What would you choose?

[ZA-289]

AU III XR8 If it had the full bodykit.

Preferably Black and manual.

Look better, handle better, and go just as hard than the BA

[LowEL2XR8]

I'd pick the BA XT V8 manual. I've seen a few white XTs that are lowered with mags and they do look very tough while maintaining the sleeper look.
Main reason for me is looks. The lowered XT to me looks better than the AUIII XR8.

[2kool4u]

I'd take the XT simply because I'm not a fan of the AU's

[Garth]

apples to oranges?? xr8 all the way but i dont even see the comparo. Am i missing some frontal lobe pieces?

[SlikedTurb]

it's simple. i'll have the 5.4lt XT. simply because the XR8 is and an AU. Yuk.

[BlueRaven]

AU XRs have horrible twin-lights, but the rest of the car is good. So the solution here is buy the XR, buy a T series front.

[Kenaz]

I would choose a VX SS for the same money.

[niko]

ba sleeper.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Pretty sure XTs with the V8 got sports suspension (with 17s) as standard anyway, so from the handling point of view I doubt there would be much difference.

Yep they do but still too high and a bit soft. Same ride height as an XR8 with 17s (only 225s though not 235s).

BA XT 5.4s the go (check my sig). Im not a big fan of the AU anyway but I have never driven a 220 series 3 (drove my brothers series 1) so I dont know which performs better. Mine has heaps o' grunt though and with 4 grand can put out as much as a GT at the wheels. Can the old 5.0 weezor do that without forced induction or opening it up?

[merlin]

Pretty tough choice - I'd be happy with either - but if I had to choose I would go the BA XT V8, simply as its the newer of the two and has the benefit of all the goodies that the AU - BA upgrade brought. Handling difference would be negligable, looks are subjective and I think the 5.4 would have more potential than the 5.0L.

[XPfalcon170]

i'd take the au3 xr. like the shape, and the interior is more, to take a page out of jeremy clarkson describing the discovery sport interior, cocooning than the ba. thats my thoughts

[Steffo]

Its funny how many people automatically disregard the Windsor V8 simply because Ford neglected it from the factory.

I guess the entire aftermarket performance industry and their immense support (#2 in the world after the SBC) means nothing. You can do more to/with a Windsor then you can dream compared to a 5.4, or any Modular-family engine.

[Polyal]

Id take the AU. Mainly because its a series 3, in general should have less issues. Luck of the draw has a bit to do with it aswell,

I faced a similar (kind of) issue. I could have brought an AU1 or 2 pov pack; nice cars but they just didn't have enough equipment, and they looked a bit plain jane. So I got an EL, almost the last of the e series (97), and it has the looks and all the fruit. The AU had no advantage other than its build plate.

AU3's are great cars, and a bloody bargins at the moment as even series 1 and 2 BA's are getting cheap.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Steffo

AUIII XR8. It's a sports car. The XT is a wallowy family car with a sub-standard V8 in it.

The 220kW 435Nm S3 XR8's are still very decent machines. On the road, BA/BF GT's can't shake them, they're a bit embarassing (thank goodness for the XR6 Turbo and F6 Typhoon to make up for the 5.4's inadequacy).

And you've got a far easier job of making the 302W fast then the 3v SOHC 5.4, or the DOHC one for that matter. An advantage of being around for 40 years is that there'll be ALOT of parts for that engine. Its no contest really.

Steffo, my 260kwBAXR8 whipped my 220kw XR8, the difference in grunt is substantial. The 3V or 4V 5.4 if far easier to get more power from than the 5.0 wheezor.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

The 3V or 4V 5.4 if far easier to get more power from than the 5.0 wheezor.

: _

That's all I have to say.

I've given up on these arguments a long time ago. Its fruitless trying to prove to people who don't understand that newer doesn't mean more potential, nor does having more power from the factory.

40+ years of existence + being the most popular Ford aftermarket engine in the world + having an entire professional racing series revolve around one single engine > anything you can think of.

