My '08 Red FG XR8 Ute

[f100bloke]

Hey there,

Just recently purchased a Aug 2008 FG XR8 Ute, Red (Vixen), 6spd Manual, Sports Pack (18inch Wheels, Bluetooth, iPod Connectivity). I am stoked!

These 290kw Boss engines have an amazing range of power. Just cruising around town peaking between 2-3k revs makes the drive nice and smooth with a bit of low end grunt, but if you need to put the foot down, anywhere above 4k revs, the smiles appear and you really admire the support in the seats.

Below are some photos of my ute. One thing I have noticed is that around Sydney, I have not seen another Red FG XR8 ute yet.

The only thing I want to do is tint the windows and possibly look at putting spacers on the rear wheels to bring them out 1inch approx so that it's flush with the bulge of the rear guards. Any opinions?

Enjoy!

[jPod]

Very nice! I am positively shocked with the media's treatment of that engine! After I drove my first Boss (it was a 260 with a 6 speed manual) I couldn't understand what they were on about! There is tons of grunt everywhere! Since then the FG XR8 290, and the GT 315 did nothing to change my mind about how fantastic that engine is!

Love the FG manual too, the short shifts, the crispness and that unbreakable clutch! What do you think of it?

[f100bloke]

Well, what truly can I say after that, you have summed up exactly what comes to mind. From the little nice finishing design elements, eg: where the doors have a top pillar now that they close into, to the excellence of putting the BA/BF FPV engine in the FG XR8; just amazing.

As you've mentioned, my first drive of a Boss engine was also a 260. Prior to purchasing this, due to funding I was limited to looking at getting a BF MkII in Rapid, 6spd Man preferably with leather. This beast came up for sale in Victoria, worked out a sharp price and Bob's your uncle - it now happily rests in my garage. I'm constantly pleased with the acquisition and I still eye the odd BA/BF that looks clean on the road but there's always the reassurance that I've made the correct decision of getting the current shape. If anyone has doubts, they should just test drive a new one and they'd find out first hand what makes these beasts one of the toughest vehicles on the market.

The fit & finish of the FGs are beautiful. Ford have really stepped up to the plate and created such an awesome sports utility, with endless power due to the effortless FPV 290 engine. My drive from Melb to Syd was effortless and very comfortable. Also, for those guys who buy an XR8 then ask the silly question of Fuel Consumption, I get approx. 15L/100km around town - and that's with a few healthy squirts here and there.. (Note: if you buy cars based on fuel consumption go buy a Getz or Corolla!)

My only issue thing is that if Ford had continued Rapid (yellow) into the FG range, I'm pretty sure i would have been a sucker and gone out and bought one from a dealer. Thankfully, as a result, Ford saved me money!

[jPod]

Nice work! She is a hot piece of kit thats for sure!

On economy, they actually aren't that bad if you treat them right. Try and not get the revs above 2,000RPM, and I got as low as 11.5L/100Km in a BF 260. Of course, there is no bloody point driving such a quick car if you are going to pansy foot it around like that!

But for me, the most special feature about a V8 isn't the effortless pull, or the power, its the noise! Ford V8's have always sounded like they were tuned by God himself, and the current FG generation is no different! Its the main thing that brings a smile to my face every time I plant my XR8 (AUIII 4.9L), not the fact I reach upwards of 140Km/h in no time, or the fact that my face is contorted with the G-Forces, but the guttural roar that is coming through the firewall, and the way she barks when you first boot it, and best of all, the way Holden drivers go green with envy when they see and hear it go by... especially the VR/VS driver yesterday who thought he had me, until he realised that I launched in 2nd for a joke (he realised this after I flew past at some stupid speed). This is the main reason I would always take the V8 over the Turbo. Love the turbo to bits, its an astonishingly quick piece of automotive brilliance, but it doesn't feel the same...

[Seduce XR6]

Very nice Ute you have Mate Enjoy it as I can see you are lol

Dont fit spacers would be my advice not for the looks but for the safety & legality.

[eat_sleep_drift]

very nice, your incredibly lucky

[f100bloke]

Quote: Originally Posted by Seduce XR6

Dont fit spacers would be my advice not for the looks but for the safety & legality.

Yeah, that's the only thing that's held me back. Like I have nothing against the looks of the ute, just me being pedantic wants it to be flush. Once I get a nice tint, it'll probably be a good enough compromise to just live with the rear guard buldge.

[HSVKLR]

Looks sensational. I'm sure Ford wouldn't like me saying this but I think red is one of the best colours for FG.

As for the spacers on the rear... DO IT! I love FG utes but their narrow rear track looks ridiculous.

Does anyone know why the track's so narrow?

[f100bloke]

Quote: Originally Posted by HSVKLR

Does anyone know why the track's so narrow?

I'd assume it might be because they've used similar rear chassis dimensions for the rear tray as with previous years, ie: similar suspension setup and diff width. As a comparison of the FG rear tray to previous models, it has a wider bulge around the wheel arches which to the eye is more obvious. It may only be an inch or so but the earlier models were that little bit less noticeable and no one really questioned it. But that's only my assumption..

