AU XR8, opinions?

MickyB · 30-03-2005, 02:27 AM

I recently stumbled across an AU XR8 for private sale for $14,000 ono, it is white, has 17" AU2 Tickfords, LPG (is this a problem on the V8's?), auto, RWC and some rego. I am not sure on the k's as I am yet to call the owner, but the car looked to be in great condition, and I am seriously thinking about upgrading.
Are there any problems known in the AU XR8, and how many k's are too many? I am assuming it may have done a few given the price.
Any thoughts or opinions would be most appreciated, if it has done under 200,000 km I am considering throwing 12k at the owner and seeing what they say.
Thanks in advance,
Michael

Sylox · 30-03-2005, 08:30 AM

Your eb xr6 manual will be quicker than a Au1 xr8 on gas

Racecraft · 30-03-2005, 08:43 AM

The LPG will prolong the life of the Windsor by roughly another third. Odomater readings are not as important on LPG cars. Keep that in mind. I agree with Sylox, it will be a little bit of a slug in comparo to your 5 speed especially if the AU is auto

The price is right @ 12k

MickyB · 30-03-2005, 11:44 AM

Oh, I thought it would probably be about level with my car now. I have read that the AU V8 is the best starting point for modifications, rather than an earlier E-series V8, so with that in mind, is it possible to make the V8 go well with a budget of around 3k, while still allowing it to run duel fuel?

MickyB · 30-03-2005, 11:49 AM

Just got off the phone to the bloke, he said it's stock as a rock except for the wheels and it's done 184,000 km, which isn't too bad.

EFFalcon · 30-03-2005, 12:15 PM

seems to me its a lot of car for taht kinda money
i'd be inclined to say it'll be faster then ur EB.. especially since there isnt exactly much done to the EB.

not sure on the mod side of things, but if it was annoying u enough, u could take the gas system off (temporarily perhaps) and see what the difference is.

seems like a cheap price though.

JADED6 · 30-03-2005, 01:06 PM

Roughly 30,000k' a year (98build) Which is on the higher side of things but still perfectly acceptable. Being on gas the engine wear would be equal to about 60-80k.
Being an XR8, anything under $18,000 is great. Doubt you'd get it for 12, barely see AU1XR6's for under 16k.
The EB XR6 may be quicker but uprgading to an 8, I somehow think you'll be much happier. I don't think i'll own a 6 again, even getting to used to the 8 i have now.
Definitely a great starting point for mods, as you probably know there seems to be a lot of things aimed at AU/BA on the market but this is where the money is.

MickyB · 30-03-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JADED6

Roughly 30,000k' a year (98build) Which is on the higher side of things but still perfectly acceptable. Being on gas the engine wear would be equal to about 60-80k.
Being an XR8, anything under $18,000 is great. Doubt you'd get it for 12, barely see AU1XR6's for under 16k.
The EB XR6 may be quicker but uprgading to an 8, I somehow think you'll be much happier. I don't think i'll own a 6 again, even getting to used to the 8 i have now.
Definitely a great starting point for mods, as you probably know there seems to be a lot of things aimed at AU/BA on the market but this is where the money is.

My thoughts exactly, there is more to driving pleasure than simply being fast in a straight line, and to me, the XR8 would give me more total driving pleasure. He wants 14k, so I can try and be silly and offer 12k and see how he goes, even if I end up paying around 14k it could be a good deal. Will drive it tomorrow and let you guys know.

Sylox · 30-03-2005, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickyB

Oh, I thought it would probably be about level with my car now. I have read that the AU V8 is the best starting point for modifications, rather than an earlier E-series V8, so with that in mind, is it possible to make the V8 go well with a budget of around 3k, while still allowing it to run duel fuel?

Yes an no if you want to get any real power out of them you'll be ripping the heads off both and the manifolds.

Pre - au has E7 heads (CRAP)
AU has GT40p heads (Reasonable)

That being said If I was buying my ute now i would of opted for an EL xr8 and worked the motor.

galaxy xr8 · 30-03-2005, 09:25 PM

The eight will have the torque you want, there are a few cheap mod's you can do to totally change the way it drive's, exhaust, airfilter, chip if you wan't, all these will be better than your 6, I have an standard AU III XR8 exhaust for sale if you wan't it. I don't know if they are bigger than the 1st '98 AU's.

GK · 31-03-2005, 12:12 AM

[QUOTE=JADED6]Roughly 30,000k' a year (98build) Which is on the higher side of things but still perfectly acceptable. Being on gas the engine wear would be equal to about 60-80k.

Jaded6,

Are you saying that being on gas extends the engine life? If this is generally thought to be the case, why?

I thought that because gas burns hotter, it wears the engine quicker. I had to put a new head on my 99 futura due to valve seat recession at a mere 110,000 km's! Man was I hacked off. I installed a flash lube kit as well, but I suppose I'll have a flurry of blokes telling me that they're worth nothing!

