Choosing my next vehicle

[Smoke Pursuit]

I do all the time.... Im not saying every vehicle doesnt have books, but a large amount of them don't.

Orix Fleet cars are terribly bad for not having Books and spare keys, usually coz they want to hide poor service histories or because the cars have been driven by that many different people / circulate around different head offices that they get missplaced.

Government cars on the other hand usually do, but not all the time, plus most of them go through local government auctions like Q fleet.

Dont see to many Ex Renter cars with books!

[Timmeh]

I think Shockwave raises the most important part, which is being able to drive the one I want to buy, for the peace of mind of knowing I have done everything I can to ensure the vehicle is problem free, as attractive as an auction is for price.

Tim

[ltd]

Originally Posted by ShockWaveXR6na

Because most fleet companies that supply the cars have the spare set of keys and the log books sitting in a filing cabnet somewhere in head office, or the company that is leasing them does and forgets to put them back in the vehicles.

Very rarely do ex Fleet cars have Logbooks still in them, especially when they go to auction houses.

Thats BS mate. All vehicles sold at Pickles Auctions and Autogroup Auctions (two of Australias largest) have logbooks and spare keys. It is actually one of their pre requisites to selling the car.

Also, even if a car didn't have books it is still under warranty (if within that 3 year 100K period) The warranty transfers and previous servicing etc are on Ford's computer. My service guy has all of our details on there for all of our cars. Even when I first brought my car in there I forgot the books and it was still no problem for a warranty claim. It's all transferrable.

[XRated]

If you've decided to look down the BA path, have you considered the Ghia? It might sound a bit old man style, but throw some 18s on and she'd look a treat :P SOHC 5.4 Ghia even??

[WizBang]

The Subaru Forester is a nice car that can tow really will and they hold their price But I got a XH to tow the horse float around (float+2 horses=1800kgs)and with the setup I got it tows fines , even in summer when it's hot .

[Black XR6]

I think for piece of mind in this case that Tim would be better off buying from a Dealer direct. A) he gets to test drive it and negotiate and B) if there are any issues he can take it back to them and up them!

I think Tims point is he isnt fond of dealers service department. He is trying to get a car that wont HAVE to ge back for repairs.

My completely unqualified advice would be either buy a Falcon/Commy or go old school 4x4 or even a F series that way if something breaks you can fix it yourself and do all your own servicing etc. The list of requirements you have written Tim really narrow your options considerably to just basically a falcon/commy. You just gotta take the leap and hope it works out.

Q. Whats the towing capacity of a series 2 AU xr6? Could pick one of these up for quite a bit cheaper than the BA xr6 and the difference could be saved for any reairs that come up.

[Black XR6]

Had a thought, not sure if its even viable or not. But what about buying the car you want for everything else but towing and hiring a tow car for the odd weekend you need it if your only going to use it every two months or so.

[Timmeh]

Well, I never would have thought I'd see the day.... and I wonder if my dad will ever speak to me again...

Big thanks to Donut King (Steve) for coming out with me today. We searched Sydney high and low, we must have looked at approximately one trillion cars. Eventually we narrowed it down to three cars around the same money, all 2004 models BA Mk I:

* an ex-Police white XR6 Turbo sedan with premium brakes
* a red XR6 NA ex builders Ute
* a red XR6 NA sedan

The Turbo, DK wisely pointed out, is not rated for heavy towing due, and being ex police, it was trashed. The builders ute had the same feeling, not cared for at all. That left one car.

So I test drove it, and when we got back to the dealership, I test drove it again. I tested it during all sorts of driving conditions, I listened, I prodded. DK was in the back and listened and inspected. We went over the car, no leaks, nothing unusual. I opped back in the car and tested the auto again, changed gears lots of times, checking for response. The car was basically brand new, one year old and tight as a drum. Not a leak to be had, no thumps, no rattles, quiet as.

