SV6 v XR6 (not Turbo)

[Pete XXX]

Well I'm sure there's been heaps said on this site about it. I've read a review from Wheels....the XR6 got the money. A lot of you guys are in the know....which one is better?? I'm planning on getting one or the other but truly can't decide at the moment.....

[Nobby]

Apologies if any of the following is incorrect, or possibly biased, but I'll try and help you.

Handling: About same. Allegiances will determine which you prefer.
Speed: Ditto. Result can sway either way.
Comfort: Falcon.
Interior: Subjective. Most would say the Falcon, Holden people will probably be more than happy with with Commodores though. Ford build quality is probably a bit better at the moment, even with the AU carry over doors.
Mod-ability: Cant say, modding really isnt my thing. The XR6T is endlessly moddable, and there's nothing much stopping you from turboing or otherwise "more-powering" the NA XR6. I suppose the SV6 would be just as moddable, but the results may vary.

My advice is shit, can someone help this fella out?

[XA coupe]

Frankly they are about as even as you could want ... go with your heart.. if you are a Holden man ( safe to assume ! ) then a SV6 will be better for you than the XR6.

[Ghostdriver]

Try this:

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=40187&highlight=xr6+sv6


Either way you will not go wrong. Have driven both extensively and they are both excellent.

There's currently a deal that has XR6 at $37,900 with Leather upholstery. Bloody hard to beat.

[bigdongers]

IMO, the Ford 6 is better than the Holden 6. I have driven both, and the XR6 felt more powerful (more torque).

Both cars are very similar though. You cant really go wrong with either.

[Merlin]

Iv'e owned both but what everyone else said is pretty much spot on - they are both good cars, can't really go wrong. Personally I prefer the XR6, I think the engine is great (particulary in manual) , but test drive both, you may feel differently.

[plonkerchops]

Well I'm sure there's been heaps said on this site about it. I've read a review from Wheels....the XR6 got the money. A lot of you guys are in the know....which one is better?? I'm planning on getting one or the other but truly can't decide at the moment.....
mate dont ask someone else, go stick your bum in both of them and take them for a good drive and not just a punt around the block either and feel for yourself......

[Carby]

Well I can't speak for the XR6, but we recently purchased a SV6 manual. The motor is kind of smooth though raucus sounding. and it really gets up and boogies from about 4000 RPM to the cut off about 6200 rpm.

We took it up the coast and got 7.4 litres/ 100km (just over 38 MPG) whilst sticking to the speed limit (or a bit over!) and using 6 gear whereever we could. That gives the car a theoretical range of just over 1000k's per a tank. Now I realise that the avg would come down once you hit city traffic but the economy is good!

The gearshift was very tight when new but has loosened up and is much better than the throw in the GTO (T56) we have.

Having said that I have a neighbour in an XR 6 and he likes that vehicle immensely.

Anyway hope this helps.

[Danv8]

Test drive them and come up with your own conclusion! I would personally go for an SV8 but thats just me. :D

[Aus8]

I would take any Ford i6 over any Holden V6. Driven BA's and VY's & VZ's. give me the 4l anyday. Nice motor in BA form.

Cheers

Aus8

PS. Ask this on fordforums.com.au aswell for a even view.

[Dacious]

Just asked the guy here who has had XR6, got SV6 on lease with 6,000k on it. He agrees with above. He has 5-speed auto, says it's light years ahead of the Falcon 4-speed and lots of fun with the flippers and works well in the twisties but very smooth and brilliantly in normal mode, the car handles better and is more economical (by over 10% in the same driving, even around town). Biggest complaint? SV6 is way too quiet, and feels like a big electric motor directly geared to the rear wheels, even when hammering it.

The Falcon was slightly more comfortable ride but verging on too light steering with more bodyroll, and the engine feels more like an old-school musclecar (in a good way). His SV6 is very quiet compared to the Falcon which boomed and roared on WTO - all he gets is an induction moan except at very high revs. He believes the SV6 is quicker from a roll even though most tests give the standing start dig to the XR6. Both cars were/have been flawless except for a bolt loose on one Holden stay rod.

