Bang for Buck

[Crazy Dazz]

As a potential buyer, if I consider where prices were, prior to the closure announcement, its very easy to get depressed.

And in truth, my mind has begun to wander, to things such as Old Jags... Recently, I even tried to imagine myself in a V8 Caprice (But my intestines sucked my genitals back inside my body, and I temporarily lost the power of speech.)

So I'd thought I'd have a bit of a hunt around carsales...

In truth, if locally produced big-iron is all you want, then there are plenty of Commodes at decent prices...

Around the $20~25k mark, will find a small selection of FG XR8s, with the Boss 290, and moderate kms, such as this:
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...AG-AD-18963508

Ok, so widen the parameters beyond the Sacred Blue Oval, and let's see what there is? Short Answer, putting aside the aforementioned plethora of Commodes, not much.
I know the dear old Boss was maligned by some, but few others come close. The only other relatively common competitor is the venerable Hemi as found in Yeeps and the 300. (The great thing with the Jeep is that the 3.5T towing capacity actually allows you to tow the fuel-trailer.)

If you're prepared to sacrifice a few kw, then I must say the Nissans look an attractive proposition. I don't know a lot about them, but there are plenty of Skylines, and even a few Zs, with the 3.7l V6. Something like this:
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...SSE-AD-6741307

And apart from a few outliers, that's really about it.
There are certainly better cars. There are those that were better equipt, more modern or sophisticated, and even more powerful. But unless you find a clapped out one, or a true bargain, nothing in the same price bracket.

[Jack91]

What do you actually want?
300s are overrated boats.
Any falcon is a typical falcon (crap)(but i love them)
Jeeps, dont even go there. ****erwagon
Yes cars cost more now. An obvious side effect of peoples uncertainty at the moment.

[westoftown]

I've been having kind of similar thoughts on this topic of late too:

In the market for a B series XR8, for the most part, Redbook claim to values these at anywhere between 6 - 9k, but i have not seen a BA or BF XR8 in that price bracket unless it was clapped out, needing work, high kms or all of the above. Most of the better examples start at 10k & up.

Are institutions like Redbook undervaluing them? are the owners or dealers inflating the prices as a whole? what is causing this discrepancy?

Either way, on just about every ad I see whether it's gumtree or carsales or other, the accompanying post script to each ad is usually something along the lines of:

"rarer than hens teeth" "they dont make these anymore" "will only increase in value" "stick it in the shed and watch it appreciate" "a great investment"

[Tassie f100]

I reckon Red book is something put together by the insurance industry,to help convince you that the car that just got crashed is worth much less than it realisticilly costs to replace like for like.

[blueoval]

Covid has inflated a lot of car prices on carsales I have seen. There is a lot less cars available now due to border restrictions, people uncertain for the financial future and thus holding onto the car for now. On the other hand, more sought after cars are being snapped up by people who would normally spend money going on holiday but have accumulated funds during covid for a project.

Car sales had about 230-250k cars available about 3 months ago. Now there is only about 150k cars on the market.

[westoftown]

I reckon Red book is something put together by the insurance industry,to help convince you that the car that just got crashed is worth much less than it realisticly costs to replace like for like.

Good point, never thought of that

sought after cars are being snapped up by people who would normally spend money going on holiday but have accumulated funds during covid for a project.

Couldn't agree more, that probably makes me part of the problem as i'd fit into that category with ease.

[MercuryT]

An S5 V8 goes for similar money to that (Falcon) XR8.

Sure Ford's are great, but it's a vastly inferior vehicle in every way outside power and cheaper to fix.

Bang for buck are Euro's as no passionate following which highly inflates Ford's and Holden's here.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Bang for buck are Euro's as no passionate following which highly inflates Ford's and Holden's here.

I thought so too, but they just don't stack up.

Yes there are cheap euros, and there are powerful V8 Euros, but not both.

[Franco Cozzo]

Prices of an FGII XR6T ute are more expensive now then when they were 2 years old with 35,000km on them.

V8 variants of Commodore and Caprice are excellent value, there's **** all else that's good value for what you get.

[Polyal]

Yes I was all excited about prices crashing but like everything in Australia the GovCo has a bail out to suit you!

So, I suggest waiting another 6 months, there are so many good cars available at pretty good money.

