Typhoon Troubles?

[Panda]

I need some advice. I lease my cars, and therefore can't make any modifications to them, the car remains the property of the lease company. It also has to be under $60,000 otherwise there is quite a big fee to pay, that rules out the GT. Because of this, I've been considering a Typhoon as my next car (it's basically a tricked up XR6T after all) but a couple of articles I read today have me worried -

MOTOR magazine, February 2005, Big Blow To Typhoon

Ford Performance Vehicles F6 Typhoon is underfoing emergency re-engineering after two of it's turbocharged six-cylinder sedans failed at MOTOR's Performance Car Of The Year (PCOTY).....both cars suffered identical failures in their twin plate AP Racing clutch packs.....the PCOTY meltdown brings to three the number of failures in a matter of weeks.....

MOTOR magazine, February 2005, Where's The Speed

Typhoon has 30kW more than XR6T, so why is it slower?.....MOTOR could only manage a 0-100 time of 6.4 in a Typhoon, 25 Degrees.........XR6T 0-100 time of 5.91, 40 Degrees.....

Typhoon - $58,590 XR6T - $45,205

Are there any Typhoon owners out there who regret their decision?? I'm hoping this is all just hype or a slow news month at the magazine.

Panda

[MYF6]

I've had an F6 for 6 weeks, after 2 years in an XR6T, and I'm happy with the F6. Sure MOTOR may have blown a few clutches, but I can't see anyone doing that unles they hammer them on a track or 1/4 mile strip. The clutch is strong so should be the last of your worries given they say they have fixed the problem. Drive one and then let you gut instinct decide.

Are you planning on buying it at the end of the lease?? The F6 will hold its value better than say an XR6T - especially if you option up an XR6T as the options do not pay off in retained value. I certainly don't regret buying the F6, and everyone who has driven it thinks its a bloody quick car. Good luck in making your decision.

[hypnodoc]

I need some advice.  I lease my cars, and therefore can't make any modifications to them, the car remains the property of the lease company.  It also has to be under $60,000 otherwise there is quite a big fee to pay, that rules out the GT.  Because of this, I've been considering a Typhoon as my next car (it's basically a tricked up XR6T after all) but a couple of articles I read today have me worried -

MOTOR magazine, February 2005, Big Blow To Typhoon

Ford Performance Vehicles F6 Typhoon is underfoing emergency re-engineering after two of it's turbocharged six-cylinder sedans failed at MOTOR's Performance Car Of The Year (PCOTY).....both cars suffered identical failures in their twin plate AP Racing clutch packs.....the PCOTY meltdown brings to three the number of failures in a matter of weeks.....

MOTOR magazine, February 2005, Where's The Speed

Typhoon has 30kW more than XR6T, so why is it slower?.....MOTOR could only manage a 0-100 time of 6.4 in a Typhoon, 25 Degrees.........XR6T 0-100 time of 5.91, 40 Degrees.....

Typhoon - $58,590 XR6T - $45,205

Are there any Typhoon owners out there who regret their decision?? I'm hoping this is all just hype or a slow news month at the magazine.

Panda

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ohhhh here comes the cold water. I have one and had some issues with the delivery condition and the clutch, everybody who drives or passengers in it loves it. Personally it significantly dissapoints me and I wouldn't buy another one if you got a free sunroof and leather trim and a 10k discount. I liken it to this disgusting think I owned in the early 90s, it was called a VS SS Commodore.

Most slapped togeather over rated under powered thing Ford Aus have ever offered up IMHO. If you want D/Line Shunt, a complimentary 100kph diff howl, a gearbox with chatter in every gear above 1st then go and buy one, but don't say you wern't warned. Much better off with a series BA 2 Turbo, just keep all the standard bits if you tart it up and swap them back over at trade in time, or put an Edit in it and wipe it off at trade in time, either way you'll get a much quicker car than the Typhoon. With an Edit the only people who will know its even been done is you. DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE PRE RELEASE HYPE BECAUSE that's ALL IT WAS. HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME FPV

[QikSmurf]

Again with the tall poppy sydrome. Look at the way the topic is titled and you know its another knocker of a great product. You say its just a tricked up XR6T so go out and buy a XR6T.

A great quote: " whats the difference between a *beep* and a Black man? A Black man wouldn't answer this question".

Similarly, I think you are provoking a slang about the F6. Both the XR6T and the F6 are good cars. It would be like deciding between an SS or Clubsport. The Clubsport is only marginally quicker than the SS, and so too between the WRX and the STi.

The fact is lots more people buy the cheaper model because it is just that, more affordable. In reallity ask yourself this, If someone said to you, "pick one and money is no object", 100% of people would pick the F6, Clubsport and STi over their cheaper counterpart.

Since the majority of people opt for the cheaper option, human nature likes to criticise whats perceived to be better to make us all feel better. Don't SS owners love it when motor mag times the SS quicker than the Clubbie. Think about it!

[Panda]

.....Look at the way the topic is titled and you know its another knocker of a great product.....

Not knocking it. The title has a question mark after it, and the first sentence is 'I need some advice'. I honestly want to find out information from those who own and drive them.

