Hypothetical Question....Buying an XY GT on a Budget.

[Donny]

You are dead set keen to buy an XY GT. But you only have a maximum of 80k to spend.

You would prefer a decent car, not a basket case or project.

What do you do???


Using my car as the benchmark of the kind of car you want....

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Donny

You are dead set keen to buy an XY GT. But you only have a maximum of 80k to spend.

You would prefer a decent car, not a basket case or project.

Whats the question Donny??

[Donny]

Sorry, was my first poll on this forum, didnt finish the post properly, I have now edited it. Damm you were quick. Are you boared mate??


After voting, how bout expressing which option you chose and why.

Cheers.
D

[mickyyyy]

If you only have 80k id go high end faker with a big engine for sure but make sure it has a decent amount of genuine parts on there.

If u really wanted a real GT and restore it over time and spend more than 80k id also go that way as it will appreciate more compared to my first suggestion.

[FPV+fteT3]

I would buy the SA fairmont GT same mechanicals as aussie model it's a genuine GT and recognised as such by Aussie GT clubs, a faker no matter how good is still just a falcon and to buy a pretty ordinary aussie GT for 80k and do it up to the standard of a high end SA GT could cost you tens of thousands more for what is esentially the same, a genuine XYGT.
By the way Donny thats a nice bit of kit.

[Matt P]

By the real deal even if it is in woful condition it will still be a real GT and then you have a project.

[Silver Ghia]

Answer 2 would definitely be the best investment, but depends a lot on how original and complete the car is with original parts and (low) degree of molestation.

But it also really depends on what you want to do with it, as Answer 1. would be the most practical to live and drive around with. Perhaps Answer 3 as well, as doing it up as a GT is still not a genuine. And I would steer well clear of cars with ID issues.

Seeing you dont want a big project and you wont have the extra money to do the resto, it then really boils down to looking closely at the condition of both the Fairmont and faker.

I'm wondering why you are asking the question when you already have that car shown?

[FreddyDUZ747]

Sth African pov pack gets my vote.A matching nos limited run car thats within the budget.One gets tuned at west torrens dyno centre and is a pleasure to listen to(uncles).No aircon or steer but easy to live with i recon. :sm_drool:

[gossy]

I would prefer to buy an Aussie GT, but as yours is a Fairmont GT from SA with Aussie adapted parts, I think that is the cheaper way to go.

[mickvxbs]

When i think about my coupe i often wish i had of bought a XBGT they wernt that much dearer back then(1995), but i "wish" not because of any racing pedigree or some such, but simply because it would be worth more money now

That to me is not a reason to buy a real GT, i bought the car because i loved the shape, the low roofline and the mean stance that it has, heck mines a 6cyl column shift in taxi cab orange. So for me a great faker with options or a SA GT fairmont would do just fine.

[Auslandau]

If you only wanted an XY GT you wouldn't pick number 1?

I would go number 1 though as I don't want a car that I couldn't or shouldn't moddify. A Fairmont XY with all the goodies would be a lot more fun than going to and fro from carshows in a stock GT. If I wanted an X series GT though it would only be an XA sedan or coupe but would still have to have my fun car first.



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[Thankfull]

In this day an age....just to have an XY body in good condition is somthing in itself.

Cheers

[Donny]

The idea of the post was to guage peoples thoughts as to the 3 possibilities.

Now to define the parameters a bit better, the 80k is all you have.
So the option of spending more is out for at least a good couple of years.
So a project will sit around for at least a few years while you save up the resto costs.

You are also the typical GT owner who is buying the car of his dreams to keep and is not buying this car to onsell later, or with the consideration of turning a profit.

