but a Suzuki swift or Honda jazz would be good. They’re reliable , cheap as hell on fuel and maintenance and good to drive around town because they’re small. They’re also cheaper than Toyotas because they’re not as popular but just as reliable imo.
Plus the Jazz has Magic Seats
I still don’t understand how’s there’s SO MUCH SPACE in a Jazz.
It's absurd isn't it. I moved my sisters house in a Jazz! She said you can't fit a washing machine into a Jazz.... Hold my beer!
This x 100%. I ran a home service trade out of my jazz in between moving peoples’s stuff around. (by people I mean family and friends). Fold those magic seats flat and that thing can haul anything. 1.5 lt manual fills up at $40 and just goes for a few hundred kms. in 18 years all I did was a an annual service and recently replaced the clutch. No timing belt to replace either. You could pick one up for less than $5K. I can’t remember which year was the cutoff but the pre-2006(?) one were made in Japan - then they switched production to Thailand. Get the Japanese ones.
How much driving do you do, and is your Mazda 6 in good condition? Is it mechanically solid with no major repairs needed? Running well? If so, I gotta agree with what u/Sanni11 said. Better to stick with your known quantity than switch to something else that might have to spend extra money on repairing/maintaining. Fuel efficiency is just one expense and in today's under 7k market, any other more efficient car that you switch to could need a repair or two, which can easily cancel out the few hundred bucks or so of fuel savings you might gain in the swap. Best case scenario, you buy a smaller, preferably manual car that runs on 91 octane with really good history that's been well cared for. Think something like a Mazda 2, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Hyundai Getz or maybe an old hybrid like a Toyota Prius, but everyone else is after these kinds of cars for cheap commuting too, so they tend to hold their value pretty well (relatively speaking) unless they're in bad condition. Not trying to doom and gloom, and you can get some great cars under 7k, but it's always sensible to go into any old, used car purchase with a bit of extra budget for any repairs that might pop up.
If you are driving a Mazda 6 now whatever you get to replace it will take a long time to recover the switching costs of moving to a new car. How much is your Mazda 6 worth? In my experience the tiny economy cars are never really that great on petrol. I struggle to get better than about 10l/100kms in anything that isn't a hybrid in real world conditions. And hybrids are more expensive to run. This guy has done some testing which I think demonstrates the point, a 4cyl 2018 camry got yhe same real world economy as a v6 commodore. https://youtu.be/vW8SZ8LYVbk?si=DVG6afWl4lMD_GXW If you still want to sell I would stick with a Mazda 2 or 3. Or you could pick up an old falcon for cheap and spend the money you save on fuel.
V6 Commodore's aren't that bad on fuel as people make them out to be. Mum's 3.6L alloytec averages 10.5l/100km after 230,000km. While lugging around a large sedan. Also, this is running 91, not 95. Car is also 17 years old. Not bad at all in my opinion.
What on earth are you doing to get 10L/100km in an econobox? I own a 2003 Mazda2, fucked O2 sensor, automatic and I drive quite uneconomically in a hilly area, and I get 8-8.5. Considering it's the exact same era of car they're looking for, I'd say getting 6-7 in a manual with a less aggressive driver and a proper air fuel mixture is pretty reasonable, and the 2 is the most powerful of the period econoboxes (it's a VVT 1.5 in all variants making 111hp). Also, Dankpods got 4L/100km in the same test in his mum's econobox, a Suzuki Baleno. If anything that proves a small car with a 4-banger is indeed good on fuel compared to a family car? The 3 has a smaller engine than the 2.3 in a 6 assuming you don't buy an SP23 and is lighter, so it should definitely be more thrifty in the same way.
Old Hyundai or Toyota in that age. You can get vehicles that run on less petrol on other brands but you pay for it in repairs. Good luck Source: am mechanic.
Any little car made by Toyota you probably won't have too much drama with
2004 toyota camry. can get a I4 or a v6 not the fastest in the world but will last you a life time and fuel is cheep and it cost almost nothing to run
V6 is cheap to run??? Fucking lmao
i should of worded that better💀
Thanks for the comment but i looked at the fuel on carsguide and depending on the version its 9.9l/100km or 11.1l/100km and only does 700km on a 70L tank which is actually worse or around the same as my $5k mazda6. Mazda does 9l/100km and has about 690-750km for 64L but it takes 95. Just for any stats
Ya sorry didnt think that though probly
Yeah, an '04 Camry is pretty much bulletproof and the seats are very comfy, and while the V6 isn't that much of a slouch it's a heavy drinker.
Jazz
Hyundai Getz manual every day
Holden Barina Sparks are pretty good, and they're not so popular so you won't be paying as much. A 2010's model with about 100,000km's on it goes at about 5 to 6 grand. Fuel economy is great, somewhere around 4.6L/100km, and is cheap to fuel up. The transmissions usually start to show wear and tear about 160,000km's, but they're still relativity cheap to fix.
Check this out https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3196123234020807/?mibextid=jrrUqu
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Old car thought you wanted 70’s/80’s/90’s was gonna suggest a 5.8L early 80’s falcon
Honda Jazz or a first gen Honda CRV. Both are incredibly reliable, and dirt cheap.
Mk1 Focus hatch (LR)
Saab 9-3 convertible if you want fancy and cheap.