XR or Ghia (Newbie)

[NudgE^SIKBRO]

hey guys im Dan im a member of the E Series but am looking to upgrade to an AU3. Im interested in either an AU3 XR8 Manual or AU3 5.0L Ghia depending on what i can find. My question to you is this... What should i look for when searching, what if any issues do these cars have and whats about average costs for the 2. The car i buy MUST be stock except perhaps exhaust or better rims on the Ghia

Cheers Dan

[AU2PWR]

Find a Nice AU Series 2 XR8 220 , Nicest Cars Around ,

I Mean , if you wanna look Bling Buy the Ghia , But you wanna sing , Buy the Xr

[JefXR8]

Ive seen a couple good buys in au3 xr,s and ghias.

I seen a xr for 14,200 with 100,000 ks.
And a ghia for 11,800 with 60,000 ks not sure what anyone else thinks but i think they were good value.
the ghia was auto tho dont think they come out in manuals.

[SSVPom]

I own a Ghia, so I can fully recommend the XR because it has all the basic sporty kit on there already... mine just has plastic wood veneer and chrome!

:togo:

[NudgE^SIKBRO]

yeh the ghia will be auto but if i get an XR im gunna go all out

[AU2PWR]

Yeah , Whooshas Car is the Benchmark , then Russells , Both are Au2/3 , Both XR8s , Both Tough as **** !

[5L]

ive just picked up a series 2 xr8 220 manual. for 15750 with 86000km's on it. it looks the same as a series 3 as its got the optional body kit. i to upgraded from an e series last wednesday. all i can say is that you will never return to e-series. the comfort, the power. i am stoked with my purchase and either way the xr8 or ghia you will still be one happy bloke.

[Abacus]

Depends on what's more important to you, interior trim and luxuries or XR exterior.

Don't worry about the drivetrain differences. A few grand will turn a Ghia into a stock XR eater anyway. They're basically the same motor (except for the 220s, they are exactly the same motor - only difference in 175/185/200 motors is exhaust and tuning). XR suspension bolts straight onto the Ghia. Any set of 17x8 AU/BA/BF wheels will also work.

Only real other factor is you can't get a Ghia in a manual. The manual conversion costs about 2K with labour. A few guys here have done it. The search button will find you the threads.

At the end of the day it's easy enough to upgrade Ghia mechanicals to XR specs. Upgrading the XR interior to Ghia specs is considerably harder.

On the other hand, XRs look HORN. The choice is yours.

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

Go the XR8. It has more power & better handling than the Ghia.

[miitch]

And it would appear better resale than the Ghia too...

[AU2PWR]

And Look Sweeter

[FTE217]

There's a very nice Meteorite AUXR8 in the for sale section, nearly like my old ride oh the memories !!!!

[LTDHO]

NudgE, sport or luxury? Same sort of question.

Out of those two cars, I'd go the Ghia.

[BA GT-HO]

Mate, don't bore yourself with a Ghia. Sure, they are nice, but nothing puts a smile on your face like a V8 manual + LSD.

I have had an EF Ghia, EL Fairmont and XR6 Turbo auto, but this new AU3 XR8 is by far the most fun car I have had of the lot. I have emptied 3 tanks of petrol since last week just driving it!

could you get an XR with a luxury pack? ie with leather/climate/power windows etc. if you could i would go the XR for sure with those options added.

[5L]

ba gt-ho. wot are the specs on your car, as i have also had one since the past week in adelaide and have also emptied 3 tanks of fuel.

[CATFORD]

Go the Ghia.....mate....great interior....all you need to do is get wheels....lower it....put a nice TS50 kit on it and a nice set of pacey's and new exhaust and she is done.....also the quad headlights on the AU's look crap....as for the XR8 being more powerful....dont worry just give the 175kw V8 a bit of a rub there is power there.......mine was 175kw....now its 270 at the treads....so there is potential there....it cost dollars and its nothing like it used to be...but the base is there....it's an 8 with awesome interior!!!!

