Anyone own a BA ford?

[SS_Fury]

Long time, no post, but Im looking for some (hopefully) unbiased answers or someone to point me in the right direction.
Now me and the wife are building a house and I currently own a VX SS. Im thinking of selling the old girl for a BA xr6. What I want to know is there much difference between fuel usage? Are the inline 6's thirsty girls? Im trying to downsize somewhat to a 6 because I want ample power to overtake and yet have a comfy ride (and hopefully save some money over owing an 8). Is there much difference between the mk1 & 2 BA's? Here in Perth cars are a little more pricey, so if i can flog the SS off for close to 20k and get straight into an xr6 without being out of pocket i would be happy. Am i likely to save enough coin on insurance, fuel etc with this swap? I looked at some 4 pots but they are just too small. Anything to look out for when buying a BA? FWIW my ss has cai, edit etc and goes like the clappers, but the misses drives it to work and i dont see it much and is now up to 135kms and have seen BA's at around 50,000kms that i could get into hence making this swap more appealing. The BA wont be so much for peformance as kiddies are on the horizon, but rather a nice looking 6. Anyway if someone could help us out or point us to some good info on BA's pls let me know. Hopefully some of you might own an xr6 or BA family hack to let us know how they compare with the gen 3?

[EXCESSV]

my brother has a BA XR6 MkII and its a good car...reliable and not too bad on the fuel.
he has uni at curtin and we live NOR and he gets around 450kmish out of a tank which is a mix of fwy and city and peak hour driving
its still stock and when i had my stock HSV VXII R8 u can definately tell ur in a 6banger but alot has to do with the fact the HSV was a manual and the BA is an auto...but it still goes pretty hard which was surprising

he has done around 35000km with no problems so far *touch wood*

the biggest issue i have found with it is a loud THUD on the driveline going from Park on the auto to reverse or Drive...has been many times to Ford but every dealer we take it to says its "NORMAL"
the way we have found to overcome this is to put the car in neutral before turning it off, putting handbrake on and taking footbrake off then putting in park...
for some reason it doesnt load up the gearbox so next time u start it up and take it out of Park there isnt a thud.

its a comfy car and has all the cruise, etc on it so even for a ford its a great car....


please dont hurt me for saying its a great car :lol:

[mickeyVX350]

I think you will find economy is about the same as your VX SS. My CV8 is better on fuel than my parents BA by a long shot.

[ATOMICSS]

My missus drives my old BA SR now Ive got the SS. There a plenty of complaints about them from people but mines been spot on. The govt payed to put it on gas so its cheaper on fuel than a corolla. Ive also owned 2 VY - VZ SS Holdens and the BA is smoother, quieter, steers and rides better than either of them. Plus their as cheap as chips to buy. I cant complain.

[bwhinnen]

I've got a BF XR8 and Brisbane peak I get about 350km out of a tank, I understand the XR6 should get much better so I'd assume the 450km quoted above would be easy. I have a manual though.

The XR6 has a pretty good resale compared to every other model in the range. The last one I drove which was an auto as well, you really missed the power of the 8 (even the modular 8 :P).

The driveline clunk seems to be fairly commonplace. More often in a manual though, and yes it is 'Normal'. My car has it too.

But they are a nice car, decent size for the family too, if you can try and opt for one with Premium sound as the center dask and screen is better.

Good luck, I know you'll miss the 8 though :)

[KPWISHN]

Marginal fuel benefits, marginal insurance and running costs. I'd say it would be a lot easier keeping what you have. Kids like V8's too.

A mate of mine recently got an 04 XR6 from Lane Ford for about 23 grand. Just a local example I suppose. Nice car but it aint no SS.

I think you'll find it hard to come out of this without any out of pocket expense.

Good to see your still around.

[mmciau]

What's wrong with a Holden wagon?