He said it's really down to what you prefer. He also agrees with the SV8 comment - SV8 is an almost unbeatable deal and is an 'SS lite' - that's what he'd be getting if he were re-leasing now.

[Ghia351]

These two models are probably the closest in comparison. If you can afford to wait there will be updates of BOTH this year, (well the Ford will at least). And the bonus is if you're happy with any of the current models then runout deals will save you even more.

[Pete XXX]

Thanks a lot for everyone's advice. I posted the same question on the Ford Forum and (funny enough) they're all backing the XR6. Common theme seems to be that the XR6 has the better all round package although one did say the SV6 has the better auto option.

[Smitty]

having driven both (in auto only though)

my thoughts.......
Style/design- I prefer the overall Commodore shape although the front (nose) of the Falcon is more 'sports' than the Commodore
Interior - the Holden seats are far superior (for MY shape) to the Falcon seats, the rest?- dash and trim are on a par for both
Stopping/handling..neither are fantastic with the brake pedal in factory stock form, in the end the Commodore is slightly better braking coz you simply have less weight to stop. BOTH could do with a decent setup..as they are both marketed as 'Sports' vehicles but get taxi brakes :mad:
Handling?..very similar with the Holden a bit jumpy (tighter) over strips in the road surface..the Falcon is smoother. The Holden is better around corners, the Falcon understeers much too much (but what do you expect with the lump of iron up front)
Go/PerformanceThe Falcon appears to leap off the line compared to the Commodore and makes a lot more noise doing so. The Commodore is very quiet until about 4-4500rpm (on its way to the 6250 redline) and then it sounds a VN 3.8 V6 :eek: The Commodore would be as quick off the line as the falcon (weight again tells)..that is a seat of the pants comment.
The Commodore auto trans is so far in front of the Falcon trans..its not funny
That 5spd auto is a beauty and Ford really must do something about their '80s' auto

so overall
the Commodore (in my eyes) ..by a poofteenth
coz of the auto and the fact it handles slightly better
but the front of the Falcon does looks better..more sporty

but
I am pleased to say that nowhere else in the world would you find vehicles
for this value for the money..these both a very good vehicles!
start looking at Bimmer 5 series for equivalent size/performance
but of course a 5 series is twice the price...

hth

cheers

[CeeVee8]

Having been in both and currently got a brand new SV6 in the driveway I must say (like most) there's not much between them.

Falcon :

Has a bit more low end torque
Rides a bit softer but still handles good.
Very noisy, road and tyre noise + motor noise. :(
Interior: I like them both.

Commodore :

Less low down torque, likes to rev.
Rides a bit firmer (which I don't mind) handles good.
Much quiter than the falcon in evey aspect. :)
Interior: As above

FWIW both these cars are over geared and would be greatly improved by being geared down around 20%. This would have to be the best modification you could do to these cars IMO.

[Smitty]

FWIW both these cars are over geared and would be greatly improved by being geared down around 20%. This would have to be the best modification you could do to these cars IMO.

don't know about the Falcon..but I agree
what were Holden thinking when they specc'd a 2.87:1 diff for the SV6 auto...going faster than Skaife at Bathurst??? :lol:
the manual SV6 gets a 3.07:1 ..not much better
and remember the SS manual is 3.73:1..and it has woohoo factor
with that ratio! :cool:

[NickS]

Thanks a lot for everyone's advice. I posted the same question on the Ford Forum and (funny enough) they're all backing the XR6. Common theme seems to be that the XR6 has the better all round package although one did say the SV6 has the better auto option.
Mate, one of the great things about this forum is that it is about as close as you will get to an unbiased forum. Obviously we are mostly Holden men but from the reviews written everyone seems to be pretty honest. I have never seen a positive comment written about a Holden on the Ford forum, they love to bag Holdens without fact or thought ... just keep that in mind when reading those posts. I tend to agree with the general consensus that the XR6 is the better all round package, but the SV8 is in another league altogether. I would advise that you drive all 3 and make your mind up from there, good luck !!!