[DOC]

Originally Posted by CATFORD

also the quad headlights on the AU's look crap....!!!

Not quite sure how you worked that out but each to thier own, AU XR front is a tough look most would agree on, just because it's not your cup of tea doesn't make it crap.

Back on topic the silver AU mentioned above looked a very good and tidy unit, yes might be the odd dollar more than average but you can see it is very well looked after and there should be some room to move on the $.

Keep it nice and down the track it should keep a healthy return should you wish to sell it as these cars will be sought after over and above the daily drivers by the next wave of new players coming into the market.

[XR8-260]

Get the XR if you want sub 15 1/4 mile times

Looks sexy too :jab:

[xr8ute]

Or a T1/T2....luxury and performance.

They are the bargains of the century at the moment IMO. Almost make me want to trade in the ute.

[CATFORD]

Originally Posted by DOC

Not quite sure how you worked that out but each to thier own, AU XR front is a tough look most would agree on, just because it's not your cup of tea doesn't make it crap.

Back on topic the silver AU mentioned above looked a very good and tidy unit, yes might be the odd dollar more than average but you can see it is very well looked after and there should be some room to move on the $.

Keep it nice and down the track it should keep a healthy return should you wish to sell it as these cars will be sought after over and above the daily drivers by the next wave of new players coming into the market.

Yeah true....I take that back....I just think the Ghia has alot more potential...!!!

[347 mont]

At the end of the day its up to you, have a look at some good examples of both models, have a think about it an then choose which one you prefer.As for me I picked up a 5.0L Faimomt Ghia which was fully optioned (besides sun roof) its got Tickford bodykit, Tickford suspension and tickford wheels LSD IRS. To me I've got the best of both worlds IMO, as for power difference well thats nothing a full exhaust and edit won't fix. The only advantage of the XR8 I can see is the option of a manual, however if you wanted to make serious power down the track and use it you'll proberly have to upgrade anyway(Tremec or the like) but get a feel for both and the make a decision. Good luck take your time and you'll get yourself a beauty. :eclipsee_

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by xr8ute

Or a T1/T2....luxury and performance.

They are the bargains of the century at the moment IMO. Almost make me want to trade in the ute.

I second that, i was looking at first for an ST XR6 but i decided on the V8. Looked at afew XR8's and the like, very nice cars but i wanted abit more inside (although i miss the XR front) so i looked for a ghia V8 none around here. Then i stumbled across the TE and as soon as i drove it i knew i had to have it. Best of both world and its something different to both a ghia and an XR plus there isnt many around and who can resist the T1/T2 front :

[EDXR6T]

Turbo the fairlane.

Soft!!!!!!1! Dan.

[Whoosha]

MMM let me think .. : : : : : : guess the 5 speed XR8 220 wins.. dont no why : :





<--------------------- mmmmmmmm

[NudgE^SIKBRO]

cheers for ya replys guys... im really in 2 minds with what to get... i love the XR Fronts the manual option and the fact that its a performance car but on the other note a Ghia, it says style and i reckon they look horn with a good set of rims and a lowering job. The downside to the Ghia could be the climate control etc none of that really fancies me nor has ford got me over confident in the climate dept. I do want electric windows and A/C (never had A/C in a car only in my trucks and thought it would be nice) and i know A/C is standard on XR and im guessing power windows are too... outta intrest whats a T going for and whats the diff between TS50 and TE50

Cheers Dan

[theboss290]

GHIA 5.0 all the way the best of both worlds :

[NudgE^SIKBRO]

Now why isnt that for sale n vic thats the colour and all i want

[GlennBA]

XR...
They're usually optioned up more than ghias, more powerful, and you can't get a manual ghia. I can't see the point in buying a powerful car and getting an auto.. no fun at all imo

[theboss290]

The GHIA