What to buy: AU XR8 or BA XR6/XR6T

[FalconXR6]

Originally Posted by Blem

V8 has less killerwasps & less torque so totally disagree with your comments.
Guessing you have never driven or ben a passenger, OR READ stats on how these car perform.
Yes I own a FGF6 but fairly confindant a BA turbo will eat a xr8

Mate I've OWNED a BA XR6T an FG XR6T AND my dad has an FG F6... plus once a month I hire an XR6 NA to drive for work purposes... I now OWN a BA XR8... the only car I haven't driven in this conversation is an au xr8...

So trust me when I say a BA V8 is FAR more exciting than any I6 (turbo or not) !!!

Oh and as for a straight line pace between a BA XR8 and BA XR6T... there's NOTHING in it... and that's a comment made by someone who is very familiar with BOTH models... not a comment made based on something I've "read"...

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[TE029]

IMO The pick for your price would be an AUIII XR8, A shape older but the series 3 was a really well sorted car. The dollars are just not in the AU anymore which works to your advantage. I have owned and driven both and as far as cheap motoring goes the AU with a windsor wins everytime. If you could chance on one with Injected LPG this is a great combo, power of the windsor with better economy than the 6 !

[in_xcess]

Don't go from a Fairmont Ghia to an XR8 - it has less specs. Sure, it has the V8 but I'd rather have the comfort, handling and climate control in a daily driver.

Look for an AU III Fairmont Ghia V8 or if it's excitement you want then it's TE or TS50 territory - t1s and t2s can be found for under $10000!

My 2c worth...

[XD ESP! XELR8]

BA's xr6t's are deat set slugs..

I agree there would be nothing in it over the xr8..

On the street a dam misty 380 is quicker!!!

[ZGM86]

Originally Posted by in_xcess

Don't go from a Fairmont Ghia to an XR8 - it has less specs. Sure, it has the V8 but I'd rather have the comfort, handling and climate control in a daily driver.

Depends what you really want. If you're looking for something exciting to drive, stay away from the AU Fairmont 5.0. I test drove a 2002 AU3 Fairmont 5.0 before I found my XR8. Very nice to drive, but with that 175kw motor it was a bit boring, gutless, and quiet. With all the money you'd have to spend getting it going well and sounding good, you may as well save yourself the time, effort, and money and get an XR8.

Of course, if luxury and comfort is more important to you than a nice note and something that goes hard when you put your foot down, then a Fairmont 5.0 is a no-brainer. All depends what your priorities are.

[FPV8U]

If your going to keep reasonably standard i'd grab the AU XR8, sound nice with a set of pipes, good off idle torque and a really nice handling car.

If your going to modify the cars beyond a catback i'd grab the XR6T, there won't be alot in them Std, but with a 4-5K spend on both the XR6T will be in another league, Finding a decent XR6T with a solid service history and Turbo in good condition might be the hardest part here.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by XD ESP! XELR8

BA's xr6t's are deat set slugs..

I agree there would be nothing in it over the xr8..

On the street a dam misty 380 is quicker!!!

My BA XR6T with only a slight boost increase with exhaust and filter change is far from a slug and it's done 220,000Ks. In fact it is still a fantastic sleeper after all these years.

It is clearly faster than any Xr8 that has tried to drag me, and as for being slower than a Mitsubishi 380 - absolutely laughable

As for the OP, it really is a personal decision. If you want the fastest car for the $$, its the Xr6t - if you want the best sound, then of course get an 8. I much prefer the BA shape than AU, but that of course is subjective. The ZF is clearly better so find a MkII car if you can, might need a bit more time to save and your set.

[HULK_I6T]

Great responses but keep into account the OP's budget of $7000

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by f6_benito

Great responses but keep into account the OP's budget of $7000

Good point, my post is guilty of being over!

But as mentioned I really think saving a bit longer (considering the car he has is running fine) for a better car around 10-12K mark would be a much better way to go if possible....

[Grippy]

$7,000 will buy a nicely maintained AU XR8, dont know how many $7,000 XR6 Turbo's i'd trust. Buy the car you prefer after driving both, you need to be happy with it long term.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by 93EB_SXR6

Go the V8. Windsors sound way better than any I6. The turbo is faster but let's face it, you'll never be able to use the power on public roads any way.

I will never understand this statement. Acceleration and speed are not the same thing. You can use plenty of acceleration quite legally in many places on public roads.

[MrXR8]

If you have to buy either on a shoestring budget don't get anything. You will surely end up with a lemon. I waited a while before buying my xr8. I waited till I had the cash did some shopping around and found1 in good nick with low kms. Basically what I'm saying is don't settle or you will be just as bored but broke as well.