Some of the prices being asked for B Series XR8's is a joke, they are not a $10k+ car, 15-20k is GT money.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yes I was all excited about prices crashing but like everything in Australia the GovCo has a bail out to suit you!

So, I suggest waiting another 6 months, there are so many good cars available at pretty good money.

Some of the prices being asked for B Series XR8's is a joke, they are not a $10k+ car, 15-20k is GT money.

I'm looking at replacing my daily but I'm also thinking maybe I should buy a house instead as the new car would be number 12 and maybe it's time to get a house first while there's the opportunity to capitalise on the economic downturn

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'm looking at replacing my daily but I'm also thinking maybe I should buy a house instead as the new car would be number 12 and maybe it's time to get a house first while there's the opportunity to capitalise on the economic downturn

stuff it, what a load of bollocks buying houses care etc they all need care and more money in maintenance,
buy red wine, it does more for the economy, more for your own well being and does not depreciate in value.

[Falcon SXR8]

Sold my ba xr6 turbo a month ago and it was a blessing and a curse. Blessing was having a swarm of buyers for the ba even people offering more than the advertised price. Curse was trying to replace it, car prices seemed to be up an average of 3grand over a few months prior and I had to pay a little more than I wanted

[FPV414]

People topping up their $2-3k car budgets with another $10-20k thanks to easy access of super has seen a total wipe out of all the cars in the lower end of the market, along with aforementioned restrictions on travel meaning people are now spending money saved for holidays on cars.

Add to that the fact that you cannot go interstate to inspect a car you may want to purchase, you're forced to buy in your local area. Sellers have cottoned on to reduced availability, and adjusted their prices.

ED XR6's last no longer than a few hours on the market at the $8k mark.

200,000KM FG G6ET's and XR6T's were able to be found under $10k a year or 2 ago and now climbed up to $13+ again. Better kept ones with lower KM, even early examples of FG are up near $20k!


We were all talking about a potential "buyer's market" not long ago. It's gone the opposite way.

I'm not sure on the argument that people are avoiding selling in an uncertain climate? I would have thought people would be more inclined to sell and reduce debts.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by FPV414

I'm not sure on the argument that people are avoiding selling in an uncertain climate? I would have thought people would be more inclined to sell and reduce debts.

Thats exactly what I was expecting, but, I have seen an increase in hot rods and older cruisers so time will tell.

[Swordie]

Id consider VE Series V8s.

[blueoval]

Id prefer a VF series V8 if I were to head down the Holden path.

But there are some decent value Audi's on the market at the moment.

[Crazy Dazz]

Unfortunately at my age, its too hard to change a lifetime of love & hate.
I tolerate my daughter's Equinox, because its not mine, I didn't buy it for me, and I didn't buy it for love.
But I just can't bring myself to own a Commode.
Same with the German marques.

[vixf6]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Id prefer a VF series V8 if I were to head down the Holden path.

But there are some decent value Audi's on the market at the moment.

Went down the vf v8 path as the fgx just isn’t the prettiest thing, these things are decent bang for buck I must say. Redline was bit of a slug but this lsa thing is dare I say it is much quicker than the f6. Decent running gear s/c 400kw for a touch over 60, v8 note sounds amazing after you pull the fuse on that dual mode exhaust.
Not happy going to the red but the product is quite reasonable, bang for buck is there.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by vixf6

Went down the vf v8 path as the fgx just isn’t the prettiest thing, these things are decent bang for buck I must say. Redline was bit of a slug but this lsa thing is dare I say it is much quicker than the f6. Decent running gear s/c 400kw for a touch over 60, v8 note sounds amazing after you pull the fuse on that dual mode exhaust.
Not happy going to the red but the product is quite reasonable, bang for buck is there.

Thanks for sharing that info. Good to hear some first hand experience.

[Swordie]

Some other suggestions:

• G6ET FG/FGII
• XR8 FG
• XR6 FG/FGII
• Hyundai Genesis
• Fiesta ST
• BA - FG FPV - 8 or 6T.

The Fords (XR8, G6ET and X6T) are going up in value.

The Genesis has nearly the pace of the XR8 with allot of luxury.

The Fiesta was a highly rated car when it was released a few years ago.

FPVs must be getting harder to find. There are still some BA GTs that can be found mid 20's.