[chrism697]

I think you will find economy is about the same as your VX SS. My CV8 is better on fuel than my parents BA by a long shot.
I find that very very very very hard to believe, it defies what all standard ratings say.......
also I previously owned an XR6 ute, now own a VZ SS ute and I found I use a bit more fuel than before.....not a massive difference but I have definitely noticed it probably costs me an extra 20% at a guess

I did find the XR to be a great car though......would definitely recommend them to anyone


What's wrong with a Holden wagon?
nothing im sure.......whats wrong with an XR6?

also for what he wants to spend if he goes for a holden wagon he will be missing out on all the sports suspension, body kit, the sports interior, premium sports colours....very different cars. id personally id much rather an XR6 than a standard wagon

[zorro]

I have a BF falcon as my company car. I am a sales rep and I do a fair bit of driving around Brisbane area. This is an honest thoughts on what I think after 60 000klms of driving it.

Fuel usage I regularly get 500+ klms to a tank driving around town, the best so far is 640klms with a couple of trips on the highway. I drive on average 100klms per day mostly around town and does include stop start city driving. I don't give it a hiding but it does take a bit of pedal to get the thing off from standing start otherwise it takes half a day to get to speed. Good motor and the torque keeps you going with minimal gearchanges.

As for interior/comfort. It is comfortable and easy to drive around. long trips I prefer my SS seats as they are more supportive, an XR6 wouldnt have that problem, mates dont mind filling up the back either. I reckon the dash layout is better looking than VY-VZ and the steering wheel radio/cruise buttons are easy to use. Steering wheel is surprisingly comfortable. Interior DOES NOT RATTLE one bit (try that with a Holden). Boot space is excellent, I have had my toolboxes in it and I have also transported a 300zx motor in the boot!

Complaints/faults : The front end regularly clunks and bangs when on dodgy roads, front end clunks when reversing down driveway, chews out the front outer on the tires (after 3 wheel alignments), abs cuts in waaaaaaaaay to early, cruise control freaks out going uphill and you loose too much speed, electronic throttle has TOO much delay in response (no software update), not a V8 hahaha.

There you go, ultimately the same car without 17s and some plastic bodykit. Any other questions let me know.

[Road Warrior]

City driving kills fuel economy of the big I6. But on the highways it's pretty frugal considering the size of the engine and the weight of the car. Really comfy and cruisy to drive and no interior (or other) rattles or clunks of any kind, now with 104,000 on the clock. Great for towing - loping along on the freeway at 100 with the aircon on, towing a trailer and it doesnt seem to be fazed, I guess that's where the I6 is in it's element and can use its grunt.

Whilst I'd love to have my old Gen3 still, the fuel consumption of that car would still be way up on the I6.

Oh I got 610klm to a tank over the Easter weekend and that included driving around down south with the aircon on everywhere, towing a trailer up to Barbagallo raceway and back on Good Friday and again using the trailer after work on Thursday to go to Houseworks and getting stuck in peak hour. So not that bad really.

[CSP]

Worst part about the BA/BF I reckon is the interior room. I feel claustrophobic in them.

[SS_Fury]

Interesting, thanks for the replies. I guess in the end it just pays to take a few for a run and see how I go. Im sure I would miss the power, although i dont get to drive my car much anymore. If turbo's were the same coin, id go for that, but that would be for sake of change rather than fuel cost cutting etc.
Saw you go past falcon the other day kpwishn, i was in the opposite lane and heard your angry clubby go past, yet you were driving normally. That car sounds angry mate.

[nang3]

I think you'll be disappointed in the power levels going from a modded SS to a stock non-turbo XR6.. the XR6 is slightly slower than the XT as well because of the additional spoilers and other items yet they retain the same engine.

I think you will find it a roomy comfy and reliable car though based on how i find my phoon to ride and handle etc

[bok1]

have u ever thought of getting an sv6 as well?they would still be a 6 and have the look's of a 8.

phil

[EXCESSV]

if ya wanna test drive a BA XR6 MkII then i might be able to grab my brothers car out for spin :driving:

if i tell him he can have my car for a bit then he will throw the keys at me before i even finish asking :lol:

[JustCruising]

Not a bad car over all...ample go,heaps of room,solid construction with parts easily available.
Ring the following number to arrange a test drive


http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii217/terrypng/131008-1.gif

[CSP]

Ring the following number to arrange a test drive


http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii217/terrypng/131008-1.gif

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

[VSSTATO5.0]

I would advise you check out the Australian ford forum.... I have just gotten rid of my BA fairmont, and that's about the nicest thing i will say about it too....

[mickeyVX350]

I find that very very very very hard to believe, it defies what all standard ratings say.......