[fester1]

Thanks a lot for everyone's advice. I posted the same question on the Ford Forum and (funny enough) they're all backing the XR6. Common theme seems to be that the XR6 has the better all round package although one did say the SV6 has the better auto option.

Good to see some balance in the debate on both the Ford and Holden forums.

My two cents worth: As everyone says, they are both great cars. The Ford has a much better driving position and seats and I think its integrated dash design works much better. But for some reason the Fords interior plastics and fabric just look a bit tacky to me. As far as powerplants go the I6 may be old but it delivers solid performance with a very satisfactory sound. The alloytech 190 (not available in lower spec models) is quiet and competent although has an annoying whine at the low end and needs a bit of stick to really get going. The SV6 5 speed auto leaves the old 4 speed box for dead -an absolute ripper.

One last point when thinking resale values down the track, the BAXR6 has been around for quite some time now and its enduring popularity has resulted in a flooding of second hand car yards.

But as everyone else says - get yer bum in them both and make your own mind up.

[Swordie]

The only thing that would worry me about is a BA is the brake and diff issues. If I had the bad brakes I would use after market ones instead of taking the car back to dealer all the time for grinding. It's all a lottery I spose.

When the VY first came out people poured piss all over the Commodore for using a dud auto and old V6. I can't complain about the car, its economical, nice power off the light and it’s done nearly 70,000 Kms very reliably.

The Magna sounds like it had fewer issues than the Ford. The Ford though is a technically a very good car on paper. If you get one without issues (which they would be in the minority) it would be a nice drive.

If I had the choice of a second hand Ford the BA 5.4 Ghia would be very nice. The Barra version can be picked up with 40,000 for around 26,000Kms.

[Ghia351]

The Commodore auto trans is so far in front of the Falcon trans..its not funny
That 5spd auto is a beauty and Ford really must do something about their '80s' auto

Won't be long until that point of differentiation ends Smitty :D....And you would have to agree that as most Holdens are A4's the Fords A4 is still more then OK.

[xshore]

Haven't driven either so can't comment but in passing lots I reckon SV6's look hotter, its got that mmm look.

[Phido]

If I had the choice of a second hand Ford the BA 5.4 Ghia would be very nice. The Barra version can be picked up with 40,000 for around 26,000Kms.

Agreed.. Basic XR6 and SV6 do nothing much for me. If I got a XR, I would have to spec, premium audio, leather, and I really would perfer dual zone climate control. If that is done then the XR's have a nice advantage IMHO..

But the Ghia is even more attractive, seen a Black 5.4L Ghia ~70,000km for $23k, from a dealer!

Ghia makes a strong argument:
-Leather seats
-Leather steering wheel
-Leather everything else
-Power seats with 3 position memory
-front AND side airbags
-Premium audio standard
-Sports suspension
-17" wheels
-Lower XR diff ratio
-parking sensors
-Dual zone climate
-Many have sat nav (now standard, kinda)

Go sit in a XR6 or SV6 and sit back into a Ghia (to a lesser extent a calais).. Big diffrence, given that second hand the Ghia is cheaper, its a tempting option..

I am extremely tempted by the Ghia, in Black, with the 5.4, and I would proberly limit my modifications to a edit, intake, and 330mm discs up front. And maybe a Home Theater PC in the boot connected to the ICC LCD screen...

[Nobby]

$23K is ****ing bargain no matter what colour your blood bleeds.

Where abouts was this?