.....I think you are provoking a slang about the F6.....

That certainly wasn't my intention

.....human nature likes to criticise whats perceived to be better to make us all feel better.....

I would love to buy one, I think they look sensational! I'm not criticising.

Ease up on the Flame Thrower there.

Panda

Edited 10/01/05 11:55 AM by Panda

[Dr Z]

The fact is lots more people buy the cheaper model because it is just that, more affordable. In reallity ask yourself this, If someone said to you, "pick one and money is no object", 100% of people would pick the F6, Clubsport and STi over their cheaper counterpart.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with Qiksmurf here. If I had to START buying a new car, I would choose the F6 over the XR6T because of the extra value I see in a new vs new comparison, but given that I already had a 4 month old XR6T I could not see a $30,000+ value difference.

Having said all that, and knowing the auto is straight-line performance quicker in the XR6T as would be expected in the F6 as well, a good APS Edit or APS Phase anything would deliver even more "Whoosh factor" fun!

Best wishes in your choice Panda...If I was making your choice, I'd do F6 with APS Edit!

Safe and happy driving...Dr Z.

[OwnaXR6T]

I reckon you just get a T. Typhoon seems like its way overated... A car that could of been so good has been ruined buy the morons at F P V..

[JB]

Again with the tall poppy sydrome. Look at the way the topic is titled and you know its another knocker of a great product. You say its just a tricked up XR6T so go out and buy a XR6T.

A great quote: " whats the difference between a *beep* and a Black man? A Black man wouldn't answer this question".

Similarly, I think you are provoking a slang about the F6. Both the XR6T and the F6 are good cars. It would be like deciding between an SS or Clubsport. The Clubsport is only marginally quicker than the SS, and so too between the WRX and the STi.

The fact is lots more people buy the cheaper model because it is just that, more affordable. In reallity ask yourself this, If someone said to you, "pick one and money is no object", 100% of people would pick the F6, Clubsport and STi over their cheaper counterpart.

Since the majority of people opt for the cheaper option, human nature likes to criticise whats perceived to be better to make us all feel better. Don't SS owners love it when motor mag times the SS quicker than the Clubbie. Think about it!

I thought it was a fair and reasonable question. It just depends on whether people wish to answer it in a constructive fashion.

My thoughts on what I have seen and read on the typhoon. It's just a T with a few extras on it. They have not addressed alot of the issues that are plaguing most of the FPV and XR range from Diffs to build quality, so there seems no pride in what they are producing.

Personally even though people on average will strive for the percevied better option I would by a T, option it up, take my $10 odd grand that I have saved and go Phase 3 or whatever you wish have a better car that's alot quicker, that you have put together personally, for the same price.

Just my 2c

[Turbofalke]

Panda,

I was also faced with this very same problem and elected for the XR6T. Your biggest issue here is the lease. I blew it off and went for a HP. Tax benefits are very subjective to the individual. I don’t do heaps of Km's but have a high business usage % so if your employer allows, take the cash as income and run a log book for 12 weeks (which lasts 5 years), do the numbers and I bet you see a Hire Purchase is just as good. You'll also be able to do what you like to car as it’s your risk and sell it at any time without the grief of a lease agreement stitching you up. No FBT risk either.

Everybody has a different situation is its worth talking to your accountant about it.

If you can’t vary your payment options, then I'd say go the F6 and leave it as it is.

Good luck

Edited 10/01/05 10:19 PM by Turbofalke

[BA-PHOON]

Panda,

I was also faced with this very same problem and elected for the XR6T. Your biggest issue here is the lease. I blew it off and went for a HP. Tax benefits are very subjective to the individual. I don’t do heaps of Km's but have a high business usage % so if your employer allows, take the cash as income and run a log book for 12 weeks (which lasts 5 years), do the numbers and I bet you see a Hire Purchase is just as good. You'll also be able to do what you like to car as it’s your risk and sell it at any time without the grief of a lease agreement stitching you up. No FBT risk either.

Everybody has a different situation is its worth talking to your accountant about it.

If you can’t vary your payment options, then I'd say go the F6 and leave it as it is.

Good luck

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Panda,

Turbofalke is right about the lease questions. It makes a difference to which way you might 'jump'

I lease my F6 (since early December) and would not change my decsion to get this car. It's part of a 'salary package' allocation and I 'top it up' to make the F6 lease affordable (Company allowance is for a Fairlane or similar). You will need to do at least 25,000 km's /yr to make it affordable, otherwise FBT bites hard! (20% vs 11%) Tax benefit is REAL.

I plan to purchase the car after lease (did that with the last car as well, better half now driving it!), that is unless it gets badly damaged...or something else major goes wrong in the meantime.

It will make a great club car in 3 years.... especially when it's been breathed on by APS.

I have had a few realtively minor issues with the car and would be happy to let you know more about them if you PM me (I have already posted some info on the problems in other threads on this forum...so have many others...so you could also surf there)

Good Luck with your choice!

Hypnodoc,

..Did you take up David Flints offer to talk to him about your concerns/issues? You still seem really unhappy with your car!!?

Good to hear you got rid of the gearbox issue, I plan to try the same oil at next service.