Falcon FG2 XR6?

[A44RON]

Forgive me if this has been done to death already

Being an expat Brit and with the last ever Falcon going on the Broadmeadows production line today, I have a peculiar urge to run a 2011-2013 FG2 XR6 for a year or so... just to scratch the itch.

I've owned turbo'd cars in the past and just fancy a rwd naturally-aspirated barge that still schimmys when called upon.

I live in Christchurch NZ and the road conditions are pretty similar to Australia's, with the exception of no proper motorways (miss those), but including similar levels of nanny state speed enforcement... Having read over the years that either six-cylinder 'Falcodores' are perfectly suited to Australia's roads I'm very tempted indeed.

The big ticks for me with the n/a XR6 are: much better value than the overpriced XR8 in NZ, FG2 styling, ride quality, the six-speed ZF auto 'box, mile-munching ability/waftability, plenty of kit as standard.

My only concerns are how do they handle when pushed, are they quick enough considering the mass? Will I get bored of it after a few weeks?

195kW/262bhp can't be slow even in a bloated Falcon, can it? IIRC the VT HSV Clubsport V8s kicked out 195kW and mated to a dreadful 4-speed slushbox...

Interestingly, for the same price of a low-mileage FG2 XR6 here I can get a 2006-2007 BMW 650i coupe with c90,000kms on the clock.

My heart says the Bangle BMW (come of age) even with potential for big bills. The head says XR6.

Your input is much appreciated

Edited by A44RON on Wednesday 5th October 13:01

[Pommygranite]

I had a 2010 G6E Turbo and loved it. If it was a boggo XR6 I think I'd feel sad as it's pretty ordinary - I mean bit of go, handle decently and is RWDbut the interiors a bit old and they're not exactly uncommon. At least the G6 had leather, colour screen and and black plastics.

In your example I'd seek out a G6ET but more likely take the BMW.

[A44RON]

Thanks, that's a great help

After following a boggo XR6 home earlier today, I'm going to go for the 650i - boredom would get the better of me!

[Pommygranite]

A44RON said:

Thanks, that's a great help

After following a boggo XR6 home earlier today, I'm going to go for the 650i - boredom would get the better of me!

Good work and agreed.

Pics up when you get it!

[A44RON]

Will do, cheers!

The final Falcon rolled off the production line at Broadmeadows yesterday. What do we all think of the situation?

Personally, I'm sad to see it go, as variety is the spice of life. But if the numbers don't make sense then what can you do? On NZ roads and from what I've seen in Aus there seems to be loads of Falcons and Commodores on the roads

I don't know enough about the politics behind it tbh. Feel very sorry for the employees though

[Pommygranite]

All I see is another unloved car that doesn't sell ultimately pay the price.

They depreciate quicker than a used condom, are quite sparsely trimmed and ultimately it's appears that ford didn't love it much and so neither did the public.

They had very little design issues however and ultimately would be more reliable than many European stuff. Cheap to run as well.

I went from my Falcon to a BMW 528 that is 10 years old but feels 10 years newer engineered.

[Coatesy351]

Pommygranite said:

All I see is another unloved car that doesn't sell ultimately pay the price.

They depreciate quicker than a used condom, are quite sparsely trimmed and ultimately it's appears that ford didn't love it much and so neither did the public.

They had very little design issues however and ultimately would be more reliable than many European stuff. Cheap to run as well.

I went from my Falcon to a BMW 528 that is 10 years old but feels 10 years newer engineered.

It was a much loved car like the commodore but the market has changed. I've owned plenty I like falcons and still own one but it had no support from head office (USA) It was doomed. No lhd & no exports to usa as a crown Vic cop car replacement.
People keep saying they should have built a car people wanted but a smaller fwd and or 4 cyl car is not a falcon its a mondeo and there is no reason to build them in AUS.

The saddest thing other than for the workers being made redundant is the market lost something different. One of the fun thing for me been a petrolhead was going overseas and seeing different cars that weren't available in you home market. We just Lost one more. RIP Falcon 1960-2016

[Bibbs]

A44RON said:

The final Falcon rolled off the production line at Broadmeadows yesterday. What do we all think of the situation?

It's a shame, but you can't keep making low volume cars with expensive employees and expect to survive.

Needed a bigger push on the exports, but was effectivley killed when the AUD went over the USD as they were far too expensive.

Would love to at least have a drive of the last XR6s. Shame they couldn't even keep the Barra engine going (would be good in the new Mustang I recon).

[A44RON]

Coatesy351 said:

Pommygranite said:

All I see is another unloved car that doesn't sell ultimately pay the price.

They depreciate quicker than a used condom, are quite sparsely trimmed and ultimately it's appears that ford didn't love it much and so neither did the public.

They had very little design issues however and ultimately would be more reliable than many European stuff. Cheap to run as well.

I went from my Falcon to a BMW 528 that is 10 years old but feels 10 years newer engineered.

It was a much loved car like the commodore but the market has changed. I've owned plenty I like falcons and still own one but it had no support from head office (USA) It was doomed. No lhd & no exports to usa as a crown Vic cop car replacement.
People keep saying they should have built a car people wanted but a smaller fwd and or 4 cyl car is not a falcon its a mondeo and there is no reason to build them in AUS.

