BA xr6 turbo ute as a second car

[chippe]

hey guys,

can i get some opinions on buying a 04 model BA xr6 turbo ute.

Currently i own a 08 ford ranger (business & private use) 3ltr 4x4 turbo diesel, 32inch muds, lift, steel bar, weighing just under 3t loaded plus towing a 1.8t trailer, im finding even when i dont have the trailer attached, im only getting 350km to a tank.

Not to mention i cant see shit out the back due to toolboxes, racks, ride, height and tray size.... not the best thing to be taking the missus out for dinner in town in.

Anyway im looking for something that i can jump into on weekends, after work etc.

the BA's turbo's have always caught my eye, to be honest i'd be happy with something stock, as im not really into the engine mod side of things, but for a little more, i can get decent looking car with a bit of go.

2004 FORD FALCON UTE XR6 TURBO UTE SUPER CAB BA Private Cars For Sale in NSW - carsales.com.au 1247 1252 1282 4294966463 4294966104 752 391 412 898&PriceTo=412&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&__Qpb=true&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode matchany

-What i would like to know with these mods is fuel economy up the shit? (even though id only be doing under 15,000km per year in it, its still something i need to consider)

-What are the auto's like? I'd prefer auto as a change from my ranger plus cruise control is a plus.

-And will these mods decrease the life of the engine conponents, even with the upgrades?

-How many k's are to much for the turbo's?

-Any other general comments? Price etc?


Insurance seems like a bitch at $2000 full comp for a 24yr old, seems like only just cars will look at insuring a turbo with a 24yr old behind the wheel.

Any advice would be appreciated

[Jonnii]

Sorry mate i dont mean to be rude or anything but have you read the name of this website? I dont think youll get the best help here

[DAKSTER]

whats a BA?

[wraith]

Get a real car.





OT; There not bad

[Grennan]

I had a BA XR6 T ute as a work ute for one of my old jobs. Honestly they are a fantastic ute/car.

That kilometers on that one look pretty good. Fairly low for its age.

As far as fuel economy goes, its going to be dependent on how you drive it. Turbo's are pretty good if you're just cruising around. Give it the beans and it will drink.

Cant really comment on the gearbox. He said hes upgraded it but doesn't really give many specifics, id be asking him what hes done to the gearbox and what kind of power its been built to handle. That also goes for what you can expect from the engine as far as life expectancy goes he hasnt gone into to much detail about what exactly has been done. The Ford 6's have usually been pretty decent though so I doubt a slightly bigger turbo will worry it to much.

20 grand though... sounds a bit much. Probably get it down to around 17-18.

EDIT

Just had a quick look around on carsales, most of them seem to be going for close to the 19-20 range. Didnt realise they were still up around there.

[fuzzy2308]

looks good. i would buy it. they make good work utes if you want a tub,

[GothicKidd]

Not sure the difference between BA and BF but. My mums BF is perfect.. the auto is awesome, It also can be used as a manual, or performance mode
Ive heard storys the stock turbo is bad and should get a after market.

20 grand for a BA turbo ute seems a bit much and close to 100k's on the clock..
Mums BF sedan had only 60k's and perfect, 1 owner.. and only 21 grand. though Its not a turbo but the BF inline 6's are pretty powerful, they have some up and go.. Theyd put the 5litre VT's to shame

Its really upto you man..

[Grennan]

. Theyd put the 5litre VT's to shame

Pushbikes put VT 5 Litres to shame.

[chippe]

thanks for the feedback, obviously i realise there would be the ford haters, but would i have got an honest answer on a ford forum?

I was hoping to get it for around $18,000.

I'll ask him for some more details and let you know how i go.

[jaffassv]

Probably try get a BF which have the ZF six speed auto. BA still has the old 4 speed. Slightly better economy and acceleration with the 6 speed and much better gearbox in general.
I'd try to avoid any modded ones as they generally are driven by the enthusiast with a slightly heavier foot than your average driver. Also coming up to 100k there's probably a few things that will need replacing soon.

[somefool]

I have been told by a mate who works for AG security to avoid the BA automatics, apparently its a weak box. They have a BA work ute which they reckon has had the auto replaced/reco-d 5-or 6 times. BF -with the new box, that would be the go.
That car does look good though

[nemesis_adrasteia]

I have been told by a mate who works for AG security to avoid the BA automatics, apparently its a weak box. They have a BA work ute which they reckon has had the auto replaced/reco-d 5-or 6 times. BF -with the new box, that would be the go.
That car does look good though

theyre actually a very strong gearbox if theyre properly serviced(most arent)

[Critical Jim]

A mate bought a BA XR6T 6 speed manual with 120'000klm or so on the clock, only problem was the clutch failed soon after he bought it.

He's up to 220'000klm or so in less than a year, drove 'escorts' all over town, and the engine is fine, clutch needs to be replaced again and the suspension is worn, both parts are expected to wear, but the core mechanical side of things are all good.

Depends on the driver and the car in question I guess, he wouldn't thrash the carp out of it but I doubt he'd drive it like a shopping trolley either.

[f1tzy]

Mate go for the BF. While the 4sp auto isn't too bad its not the strongest or smoothest box out there, the 6sp in the BF onwards is miles ahead and keeps the motor on boost better. Add to that after 06/06 the xr6t got the typhoon bottom end so if your chasing a bit of power go for one after that build date. Most mods you do to the turbo don't affect fuel economy unless you flog the shit out of it. If you just drive casually you will not be on boost all the time so will be good on fuel. Although with the 'capa modchip' it sounds like just a shitty generic tune which are far far far behind a proper dyno tune in power and fuel usage. The reason for the insurance is the mods, i have an fg xr6t ute but standard and im insured fully comp through aami for about 950 and im 23

[f1tzy]

theyre actually a very strong gearbox if theyre properly serviced(most arent)

Not really they start to fall apart at around 280rwkw and thats being serviced

[Pearly]

I agree, go for the BF if you can, the 6 speed makes it a much nicer drive.

I have a BA XR8 ute, whilst it's not a turbo, I can tell you that I really enjoy driving the Falcon ute.
I originally was hunting down a VY SS ute, but couldn't say no to this one when I was offered it for the price. Now I'm really glad I did buy it.

[VEV8]

Not really they start to fall apart at around 280rwkw and thats being serviced

After owning an '03 sedan (280rwkw ironically) thats exactly where we reckoned that they were still OK without doing internals. It had 280rwkw for 4 1/2 years of the 5 years I owned it and still went hard the day I sold it. They are damn strong, even the original BA's.

To the OP, it says that the ute has a CAI, but the photo shows the standard intake. And why would he have upgraded the turbo. GT35's are good for 400kw plus and at a guess, I don't think this ute is anywhere near that. I would be asking that question and if his answer is just to upgrade it, I would call bull#$% and there would be another reason.

Just reading between the lines maybe....but thats just me.

Cheers

[VEV8]

I have been told by a mate who works for AG security to avoid the BA automatics, apparently its a weak box. They have a BA work ute which they reckon has had the auto replaced/reco-d 5-or 6 times. BF -with the new box, that would be the go.
That car does look good though

Its not that they are a weak box. It's just that it's so easy & inexpensive to extract power from an XR6T that the gearbox becomes a weak link. Pump 300rwkw into most boxes and give it a hiding and you can destroy almost any gearbox. As far as AG security's ute goes with replacing the box 5 times, I would say its main driver problems, not gearbox

[PaRaDoX]

Try shannons, bit of a hassle to get a quote but well worth it.