Budget Of $18,000

[ajb]

Hi guys,

Just joined the forum. Used to be a member of Ford Forums when I owned an 93' EB XR6.

Now im looking at getting an XR6T in a couple of months.

Just got a few questions about what I should be looking for for a budget of around 18k.

Ideally I would like to get a 2007 - 2008 BF MKII with under 90,000kms on the clock, and by the looks of it ill have to land myself a bargain to acheive that. Also want it pretty much stock and also auto.

Wondering what the gearboxes are like in this model? and if over 100,000kms on the XR6T is a big deal?

Of course I understand that the owner and how well he/she has looked after the car will play a part.

But im also thinking that I might just wait till the end of the year and spend a little more on a newer model.

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Cheers

[JETURBO]

all depends on what u like more, bf 2 is an awsome platform to start with and 18k will get u one with decent kms and lots about

[bng]

I've been looking for a month or two now. You'll be able to get a bf 2 for that price but the kms will be a lil more then that (110/120000). If you find a car around 100000 or more, make sure that theyve got the zf box serviced and oil changed as, from ive read its super exspensive. You've got a decent budget if you just want the car

Also take into the fact of tax when you buy it, servicing, rego and all that. Factor that into your budget.

[Bellato]

I'm much in the same boat as you except getting mine about christmas time. From what I've researched on this forum:

1. Keep your mind set on BF MKII or worst case 06/06 or later BF MKI due to the stronger bottom end

2. The auto (ZF6) is an awesome gearbox, smooth shifts, capable of holding above and beyond 300rwkw without needing a rebuild - only negative is the high cost to service (approx $500) this will probably need to be done if you buy a car with more than 100,000kms and hasn't been done before.

3. I know you don't want modified but don't rule it out. If you have a read of some of the things the members do to maintain these cars, replace bushes, change to braided lines, turbo oil filter service etc etc - I would much rather buy a members 300rwkw car that's had that kind of care than a stock one that has only ever had a basic service.

Apart from that the 100,000kms is hit and miss, just depends how the car's been looked after. Some guys have blown turbo's and other things at like 70,000kms, others are still going at 200,000. If you do a bit of research on here and look of some of the general maintenance these guys do to keep the turbo's in shape and it will give you a better idea of what to look for and to ask the owners when your sussing out cars. Probably even post up some links to the ones your interested in to see if ppl can offer any insight into them.

Hope that helps

[Bellato]

I've been looking for a month or two now. You'll be able to get a bf 2 for that price but the kms will be a lil more then that (110/120000). If you find a car around 100000 or more, make sure that theyve got the zf box serviced and oil changed as, from ive read its super exspensive. You've got a decent budget if you just want the car

Also take into the fact of tax when you buy it, servicing, rego and all that. Factor that into your budget.

bng's right, if your budget's $18k then you need to look at cars around $16k to account for stamp duty, rego and insurance

[ajb]

all depends on what u like more, bf 2 is an awsome platform to start with and 18k will get u one with decent kms and lots about

sweet, Yeah I really like the bf 2's.. just want to get the latest possible model and km's under 90,000 for my budget..

I've been looking for a month or two now. You'll be able to get a bf 2 for that price but the kms will be a lil more then that (110/120000). If you find a car around 100000 or more, make sure that theyve got the zf box serviced and oil changed as, from ive read its super exspensive. You've got a decent budget if you just want the car

Also take into the fact of tax when you buy it, servicing, rego and all that. Factor that into your budget.

sure, thanks for that info on the box service, that's what I need to know..

Yeah will do, well lets say 18,500 including on roads.. but also if the perfect one comes up for 19, im not going to say no..

Edited 07/06/12 11:35 AM by ajb

[bng]

A bit like me. I wanna keep my budget on the car as small as possibly as I want more money to modify. But I'd pay a bit more for a better one and save a bit for modifying

Good luck with the hunt.

