So I have driven around a couple of BA XR6's recently, I love the way they drive, the suspension, engine, firmness of the pedals and steering wheel. I was wondering how different the BA XT would be? Does it still feel as 'firm'?
Not as firm, in fact much softer.
But if you get an Xt with Sports suspension (std on SRs and Fairmont Ghias)
Its a nice -perhaps even better- compromise.
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I own an xt, and to be honest after driving an xr6t I don't think there is much difference at all. Ford recomends 31 psi for the xt tyre pressure, at which the two cars felt almost identical. However I run mine with 25 front, 28 rear and feels much softer, and handles better (I'm lucky enough to have tassie roads, which are literally a couple of Targa stages, at my door step) with corner speeds up 10 - 20% with less effort. It's not until you tackle corners with higher loadings above 140km/h that the xr6t handles any better. In short the xr's feels like an xt with over inflated tyres in my opinion.
I own an xt, and to be honest after driving an xr6t I don't think there is much difference at all. Ford recomends 31 psi for the xt tyre pressure, at which the two cars felt almost identical. However I run mine with 25 front, 28 rear and feels much softer, and handles better (I'm lucky enough to have tassie roads, which are literally a couple of Targa stages, at my door step) with corner speeds up 10 - 20% with less effort. It's not until you tackle corners with higher loadings above 140km/h that the xr6t handles any better. In short the xr's feels like an xt with over inflated tyres in my opinion.
25 is way underinflated, and in no way will it make the car handle better, it would make it handle worse as the sidewalls will flex more. 31 should be a minimum, most people run around 35 on BA's. Slightly better fuel economy too.
It depends on the road. I understand stiffer sidewalls will cause greater loadings on the suspension, and this provide more "flat out" corner speed. However the roads I use are quite bumpy, and with 31psi in the tyres, the car jumps and thumps over them (I have tried it), with the lower tyre pressure (they're not flat by anymeans - they're 40k old and still have a heap of tread left so tyre wear's no problem) more tyre is on the road, it also reduces understeer I've found (a problem past falcon's have suffered more so). In short, I guess it's up to personal preference, and I'd prefer to let the tyres do some of the suspension's work. Thought the car was going to rattle it's self apart with 31 psi! Also, I noticed you guy's have 17's or 18's fitted, mine are the stock 60 series 16's. After having an EL xr6 with 16's, the ride and handling of the BA's are unreal. As for the question, why don't you take an xt for a drive and experience it for yourself?
I will be doing that, just wanted to get some opinions as to what I should expect or if I should even bother with an XT.
I must say however I do not like the seat trims on the XT, XR seats are much nicer, hope I can live with the Xt ones If I do happen to get one...
Quote:
Originally Posted by tquarrell
It depends on the road. I understand stiffer sidewalls will cause greater loadings on the suspension, and this provide more "flat out" corner speed. However the roads I use are quite bumpy, and with 31psi in the tyres, the car jumps and thumps over them (I have tried it), with the lower tyre pressure (they're not flat by anymeans - they're 40k old and still have a heap of tread left so tyre wear's no problem) more tyre is on the road, it also reduces understeer I've found (a problem past falcon's have suffered more so). In short, I guess it's up to personal preference, and I'd prefer to let the tyres do some of the suspension's work. Thought the car was going to rattle it's self apart with 31 psi! Also, I noticed you guy's have 17's or 18's fitted, mine are the stock 60 series 16's. After having an EL xr6 with 16's, the ride and handling of the BA's are unreal. As for the question, why don't you take an xt for a drive and experience it for yourself?
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