[allanv6gt]

Safety - You'll probably find they are both 5-star rated.
The XR5 has 2 front and 2 side airbags. I would expect the Falcon to be the same (but don't know). Check out Redbook specs.

OPE126 - When I shopped for the XR5, upgrading from a 2003 Outback GX dual range manual, the new car *had* to be a manual - whatever the brand. Hence the test drive of a diesel manual Mazda6 hatch (no petrols avail. on the day) , but not the auto only Mazda6 wagon. I test-sat the (then) current Subaru Liberty/Outback but didn't need a test drive (when compared to the oozing ambience of the XR5). The Mondeo wagon was also ruled out as it was auto only, apart from only the 2.3lt 4cyl in the lesser MB models. The only manual gearbox Mondeo was the 2.5 Turbo (oh dear, what a pity....)

And then late last year I went and bought a Classic auto convertible of brand-x, which is quite noice apart from the auto box - my very first automatic car in over 35yrs of driving across 15 different cars of my own (garage is a bit crowded sometimes !!!). But I learnt to drive a manual at age 16, and it is still my preference - old habits die hard.

Some years ago a friend bought a new Falcon BA Mk2 XR6T, but had to wait 8weeks for it to be built. Even back then, he was told manuals only accounted for 5% of all Falcon sales.

From this I surmise the full 3-pedal manual is a dying breed.
So....I'll just have to buy more old classics to feed my desires...he he he !!!