[Smitty]

Won't be long until that point of differentiation ends Smitty :D....And you would have to agree that as most Holdens are A4's the Fords A4 is still more then OK.
Ghia
agree mate...when we are talking taxi cabs

Ford did the right thing throwing the 6 speed into the XR8 and 6T
coz they needed it
but to bring the XR6 up with the SV6, they do need a better auto

Holden I hope will make the 5spd auto standard across the range on VE
however I see issues with the V8..their are very few auto makers
in the world today who make a 5spd auto which can handle
250+kw and 500+ftlb. BMW come to mind for one but with people like Benz
heading into 7spd auto territory (and they make some powerful engines)
our (Aussie) automakers better be looking at them...
or we are gunna get left behind


cheers

[FPV GTHO]

don't know about the Falcon..but I agree
what were Holden thinking when they specc'd a 2.87:1 diff for the SV6 auto...going faster than Skaife at Bathurst??? :lol:
the manual SV6 gets a 3.07:1 ..not much better
and remember the SS manual is 3.73:1..and it has woohoo factor
with that ratio! :cool:

Its all relative though, as whilst Ford have 3rd as 1:1 in the auto and 4th in manual, the SV6 has the same ratio in 4th and 5th respectively

[Pete XXX]

Any thoughts on the below......this was a response from the same question posted on the ford forum.......

..........."I may be a Ford person through and through, but i work for holden
in the service dept.
Where do you want me to start. I believe the XR6 has a better package
than the SV6, as in interoir and body wise.
The new 190kw alloytech is still new, some problems are coming up
Ive driven both of the vehicle, the SV6 has a delay in accleration
as its electronic throttle (falcon's throttle is more responsive)
Commodore has still got fuel gauge issues, even with the VZ range.
majority of vehicle run out of fuel at 1/4 tank, this issue has been going on
since 2001
one other thing, if you do get your vehicle service at a dealership
service prices are through the roof on the vz range............"

[Danv8]

I find its much of muchness in terms of drive by wire response in the BA 6 cylinder and VZ V6. But I always find that drive by wire does lag a wee bit compared to the standard cable operated go pedal.

Re fuel gauges yes its a common problem. but I also know a few BA Falcon owners including the territory that has had inaccurate fuel guages as well. But I have never really trust fuel gauges I call them the estimate distance gauge. :)

[VTII SS]

Ghia
agree mate...when we are talking taxi cabs

Ford did the right thing throwing the 6 speed into the XR8 and 6T
coz they needed it
but to bring the XR6 up with the SV6, they do need a better auto

Holden I hope will make the 5spd auto standard across the range on VE
however I see issues with the V8..their are very few auto makers
in the world today who make a 5spd auto which can handle
250+kw and 500+ftlb. BMW come to mind for one but with people like Benz
heading into 7spd auto territory (and they make some powerful engines)
our (Aussie) automakers better be looking at them...
or we are gunna get left behind
cheers


Ford will have a 6 speed auto in october!! Here is an article from SMH in April.

Ford will have the most technically advanced automatic transmission in an Australian-made car when an updated Falcon goes on sale in October.

In a major coup, Ford's performance and luxury models will be available with a six-speed automatic transmission - the first time such a gearbox has been fitted to a locally made car.

Significantly, Ford will leapfrog Holden, which amid much fanfare late last year released a five-speed automatic gearbox for its V6-powered performance and luxury models.

The Falcon's six-speed automatic is being sourced from the respected German transmission specialist, ZF.

Ford Australia will not confirm what changes, if any, are to be made to the Falcon later this year to bring the range into line with the latest emission standards, as well as to give it a visual freshen-up before Holden releases an all-new Commodore in March next year. (An all-new Falcon is not due until 2007).

A number of Ford Falcon GTs with German number plates have been spotted in the car park at ZF's German head office and Drive's European sources have confirmed they are being tested with the new six-speed transmission.

Advertisement
AdvertisementThe Falcon's six-speed automatic will be far more expensive than the humble four-speed auto it replaces.

For this reason, Drive understands the six-speed will be reserved for the upstream models such as the Fairmont Ghia, Fairlane and LTD and the performance models such as the XR6 Turbo, Typhoon, XR8 (pictured) and GT. It is expected the rest of the range will retain the four-speed auto.

Other makers to use the Falcon's new six-speed automatic include Jaguar and Aston Martin - brands owned by Ford's luxury division, the Premier Automotive Group.