Sorry mate, I guess my real world experience has nothing on your Figures....

[VYR8HSV]

Worst part about the BA/BF I reckon is the interior room. I feel claustrophobic in them.

Thats what we found out just over a year ago.
The wife like the look of the XR6-XR8. & especialy the colours.
See tike the lime green. Toxic I think it is called..

Wee looked at a 2nd hand one. But there didnt seem to be enough room.
This 1 was a XR8 Manual with leather interior.
With the wife being a bigger person she couldnt get comfortable in it.
That was with the seat all the way back & steering wheel all the way up..
No problems at all getting in the VZ SS that we owned...

Pete

[goose202]

Dad's got a BA XR6. I've got a VX Calais 5.7. My car has extractors and I believe it is been edited but that's all I know.

Fuel consumption is very similar between the two cars on the highway and the city, 5.7 is probably just a little thirstier in the city but not more than 1 L/100. Highway there's nothing in it.

My opinion comparing the cars:

The Falcon does feel a little better put together as you'd expect, since it's the new generation where the VX is just an updated VT. The Falcon auto (4spd in the BA) feels more refined but I like the decisiveness and firmness of the GM auto, although it certainly is clunkier. But I think my auto has been firmed up anyway.

But the XR6 engine is a bit dull compared the the GenIII. It gets going just fine and does have all the power you need, but it just plain doesn't have the grunt of the 5.7, just like you'd expect.

They are a nice car but I wanted the GenIII so that was that. :)

Also surprised me that the XR6 didn't have traction control or an LSD.

[bwhinnen]

Thats what we found out just over a year ago.
The wife like the look of the XR6-XR8. & especialy the colours.
See tike the lime green. Toxic I think it is called..

Wee looked at a 2nd hand one. But there didnt seem to be enough room.
This 1 was a XR8 Manual with leather interior.
With the wife being a bigger person she couldnt get comfortable in it.
That was with the seat all the way back & steering wheel all the way up..
No problems at all getting in the VZ SS that we owned...

Pete

The sports leather seats in the Fords are a very tight seat compared to the cloth ones and those found in the Commodore. They compare to the ones in my '00 (1999 plate) WRX which is saying something.

The major gripe I have with them is they do not go low enough on the rails and you feel seated too high.

[vxclubsport569]

I would buy a BA/BF XR6 over a V6 commy or SV6 anyday

Good difference in nM (much more torquey) and a good looking car inside and out. The Ford I6 is far superior over the sloppy and whining buzz box that is the Holden V6

holden V8 a very different story.... Hence my choice of vehicle

It's just a pity that they stopped putting in a modified engine after the AUIII Tickford enhance as at least you had something different over the regular taxi pack but all in all a good vehicle that is better than what holden offers

[ti0350]

There's not much difference between the SV6 and a BA XR6, the SV6 i think is slightly better on fuel specially for the auto model because its 5 spd where as the XR is a 4 spd..
My mate has Mk2 XR6 it's not a bad car I was looking at SV6's before I bought my SS and i liked them as well.. My mates XR rides nice but after driving his car around and test driving Sv6's I liked the SV6 better..

[CSP]

I thought XR6 autos were 6 speed.

Either way, I still thing the Ford I6 is better than Holden's V6.

[nang3]

^^^ XR6 autos were 6 speed from BF onwards with the intro of the ZF gearbox.. pre BF they were 4speeds...
not the greatest 4speeds either as they started to fail with a measly 260-280rwkw if i remember correctly.. perfect for a stocker tho

[duke5700]

Driven alot as hire cars for work. Probably 10,000ks mostly highway kind of work. They steer quite well, though Im used to the SS and the steering feels dead to me but it goes where you point it.

Strange thing I have noticed they seem to do is when your crusing along @ 100kp/h and go to over take with maximum right foot sometimes you get a ridiculous clunk from the driveline. Feels like you have left the tailshaft behind you somewhere.

Other than that I would say fuel consumption is between the LS1 and a commy v6 for a mix of hwy and city style of driving. Average about 13-14lper100k's.

Overall they are not a bad car. Seats are comfy plenty of room in them and certainly prefer them to the aurion v6 hire cars I get.

