Superoo

I have both options and they will be dealer fitted. Haven't got my quote in front of me but the price for the tint appears a little high. I have heard of some huge price differences in tint ($250-$500) so be a little careful as to what tint they are fitting exactly. As for the alarm, is it just the standard dealer fitted alarm? I think the rrp on the standard alarm was around $580 so yours does seem high.

At 2000-4500 rpm, the XR6T makes 450nm. Yes, something special does happen after 1900rpm. Hard to make calls without a drive of the XR8 but what I've read so far lends me to believe the 8 may have its work cut out beating the XR6 T to the hundred. If FPV have actually said this (where did you hear/read this?), then I'll be really interested to see how Ford market the XR8. I know some people just HAVE to have the rumble but that rumble most of the time meant quicker 0-100 times. Personally, there is much more to think about than these times when choosing a package but we all know how important these figures are when sale time comes. The XR8 reviews should make interesting reading.

Obviously the number of BA sightings is increasing by the day but without a doubt, the most common colour I am seeing on non XR vehicles is Ice Mint Silver. Would not have picked this to have been so popular. Looks great in the Ghia.

Damn the base sound! So close to my order :(

Thanks guys - I'll need the speed alert in the beginning.......

I might be just going silly but I'm sure I read in some VY/BA comparisons that the VY had a speed alert function whilst the BA didn't. I was a little surprised by this but didn't think any further of it. Now that I've downloaded and read the manual, I find reference to it. It seems like it would be a little difficult to find without reading how it works so did the mags just miss it? Is it there?

The 17" as far as I knew were fitted with the SP3000's. I'm led to believe they are actually a newer tyre than the SP9000's. Maybe there is a shoratge on the 3000's ??

I'm very interested to hear the outcome of this issue but just because they are not the premium brakes hardly makes it OK for something like this to happen. No one should have to fork out an extra 3K on a 50K vehicle to avoid having your discs machined after 6500 kays. For what it's worth, I agree the premiums should have been standard.

Can someone tell me if I should push my dealer for a SIDO? I have ordered over a month ago and was told April delivery. Not only do I not have a SIDO number but I haven't even finalised the colour of the car...dealer said I don't have to let him know till end of Jan/early Feb (Merc Silver has pipped phantom at the post). After reading all this no SIDO no allocation stuff I'm beginning to think that April is even shaky. I have only been allocated a temp vehicle until end of March. :(

And I thought I was being far too pedantic when I made the same rolling diameter calculations.... Definitely agree the diameters would be different. But seeing it's been bought up, I do have a couple of questions. 1) Whilst I got the same figures, are we not assuming the same sidewall flex in each case? As small as it would be, wouldn't an 18 inch tyre with its smaller profile flex less than an equivalent 17 at the same pressure? Would this mean the difference in rolling diameters between 17's and 18's is slightly greater than the 9.9mm suggested? 2) As my steep driveway allows bugger all clearance for that awesome exhaust, would I actually increase ground clearance by opting for the 18's? (I have no intention of doing this, just interested). 20" rims? The price of 18's was enough to scare me off.............

Go on....tell us what you really think.

As I've previously posted, I'm expecting some issues when I finally get my car. Still, it makes you wonder about how things like the ridiculous ease at which the bonnet release lever fails, a screw holding seat trim comes apart and the magic plastic clip in the engine bay escape all the rigourous testing the car was put through. Did they sit in the car with full trim installed? Did nobody notice the flimsiness of the bonnet release lever? I guess I can understand the vast majority of testing concentrating on engine/drivetrain issues and that's far more important but it isn't too flash when you pull up at your mates place with your brand spanker BA and go to show him the engine and oh.....sorry. Just appears as though these things, minor as the may be, have shown up far too quickly in the life of these cars. I'd expect such issues to rear their head after 6 months or so. Don't get me wrong, the XR6T is great value for money and I'm so eager to get into mine but let's not forget that 50K on the road is not cheap. For the amont of performance and enjoyment it is inevitable that some "corners" may be cut to deliver in the price bracket but I'm hoping things like this don't start to detract from what is obviously a fine package. Now, give me my car please Henry.......

The BA has great looks without the need for huge plastic add-ons. That's the best thing about it - subtlety with great road presence. Exactly where HSV took the wrong turn with the Y series IMO.

the other way round IMO I actually prefer the 18's design as well but for 2 g's upfront plus the replacement rubber costs, I simply couldn't justify it. It's not as if the 17's aren't a nice looking wheel in their own right.

I usually get very picky about these sorts of issues but with the number of changes in BA, I'm resigned to having a few things like this crop up. Then again, by the time my car is into production, maybe Ford will have some fixes!

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the black badge is only available on Venom cars. Red badge on red paint may defeat the purpose but would put an interesting slant on the car as a sleeper

Enjoy and take care. Love the black "turbo" badge.

You are correct on this but there is definitely a new colour that is apparently called purple haze. MOTOR has a bit of a dig at it actually. Just noticed they also have a new dark inky blue metallic paint called vespers but that doesn't sound like the blueprint type colour I saw today.

The introduction of new colours has me confused. My dealer has no idea about any "Harvest green" or new silver colour being introduced - just Citric and Blood orange. Slightly off the topic, has anyone noticed the colour of the monaro in this months MOTOR mag? Look or sound slightly like phantom? This afternoon, I caught a quick glimpse of a monaro that was like nothing I'd seen before - the similarity to blueprint was very evident. I haven't officially seen any new Expensive Daewoo colours but if these are indeed in their range......I guess they say imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

Personally, forget the momo. For the money, there is not enough difference to the standard wheel. You should be able to find a dealer that has both the standard and sports steering wheels fitted to cars. Nothing beats going and comparing for yourself. On an interesting point, I heard someone recently say that whilst the sports steering wheel felt great, it was uncomfortable when trying to grip it anywhere other than where the moulding suggests you should. I must admit, I didn't notice this in the car I drove.

This is correct. Nowhere to mount the sub in a ute.

How do they test for this fuel consumption figure?? I'd suggest unless you're doing a heap of highway driving, you won't see 12.5. Isn't the XR6T also listed as 12.5??

Totally agree with MrSparkle re the looks of the HSV Y series. I've seen a couple in the flesh and put simply, it's just too much. Personally, I've always liked HSV cars. The VT/VX series had a nice balance of road presence and differentiation from other Late model camira models. The Y series however has more plastic add-ons than Pammy and the body kits have lost all sense of integration with the vehicle. I think the XR6/8 and FPV vehicles are positioned nicely with their much more refined (some Y series fans may see it as boring I admit) looks and subtle differences. As for the Boss 260, let's just say that I will be very surprised if it is anything less than a decent competitor performance wise for anything south price wise of an R8.

Does this type of thing really worry anyone? The XT is enough to stop anyone laughing at Ford.

Saw a ute in citric a few days ago. Definitely stands out but I'll give it a miss.