Remember, always look at the price of the car and then take a bit off. Everyone wants top dollar for there but are willing to take less

[ajb]

I'm much in the same boat as you except getting mine about christmas time. From what I've researched on this forum:

1. Keep your mind set on BF MKII or worst case 06/06 or later BF MKI due to the stronger bottom end

2. The auto (ZF6) is an awesome gearbox, smooth shifts, capable of holding above and beyond 300rwkw without needing a rebuild - only negative is the high cost to service (approx $500) this will probably need to be done if you buy a car with more than 100,000kms and hasn't been done before.

3. I know you don't want modified but don't rule it out. If you have a read of some of the things the members do to maintain these cars, replace bushes, change to braided lines, turbo oil filter service etc etc - I would much rather buy a members 300rwkw car that's had that kind of care than a stock one that has only ever had a basic service.

Apart from that the 100,000kms is hit and miss, just depends how the car's been looked after. Some guys have blown turbo's and other things at like 70,000kms, others are still going at 200,000. If you do a bit of research on here and look of some of the general maintenance these guys do to keep the turbo's in shape and it will give you a better idea of what to look for and to ask the owners when your sussing out cars. Probably even post up some links to the ones your interested in to see if ppl can offer any insight into them.

Hope that helps

awesome, yeah that's right. The reason im worried about a modified one is cause I have this picture in my head of a 19yr old green P plater whos done all sorts to it and thrashed it haha.. but your right..

Thanks for all that info man

bng's right, if your budget's $18k then you need to look at cars around $16k to account for stamp duty, rego and insurance

Ive already got a ford ranger which is full comp, and I pay by the month.. shouldnt be too much of a big deal to get the insurance side of things sorted out.

[Bellato]

Yea I was exactly the same as you, didn't want someone else's car that had just been flogged around and sometimes modified cars are like that. But once you learn to know what needs changing on these cars and how some people have gone to extremes to keep them in top condition, then sometimes its worth looking at.

As for the model you want with the kms you want that's going to be hard to find.I been looking for the last 18 months for a turbo and have only really seen half a dozeen that match what you want (given your budget). If your deadset on what you want then be patient and something will pop up, if not maybe look back to a MK II but 2006 that way there you still get all the good bits in your bottom end, but have lower kms, or you may need to take a few more kms up to 100-110k to get the newer model. Personally I prefer lower kms, but if you find one with slightly higher kms but has been looked after well than shouldn't be much of an issue.

Heres a couple that you may have looked at:

This 2006 MKII in octane only 75,000kms for $18,500 - Its been for sale for about 6 months now so price could be negotiable quite a bit

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/ford-falcon-2006-12401858?YearFromShort=1650&vertical=Car&eapi=2&page=1&sort=~Price&cr=4&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294966285%204294966463%204294922209%201650&silo=Stock&Range=Mileage:Min,100000

This 2008 MKII has a lot in the way of options and pulls a fair bit of power - also been for sale for about 6 months and clearly state price is negotiable at $19,300 so you could probably squeeze that in your price range. The only think I'm not a fan of ex-cop cars

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/ford-falcon-2008-12694712?YearFromShort=1650&vertical=Car&eapi=2&page=1&sort=~Price&cr=7&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294966285%204294966463%204294922209%201650&silo=Stock&Range=Mileage:Min,100000

Again 2006 MKII only 50,000kms - awesome colour, lots of options, and ridiculously low kms - again has been there for about 6 months so price is negotiable for sure. Bit higher price but for those kms its worth it cause from what iv foound when it comes to resale kms is worth more than year model!!

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/ford-falcon-2006-12241212?YearFromShort=1650&vertical=Car&eapi=2&page=1&sort=~Price&cr=8&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294966285%204294966463%204294922209%201650&silo=Stock&Range=Mileage:Min,100000

Thers just a few I've had my on for the last few months. They may be ones you could be interested in. I guess depends on how far your willing to travel for a car and what the owner says about the cars history and maintenance

[bng]

Just go in and offer them 15. If they want a quick sale then go get it. 15 and you'll pick it up on Saturday.

I like that white one. I'm looking for a white but without the crap grey incerts