I should have waited.

RiTz · 24-06-2011, 03:54 AM

Ok... Here's the deal... I always wanted a V8..and I bleed blue..so there was no questioning what I wanted was an XR8.

I sold my 08 lancer and had 2 days to find a car (yes 2 days).. Only had 2 off and I work an hr from home ...anyways

I drove from Newie to Coffs to look at the XR8 I ended up buying.. Was love at 1st sight lol

It makes me smile everytime I look at it and grin stoopidly everytime I drive it.

But........ I should have got a manual

I've researched getting a trans swap and don't think it's a good idea..I know I could sell it and get a manual.. But when I 'jokingly' thru that in the air last week I got the OMFG I'm gonna kill you look

Soooo... Where would I start looking for a car swap? I've googled it and haven't come up with much.

And before I get called every moron under the sun.. I know!!

onfire · 24-06-2011, 04:03 AM

Maybe. But I've said the same thing in the past. Should have kept looking, instead of just buying something on impulse.

At the end of the day, the auto XR8 had something that going for it. You wouldn't have bought it if you felt completely uncomfortable in it.

fat4D · 24-06-2011, 05:52 AM

perhaps this is an option?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lu.14.nd

ford pro wreckers in i think smithfield sydney i got my full 5 speed converion 1800 well worth it so much better driving a manual lol

saw this in a thread the other day an this might help. Buying cars is a bit of a pro's and con's situation, by the sounds of it as a package you picked up a nice car. Dont kick yourself to soon

kempy311 · 24-06-2011, 08:26 AM

whats wrong with the auto its a nice box

banarcus · 24-06-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kempy311

whats wrong with the auto its a nice box

Not the 4 speed auto, the ratios aren't exactly inspiring.

I had a BA2 with the 6 speed manual. That was a pretty quick car. Ritz, yes you should've done a little more research rather than buying the what may have been the best looking car or deal at the time....

blk6t · 24-06-2011, 09:29 AM

If your not planning on having the car long term, just hold off then buy a manual XR8 or GS when the time is right. Just think the more you wait now, the cheaper the GS or FG XR8's will become, especially when the used ones start hitting the private market in a couple of years time.

The cost to convert the transmission is not cheap and you may or may not be satisfied with the manual.

If I were you, I would hold off save the cash and wait to buy a newer V8 manual.

kempy311 · 24-06-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banarcus

Not the 4 speed auto, the ratios aren't exactly inspiring.

I had a BA2 with the 6 speed manual. That was a pretty quick car. Ritz, yes you should've done a little more research rather than buying the what may have been the best looking car or deal at the time....

oh i thought he got the fg 6 speed box mu bad

**EASYBOSS** · 24-06-2011, 10:19 AM

RiTz how much have you tryed using it in tiptronic, you may be quite surprised how well it works, give it a go

mytgxl · 24-06-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

RiTz how much have you tryed using it in tiptronic, you may be quite surprised how well it works, give it a go

If he uses the tiptronic alot more he might just change his mind

RiTz · 24-06-2011, 12:37 PM

I use the tiptronic all the time...I think that's what's fueling my want for a manual .. Used that during the test drive lol

Maybe I just need to start spending some $$ to get some more oomff and maybe the box needs a service.. I don't like the way it thinks for a sec before doing what I want it too do...reminds me of Road Runner lol

And.. Not that it matters in the scheme of things.. But I'm a 'she' 

Thanx for not jumping all over me.. I think I just needed to publicly admit I should have waited 

It's my Sunday today so I'm gonna go give her a wash and polish 

Zero_PSI · 24-06-2011, 12:45 PM

Manual FTW! I looked long and hard for my XR6...only regret is not getting the XR8 manual.

Then again, I'd buy a Auto if I got a FG.

stang65 · 24-06-2011, 12:49 PM

Depends I think you can`t go past the ZF for what it offers, I wouldn`t want to be stuck in peak hour traffic everyday in a manual.

FPV+fteT3 · 24-06-2011, 01:07 PM

There's always next time, make the next one a manual atleast living in Newie you dont have the traffic jams that Sydney has so either box is a nice drive.
I will have to keep a look out for a vixen XR8 without a wing when I am out and about relatively easy to spot a good ford in newie.

Rodp · 24-06-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang65

Depends I think you can`t go past the ZF for what it offers, I wouldn`t want to be stuck in peak hour traffic everyday in a manual.

Problem is, an 03 XR8 didn't come with the ZF.

The 5 speed I had in my 04 XR8 was reasonable, probably better mated to the Boss than the 4 speed auto. Only driven the 4 speed in an XR6 and wasn't that impressed with it.

Have you thought about what your budget is?

RiTz · 24-06-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

There's always next time, make the next one a manual atleast living in Newie you dont have the traffic jams that Sydney has so either box is a nice drive.
I will have to keep a look out for a vixen XR8 without a wing when I am out and about relatively easy to spot a good ford in newie.

Yuh we don't really have traffic in Newie lol although Belmont between 3.30 and 5 lately

Even though I've loved them for years I never noticed just how many XR8's and GT's get around up here lol

I've wrangled around a 3K budget (?) and am getting quads, air and dyno..wouldnt mind some new rims.

But before I start on the above she needs a service and I'll get the box looked at annnnnd ..... When I took the wing off it revealed rust at the holes and all the damn paint off to the bone in an oval shape where the wing sat on the paint and the sponge had perished

So in all I think rust and service comes first. Then I'll get going on that ooomf 

phillyc · 24-06-2011, 05:53 PM

Congrats on the purchase.

Whilst exhaust etc may seem like the best mods to do straight away. Many have said GO THE DIFF GEARS! Amazing just how much extra snap it gives the XR8/GT models. In hindsight, plenty have said they should have done them first BEFORE any other mods.

Go 3.9 or 4.11s and the XR8 will fly.

phillyc · 24-06-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiTz

Yuh we don't really have traffic in Newie lol although Belmont between 3.30 and 5 lately

Even though I've loved them for years I never noticed just how many XR8's and GT's get around up here lol

Yeah I work out Wallsend and drive back into town. During daylight hours the 8kms takes 20 minutes. After 6pm and before 6am it takes 10 minutes.

May not be traffic 24/7 but there is certainly enough. The roads have not kept up with a booming Newcastle. 20mins for 8kms is a pathetic 24kmh average speed.

RiTz · 24-06-2011, 07:42 PM

Thanx for that... I was thinking diff gears too but wasn't sure if that was before or after other modd..

Just after I bought it I took it up to Josh at Cessnock for him to have a look over it. He said I got a good buy.. Wasn't too sure he believed me when I said I grabbed it for $12,500 hehe

I'll have a chat to him when I take it up for a service 