When i sell my AUII XR8 ute, looking at smaller car, or just good economy. Ideas?

[raised by monkeys]

So, im looking at moving to Adelaide soon. When i move, im not sure how far from work my home will be, and that maybe likely to change. So im looking at selling my XR8 ute, for better fuel economy and cruising through traffic. My ute is a daily/only vehicle, so its replacement needs to be something i can just jump in and get to A, B and C. It must be reliable and comfy, manual, at least a little street cred and of course, lets not forget the GO. It will need to cost not too much more than the sale $$ of my ute + a little more, so under $20k. Ideas?

My thoughts so far are:

Evo VII Ive heard the cluth and brakes are not great on them and require servicing and or replacing at under 100,000kms

BAII XR6T ute (because I have a dog i love to take cruising)
are they economical? reliable?


Any other ideas?

[RAPID_BA]

why not keep the ute?

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

So im looking at selling my XR8 ute, for better fuel economy and cruising through traffic

pretty much that and because i want something i dont need to spend much more money on... besides maybe mods and maintenance

[350125GO]

LPG, either your current or newer car.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by 350125GO

LPG, either your current or newer car.

do you know what costs approx are involved in the change over?
islosing power on LPG a myth?

of course any seriously considered choices will be researched later

[smoo]

Keep the ute and get a decent 600+ cc bike for commuting, will have more street cred and blow the doors off any 'fast' car, especially in traffic.

[raised by monkeys]

lol was thinking about a bike, but im clumbsy and dangerous as it is. My dog does not like piggy backs also. Sidekart??

[DBourne]

Xr5 Turbo.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

Xr5 Turbo.

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

It will need to cost not too much more than the sale $$ of my ute + a little more, so under $20k.

too expensive

[DJM83]

I know of a PB LS XR5 for $17.5k...

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by DJM83

I know of a PB LS XR5 for $17.5k...

details?

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

details?

This one
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...5&sort=default

He is a member on our XR5 forum, worked at a Ford dealer aswell so its been looked after too.

Theres actually a few on there under 20k.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by DJM83

This one
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...5&sort=default

He is a member on our XR5 forum, worked at a Ford dealer aswell so its been looked after too.

Theres actually a few on there under 20k.

Hmm, thought they would have been too expensive so i didnt bother looking.

I do like the words recaro and leather next to each other in a sentence

[brett7777]

I get 12.55 litres to 100km.
That's with plenty of acceleration & a heavy foot, city driving. Dunno what cruising with a lighter foot would be.
So I would suggest a N/A XR6 with headers, hi-flo cat, big bore catback, CAI with a dyno tune. Goes great too, plenty of low down torque.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by brett7777

I get 12.55 litres to 100km.
That's with plenty of acceleration & a heavy foot, city driving. Dunno what cruising with a lighter foot would be.
So I would suggest a N/A XR6 with headers, hi-flo cat, big bore catback, CAI with a dyno tune. Goes great too, plenty of low down torque.

Been there. 6cyl was too slow for me. Not bad torque but not enough top end. Thats why im looking at anything under 8 cyl with boost.

Driven my mums 08 6spd mini cooper S... now thats torque

[DJM83]

XR5's respond very well to mods aswell. Simple tune, IC, intake and exhaust and your done.

[OzJavelin]

Keep the ute .. you'll probably get 3/5ths of bugger all for it .. and the changeover for something "cheaper to run" (but fast as per your requirements) will end up costing a lot more ..

.. or get a motorbike as per previous I got a bike to "save money" a few years ago and now I have five ..

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

Keep the ute .. you'll probably get 3/5ths of bugger all for it .. and the changeover for something "cheaper to run" (but fast as per your requirements) will end up costing a lot more ..

.. or get a motorbike as per previous I got a bike to "save money" a few years ago and now I have five ..

hmm, kinda wanted an upgrade too. I do like my ute, but i need to spend a bit of money on it, and its just over 150,000kms now.

[brett7777]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Been there. 6cyl was too slow for me. Not bad torque but not enough top end. Thats why im looking at anything under 8 cyl with boost.

Driven my mums 08 6spd mini cooper S... now thats torque

mine's just under the stock BA XR6T - but fair enough mate, go for what will work for you, the XR5 might be your thing.

Also I am told by XR6T owners that they use more gas than the NA. Thus i think for economy the n/a modded & tuned is a good option. For me anyway :-)

hey I just noticed that you have the AUII XR8. (for some reason i thought you said BA XR8) is it modded? in it's 220kw stock format, on paper wouldnt it have less power than my barra with the mods? (I am now over 220 at the engine)
Im guessing yours is modded & tuned though?

[DBourne]

As DJ said, LS/T's are going for under $20K.

Mine has basic mods and it is a very nice car to drive, and surprises PLENTY (specially 8's). Handles and brakes beautifully in stock form too.