The saddest thing other than for the workers being made redundant is the market lost something different. One of the fun thing for me been a petrolhead was going overseas and seeing different cars that weren't available in you home market. We just Lost one more. RIP Falcon 1960-2016

This was the main reason why I wanted one - something different to the market I'm used to!

[A44RON]

Pommygranite said:

All I see is another unloved car that doesn't sell ultimately pay the price.

They depreciate quicker than a used condom, are quite sparsely trimmed and ultimately it's appears that ford didn't love it much and so neither did the public.

They had very little design issues however and ultimately would be more reliable than many European stuff. Cheap to run as well.

I went from my Falcon to a BMW 528 that is 10 years old but feels 10 years newer engineered.

How are you getting on with your BMW? The pull to zee Germans is too strong for me

[Pommygranite]

A44RON said:

Pommygranite said:

All I see is another unloved car that doesn't sell ultimately pay the price.

They depreciate quicker than a used condom, are quite sparsely trimmed and ultimately it's appears that ford didn't love it much and so neither did the public.

They had very little design issues however and ultimately would be more reliable than many European stuff. Cheap to run as well.

I went from my Falcon to a BMW 528 that is 10 years old but feels 10 years newer engineered.

How are you getting on with your BMW? The pull to zee Germans is too strong for me

I have to say I adore it. It's got the M suspension and kit on it so it's planted and the handling and steering feel is sensational. Can see why a few said it was the worlds best car in 1996 - but that's 20 yes ago.

I miss the newness of the Falcon and the grunt but the sense of 'soul' in the 528 is better. It also feels so right.

I've ordered a new Mustang 5.0 but if it wasn't for that I'd be getting another 5 series I think where I can't say the same about the Falcon I think.

[A44RON]

Pommygranite said:

I have to say I adore it. It's got the M suspension and kit on it so it's planted and the handling and steering feel is sensational. Can see why a few said it was the worlds best car in 1996 - but that's 20 yes ago.

I miss the newness of the Falcon and the grunt but the sense of 'soul' in the 528 is better. It also feels so right.

I've ordered a new Mustang 5.0 but if it wasn't for that I'd be getting another 5 series I think where I can't say the same about the Falcon I think.

Awesome choice on the Mustang, congrats! I test drove the V8 GT here and the 2.3 Ecoboost back-to-back and I have no idea why anyone would go for the 2.3 Ecoboost... Bang-for-buck that 5.0 looks phenomenal

I'm with you on the BMW thing mate, they just look and feel so right, eh

[Pommygranite]

A44RON said:

Pommygranite said:

I have to say I adore it. It's got the M suspension and kit on it so it's planted and the handling and steering feel is sensational. Can see why a few said it was the worlds best car in 1996 - but that's 20 yes ago.

I miss the newness of the Falcon and the grunt but the sense of 'soul' in the 528 is better. It also feels so right.

I've ordered a new Mustang 5.0 but if it wasn't for that I'd be getting another 5 series I think where I can't say the same about the Falcon I think.

Awesome choice on the Mustang, congrats! I test drove the V8 GT here and the 2.3 Ecoboost back-to-back and I have no idea why anyone would go for the 2.3 Ecoboost... Bang-for-buck that 5.0 looks phenomenal

I'm with you on the BMW thing mate, they just look and feel so right, eh

Thanks that's very kind.

I ordered the 5.0 Coupe without having driven it - the demo was a 2.3 Convertible. Which was utter st. I mean the engine was quite pokey but so shaky and dare I say uncomfortable due to ride. However I trusted the extra 8 weight and stiffness of the coupe would prevail - recently drove it and it was just lovely

Never had a new car in my life so will be quite a moment to get it. Two big reasons that make it worthwhile is the business use tax deductibility for me and the lack of depreciation. A guy at work just bought a new XR6 Turbo for $48k and is ribbing me about fuel use with a V8 - yes mate, $700-800 a year more in fuel is worse than the $15k in depreciation he's already lost

Spot on with the BMW - I get why some hate them but get the right model and they're so well engineered you can see why they're so 'right'

I would buy the following:

$10k - BMW E39 530 sport
$20k - BMW E60 530 sport
$25k - Ford Falcon G6E Turbo
$30k - BMW 135 or 370Z

[A44RON]

Isn't fuel ridiculously cheap in Aus? Surely one of the main positives of living there is that you can run V8 and not give a damn about fuel? Your colleague has it all wrong ha

In NZ it's about NZ$1.95 per litre for BP Ultimate 98 Octane. Cheaper than UK, but still considerably more than Aus - I'm in the wrong country! And you've got more race tracks, better crumpet, higher wages...

Edited by A44RON on Tuesday 11th October 08:10

Edited by A44RON on Tuesday 11th October 08:10

[irocfan]

A44RON said:

Isn't fuel ridiculously cheap in Aus? Surely one of the main positives of living there is that you can run V8 and not give a damn about fuel? Your colleague has it all wrong ha

In NZ it's about NZ$1.95 per litre for BP Ultimate 98 Octane. Cheaper than UK, but still considerably more than Aus - I'm in the wrong country! And you've got more race tracks, better crumpet, higher wages...

but a worse rugby team

[A44RON]

Haha, unfortunately the rugby coverage here is like the AFL coverage there for you guys... but that's expected for their national sport I guess.

If it wasn't for current circumstances/family matters here with my folks, I'd go to Aus in a heartbeat if I could! Love the country and everything it stands for. Maybe one day, but I'm 29 so time is ticking