Option 1 gives you a pretty good car. But essentially you would have to live with it only ever being a replica.
Most in that price range will allready either be rebuilt as replicas done to look very close to a proper GT or done with good drivetrain allready in place at that money. Such as Lincolns cars (XYLINC)

Option 2 gives you a genuine car that is probly close to totally shagged condition wise, and is going to need a big dollar resto.
Unless you wish to lower the quality of the resto with repo stuff, she will need most of its remaining genuine parts hand restored and the missing ones replaced and then restored too.
There is an Aus XY GT for sale currently for 80k, allthough the talk is it has some issues. I dont know what they are, just talk. The fact is its been for sale for a few months now at that price, and is still there. I'd imagine its had a tun of lookers by now.
The last XY GT I saw that was a runner and in ok driveable/registerable condition for sale but really needed to be restored was a bit over 100k.
The last alternative then is to find a car with identity issues or body issues, and you would then get a nice one, but most of the GT people will look down upon these cars, and in some peoples eyes it will be little better than a replica.

Option 3 gives you the choice of some pretty good South Afrikan examples. You can buy some examples of these in reasonable condition for around 50k, and some really good ones for around 70k to 75k. Both these options drops you under budget, and allows some money to either make them look like an Aussie one if you dont like the South African look, or to soupe up the donk a bit more.

Attention wise, as long as these things look right, most wont visually know if the cars a replica or real until they get a look at the rego label if it has the vin on it. So the risk level is still up there. And if you are still spending around 80k, you are still going to be paranoid as hell about the car. Everyone who asks me about my car keeps asking if its a HO.

My car is a Fairmont GT, Aus modifications wise it has the front spoiler, bathurst tank, globes, the over riders, super roos and Falcon GT boot badge. My trim is still RSA original. If you didnt like the trim around 2k more will fix that issue.

The idea of the poll and post is to see how many would consider the Fairmont GT option over the other 2 choices.

Take the hypothetical question 1 step further. You can get a hold of $150k cash.
Do you spend the whole lot on a really decent Aussie XY GT, or do you still buy the Fairmont GT, and throw the spare 50k odd of cash into the mortgage?

Again with the intention to keep it, not flick it.


How many people out there will take the Fairmont GT option then over the Falcon GT option??

[gcg2503]

Donny if i was into XYs I would def go the Fairmont GT route. It makes the most sense in every aspect

Essentially the same thing

But alas, for me there is only one GT and that is the Mighty XA

Nothing else comes close - so very one eyed on that front!

[Donny]

George,

It certainly dose make sense mate, but the majority of buyers either dont beleive the Fairmont GT's are real GT's or have no common sense at all and would rather pay full price for a XY Falcon GT.

If you had 120k to 150k to sink into a genuine GT, how much better would you feel only dropping 70k to 80k on the same GT, with the only main diffrence being assembled and sold new in a diffrent country?
Then throwing the rest of your spare change into the mortgage or somthing. That would also please the handbrakes out there too (aka better halves).

These Fairmont GT's would have to be the bargain buy of the century, and soo many people are close minded and blind to it.

Sure a lot of early imports were bad cars and looked terrible, which has given a bit of a bad rep to the SA GT.
But theres been quite a few higher profile restorations done now, as you would have seen at the Nationals, and there has also been a lot of very nice and tidy unrestored and maintained examples that have landed on our fair shores too.

I am the same as you, the only GT for me is the XA. While I do like the other models, the XA is the 'one' for me too.

[Falcon Coupe]

Option one for me, the person obviously wants something out of thier price range, so do most of us albeit to a lesser degree.

I'd prefer a top looking faker with a killer engine/driveline in the garage ready to turn the key and drive away.
It would better than the genuine article in many ways, most likely faster, cleaner, cheaper to insure, would turn just as many heads and not as likely to be tracked down and stolen.

The only reason to pay the bucks is genuine pedigree bragging rights.

[FPV+fteT3]

When my bank acc. recovers I would be seriously looking at the SA GT to add to my collection value for money they leave the other 2 options for dead and they are GT's. The cars I buy are for my enjoyment and not for sale to make a buck, but they are all genuine articles and IMO a Fairmont GT is still a genuine XYGT if not what is it? and would have no hesitation in buying a good example.

When I was younger I had an XAGT replica made from a written off car so it was very good however when asked if it was genuine and you reply well.... no people seemed a lot less interested in it even though it had all the right gear in it and went like a GT should. Replica or genuine for about 80k most would not be a daily drive so why not invest in the real thing?

