Megane RS275 or FG X XR6T

[Pube Fury]

I am planning to buy a new car in early 2015 and the shortlist is down to two. I am hoping that others here can suggest some pros and cons that I have not considered. I have owned an FG XR6T and have driven Falcons/Fairmonts for the last 15 years.

I live on the edge of suburbia in Craigmore SA and for about six months of each year I work in Mt Barker. The drive is about an hour each way going via Kersbrook, Cudlee Creek, Lobethal and Nairne and there are some nice twisties along the way. I do about 25-30,000 km per year and plan to keep the car for around 5 years. I am single, so don't need a four door car.

As for the Ford, pros are reliable motor & trans, cheap servicing and parts, straight-line performance, ride comfort. Cons are weight, fuel consumption, handling (compared to an RS), 3 year/100,000 km warranty, frumpy looks (imho) and it's yet another Ford.

For the Renault, pros are insane handling, usable performance, funky looks (imho), fuel consumption, 5 year unlimited km warranty and it's something different to what I've been driving. Cons are reliability, price of parts, ride comfort, FWD.

What else is there to consider?

[blueoval]

It really depends on what kind of driving you like. If you prefer the hills like me, you would be looking for a car that can provide the maximum thrills and fun for that sort of terrain.

If you prefer all out grunt, outright power and traffic light duels, then the XR6T is the way to go due to the ability to easily up the power. That's not to say you cannot get the Falcon to handle, you can, but throwing a tonne of coin on suspension will get you so far if the opposing car is lighter and has better handling characteristics in the first place.

Frankly speaking though, I think if you have a decent warranty on the Renault, then what is the problem when it comes to parts and reliability? A 5yr warranty to me speak volumes in terms of the company willing to put their money where there mouth is. If you are intending to not bother with tunes, and heavy mods on the Renault, then you should be able to get the dealership to honour any warranty claims (read the warranty policy do not take my word for it).

Based on the information given, I would be leaning towards the Renault purely on have a different driver experience, handling as been mentioned, and that 5yr warranty is hard to pass up. As far as Im concerned, anyone can make oodles of power, but the line is drawn in the hills if your car can't turn the way you'd like.

[LeadFoot81]

X2 on what blue oval said.

Falcons/Fairmonts for the last 15 years? You only live once, give the Renault a go!

[mik]

Drive both then decide which one you want to live with day in and day out, sporty suspension and cog swapping is no doubt fun at times, but it can get a bit tiring.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by mik

Drive both then decide which one you want to live with day in and day out, sporty suspension and cog swapping is no doubt fun at times, but it can get a bit tiring.

This I agree with if your in traffic 80% of the time. But the route Pube is going is predominantly hills with very few traffic lights. The Renault is perfect for this sort of terrain IMHO.

[Franco Cozzo]

Danny here has a Renault Megane RS and he is very happy with it, give these hot hatches a go and see what you think, go for a few test drives.

[responsef6]

Last chance to buy a new falcon and a turbo at that.
A lifetime to buy new Renaults, the next will be rs 280 and then 285 etc going up 5 HP each edition( due to limitations of fwd and torque steer). Whilst the renault in their name quotes fwhp, an xr6t with a custom tune only would give 450hp, and much more with cat and injectors.

Throw some shock works at the car for 2k and you've got supercar performance and good handling as well.
Spend 5k on a Renault and you won't get much improvement, they've optimised their package already from the factory.

For aussie roads the falcon handles well enough and you cant beat the performance. For tracking the car regularly Renault would be better.

For what you're intending, go the mighty Falcon... One last time!

[Lunch]

Wont a tune or mods void a factory warranty?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Lunch

Wont a tune or mods void a factory warranty?

What warranty?

[Fordman1]

Go the Renault RS275, insanely fun car to drive.

You won't regret it.

[DJM83]

I contemplated an RS Megane when i got my ST. But my budget just wouldnt stretch that far. Id own one in a heart beat.

Go the Megane, that said i love the turbo 6, but id still take the Renault.

[malazn mafia]

Like a choice between going to a Celine Dion concert or Eagles live in concert one last time. I know which I would rather choose.

[Lunch]

Celine?

