Ve Commodore

[dangerous_daveo]

I think a lot of you are looking at this the wrong way. This car is a bit of a leap for holden. They have always had something to 'base' their cars on, this time they havent.

Its a car for the general Aussie family. Which these days is doing ok, bit over weight, likes a bit of torque for towing the boat/trailer/caravan wants rwd, etc.

Its built to a spec. Being holden want these features in it for this cost. Its a little more out there, which seems to be the fashon these days with cars (5 series BMW, mazda 6 etc). The fact the engine is smaller than the 380, I really dont know if thats going for it or not.

With the 6L pushrod thing, that motor has more R&D in it that I would think anything else ever, for Australia its a tops motor, sit on 1500rpm cruising along at 110kmh put your foot down to over take the truck, it works. With no revs for the size and power of the car its got good fuel economy.

We arent going to say its the best car, as its not. But I mean if we were in the market for a 4 door new sedan we would have to look at it. But we arent, which is why we all drive high performace turbo Japanese imports... We arent the target market.

[Cubes]

I think it will be interesting to see in the flesh.

I've seen some angles where I think, yea.. that looks tough, then others where I think its as ugly as sin.

There's no doubt the LS2 motor is an awesome motor.

Time will tell if holden have a well built 'quality' car.

[abcent]

As i've mentioned i'm impressed with the car, I think holden have come a long way an the new VE was a big step in the right direction. Think about how far behind in technology a VN como was in comparison to a R32, or a VP compared to a R33....they were miles behind. Finally there coming up to scratch with the rest of the world, an good on em. I dont particularly want one, when I need a family car, i'll look into one.

[Wink]

VE pricing:

[Rezz]

I dont see why people still try to put down pushrod engines, they obviously have prooved the tests of time, hell even Nascar use Pushrod engines and they put out 770hp (575kw) and thats Naturally Aspirated. Plus the pushrod engine is lighter than a twin cam.

I don't see why people assume things without reading posts properly.

If you'd understood my point (by reading my entire post in context), you'd see that IMO a 6.0L V8 is the wrong engine at the wrong time for Holden. I don't care how much torque it makes at 0.0005rpm. So too if the V6 is even remotely unreliable or not as economical as other cars in it's class, and fuel prices continue to rise, then Holden has big problems with the VE.

Why isn't the Nissan Fuga or Toyota Mark X offered for sale in Australia?

[dangerous_daveo]

No idea about the Nissan, but the Toyota they thought the avalon was a better car for the aussie market. So Holden aint that bad...

Anyway, pricing seems pretty good.

[siddr20]

So how do these 260kw ss preform?

Anyone got any stats?? as in 0-100 times, 1/4 mile times?? etc etc

[INASNT]

Not a fan of the avalon. Drove one for 3 weeks in tassie for work and didnt think much of it. The interior design was so 1980's and it exterior just looks like a barge ass

[kralster]

I can't believe that in this day and age they are still offering air conditioning as an extra on the base model.

Whats up with that?

12,000 korean cars come standard with air con but a 34 grand new holden doesn't.

[Rezz]

No idea about the Nissan, but the Toyota they thought the avalon was a better car for the aussie market. So Holden aint that bad...

Anyway, pricing seems pretty good.

Yeah, that and the 'No imported RWD cars to compete in Falcodores price bracket' rule of 1978 lol

[The_Paladin]

the sooner GM and Ford declare bankrupcy the better the motoring world will be.

they are dinosaurs and they will die like them. Natural selection will kill holden and ford.

think about it, fuel economy is driving car sales......people dont want big cars as much as they use too........the big aussie family who have 3 kids, are fat and like to tow things dont buy commodores or falcons like they use too, they buy Landcruisers or Patrols. 4WD's are the new family car. no one else wants to drive one. it's a waste of fuel and space for a commuter who would normally aim for something like a Corolla etc.

while Japan is pumping huge money into developing hybrids and efficiancy, Europe is developing groundbreaking disel tech, like BMW's performance disels, this tech will eventually flow down the price range. Peurgot is developing a disel/hybrid which runs a desil and electric motor. relly innovative and exciting stuff........

What the hell does Holden bring out? hmmm....a bigger V8, another RWD 6cyc 4spd. same shite different wrapping no more reliable than the last thing they brought out. another thing that no one wants. Holden is denying the reality of the world we live in and for that it will fail. The VE is another step down this road. an LPG version is a fantastic idea.

