Au3 Xr8 V Ba Xr6t - Page 2

matty220 · 25-01-2008, 03:00 PM

was refering to build quality mainly ive had an BA1, BA2 and now an BF2 the build in all 3 has been crap and its the same in xr's i know i cant Compare but just my opinion.

Steffo · 25-01-2008, 03:11 PM

XR6 Turbo easy. Faster stock. More powerful stock. Dollar per dollar cheaper to get power from then pretty much anything else you can buy in Australia. And its the newer model.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 25-01-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmelon

The driving forces behind me wanting the AU are:
it's lighter (and has more potential te become lighter still)
"better" IRS setup
"sharper" handling
rarity

boy.. they're interesting calls. I'm not sure how you could say the IRS is better than the control blade xr IRS.. (and the other versions in b series). I've found AU's to be far twitchier and unsettled at the rear when pushed.. Also the handling thing, the steering in the B series is far superior, and they track like they're on rails, so i'd have to disagree with both those comments.

I'd also be interested to know just how much lighter an au3 xr8 is over a ba xr6t ? anyone have the details ?

drew`SEVNT5 · 25-01-2008, 03:19 PM

AU III XR8 is 215kg lighter than BA MkI XR6T (1475kg to 1690kg)
AU III XR8 is 265kg lighter than BA MkI XR8 (1475kg to 1740kg)

http://www.carsales.com.au/car-resea...e-details.aspx

CFOUR · 25-01-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmelon

One disappointment with the AU is that it doesn't even have TC as an option

the tc is to the right of the brake

drew`SEVNT5 · 25-01-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFOUR

the tc is to the right of the brake

+1

I turn T/C off as soon as I start the car

burnz · 25-01-2008, 03:28 PM

buisnes desicion are about you head.
buying a car is about your heart.
drive both and listen to your heart.

RATT · 25-01-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

AU III XR8 is 215kg lighter than BA MkI XR6T (1475kg to 1690kg)
AU III XR8 is 265kg lighter than BA MkI XR8 (1475kg to 1740kg)

http://www.carsales.com.au/car-resea...e-details.aspx

I wouldn't take carsales figures as fact though. The previous page scans show the AU being 1559kg and XR6T as 1652. Not enough in it to make a substantial difference.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 25-01-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFOUR

the tc is to the right of the brake

couldn't agree more with that ;p

mongoloid · 25-01-2008, 04:11 PM

I was in a similar quandry recently. AU TE50 vs BA XR8/6T. What made my mind up was driving home from work one day and counting all the BA/BF XR's. They are everywhere! I personally still turn my head when i see a AU3 XR8. It takes A GT these days for me to pay attention to a BA. At the end of the day though, drive em both on the same day, then all these posts will mean nothing.

madmelon · 25-01-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFOUR

the tc is to the right of the brake

I'm not saying it's something that should be relied on, but it is handy to have in some situations. The fact that it was standard on the higher models for years (Fairlane types from the NF) says to me it could have easily been included.
Unlike some, I don't trust that a 0.3 second (at best) human reaction time can always cut it and sometimes there's things you can't see.

The suspension and handling...
The various reviews at launch of both cars had comparisons to the commodore. The AU was always considered a better handler than the commodore- sharp, accurate, fast. This had a bit of a tradeoff with ride comfort though.
The BA also recieved praise for handling, but was never considered to be as sharp as the commodore. It wasn't as easily unsettled by bumps and agressive inputs, but at the same time, it wasn't ever referred to in the same way the AU was. Yes, it is a multi link suspension as opposed to the double wishbones of the AU but one of those links is a trailing arm (can cause roll induced positive camber change on the outside wheel) and the double wishbone setup is lighter.

I suppose I should have explained that the "Quotation Marks" represent either a quote or something like "the Au supposedly has the better ______", but I did say I hadn't had a chance to test this in person yet.

Weight: The AU XR8's with the IRS actually weigh 1660kg, as opposed to the XR6T of about 1690kg and BA XR8 is 1795kg. Ford never properly released the weight of the IRS sedans, prefering to quote the weight of the Standard XR6 on all their brochures (Check and see in the gallery). In terms of weight loss, there's Iron heads and an Iron block there if you really want to get serious...

Before letting your heart take you to wherever, make sure you can actually afford the insurance, fuel and rego of both- It's not hard to work out. Once you know you can go either way- do whatever makes you happier.

aualright · 25-01-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serial_Fool

Mate, FPV no longer manufacture the XR models- that rests purely on FORD.

My bad...but point still valid? In fact, more valid.

****

**Professor Farnsworth** · 25-01-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmelon

I'm not saying it's something that should be relied on, but it is handy to have in some situations. The fact that it was standard on the higher models for years (Fairlane types from the NF) says to me it could have easily been included.
Unlike some, I don't trust that a 0.3 second (at best) human reaction time can always cut it and sometimes there's things you can't see.