Drive believes that Ford has used its enormous buying power to lower the costs and enable such an expensive and technically advanced gearbox to be fitted to Falcons.

Ford was forced to fit an expensive ZF gearbox because no other automatic could comfortably and reliably handle the huge power outputs of Ford's latest range of engines.

The shift to a ZF gearbox is certain to take Holden by surprise, in more ways than one: first, that Ford is prepared to get such an exotic transmission and, second, that it can afford it.

Ever since the disaster that was the AU Falcon, Ford has adopted a policy to be a technical leader wherever possible. The AU Falcon was built to a price - and it showed - while the BA was built to a higher standard of excellence at a substantial cost.

Fortunately, Ford's investment has been rewarded with stronger Falcon sales, although the company says there is still room for improvement on the sales charts

But doesn't sound like the standard XR6 will have it!! They should make it an option though??

[Phido]

$23K is ****ing bargain no matter what colour your blood bleeds.

Where abouts was this?
http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/ford/fairmont/sydney/detail.aspx?id=2235985&pg=1&pp=10&d=0&nv=1

As you can see, Ford Fairmont Ghia, black, 5.4L V8, spoiler, looks like aftermarket alloys. Looks spectacular. Wonder how much the dealer got it for? $20k? Maybe less?

Love the darker interior over the grey and tan stuff.. and matches the exterior even if it is a bit gloomy. Power everything, premium everything, leather everything, sleeper yet classy looks.

Hopefully in two years cars like this will be worth ~$15k, and a MKIII 5.4L Ghia with the six speed and upgraded interior will be worth low ~$20ish..

So while the XR6 NA has the pretender looks of a more powerful car (limp fist in a racing glove), the Ghia is the iron fist in the velvet glove.

While the XR6 NA (or turbo driver for that matter) driver jumps into his ride in the morning, opens the door and smells that weird BA Fabric smell and is blinded by the silly plexius scheme, manually adjust the drivers chair from his wifes position, fires up his 4 speaker single CD player through the calculator LCD and gruffs his 4.0 up the street, steering his plastic/rubber wheel..

The Ghia driver opens the door to his chariot, is greated by acres of tasteful, sweet smelling leather, the chair and the peddles automatically adjust to his favourite position, he then selects his favourite CD through the colour TFT ICC, and classical music begins to flow through the many premium alpine speakers and woofer, and then rumbles his V8 to his destination. All being controlled the leather wrapped controls.

Thing is I want to find more out about this 5.4L SOHC V8. I can hardly find any info on the Ford boards (fordforums.com, fordforums.com.au, FordXR6Turbo.com etc).. The six cylinder Ghia can be had for even less ($20k with less kms and a wider choice of colours). But Motor or Wheels said the 5.4L can match the 5.7L Calais for performance, but has the sweeter sound, more low down erge, Autospeed claims it matches the LS1 for economy as well. At the PCOTY 2003? The Ghia rolled off reasonable figures and started to close in on the Turbo once the quieter, narrower tyres weren't squeeling..

One would image a edit (remove speed limiter, raise rev limit to 5750 from the silly 5250 and the normal fuel and ingition mapping thing) you could proberly see 240Kw easy, with more avalible with a Exhaust and intake modifications.

[Ghia351]

One would image a edit (remove speed limiter, raise rev limit to 5750 from the silly 5250 and the normal fuel and ingition mapping thing) you could proberly see 240Kw easy, with more avalible with a Exhaust and intake modifications.

The base V8 Barra220 V8 is a 3 valver and has VVT (Boss V8's are 4 valves/no VVT) so it will be interseting to see its development as further tweaking of the VVT is undertaken. Ford has focussed more on idle smoothness with this first series really on both I6 and Barra220 rather then anything else). It's syrupy smooth and with the more complex valve gear has great potential if developed or edited I'd imagine. A VVT Boss would be even more interesting....

