I'm conflicted. AU or BA or BF XR8 coupe-utility?

[FTE217]

A good thread Schtoo.
Nothing like open discussion to get many opinions.
As you can tell there is many long time members with a wealth of knowledge and experience barring 1 with a pacific island troll name not worth a pinch in salt that I'm sure your gathering quick enough.

As for your shopping ? a real PIA at times but it just comes down to what ticks your boxs warts and all.
Each model has its positives negatives just comes down which turns you on the most.

[ebv8]

AU if you can find one thats not a tradie car and well past its used by

the AU's that are the pick right now if the elderly couple selling their 5.0 fairmont sedan
under $5k, under 150,000km and will last many many years from now

an AU XR8 ute these days would be near impossible to find worth buying

lots more BA XR8's in better condition for $5k and up

for $10-15k you could get a BA FPV Pursuit

the BA will still get 10-11l/100km on the highway and about 15l around town which will probably be better than an AU but the AU is simpler and more reliable and just as comfortable

[ebv8]

i just sold my AU for a BA XR8, the BA is better in every respect but its potentially less reliable and more expensive to repair

and having an auto XR8 and a 5 speed GT i don't think the boss is lacking anything over an AU v8, the boss is faster by far, uses less fuel doing it
i have had 3 AU XR8's and the BA craps all over them in power, i'd still buy an AU XR8 but the current BA was much cheaper to buy

put it this way:
AU3 XR8 auto, nail it off the line and it chirps and goes, 0-100 in about 7 seconds
BA XR8 auto, nail it off the line and its smokes the tyres, 0-100 in about the same but i smoked the tyres doing it and about the same 7seconds with traction control on cutting the fun

[Falcon SXR8]

The boss 260 was always better on paper than real life performance wise. I remember when they came out. 260kw seemed huge compared to the ls powered Commodore and the 220kw xr8 it was replacing. I still remember how disappointed I was with the performance times. Boss 290 is where they get interesting, for me anyway.

[ford71V8]

Have a BA XR8 ute and just moved on our AU 4.0 wagon.
The wagon was the better drive but I kept the V8.
I can see a time I will be wishing I had the wagon back though.
Its all about what you want and need, sounds like you already know which way to go.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by Fiji

A boss 260 makes more torque than an au V8 everywhere .. they seem softer down low because the top end really shines.. they are still better down low than an au V8.. let's be serious. They make 500nm!

To the OP, do what's best for you, buy the best car the money can afford.. many on here are stuck with their frail AU falcons, trying desperately to justify their buy and convince us they are the holy grail, they defend them dearly calling in the stroker 5.6 for any comparison to the ba boss 260 (which the au 5.6 still falls short). But drive a BA V8 and an au V8, I'd be stunned if you choose the au v8.

I could literally buy any modern falcon I want mate, there is a reason there is two manual AU V8's in my garage, they are the last of the Ford drivers cars, simple as that.

Originally Posted by ebv8

i just sold my AU for a BA XR8, the BA is better in every respect but its potentially less reliable and more expensive to repair

and having an auto XR8 and a 5 speed GT i don't think the boss is lacking anything over an AU v8, the boss is faster by far, uses less fuel doing it
i have had 3 AU XR8's and the BA craps all over them in power, i'd still buy an AU XR8 but the current BA was much cheaper to buy

put it this way:
AU3 XR8 auto, nail it off the line and it chirps and goes, 0-100 in about 7 seconds
BA XR8 auto, nail it off the line and its smokes the tyres, 0-100 in about the same but i smoked the tyres doing it and about the same 7seconds with traction control on cutting the fun

We are all different, I found my old BA XR8 was the biggest piece of crap I ever owned. Lots of issues from new, nose heavy and not engaging in any way. I hated the power band of the boss, it was horrible.

EDIT: I'll still have a BF GT in my garage one day though, my favourite looking Ford hands down

[FTE217]

hear hear fordomatic.....
fiji typically on cava, full of it......stop feeding the troll guys.

