Punch Bunny

Yes, I drove both, with little time frame between them. I suppose my statement is mostly based on reputation, from people more learned than myself. On the street, I didn't think there wasn't really much in between them - without absolutely spanking them, anyway. Under full power, they certainly sound different. The XR6T felt like it had a little more oomph from the get-go, but once the tacho started to spin around, the XR8 felt like it may have had the edge (at least, it felt like it was building up more power, the XR6T just felt powerful across the board - quite the opposite from the usual story of turbo vs. V8). This was mostly based on going up and down the freeway, full throttle on the entry/exit ramps. I certainly didn't give either a hard time through the corners, so the handling felt quite the same to me. Well, maybe the XR8 felt a little more prone to understeer (something I was very used to in my Subaru), but I may have been imagining things. The view out the front is completely diffferent - out of the XR6T, I saw nothing but road. In the XR8, that bulge was surprisingly (almost alarmingly) visible out through the windscreen. I also took a Late model camira SS for a test drive, to throw a spanner into the mix. It's a nice car, too - but the Falcon interior won me over in the end. The Late model camira felt like it had a more direct connection to the road, but it was also a bit rougher - sportier, some may say, but to me it felt a little less refined. The SS had more legroom and headroom than the XR6T/XR8, and the leather seats were the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in. But besides this, the car itself felt a little less refined than the Falcons, and the 5.7L was just a *tad* underpowered at low revs (IMHO). I would have been very happy with this car, but I was spoilt with the Falcons and I went back to them in the end. The XR8 was at a price I couldn't resist. That sealed the decision for me Edit: While I was purchasing the XR8, I heard from an FPV representative, who claimed the Mk2 XR6T w/ 6-speed manual is AMAZINGLY FAST - an improvement over the Mk1. This was almost enough for me to change my mind - almost!

Originally wanted a manual, but I went the auto to keep the good woman happy - plus, it seemed pretty good as automatics go

I finally did it! Well, it's not an XR6 Turbo, it's the lumpy brother, the XR8! After waiting a couple of years with my eye on getting an XR6 Turbo, I took a test drive of it's v8 brother and fell in love. Sure, it's maybe not quite as quick and sharp in the corners, but it's lumpy, sounds fantastic, and I got it at a price I just couldn't refuse. The car is still at the dealer, getting the windows tinted and an alarm/immobiliser fitted. I should have it early next week! The car's spec is listed in my sig. I am so excited, I can hardly wait!!!!! :w00t:

I got quoted $51K onroad for a shockwave XR6T + luxury pack just a couple of days ago. I'm sure if I turned the screws a bit tighter I could get the price a little lower. Are there any web links to these cheap HSV Clubsports? I can't find details about them anywhere :(

Woohoo! I finally got a test drive of a T... and I'm quite impressed It probably wasn't quite as quick as I would have liked (but I already drive a pretty quick car), but the power progression was fantastic, the handling was pretty good, and the comfort... very nice. So, I think I want one :lol: The Ford dealer I visited had a XR6T waiting out the back to be sold, spec'd pretty much how I would like my T - Blueprint, SSS, premium sound, sunroof. They wanted just under $45K for me to leave the yard with it - to me, this sounds like a pretty good deal. However, the car is old stock - it's a September '03 build. It's only got 47kms on it so it's not an ex-demonstrator. My preference would have been a luxury pack, but for a ~$5K saving, I think it's a fair trade-off. So, what's the general concensus? Should I take this car, or bide my time and wait for series 2 (and thus save more money and maybe option the luxury pack?). Thanks!

Thanks for the replies, guys. It kind of makes me feel better knowing that I'm not alone with the poor sales service from Ford dealerships. I guess they probably get pestered enough by the tyre-kickers, but still... I'll follow the advice here, but it'd probably help if I sell my car first, so I know exactly when I can buy. I just don't fancy the idea of not having a car for a few months Courtney and Patterson Heidelberg is really close to where I live, so I will persist there. I was in there last Saturday, drooling over the GT-Ps and the Envi XR-8 they have on display. Next time I will bring a bucket to catch all the drool. Oh, and God666, I am a bloke, but for the right price I can be anything you want me to be! Maybe I can convince the good woman to wear a low-cut top and a short skirt when we go car hunting!