[zorro]

adding onto my previous post and what others have added,

- I find with mine the 4spd auto is very slow to react to kickdown and has on a couple of occasions almost got me into trouble, and when it does the rear end bang makes you wonder if the diff is going to blow.

-The hill decent where is senses braking to hold a speed is useless and is way too random in its operation. I drive the same road home from work everyday and you would think it would have some consistency.......nope.

- The front end noises seem consistent with BA-BF range. My mates XR6 ute sounds like the rack is about to fall out, my XT work car does it, my g/f uncles BA Fairmont does it and a hired BF Fairmont (love corporate upgrades) did the same thing.

- Interior is miles ahead of the EA-AU range. The older models you could have parked a prize winning bull in the front. BA tidyed up the act and put a well designed interior in and tightened things up hence why it seems so cosy. Jumping from a VS into a VT and you will find the same thing.

- I reckon the XT handles pretty well also. I've only driven XR6 turbo sedans and they seem to do ok with the extra power. Still eat the outside edge of front tyres but the rears hold up pretty well for an IRS car.

[SS_Fury]

thanks for all your help guys. Well it seems the difference between the vx ss and getting into an xr6 may not warrant a huge change in terms of saving coin, so its likely i will stick with what i know in the ss. It may have done 135k but has never given me grief (although the box will be shot in a couple of years due to age and prbably a heavy foot) so its probably best to stick with what i know. Cheers :)

[Redhot_57]

Worst part about the BA/BF I reckon is the interior room. I feel claustrophobic in them.

I second that! Back seat feels a lot cosier than Commodore with less legroom and slightly awkward entry. Other than that from my experience they are not a bad package. If you really want one, I would try and save a bit more for a BF with the 6 speed auto. You may have to look a little more but its well worth it.

Honestly though, I would be suprised if economy is much better in normal driving.

[LTH-00L]

Hi mate, I haven't driven a BA so i'm not gonna comment on the car but have you thought about considering a VZ Calais? It comes with all the bits including ESP which should be important to you now as you're thinking about kids. (I'm in kinda the same boat and know that's important to me)

So that's what i'm looking aroung for now. A V6 VZ Calais with a 5 speed auto. Much better looking than a BA IMO.

Cheers

[Three]

We have a BA MkII XR6 4spd. Fuel consumption is around 12L/100km. It will be an improvement over the LS1's consumption but not by a whole lot IMO. Acceleration is ok for a 6cyl easily outclassing the 3.8 ecotech. Stock quarter mile: 15.26 with 2.386 60ft in the middle of summer. The MkII models seem to have less problems than the earlier ones. I have noticed some diff clunk which is not too much of a problem. It just gets a little annoying when every time you accelerate you can feel a slight thud coming from the rear. The exhaust note is too tame below 3000rpm but once the revs rise it sounds ok... for a six.

[neverL8V8]

If you do have a ba/bf and its an auto,
Fit an external trans cooler ASAP.
The standard trans cooler that is in the radiator acts as an anode and these things let go constantly,filling your pos ford trans up with coolant and adding to your pleasurable ford driving experience.
BIG $$$ to rebuild your box after this happens.

[vecommo]

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=689

42 pages of interesting reading here. Many disgruntled owners. Not saying Commodores don't have their faults, but this is just woeful. I wouldn't touch a BA with a 10 foot pole.

[1HDT 05]

My BA Mk1 isnt a bad drive (obvioulsy the turbo perks things up) its been a very good car and I still reckon the styling looks great. I have had three issues with the car over the years.

It was chewing up the inner front tires for a while but a camber adjustment kit stopped that.

The brakes discs warped at 40k and I replaced with them with DBA slotted rotors, no issues since then. The new pads and discs have greatly improved what was a very poor standard setup.

The fly-by wire throttle stuffed up, car kept conking out on the freeway, once this was replaced (after I took the servicing off the dealer who wouldn't fix it) the car never did it again.

Can't really talk about similar fuel economy because of the turbo, i used to get 400k out of a tank :-)

[banarcus]

42 pages of interesting reading here. Many disgruntled owners. Not saying Commodores don't have their faults, but this is just woeful. I wouldn't touch a BA with a 10 foot pole.