The suspension and handling...
The various reviews at launch of both cars had comparisons to the commodore. The AU was always considered a better handler than the commodore- sharp, accurate, fast. This had a bit of a tradeoff with ride comfort though.
The BA also recieved praise for handling, but was never considered to be as sharp as the commodore. It wasn't as easily unsettled by bumps and agressive inputs, but at the same time, it wasn't ever referred to in the same way the AU was. Yes, it is a multi link suspension as opposed to the double wishbones of the AU but one of those links is a trailing arm (can cause roll induced positive camber change on the outside wheel) and the double wishbone setup is lighter.

I suppose I should have explained that the "Quotation Marks" represent either a quote or something like "the Au supposedly has the better ______", but I did say I hadn't had a chance to test this in person yet.

Weight: The AU XR8's with the IRS actually weigh 1660kg, as opposed to the XR6T of about 1690kg and BA XR8 is 1795kg. Ford never properly released the weight of the IRS sedans, prefering to quote the weight of the Standard XR6 on all their brochures (Check and see in the gallery). In terms of weight loss, there's Iron heads and an Iron block there if you really want to get serious...

Before letting your heart take you to wherever, make sure you can actually afford the insurance, fuel and rego of both- It's not hard to work out. Once you know you can go either way- do whatever makes you happier.

Point taken, but i have to say after owning a BA XR6, BF XR6, and a BA XT, they all outhandle any AU i've driven, and definitely any commodore i've driven. The weight and suspension setup make it one of the best handling big cars i've known. Take one for a spin and put it through some corners, you'll see exactly what i mean. Even when my XT had stock height suspension it still handled pretty smartly.

madmelon · 25-01-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcrackers

Point taken, but i have to say after owning a BA XR6, BF XR6, and a BA XT, they all outhandle any AU i've driven, and definitely any commodore i've driven. The weight and suspension setup make it one of the best handling big cars i've known. Take one for a spin and put it through some corners, you'll see exactly what i mean. Even when my XT had stock height suspension it still handled pretty smartly.

Oh don't worry... I'm "gonna test drive the * outa this" ...to quote Martin Lawerence.

EL8TED · 25-01-2008, 04:54 PM

ive never driven either car , but i have been a passenger in an au3xr8 and a ba xr6 turbo both with exhausts , and i will be the first to admit , whilst the car felt real fast on boost , getting there and wasnt what youd call exciting , whereas the xr8 was just in your face torque from the moment go .. it sounded far better than the turbo and just felt more like it was a driving car , the turbo was very subdued and felt like a chauffeured car to me as a passenger.

MRJUCY · 25-01-2008, 05:26 PM

If you really want traction control on an AU the series 1 & 2 T-series autos had it.

mrcrackers have you ever driven an AU with the double wishbone set up to any great extent? Apart from my personal regular experience, Procar & Dutton results would suggest it has the control blade BAFs licked on the track. As I said the BA does have advantages over the AU but handling isn't really one of them, the BAFs do ride more comfortably tho.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 25-01-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRJUCY

mrcrackers have you ever driven an AU with the double wishbone set up to any great extent? Apart from my personal regular experience, Procar & Dutton results would suggest it has the control blade BAFs licked on the track. As I said the BA does have advantages over the AU but handling isn't really one of them, the BAFs do ride more comfortably tho.

nope can't say i've done it to a great extent, but i've ridden in an au3 xr6 if that had it ?

**DJM83** · 25-01-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcrackers

nope can't say i've done it to a great extent, but i've ridden in an au3 xr6 if that had it ?

Makes your coment about AU IRS kind of invalid then doesnt it? Ive drivin a couple of BA's and been in an XR6T and XR8 press cars at full tilt and they didnt handle any where near as good as my TE.

Traction control is pretty crap anyway, mine is always on but if i want to have abit of fun ill turn it off (enables the power to be better transfered to the road)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongoloid

I was in a similar quandry recently. AU TE50 vs BA XR8/6T. What made my mind up was driving home from work one day and counting all the BA/BF XR's. They are everywhere! I personally still turn my head when i see a AU3 XR8. It takes A GT these days for me to pay attention to a BA. At the end of the day though, drive em both on the same day, then all these posts will mean nothing.

So true, if i see eevn an AUI XR go passed (nothing wrong with them BTW) ill turn my head but every man and his dog has a BA XT/XR or Turbo) they are all the same. I much prefer the AU interior to the BA aswell, BA is very plasticy. IMO a nice AUII/III XR8 with some good options would be my pick

**Professor Farnsworth** · 25-01-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TE50 056

Makes your coment about AU IRS kind of invalid then doesnt it?

no, not at all. it makes a direct comparison of control blade IRS less compelling though.

And i swear, you people must be riding in some clapped out examples of b series, because they seriously are a great handling machine. Anyway i'm retracting from this thread, arguing is pointless on the internet.