[XR8-260]

Look wise - the AUIII XR8 wins hands down - body kit, alloys, spoiler.

Engine - BA XT 5.4 - more free revving and more potential

Interior - BA XT is much classier in even in entry level form (except for the rear wind-up windows).

[MoreHPformyXR6]

Thats a 50/50 one for me atm with a very slight lean to XR8. I havent voted as I havent decided as yet the looks of the XR8 other performance gear vs extra torque of 3V tuff one.

[DJM83]

Simple answer really although i have a TE, my next choice was an SII/III XR8. The XR's have more appeal and street cred then your average BA be it V8 of taxi spec plus you cant go passed the old windsor V8 note, XR8 for me anyday.

[MoreHPformyXR6]

Originally Posted by 30487256

Engine - BA XT 5.4 - more free revving

In standard form anyhow the AU III XR8 5L would rev higher than the BA XT 5.4L

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Steffo

: _

That's all I have to say.

I've given up on these arguments a long time ago. Its fruitless trying to prove to people who don't understand that newer doesn't mean more potential, nor does having more power from the factory.

40+ years of existence + being the most popular Ford aftermarket engine in the world + having an entire professional racing series revolve around one single engine > anything you can think of.

That is so true and at least if you bought the AU it wouldnt look like a Taxi like the XT. I get the opinion that 4vman thinks he knows everything. Anyway thats why i bought a T series its better then both the XR and BA and whats even better theres not one on every corner like the BA XT or the BA XR8 for that matter. : Long live the T series

[mik]

xr series is definatley a look grabber and fun to drive, xt = sleeper material hmm...... havent driven either, but based on my xr6 the xr8 would be 20% more fun too drive.

[Fairmont I6]

tough one! id go the ba if it had 17s and sports suspension. and manual of course

[XR8-260]

Originally Posted by Fairmont I6

tough one! id go the ba if it had 17s and sports suspension. and manual of course

BA XT V8's came with sports/luxury suspension and 17s standard. Manuals are very rare though - i don't think i've ever seen a manual BA falcon (non XR/FPV of course)

[Bent8]

XT V8 all the way, I haven't driven any AU XR's but having more cubic capacity means getting more power/torque which means better performance.

Here's mine (check sig for mods so far), I got this car (Dec02 build) in June with 92,000km for $19k!!....so far I've spent around $7500 and it would easily take on a BA GT.

There's no replacement for displacement

Here's my sleeper....

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by Bent8

I got this car (Dec02 build) in June with 92,000km for $19k!!.

the one i am looking at is:
2002 FORD FALCON XT BA
5.4 V8 ACID RUSH 4dr Sedan Semi-Automatic 8cyl 5.4L; 68,000kms: $17990

there are another 2 i have found in different states:
2003 FORD FALCON XT BA
BLACK 4dr Sedan Semi-Automatic 8cyl 5.4L; 34,272kms: $19585 drive away

2002 FORD FALCON XT BA
WHITE 4dr Sedan Semi-Automatic 8cyl 5.4L; 109,890kms: $14990 in SA

[DJM83]

BA's are dime a dozen but bent8 yours looks the goods with those wheels they really suit it and i agree theres no replacement for displacment

[fordAU]

XT's are bland and boring, the only thing in its favour is the 5.4, a sophisticated motor with obvious potential.

The AU XR8 is a drivers car, better looks, performance and handling but they are a moody *****.

[RG]

Originally Posted by Bent8

XT V8 all the way, I haven't driven any AU XR's but having more cubic capacity means getting more power/torque which means better performance.

Here's mine (check sig for mods so far), I got this car (Dec02 build) in June with 92,000km for $19k!!....so far I've spent around $7500 and it would easily take on a BA GT.

There's no replacement for displacement

Here's my sleeper....

I'm spending the same on mine for a stroker and mine will take on a BA GT aswell, got mine for 17k with 75k on it. Plus I get the better exhaust note.

[GK]

AUIIIXR8 is my choice.

GK

[punktured]

a black xt, lowered, driving lights and a big boy exhaust