In two minds... BA ute or stick with the AU...

DanXR6T · 14-06-2007, 06:23 PM

Hey all,

I'm currently in two minds... I have an AU series 1 styleside as per my sig. I am thinking of either upgrading to a BA or spending some dollars (~$5k) on the AU with some mods.

Either way the financial outcome will be the same, in fact even with $5k of mods I'll still owe less than if I sold the AU for a BA.

Mods I'm thinking are:

T3 TE50 front bar from Fibresports
Series 2 bonnet to match
Side skirts to match

-then either-
Rear bar to match

-or-
Steel tray with wooden floor (second hand if I can find one)

I'm guessing this will come to $2000-2500 max fitted and painted.

Other mods to be:

Nicer seats, not sure from what model though yet. Maybe AU XR model (or equiv)
AU Edit
2500rpm stall convertor
Extractors
Camshaft

If I go down the BA road, it will basically stay stock for a few years (well apart from minor mods).

I think the BA models are nice, but I'm not really in love with any of them within the money range I want to spend. So thats why the alternative is as I have put above.

I'm not chasing high end power, don't really have much interest in drag racing, just like a nice strong mid-range because I do lots of highway work and it carries the ocassional load. The AU currently has 130,000kms on it, and I average 20,000kms/yr so I am basically going to keep it for another 3 years and then move it on if I keep it now.

Any suggestions? I've never driven a modded AU before, well not with these mods, but I think it would be just as nice as a BA to drive for day to day purposes.

Dan..

loony888 · 14-06-2007, 06:39 PM

i recently faced the same decision, the rediculous trade in offer made my mind up for me, i have kept mine, and rather than borrow to mod, i'm just doing it little by little. new tyres hurt the wallet, i've had it lowered and i've just put a momo wheel on it. (thanks hotC2R!!!) i'm making mine a little more me, and i'm keeping it for about another 3 years, i too hope for some nicer seats, and a new exhaust system, but aside from that i'm happy.
maybe i'm getting old, but i just can't face signing up for debt for a car anymore, especially when there's nothing wrong with the one i've got!
just my .02c

DanXR6T · 14-06-2007, 06:44 PM

I'd rather borrow the money, get it done then pay it off than going down the bit by bit road.

Basically the two major mods I want to do it are the body modifications, which is a one off thing (I'm not driving around with odd coloured bodykit parts, there is enough bogans in this town already), and the engine mods which I know is better to do all at once. So I'd rather not do it in a piecemeal way, but as two nice big lumps.

I've done the basic stuff like suspension, stereo, rims, it's got brand new rubber, etc to suit my requirements already, so thats already sorted.

stiddy · 14-06-2007, 06:51 PM

Id keep the AU, but thats a personal choice, both models have pro's and con's.

The mod's you mentioned will give a big difference in performance.

My work ute is a BFII ute, daily driver is a slightly modded AU1 XR6.. I cant wait to step out of the ute and into my car.
The only thing the BF has over my car is its newer. It rides like a boat, handles like a kombi van, gets a whopping 450k's to the tank on the highway, fly by wire is just **** and its got no guts - especially when overtaking, the interior looks like cheap plastic and foam that you get from clark rubber, and yeah they are just really over rated hunks of junk.

**Peuty** · 14-06-2007, 07:38 PM

Basically what Stiddy said. I was looking at upgrading my AU to a BA XR8, but went with an AU XR8 instead, simply beacuse I thought the AU had a tonne more character than the BA could ever have, and not to mention the difference in build quality. The AU feels like a much more solid car compared to the BA.

b2tf · 14-06-2007, 08:10 PM

I was in the same situation when I first bought the AU, and have found myself thinking about it since too.

Simple answer and the one I keep going back to is to keep the AU and mod it. Few reasons, for me it comes down to the fact that I find my AU has a bit more "character" to it than the B series. I'd never say no to a 3v BA/F XLS but I love the Windsor engine and the "in your face" styling of my AU. The wheezer is not the quietest or most powerful engine but by hell it's a lot of fun to drive.

I find the interior better too, feels like it's a nice place to be whereas BA/F is just a big plastic shell. If you havent already, put in the MOMO gear, get yourself some leather seats and you'll love it.

I really like your idea about the wooden tray, I love the look of them and have been tempted a few times now to have one made up for the XR. Go for it because you can still use them but a nice jarrah tray has a lot more character than the typical tub.

With your front end, Im not a fan of the T series kit on utes but to each their own. Have you thought about T2 front end though, something a bit different to the T3 which is as common as buggery these days.

Regardless of what you do in terms of mods, I think you'll enjoy them more in the AU.

RG · 14-06-2007, 08:12 PM

AUII or III XR8, you'll love the windsor.

DanXR6T · 14-06-2007, 08:18 PM

Yeah I'm starting to reconsider the T3 front.. actually re-considering the bodykit thing overall, might just go with a Fairmont front bar and high series bonnet, just no longer a fan of the depressed bonnet.

As for engine mods, I'm thinking about dropping down to RDP on the weekend and having a chat to them, see what $$ i'm up for. I'd be happy enough to drop $3.5k on engine mods, although I might have to compromise on some components.

I rarely rev over 4500rpm and so anything above 5000rpm is not that interesting, I prefer decent mid-range for highway work. I am aware that strong top end does generally come with with a strong midrange too. But I'm not chasing power to 6500rpm.

