Should i upgrade?

Hey guys/gals,

I'm currently 18 years of age, and drive a BA XR6 with a few mods. I'm forever wondering whether i should continue modifying my XR6 N/A, when i could just get an XR6 Turbo (Also considering an MY02 WRX). The price to upgrade from my XR6 to a stock XR6 Turbo isn't very much as there are alot of XR6 Turbos for under $30k now. My question is, how bad will insurance be (i have no claims currently), and will i get away with driving it in regards to P Plate laws? I had an XR6T badge on the back of my XR6 for a while (lets not go there), and only got pulled over once in the 6 months i had it - as far as i know it is an on the spot fine of $130 ish that is not recorded, and they just continue to give you the same fine every time you're caught?

I'm not a 'hoon', d|<khead, etc typical p plater and i'd rather keep my spirited driving for track days. I'm a 'fairly' mature driver with no current driving offences, so please don't view this post in a negative way - All in all, how hard is it to own an XR6T/WRX on your P's?

(Appreciate any advice, especially from other P plate XR6T owners).


Thanks
-Matthew

[b2tf]

insurance will more than likely spank you if you go to an XR6T, if you go to a WRX expect to pay minimum $2k, I know of 40 yr olds who pay that much to have them so dont expect any favours given your age.

Personally I'd stick with what youve got.

[Mongoose]

Turbos are evil, supercharge your XR6 havent seen a supercharged falcon since i was a little kid, even then it wasnt even street legal (drag racer)

[HLC]

you have no hope with insurance if you do that.


most companies wont even touch you. and if they will insure you, youd be looking at close to $3k i reckon. for full comprehensive that is. just stick with what youve got. if you only drive "spiritedly" on track days who cares what you have for the street. plus track days are only once in a while so im sure the lack of power doesnt phase you too much.

[Polyal]

Yeap IMO there is no point in getting something until you are over 25. And even then your still going to get bent over with insurance, just not so bad.

And as soon as you have one little incident, it will only get worse.

Take the XR6T badge off your car ( ) and then just work the n/a path. There are still some damn quick n/a XR6's getting about.

P plater laws might also stuff you up, but I am not 100% on that.

But then again if you have the cash then do it, personally I dont see the value in it. Just hang in there for a few more years, save some $$, and buy something once you have established a clean record.

[schnoods]

Maybe it might be better to grit your teeth and stick it out until your 21.

Try ringing around Just car and Shannons. If they dont touch you, No one will. If they do at least you know how much it will cost you. Be wary of 3k excesses and be strict with informing of modifications otherwise they will just refuse to pay up.

Im only 22 and have owned 3 V8's already and I'm still in the "most likely to have a prang" category. I just changed cars recently and got stung for it. Changing from a 2003 Statesman 5.7 (worth 22k) to a 1995 falcon xr8 (worth 7k in their eyes) is costing me 92 dollars a year more to ensure than the stato. Thats even before its modded.

I'd say you'd be lucky to be able to get cover for it, If you do it'll be over 2 and a half grand.

[XR8-260]

Put it your parents name or something like that. It usually works out cheaper.

[Conrad]

The P plate laws shouldn't affect you if you already have them. (I'm assuming you live in Victoria.)

[S3SR]

mate just think most people our age (im 18 too) own a car not as good as yours

stick with the XR, going a turbo will probably kill you or kill your wallet, same with the rex.... i owned a skyline R33 GTS-T even without the turbo it was 2,8k with the cheapest insurance...

wait till your at least on opens then check your options..thats my opinion

[MITCHAY]

I bought a MY03 WRX on my Ps. I can tell you now insurance will **** you in the bum without lube. $3355/yr with mags and stereo as only mods and clean history. Subaru will **** you too for OEM parts.

It's worth it, just not in monetary value if you understand :

If you like a raw car and I mean RAW (not a comfortable ride, no bling interior and that sort of shite) the WRX is awesome. I love it everytime I drive it.

It has cost a heap of $$$ but the only regret I have is not holding out for an STi.

[lukez]

In Victoria until the start of July the laws for P's are power to weight ratio. For a car the size of the BA you are looking at around 220kw so it would be illegal to drive the xr6 turbo. Once July hits you cannot drive a turbo at all. My advise would be to stick with the your car now and buy a house because you will just want to keep upgrading.

[Nappa]

Power to wieght ratio the XR6T puts out about 144kw per tonne, the limit for P platers in Vic is 125kw per tonne, technically its illegal for you to drive a XR6T so will a insurance company insure you to drive illegally?

Stick with your XR6, save the money up for a house deposit.

[Nashy86]

I knew a bloke in Waragul (not far from you in morwell) who went out and bought a cheap old saab turbo (and I mean OLD saab turbo, build with the turbo more for efficiency than power, it was NOT a fast car by any stretch of the imagination)
He was 23 at the time, responsible bloke working full time as a scientist etc etc but when he went for insurance noone would touch him with a 40ft barge pole until he was 25. I dont reckon you've got much of a chance with insurance as an 18 y/o in a xr6T.

I'd be sticking with the N/A 6, its already much faster and better than most 18 y/o's can afford

[kooky]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I bought a MY03 WRX on my Ps. I can tell you now insurance will **** you in the bum without lube. $3355/yr with mags and stereo as only mods and clean history. Subaru will **** you too for OEM parts.

It's worth it, just not in monetary value if you understand :

If you like a raw car and I mean RAW (not a comfortable ride, no bling interior and that sort of shite) the WRX is awesome. I love it everytime I drive it.

It has cost a heap of $$$ but the only regret I have is not holding out for an STi.

Yep agreed, I went from NA 6 to WRX and will never regret doing so, but insurance was never an issue for me, it was $50 more expensive per annum over my XR6.

