REDLINE ALLEYFord Falcon BA and BF buying guide
2002 to 2008. A BA or BF XR suits a buyer after an affordable Aussie performance sedan who will check the turbo and gearbox cooler.
Big jobs
- XR6 Turbo turbocharger. The turbo can leak oil and fail. Cars past 150,000 km without a turbo change are seen as higher risk.
- Auto transmission cooler. On BA and early BF autos the cooler inside the radiator can crack and mix coolant into the transmission fluid. Specialists fit an external cooler.
- Engine wear. Engine wear shows as reluctance to start and smoke from the exhaust or oil filler cap.
Workshop jobs
- Rust round the screens and sills. Rust protection was not especially effective. Rust is reported round the front and rear screens, sills, lower door skins, boot hinges and wheel arches.
- Brakes. Premium discs give problems if abused.
Small jobs
- Differential bushes. Diff bushes failed in some cars after only 30,000 km.
Questions for the seller
- Has the turbo been replaced, and at what km?
- Has an external transmission cooler been fitted?
- Has it been tuned, and by whom?
- Has the car had any rust or crash repairs?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-01. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.