Sorry if this is a useless topic, but I have the urge to rant and rave... I've been seriously looking at getting an XR6T to replace my old Subaru Liberty RS. I've been thinking about this for quite some time, but I was a bit gunshy about the matter and decided to sit on it and see how things are panning out. Seems like all the major problems with the XR6T have been resolved, or at least are known (no "never seen that before, mate" problems), so I'm thinking now is about the time to consider buying. I think an XR6T with the luxury pack sounds like a winner. However, whenever I walk into a car dealership, Ford dealers totally ignore me. It seems that the sales people would rather stand outside and smoke a cigarette than speak to me. If I grab someone and ask about an XR6T, they'll point me to a car outside. If I open the door of one in the showroom, they ask me not to touch the car. I've just about given up with Ford, I get a totally different level of sales service from Expensive Daewoo or Mitsubishi, who are eager to hand me the keys to a Late model camira SS or a Magna VR-X. A couple of times I've actually had a salesperson speak to me, but they always cut me short. "Are you going to buy now?", they ask. My reply is that I don't want to buy until I sell my existing car, and I don't want to sell it until I'm sure the XR6T is a good enough replacement for it - thus, can I get a test drive first? "Sorry mate, none available now." So what do I do? Is there something wrong with my jeans and windcheater appearance? Is a 30-something year old person not the kind of person Ford want to deal with? Do I look too poor to afford a new car? I just don't get it!

My Liberty RS needed a turbo rebuild at ~175,000 kms - and that was after being subjected to a rather hard life. It wasn't particularly expensive to rebuild either. The turbo in the XR6T is running about a third of the boost so I'd expect it to last longer

I work in Tullamarine, not all that far from the airport.

Thanks for the replies, guys. All comments are appreciated! My next question is regarding the transmission... I'd prefer to go the auto (because I want to be lazy, damn it! ) but if it's going to detract from the performance of the vehicle, I'll go a manual. Who has driven both, and what comparison can you make between them? I scored a test drive in a BA XR6 (not T...) with an auto box, and I found the sequential shift in it a little strange, the lag between shifting a gear and it actually engaging annoyed me. (IMHO, the sequential box in the Magna VR-X is better). I suppose I could get used to it, though. Any thoughts?

Hi guys! :D I'm currently trapped in limbo... I'm thinking about replacing my current car, and the short list consists of the VY SS, and the BA XR6T. Out of the two, I can get a much sharper deal on the XR6T so that's almost decided the matter between the two. However, I'm not sure I really want to give up my current car. I can't afford to keep two cars (besides not having room for two), so I'd have to sell the one I have before going to the XR6T. I own my current car outright, but I'd have to take a loan to get the T. I hate being in debt. Anyway, my current ride is a '91 Subaru Liberty RS. It's getting a bit old, but it still goes like a cut snake and shames a lot of newer cars when it comes to the traffic light drags. It's not stock - it's been reengined, boosted, etc. A while back a dyno reading put the engine @ 230kw, so it's no slouch. But... it costs a FORTUNE to maintain, the insurance stings, and there is always something (small) wrong with it (due to it's age). I'm expecting the T to be slower, but with more "usable" power (the RS is twitchy, boost comes on late and hard). I suspect the RS would be more agile too, but I'm really looking for a lazier, more comfortable ride, with ample power on tap when needed. I'm finding it near impossible to organise a test drive of a T, so I'd appreciate any comments from T owners. I'm not entirely sure what the purpose of this post is. Whenever I look at a T in the showroom, I get all excited, but maybe it's just the excitement of new toys? Will I get disappointed in the T after the novelty of a new toy wears off? Has anybody here gone from a similar car as what I have (I.e. a boosted WRX) to a T? Please help!!!! Thanks for reading! :argue: By the way... I'm thinking Blueprint, but the girlfriend says Phantom. Should I listen to her?