[nugget378]

I would go option two, then save every penny until I could afford to put a roll cage and tubs in it with a 4 link, to go along with the alloy block/dry sumped aftermarket engine..

I could always offset the cost by sending the bits and pieces I dont intent to use off to sims for scrap..

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by nugget378

I would go option two, then save every penny until I could afford to put a roll cage and tubs in it with a 4 link, to go along with the alloy block/dry sumped aftermarket engine..

I could always offset the cost by sending the bits and pieces I dont intent to use off to sims for scrap..

........ then drive to the GT NATS and watch all the purists splutter on their cups of tea I would pay to be there!



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[nugget378]

Originally Posted by auslandau

........ then drive to the GT NATS and watch all the purists splutter on their cups of tea I would pay to be there!

Ripping apart a piece of muscle car history, $1,000,000, the looks on the purists faces, priceless

[Donny]

Personally, modifying a genuine GT with reversable changes would not stop me from doing this just because it was a genuine GT. Specially the motor.
But I do prefer the cars closer to the original theme anyway with just a few personal touches.
You can also make a clevo go well, even while maintaining its standard looking GT guise.

I couldn't imagine owning a stock powered GT that could be hosed off by a V6 pov pack fleet camry.
I have had a few stout clevos, and while I have yet to try the stroker route, I couldnt ever do standard again. Changin engines is nothing, and can very easily have the original one put back in.

So some basic mods to a GT would never sway me down the replica route. Not that I have anything against replicas, I just prefer the real thing. Nothing to do with **** factor or exclusivity or anything

[mickvxbs]

Originally Posted by Donny

So some basic mods to a GT would never sway me down the replica route. Not that I have anything against replicas, I just prefer the real thing. Nothing to do with **** factor or exclusivity or anything

so why is it then?

[Donny]

Genuine GT's are what I am interested in. And since I can afford it, why not.

[FPV70]

s stated earlyer, The Fairfomt GT is Still a GT and remembering, the GT was based on the Firmont anyway as most of them had the same chrome trims on them and what ever else.

I have seen some very good example SA XY GT Fairmonts I would own anyday.

[gossy]

Still option 2 for me.
Australian compliance plate, and the knowledge of it being built at it's spiritual home, Broadmeadows.
I won't even buy a JH Falcon, but that's just me being fussy. :

[dom_105]

Originally Posted by gossy

Still option 2 for me.
Australian compliance plate, and the knowledge of it being built at it's spiritual home, Broadmeadows.
I won't even buy a JH Falcon, but that's just me being fussy. :

Where's the JH plant? Homebush?

[gcg2503]

H - Brisbane

[schnoods]

Option 1.

Stripes and Clevo is enough for me.

Might even do one without the stripes or GT decals. 80k is alot of $$ and for something that is only as good as its gonna get from factory is a raw in my eyes.

Imagine 20grand under the bonnet, 10 for the paintjob, another 10-15 for the box suspension and brakes. Interior would be a light touch up from standard maybe 2-3k, 5k for wheels (i'd go some Indy's, some might want 20's used: ).

Allow 10k for tidying up and fiddly bits, 10 k for a vehicle that isnt beyond repair, and then its something original, quick and unique.


Besides, GT351 on the side is enough to convince most people what a gt is. :

[mcnews]

Have had concours winning collectible muscle cars that have been featured in reference books and in magazines. My best one was bought by Biante to make a 1:18 scale model from. But I sort of consider myself been there, done that nowadays.

Thus now I would derive much more pleasure from having something that looks the goods, like an XY GT, but with good suspension, a born from the gates of hell motor made tame with the delights of EFI, and brakes that work so in fact, the look and horn factor of yesteryear but with 21st century mechanicals. And something that I could drive 100% without thinking about all the unobtainable parts that are going to get damages should I have a bingle etc.

Actually in a perfect world one of each would be the go....

[OLDFORDNUT]

i chose option 3 as its the best value for money and ive always believed them to be real GT's