[93EB_SXR6]

Originally Posted by irish2

I will never understand this statement. Acceleration and speed are not the same thing. You can use plenty of acceleration quite legally in many places on public roads.

Who really wants to stop accelerating at 100km/h though?

[XD ESP! XELR8]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

My BA XR6T with only a slight boost increase with exhaust and filter change is far from a slug and it's done 220,000Ks. In fact it is still a fantastic sleeper after all these years.

It is clearly faster than any Xr8 that has tried to drag me, and as for being slower than a Mitsubishi 380 - absolutely laughable

As for the OP, it really is a personal decision. If you want the fastest car for the $$, its the Xr6t - if you want the best sound, then of course get an 8. I much prefer the BA shape than AU, but that of course is subjective. The ZF is clearly better so find a MkII car if you can, might need a bit more time to save and your set.

I was the one driving the BA xr6t m8..

The 380 would pull a few car lenths then at about 60-70ks I would reel him in..(no stalling up)

Not I heard or read something of a forum..

BF different story (ZF)

Stock BA xr6ts are slugs!!(BTR)

M8 I own one!!(or 2)

[Falcon SXR8]

Got to agree standard 4spd auto turbo without stalling off the line is pretty pathetic I drive one everyday, stall it up though and its way better : ) I can get the full factory 4.5 psi by stalling it up ha ha can't wait too get it tuned.

[BPXR6T]

Wow, maybe check your turbo piping. Is someone leaking boost??? Years ago I traded my stock BA XR8 for a stock BA XR6T. Massive difference in the XR6Ts favour in regards to handling, braking, and acceleration. The XR6T was a much livelier car where the XR8 was a doughy slow nose heavy barge. But the OP is asking AU XR8 vs XR6T. I've owned an AU XR8 S1 and it wouldn't pull a scab off a lepper but was reliable. I've moved on from turbos but if given the choice between the two would take the turbo hands down every time.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by BPXR6T

Wow, maybe check your turbo piping. Is someone leaking boost??? Years ago I traded my stock BA XR8 for a stock BA XR6T. Massive difference in the XR6Ts favour in regards to handling, braking, and acceleration. The XR6T was a much livelier car where the XR8 was a doughy slow nose heavy barge. But the OP is asking AU XR8 vs XR6T. I've owned an AU XR8 S1 and it wouldn't pull a scab off a lepper but was reliable. I've moved on from turbos but if given the choice between the two would take the turbo hands down every time.

That's 100% right mate, any fit xr6t is clearly quicker than ba and easily au 8 - problem is some rubbish Ts go poorly due to lack of mainenance or lemons, who knows. (yep, they are slugs I agree)

Your experience is exactly as mine - I still love the 8 note, but unlike you (you've probably gone faster again!) ill stay with turbos for speed. Just need to save a bit more for a black FG F6!!

[XD ESP! XELR8]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

That's 100% right mate, any fit xr6t is clearly quicker than ba and easily au 8 - problem is some rubbish Ts go poorly due to lack of mainenance or lemons, who knows. (yep, they are slugs I agree)

Your experience is exactly as mine - I still love the 8 note, but unlike you (you've probably gone faster again!) ill stay with turbos for speed. Just need to save a bit more for a black FG F6!!

190rwkws from mine mercury..(stock)

No boost leak my end, Mabye its a lemon lol

Merry Xmas dood!!!

Ps remember I didn't say a word about other xr6ts, just the stock BA auto..

Both my turbos are tuned now..

[HULK_I6T]

A ba xr8 will hold off a stock xr6t.

Even slight mods the ba xr8 keeps them honest.

once the xr6t sees 12psi+ the xr8 will need forced induction to go with it. Xr6t is more bang for buck when it comes to mods. Ba xr8 gets expensive to get going real hard.

both ba xr8 and ba xr6t are on another planet performance wise compared to the windsors.

a ba xr6 n/a and a windsor v8 would be a fair comparison. Then id rate the condition of the car (km etc) over outright performance.

[Grippy]

There is more to performance than outright power. The AU has a great weight advantage and it's IRS is terrific also. I've had various BA's and AU's and the steering feel in AU's is miles ahead.

[MrXR8]

Save your pennys and buy something you want in good nick. Don't settle for a poor condition of either of these 2. I saved and got what I wanted. Patience. Don't settle or you will be still bored of the car but also broke.

[*rayman*]

So it looks like I missed the opportunity to buy the cheap AU XR8 220. Made him a couple of lowball offers over a couple of weeks, and his last response was is 'it's not for sale anymore'. Will try him again early in the new year with an offer closer to his last asking price and see what happens.

