Xr6 Turbo Manual

[Mish]

Hey guys,

new around here so be gentle! I've had a look through search, but couldn't find the info I'm after. Looking at a getting a car in the near future and was originally looking at an Evo, but then had to take into account the fact that I need to tow. Not a lot of weight (bike trailer with 1 - 2 bikes on it), but still wouldn't be comfortable with something like that! Hence my interest in the XR6Turbo. Always been a blue oval fan since I knew they existed and to be honest, I really don't think that there is anything else on the market (except for the Commondores) that would be quick (Turbo will be quick, but I doubt as quick as an evo...am I right?) and can tow comfortably for the sub $40k price range that we're looking at.

My first question, I'm a manual freak. I don't think I could deal with a slush box. I know the new ones are supposed to be quite good, but I just don't find the driving as involving. I can't find a review on a manual FG XR6 Turbo so I don't know what one is like and I was hoping the lovely people of fordXR6turbo.com could help me! I am also worried about the quality aspect of the Ford as my brother had an XR8 AU series 1 which he had heaps of issues with which does put me off a bit. But I've been hearing that quality and reliability wise (after reading the posts here I now know the difference between the two!) the FG's are better. One more question, what are the service costs for the XR6 Turbo? Is it an expensive car to maintain?

Look forward to chatting with you guys more in the future!

Cheers

Mish

Edited 12/05/09 09:31 AM by Mish

[senna_T]

Mish, do yourself a favour and go and drive one!

Aside from that there will be a few along shortly to tell you about their cars - personally I don't think there is anything in the market that is better value for money.

[Mish]

Hey Senna,

Would love to but wouldn't be able to do it justice at the moment. Had knee surgery recently, and while I am driving, it's not as easy as it used to be so I need to wait a couple more months to find drive one for myself! Furthermore, from what I can tell, finding a manual to test drive will be hard!

Anyway, look forward to the replies, info and advice!

[RHR]

Ive had mine since 05 and it has been great. Its a manual and all that I have had to do is replace the clutch cause the old one couldnt handle the power increase.

They are a great cruiser and will tackle any steep incline with ease. They have plenty of balls to over take and they arent too bad around corners.

Mines a BA MKII and the best l/100 on I trip I averaged 9.4l/100.

As Pat said take one for a drive. You wont be disappointed

[xr6t 4 jam]

Mish,

A great car, you will not be disappointed. As I understand it, the AU was a guinea pig, there is no comparison, bit like comparing a falcon with a bommadoore.

I've got a manual FG XR6T with almost 10K on the clock, took delivery in early December 08. Took it on a run to Sydney for xmas and had no complaints about performance and driveability, even with a car full of kids and a boot full of luggage.

I had a small issue about intercooler piping that blew off on a warmish boxing day after showing the father in law just what the car could do. Ford dealer on the central coast fixed it pretty quickly. I had the factory clamps replaced with decent worm drive type clamps at the complimentary (1500km) service when I got back to Brissy.

Even now (after 10K, 6 months of driving) I find the 1st - 2nd gear change can be a bit "tricky" when you are giving it some. There's some tips on this site about keeping the throttle momentarily on as you press the clutch, this does ease the change process. I put it down to the amount of go that the low gears will get you up and running from a standing start. Beyond the 1st / 2nd change, no complaints, a great overall gearbox.

I can't really comment on service costs, mine's all wrapped up in a novated lease costing. I'm with Senna on this, go and drive one, you'll be in heaven.

I would recommend getting yourself the technology pack and premium sound. The technology pack gives you integrated Ipod controls through the head unit as well as blue tooth integration for most blue tooth phones. Small issue with full blue tooth compatibility is that not all phones will display full caller ID (ie - names, etc) - you will get over this.

I found the following sites fairly helpful with providing info about the FG.

Wheels -> do a search on FG

http://www.wheelsmag.com.au

Drive -> there is a link to some info about the manual - it does rate the 6 speed auto as the better.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/MiniSite...mp;MiniSiteID=8

Web Wombat

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_...urbo-review.htm

The Motor Report

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/5625/2008...urbo-road-test/

Hope the above helps

[Mish]

Thanks for those reviews, hadn't read a couple of them! What's the handling like of these new ones? Most of the reports focus mainly on the power and straight line times. They say the handling is better, but don't really delve any deeper then that. Like, how would the beast go against something like an RX8, 350Z, wrx etc around the great ocean road or Cotter? I'm a corners man and I'm hoping that they are as good through there as they are elsewhere. But I haven't found a review that tells me lots about the cornering besides that it's better then the last model. The really really tight stuff would be tough for the XR6T as those other cars I mentioned are considerably lighter, but it would be good to know. But then again, like I said in my opening post, none of those cars can tow anything (can you imagine an RX8 trying to tow!? haha!). Although supposedly the wrx can tow a bit, but I don't like Subaru either.