[Sprintey]

Hi Schtoo,

Sounds like you want a V8 Ford ute. I'd suggest the best AU you can find, AU1 will be cheaper, AU2 better brakes/firewall/refinement.

Comparisons of BA or FG XR6, they aren't the same car, heavier in the nose, etc. BA 260 V8 is a big heeeavy unit, spark plugs hard to get to etc.

Have you considered an XH XR8 (or are they too pricey by now?)

Now Fiji above described the AU Windsor experience, and an AU1 auto XR8 I drove was pretty similar. I wondered where the top end was...

... compared to my manual Sprint, which is absolutely nuts over 3000rpm. The good news is the Windsor goodies exist to create a Sprint motor eventually in the AU engine bay (or better: T3) if that's what you want.


I liked your story btw, you must have traveled and seen a lot. To teach your young one in a manual V8 - it's epic, trust me, my young one learned in a Sprint!

[Falcon SXR8]

image upload service

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by Fiji

Above From an owner of a AU3 XR8 and then Ba XR8..people are starting to come forward.

The au owners try to suppress anyone who speaks out against the wheezer or the au looks but as members continue to come forward with real experiences such as above, there will be too much evidence , insurmountable for the au owners to continue to suppress.

The best medicine for the au owners is let them continue to drive their wheezer V8s whilst everyone else blasts by them in the far more potent, next generation faster ba series for the similar money

bingo

[Giant Cranium]

because this au vs b series is getting boring as either side will never convince the other have a look at the below

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-6661366/?Cr=0

OP, buy this, a little lowering, some 18inch hsv wheels and a silly loud exhaust and you have an awesome rare sleeper

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

because this au vs b series is getting boring

Was it ever interesting?

[nstg8a]

All I can add about the b series xr8s is that they’re not all created equal. You can have two identical cars, and one will be a complete slug and the other one will go pretty good.
But the btr does the boss no favours.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Was it ever interesting?

only when we convert someone to the au side, we had 3 posts in a row for the b series so had to interrupt that

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

because this au vs b series is getting boring as either side will never convince the other have a look at the below

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-6661366/?Cr=0

OP, buy this, a little lowering, some 18inch hsv wheels and a silly loud exhaust and you have an awesome rare sleeper

304 blows goats in comparison to an LS1

Look for LS1 variant of wagon 👍

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

304 blows goats in comparison to an LS1

Look for LS1 variant of wagon

Yeh but that’s not what it’s about. Look at it as a sweet cruiser.

The chances of finding a manual ls1 wagon is also non existent.

[Giant Cranium]

Changed my mind

[Franco Cozzo]

OP get your negotiation on

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-6457625/?Cr=4

[Mont5.0]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Comparisons of BA or FG XR6, they aren't the same car, heavier in the nose, etc. BA 260 V8 is a big heeeavy unit, spark plugs hard to get to etc.

Not sure where XR6 came into the equation.. and you have obviously never changed plugs on a boss 260..

[Franco Cozzo]

If you want a cruiser thats a bit left of field what about a Toyota Crown Majesta? No one wants the V8 1UZFE version so they go for under $10K all the time

http://www.ironchefimports.com/cars-...TFguGaohaXa1y4

Just make sure you get an A type one (UZS175) like in the above link that has normal shocks and springs rather than the C type with the airbags.

Because airbags are expensive when they crap out.

And they'll be 20 years old, and they'll crap out.

Chuck an exhaust on it, boom, rumbly V8 cruiser, 206KW/400NM, has VVTI as well and engine parts are cheap because 1UZFE is a very common V8 engine.

[Citroënbender]

Airbags? I’d have thought they used hydropneumatics like some of the high end Landcrushers.

[Franco Cozzo]

P.S they have a timing belt

[Schtoo]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

If you want a cruiser thats a bit left of field what about a Toyota Crown Majesta? No one wants the V8 1UZFE version so they go for under $10K all the time

http://www.ironchefimports.com/cars-...TFguGaohaXa1y4

Just make sure you get an A type one (UZS175) like in the above link that has normal shocks and springs rather than the C type with the airbags.

Because airbags are expensive when they crap out.

