Ford Falcon XR6? - Are they any good?

[200bhp]

As per the subject really.... What's a Ford Falcon like? More specifically the XR6 4.0 variant.

[5STM5]

The Ford FPVs and Holden HSVs are one of the best value for performance buys you can get. My wife had an XR6 for a few years (2008 model). lots of room inside, large boot space, but more importantly it was like st of a shovel. Handling was great but not excellent and take care in the wet, it would be very easy to lose the car for 28 days

[james280779]

From my limited experience (hire cars while on trips) I had use of both the falcon xr6 and commodore sv6 - both 2011 models.

Very similar cars, both good but just something about the commodore which edged it. I do believe though the falcon is a fair bit cheaper

edited

I just checked and the standard price of the falcon is the same as the commodore- no contest in that case, Commodore is better lol.

I have seen ex demo end of year models falcons though for 24k- at that price I would buy the falcon.

Edited by james280779 on Monday 2nd July 23:55

Edited by james280779 on Monday 2nd July 23:59

[ariddell]

Similarly had them as hire cars, although I preferred the XR6 to the SV6, nicer plastics and the NVH in the XR6 seemed better. 0-100 in 7.1 so reasonably quick for a family barge too.

Depreciation on them is going to be a killer though.

[Bibbs]

Not sure about the year you would be looking at, but I like the looks of the BA onwards.

Get the turbo if you can (they rival the V8's for performance).

Pommygranite has a nice spec Falcon (FG G6E I think), with the same engine.

Nice performance bargain, but beware. They are Taxi's here. So they do some real base spec stuff, and they are comon, especially in white with sheep skin seat covers.

[Pommygranite]

As Bibbs says I have a G6E Turbo (2010) and love it - looks great, drives great, fully specced and very quick at about 5.1 to 60mph time. I drove an XR6 before mine and nearly bought it as it felt plenty pokey enough but my budget allowed me to spend more hence going to the G6ET, however if I was trading down to save cash then I wouldn't hesitate at an XR6 as you can get an FG XR6 2010/11 for c.$22-24k.

I never drove a Commodore before my Falcon, as for some reason it just didn't do it for me looks and interior wise and I felt that build wise there must be a reason why every taxi is a Falcon as opposed to a Commodore. However I reckon you could flip a coin as to which is better and buy as I had a Commodore rental before and it was fine also.

With regards to the XR6 the FG is the latest, BF Mk2 the previous and if you don't get an FG try and get a 6spd auto BF mk2.

[200bhp]

So this one would be the less desirable 4 speed auto then ?

http://www.johnhughes.com.au/view.php/used_cars/20...

[Pommygranite]

That's weird as I thought that as an 07 it would be the 6 spd and at least 5 spd.

Good price but for $5k more an FG is a more modern better proposition.

Remember the sales stamp duty so every time you buy a car you have purchase tax - if you change in 6 mths because you want something newer you'll pay stamp when you change again.

Another rule when you get here - buy right first time.

John Hughes does have a very good reputation though.

[Burnedout]

200bhp said:

So this one would be the less desirable 4 speed auto then ?

http://www.johnhughes.com.au/view.php/used_cars/20...

That's an early BF - always get the ZF 6 speed if you can, much better car.
The FG is a more refined car again over the BF. The early FG's had a Froggy Ford 5 speed, although the XR's were all ZF 6 speeds. All the recent FG's are ZF's, including the Ecoboost 4T.

The ZF 6 speed BF XR6 will perform pretty well even today, my young bloke had one & it would do a 14.5 sec 1/4 mile consistently. They are a great economical tourer, better economy than the Commodore.

Edited by Burnedout on Tuesday 3rd July 13:33

Edited by Burnedout on Tuesday 3rd July 13:34

[Pommygranite]

Burnedout said:

200bhp said:

So this one would be the less desirable 4 speed auto then ?

http://www.johnhughes.com.au/view.php/used_cars/20...

