New Owner

[qik1]

you've got all the good stuff inside there, I think from mid 2006 it changed over. they can cop a real beating with a good tune installed.

[Miss_Aly]

98 RON is better, a lot better.

This is one of the world's great, large car, rear drive chassis, irrespective of price. It is equipped with a similarly brilliant engine capable of realizing a perfectly flat torque delivery in an superbly refined manner. You have probably the best auto box made, which is then matched perfectly to the engine.

You can sulk now if you want to

Or you can go for a drive.

This is a large RWD car, it is also a highly agile car. Anything resembling an attempt to set up a corner will result in sheer joy. Hauling on lock in an already under steering condition (al la 4WD chassis) will likely convince you that this car is a pig. Factoring in the car's mass and the turbo nature of the engine into your planning will have you convinced that it is a fighter jet of a car.

Highway cruising with all the family on board and a full boot will yield fuel consumption of <<10 liters/100km.

Mods and upgrades.

Fit the best quality tyres you can afford.

When replacing the discs use the best model of DBA disc then available for your car, say DBA4000's, ideally DBA5000's

As for mods, just fit some Bilsteins, that is all.

Regards,

aa

Well Said!!

[neo]

98 Ron in Mine.

Mods: Custom Tune Straight up.

[bugster70]

As a father of two little girls (aged 2 and 4) myself, and knowing how much room baby seats and the like take up, I can definitely confirm that you've made the right choice. It might 'only' be a Ford, but if you're after a large family sedan that can still pack a punch, handle half decently and is easily modified to go even harder for relatively little money, I don't think these cars can be topped.

Some good advice has already been given, and you can add me to the list of those who only use 98RON fuel in their cars. As others have mentioned, to gain a (very) respectable power increase you'll need to buy yourself a Ford flasher unit and get a custom tune. If you're just after a 'mild' power increase, this will more than satisfy you (the difference from stock is almost unbelievable, just wait till you experience it). The problem is that most people then end up wanting more, because for relatively little money you can turn the car into an absolute weapon and still maintain stock (in fact, better than stock) driveability and fuel economy.

But (again, as has already been suggested) then you should seriously look at upgrading brakes to match the newfound power (you may even think about doing this as your first mod) and suspension if you intend to drive the thing hard.

Hope that's of some consolation for giving up your WRX (you'll never look back, trust me) and welcome to the forum!

[davidg2152]

Thanks again guys.

Sounds like my wife is going to kill me (again) for spending money on the car.

Dave

PS - And yes I am happy with my decision.

[qik1]

tell the wife you get better fuel economy with the flasher & tune that will fix that prob. have got over 500rwhp & can drop into the high 8L/100klm on the highway so it really works. she doesnt need to know it makes it go like .

[XRSCAR]

Welcome to the forums!

Can't really say much more except all the info you've wanted is suggested above

[davidg2152]

Well driven the car for previous 2 days and have been suprised with how smooth and comfortable the thing is.

When I last drove XR8's and XR6T's with work I didn't recall them being this refined?

Torque is great and wife is happy.

See how I go next week when I fill the thing up for the 1st time!

Thanks again

Dave