And they'll be 20 years old, and they'll crap out.

Chuck an exhaust on it, boom, rumbly V8 cruiser, 206KW/400NM, has VVTI as well and engine parts are cheap because 1UZFE is a very common V8 engine.

Because if I go that way, there's no way on ^%$#%^$& earth I'd buy it from here.



I'd go find one in Japan if I went that way, and I'm not that enamored with one of them boats to bother. Besides which, there are a bunch more interesting things if I bothered to buy a plane ticket and go find something fruity in Jay Ay Pan.



Unless I give one a date with a demo saw to get my ute. ;)



(And there's no reason why whatever I get doesn't actually end up in Japan because I can't tell what the future holds, and they have personal import rules like we do here.)



Holden is out, they're cursed. Every one myself or my family has ever owned has ended badly. VH SL/X with thong slapper, smacked into on the freeway. HQ Prem 202, stolen and run into a pole. Gemini, rear ended someone-side swiped someone-half rolled it dead. Not tempting fate there, or it might be coming in 3's. If I went that way, I think the mechanic next door at work is still selling his VF SS V. Proper money for it, but again, needs some work with a gas axe and demo saw to make it what I want.


I'll need to get out there to suck and see a few. I'm not set on anything yet, other than some ideas depending on where I end up. If a mint AU, then I'll just spruce it up and leave it mostly as is. If a need of help AU, then it'll get 'fixed'. If a BA/BF, then I don't know what. Maybe a little fiddling but likely I'll leave it boring and just drive it as is. I'm kinda past trying to make the planet spin faster, and a ute is the wrong tool to attempt doing that anyway IMHO. But a spinkling of top end on a Windsor isn't beyond the realm of possibility.



And it's my car. My own car. I don't have to share it with anyone if I don't want to, and it doesn't have to give anyone else a fizz but myself. It'll carry some stuff around occasionally, maybe drag some things around as well, but mostly just something that makes good noises, has some decent squirt and isn't flogged out and crap. Old is fine, needing love also works. Having it in bits every weekend to keep it running isn't what I'm after, even if I can probably even swing that all things considered.



Been a pretty good thread all the same, much better than I expected and thank you all for that.

Stu.

[Crazy Dazz]

Not meaning to be one of "those" posters, but why do you want a Ute?

Reason I ask is that in the bracket you're looking they are absurdly overpriced.
My kids have grown up, so I have looked long and hard at utes, but the prices being asked are nuts.
And yes, the combination of V8 & Ute, puts it right at the top of the Bogan Hit Parade.

Also, whilst I am still a fan of the AU (and still own one) the Utes were amongst the ugliest things every created.
And lets not forget that with a Ute you get a rear-end that hasn't been updated since the 60's.

Honestly, if you're on a budget, and have your heart set on a Ute, stick to a Barra.

[Schtoo]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

P.S they have a timing belt

Found one;


https://www.monotaro.com/p/3018/5198/


My only regret is that these guys don't ship internationally, so my well worn account with them now counts for exactly nothing. :(


I would gladly offer up once valuable parts of my anatomy if these folks ran an operation here, and I also got the same next day free shipping service I used to get.



And no, I didn't need google translate to find that belt. ;)

Stu.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Schtoo

Because if I go that way, there's no way on ^%$#%^$& earth I'd buy it from here.



I'd go find one in Japan if I went that way, and I'm not that enamored with one of them boats to bother. Besides which, there are a bunch more interesting things if I bothered to buy a plane ticket and go find something fruity in Jay Ay Pan.



Unless I give one a date with a demo saw to get my ute. ;)



(And there's no reason why whatever I get doesn't actually end up in Japan because I can't tell what the future holds, and they have personal import rules like we do here.)



Holden is out, they're cursed. Every one myself or my family has ever owned has ended badly. VH SL/X with thong slapper, smacked into on the freeway. HQ Prem 202, stolen and run into a pole. Gemini, rear ended someone-side swiped someone-half rolled it dead. Not tempting fate there, or it might be coming in 3's. If I went that way, I think the mechanic next door at work is still selling his VF SS V. Proper money for it, but again, needs some work with a gas axe and demo saw to make it what I want.


