Typhoon - Towing And Fleet Discount?

[oz-boofhead]

Coming up to new car time and have been looking at the BF F6 Auto as one of the possible choices

Since I need to tow with the new car (boat @ approx 1300kg) wanted to get any feedback from Typhoon owners on towing performance (which I think should be no drama at all) and any issues if any they have had in towing with the F6.

Also has anyone been able to get Fleet discount on the F6 or is this not available from FPV?

Cheers

[bangm001]

Hey,

I have a mk2 Phoon and a 2005 4.7M Haines and have no problems when towing. It does like to drink well though. Completely different to a v8 (I had a VY SS prior to the T) as the Turb is always spooled. But no probs at all as far as the car goes.

Just some words of advise, if you are going to get your towpack done by ford, get a heavy duty one despite the cars max towing capabilities at 1600kg, reasons being as mine looks crap, doesnt come out far enough from the rear bar (Yes I have hit it with the boat trailer just doing a U-Turn at boat ramp), and make sure they do a good job of cutting out your rear bar (They aint cheap!) as they also did a sh*te job of mine, then bacuase I complained put a dodgy plastic thing around it... There is a thread of me b**chin somewhere on this forum, might pay to do a search..

Cheers!

[oz-boofhead]

bangm001,

Thanks for the feedback on the towing - my current car is a VY series II SS so similar setup to what you previously had, and will keep in mind the advise on the Ford factory setup. Will also have a search again to find your thread on this subject

Is either of the Ford units a Hayan Reese type of removable towbar at all? (I have a small garage and have to remove the towbar to get the SS in)

Cheers,

[bangm001]

Yeah, that's the type my VY series 1 SS had, the removeable ones, still 1600 kg but a very well designed and good looking piece. The ford one is pretty average, (esp for a 60K vehicle).

Okay, from the SS. I also had a 6spd manual so not sure of yours. But the torque builds in a v8. whereas the F6 has all of its 550NM from 2000rpm, so it doesnt build as the car revs, so when overtaking for the first time, youll really notice the difference, and it is quite different, but definately no worse off by a long shot. The turbo is always showing boost also when towing, the Gen3 didnt seem to require the extra oomph of anything to do its task, but once the turb spools up, no need to worry (just the prem- or high oct fuelyour chewing through).

I also travel to my holiday home about 2 and a bit hours away from where I live on h/way 110+km.hr speed so im not one of these people that just drive to a boat ramp and back and say my car can tow well. It really does, and this was also a concern for me when purchasing but no need to worry. I would be more concerned about the hight of the front bar as even though mines stock height, it is alot lower than the SS. Just means extra slow and sideways driveway/spoon drain stuff, a pain in traffic but the car is so great, youll learn to live with it!

The Typhoon is really a great car mate, you will not be dissappointed at all, and trust me, heaps quicker, in all areas than the SS. (Both of mine are dead stock). At first they seem a little light in the steering compared to the Expensive Daewoo stuff, but once your used to it, and begin to handle through corners, it feels so much better. I think the SS felt better at low speed corners, but definately the Phoon is the go in the higher speed stuff. Brakes are mean as when compared to the SS (And if you go BF youll get fromt 4p Brembos!). One thing with the Typhoon compared to SS, is that the Turb loves the cold, on a 35+ degree day, I think the SS feels faster! But dont really know. Put it this way on a normal day, put the SS in 1st and floor it. It just goes (if the clutch isnt dropped), the Typhoon from about 2800rpm starts pulling sideways, and smashes the stupid 6000rpm rev limiter so damn hard! And when you shift quick into second, it doesnt just chirp like the SS, the tyres squeal for a few seconds! You'll love it trust me! Interior wise, the Phoon is so much better in every way, and my main reason for going FPV. Im fairly short 168cm so the clutch was a real pain in the SS, but I am so comfortable in the F6, and everything is easy to use. And a cruise control that doesnt drop 4-5km when pushed (Like the SS does)! Its the little things that count!

Anything else you want mate, just let me know! If I were you, I would also take a new 6.0L clubsport for a drive. Only thing is, like the SS, you will have bad resale value as the VE will be released soon, and that bad Expensive Daewoo interior. But good drive train (if you go manual). If you go Typhoon, iv been told that the 6spd auto is the way to go, I just like manual that's all. Also, in a few months time, the next series of the BF models will be released so it may pay to wait for then for some run-out sales to happen. I actually saved 11K of retail price for my F6, but it had 1800km on the clock when I bought it (Driven only by 1 exec apparently... apparently). Im also using the F6 as a business vehicle so we are in a similar 'boat'. Here is a pic of the towpack I had on the SS, way better than the normal 1600kg ford one anyway!

Good luck with your choice!

[BA-PHOON]

Yep, I agree with most of what bangm001 has said.

My car is a lease vehicle. I didn't get any fleet buyers discount on my '04 BA Phoon, but that was a lot to do wit the fact that it was the first one purchased in Tassie, signed up for it without even seeing one, let alone driving one. (other than the proptotype at the 2004 Melbourne Motor Show) They just wouldn't negotiate. I paid too much - but have enjoyed the car.

Attached are pictures of my tow pack installation......

I wouldn't hesitate to get an F6 again (my previous car was a 5.7litre Berlina) - if that helps

[bangm001]

Hey BA Phoon,

that's exactly how mine looked before I complained. They then did this for me, looks a little better. At least you cant see the hack marks on mine anymore, but mine had a larger gap on the sides than what your has.

Cheers!

[oz-boofhead]

bangm001 and BA-PHOON,

Thanks for the great feedback on this and taking the time to write this all up - appreciated.

My current SS is the 4 speed slush box, but I also had a VX SS with the 6 speed before that for towing the same boat.

See what you mean about the install and the lack of cut-out in both the examples show, it certain could be a bit more "professional" by including a cut-out in the rear bar out of the factory or some other approach.

The list of cars to look at would probably be;

BA Typhoon F6 - Auto

VE SS

VE HSV

Possibly the 300C SRT8 (but the wife was not too impressed when she saw one)

Wife is talking about the Turbo Territory but not really my cup of tea - but it can tow 2300kg so that could mean a larger boat

[bangm001]

bangm001 and BA-PHOON,

Thanks for the great feedback on this and taking the time to write this all up - appreciated.

My current SS is the 4 speed slush box, but I also had a VX SS with the 6 speed before that for towing the same boat.

See what you mean about the install and the lack of cut-out in both the examples show, it certain could be a bit more "professional" by including a cut-out in the rear bar out of the factory or some other approach.

The list of cars to look at would probably be;

BA Typhoon F6 - Auto

VE SS

VE HSV

Possibly the 300C SRT8 (but the wife was not too impressed when she saw one) 

Wife is talking about the Turbo Territory but not really my cup of tea - but it can tow 2300kg so that could mean a larger boat 

←

I have a relative who has had a SRT8 ordered (and a deposit paid) since the start of this year, and is still waiting delivery! Tyres for those 20s wont be cheap, and it chews through 98 like no tomorrow! Ha ha! Yeah, let us know how you go when you take each for a test drive! Would love to see a new thread on comparisons! Good luck again!

[Twinpiston]

You can order the Hayman Reese Style 1600kg removable tongue towball. Just say it at order time, that is what I am getting for my terry. Don't go the Ford OE one, for the above reasons.

[F6 UTE]

FPV have a 'no fleet' policy on the F6.

however, I got mine ( commercial hp ) with all my options thrown in, ( ~$4k) instead of a fleet discount..