AU XR6 & XR8

Choosing · 14-09-2005, 07:34 PM

Hiya I'm new to the forum and was looking at getting a EF/EL fairmont ghia, but looking at the prices of AU's I've changed my mind. So I'm looking at AU XR6's and XR8's.

First off, is there anything wrong with the AU1's? Or is it just general problems with Series 1 cars? If so is it worth looking at AU2 & AU3's?

What quarter mile times for the XR6? I'd be looking at auto's but if a manual comes around at the right price, well manual it is.

The XR6's have that Sports mode auto's dont they, does it accelerate any quicker than the regular auto's? Also was it standard or an option? I've driven a fair few Sports and VRX magnas and they accelerate quicker by holding it in gear with the tipronic, they are just backwards in shifting i.e. (well for me anyway) forward for up and back for down.

Oh yeah my car at the moment is a 2000 TH Magna Sports, manual. Itdoes high 14's, best is a 14.7 at 155kph. The only mods to get that are Extractors and a cat back exhaust, oh and my 90mm PVC intake pipe.

**Stav** · 14-09-2005, 07:42 PM

The AU cars are a good car.They dont have problems if you service it. Taxis use them and get 1000,000 km out of their engines.Do some searched in the forums to see what weve been up to. Be aware though that they weigh heaps more than a magna.

Choosing · 14-09-2005, 07:58 PM

How much do they weigh? When I did that run it had just about a Full tank of fuel, me and stero system, and its got all the power options. It's weighting in at around 1650kg.

**Stav** · 14-09-2005, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choosing

How much do they weigh? When I did that run it had just about a Full tank of fuel, me and stero system, and its got all the power options. It's weighting in at around 1650kg.

My wagon full of fuel ,me weighs 1770 kgs.I dont know bout sedans. I wish it weighed 1650.But is a strurdier car than the magna.I would prefer to have a au ford than a magna in a rear collision

galaxy xr8 · 14-09-2005, 08:10 PM

The AU's arn't that heavy and overall they are a great vehicle, I'd be looking for a series II/III, XR6 or XR8 really depend's on what you want, I'd personally go for the 8, the little windsor is great and sound's awsome.

Dark Horse · 14-09-2005, 08:12 PM

Weight wise kerb weight of an XR6 HP manual is 1530 kg, autos are 40 kg heavier. The IRS adds another 70 kg.

The XR's do have a performance mode built into the adaptive shift box, it's quite good, keeps the car in the powerband where you need it and shifts quite neatly. It was standard across the auto XR range.

1/4 mile times for stock XR6's range from 15.3-15.5 for the manuals and 15.7 to 15.9's for the autos.

If I were you I'd try and shoot for an AUII/III XR, not knocking the AUI XR's as they are still quite good cars. The Series II's came with a twin pot brakes standard, thicker firewall so lower NVH.

AUIII XR's in auto form came with a transmission oil cooler as standard.

Choosing · 14-09-2005, 08:26 PM

Thanks Dark Horse. That's pretty much everything I wanted to know. Geez there is not much difference in quarter mile times between the autos and manuals hey. Also the VCT's are slower arnt they?

justa6 · 14-09-2005, 08:45 PM

There would be bugger all difference in the vct and hp, it would be who could drive best i think. Though i would be going series 2 for sure, as it was stated earlier they have better brakes and you can have them upgraded alot easier, the front bar i think looks tougher too.

jonbays · 14-09-2005, 09:11 PM

The AUII is worth trying for just to get the better brakes and in XR8 better motor. Sunnies holder too if that turns you on.

xr8ute · 14-09-2005, 10:02 PM

Yep, better brakes with S2, but nothing wrong at all with the S1. S1 are bloody cheap now too.

Both V8's and I6's are very easy to get more power from. How quick do you want to go? Sounds like you are keen on the drags... (impressive time from the Magna btw)

loxxr6 · 15-09-2005, 12:50 AM

If you're going the XR6, the non VCT has a lot more support as far as changing the cam is concerned. The VCT is a bit trickier to modify in that respect. I guess it depends on what you're looking to do with the car.

Sleeperau · 16-09-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choosing

Hiya I'm new to the forum and was looking at getting a EF/EL fairmont ghia, but looking at the prices of AU's I've changed my mind. So I'm looking at AU XR6's and XR8's.

First off, is there anything wrong with the AU1's? Or is it just general problems with Series 1 cars? If so is it worth looking at AU2 & AU3's?

What quarter mile times for the XR6? I'd be looking at auto's but if a manual comes around at the right price, well manual it is.

The XR6's have that Sports mode auto's dont they, does it accelerate any quicker than the regular auto's? Also was it standard or an option? I've driven a fair few Sports and VRX magnas and they accelerate quicker by holding it in gear with the tipronic, they are just backwards in shifting i.e. (well for me anyway) forward for up and back for down.

Oh yeah my car at the moment is a 2000 TH Magna Sports, manual. Itdoes high 14's, best is a 14.7 at 155kph. The only mods to get that are Extractors and a cat back exhaust, oh and my 90mm PVC intake pipe.

There is a thread which is titled common problems with the Au it would be worthwhile having a look before you begin your search

:

Twinpiston · 16-09-2005, 02:46 PM

I know a great AU II XR8 that is going , 1 owner, maticulously maintained.

Just let me know if you want any details.

Corey

**DJM83** · 16-09-2005, 09:29 PM

having just bought an AUII XR6 HP 5sp i luv it although compared to my old ED i luv my XR it drives handles awesome an the manual is even better i think the VCT engined cars would rate similar to HP non IRS cars cause of the extra weight of the IRS set up but ive never drivin an IRS equipped XR