Test drove an XR6T and SS

[Bearman]

Yesterday I was talked into taking some cars for test drives. I am thinking about replacing my daily driver in the medium term.

I was pretty keen on an XR6 Turbo but thought I should also drive an SS as well. Both rated the same kw, very similar price new and as second hand buys.

First up was the current model SS auto. Very comfortable seats. great driving position with plenty of room in the cabin. To drive it felt great, really solid and very nice handling. On the freeway I gave it a bootfull, the rear squatted slightly and it was off. Nice shove in the back and could hear the V8 goodness. I really liked this car........ liked it a lot. To me it felt like it had all the characteristics of an old school muscle car.

I needed an antidote so went to the Ford dealer to take an FG XR6 Turbo for a fang. Took a while to get comfortable. Seat down as low as it could go and steering wheel all the way in and up as far as it could go. Even then the steering wheel was a fraction too low into my lap for my liking. Compared to the SS I felt quite closed in with this car. Anyway, got going and it felt really nice. Got onto the freeway and like the SS, gave it a bit. Having never driven a Turbo before all I can say is "GOD DAMN!!!" It was like being fired out of a cannon. A totally different kettle of fish. Back to cruising speed it felt to me like it has a hair trigger. It didn't require much provocation to rear up and take off!!

After it was all over I realized my world has been turned on its axis...... The antidote didn't work...... I've fallen for the SS!!!

The turbo is fantastic and seriously fast but it's just not for me. I'm a V8 guy and always will be.

I now realize what a hole in the range Ford has now that the XR8 has been dropped. To think that if you want a V8 Ford then you have to spend mid $50K on an FPV GS. That is way out of my budget and probably always will be. Maybe in 2-3 years as a second hand buy who knows?? For a potential budget of high $30K to low $40K I would find the SS hard to go past.

The XR Fords look a bit too Plain Jane. I hate the cloth netting type interior, leather is a must. Also, why are there so many Nitro or Ego Fords??? Because the rest of the colour range is shyte. This seems to be a cyclic thing though.

Right now, today, if I were laying down my $$$ I'd be visiting the Holden dealer and springing for an auto SS in Hazard (Yellow), or maybe even an SS V if I could crunch a deal.

I feel so dirty...........