Firstly, I'm guessing that I am posting in the incorrect forum, however, there is no clear alternative. So if this is clutter for this forum, feel free to move it to the appropriate area.

Secondly, a family member of mine has been a member here for quite some time and told me to post my questions/concerns here as you all would have a better grasp of my confusion.

I am looking ta buying a new (used) car. I drove a Ford 12 months ago as a hire car and was extremely impressed. Having said this I am intently looking at the Fords. My Budget is $10,000 approx. I have looked at models ranging from the 2002 Ba all the way through to the 2007 BF MKII.

I have read far too many threads on here blasting the BA model in general and it's transmission/diff. This has made me pause; obviously. I was very interested in a 2003 XR6, however, upon reading I now have concerns. My mechanic has advised me not to worry so much about what I read, however, he also said if I could find a BF MKII with the 6spd auto then I should buy that.

Obviously performance and reliability is extremely important, however, there is something to be said for 'styling'. Sure the BF has the 'perceived' edge in performance but the BA XR6 (2003) undoubtedly has far better styling.

My question is this....

With a $10k budget, considering my above diatribe... Which way should I go and why?

I'm well aware that I can get either under 10k, just a matter of which one; like me original post stated.

if your intent on looking for 6cyl models then i beleive an AU III XR6 Sprint ticks the above boxes. Styling is personal choice obviously, but the right looking AU has more of a presence on the road than a BA/BF

ill agree the AU if done right turns heads left right and centre... personally i like the ride better...

Sorry Ash, I must not have read your post correctly.

The link you used (although I'm sure you were only using it as reference) isn't much help to me considering I'm in Melbourne.

Any thoughts on my original confusion though??

BA? BA MKII? BA XR6? BF? BF MKII? BK MKII XR6?

Mechanically? Is the transmission a REAL problem, or is it something the internet kids whinge about? If the BF is better, is it only better if it is the 6spd auto since the 4spd I believe is the same as the BA?

well i just got my BA 2003 xr6 and i love it no problems with anything and would recomend a B series.

Jake

how can you say you like the styling of a ba over a bf? its just a different front bumper.

In any case get the bf. end of story.

Stick a ba front bumper on it if you must.

Barry, a BA XR6 has far different styling than a BF XT MKII that is much more than a bumper.

No thoughts from anyone on the mechanical side between the BA and the bf? Is the bf only better if it has the 6spd?

The BF is also a little bit more powerful and uses a heater exhange to cool the transmission which from what i have been told is better than what the BA uses but still prone to failing.

Here is an interesting site that Papa Smurf linked, you can use it to compare the 2 models

BA: http://www.fordspec.com.au/specifications/ba.php

BF: http://www.fordspec.com.au/specifications/bf.php

You're comparing an XR6 to an XT...of course they will be different. BA XR6 and BF XR6 OR BA XT and BF XT...not much difference.

You can't compare looks if you're not even comparing the same model. It's like comparing Miranda Kerr to your local check out chick...it's not in the same class/category.

I have also heard/read that the 6 speed is rather much better than the old 4 speed. So if you can get a 6 speed that would benefit you, even if you need to save another 1K or 2 for it.

a fg gt has a different styling to a focus too..? and its benny

Taking my statement to the ridiculous extremity doesn't prove your moot point. The XR6 (unless I am mistaken) is just a better styled XT, hence why I used the comparison of the BA XR6 to the BF MKII XT. I prefer the XR6 style wise, but concerned that the BF is much better mechanically.

Why am I comparing two different models? Because they both fit my price range. Sure I would love to compare the BF XR6 with its BA counterpart, however, it seems to be out of my price range plus it would be an asinine and pointless comparison as I would obviously take the newer model.

Thanks for the mechanical feedback. I wil take it into consideration when looking to purchase.

seems like you already made up your mind before starting the thread?

yes. a BA XR6 is the car to buy.

you never made any comment on my suggestion of the AU, and how it does everything better than the BA?

If you look hard enough, or have a little bit more patience, just maybe, you can scoop up a $10K BF Mk2 XR6...if not, save another $2K to $3K and you'd have a better car to the BA XR6. Also, if you know the BF Mk2 XT is the same besides the body kit, why not just get the XT and put a kit on it later...in the end, it's just an XT in disguise.

I didn't make any comment towards the AU because I am interested in the BA or BF. I personally think the AU is awkward to look at and I'm still surprised a design team had meetings and approved the look to lead ford's future.

I hadn't made up my mind prior to posting. You guessed I'd decided the BA XR6, which proves my point, as I've settled on the BF XR6 MKII. I thought if I had doubts, the extra 2-3k is worth the peace of mind.