What do you reckon?

Cheers,

George

StorminaTcup · 31-03-2005, 07:53 PM

Hi, We bought our AUII XR8 for around 20K, it had high k's for age (2000 mdl) our trusted mechanic inspected it thoroughly, drove it and said "you're mad if you don't buy it, it drives as good as my XR6 (AU ll) ute and it's only done 50k" it had a few minor things that needed doing which the car yard were more than happy to fix. Once you get one you will not look back!! p.s on country driving with a few squirts we have got just over 600k's to tank! hope this has swayed you!!

Pursuit250 · 31-03-2005, 08:26 PM

Just checked out www.redbook.com.au and it tells me that vehicle should have:

average kms: 120 000 to 150 000 kms
Trade in price guide: $12 800 to $15 800
National average price - private sale: $15 200 to $18 700

I find this website to be a pretty good guide. Other than that I can tell you much.

MickyB · 31-03-2005, 11:52 PM

I took it for a test drive today, I loved the smoothness and the quality of the IRS. I gave it a bit of a boot on LPG and it went pretty well, probably on par with my XR6, but much more effortless. Plus the sound was awesome. I like the car, just gotta convince the old man to give me some 'bridging' finance until I sell my car.

GK · 01-04-2005, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickyB

I took it for a test drive today, I loved the smoothness and the quality of the IRS. I gave it a bit of a boot on LPG and it went pretty well, probably on par with my XR6, but much more effortless. Plus the sound was awesome. I like the car, just gotta convince the old man to give me some 'bridging' finance until I sell my car.

Hope you get the spondoolies together. Sounds like a nice car. MMMMM V8.

EFFalcon · 01-04-2005, 12:21 AM

GOod to hear MickyB, i would have assumed it'd go aswell as ur 6.
the AU 8's deffinately seem to go nicely.. and LPG will keep the running costs down

XR8GRL · 02-04-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickyB

I took it for a test drive today, I loved the smoothness and the quality of the IRS. I gave it a bit of a boot on LPG and it went pretty well, probably on par with my XR6, but much more effortless. Plus the sound was awesome. I like the car, just gotta convince the old man to give me some 'bridging' finance until I sell my car.

The test drive won me over when I got rid of the EB for my other AU XR8, but the test drive was in a Forte.. they go alright when you give'em a bit of stick too :

Once you get your **** into that AU (if your old man is convinced), you'll forget about that E-Series :hihi:

MickyB · 02-04-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRGirl

The test drive won me over when I got rid of the EB for my other AU XR8, but the test drive was in a Forte.. they go alright when you give'em a bit of stick too :

Once you get your **** into that AU (if your old man is convinced), you'll forget about that E-Series :hihi:

Looks like the old man will be the sticking point, he wont budge at the moment. I guess I will just have to stick with my current car, put my JMM cam in it, and sell it a few months down the track when I have saved enough money myself. If anyone else is interested in the XR8 I looked at, pm me and I will send you the contact details.

GK · 02-04-2005, 10:50 PM

As I keep reading I have more and more thoughts like, "yeah George, sell the Laser and get that V8" and "The misses will love it" and "it's on gas, that's a good thing."

Iv'e never owned a V8. Ahhhh maybe one day.

Keep working on your dad, he may weaken in a few days time. Perhaps you could use the old Jedi mind trick. "Son, I'll give you the money, you need that car!"

Cheers,

George

MickyB · 03-04-2005, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99 Futura Wagon

As I keep reading I have more and more thoughts like, "yeah George, sell the Laser and get that V8" and "The misses will love it" and "it's on gas, that's a good thing."

Iv'e never owned a V8. Ahhhh maybe one day.

Keep working on your dad, he may weaken in a few days time. Perhaps you could use the old Jedi mind trick. "Son, I'll give you the money, you need that car!"

Cheers,

George

Mate, if only I had the skills of Obi Wan, I reckon I would be in. It's seriously a lovely car, I just need to convince the old man that its worth the change. I am hoping I can get around 7k for the old XR6 so I am hoping that he can cover the shortfall, and let me pay him back with what I save in petrol (bearing in mind that I have been driving around with a stuffed MAP sensor vacuum hose, running around 19L/100km!)

GK · 03-04-2005, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickyB

Mate, if only I had the skills of Obi Wan, I reckon I would be in. It's seriously a lovely car, I just need to convince the old man that its worth the change. I am hoping I can get around 7k for the old XR6 so I am hoping that he can cover the shortfall, and let me pay him back with what I save in petrol (bearing in mind that I have been driving around with a stuffed MAP sensor vacuum hose, running around 19L/100km!)

May the force be with you! Keep us posted.