Yes that is very true, there are many disgruntled owners but it's the same for most Aussie built cars. I've got a good one though and driven many bad ones too. Clunky drivetrain, floaty light steering, shuddering front end under brakes and bad, bad handbrakes.. Mine is an exception to the rule except for the bodgy handbrake but thats been fixed now.

To the original poster, the BA Falcon isn't a bad car but you have to look carefully. Engine wise, these things don't have problems. Better if you can get a ZF auto in a BF. Fit and finish in the interior I find on average is a bit better than Holden but there are exceptions. All I can say is do your research, check many examples and look closely at service history etc for a lemon. It would also pay to have a look in the boot to see if it leaks or if it has been repaired for leaks at the bottom corners of the rear window. For all the bad ones out there, there are many more good ones. Apart from my handbrake issues, I haven't had any problems with mine in the 15 or so months of ownership.

[Swordie]

If you are trying to save money on petrol I would assume the Gen III would use roughly 2 Litres per 100 more than the BA six.

If you do 500Kms a weeks that’s roughly $15 per week (5*$1.5*2). Fuel is one of the smaller costs of running a car. Is it worth it?

[SS_Fury]

nah, not worth it i think, i may aswell stick to what i know i think, the savings arent going to be a lot to be worth a change over.

[lowriding]

YFit and finish in the interior I find on average is a bit better than Holden but there are exceptions.

here is one area i would heavily disagree on . the finish of the BA and any of the late model Fords is generally very ordinary .I have seen fleets of them with the same rubbish ,corner cut build areas meaning it is fact not an exception.They make Holdens look good and that isn't saying much .:shock:

[VYII_R8]

thanks for all your help guys. Well it seems the difference between the vx ss and getting into an xr6 may not warrant a huge change in terms of saving coin, so its likely i will stick with what i know in the ss. It may have done 135k but has never given me grief (although the box will be shot in a couple of years due to age and prbably a heavy foot) so its probably best to stick with what i know. Cheers :)

SS_Fury, did you honestly expect to hear people on a Holden forum tell you that a Ford is better than a Holden product?

If you asked the same question you posted here on a Ford forum, I'm sure you will find the responses sway the way of the Ford! So who's right???

Just something to think about.... :)

[SS_Fury]

SS_Fury, did you honestly expect to hear people on a Holden forum tell you that a Ford is better than a Holden product?

If you asked the same question you posted here on a Ford forum, I'm sure you will find the responses sway the way of the Ford! So who's right???

Just something to think about.... :)

I posted on both forums. The ford guys basically asked why i wanted to get out of an 8 to get into a 6. They thought in a sense i was downsizing to a car that wasnt that much ahead either. Their repsonses was to basically forget the series 1 BA, look at the mk2 or BF if funds permitted.
So in sense i got good answers from both sides, I can see through the bias. I still like the look of the BA, more so than a VY, and the ford 6 is a better engine than the v6 imo.

[lowriding]

SS_Fury, did you honestly expect to hear people on a Holden forum tell you that a Ford is better than a Holden product?

If you asked the same question you posted here on a Ford forum, I'm sure you will find the responses sway the way of the Ford! So who's right???

Just something to think about.... :)

This forum is pretty balanced ....most people are as honest as they can be ... and there are the smokeys who push the other wagon in disguise - just something to think about :rofl:

[M&Ms]

I posted on both forums. The ford guys basically asked why i wanted to get out of an 8 to get into a 6. They thought in a sense i was downsizing to a car that wasnt that much ahead either. Their repsonses was to basically forget the series 1 BA, look at the mk2 or BF if funds permitted.
So in sense i got good answers from both sides, I can see through the bias. I still like the look of the BA, more so than a VY, and the ford 6 is a better engine than the v6 imo.

A few more reasons to get a BA MK2 over a series 1:

- LSD Standard
- Traction Control Standard
- Rear Power Windows Standard
- Equipped with centre arm rest in the rear with cupholders
- Brake disc issue fixed for MK2

[JimmyXR6T04]

i sold my XR6T last november and bought an '05 BA MKII Fairmont. So far i've been happy, no issues (touch wood). Fuel consumption is better, although i did well on the XR6T and fuel wasn't a factor in me selling it. In the XR i'd get about 400-450kms per tank, some times more some times less. In the fairmont i'll always get about 500kms, sometimes in excess of 550. But i usually fill up when i've done about 480-520kms.