[JAYBA]

i work for australia's largest insurance company now i cant speak for all of them but insurance will not rape you in the ***, the difference between an xr6, xr6t and xr8 is almost nil if you are definitely gonna mod or want a car with more poke dont waste another cent on a xr6 n/a, your dollar wont get far as far as bang for buck, my only concern for you is the laws in the state your in and your p plates

Originally Posted by JAYBA

i work for australia's largest insurance company now i cant speak for all of them but insurance will not rape you in the ***, the difference between an xr6, xr6t and xr8 is almost nil if you are definitely gonna mod or want a car with more poke dont waste another cent on a xr6 n/a, your dollar wont get far as far as bang for buck, my only concern for you is the laws in the state your in and your p plates

Really? I'm currently with AAMI. I always knew that i would get insured for it, but just depends on how much it will cost. XR8 is also an option... When you guys are saying it'll cost to much and what not, i'm already paying $1800 or something for my XR6 N/A...

[JAYBA]

Originally Posted by MattyJ

Really? I'm currently with AAMI. I always knew that i would get insured for it, but just depends on how much it will cost. XR8 is also an option... When you guys are saying it'll cost to much and what not, i'm already paying $1800 or something for my XR6 N/A...

i work aami's sister insurer in another state i drive an xr8 am 23, when quoting myself all xr's pricing structure's were rated the same...may be a little different there but cant see too much just ring them and ask what the difference in cost would be for a vehicle transfer they'll tell you your answer,
if your allowed to have a xr8 or an xr6T id take that option over a n/a plus after youve modded the xr6 itl become harder to insure and less and less legal anyway

[Ringo]

Gees Mattyj - At 18 I was driving a $2000 Laser ("the amazer") and could barely scrape enough money together to put fuel in the tank let alone think of upgrading $25k cars.

Where's the money coming from?

PS - go the 6 turbo, what the F not eh?

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by 3

Put it your parents name or something like that. It usually works out cheaper.

Until you have a prang and the insurance company starts to do a bit of digging and find out that your parents aren't the main drivers. Then they refuse to pay.
Best to keep it in your name and also to build up the no claim bonus.

[andy351]

get a qoute from the insurance company and check the laws and if you are still able to drive a XR6 turbo then DO IT!!
cause you will always be wondering about it

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by Mongoose10

Turbos are evil, supercharge your XR6 havent seen a supercharged falcon since i was a little kid, even then it wasnt even street legal (drag racer)

Off topic but Rmyers on the forums has a supercharged EA Falcon.

Anyway, back on topic, I reckon keep the XR6na. You can only do 110kph on the roads anyway!

[walker]

with the insurance is will kane you, I drive pretty much a standard AU XR8 an thats just under $2000, so I would hate to see an 18 year old with a WRX

[DJM83]

Tough decsion i was in the same boat last yeah with my AUII XR6 when i spotted my current car. Fully licensed btw, i payed $1000 for my XR i got a quote to get my T insured was an extra $400 p/a so $1400 so i jumped at it i knew if i didnt i would always wonder (being as rare as T series are) then i got my insurance papers for this year $1700, aparently govt charges are to blame, me thinks not

Thanks for all the replies guys - i'm still unsure of what to do but :togo:

Originally Posted by Ringo

Gees Mattyj - At 18 I was driving a $2000 Laser ("the amazer") and could barely scrape enough money together to put fuel in the tank let alone think of upgrading $25k cars.

Where's the money coming from?

PS - go the 6 turbo, what the F not eh?

Hmm... i just saved for a long time (since i was 14) to get the XR6.. and the upgrade will be easy enough - although i'm a uni student (meant to take up 40hrs a week), i still fit in a 38hr work week aswell - just don't sleep much :


Going to give AAMI a ring later on.
Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by Ringo

Gees Mattyj - At 18 I was driving a $2000 Laser ("the amazer") and could barely scrape enough money together to put fuel in the tank let alone think of upgrading $25k cars.

Where's the money coming from?

PS - go the 6 turbo, what the F not eh?

I think his money comes from berry trees. As I also saved a lot from there. http://www.myberrytree.com/bt91428

[Jock260]

i would do some crazy **** to even get an XR6 for my first car, let alone upgrading to an XR6T, if i were you, i would stick with the XR6

[charles_wif_xf]

Forget buying anything with a snail until you are 25. If you do buy one, prepare to get bent over and get "loved" if they even agree to cover you. Do yourself a favor and jump onto www.aami.com.au and www.justcarinsurance.com.au and get a quote online. If they agree to cover you, try and sleep soundly once you see the price.

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by charles_wif_xf

Forget buying anything with a snail until you are 25.

The alternative is to feed the snail with diesel. Insurance is a lot cheaper then! I think it's only costing us about $10 a month more for the brand new Peugeot than my 10 year old car for fully comprehensive.

[charles_wif_xf]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

The alternative is to feed the snail with diesel. Insurance is a lot cheaper then! I think it's only costing us about $10 a month more for the brand new Peugeot than my 10 year old car for fully comprehensive.

Good point doofey. But hasn't Bracks the ol dumbar$e banned P-platers from driving ANY turbocharged car come July 1?

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by charles_wif_xf

Good point doofey. But hasn't Bracks the ol dumbar$e banned P-platers from driving ANY turbocharged car come July 1?

Don't know, don't care. I am 29 so P Plates don't worry me. I don't plan on drink driving and getting placed back on to them, not to mention that I live in Adelaide and we don't have these sort of rules, yet. Sorry, but I just don't keep up with these sorts of rules in other states as it does not impact me.
I'm sure there will be exemptions for turbo diesels, or the ruling will be based on power-to-weight ratios. Dunno, haven't read up on any of it.