A Newbie From Tas

[Guest Xr6Tas]

Hey all,

I came across these awesome forums the other day and have worked my way through every thread (I'm already 100% addicted!). Took me 2 full days but I think I’ve covered them all :D Crazy I know but there is just so much awesome info here to soak up.

I've just finished configuring the XR6T of my dreams with my better half, and all going well will be putting in an order tomorrow. The only thing I'm not looking forward to are the many months of waiting!! :(

Currently I own a stock standard VX Berlina which actually felt half ok until I made the mistake of taking an Auto XR6T for a drive. (I went in look at an XT but just had to try out the T B) ) Needless to say I have been hooked ever since and I simply must have one!

Before going in armed with my options list tomorrow I have a few questions I was hoping you guys could answer for me. Bear with me cause there's quite a few :hiwelcome:

1. Reading through these forums I have unfortunately noticed that there are quite a few problems cropping up (shuddering brakes, overheating, bonnet release braking,. drink holder hinge breaking etc). Are any of these serious enough to warrant waiting for the series II? I'll be going into serious debt buying a BA so it has to last a long time. Would hate to be plagued with serious probs that can’t be remedied.

2. What kind of waiting time can I expect (roughly I realise it differs) if I put in an order now? Does 4-5 months sound about right?

3. What type of discount should I try to obtain? Or are dealer's hesitant to offer any discount due to popular demand?

Below is the complete package I'm going for which comes out at $51581 (before on roads) using the Ford configurator. What is a reasonable drive away price to aim for?

Mercury Silver

Auto/Sequential

Sports Steering Wheel

Premium Audio

Leather

18" Wheels

Momo shifter

XR Scuff Plates

XR Mats

Mud Spats

And lastly are there any XR6T owners from Tas here? Yet to see any of you on the road!

I have plenty more newbie questions, but I'll save them for later!

[Guest HOTXR6]

Welcome XR6Tas,

I think an XR6T in Targa Tasmania sounds like something you need to get involved with. Only joking. You questions are well asked and I am positive you will get information you need. I can say that the problems do not overly concern me as they are only small issues and issues that Ford will look at seriously. They can not fob you off with these things. Series II will probably not be until late 2004 early 2005 I would suggest. Waiting times vary but I have noticed that the south of Australia seem to be getting the vehicles quicker than the north so I would say 4-5 months is normal at present.

Good luck and send us pics

HOTXR6

[Cam]

I'm not the most experienced on this Forum (my car has been on order for 2 - 3 weeks - delivery in April/May).

The problems mentioned wont stop me getting one - it sounds as though Ford is handling it well - plus since my car will be an April build hopefully some of the manufacturing problems will be sorted by then.

4-5 months sounds about right - unless you are happy with something on the floor (and there arnt many of those around)

My car was similar:

I didnt get these:

Prem Paint, Sports Steering Wheel, Momo shifter, Mud Spats

But I did get these

Side airbags, tow, tint, 6year warrenty, cargo net, phone presenter

On roads cost about $3200

As for pricing - I dont know how many dealers there are or what the compotition is like in TAS but..

Before I ordered I spoke with t few dealers who all basically said no discounts as the car is so hard to get. They also said that all the dealer principals in the area had got together and agree with each other not to discount (sound like price fixing and collusion to anyone!!!).

Anyway I told them I wasnt paying full list price for a car and wouldnt buy if they didnt do better (and meant it - I would have bought the 2003 BMW 325i).

Eventually I managed to get about $3000 off RRP and I signed.

You would never get that kinf of deal on one of the floor stock models. All the dealers know that they can sell the floor models at full price without any problem.

[CJF077]

I agree the problems are only "minor" and take nothing away from the fun of the car. They may seem like alot of issues but i have only had one or two and have been fixed straight away by the dealer.. also welcome aboard..

[Ninka]

I agree with CJF077 that the problems are only minor, and Ford appear to fix everything within reason quickly.

I have driven my XR6T since new year (4500 k's) and can only report positive experiences with Ford so far.

So GO FOR IT AND ENJOY!!

Expect the XR6T to be a little "dead" low down for the first couple of 1000 k's and fuel economy to be quite bad, but that changes gradually as the car is run in, and THeN THE FUN REALLY BEGINS B) .

Welcome onboard :hiwelcome:

[Mondie]

Welcome mate,

Firstly dont worry about the problems being reported. Like anything new there will be issues and warranty will sort these out. Its like wanting to buy a new computer but waiting 6 more months because they will be better and cheaper. Wait another 6 months and so it goes.... Just do it.

l would imagine there wouldnt be a large number of dealers in Tas making your negotiating for a discount a bit more difficult but nonetheless l would be looking for at least $3k minimum. Waiting times in Tas will also be dependant on the car allocation each dealer has. In Melb there are dealers that have floor stock so delivery could be immediate if you luck onto the right car, or you may have to order and wait 3 months or more.

If you cant pull a decent discount is it worth coming to Melbourne for the weekend? Maybe there is floorstock available in Melbourne that matches what you are after?

Cheers Simon

[HSE2]

I am from Tas. I have helped get a few friends into turbos. I have lots of stories regarding dealerships and might be able to help. What part of the state are you in?

I can be reached on ianp@winnet.com.au

[Guest Xr6Tas]

First of all just want to say thanks heaps for the welcome and help guys. I have to say this is the first car forum I've come across with people so willing to help and not feeling a need to flame newbies with beginner questions.

It seems like a really friendly community of XR6T owners is growing here which is just awesome. Without a doubt the best car Ford have ever built and as a result it seems its attracting a really cool group of people online to discuss them.

I must admit that I’ve always preferred Holden’s up until the hideous VY series where I had to admit that Expensive Daewoo were stuck in the 90s, and weren’t doing anything even remotely appealing with their new vehicles. Funny that Ford should release their best Falcon range by far the year Expensive Daewoo delivers there worst! That has to be fate I tell ya

In any case I have no loyalty to Expensive Daewoo and am happy to give up ownership of my VX for a brand spanking new Ford. In fact to say I "can’t wait" to get behind the wheel of a BA would be the understatement of the century :lol:

I was at my dealer’s again yesterday who said they couldn’t drop the XR6T by a cent which really got me quite pissed. At the very least I was expecting a $1000 discount. I certainly won’t be happy if I have to pay dead on RRP. Never heard of such a thing with a new vehicle. There is always room to move! I dont care how hard a car is to get. That’s doesn’t effect the level of profit they make on them after all!

HSE2: I'm in Hobart. Where are you located? I might fire off an email in your direction for some info. Sounds promising.

Mondie: I would certainly come to Melbourne to buy one if it were worth my while. Although from the sounds of I’d say by the time I spent the money getting there I’d be looking at a fairly similar on the road price to what I can expect in Hobart.

[Guest ED_XR6]

Hope you have luck with the dealers here in tas xr6tas. I have had troubles with the hobart dealer and sometimes the launceston one isnt much better(wont name any names). check out or clubs website www.tastickfordclub.asn.au it might appeal to you when you get the new turbo

Tim

Secretary

FPV/Tickford owners club of Tas

[Guest Xr6Tas]

Thanks Tim. I just spoke to Ian from the Tas FPV club, who gave me some advice about trying some other dealers in Northern Tas. Going to ring around until I can get a decent quote then try to get Tilford to match.

I checked out the Tas Tickford club the other day and it looks great. I would say you'll be hearing from me when I get my XR6T B) Many members with BA's yet?