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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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12-11-2012, 11:17 PM | #1 | ||
Banned
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What is the best V8 powered car available to buy for under $10k? A mate is looking for a family car with some power. He likes his v8s but unfortunately can only spend $10k max.
At this price point there is naturally going to be a compromise on model/km/features/age etc. but what is best in this price point to deliver up a reliable fun and comfy car. My suggestions are a ba 5.4 3v, au series v8s, ls1 powered commodores. He was very interested in a 2002 jeep Cherokee Laredo 4.7l v8. There is also the ford explorer v8. I would not be focused on a particular model but my criteria would be under 120000km, best condition, maybe a lower spec model not to have issues of electrics etc, oh and a Aussie made car as if repairs are required you want cheapest possible parts. (I would rule out Cherokee Laredo for price and availability of parts) Should be able to land a decent fairmont ba 5.4 3v for under $10k with around 100,000km. That would be my pic. An exceptional car for the money. What do we think. If making a suggestion if possible refer to a sales ad of an actual car as he is a serious buyer. |
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12-11-2012, 11:23 PM | #2 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra Region
Posts: 9,040
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You can even get 5.4L Fairlanes for under $10k.
Though LS1 Statesmans arnt a bad buy either. If he buys a 5.4L 3v make sure he gets someone who know what they are doing to replace the sparkpugs. Atleast a few will be siezed and will need skill to remove them properly.
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2016 FGX XR8 Sprint, 6speed manual, Kinetic Blue #170 2004 BA wagon RTV project. 1998 EL XR8, Auto, Hot Chilli Red 1993 ED XR6, 5speed, Polynesian Green. 1 of 329. Retired 1968 XT Falcon 500 wagon, 3 on the tree, 3.6L. Patina project. |
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12-11-2012, 11:23 PM | #3 | ||
Sick Puppy
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,963
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DL LTD maybe? I heard of one recently that was under $10k and the quality of it was meant to shine through.
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12-11-2012, 11:44 PM | #4 | ||
Winter White Weapon
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 747
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Leyland P76!....just kidding it would be a AUII or III for me for that money.
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FG FVI XFT Enhanced 360rwk/806nm |
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13-11-2012, 12:06 AM | #5 | ||
Windsor=Screamer
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NSW
Posts: 858
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If he wants sporty Id recommend AU series XR8, if he wants luxury Id go a AU V8 Ghia. With the dollars he has, get the latest series he can within his kilometers requirement.
These are dirt cheap, easy to maintain, very economical for a V8 and a nice simple engine so cheaper to work on than the later 3V jobbies. He could get a T1 for around 10k, have luxury and sport combined. |
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13-11-2012, 12:19 AM | #6 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 92
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Jeep parts are cheap and plentiful, in saying that id still try and look at an early BA 3V or an AU XR8
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13-11-2012, 12:39 AM | #7 | ||
Cocoloko
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 539
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Would be after a full history on the explorer v8s and BA 3v V8s, how many k's wont realy matter on these models as in a model with 50000 on it that is going to have all the common problems namely the falcon with the timing chains and the explorer with the transmission faults. So say a model with 180000 etc that has had these rectified may be the better go... just a thought... im also in the market for a v8 explorer.
Im more inclined to recomend an au3 xr8, series1 ts50, or even a AU LTD 5L, can expect 14s second pass from the first two. LS1 powered comos arnt bad but would be looking around the VX year, about on par with an au3 xr8, but comes down to preference, would prob find a nicer xr8 for the price. Im not big on what goes wrong on these models but few common things that come to mind are water pumps and center tail shaft bearings etc.
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94 ED XR8 Sprint: SVO alloy heads, FMS F303 cam, AU EECV ECU, T5, on going build. 2010 Territory: family bus. 79 P7 LTD 351. |
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13-11-2012, 01:11 AM | #9 | ||
Banned
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Location: searching for cubes
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It's just soooo funny - Hulk has been waiting for your reply since OP. |
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13-11-2012, 01:19 AM | #10 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,396
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I'd say a Fairmont Ghia/Fairlane 3v or LS1, but also take a look at BMW E34 540i or E38 740i which just ***** on anything else from the era.
