[motorsportnerd]

Hi. I have driven numerous Falcon XTs - all BA models and also the BA XR6. I have also driven both the 380 VRX and the 380 ES.
FPV GTHO is right - I rate them about equal.
Here's my full impressions:
380 VRX: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...road-test.html
Falcon XR6: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...road-test.html
And I wrote an extensive write up on both in comparison with the newer Aurion and Commodore VE:http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...ested-msn.html

Also, back in July I was looking for a new car myself. I considered both the Falcon and the 380, along with numerous other cars (incl. new cars like Focus/Mazda3, used luxury such as the Volvo S60T).
In the end I settled on a 2003 Fairmont BA with 69,000km on the clock, purchased for $16,000 plus a three year Ford manufacturers warranty and a set of used 17-inch Fairmont Ghia alloys fitted. In your price range, you could certainly consider a Fairmont rather than a pov spec XT.
Anyway, the reason I bought the Fairmont, rather than the 380 and despite rating both cars as roughly equal, is due to my long term preference for Fords and because I felt that the 380ES at a slightly higher price (at that time - they're cheaper now) was too basic in comparison. And I've had no reason to question my choice since then.

However, either Falcon or 380 would be a good buy. Both should give a good run. As the others have said, drive both, decide which one you like and buy it. Consider dealers as well - many dealers will do very good deals on both 380 and Falcon. And let us know what you decide.