[jPod]

Quote: Originally Posted by HSVKLR

Looks sensational. I'm sure Ford wouldn't like me saying this but I think red is one of the best colours for FG. As for the spacers on the rear... DO IT! I love FG utes but their narrow rear track looks ridiculous. Does anyone know why the track's so narrow?

It was meant to have a wider rear track but a TCT action canned it after it was too late to flatten the panels without costing a complete fortune...

Regrettable, but that's what happened...

[HSVKLR]

Quote: Originally Posted by jPod

It was meant to have a wider rear track but a TCT action canned it after it was too late to flatten the panels without costing a complete fortune... Regrettable, but that's what happened...

Thanks for the explanation jpod.

What's TCT, though?

[jPod]

Quote: Originally Posted by HSVKLR

Thanks for the explanation jpod. What's TCT, though?

Total Cost Team. It was there to try and save production cost on projects, but unfortunately, on FG they were given a little bit too much freedom. The next model, the TCT has been re-organised a bit, so it should be such a problem.

[rocket09]

very bloody nice mate - all that needs to be said

yes tint too

[FG40]

Quote: Originally Posted by jPod

Total Cost Team. It was there to try and save production cost on projects, but unfortunately, on FG they were given a little bit too much freedom. The next model, the TCT has been re-organised a bit, so it should be such a problem.

So we dont need an FG , TCT lynch mob.

[FG40]

Quote: Originally Posted by jPod

Very nice! I am positively shocked with the media's treatment of that engine! After I drove my first Boss (it was a 260 with a 6 speed manual) I couldn't understand what they were on about! There is tons of grunt everywhere! Since then the FG XR8 290, and the GT 315 did nothing to change my mind about how fantastic that engine is! Love the FG manual too, the short shifts, the crispness and that unbreakable clutch! What do you think of it?

Yeah whats the go with that.......

The alloy chev has nothing on the ford. Oh well.

When I get some more room at home. I would enjoy a ute like that. To be honest I have not seen any VIXEN coloured Falcons at all in FG guise.


Congrats on the purchase f100bloke!!!

[PaulST]

Congrats on the new car my friend!

[jPod]

Quote: Originally Posted by James

Yeah whats the go with that....... The alloy chev has nothing on the ford. Oh well. When I get some more room at home. I would enjoy a ute like that. To be honest I have not seen any VIXEN coloured Falcons at all in FG guise. Congrats on the purchase f100bloke!!!

Yeah, hopping out of an FG XR8 straight into a VE SS 6.0, you really could see how good that engine is, and how far ahead of the pushrod junk that Chev makes... I don't know what the media are on about!

[FG40]

I like the FG ute. a Family friend has an FG Turbo in Steel with 18s and Luxo pack.


Really really nice unit.

I miss the V8 sound though.

[Brettle79escort]

Quote: Originally Posted by jPod

Nice work! She is a hot piece of kit thats for sure! But for me, the most special feature about a V8 isn't the effortless pull, or the power, its the noise! Ford V8's have always sounded like they were tuned by God himself, and the current FG generation is no different! Its the main thing that brings a smile to my face every time I plant my XR8 (AUIII 4.9L), not the fact I reach upwards of 140Km/h in no time, or the fact that my face is contorted with the G-Forces, but the guttural roar that is coming through the firewall, and the way she barks when you first boot it, and best of all, the way Holden drivers go green with envy when they see and hear it go by...

My dad always said there will never be a v8 that sounds as great as a ford lol he had a few xc's one with a 350 in it thats about all i know because he had them when i was a young fella.
and very nice ute mate looks real nice.

[jPod]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brettle79escort

My dad always said there will never be a v8 that sounds as great as a ford lol he had a few xc's one with a 350 in it thats about all i know because he had them when i was a young fella. and very nice ute mate looks real nice.

Your dad ain't wrong! I even had a Holden mate of mine in my XR8 go "One thing Ford always get right though, is the way the car sounds! Its awesome!"

[fordnut]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brettle79escort

My dad always said there will never be a v8 that sounds as great as a ford lol he had a few xc's one with a 350 in it thats about all i know because he had them when i was a young fella. and very nice ute mate looks real nice.

Hey, non of this 350 business here - lol! It would have been a sweet 351 Clevo.

Cheers

[f100bloke]

UPDATE: Tinting has been done! It looks super sleek! The rear features the darkest tint available in the tint man's van, then that combined with the effort on the sides, creates one hell of a tough looking FG Ute!

I am still wondering if anyone has seen another FG XR8 Ute in Vixen (straight red)? - because I haven't yet! (not that that's in any way a negative)

Photos to come over the weekend!

[RAPID XR8]

Quote: Originally Posted by f100bloke

UPDATE: I am still wondering if anyone has seen another FG XR8 Ute in Vixen (straight red)? - because I haven't yet! (not that that's in any way a negative)

I have only seen one Vixen ute on my travels around Sydney each day. So it was probably you that was driving south on the M7 last Thursday. It certainly caught my eye and I must say Vixen does look great on the FG utes.

If you want to fill the rear guards put a set of rims on with 9.5" or 10' rears. Fills them perfectly and looks tough.

[f100bloke]

UPDATE: Finally, 6 New photos with tinting done.

[HaLLiS]

Thats a sweet looking ride mate. Would love to own one myself!