[XR Martin]

More like ACDC and Alizee

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Pube Fury

What else is there to consider?

Resale value? From what I've seen the RS Meganes do pretty well on the used market.

[Rastas]

The Megane will incite you to loose demerit points quicker .....

Something to consider

[Binny]

They are both such great cars but I am surprised you are even deciding between the two because they are so different in every way.
Only you know which style of car you prefer. If you don't take a decent test drive of each and one will probably stand out as the style you prefer.

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by Binny

They are both such great cars but I am surprised you are even deciding between the two because they are so different in every way.
Only you know which style of car you prefer. If you don't take a decent test drive of each and one will probably stand out as the style you prefer.

Exactly - those two cars are top of the list in their respective categories - very different categories. Very hard to compare them directly .

[FG50T]

Hot hatches are more fun! The xr6t only wins in the showing off overtaking ability lol.

[mik]

Originally Posted by FG50T

Hot hatches are more fun! The xr6t only wins in the showing off overtaking ability lol.

nah, also good for just plain old cruising in comfort.

[hootar]

Originally Posted by Pube Fury

I am planning to buy a new car in early 2015 and the shortlist is down to two.

As for the Ford, pros are reliable motor & trans, cheap servicing and parts, straight-line performance, ride comfort. Cons are weight, fuel consumption, handling (compared to an RS), 3 year/100,000 km warranty, frumpy looks (imho) and it's yet another Ford.

For the Renault, pros are insane handling, usable performance, funky looks (imho), fuel consumption, 5 year unlimited km warranty and it's something different to what I've been driving. Cons are reliability, price of parts, ride comfort, FWD.

What else is there to consider?

Everyone has come up with valid points. 2 different cars. Its your money so Only you can decide which car suits your style, tastes and driving conditions etc.

One point I would like to make is if ya buy the Falcon then you are supporting Ford Australia and Aussie workers and there families. To me that's enough to sway me to the falcon. If more of us thought that way then maybe Ford, toyota and holden may still have been here after 2017. Plus The falcon is still a bloody good car that ticks more then enough boxes as a drivers car IMO.

To me it's a no brainier but it's your money and your car. So good luck with ya decision.

[ebv8]

has the ford got storage for your handbag and heels? maybe get the megane

on serious note if you have been driving falcons for years there is probably a reason why.
i went from an XR8 to a Fiesta because i'd thought i'd down size and save fuel, i sold the fiesta 11 months later and bought a GT

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by ebv8

has the ford got storage for your handbag and heels? maybe get the megane

on serious note if you have been driving falcons for years there is probably a reason why.
i went from an XR8 to a Fiesta because i'd thought i'd down size and save fuel, i sold the fiesta 11 months later and bought a GT

Hard to compare a stocko Fiesta to a go fast Falcon, had you gone an ST you might have had a different experience.

[Patty]

In my opinion, the XR6 Turbo is a better daily driver in ALL situations. Sure it won't be as fun around the twisty stuff. But when cruising and all the way to driving at 9/10's (The xr6 turns **** after pushing it past 9/10) the XR6T performs so well. Whilst the Megan 275 is quite uncomfortable when just cruising or driving around town. My mate has one, and when you want to have fun, this thing is nearly unbeatable when talking about thrill factor for a $45k car. But normal driving, it's a pain in the butt, as it wasn't created to drive to the shops.

[STINKY NINJA]

Hot hatches are the way of the future,go the renault!

[DFB FGXR6]

Hot hatches are certainly the future for affordable performance cars.

So why not leave the Megane for the future and buy the Falcon now while you still can.

[sneaky]

my slightly biased opinion says go the renault..

[responsef6]

How many of you that say go the Renault have actually driven this car...

The grass is always greener on the other side

Though my preferred saying is

You don't know what you've got til it's gone

[LoudPipes]

Because these are two completely different cars you already know what you want otherwise you wouldn’t have asked the question.

You’ve owned an FG XR6T, you know how good it is, so go with your heart and buy the Megane.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by responsef6

How many of you that say go the Renault have actually driven this car...

The grass is always greener on the other side

Though my preferred saying is

You don't know what you've got til it's gone

I've driven both.

I say "Go the Megane !!