Motor Mag Top 9 Muscle Cars

[BrentS]

I'll definitely be racing out to grab a copy too!

I agree with the other posts so far re: the poor rating of the XR8. I haven't driven one so I'm probably talking a little out of school, but from what I can ascertain, the XR8 in itself is a good car, but squashed between the XR6 T and the GT which are better value at their price points. Personally, I think the XR8 should be say, $1,500-2,000 more than the "T" in recognition that it's no better in performance, but simply offers a V8 for those who want the engine note or feel of a V8.

However, given the hand-built nature of the engine and different transmission its probably more expensive to build than the T, so there'll always probably have to be some price premium. However, by the time you whack leather seats, 18 inch wheels and premium sound into it, the GT comes tantalisingly close. If I was in the market for an 8, I reckon I'd go without eating for a few more months and stretch for the GT.

[Guest jason]

I know the XR6 Turbo is a better car than the XR8. Be interesting to read the current Motor mag's story, and why is the price differance so dramatic in the sedans when compared to the utes?.

[geea]

I'll definitely be racing out to grab a copy too!

If I was in the market for an 8, I reckon I'd go without eating for a few more months and stretch for the GT.

Ya sounds about right to me too.

[Guest StaggerLee]

Hmmm.... XR8 8th and Late model camira SS 6th. I swear I read a comparo in Motor that said the XR8 was the better car.

What the???

[Lumpen]

I think the Gist of that last review was the XR8 isnt a muscle car per-se its a more livable with tourer with muscle...

[Redhawk]

Well here's my 2 bob's worth (OK I'm not 25 ......chronologically) :D

Reckon Ford should up the drive train on the turbo, basically put the 8 manual box in and the 8 drive train. Don't under rate the power of the 6 turbo in their literature, put a better sounding exhaust in the 6 turbo (like my 3" straight through stainless steel system) :lol: and.............. ditch the XR8.

Yeah I know ........persecute, kill the heretic, but as some have said, go without food, premium beer, the odd DVD hire and get the GT. OK, keep the XR8 ute, cool work horse......yeah.. right.

I have driven both and apart from the note of the 8 (yeah it is intoxicating) and in my topic "Drove the XR8....whooo hooo" would have gone for the 8 if both cars were the same price. It was the note that did it, and a bit of the instant power.

But having said that and reflected after driving the 'Bird' now a bit longer I reckon the turbo handles better, is quicker (once you get used to the turbo), and value for money is without doubt the better car. Sure the beefier drive train might up the price a bit but it is still a damn good 'bang for your buck' car. And as harasan has said in some posts this car's potential is awesome (my words his inferance).

OK now you can.....nail me up.....one cross, line to the left (yeah I know the drill :D )

[Cobra]

IMO opinion the handling of the XRT (sedan and ute ... yes the ute) is far superior to the XR8 and GT .....

the XRT doesn't feel like there is lead in the radiator ... driving the V8s it felt like I was driving a car that wanted to stick it's nose in the bitumen ...

love the power, extra-ordinary handling and goes like sh!t in such an unfussed way

muscle cars don't actually have to go around corners ... just go fast ... but the XRT has both and that is what clinched it's No.1 status ... can't get enough of it

[edge]

Love my Turbo, but there is nothing quite as nice as an 8 and ohh the bonnet. But for $6k.. And the weight difference..

And the turbo rush...Happy with the Turbo..It just gets better with time. But an 8 ohh how I miss that sound ...

[Guest Northerly]

Just read the Motor Mag rating of the Xr6 Turbo as the best "Muscle Car".

It is a feel good article for "T" owners and XR8 owners will always doub themselves when steering for the apex.

My favourite part is quoted below:

"If Aussie performace cars were girls at a party, the blown Falcon would be the one with the pretty face AND the big *beep*".

A brilliant bunch of adjectives.

[BrentS]

Had a full read of the Motor Mag article last night (couldn't wait till I got home so read most of it on the train!!!). It was a great read having all those cars effectively tested back-to-back. The article confirmed what we already know in that the T is an awesome car that lifts the bar to a higher level in terms of all round performance, sophistication and value.

I can't remember the exact numbers, but I was astounded (and quietly pleased) by the massive variation in rear wheel power by supposedly identical Gen III engines. Seems that its a complete lottery as to whether you get a rabbit or a slug with those things.

I noted in the commentary that Motor would have liked to run this test a few months ago, but wanted the Ford V8s to be run in a bit more, and I think that these engines are showing a bit more of their real world potential with some pretty impressive rear wheel output figures, especially the GT which pipped the 300kw GTS by 3kw at the rears. That's more like it!!!

A pretty impressive effort by Ford to get 1st and 2nd place with the T and GT respectively. The Blue Oval's back, at last!!!!!!