Used Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo review

Likes

A true Aussie Icon.
The Turbo Barra is arguably the best engine Australia ever produced.
Built to handle our tough local conditions.
Very affordable maintenance and repair costs.

Dislikes

Build quality leaves something to be desired.
On the used market, many have been driven and owned with minimal mechanical care.
An overall ageing platform and certainly feels it.
The unsavoury image attached can be off-putting.

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Publish: December 29, 2023

Stuff you should know

The Ford Falcon, a large rear-wheel-drive vehicle has served Australians as a practical family car, ute, or wagon for nearly 6 decades. Like its arch nemesis the Holden Commodore, it was designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia, it too has embodied the essence of Australian culture.

In this overview, our focus is on a distinguished variant of the final Falcon generation, the FG. The FG itself unfolded across three iterations: the FG (2008-2011), FG Series 2 (2011-2014), and FG X (2014-2016).

Within the concluding FG generation, the Falcon was available in diverse formats, encompassing sedan and ute options. It ranged from efficiency-oriented turbocharged 4-cylinder and LPG-powered 6-cylinder models, favoured by taxi drivers and fleet sales, to more opulent 6-cylinder executive saloons like the G6E, and high-performance XR versions such as the V8-powered XR8 Sprint.

Beyond these, Ford’s local tuning arm, FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles), offered even more specialised models, a topic deserving dedicated exploration in their very own cheat sheets.

However, our primary focus here is on what many consider the pinnacle of the range—the XR6 Turbo and its variations. While there are naturally aspirated XR6 variants, our emphasis centres on those housing the exceptional Barra turbo engine.

Regarding trim specifications for this masterpiece, six options exist (listed below). An additional option, albeit for the bold buyer, is the former Highway Patrol cars with police-specific modifications.

Speaking of modifications, it’s widely known that Falcons equipped with the Turbo Barra engine are immensely popular in the tuning community. Enthusiasts often extract significant horsepower gains from these vehicles.

Despite the XR6 Turbo attaining iconic status in Australian automotive culture, future classic and investment-worthy examples typically boast low mileage and pristine original condition. Examples that are heavily worn, poorly modified, and with extensive mileage may not see a comparable increase in market value.

Plus, given the spirited driving habits of many previous owners and potential budget constraints, prospective buyers should be aware of potential issues, as elaborated further below.

What goes wrong

Exterior:

A growing concern pertains to rust. It’s advisable to thoroughly inspect under the bonnet, along seams, and around hinges. Additionally, the boot, where the cable runs to the wing light, tends to accumulate water and dirt, necessitating regular cleaning. Some owners have reported bubbling rust in the spare wheel well, although this isn’t yet pervasive. While not indicative of hardcore rust issues, many owners have raised concerns.

Being an extremely enjoyable vehicle to drive, this can lead to premature tyre and brake wear due to its weight, and buyers are cautioned to be on the lookout for questionable modifications and poorly executed crash repairs.

Another consideration is potential paint fade, particularly if the vehicle is not garaged, which may necessitate a significant investment for a full respray or wrapping. Despite these issues, the overall exterior design is well-suited for Australia’s harsh conditions.

Interior:

Some issues have been reported with the door handles. Specifically, the interior door handles may encounter functionality problems, requiring a relatively simple and cost-effective handle replacement.

Additionally, electric mirror switches and power window switches, while generally reliable, can sometimes experience malfunctions. However, the good news is that repairs for these components are typically straightforward and not exorbitantly priced.

Software-related glitches have been noted in the infotainment systems, with screens going black or blue and responsiveness issues. In many instances, a complete replacement of the system is recommended.

Roof lining sag, a shared trait among many Falcons, and HVAC system issues, such as blower motor failure, are also acknowledged concerns, however both are relatively simple and cost effective repair jobs.

Mechanically:

The Barra engine enjoys immense popularity for engine swaps and performance applications due to their capability of generating significant horsepower, however if pushed too hard, like any engine, can fail in spectacular fashion.

In an unmodified state, and provided they are well-serviced, these engines have been known to reach impressive mileage, with some examples surpassing 500,000km.

Although, like any vehicle, certain issues can be observed. Leaking water pumps, failed coil packs, and occasional timing case/front seal oil leaks are relatively common but are considered relatively inexpensive to address.

A less frequent concern is crank walk, primarily affecting manual transmissions and associated with clutch release bearing stress.

Power steering pump failures and occasional issues with the ZF auto transmissions have been reported, although these are not pervasive.

The Tremec 6-speed manual, widely used in various applications, (including the XR6’s arch nemesis the V8 Holden Commodore), is generally regarded as reliable.

However common driveline issues include tail shaft centre bearing problems and worn diff bushes, both of which can result in noticeable clunking sounds. However, aftermarket upgrades are available for these components, offering extended durability

Exterior:

A growing concern pertains to rust. It’s advisable to thoroughly inspect under the bonnet, along seams, and around hinges. Additionally, the boot, where the cable runs to the wing light, tends to accumulate water and dirt, necessitating regular cleaning. Some owners have reported bubbling rust in the spare wheel well, although this isn’t yet pervasive. While not indicative of hardcore rust issues, many owners have raised concerns.

Being an extremely enjoyable vehicle to drive, this can lead to premature tyre and brake wear due to its weight, and buyers are cautioned to be on the lookout for questionable modifications and poorly executed crash repairs.

Another consideration is potential paint fade, particularly if the vehicle is not garaged, which may necessitate a significant investment for a full respray or wrapping. Despite these issues, the overall exterior design is well-suited for Australia’s harsh conditions.

Interior:

Some issues have been reported with the door handles. Specifically, the interior door handles may encounter functionality problems, requiring a relatively simple and cost-effective handle replacement.

Additionally, electric mirror switches and power window switches, while generally reliable, can sometimes experience malfunctions. However, the good news is that repairs for these components are typically straightforward and not exorbitantly priced.

Software-related glitches have been noted in the infotainment systems, with screens going black or blue and responsiveness issues. In many instances, a complete replacement of the system is recommended.

Roof lining sag, a shared trait among many Falcons, and HVAC system issues, such as blower motor failure, are also acknowledged concerns, however both are relatively simple and cost effective repair jobs.

Mechanically:

The Barra engine enjoys immense popularity for engine swaps and performance applications due to their capability of generating significant horsepower, however if pushed too hard, like any engine, can fail in spectacular fashion.

In an unmodified state, and provided they are well-serviced, these engines have been known to reach impressive mileage, with some examples surpassing 500,000km.

Although, like any vehicle, certain issues can be observed. Leaking water pumps, failed coil packs, and occasional timing case/front seal oil leaks are relatively common but are considered relatively inexpensive to address.

A less frequent concern is crank walk, primarily affecting manual transmissions and associated with clutch release bearing stress.

Power steering pump failures and occasional issues with the ZF auto transmissions have been reported, although these are not pervasive.

The Tremec 6-speed manual, widely used in various applications, (including the XR6’s arch nemesis the V8 Holden Commodore), is generally regarded as reliable.

However common driveline issues include tail shaft centre bearing problems and worn diff bushes, both of which can result in noticeable clunking sounds. However, aftermarket upgrades are available for these components, offering extended durability compared to the Ford OEM parts.

While this list of potential issues may seem extensive, overall, the FG range is considered reliable when treated with care and not subjected to excessive modifications. Regular maintenance and attention to known concerns can contribute to a very positive and affordable ownership experience.