is the falcon big enough to be a family car?

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Well I recon a 2008 Mazda 3 with 80,000kms on it won't require a full suspension overhaul because of under engineering. Won't be a thirsty or as slow or as expensive.

There a few Territory die-hards with blinkers on, but the car buying public has woken up. People on here complain about Chinese build quality and engineering. Hard to support an industry that serves up ****.

Ford has corrected the ball joint issue with the new series. I probably wouldn't recommend an earlier build (ie, pre SZ) for this reason. The OP referenced $40k+ price tags, so he is talking about a new Territory, the suspension issue is irrelevant. I don't think the car buying public has "woken up", the Territory remains one of the best selling SUVs in the county.

Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that the Mazda3 is not big enough for a family. And the Mazda not being as slow as a Territory? That's a good one. I have an FG XR6 Turbo to go fast in, all cars are slow in comparison and there'd be nothing in it between a Mazda3 and a Territory.

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

How many kms has your current model Terry done? Live with it for a couple of years and 200,000 kms and then tell us how good it has been. ................if they're so good how come you never see one as a taxi? Not all of us can afford to update our cars every 12-24 months so we have to go for the best value for money vehicle that will last and half a million taxi drivers can't be wrong when they drive Falcon wagons because of their reliability, economy and space.

Bushbasher

I reached 90 thousand before I traded it, the ball joints were done under warranty when it was serviced so no dramas were had by me. That said, I wouldn't want a used SX or SY for the ball joint flaw, as you point out. I'm talking about new cars as the OP mentioned $40k, the new models have had the ball joint flaw rectified.

I think the taxi point is a bit daft. If the average family did half a million kilometers running all day and all night treating the car like they stole it and only servicing it to keep it running then you might have a point as far as I'm concerned. And you don't see SUVs as taxis, period. They drink more and didn't come with factory LPG. Say the early build Territorys didn't have the ball joint flaw, do you think taxi operators would be using them? No way. That said, I see plenty of Territory emergency vehicles, particularly in my area, SZ police Territorys roll in packs.