You want to limit it to Aussie cars due to parts and pricing, well a BA 3v will be more expensive to fix than the two BMWs above. I have a 3v Fairlane and apart from the cheap interior plastics its a grouse car, the closest thing i can liken it to is the E38 740i (launched in 1994). Why would you waste your time with an AU V8. 175kw, all noise and no more go than a base model 6, at least they sound good. |
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13-11-2012, 01:31 AM | #11 | |||
Fossil fuel consumer
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Mod For: Pub, Bar, Sales Yard, Show 'N Shine, Photoshop, AU to BF, FG to FGX, Territory & Sports Bar
Posts: 17,078
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Quote:
my old heap 175KW with 267,000KM on it, original transmission and just an exhaust does 0-100 in 6.8 which while isn't classed 'quick' by modern standards, is very much quicker than a 'base model 6'. The 175KW gets the same heads and intake manifold as the xr8. i do agree that the 3v is a great motor however, albeit with plastic breakables, expensive parts and pistons that had to be engineered to crush spark plugs in the combustion chamber.. seriously though it's a great torquey motor, but like many things BA'ish, is expensive when it goes wrong.
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13-11-2012, 01:52 AM | #12 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 437
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If it's not a daily driver and more of an garage queen or weekend car I'd recommend an AUIII XR8 or even T1/T2, the later model "explorer" windsors were quite understated and all respond well to things like exhaust, headers and tunes.
The early 5.4L V8's and even Holden 5.7 LSx engines weren't without their problems and while the Holden is marginally cheaper they are much harder to find good examples of (i.e. not flogged) and seem to be done to death. Explorers are hell expensive if something goes wrong! |
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13-11-2012, 05:00 AM | #13 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: launceston TAS
Posts: 1,847
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302 windsor. how reliable and simple.
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13-11-2012, 06:14 AM | #15 | ||
Matakana NZ
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Matakana NZ
Posts: 3,679
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SOLD : BA XR8 4 Speed Auto in Mercury Silver, Bluepower CIA, Full Diffilipo Big Boy Quad System, Tune, 4.11 Diff Gears, FPV Starter Button, FPV GT Rear Spoiler, Tripod Gauges, PWR Trans Cooler. 230 RWKW's. Many thanks to Chris at Bluepower Racing Developments
Hers : F6X build #150 in Ego, Stock as a Rock, untill the warranty runs out, including the extended one. My Work Wagon AU Futura Wagon in Gold. On the Farm : Ford 6600 Tractor |
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13-11-2012, 08:56 AM | #16 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,209
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Personally wouldn't touch a ls1 they were abit dodgey when new let alone 10 years later, shure they might have been quick but being .2 sec quicker over the quarter mile doesn't seem so fun when you are on ls1 forums asking " why is my motor rattling " or "why is my motor chewing so much oil " or joining the 500 page long thred about what oil keeps the ls1 the quietest : ) Thats not to say there are no good ones there a great motor when put together right.
I would just go a windsor powered ford latest model you could get maybe an au xr8 with the 220 motor or the fairmont gear in au or ba for luxury.
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Had EB XR8 AU XR8 220 (awsome car ) AU Fairmont BA MK2 XR6 Turbo Now XDUB |
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13-11-2012, 09:08 AM | #17 | |||
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Quote:
Car is sold mate. Guy bought it sight unseen, just transferred the money and had it shipped to him. Some people appreciate quality. He called me yesterday and thanked me for the car, overwelmed. But my mate wants something more sporty than the LTD |
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13-11-2012, 09:12 AM | #18 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,374
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Vh sl/e.
That post #3 was a cracker |
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13-11-2012, 09:16 AM | #19 | ||
previously SMIKXR6
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sydney NSW
Posts: 772
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WH Caprice LS1 , WK Statesman LS1 , VX SS , BA Fairlane 5.4L , BA Ghia 5.4L , BA XR8 ,
VT HSV V8 , Clubsport Senator etc.. , VS HSV , etc, I would stay away from BMW.. We had one they wanted $399 for a thremastat! A Holden or Ford one is $10..