I know, test drive them, but I won't be able to tell what they are like on the twisty roads against the competition. Or is the only competition deemed to be Holden?

I'll be buying second hand but I've learned to be (ie my girlfriend who is buying the car will make me be!) a patient man to find the right one at the right price. I don't fancy doing sound mods to it as the centre console looks like a pretty tough one to crack so premium sound will be a must as well as manual (I'm pretty sure), and if I can get the tech pack then that would be good. I did see someone else asking the question about whether Ford could add some of those things afterwards, coz that might be an option if they can.

Cheers everyone

Edited 13/05/09 01:30 AM by Mish

[XR06T]

I think it will be tough to add options like the tech pack after the event, but dont quote me on that. in the B series it was a full change of the ICC to upgrade.

As for corners, as you point out it is a much heavier car. I think it should hold its own on anything 80+ kph with a few mods but you will be monstered in the slower stuff.

I dont think you will look back after getting one!

[tab]

While realising you've got your heart set on manual...at least test-drive an auto. Gives you the best of both worlds.

Also better suited for towing and can tow more, 2300kg vs. 1600kg I think it is

Either way though just do it, you won't regret it. Perfect vehicle for towing, spirited driving and highway cruising. And although Senna sells the bloody things and throws in all the cliche lines , there is nothing better for the price.

[Mish]

...And although Senna sells the bloody things and throws in all the cliche lines , there is nothing better for the price.

haha! It all makes sense now!

I did drive a BA NA XR6 and was quite surprised at the poke that had, let alone a BA Turbo, let alone an FG Turbo. But it still wasn't involving enough. Like I mentioned in another post, given the rep of Ford manual's, if the turbo had flappy paddles, that might have been enough to sway me. My hands are pretty much tied when it comes to choices though, but I don't think I mind too much!

Me being me, I would probably only make suspension changes after warranty has run out. I would limit it to exhaust mods, just to get a better sound and a lil' more performance.

I can't wait to slide in behind the wheel of one and see what it's like. Like I said, been a ford fan since about 1990 (when I first moved to Australia and my uncle picked me up in his Fairlane!) and have just been waiting for the right time to get one!

[thorxr6t]

First of all, welcome Mish. The FG Turbo is rated at 270kw and 533nm and last year Wheels mag tested the G6E Turbo and they got 5.1/13.3. I am not sure the performance numbers for the evo, 350z, rx8, wrx etc but these numbers are very close to the bmw e90 335 twin turbo inline 6 and e90 M3 v8. And these bmws cost well over $100k. So FG Turbo sedan is one hell of a performance car for the money and it can carry 5 people and their luggages comfortablly for over large distances.

The japanese performance cars mentioned above are in a different class in my opinion as the falcon sedan is much larger, roomier and heavier but I reckon it can hold it's own around corners. It's natural nemesis is obviously the Late model camira v8 but a number of large rwd cars can be thrown into the mix as well ie, bmw 5 series, mb e class etc.

Personally I find the falcons steering and balance also it's best attributes along with the crazy power and torque of the turbo. The falcons steering is nicely weighted, lots of feedback, accurate and quite quick. My previous two cars; e46 323 and e90 325 defintely did not steer as well as the FG falcons.

The G6E Turbo is my first ford ever so I can't really comment too much it's quality, reliability and maintanence cost except to say that sofar (almost six months) I find it a well-built, nice and quiet and comfortable cruiser but when provoke the turbo beast will leap out! It's a locally designed and built car so I think (hope) that its maintanence cost is anywhere near my prev bmws for example bmw charges $180 for a full wheel alignment and balance!

I can't really help you with the falcons manual feedback as my G6ET comes standard with the ZF 6-speed auto box and a marvelous and clever box it is. However I did test drive a Late model camira Bogan special with the tremec 6-speed gearbox apparently this was the same manual tremec gearbox that was fitted to the previous falcon model BF. I felt like driving a harvester! Its shift was really bulky and heavy. But I think it needed to be strong and heavy to handle all that power and torque!

Anyway good luck with your car search Mish.