BA1 v BA2

[Cypher]

I have a slight problem on my hands at the moment. I am after a manual XR6T ute and have been offered a new BA1 for about $6,000 less than equivalent BA Mk2 will cost when it comes out (estimated).

I will basically only be adding a APS Phase 2 kit or equivalent and it will most likely see a drag strip once or twice a year. But I probably will tend to drive it with a fair bit of enthusiasm. It will probably spend some weekends driving fairly hard in the mountains / windy roads (lets say 20% of the time) including drive days. Oh and it might get it on the track and attempt to drift it (now I just want to try this to see how it feels in the ute!! if at all possible??)

Should I get the BA1 or pay the extra and get the BA Mk2???? Is paying the extra dollars worth the T56 for what I want to use it for??? Read about $41K drive away for the BA1 with options included.

Cheers!

(Can't wait to get one so please be quick with the replies )

[GlennAUII]

if its a manual you want, wait for the MKII

[BADGERSXR6TUTE]

[siccar]

I have been doing some shopping around as I am thinking about a new car and 3 dealerships have told me that anyone would be crazy to buy an XR manual mark I with the T56 coming out. The manuals will be a full 1.5 percent($600-800) dearer. The start of september will see some 'extremely aggressive' sales on the mark I. By early september the fixed prices will be out on the mark II. Chances are they will be axing the sports leather interior with the mark II as well.

[Flukey]

$6K is a fair slab of cash, with the basic difference a gear box. If it is that much, take the series one, if its only a couple of grand difference, wait for series 2.

[Cypher]

And I wanted the sports leather also. Oh well, you can't have it all I guess but we will have to wait and see.

Well I thought that spending the extra $6K may not be worth the new box but I am unsure if Ford will be offer ABN holder discounts for the MkII when it comes out.

Then there is resale to consider also.

Off to the dealers tomorrow then.

[Turbo6man]

To me it's a nobrainer... if you have the money. The value is in the MkII if there is only $6k difference. For $10k difference I'd consider it.

But it's different if you're strapped to a budget.

[ducatijb]

I pretty well agree with Turbo6man...The 6k will pay for the ph2kit but if the ratio's are right and not the crappy ones Halden drivers put up with the T56 is worth 10k alone

[macka'sxr6t]

I spoke to the ford dealer that I brought my ute from in april about possibley changing over to the mark II. He told me that the price for the Mark II will be the same as current model. but would'nt be able to give as good a trade in price for my ute as he could if I traded on a current model sedan. They will be pretty tight on discount until old stock has gone. He said that for the extra $1500 difference it would be better value to go to the mark II

I also asked him about the auto to se if they have made some changes to new model to strenghten he is going to get back to me on Monday.

[Cypher]

Maybe the auto would be the safer option at this stage for a BA1. But I really want a manual and speaking to my local dealer, they could do a 04 plate ute in manual with sports leather, colour coded hard cover and premium sound for $41K drive away. Full retail drive away is something like $47.5K. That's $6.5K saving assuming no discounting on Mk2 but likely to see some like $1,000 to $1,5000 discount so $46K might be a more realistic price. That's still $5K better off.

Dealer also went on to say that Ford is unlikely to discount the Mark2 for at least a few months. And fleet discounts are likely to be quite small also.

The thing is that I doubt the Mk2 will be worth $6.5K more in trade in come 2 years time than the BA1.

I guess the ultimate question is will an APS Phase 2 kit kill the manual in 2 years of driving say 10% hard driving?? I haven't heard of many manuals going boom yet but I may be wrong.