Looking to buy XR5 Turbo

[fiestaz]

Hi guys,

As the title says looking into buying a XR5 turbo. I do like them but never driven one.

Any recommendations for things to look for? Have researched the internet and they seem to be pretty bulletproof.
I have marked a couple of really nice examples on carsales and am willing to pay more for the right car in good condition.

Just need to find one to drive now! Tried to drive one at a dealer (was a bit of a pig, scrapes and scratches all over it) but the dealer would not entertain a test drive unless I negotiated a dealer and indicated I was happy to put a deposit down.... silly....

Anyway any feedback appreciated

[fiestaz]

But then on the other hand Focus STs are similar in pricing...

[jase_elxr8]

I have an ST now and had an LV XR5 before it. The ST is a much better car in so far as features and the finish. The XR5 had a bit more character though.

[fiestaz]

I ended up purchasing a 2013 ST, done 60,000kms for $19800. Very happy, drives beautifully.
Needs a little bit of TLC (to bring it up to my standards) but otherwise.

Very impressed with the initial turn in going into a corner, the throttle response and power at all revs. Bit weirded out by the hill hold. I keep forgetting its there!

Very happy, fun times ahead!

[stig_3754]

Originally Posted by jase_elxr8

I have an ST now and had an LV XR5 before it. The ST is a much better car in so far as features and the finish. The XR5 had a bit more character though.

I could not agree more. The ST is a much more refined and clinical car but I miss the character of my old XR5. The fake carbon fibre on the dash, the left hand indicator stork, the pops and bangs from the exhaust, and of course, the engine note in general.

[fiestaz]

I can totally see the character of the XR5 and would have happily bought one.

I just could not go past the value of the ST. I got a absolute glamour for under $20K from a dealer, with warranty.

Its been a week and i absolutely love it. I hate having to park it up and then take one of the hyundai work cars.
The noise i love, the power, the response, the steering, the brakes, the seats its all fantastic. And as a added bonus it has the toys and tech. Its been reasonable on fuel so far.

Only gripe with it is the headlights, they just do not point up the road far enough. I know they are self levelling etc, but they point way too low.

[GO FURTHER]

I think Ford could have sold more ST's if they offered an auto version.
I think manual only has limited their sales, especially with older drivers.
Even WRX went auto.
Otherwise a brilliant car.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

I can totally see the character of the XR5 and would have happily bought one.

I just could not go past the value of the ST. I got a absolute glamour for under $20K from a dealer, with warranty.

Its been a week and i absolutely love it. I hate having to park it up and then take one of the hyundai work cars.
The noise i love, the power, the response, the steering, the brakes, the seats its all fantastic. And as a added bonus it has the toys and tech. Its been reasonable on fuel so far.

Only gripe with it is the headlights, they just do not point up the road far enough. I know they are self levelling etc, but they point way too low.

Owned both agreed re characteristics. If i were to buy again id go XR5 though. As for headlights, there is still some manual adjustment in them IIRC.

Throw some pics up if you can! Enjoy.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Owned both agreed re characteristics. If i were to buy again id go XR5 though. As for headlights, there is still some manual adjustment in them IIRC.

Throw some pics up if you can! Enjoy.

I will try post some pics soon! It desperately needs some love to that paint work (clay bar, polish etc).

As for the headlights I did some YouTubing and found the adjustment screws. There is no mention of them in the book and having not owned self leveling xenons before I thought they adjusted themselves.
But anyway I have adjusted the drivers side up, it’s much better and shouldn’t effect other drivers. I’ll see how it goes and try adjusting some more if need be.

[DFB FGXR6]

What colour did you get?

[jase_elxr8]

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

I think Ford could have sold more ST's if they offered an auto version.

It think they could've sold more if they offered the same option you can get overseas. My old XR5 had full leather and sunroof which was not an option here :(

[gxl3]

How many turns did you go on the adjustment? I got a new ST in Feb and the couple of times I've driven it at night so far I've noticed the same thing. The other one that gets me is the auto stop/start! Freaks me out every time I forget to turn it off at the start of a drive!

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

What colour did you get?

Got the blue. Liked it when I first saw it, but have fallen in love with it. Can’t wait to get my hands on it. It already looks fantastic, but will be even better with some love.

What is the colours actual name if anyone knows?

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by gxl3

How many turns did you go on the adjustment? I got a new ST in Feb and the couple of times I've driven it at night so far I've noticed the same thing. The other one that gets me is the auto stop/start! Freaks me out every time I forget to turn it off at the start of a drive!

Probably 1-1.5 turns just out of the drivers side. Not sure that’s quite enough as yet, need to test it further to see if I’m happy. It’s definitely better. Would recommend. Just need the correct sized Allen key (which I did not have).

My car missed out on stop start being from 2013. Never had an issue with it in the Mazda3.

[fiestaz]

Crappy carsales photo for you all.
Hopefully soon some real photos

[gxl3]

Not sure if the name changed after the 2015 refresh but that looks like the colour I got, Deep Impact Blue.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

image

Crappy carsales photo for you all.
Hopefully soon some real photos

Performance Blue!

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Performance Blue!

Thank you! Was curious about that.

Really love the colour. Thought about going white but I am literally surrounded by white cars at work and home. And orange is a bit much for me, silver is nice but boring. Blue hits the spot for me nicely

[stig_3754]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

Thank you! Was curious about that.

Really love the colour. Thought about going white but I am literally surrounded by white cars at work and home. And orange is a bit much for me, silver is nice but boring. Blue hits the spot for me nicely

Once you go black you never go back

If I recall correctly, it was Performance Blue but it was changed to 'Winning Blue' in 2015. I'm not sure if that's entirely correct though.

[fiestaz]

Took it for a spin earlier today to try take advantage of cheaper 98 before it goes back to $1,80 a litre.
Anyway for that trip and on the way back the sound symposer stopped working. Took it back out for lunch still didn’t work but on the way back (didn’t turn the car off at all) it started working again all of a sudden... weird. But will keep an eye on it.

[fiestaz]

[IMG][/IMG]

Another photo for you guys.

It is certainly getting some use. 9000kms since purchase, a night at the drags and a track day. Track day was awesome, managed to cook the brakes. But thats Okay, probably my fault from a lack of cool down. Would highly recommend a day Luddenham for those Sydney siders.

It has plenty of road trips and traffic under its belt now.

As a used car purchase it has been pretty much perfect. No issues, no question marks. Its great. So great the keys have been taken off me for the weekend while my father and his mate take it to Bathurst to get drowned in rain and mud.

Still very happy.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

image]image[/URL]

Another photo for you guys.

Glad its going well. The Focus ST is a very underrated car.

Love that colour too

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Glad its going well. The Focus ST is a very underrated car.

Love that colour too

Funny you mention the colour. Needed some touch up paint. Bought it with quite a few stone chips that needed a bit of love.

Couldn’t find the code, so messaged Ford. Gave them the VIN, they came back with spirit blue and SA as the code. Took this to a paint guy who said nope. Code is wrong. They made some spirit blue up which matched beautifully thankfully. Love to know where ford gets their info.