**DJM83** · 25-01-2008, 07:21 PM

As for the steering IMO i think the AU has better feedback thn a BA btu the BA is more responsive. Not arguing mate just giving my opinion, its all good. Long live the AU

**Professor Farnsworth** · 25-01-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TE50 056

As for the steering IMO i think the AU has better feedback thn a BA btu the BA is more responsive. Not arguing mate just giving my opinion, its all good. Long live the AU

haha i know it's all good, but you know what happens when two passionate people have differing opinions...

..........they end up making out!

no seriously, you know what i mean.

LeadFoot81 · 25-01-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no1else

Hey guys,

Iam currently looking at buying either BA XR6 Turbo or a AU3 XR8, the problem iam having is finding good reviews of the AU iam a reader of motor and wheels, so if anyone has an older magazine with a review in it i would happily buy it off ya.

Also if anyone has a good review on the net could they please post about it. I would greatly appreciated anyones views on the good points/ bad points of the two cars iam looking at compared to each other.

Thanks for reading my post and i hope some of you out there can help me lol.

As someone else said make sure you can afford to run either car;
Then have a good think about what you want out of the car you buy;
Then test drive the two back to back.

My view: AU2/3 XR8
-Unique looks, stands out in the crowd Oo===oO
-The last actual Tickford XR's (makes you feel special with Tickford logo on dash, Ticky build plate on engine)
-Not as smooth as a BA, but feels alot more like a drivers car (and dare I say it alot more 'muscely')
-Interior isnt as bad as people make it out to be (I love it), classy execution of an interior designed in the mid 90s
-Feels alot lighter than a BA (irrespective of actual weight) maybe its also the steering/suspension set up
-Great feedback from steering
-V8 roar is addictive, the torque is always there with minimal effort to extract it (ohhh the torque!)
-Alot cheaper to get a hold of than an XR6T

BAmk1/2 XR6T
-Looks sorta tough, until you see one next to an XT, then it looks plain jane
-Far too common, XRs are the new 'poverty packs'
-Feels heavy (and actually is if you look at the figures)
-Steering is too similar to Commodores (to me the BAs just dont steer like a FORD)
-Interior design is classy, but execution is too plastic-y
-Better NVH than AU, the AU XRs are old-school-in-your-face, BAs are euro style smooth)
-Cheaper to run when commuting, but either way if you want to play you have to pay

Rock ape · 25-01-2008, 09:38 PM

Like someone else said I'd look for a T3. I had a TS50 III and what a car.

5L · 26-01-2008, 01:40 AM

for a cruise car, au all the way. the 5 litres put out such a nice note, see attached video lol.
http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c9...=NVEExport.flv

for speed stock to stock there wouldnt be much in it, work the xr6 turbo and it is easier to get power from.

if i was to do it again id probably get an xr6t just because they are so easy to mod, but i do not regret getting my au2 xr8 220kw it is a great car that is very fun to drive, always puts a smile on my face everytime i hit the gas pedal (or padel for ralliart)

**Peuty** · 27-01-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcrackers

nope can't say i've done it to a great extent, but i've ridden in an au3 xr6 if that had it ?

I don't understand how you can be saying that the BA's IRS system is better than the AU's IRS when you haven't even driven an AU with it.

No hard feelings, but that doesn't sit right with me.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 27-01-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

I don't understand how you can be saying that the BA's IRS system is better than the AU's IRS when you haven't even driven an AU with it.

No hard feelings, but that doesn't sit right with me.

you don't have to be driving to realise how something handles!

StealthAu · 27-01-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcrackers

you don't have to be driving to realise how something handles!

:

**Professor Farnsworth** · 27-01-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stockoau

:

yeah brilliant comment professor.

let me clarify for you

Some people have perception, and some people don't. If you have perception, you can actually realise how a car is reacting to its inputs, whether you're the passenger or driver.

You AU owners are so damn narky.

futura888 · 27-01-2008, 03:31 PM

hi all,might just add my two cents,having driven them both in the past the au3 xr8 is great drivers car especially in the sound department but the ba xr turbo whether it be mk1 or mk2 will flog the xr8 in the performance department and is very easily modded anywhere up to 300fwkw,but another point is the au3xr will have better market value than the ba....hard decision but i think i would choose the ba turbo.

StealthAu · 27-01-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcrackers

yeah brilliant comment professor.

let me clarify for you

Some people have perception, and some people don't. If you have perception, you can actually realise how a car is reacting to its inputs, whether you're the passenger or driver.

You AU owners are so damn narky.

Wasn't being narky, but I don't think you can tell how a car handles without driving it. Notice how I said car and not AU? because your stupidity has nothing to do with what I drive. If you were making the same comments about the baxr6t, I'd still question your mental capacity. Sure you get a rough idea of how a car handles in the passanger seat, but thats it.

Edit: Sorry, just had a scroll through this thread, you say you have passangered in an XR6 AU. Only the VCT's had IRS, so I theres more then a 50% chance that you have never been in an AU with IRS.