Why An Xr6t?

[-MARTY54-]

I was looking for either a VY HSV or a VE SS, test drove a few, then got told to drive an XR6T. I initially said F&^K no, its a ford, and its not a V8... I went anyway and drove an FG XR6T ZF and was sold on the spot. They even had a Demo in teh colour I wanted with all the options I wanted. Signed the paperork and have been in love ever since. Have had it for Nearly 2 months and 5000kms and its an amazing car. Will be upgrading to an FG F6 in 12-18 months...

This is a common occurrence. If only Ford marketed their product properly and drew customers into the dealer to test drive the T. They'd sell a lot more.

The typical Joe who knows nothing about cars will be drawn to a HSV, simply because they are marketed better and have a status among non-car enthusiasts. Disappointing.

[Arkayne]

Was looking at a HSV VE Clubby, but because I could only afford a second hand '06 one, I chose the XR6T since it was pretty much new.

Love the look of the HSV VE's (those side vents near the side indicators are purely awesome - cheap trick, sure, but awesome!!), but the FG's have just really shined in terms of both exterior & interior design, plus the amount of work put into the engine - it really outshines the commodore, only because I drove both and priced both because I was interested.

I've always been a Expensive Daewoo fan, and no doubt still am, but the Falcon really did make a significant improvement in looks, and that won me over.

Edited 31/05/09 10:58 AM by Arkayne

[Howsee]

When I was looking at what I wanted to replace my original 03 BA XR6T, I looked at two XR8, (BA manual and BF auto), BA GT, BF F6, VE Bogan special , VZ SS, VY R8, 04 WRX, 03 WRX STI, 01 S15, R33 GTR, R34 GT-T, and a Liberty Turbo. After driving them I would have to say the top 3 contenders were the BF F6, R33 GTR and STI. Whilst I was deciding which to go for, a mint condition XR6T came up with all the mods and options I could possibly ask for, and for an unbelieveable price. So naturally once again I am the proud owner of a 04 BA XR6T.

[Mish]

Gotta admit, I am starting to take a slightly harder look at the WRX STi now. 07 model. It's got enough of a towing capacity for me. But the biggest hurdle is insurance. As mentioned elsewhere, Suncorp was double the price for a stock STi.

I'm just thinking that the WRX will be quicker in more situations then the XR6 Turbo, and less quality control issues. I've heard some horror stories on here about Subaru's, but I don't think they're actually that bad. It's not as nice a place inside as the FG's for sure, but I think I'd be ok with that at the moment.

I remember looking at a poll on here before, which is more important to you, straight line speed or cornering and stopping? The latter for me is where it's at. I don't believe that without spending serious money a XR6 Turbo would be able to compete in tight twisty corners like a WRX could. And for the record, I'd much prefer an Evo, but they dont' have a towing capacity at all. But then, the faster flowing stuff, the XR6 Turbo would hold it's own wouldn't it?

I dunno just thinking! Like my sig says! hehe!

Edited 10/06/09 11:48 PM by Mish

[nang3]

we've got a WRX as well as a BA F6 and it is a nice car.. fast and handles well and sounds great if you love the sound of the boxer motor.. while in the car it sounds more like a ducati or something but I like it... uses SFA fuel if putting around and easy to park and light as to throw around..

but it is a small car and doesnt feel anywhere near as solid or big or powerful as the F6 which is why I prefer the F6 overall..

[Mish]

yea, see, not a real fan of the sound of the boxer engines...which could be a potential problem! The other thing I don't like about the WRX's is there are so many around, but it's not like the XR6T is a limited edition either huh! hehe! Unfortunately, I think insurance might be the decider!

[dashturbo]

I must say that I have driven among many others:

XR6T

09 WRX

08 STi

and in my opinion under any tarmac situation (apart from a motorkhana) even off the mark or round slow corners, I would expect the Falcon to be the same or significantly faster, Unless your dropping the clutch from massive revs off the line the Subaru is slow in a straight line and always provides reasonable grip round corners but no more than a Falcon.

I provide reference from RACV: Royal Auto testing at Heathcote raceway. All in dry weather with the same driver done as similarly as possible. Traction Control on, in Drive if Automatic, Air Conditiong off with one passenger, figures are averaged from 4 runs.

FG Ford G6: 15.3 second 1/4 mile (printed june 2008)

FG XR6T AUTOMATIC!: 13.27s 1/4 mile (road test not printed, used for Australias Best cars Figures)

WRX Manual: 15.3s 1/4 mile (Subaru stated 13.2 1/4 mile on the 2009 WRX launch)(printed April 2009)

Lexus ISF:13.9s 1/4 mile (Printed Feb 09)

Mercedes C63: 13.1s 1/4 mile (fastest time RACV has averaged, took it from the XR6T about 5 minutes earlier)

both the Falcon G6 and WRX took 3.5 Seconds over the 0-60kmh. and if someone can explain how AWD provides more grip with the throttle off or during understeer around the corner I'd like to hear it..

I know others will strongly disagree but this is the what I have observed from the best information available to me, and I bought an XR6T..

Edited 11/06/09 07:06 AM by dashturbo

[XR6TWolf]

I've owned a few quick cars and this time in shopping around kept on coming back to the BA/BF XR6T. From the moment I first saw a BA XR6 the shape just grabbed me and nothing has changed in the intervening years.

Before buying the XR6T I considered an EVO8 and VE SV6 Commodore.

After driving the SV6 I figured the XR6T would slaughter it in performance and was significantly cheaper. (ended up paying around half the price of an SV6 to get the Falcon at tender)

The EVO8 despite being fancy looking and seriously quick point to point would have been less than useless for towing a boat and in my view was too much of an attention magnet. Plus the cost factor once again came into the equation.

A few little teething issues but most already fixed with the aid of a little help from on here and not regretting the decision one bit

[Mish]

Dashturbo, the wrx and the XR6T are two very different cars. Straight line speed is not what they WRX's are about though. Mind you I'd be looking at an '07 STi for the same money (can't stand the i30 look-a-like that the 08/09 Subaru's are) and they are a bit quicker then the WRX times you listed there. But tight corners, I can't see the Ford (or Expensive Daewoo for that matter) keeping up. They have more grip and therefore can put much more power down. Plus I believe the handling is much better, but you'd expect that when the STi weighs like 400kg less.

It's difficult to compare the two, part of me thinks that the XR6T is too nice! Not boy-racer enough for me at this stage! And I completely agree with Wolf, an Evo is useless for towing a boat, as it a WRX. But the WRX can tow a motorbike trailer with 1 - 2 bikes on it...which is all I need. I just think with AWD, 400kg, brembo's and good suspension, the WRX will out-handle the XR6T. And like I said, handling is a big part of what I'm after in a car.

Who knows, I could test drive both tomorrow and hate the WRX and that's fine...just putting suggestions out there to see who eles has had the same connumdrum...

Edited 11/06/09 10:52 PM by Mish

[nang3]

our WRX would defo eat our F6 in a twisty race.. straight line, roll-ons, cruising down south, comfort, space and outright power the F6 wins... also the WRX gets noticeable slower once you add a passenger etc.. F6 not so much..

as for the boxer note, I never used to like it but I love it now that we have one haha.. I love the fizz and pop when letting off the gas and WOT in 1st sounds very tough..

you can always get a zorst that cuts out the boxer throb