[Ghia351]

Ghia
agree mate...when we are talking taxi cabs

Ford did the right thing throwing the 6 speed into the XR8 and 6T
coz they needed it
but to bring the XR6 up with the SV6, they do need a better auto

Holden I hope will make the 5spd auto standard across the range on VE
however I see issues with the V8..their are very few auto makers
in the world today who make a 5spd auto which can handle
250+kw and 500+ftlb. BMW come to mind for one but with people like Benz
heading into 7spd auto territory (and they make some powerful engines)
our (Aussie) automakers better be looking at them...
or we are gunna get left behind


cheers

I'd be shocked if the A5 wasn't standard across the VE range....although did you hear the rumour about a certain XR that visited Bayside Melbourne a long time ago that has a taste for old Hogan's Hereos episodes.

[VZKOOP]

My 15 cents worth......
I travel interstate reguarly and more than often find myself in a Commodore. Whilst I am comfortable in both cars and really don't care too much when in a hire car my experience with the both has been as varied as you could imagine. Everything from endless freeway kms to city traffic jams to fanging through the west coast of Tasmania. (One memorable trip on 60 or so kms of ice :eek: )
I also own a AUIII Futura which I have put over 100,000K's on so have just as much experience with the big blue 6. According to my receipts in the last 12 months I have been in 3 BA Falcons (2 XT's and 1 XR6) and 14 Commodores (Only one SV6 the rest VZ Alloytech Execs)

Scorecard
City Driving - Take your pick for comfort and ease of use. Fuel Economy would have to go with the Holden.
Open Road - Falcon hands down. The motor in the big Falcon is just about the best there is for long distance driving. Fuel economy is good and you never really have to work the car when you are overtaking or pushing along.
Twisty Mountain Roads - Holden on the smooth stuff. Falcon if it gets rough. Fuel Economy - who cares it's all about the fun factor.

[Nobby]

http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/ford/fairmont/sydney/detail.aspx?id=2235985&pg=1&pp=10&d=0&nv=1

As you can see, Ford Fairmont Ghia, black, 5.4L V8, spoiler, looks like aftermarket alloys. Looks spectacular. Wonder how much the dealer got it for? $20k? Maybe less?

Love the darker interior over the grey and tan stuff.. and matches the exterior even if it is a bit gloomy. Power everything, premium everything, leather everything, sleeper yet classy looks....


Lovely, but I'd lose the rear spoiler. It ruins the BA shape on all but XR and GTs, and to add one should be consider a war crime (akin to spoiler on a Monaro, to 'localise' the topic!).

[ADSXR8]

Just spent 10 days or so in a brand Hertz MkII XR6. Its get the money for me. Cannot improve on perfect

[XtRmn8]

Just spent 10 days or so in a brand Hertz MkII XR6. Its get the money for me. Cannot improve on perfect

They are a bloody great car, not sure about perfect.

I would have to say that in the upcoming MkIII, I hope that they make things like LSD, rear power windows and the 6 stacker standard! :rolleyes:

[Phido]

Lovely, but I'd lose the rear spoiler. It ruins the BA shape on all but XR and GTs, and to add one should be consider a war crime (akin to spoiler on a Monaro, to 'localise' the topic!).

Well I think on black cars the spoiler doesn't stand out as much, but yeh, generally I think BA can lose the spoiler.. Most Fairmont Ghias however do *NOT* have the spoiler.


It's syrupy smooth and with the more complex valve gear has great potential if developed or edited I'd imagine. A VVT Boss would be even more interesting....

If you could increase torque maybe 10nm and peak power (through VCT) to 5300 rpm then you would be making XR8 powerlevels. The SOHC engine should develop as its used extensively in the usa.

If it came down to XT(SR) V8 and XR6 NA I would proberly take the XT!!

[Swordie]

This is not a bad article on the 5.4 Fairmont 5.4 (http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_1670/article.html?popularArticle) .

If you can pick one up a Ghia for 23K it would be a really nice car.

I had a look at some U.S sites that are more F150 / 250 related and it seams they are a long lasting engine.

