New Member :)

[Thatisntanissan]

Hi all,

I've been lurking around here for a while, thought I'd say hi. This is a great source of info, there's some sketchy and contradictory stuff written about these cars elsewhere.

I've had a couple of Fords before, a KH Laser and a EF Fairmont. More recently I’ve had a S14a 200sx which I loved and modified, tracked and drifted lots for many years, a 3L Liberty, and most recently a stupid VX SS which has done a headgasket amongst other things. Also have an dirty S12 Gazelle track car with a CA18. Once I get myself an XR I’ll be around here plenty J

I’m looking for an XR6t in Vic at the moment and have been struggling to find one that’s up to scratch. Looks like I’ll have to lower my expectations a little and was hoping you might be able to give me some guidance. Car will be my daily, engine mods would be limited to intake, cat, injectors and tune. If it’s a BA it’ll get valve springs.

Option 1
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Falcon-2006/SSE-AD-3453818/?Cr=8
This car drove well but didn’t have service history as advertised, only majors were stamped and the others apparently done by a relative.
I could only get an admission of a front end hit when I pointed out that the bonnet had been off, which makes me suspicious.
All silver interior trim needs replacing.
Seemed to have a decent PS leak near the pump. Is that normal?
Seems pricey for what it is, would $8-9k be reasonable? It missed out on the 06/06 by a month :(

Option 2
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/morwell/cars-vans-utes/ford-xr6-turbo-6-speed-urgent-sale-trade-swap-price-negotiable/1085132094
Haven’t looked at this one yet. Assuming it has got history and appears well looked after, is 250k too much for one of these? I figure I’d have to budget for diff bushes and maybe front end ball joints?
I like this, apart from the KMs.

Option 3
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ferntree-gully/cars-vans-utes/ford-ba-xr6-turbo-9-months-rego-rwc/1086457247
I don’t really want a 4 speed, but will settle for one if I have to.
I’d prefer a standard one, but this doesn’t seem too out there.
Has anyone removed those stripes before? Are they vinyl or paint?

Sorry for the long post, I really appreciate the help as having only worked at Nissan when I was swinging spanners my Ford knowledge isn’t that great.

Edited 15/09/15 03:17 AM by Thatisntanissan

[allanlawler]

I'll be going for option 3 especially with the reco box 1500 and its only got 136000 and I know it's only a 4 speed but it seems the safest option and taking off stickers with a heat gun but not to sure about leaving marks as the red will definitely be darker where the strips are

[Thatisntanissan]

Thanks Allan. Yeah I'm leaning that way even though I want a BF. I didn't expect it to be so hard to find a decent one!

[discostig]

We're keeping the decent ones for ourselves hahaha.

Get as low km as you can but budget for upkeep all the same. I am over 280 000 now on my BFII but I've got valve springs, zf rebuild and pwr zf heat exchanger (as well as go fast mods).

It gets flogged daily, but warmed up and cooled down either side

Edited 15/09/15 06:54 AM by -Stever-

[Pixy Angel]

Keep looking mate even interstate will be worth it to get the right car. Just make sure youre 100% happy with what you get.

Even running it over the bits for peace of mind.

Oh yeah Welcome bro enjoy your stay.

[PTR_NITRO_FG]

OP....if you can take your time and you're not in rush... 'bargains' do pop up... I liked the first one (cause ZF and also I'm biased with blue cars)...but I think I read something about the shockwave blue being prone to paint flakes (and Ford did a recall for some people and gave them a new paintjob?).

Another thing to factor is how often the trans fluid has been changed...hope you find that perfect car soon

Even running it over the bits for peace of mind.

I would never recommend running a car over your bits

[allanlawler]

Thanks Allan. Yeah I'm leaning that way even though I want a BF. I didn't expect it to be so hard to find a decent one!

[allanlawler]

Unfortunately all the good ones are not up for sale as the owners are more than happy or they have been flogged and then prone to break as I was after a BF as well but settled for the BA with 80,000 more kms than the red one and I killed the gearbox in 2 weeks and it took me 3 more weeks and 2 other gearbox's to find the one I have which is brillant found on a wrecked BA only 15000 kms old since rebuild but now I couldn't be happier as mine has a lot of go fast gear on it like T04 turbo bigger cooler and transmission cooler which is a must have on any turboed auto, cheers

[.Stripes.]

Pete's actually onto something with the Shockwave cars, there's a decent example on here from PhilMeUp of the paint chips on his old ute. Having seen that I'd, personally, avoid a Shockwave car. I'd also be trying to get one with a ZF gearbox, if buying auto. I'm more a manual kinda guy...but those ZF's are good gearboxes! As others have said, if you're not in a rush hold out for one that's got everything you want and that has the lowest kms possible, with a good maintenance history.

Edited 15/09/15 10:00 PM by .Stripes.

[Thatisntanissan]

Thanks for the replies! Unfortunately I am in a bit of a rush. Agree about the ZF and I missed a great one by a day last week. I'm also looking at BA2 and up manuals, but they are thin on the ground. I thought I'd found another one worth looking at but noticed a Monster sticker on it, and on closer inspection of the pics can see oil all over the engine bay. Frustrating. Also considering Stageas and Aristos now, but fingers crossed I'll find an XR6. I've borrowed a car for a couple of weeks last night, so that buys me some time.