Edited July 19, 2006 by The_Paladin

[Dingo]

^^GM and ford have produced some quality vehicles in their time though ie- Corvette, Ford GT40 etc And all the classics before them so come on be reasonable. The funny thing about this thread bashing the fuel guzzlers etc etc is that you all drive performance based cars, which use equal amounts of fuel and gets similar km's to that of the 6.0Litre Holdens. Throwing stones in glass houses.

[The_Paladin]

when was the last time you saw a GT40 drive down the street or stitting in a dealership? or even a corvette for that matter?

I'd say a big difference between a GTR and a 6.0L Commo is that the GTR dosent have illusions about being a family car. It knows what it is, it is a purpose built vehicle and it does it's purpose. what's the idea of a V8 Berlina? to hurl the wife and kids around the track at top speed and comfort? Family sedan 'sports' cars are a BS idea, they are hugely overpowered.

i would have thought that a GTR would have better economy anyway.

Edited July 19, 2006 by The_Paladin

[Cubes]

^^GM and ford have produced some quality vehicles in their time though ie- Corvette, Ford GT40 etc And all the classics before them so come on be reasonable. The funny thing about this thread bashing the fuel guzzlers etc etc is that you all drive performance based cars, which use equal amounts of fuel and gets similar km's to that of the 6.0Litre Holdens. Throwing stones in glass houses.

hardly... I return 10.5-11L per 100km's.

Pretty damn good from an RB30DET.

Stick the boot in yes it will suck quite a bit of fuel. The point is I can cruise around and return excellent fuel economy.

My previous VS v8 5speed would suck the juice no matter what.

It would average around 15l/100km's, BIG difference from the little R32.

[AdamsR33]

I had a clubsport, 5.7l 285kw version, i got a 10l/100km on a trip to brissy and back, now you can't say that ain't good fuel economy. i get roughly the same in my r33 but i don't have the room or the power of the clubsport, and i'd be f**ked if i'd trust my r33 to tow a boat as easy as a falcon or a commodore. horses for courses, i'm married and have kids, and we travel for our holidays, but try and do that in a skyline comfortably, don't think so. A skyline is a performance car yes we know that and the commodore is a family car, but what about the people (including me) who want both?? As for the family car being a landcruiser and what not, they drink a hell of alot more then any commodore or falcon, not to mention costs to service and maintain them and even the initial outlay is more.

As for the euros going towards diesel yes its a good idea, but they also get a tax benefit for having a diesel powered car. Ford and Holden do need to catch up to the rest of the world in car technology but they have started and they will get there. Don't forget cars coming out of the manufacturers today have been designed four to six years ago.

The commodore of today is one of the best designed and built car in Australia, yeah we know its not the best in the world but atleast ford and holden are improving with every model they come out with in quality and design.

[dangerous_daveo]

Thing is, how much is a BMW desiel car over here compaired to EU... I think a lot of you really dont get this hey.

BTW, ford aint too bad. They have their EU division which are pumping out some nice cars. Also think if ford and GM go down, who goes down with them. 100 000s of jobs, potentially whole economys, volvo, subaru, mazda, proton/lotus to name a few. For anyone to say 'I wish they would go broke' is very narrow minded. They build cars for a price, just like hyundia etc do.

[The_Paladin]

the subsudaries would be bought up, like subaru/volvo/mazda etc. or they'd buy themselves out for independance.

[kralster]

I've been though this a thousand times GTR's are NOT purpose built.

They are based of a 4 door family car platform.

The new GTR will be the first and only purpose built GTR. Having it's own unique 2 door chassis, and powertrain.

Skylines are performance cars in the same vain as a SS is a performance car. They are both based of high volume selling family cars that have been modded to make them more sporty.

If you want a true pure nissan sports car in australia you are limited to a 200SX (Silvia) or a 350Z.

[Modena]

I've been though this a thousand times GTR's are NOT purpose built.

They are based of a 4 door family car platform.

The new GTR will be the first and only purpose built GTR. Having it's own unique 2 door chassis, and powertrain.

Skylines are performance cars in the same vain as a SS is a performance car. They are both based of high volume selling family cars that have been modded to make them more sporty.

If you want a true pure nissan sports car in australia you are limited to a 200SX (Silvia) or a 350Z.

Exactly! Awesome post!

Get over it people. Hating on other cars is pathetic, it makes you all look small and threatened.

Realise the good in both and chill.

[INASNT]

Yes well said, people need to get over the fact that the GTR is NOT the greatest car ever made!!