Mish

So what's the process for upgrading the suspension? Is it coilovers - springs - swaybars - ball joints - control arm bushes? Does it matter what order you do them in? I always knew about swaybars and springs, but am not to savvy on what the rest of it all does.

That sounds about fair to me...I wonder if they'll be doing this next year when I'm looking! Do you don't actually have to have a friend there...they'll just do a friendship deal?

So all I have to do is buddy up to someone at Ford huh...hmmm...

Well that sux...especially if you bought an out of warranty Typhoon. Not that I have, but that´s a possibility!

The only power mods I'm looking at doing is an exhaust maybe. Otherwise, just brakes and suspension/sway bars is all I'd be looking at...

You've got to be kidding?! An FG XR6 Turbo for $35,447? I thought RRP was $10,000 more at least, not including on roads and stuff. I mean, second hand FG XR6 Turbo's, 2008 are going for $36k - $40k+ That's gonna blow the resale value out of the water!

Brakes I know about, I believe that it's not that much more expensive to upgrade rotors, pads and lines. Suspension, I thought the FG's suspension was completely different from the BF and made the FG handle better (I haven't driven either, hence why I'm asking these questions) 19" wheels, most...nay all the reviews I've read have mentioned that the 19" wheels do nothing for the handling except make it harsher. Bodykit...so? does it make it faster? Bigger turbo...so it has 17Nm more torque, same power, but is less efficient then the FG? FPV seats, that would be nice as I've heard that the FG's seats are a bit soft and don't hold you in place. Steering wheel...what's better about the FPV wheel? Gauges from memory don't actually have any increments on them do they? Or was that only in the older ones? Anyway, I don't know what that stuff means! Looks is subjective, I think they are both good looking cars. You can't modify an FG XR6T? Also, maybe have a look at my original post above and see what questions I asked there...

So...first questions first...can this be done on the FG as well? I heard something about changning the brakes possibly causing issues with the electronics and computers and stuff? For an FG XR6T, is upgrading the lines, rotors and pads enough? You don't need to change the calipers? Is it possible to change calipers without effecting electronics? And lastly...is it that simple? Different rotors, lines and pads is all you need to make the stopping better? Normally I drive fairly "energentically" shall we say, so I would probably prefer to do it all round. But even at $1200 is seems like a bloody worthwhile thing to do. The brakes is the single thing that every review has complained about.

The only thing that bothers me about buying from the Auction is the lack of being able to test drive the car...

Am I to belive that that response isn't getting any bites from the BF FPV owners! hehe! As long as the brakes are better then what was on my brothers AU Series 1 XR8 then that's a start! hehe!

Bringing this topic back...this is the exact question I am asking myself. Doing my homework at the moment as the car won't be purchased till mid-end next year, but if I was buying right now...for the same money that I could get an '08 XR6T, I'd be looking at an 05/06 (maybe an 07, just maybe) F6. The pro's and cons of buying a car 2 - 3 years older for the same money... BF F6 - Looks tougher then the XR6T Has a lil bit more torque (but I mean 17nm when you're talking over 530, there's not much in it!) Much better brakes, especially if it has the premium brembo package FPV badge good-ness! FG XR6T - Doesn't look as tough, but I'm in the group that likes the look of the FG I'll be going manual and I believe the new box is better then the BF's (or are they the same?) Same power with better fuel consumption I believe they are about the same time down the strip and to 100km/h (within a coupla tenths, close enough that the driver makes the difference) Better suspension = better handling then the BF, More modern interior with more gadgets. More advanced Stability, traction etc control. Is that about right?

Supposedly the FG's are much nicer to steer, which is something that I was concerned about. I'm not the kinda guy who likes something that's bloody quick in a stright line, and then a dog in the corners, but the FG is supposed to be pretty decent. How does one upgrade the steering? Is it just suspension/wheels/tyres? Or is there something else? The only other thing that it seems pretty much every reviewer is unhappy with on the FG are the brakes...but they also mention it would be very difficult to upgrade as all the electronics and stuff are integrated and changing stuff could cause issues... maybe these questions are better off somewhere else actually...

At least that bug won't hit me! I don't think anyway! Will be spending all my hard earned on my motorbike! I might just get an exhaust and tune on it at some point, just to have a nicer note...haven't really heard what a stock one sounds like actually...let along one with an aftermarket exhaust.