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13-11-2012, 09:49 AM | #20 | ||
Long live the Falcon GT
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 1,630
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I really enjoy my AU II Fairmont Ghia V8. It's got all the fruit, relatively cheap to run, and looks pretty decent (IMO).
But it if was my money - I'd really be looking for the BEST EL Ser2 XR8 I could find. The last ones had the 185kw motor, (IMO) a pretty good looking car - especially with the full Tickford body kit. Two examples: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...sort=~Odometer Or http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...sort=~Odometer Though - the Fairlanes are hard to pass up on as well.... lots of car for the $$$
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13-11-2012, 10:01 AM | #21 | ||
Regular Member
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tough, personal taste is always a factor...if not fussed and just after a V8 with some decent go and the ability to do some cheap but effective upgrades, I would have to say a VX series 2 (not VT), or VY if one can be found at a good price.
I know this is a Ford Forum, Holden's aren't my choice of flavour over Ford, but the LS1 is a good flexible and revvy engine, in the VX it has the cable throttle, not the slow crappy electronic version, plus good in 6 speed manual form. With some exhaust and air intake upgrades, good gains in the doughy low range can be gained. But if he is purely after a Ford V8, I would go AU 5.0 over the 5.4. The sound alone is a winner for me, probably just as quick in the series 3 and a good proven motor.... Let us know the results...
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13-11-2012, 10:05 AM | #22 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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Question is what can't you get for under 10k. That could get you a fairly serious Holden 304/8 or 355 or a very good early LS1 or a good Windsor based Falcon. If you were talking about buying a standard unmodified car to start with then the only real option for ease of performance upgrades is the LS1
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13-11-2012, 10:15 AM | #23 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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the series 3 AU XR8 would be a great option. 220Kw and reliable with plenty of potential for more power
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Everyone starts off with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the experience bag before the luck bag is empty. "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Start a new career as a bus driver Rides: FG2 XR6 stock at this stage but a very nice ride xc 4 DOOR X CHASER 5.8 UNDER RESTO |
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13-11-2012, 10:18 AM | #24 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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Well of course I'm going to say an AU XR8 or Tseries.
AU/BA Fairlane is also a good buy, slightly less popular than an XR8 means good buying. If he's on a $10k budget it's safe to assume he hasn't got loads of cash so I'd avoid the V8 SUV's the fuel consumption would be a killer. But really you can't go past this.....vvv, classy V8, heaps of space and it's on gas so its cheap to run. Oh and the std wheels look heaps better too. the FPV knock off's cheapen it. Quote:
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13-11-2012, 10:28 AM | #25 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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My picks anyway.
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13-11-2012, 10:32 AM | #26 | ||
Long live the inline 6
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Location: Melbourne
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Before I bought the Mazda I drove a TS50 (5.0) in reasonable condition that you can easily find for under 10K. Both rare and reasonably cheap to look after. Would be my pick.
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13-11-2012, 10:32 AM | #27 | ||
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I sent him a link to that fairlane with the boss motor.
He responded with nice but too many km and the fairlane didnt come with a boss motor so doesnt like the chopping and changing. Did they do it right etc, does it have the supporting driveline etc etc. I saw a AU 2000 XR8 with 116,000km for $5500. Not a bad buy if it stacks up mechanically. Maybe under $5000. Similarly he has asked me about a jeep cherokee laredo under 120,000km for $9000 but i just wouldnt touch it. parts too much!!! i keep telling him. |
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13-11-2012, 11:17 AM | #28 | ||
Fossil fuel consumer
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your mate sounds very similar to you!
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13-11-2012, 11:21 AM | #29 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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Don't realy understand cross shopping the SUV's with the sedans. What's more important, the cabin or the engine?
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13-11-2012, 12:38 PM | #30 | ||
67 Galaxie Hardtop
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penrith, NSW
Posts: 397
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VX SS. Power, support, cheap, reliable - says it all.
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