Also my economy in city driving 11L/100K and once it gets on the open road drops to 7-8L/100K

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by brett7777

mine's just under the stock BA XR6T - but fair enough mate, go for what will work for you, the XR5 might be your thing.

Also I am told by XR6T owners that they use more gas than the NA. Thus i think for economy the n/a modded & tuned is a good option. For me anyway :-)

hey I just noticed that you have the AUII XR8. (for some reason i thought you said BA XR8) is it modded? in it's 220kw stock format, on paper wouldnt it have less power than my barra with the mods? (I am now over 220 at the engine)
Im guessing yours is modded & tuned though?

Must remember it isnt about the kw figure too.
Hell my XR5 wouldnt be very far behind your XR6 if any. And have probably spent less. Thats the thing turbos respond better to basic mods in most cases.

Im not turning this into who has more, just stating my case for the XR5T as you are with the 6.

[raised by monkeys]

its certainly not about kw.

and its a AUII XR8 ute, so its the 200kw motor, not the 220kw. But on an 8th mile keeps up with a 6lt caprice and the walks past it, and not too far behind BAII GT. Have the time slips too.

The AUII and III's XR8's would by many be considered a little faster than the BA equivalents, not sure on BF's though, not that its about comparison either - so lets not let that take the direction of the thread please!.

But stop/starting in traffic in my 5.0 i cant imagine would be ideal, especially if im travelling 45 mins one way for work. I want to be saving cash when i first move. Its more about having a car that wont eat fuel, and is light and powerful enough to swing through traffic and have fun in.

[Kryton]

Keep the ute and buy a 2000 Peugeot 406 TDi for $4000 or less.
4.4ltr/100 should see the economy issue sorted and youve still got the ute for other days.

[dcstraight]

Working in your favour is the availability of vehicles - it's a buyers market...unfortunately because you have to sell / trade your AU XR8 ute, you can't really 'get ahead' in that regard (as it has been said).

Understandable you may want a change - I think most of us can relate to the temptation.

LPG was mentioned - have you considered SVI? A very feasible way to do LPG IMHO - Vic rebate is still $1000 for this financial year (unsure what the rebate is in SA?) - was quoted $2300 if you have existing tank / lines etc - (factor in a bit more if you don't have them obviously) - then minus your rebate...could get out of it for $2K or maybe even a little less?

Depending on which SVI system, they can be good for ~200rwkw (BRC Impco) - hardly any power loss and still retain traction control systems (if fitted) etc. Economy wise is better than a standard venturi-style mixer etc - I have an AU 220kw motor on a basic LPG system which returns ~18L/100 kms which is a mixture of 30% urban / city and 70% highway / cruise. I am looking at upgrading to SVI in the near future - to give you an indication.

Even if you do mods and max-out the LPG, it can automatically switch to petrol without you feeling the change (thanks mult-ipoint LPG injection)...I see it as being able to cruise around town on LPG, then when it comes to spirited driving, it can change to PULP when it needs it!

LPG prices are nearly 1/3 of PULP at the moment too!

My 2c

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

not that its about comparison either - so lets not let that take the direction of the thread please!.

Yeah sorry mate, my intention was never to derail your thread, just give you some info on a car you could consider as a purchase.

[gtxb67]

if your current ute is reliable and likely to run for a few years yet, i would put it on lpg without a second thought
based on melbourne prices, your fuel bills will be halved and probably better
you can still have the dog in the back, you will still have the power - close to a win all round in my opinion, but then having used lpg for almost 20 years i am biased

[Bossxr8]

Injected LPG for sure, it doesn't take long to get the money you spend on it back in fuel savings. Less than a year maybe.

And equal or more power than standard too.

[b2tf]

Shaun if fuel economy is a desire don't even consider a B series turbo. Your AU is the best 'performance' car in terms of fuel economy Ford have made for a while. My FG was atrocious on the juice, going back to an AU was saving me cash on fuel every week.

My suggestion would be something like an XR5 or maybe even a Jeep etc? That way the dog can go too without the worry of staining the Recaros.

Good luck selling the AU, I surprisingly do not miss mine much, first one was a different story though.

[302 XC]

Looking around at what AU XR8 utes are realistically selling for ( i mean seriously whos gunna pay low teens or even 10 large for such an old thing ???)
Your gunna have a short fall somewhere, are you cashed up for the changeover or do you have to borrow the difference
If you have to borrow, have you calculated the payments,Vs what you have and perhaps own Vs the overall economy costings ???
Theres alot to consider if borrowing and interest rates come into it
My daily uses over 20 L /100 K (4x4) to upgrade and borrow 10 large for something cheaper to run Vs the Ks i do ,itll take over 5 years to come on top
Food for thought