Questions

[Towner]

Hey guys,

I've just signed up here as I'm really keen on getting an XR6T. I'm 20 and own a Pulsar SSS and I love it to bits, but I feel I need a newer car. I'd be looking at buying a sedan for around $35K, and I've got no problems with the repayments needed. But before I go any further, I need to know approximate running costs, and whether or not this car will run me into the ground financially. I would like to know what the following costs you guys:

Insurance

Fuel (L/100km)

Servicing

General Repairs

I am already paying $2100/year for the pulsar insured for 10k, so I'm used to stupidly high premiums. Strangly though, NRMA have quoted me only $200/year more for an $35K XR6T so that part should be fine.

Well I have always used Ultimate and Optimax, so fuel prices don't scare me. I'm getting around 10L/100km, so when I hear 20L/100km, it makes me think twice.

Well I service the car myself, but I realise that a nice shiny beast will require proper maintenance from the dealer or authorised repair place. When I had my tax done last year, they added up $8k of running costs for the little pulsar so hopefully I'm ready for what you throw at me.

One last thing, I would be thinking about a car loan from the bank. Would you guys recommend leasing or some sort instead? My company does novated leases, but being the young person I am, leasing is new to me.

Please don't see the age 20 and dismiss me as some punk kid wasting your time. I'm told that I'm the oldest 20yo going around and need to have some more fun. I need to research this thoroughly as a 5yr loan isn't something to rush into. Sorry about the long post guys, but the search engine on here isn't very nice (probably takes getting used to). Thanks in advance.

Lindsay

[Blown BA]

Hi Lindsay :roll: l think your've answered most of the questions yourself on the Topic as for Leasing l have no idea....anyway Good Luck with it all :o

[Towner]

Damn, that is a quick reply. Maybe I should have asked more specifically for what it has cost you guys, like what sort of L/100km figure do you get (driving soft/hard). Cost of servicing at the major intervals. Fuel and servicing are the main things making me worry but if I hear from you guys what a great car it is, it might make me go along and get it!

[Cro]

Fuel usage depends on how you drive.

In my last XRT I had an average of about 19L per 100kms, but most of my driving was city.

In my new XRT I have an average of 14.5L per 100kms with a 70% hwy component.

I do drive flat to the floor around the city (hard take off from every stop to the speed limit), and that average includes a track day where by my manual calculations I did 30L per 100kms (200kms on the track).

Another thing you have to worry about is tyres. I believe the Pulsar has 16" rims?

The XR's come in 17" and 18" so tyres are more expensive on the XR.

As far as leasing goes, speak to the leasing company your workplace deals with and they will give you estimates on how much it'll cost you.

I'm leasing my car and it's a damn lot cheaper than getting a car loan for me anyway.

Good luck

[Guest jteale]

Servicing seems to be dealer dependant ... so you may get a good one ... or a bad one ... but I've seen anything from 200-500 bucks ... so shop around ... note warranty is not dependant on being serviced at a dealer ... I have chosen a 3rd party to service mine (my Tuner)...

Fuel ... bummer ... I get roughly 10.5l/100km on the open road ... and 15-16l/100km around the city ... bit of a lead foot ... never going to be as good as a four cylinder ... of course ... but much more fun

But remember the Falcon is a large car ... but handles well, etc so you really get quite a different driving experience compared to a small four

Good Luck.

Cheers, Jason.

[Chris xr6]

PRO: great car!

CON: you dont own one yet!

HaHa!!!!!

Expect 15L per hundred and upwards for fuel

[JB]

Hey Lindsay, welcome.

In relation to fuel consumption, it seems it comes down to the car and the individual in alot of circumstances. Obviously if you want to drive with the pedal to the floor you are asking for trouble.

The T I would class as an average 6cyl consumption. Ford indiacte 12.5ltrs/100 some are getting more some less.

The manuals obviously are a bit more fuel efficient than the autos.

From my perspective I roughly get 400km per tank around town(call it 60ltrs) with conservative driving, 500 odd 50/50 city hwy driving and I would say 550-600 odd full hwy driving. The worst I have got is 300km out of a tank but that was spirited driving and 260rwkw

I cannot see the T costing you much more than what you seem to be paying for your SSS, which seems excessively high.

The only thing you will have to budget for is mods, as much as you say you will not be modding your T, the urge will become too much!

[Towner]

Thanks Cro. 14.5 isn't all that bad. Is consumption worse than an XR8? I'm in Canberra and I travel about 60-70% highway. 15L/100km wouldn't be a bad target to aim at. See to get the Pulsar moving, I need to rev it hard but something a lot more torquey around town like the XR6T wouldn't need that treatment to get the same response.

As far as tyres go, stock is only 14" but I have 16s. Tyres were only $130 each so that is cheap I think but anything around $200 I'd be happy with. I wouldn't mind a set of 18s though, and I think it would blow that budget out.

[Towner]

Geez in the time it took to write that last post, I had 3 more to read! Thanks for all your input. Well from what you guys have said, it all seems worth it. Now as I'm still deciding whether to spend up and get the beast, I should probably not think about mods just yet. The thing that really hurts with the pulsar is that to make the car fast, a turbo motor swap is really the only option. $6000 on an old car (1992 model) isn't too wise and front wheel drive turbo wouldn't be the best.

Now to modding the XR6Ts, can you guys do anything when the car is still under warranty? I'd really only be looking at a more free flowing exhaust, but obviously the need for more power will always be there!

Edited 01/11/04 06:00 AM by Towner

[Honest Gaza]

An example of XR6T Lease costs through ORIX :

Based on 4 Year Lease & 30,000k's per year on $42,000 vehicle

Annual cost $21,510 Monthly cost $1,792

Final Residual approx $11,500 + GST

This covers fuel, tyres, insurance, rego, finance payments, FBT etc

The advantage of a lease is that it is usually "pre-tax" $$$