AUII/III XR8 as a weekend toy

Powdered Toast Man · 11-02-2010, 10:50 AM

Im tossing up whether to get a manual AUII/III XR8 for a weekend toy.

Problem is I drive an auto 5.4 3V for a daily and am thinking the combination of the AUs great, well tied down handling and the 200/220kw windsor may not provide the fun factor I'm after. I am operating on the premise "if it isn't much more fun to drive than my 3V why bother".

Just looking for owners ideas and experiences with them fun factor wise.

I am also tossing up buying a Sprint which of course has the collectability factor over the AU.

What do you recommend?

**DJM83** · 11-02-2010, 11:09 AM

Im CERTAIN after a spirited drive in an AU XR8 your opinion on the fun factor will change. GUARANTEED

: they have better steering feel and a better rear end then B Series falcons and this has been proven all over this forum. If you can try and get a 220, although afew mods will get you there with a 200. But if it were me id go the 220

Re Sprint i think they are a VERY underated car IMO but the ED and AU are like chalk and cheese as you would already know. Id love a sprint next to my TE always been a fan

RG has his AUII XR8 220 for sale but its an Auto though

Racecraft · 11-02-2010, 11:22 AM

a short shifted manual v8 even one with less power than your 3 valver will be heaps more fun to pedal than an auto

BuckTooth · 11-02-2010, 06:22 PM

I've got a 220kw AU3 auto and mate it is fun to drive. What i would kill for a manual some days but i have an everyday boxcar to drive around. I haven't personally driven anything with a 5.4 in it, but i think the 220 has plenty of boot, and more power can be gained rather easily with the windsor.

redauxr8 · 11-02-2010, 07:24 PM

Chuck some 4.11s in the diff and have all the fun u want in an AU XR8

**SSD-85** · 11-02-2010, 09:52 PM

AU3 XR8s: More fun than watching a commodore explode

DJM83 is absolutely right, the balance of power, weight and handling is fantastic. You could only do better in a T3. Although, IMO theyre more fun as a daily, the slogan for the BA XR shouldve been used for the AU: "Can't get enough of this." I actually look forward to driving to and from work. I dont think many DDs convey that feeling.

CRAIGAU3220 · 11-02-2010, 10:36 PM

Scotty85 couldn't have said it better.

Ive had mine five years this May, Is a weekender and still heaps of fun.

Noddy · 11-02-2010, 10:43 PM

I have an auiii xr8 as a daily and their not too bad, i think the chassis and rear grip make it fun to chuck around but even with 220kw it could do with a couple of mods to make it more interesting. I jump in the T3 and its a different kettle of fish, i'm suprised theres such a difference. Maybe my xr8 is sick. I had a G8 before the xr8 and the 3v and stroker windsor are very similar in the way deliver drive. Just the way i like it, if you can get a cheap T3 that woulld be better.

Nothing wrong with a sprint either.

Powdered Toast Man · 12-02-2010, 10:10 AM

Thanks guys.

Noddy thats exactly what I was thinking. After driving the 3V which I assumed would be a similar drive to a T3 I wasnt sure if an AUIII XR8 may leave me feeling wanting. The 3Vs are still very underated by V8 enthusiests, even now everybody knows about them. I'm like you, I like my V8 to have heaps of low down torque. I would love a T3 but even a cheap one is well out of my price range. I'm only considering the XR8 because I know of an AUII going cheap.

I'm leaning toward the Sprint. The fact that it isn't as nice a drive as the AU is actually a selling point for me. I want something a bit rawer since it is just a toy, something that makes driving it an event.

I would imagine the AUIII would make a great daily but I'm not looking to get rid of my 3V, just suppliment it.

**DJM83** · 12-02-2010, 12:39 PM

Toast- Your right a sprint would be abit more raw and hard edged due to the live axle set up. But take an AU for a drive and then make your decision.

Noddy · 12-02-2010, 02:20 PM

Agreed take the 220 for a spin and see what you think. I'm guessing with a few small mods it would improve the drivability and as you have said their great value atm.

james22 · 12-02-2010, 02:39 PM

I agree totally. AU XR's are the most fun you can have with your pants on... or maybe off too. I know mine certainly gives me the grin factor (and a few demerit points) oops....

DaveTE · 13-02-2010, 09:02 AM

Have a look at the T3 set up and if you get a chance drive one. Or as some of the other guys have said you can get some good gains from an XR. I have an XR8 and a T3. I enjoy both but the XR is not modified much so the power difference is unbelievable.
Oh and my preference with either is a manual box.

XR8GRL · 13-02-2010, 11:21 PM

you can buy mine. :hihi:

**SSD-85** · 14-02-2010, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR8GRL

you can buy mine. :hihi:

Ill take it, just like mine except with a sunroof

StealthAu · 14-02-2010, 12:30 AM

yeah yeah, take it for a drive! Is everyone posting in here selling their AU XR8's?

sneaky · 14-02-2010, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

yeah yeah, take it for a drive! Is everyone posting in here selling their AU XR8's?

reverse auction anyone? i'll let you guys sort out how cheap you want to go, just let me know

:

**Peuty** · 14-02-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james22

or maybe off too.

You're doing it wrong............

**DJM83** · 14-02-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

You're doing it wrong............

Powdered Toast Man · 14-02-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR8GRL

you can buy mine. :hihi:

Nah, I'm after a manual. Sort of the whole point.

Ok I've missed out on the cheap AUII XR8 I was eyeing up so it's back to the drawing board.

Not sure about the Sprint I'm looking at either.

Now possibly eyeing up a manual S1 TE50. Quite a few grand more than the XR8 I was looking at though (someone got a bargain, it was sub 7G and had a factory sun roof!). Plus the XR8 was a 220 whereas the TE50 is a 200. Is a bit more collectable though. Plus honestly I prefer the standard headlight front over the XR (yes I'm weird, I know

)

A manual conversion to my BA XT is even a possibility. Would cost similar coin to do a gearbox swap as it would to buy a cheap AU. Dont want to butcher my BA though.

**Mont5.0** · 14-02-2010, 07:18 PM

manualise your BA

**DJM83** · 14-02-2010, 07:23 PM

Go the manual T1

XR8GRL · 14-02-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

Nah, I'm after a manual.

yeah I know, was just tryin'.

Powdered Toast Man · 14-02-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR8GRL

yeah I know, was just tryin'.

You should consider keeping it. I hardly see any AU XR8s on the road nowadays, especially 220s. Everybody must be hiding them in their garages or something.