I'll need to get out there to suck and see a few. I'm not set on anything yet, other than some ideas depending on where I end up. If a mint AU, then I'll just spruce it up and leave it mostly as is. If a need of help AU, then it'll get 'fixed'. If a BA/BF, then I don't know what. Maybe a little fiddling but likely I'll leave it boring and just drive it as is. I'm kinda past trying to make the planet spin faster, and a ute is the wrong tool to attempt doing that anyway IMHO. But a spinkling of top end on a Windsor isn't beyond the realm of possibility.



And it's my car. My own car. I don't have to share it with anyone if I don't want to, and it doesn't have to give anyone else a fizz but myself. It'll carry some stuff around occasionally, maybe drag some things around as well, but mostly just something that makes good noises, has some decent squirt and isn't flogged out and crap. Old is fine, needing love also works. Having it in bits every weekend to keep it running isn't what I'm after, even if I can probably even swing that all things considered.



Been a pretty good thread all the same, much better than I expected and thank you all for that.

Stu.

[Schtoo]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Not meaning to be one of "those" posters, but why do you want a Ute?

Reason I ask is that in the bracket you're looking they are absurdly overpriced.
My kids have grown up, so I have looked long and hard at utes, but the prices being asked are nuts.
And yes, the combination of V8 & Ute, puts it right at the top of the Bogan Hit Parade.

Also, whilst I am still a fan of the AU (and still own one) the Utes were amongst the ugliest things every created.
And lets not forget that with a Ute you get a rear-end that hasn't been updated since the 60's.

Honestly, if you're on a budget, and have your heart set on a Ute, stick to a Barra.

Well, I can easily tick the 'justify' box because I do have stuff I want/need to move around. Yes, I could stick a trailer on something but there's a good chance I'll need to move something and no opportunity to collect a trailer to do it.



I need to get to work mostly, leaving the family bus at home for the better half to use as she sees fit, and while it won't be a work hack, it'll have uses whilst at work. If I need to carry humans, the bus will take 7 all by itself.



I agree, the utes aren't pretty, but the practicality is what sells me on one. I can't see the value in a 'dual cab' ute, been there, done that. What I'd really actually like is a Holden IRS ute because I don't have much to drag around, and the day to day rear end is more in line with what I want, but at the same time Holden utes are still pricey (and I've been looking) and insurance is double a comparable Ford variety.



But the 'pretty' isn't me to be honest. I value utility and effectiveness over aesthetics.



It may well be that I decide "stuff it, buy a cheap POS and drive it into the ground" but I've also not really had anything 'for me' before. It's always been something grabbed in haste to get me mobile or with different priorities in mind. This time, priority is me and me alone.



Got a mate fixing up a panel van. Doesn't need it, just wants it. I'm the same, but a pano does nothing for me. A ute does. A sedan, not so much. A wagon, much betterer but the family bus is a jacked up wagon and one is enough.


That's about it. Enough reason for me.


Stu.

[PG2]

Schtoo, buy what you want.

A few years back I was in the same spot as you - kids a little older and needing something to run to work and back. Also, I had never had a car since having those pesky children that was just for me.

So what did I buy? I bought this...




This is a photo of it on the very last day that I owned it. It was in much better condition when I bought it. That did me for a few years including the young boy learning to drive in it and subsequently getting his Ps.

I loved the ute so much I then bought this...




My point is, I loved my ute that much when it wore out I just went bought another (and better) one.

No, they are not V8s, I have another car as well these days that satisfies that side of things...

[MercuryT]

They are all cheap so but whatever you want!

[mad2]

and that's why i'm into the wagooons now......... me & the missus in the front dogs in back seat ... shiiit & what not in the back. pull the cargo blind out & you ain't gonna see what tools etc i have in the back. carried carpet rolls home! . . talkin 3 metre long not 1.5 metres [do wish the wagooons had a rear window like the terry tho! ]


if i need to take a crap load of crap to the tip .... there's the trailer