Just bear in mind what you get with a 92 GTR though. If speed is your only condition on your car, no problem, they are fine. But if comfort and everday driving and long drives, towing, with some speed, wrapped in a modern cabin with useful things such as air conditioning, power everything, I don't think any GTR except for a 34 or the 35 would qualify. Is the backseat actually useable in those things? Don't me wrong, I'd love a GTR, and would love a 34, but it's just not practical (or affordable!). If I had my choice, I would be probably be doing research on an EVO IX MR, however it doesn't suit my needs (towing capacity), the XR6T is the best of the rest

I think that's expected coz the VE is newer then the BF is it not? The FG has a lot of different suspension components which supposedly make it a much better handling car. I did think of one more car that could do almost all of the things I'm after, a Turbo LIberty...although I gather they aren't as quick as an FG Turbo so there would be some work that would have to go into it. How's this helping with your decision Jim?

Are you saying that the R8 and SS handle better then the XR6T?

It is a double edged sword isn't it? I mean I wouldn't be able to afford an FG XR6T if it wasn't for depreciation, so maybe I shouldn't complain so much!

Hey Jim, I'm almost as new as you! And while I haven't bought an XR6Turbo as yet, I am seriously considering one. I was originally looking at getting an Evo or a Mazda6 MPS. I would have liked something like a 350Z or an S2000 (although the S2000's are more expensive then my budget for one with less then 80,000km on it!), but with the other vehicle being a motorbike, a 2 seater is not very practical! Then I also remembered that I will need to tow (mainly a motorbike trailer with a coupla bikes on it) and while this is techinically possible with the Evo and Mazda, both manufacturers reccomend that you do not do this. Both cars actually have a "0" towing capacity which can cause headaches with getting the bar fitted, rego, insurance etc...I digress. So my criteria for the car was, fast, 4 seats (if not 4 doors), able to tow. To fill those boxes, one has to look in our backyard! Otherwise, you're looking at expensive Euro $$$ which I don't have! Looking in our backyard, the Aurion is just not quick enough, and I've always been a Ford man, always liked the XR6T, however was always hesitant based on my brothers experiences with his AU Series 1 XR8. However the XR6T is great car. Insurance is much cheaper then any of the others I was looking at as well and like Rixt just said, much better appointed then the Evo that I was looking at. The only two things I'm trading off is the handling through tight twisty corners (compared to an Evo VIII or IX) and the depreciation. The fuel consumption is much friendlier then I thought it would be too. Hope that helps!

I think cars like Evo's and WRX hold their value better then Fords when they're 4 or 5 years old. And they were still around the $50k mark brand new. Is that only the case if you purchase the car through a novated lease. A friend told me that a novated lease is only worthwhile if you do lots of km's and are in the high income bracket. We do lots of km's but my partner (who will be buying the car) isn't in that bracket just yet, so should we give novated leasing a miss then?

And if you are only gonna have one car for the next 3 or 4 years what else is there on the market that is quick, fun to drive and can tow? Without having to spend $60k plus on a euro? Hand are kinda tied for those that need all those things! I guess I'll just have to hang onto it. This is the last of my concerns in purchasing a Ford. While you don't buy a sports car for resale, it's a tough pill to swallow when you lose so much on it.

Is that that case even when this is the last version of the inline 6? And it'll be changing to a 3.X litre V6?

Hmmm...so it isn't too hard to change the stereo and stuff on the FG? I'm going for 2nd hand, so in that case you would advise to get one that had the tech pack rather then premium sound...and then I can do my own sound stuff later? I always wanted to have my own sound setup...but I just thought it would be too hard to remove all the stuff and put in your own setup. As for Auto vs Manual....I guess I'll just have to force the dealers hand to let me test drive both! Take it for a spin through the cotter I reckon should do it!

Rancid, how does the auto hold onto boost better through to corners? I would have thought that is the main area where the manual would have been better. Most of the turbo's that I have seen for sale have both the premium sound and tech pack which is exactly what I'm after. You guys might think me a bit silly, but we aren't planning to purchase the car until next year, but I like to do my research and know exactly what I'm going after and what to expect. I will definitely be going for a test drive. I just hope that they do have a manual as well! Cheers Mish P.S. Thanks for all the welcome wishes! This is probably the warmest welcome I've ever received on a forum!

Thanks for all the info guys. I think it´s pretty much decided, the Ford FG XR6Turbo is leading at the moment. I was hoping I wouldn´t have to have the ´family´ car for awhile, but if I´m gonna have a family car, it may as well be a 270kw beast!

Thanks Widge!