If the service intervals are 15,000Kms that's an extra bonus. At the time a VY 5.7 needed to be serviced every 10,000Kms.

I had a drive of one and liked the low down torque. The fuel consuption is not to to bad either.

[Phido]

Theres a good review at Goauto.com.au , and the wheels Calais verse Ghia comparison at carpoint.com.au.

The general consensous is that the Ghia is a great car, perhaps the greatest car of that type ever produced. While it doesn't quite pull off beating a E class or a 5 series of the same vintage, it does do a reasonable interpretation of one.

Most of the comments say the 5.4L V8, is smoother, much gruntier than the I6 (or the LS1 V8 in the calais), with great sound. Which brings up another point. I though a 235Kw Calais with a LS1 would walk all over a 5.4L SOHC Ghia.

Its got more power, more capacity, in a much lighter car, with more sensable auto ratios, and it has LSD, and better tyres. But yet Calais and braking 7 seconds seems a impossible combination!!

After my research what is negitive about the Ghia:
-Thirsty
-Small tank
-no power passenger seat (but then again, neither does a LTD!!)
-4 speed auto only
-No LSD
-No ESP
-No Premium brakes
-No Turbo or boss motas
-Only one sub woofer

If I was to get a Ghia, I would put on the premium 325mm discs and calipers at the front with braided lines (~$800), and a LSD fitted to the diff (~$600?). Then XR8 intake (~$100), new rear resonator (stainless ~$200) with a nice tip and a edit (~$1000). That would be the extent of my mechanical mods.

Then get a 25L fuel can with a hand pump so I only have to refill once a week.

[Danv8]

With the BA Fairmont Ghia to me its more of an old farts car (no offence to anyone) :) Compared to the Calais although the Fairmont Ghia is a nice looking car but I find the Calais has a much sportier appeal like the Caprice over the Statesman. Still very nice cars though but I'll have the Calais over a monty ghia. I suppose if you want a sporty Fairmont Ghia theres the XR series with the luxury pack available.

[Swordie]

With the BA Fairmont Ghia to me its more of an old farts car (no offence to anyone) :) Compared to the Calais although the Fairmont Ghia is a nice looking car but I find the Calais has a much sportier appeal like the Caprice over the Statesman. Still very nice cars though but I'll have the Calais over a monty ghia. I suppose if you want a sporty Fairmont Ghia theres the XR series with the luxury pack available.

The Calais from VYII onwards is nice. All a matter of personal taste. I prefer to have an understated body with good mechanicals and options.

I don't mind the Statesman International and Grange on looks.

[vzsv6]

I was in a BA fairmont ghia the other day which had grey leather trim. The leather looked and felt so cheap and nasty that I could've sworn I was in a BA taxi pack with vinyl trim. :lol:

[Phido]

The Ghia is a old mans car.

Ford advised me that they will NEVER EVER put a turbo or BOSS v8 engine into the Fairmont Ghia, mainly due to it being unmarketable to Ghia buyers. How stupid is that? Its one of the reasons why they removed the LSD from even the option list (although its optional on everything else, even a futura Wagon!).

EL Ghia? Oh yeh, XR6 suspension, XR6 engine, LSD, same sized alloys as a XR6. It was better in everyway than a Auto XR6 EL. Man that was a impressive car when it appeared.

But good luck trying to find a lowish Km, well looked after, unthrashed XR6 Turbo with the Premium pack!! For under $24k? HAHAHA! How about a XR8?

That said I wouldn't mind one, but you hardly ever see them.

The Ghia has a massive image problem (as big as the Fairlanes and LTD).. But it is fixable. But you can make excellent 2nd hand buys because nobody else wants them.

[Danv8]

EL Ghia? Oh yeh, XR6 suspension, XR6 engine, LSD, same sized alloys as a XR6. It was better in everyway than a Auto XR6 EL. Man that was a impressive car when it appeared.


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Agreed I think the EL Ghia was one of my favourites in the EL range. It had sporty and luxury appeal now the BA Ghia is just beige.