I sold the XR because i wasn't totally happy with it... i had an accident in it a few years ago, and it was never quite the same! I would have got another one, but i thought it would be a good chance to save some money.

All in all, i don't mind the fairmont.. i miss the power of the XR (near on 300rwkw). The fairmont has enough power for my daily driving and it's a comfortable cruiser. It had a few more kms on it then i wanted, but i got a good deal on it, and on my trade. There's some good deals out there for between 10-20k... should pick up a low km XT for a good price.

Good luck!

[sir.richard]

I have had both a BA and BF XR6's, but both were XR6 Turbos.

To give you some idea, I drove both damn hard from minute 1, and got between 7 and 7.8km/100km on the freeway when travelling between 100 and 120kmh. Amazed me.

Sadly, because of the way I drive, I got around 24L/100km around town, but that was my fault, not the cars.

I can tell you this much: across our big fleet of XR6Turbos (hundreds), the average was 14.02L/100km, which is right where the official figure is which is interesting. The naturally aspirated XR6 Im not sure of the figures for, but will likely be a fair bit better.

Very economical. Im still amaed at my T's highway mileage.

[Scommo]

Old man has a BA XR8-pretty good on fuel on the highway, bad around town you know the story. But hes converted now:smilesandbanana:

[Road Warrior]

Old man has a BA XR8-pretty good on fuel on the highway, bad around town you know the story. But hes converted now:smilesandbanana:

Of course the other alternative is you could get it aftermarket gas converted, but you would lose the 60/40 split fold seat capability and it would cost $4,200 :eek: (what I was quoted)

[Switching Camps]

.....Im thinking of selling the old girl for a BA xr6. What I want to know is there much difference between fuel usage? Are the inline 6's thirsty girls? Im trying to downsize somewhat to a 6 because I want ample power to overtake and yet have a comfy ride (and hopefully save some money over owing an 8). Is there much difference between the mk1 & 2 BA's? ...


Have a BA XR6T 2003 Model. It has now done 135,000km's.
Spent 4 years daily travel Liverpool to Frenchs Forest (M7/M2) and regularly got 500km's out of a tank in Sydney traffic as per the route described.

I would expect the XR6 to do better than that.

[Scommo]

Of course the other alternative is you could get it aftermarket gas converted, but you would lose the 60/40 split fold seat capability and it would cost $4,200 :eek: (what I was quoted)


Oh i ment converted to Holden:smilesandbanana:

[Aus8]

Long time, no post, but Im looking for some (hopefully) unbiased answers or someone to point me in the right direction.
Now me and the wife are building a house and I currently own a VX SS. Im thinking of selling the old girl for a BA xr6. What I want to know is there much difference between fuel usage? Are the inline 6's thirsty girls? Im trying to downsize somewhat to a 6 because I want ample power to overtake and yet have a comfy ride (and hopefully save some money over owing an 8). Is there much difference between the mk1 & 2 BA's? Here in Perth cars are a little more pricey, so if i can flog the SS off for close to 20k and get straight into an xr6 without being out of pocket i would be happy. Am i likely to save enough coin on insurance, fuel etc with this swap? I looked at some 4 pots but they are just too small. Anything to look out for when buying a BA? FWIW my ss has cai, edit etc and goes like the clappers, but the misses drives it to work and i dont see it much and is now up to 135kms and have seen BA's at around 50,000kms that i could get into hence making this swap more appealing. The BA wont be so much for peformance as kiddies are on the horizon, but rather a nice looking 6. Anyway if someone could help us out or point us to some good info on BA's pls let me know. Hopefully some of you might own an xr6 or BA family hack to let us know how they compare with the gen 3?

G'day mate I can offer a unbias view. Holden V8 driver but get Ford I6 company cars. BA's were great car's and were certainly better than the equivialent Holden VY at the time in the 6 cylinder market. Engine, gearbox were major advantages I found when the VY lease was up and we got the BA's.

Our work BA's were flogged (As any company car should be) and never gave any grief. I found the aircon better also than in my older VY exec. Only thing I had done outside of schedule servicing was the brakes machined at 100 kays.

Cheers

Au8s