HLC · 14-06-2007, 08:42 PM

i reckon the T3 front with wooden tray would be TOPS.

ive seen a ute with a T2 front and tub, and that was sexual. but i love the polished wooden trays. with some LED tail lights. awesome. do it. lol

Umineko · 14-06-2007, 08:57 PM

Better the devil you know, I take it you've had this car for a while, so you know where you stand with it, Buy a "new" second hand BA and you could well be buying some-one else's problems... for the money I'd keep what you've got and spend the money on mods... you'll end up with a better car and in the long run it'll cost you less than upgrading to a BA

Kev_BLNXR8_Ute · 14-06-2007, 09:15 PM

I had a late AU2 XR8 ute when the BA came out.
I saw the BA and had to have one.

So I went and ordered the BA XR8 ute and put the AU up for sale.
I had the Au from new and it was only 18months old when I sold it for peanuts.

Once the new car thing wore off I was very dissapointed in the BA and wish I had kept the AU.
The BA felt very heavy and under powered.
It took quiet a few mods before I was happy with the BA.

A new car is nice but go and drive a couple and see what you think.

Cheers........Kev

DoreSlamR · 14-06-2007, 09:27 PM

I think the fact you've asked in the dedicated AU section...deep down..you already know the answer.

Welcome back tiger!!! we nearly lost ya ;)

private9 · 14-06-2007, 10:01 PM

I think that if you're happy with the AU, happy with the age and km's then I'd mod the AU a bit more. I personally would prefer to have a slightly older car with some nice mods, than a car that's a year or 2 newer that will be kept standard.

DTFRMONT · 14-06-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev_Blown_XR8_Ute

The BA felt very heavy and under powered.

I found the same thing driving the BA Futura's in my work fleet, my AU3 Fairmont seemed to have more power. However, this seems to have been fixed somewhat in the BF2's.

Dark Horse · 14-06-2007, 10:05 PM

I'll pass on the same advice that was passed on to me:

If you're still happy with the AU, stick with the AU.

**Mechan1k** · 16-06-2007, 11:13 PM

As others had said .... I was in the same situation ... but stupid trade-in prices made me keep the AU ... and spend more money on it ... it still drives well ... and I OWN IT.

Instead of going into debt again for a new car ... I don't have to as I won my current ute ... and it goes fine ... is comfy ... and does the job.

Also with all the mods I have done to it ... It's a waste getting rid of it in the end.

I am happy I still have it as a daily driver ... the only time i replace it is if it gets written-off.

Although ... as Austin said ... I wouldn't say no to a B-series XLS 3V V8 ute ... hmmmm ... BFII XLS with Fairmont GHIA front on it ... I could see myself driving one eventually (after the AU has died a horrible death).

51OAU · 16-06-2007, 11:43 PM

i was thinking about selling my au and buying a xr6t, after thinking about it for a while i relised that, A: my car is ******* fantastic had no problems at all B: for the money i would lose on my au and would need to gain to buy a xr6t, i could turbo my au. C: the au has accually grown on me. D: i would love to turbo my car pull up becide a ba xr6t and blow its doors off, even better my car is manual

keep the au mate u won't regret it in the end.

JefXR8 · 17-06-2007, 08:49 AM

Just sell your ute and buy mine

au2sw · 17-06-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axeman82

I'd rather borrow the money, get it done then pay it off than going down the bit by bit road.

Basically the two major mods I want to do it are the body modifications, which is a one off thing (I'm not driving around with odd coloured bodykit parts, there is enough bogans in this town already), and the engine mods which I know is better to do all at once. So I'd rather not do it in a piecemeal way, but as two nice big lumps.

I've done the basic stuff like suspension, stereo, rims, it's got brand new rubber, etc to suit my requirements already, so thats already sorted.

are you saying im a bogan as my T kit isnt matched to my wagon?!!

:

i think the idea of the wood tray is excellent. ive seen a few around and i must say :sm_headba :lookedat: keep the AU, do some minor engine and appearance mods and be happy with her. as suggested, take a few BA/f's for a spin if your still unsure

**DJM83** · 17-06-2007, 04:13 PM

Cough' Pursuit 250' Cough

b2tf · 17-06-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TE50 056

Cough' Pursuit 250' Cough

rather expensive cough you've got there! :hihi:

+1 vote for the wooden tray, im mad keen to see how one would look on an AU!

**DJM83** · 17-06-2007, 05:21 PM

: yeah but wouldnt it be good. Yeah there is a VY SS ute here in black with a jarrah hardwood tray here looks sexy as even with the poofy VY SS front

**Mechan1k** · 17-06-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefXR8

Just sell your ute and buy mine

I am liking your idea there actually.

Mark351 · 17-06-2007, 07:59 PM

I'd go BA if you were after something like an RTV. Otherwise, I'd go with the others, bodykit, power mods (s/c kit?) and you'd still be in front before change-over on a second hand BA.

onfire · 17-06-2007, 08:00 PM

Can you post some pics of the AU?

LG · 17-06-2007, 08:08 PM

Pursuit 250, nuff said.

Stick with the AU. The whole tub is the same, your not getting much for the money you spend.

I'd go:
- AUII/III XR Front
- Pursuit Bodykit

It will look a tonne better and more unique than any BA ute out there. Plus the coming of Orion, will just make the prices fall even more, which will hurt re-sale value.

Cheers