Heading off to Brisbane / Gold Coast for holidays in a couple of days, will see what i come across down there. There is a BA fairmont i'm looking at. What can be done to the BA 3V motors to improve them easily? The usual underdrive pulleys, filter, exhaust. Do these motors still have the timing chain tensioner issues like the boss motors?

The ad for the car says it needs coding, had a stereo / dash change and now won't start. Are there mobile guys that can do this, or does it need to go to Ford for this? What can i expect to pay for it to be coded?

[blackf6]

A $7000 Ba xr6 turbo might not be such a bad proposition. I just depends on the circumstances. They might be letting it go for cheap to save getting a low offer from a dealership on trade. Or just want to pay off finance. Get an independent inspection done by RACQ or the like, and make sure it has a good service history. In all seriousness if you were worried about it just replace the turbo and oil feed, plus upgrade all the suspension bushes. Make sure the aircon works and your all good, and install a head unit if the icc is rooted.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by XD ESP! XELR8

190rwkws from mine mercury..(stock)

No boost leak my end, Mabye its a lemon lol

Merry Xmas dood!!!

Ps remember I didn't say a word about other xr6ts, just the stock BA auto..

Both my turbos are tuned now..

Mate, if your experience is that then fine, no probs! Its all good, you may be right. It is hard to say what is faster between Xr8 and XrT, i'm sure its been discussed at great lengths in the past...

My T dynoed 202rwkw stock, and with a few minor mods is at least that on feel despite doing 220Thou ks - so definitely no power monster, but easily enough to beat most cars off the line, including 380s and that is with the old 4 speeder as long as given revs. (which is still slow the first 10m I definitely agree)

Your car just sounds a bit slower than it should have been, that is all I was saying! No worries, will agree to disagree as I have been able to hold Xr8s ok, they are in front after 30m but then mine clearly gets the upper hand.
It is the tuned 4wd WRX/EVO variety that leave me for dead so now don't even bother trying....ha

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by teak81

A $7000 Ba xr6 turbo might not be such a bad proposition. I just depends on the circumstances. They might be letting it go for cheap to save getting a low offer from a dealership on trade. Or just want to pay off finance. Get an independent inspection done by RACQ or the like, and make sure it has a good service history. In all seriousness if you were worried about it just replace the turbo and oil feed, plus upgrade all the suspension bushes. Make sure the aircon works and your all good, and install a head unit if the icc is rooted.

Agree with that. In my case I will be selling mine in about 3-6mths - two big dogs, partner with a child in addition to my own - doesn't all fit. So just because I simply have to sell doesn't mean its a bad car or want to get rid of it! I'd keep it if I could afford to.

Mine will go up for 9K or so (has leather, sunroof and so on) and nothing wrong with it, still hammers with new turbo (other failed due to poor design of oil feed)/earls oil line/KN filter/exhaust/fully serviced etc so new buyer will be very happy. As you rightly say though, do a thorough inspection as that will show up faults pretty quickly!

[Peter Tee]

Originally Posted by FalconXR6

This : "but it just doesn't excite me" is what you will be saying if you buy a 6pot... if there's even just a small part that wants a V8 , then get a V8. Nothing else will excite you more and KEEP you excited.

I had an fg xr6 turbo and now have a ba xr8. The XR8 is FAR more "exciting" to drive !




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I have to agree, !! I have a BA F6, manual, and BF2 XR8 Manual, and I know the F6 Typhoon, is Quicker,! but I drive it to the bus stop, ! if I take the XR8, I drive it the 50k's out to work, just for the excitement, !!

[MercuryT]

My T old girl is quiet at idle but very loud under load and gets positive comments all the time, I love hearing it (XForce centre into two small resies with high flow cat)

I suspect a lot of this XR8 "excitement" is due to people not modding their T with a sweet exhaust that an 8 already doesn't need, as they sound great easily!! I may be wrong!

Mind you, I will be buying an 8 next time, problem is its the Holden VE sportswagon variety as Ford didn't do fast wagons.......

[Big Hugh Ness]

"but it just doesn't excite me."
There is your answer...
Maybe look beyond the Falcons.
Why not consider a classic Ford, say an old 50's Mercury?
Maybe a whole new change in direction is what you're looking for?
Just my 20c worth.

[OffRoadFalcon]

Anything with an 8 anyday... I'd love to have a 5L in my wagon... all that extra smoothness and the sound... for very little different in fuel economy (in my case).

[HULK_I6T]

Get the best condition car you can. If the 3v ghia has to be coded well the owner should get it coded. If he wants to cut corners here, where else is he cutting corners?

My advice is pay a bit more but get the best ghia 3v available.