Xe Esp 5.8 - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Sleek · 08-02-2003, 22:57

Hey All, i was just wondering if a few of you's would be able to give me a hand with something. I've been offered a 1982 XE ESP 5.8, in mint condition, it truly is an awesome car.

Im only 17, live in Victoria- where, for those of you who dont know- power to weight, and capacity to weight restrictions apply. In pre-planning for buying a 351 powered car, i have my Queensland learners permit, and will soon be going for my Queensland P's license. The only downside of this that i can see is that QLD'ers only have 4 demerit points on their P's......BUT.....only i turn 18 or so, ill swap back to Victorian P Plates, and *hopefully* VicRaods should'nt give me a hard time, but instead give me exemption as i already own the car- what am i supposed to do? sell the car?

Anyway, back to the point; i need to come up with a list of Pro's & Con's as to wether i should buy this car, another thing is its on LPG- as fuel consumption was an absolute bitch for the bloke who owns it now, i know the gas was all setup properly by 'Gas Research' and it has the same power as it did originally, some may say this takes away from the originality of the car, but i dont fancy paying $100 per tank for Premium Unleaded and then a valve addative.

So, let the Pro's & Con's roll...

EFJase · 08-02-2003, 23:23

Con: Insurance $$$

Pro: f@rken nice car

Cant really offer much help otherwise.
I would have though theyd give u a bit of a run trying to get ur QLD Ps while living in Vic?

Have u thought of buying this, then getting a banger to drive untill u can drive this? Itll depend on price/ money i spose.

Sleek · 08-02-2003, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFJase

Con: Insurance $$$

Pro: f@rken nice car

Cant really offer much help otherwise.
I would have though theyd give u a bit of a run trying to get ur QLD Ps while living in Vic?

Have u thought of buying this, then getting a banger to drive untill u can drive this? Itll depend on price/ money i spose.

Im actually registered at a QLD address, so thats all good :)

im picking it up for $5,000. which i think is a bargain for a great car...but yeah- insurance is gunna kill me :(

tranquilized · 08-02-2003, 23:58

Relax about the power to weight restrictions for Victorian P platers, in my experience it seemed to be one of those laws that simply isn't policed. I had about 3 friends who drove 351 falcons while on their P's, and were never even questioned. Its impossible to tell the difference between a 302 and a 351 from just looking at it anyway. I doubt any cops have the compliance codes memorised.
I had an EB 5.0l V8 on my P's, once I got pulled over and the cop says "arn't you not supposed to be driving this on your P's?" I just replied "nah thats just the older 5.8's, this is only a 5litre" which he accepted - just goes to show how much he was worried about it.

Rodp · 08-03-2003, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleek

Hey All, i was just wondering if a few of you's would be able to give me a hand with something. I've been offered a 1982 XE ESP 5.8, in mint condition, it truly is an awesome car.

Great cars, love the XD/XE shape, the biggest con would be to keep your head on when you're behind the wheel. My XD could get real nasty real fast, and I had an embarrasing moment when the ends swapped going around a sweeping corner in the wet. Ended up the gutter.

I've owned 3 351's and they are real thirsty. Make sure you're aware how much juice it'll chug and make sure you can afford to stick juice in it.

Insurance could also be an issue, shop for insurance before you buy the car. Make sure you can get insurance, 4 attempts on my XD, all thwarted by the home made cut off switches I had around the car.

EFJase · 08-03-2003, 00:09

Quote:

I had an EB 5.0l V8 on my P's, once I got pulled over and the cop says "arn't you not supposed to be driving this on your P's?" I just replied "nah thats just the older 5.8's, this is only a 5litre" which he accepted - just goes to show how much he was worried about it.

The 5.8L badge might give it away :)

If u cant afford to get it, and run. And wont get pulled up for driving it, i cant see any other problems
More ppl will reply in next few days, see what they say

Casper · 08-03-2003, 02:06

Cons: Obviously Insurance, but also the age of the car. Age means wear and rust. The XD/XE/XF suffered badly from rust if not looked after properly and it can be expensive to fix. Also age effects things like door seals and rubbers etc. Finally, XD/XE/XF electric's were pretty average at best. Check it out properly.

Pros: Everything Else not mentioned above.

Cheers,

EBXR · 08-03-2003, 02:47

I presume it is a manual. Are you sure it is a factory 351?? Sounds like a good buy though!!!

Pro - It's an ESP
Con - try and stick to the speed limit....

bossxr8 · 08-03-2003, 03:31

Go for it man. I drove an XD 351 on my P's and never got hassled even when pulled over for speeding. Mine was on gas and although the fuel economy is poor they are fairly cheap to fill.

Sleek · 08-03-2003, 05:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBXR

I presume it is a manual. Are you sure it is a factory 351?? Sounds like a good buy though!!!

Pro - It's an ESP
Con - try and stick to the speed limit....

see thats the thing, it is an original ESP, but it was originally a manual 6, then the bloke who originally owned it did an engine conversion- he bought the 351/top loader from Ford Australia as an ESP 351 in crate form.....

im aware it will chew fuel, or in this case gas, but at 40c/l odd, its not too bad....

thanks for your input everyone, please keep the pro & cons coming :)