So, I signed off on a one year old September 2004 red automatic BA XR6 Mk I sedan with 35 thousand on it, immaculate condition, and getting a 2300kg towbar fitted, for 26 grand (well due to the lease, take off the GST and I pay 23 grand for the car). I had the 2300kg tow pack installed as well.

Who would have thought...

Hi, I'm Timmeh! You might remember me from such films as "I'll never buy another Falcon again" and "I'll never own a red car!"

The XR was simply the best car in Sydney today, and I tested it so much I feel confident it should be ok. Will probably take delivery next weekend when I back down in Sydney. Thanks to everyones advice (well, most peoples), especially Shockwave, we'll see if this Falcon can bury the demons of Falcons past...

Tim

[Black XR6]

Well done tim. Good luck with it and really it was your only option.

[WizBang]

Yes very well done I hope the XR puts a smile to your face every time you drive it :eclipsee_

[Paxton]

Timmeh - Congratulations. If there was no such thing as a Territory, I would be in the same boat as you. I would have another Venom XR6 Manual.

The Falcon, with 35,000 on the clock should have all the demons worked out of it, and should be a nice, reliable car that will serve you as well as the Focus did. Enjoy the car, and try not to think about the petrol prices when you pay for it. The best thing about the Auto box (Territory members, look away now) is the way that the SSS allows you to drive the car to your every whim, and back again. It should have no problems towing your cars.

[EFFalcon]

welcome back ;)

[Yaw]

As an escape owner and a member a member at escapecentral.com you might want to take a few minutes to consider the 2001-2003 escapes have some inherent auto trans problems. (they can be fixed with a technical service bulletin being performed) But the problem mainly arises from the auto trans oil overheating and with towing it seems this becomes worse especially heavy loads. I would at very least ensure it has the largest auto trans oil cooler fitted along with making it a condition of the sale that the Tech Service Bulletin is done and auto service

[Deadman]

Hope you have more luck with this Falcon

[smciner1]

Good to see you back in a Rear Driver (tm) Timmeh!

:

[Timmeh]

Cheers guys...

The photos below are from the dealers website, hence the extremely low quality, both in colour and contrast. The car's a nice deep red, the interior is black (not grey like it seems in the photo).











But I know everyone knows what a red XR6 looks like!

Tim

[twr7cx]

I vote the Falcon or Territory. As fuel costs seem to be an issue, go LPG conversion! I often see Falcons and that towing HUGE boats and that! I've been very impressed with the tow capacities of my EF too.

[Falcon Coupe]

Great choice, such a good all round package, i'm sure you will be happy.

[GTP 320]

Well done,like i said stick to a Ford.All the best.
Cheers John

[Smoke Pursuit]

Well done mate, a month newer then mine and a month before Mark II was released, you shouldnt have a worry with this one!

Looks hot!

[galaxy xr8]

Look's good, well done mate.

[Timmeh]

Thanks guys... I'm hoping this one will last me a long time and get my Escorts where they need to go safely!

Also, with the exceptions of my Escorts, this is the first time I have bought a non base model, so that's a little exciting.

I figured if I bought a base model, I'd grow bored of it and want to modify it (considering I modify just about everything I touch).

Thanks again, fingers crossed.

Tim

[Steffo]

Nice choice! And its got the cloth interior (I like Falcon's cloth better then its leather), best of luck with your new car mate.

[The Taipan]

Glad you didn't go the Escape, I had one, went from that to an AU Forte, to a BA XR6, and now I am in a RWD Territory. BA was best on fuel, Territory was the worst, but after around 5000-8000km it loosened up and now is almost as good as the XR - depending on how much peak hour I do...

Escape was easily the worst overall, plus it drove like a pig - I was impressed at the time, but not when you compare it to Falcon or Territory...

[Kenaz]

Congratulations Tim! All the best with the new car. I really hope it works out for you

[Timmeh]

Thanks guys... yeah the velour trim is nice, our old BA XR6 had custom white leather which was pretty special too, I will admit.

So long as it's reliable, anything else is a bonus. I hope everyones good-will will ensure this! :

Tim