That's an early BF - always get the ZF 6 speed if you can, much better car.
The FG is a more refined car again over the BF. The early FG's had a Froggy Ford 5 speed, although the XR's were all ZF 6 speeds. All the recent FG's are ZF's, including the Ecoboost 4T.

The ZF 6 speed BF XR6 will perform pretty well even today, my young bloke had one & it would do a 14.5 sec 1/4 mile consistently. They are a great economical tourer, better economy than the Commodore.

Edited by Burnedout on Tuesday 3rd July 13:33

Edited by Burnedout on Tuesday 3rd July 13:34

That's a last of the line BF I would say given they started c.2003 and ended 2008. Think it's a typo.

[madazrx7]

I had a BA XR6 (now with the ex wife) and liked it. We currently have a FG XR6 hire car after Kym's Pajero got written off last week, and I think it's great. Looks good, goes well, showing 10.0L/100Km on the computer as a long term average, comfy and quiet, ideal family car

[motomk]

Even if you can't afford the turbo, as mentioned, try and get a ZF 6 speed equipped car, even if it is a G6 or an XT. Most BF Fairmonts would have that transmission I reckon. Fairmont is what the G6 car became more or less.

eg. http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/ford-fai...
http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/ford-fal...
http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/ford-fal...

I think it was from 2010 the FG XR6 has the 6 speed in it. Might have been when all the FG cars received the 6 speed.

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/ford-fal...
http://www.pickles.com.au/cars/item/-/details/03-1...
http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/ford-fal...
On the Auction sites www.pickles.com.au and www.manheim.com.au there are 2010 FG XR6s for just under $20k.
I have seen a few BF XR6s with that transmission. To be honest I don't know the difference in the centre console between the 5 speed and the 6 speed. The 4 speed I can spot. Looks like the 6 speed has a piece of black trim down the top middle of the shifter.
The XR6 also come with different middle displays depending on what options they have.
Some Oz forums to look at are www.fordforums.com.au and www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/

Although I drive the enemy brand, I love Falcons and Commodores. They are built for Oz conditions. You can get parts for them from the local parts place. Everyone knows how to service them. Parts compared to the imports are ok for price. Yes the quality is not up there with some of the imports but it is good enough. Resale, well that takes a hit, but then don't buy knew. The Turbos and Utes of both brands seem to hold their value better. I still haven't driven an FG Falcon. I have driven the BF and BA, one an XR8 6 speed manual, the other a turbo and they were both very nice to drive.

Edited by motomk on Tuesday 3rd July 20:17

[Hasbeen]

My son in law had a turbo ute version.

With just a few minor suspension mode it handled extremely well, & a simple re chip had it leaving most of the V8s well behind off the mark. It did a 14+ down the quarter when he tried it, without some stupid launch.

He did go through a couple of diffs, on warranty, not because anything broke, but because they became very noisy very quickly. Otherwise he was entirely happy.

When I drove it I found it quite nice, but its weight somehow disguised its performance, so although it was quick, it did not feel quick.

[MidnightXR6]

I have a BA XR6 Turbo ute in the UK. My next one will be another falcon after trying a maloo just couldnt get into liking it more than my falcon.

Although everybody tells you to buy the ZF auto i would prefer a manual. But each to there own on gearbox choice

[Bibbs]

MidnightXR6 said:

Although everybody tells you to buy the ZF auto i would prefer a manual. But each to there own on gearbox choice

That's down to the road layouts here. Roundabouts are few, and traffic lights are plenty.

Autos are just easier for the day-to-day.

If it was a pure 'fun' car, a toy, I'd get a manual. For anything else, auto.

[sensible]

A mate of mine had a big HP manual Xr6t and sold it after he was getting beaten in the traffic light drags by similar power auto versions, These cars are very easy to get HP out of without spending alot of $$$$

[Pvapour]

ran the xr6 ute as my work truck many years ago, loads of fun as a work vehicle but wouldn't want one as an everyday car, that was a long time ago though, probably allot better now, had NOS fitted to this one, M3 drivers were left scratching their heads


uuuuuuugly, but fun