Mate's 2012 Holden SS V Redline Ute

[Cabbage]

A mate of mine just bought a 2012 Holden SSV Redline Ute to replace his VS. Brought it around yesterday so I could have a look. He got it from Sutton's in Rockdale, sticker price was about $54K I think but he got it for $43 which included reversing camera, GPS, leather, whichever 18inch wheels he wanted, was the grey colour can't remember what its called, manual etc etc.

Was a nice looking ute, I love the one piece body more than the separate tray of the Fords. The wheels he got were polished which I think look out of place on new vehicles, would prefer the matt alloy style. Had a really cool soft tonneau cover which sealed on to the tray in a clip seal sort of way.

Now the reason for this post is, I reckon these utes offer awesome value and look great. I didn't get a chance to drive it but have driven other SS's so i would think the performance and handling would be just as good. What I didn't like was the pretty ordinary interior. Now I assume all redline utes get the red trim inserts which are pretty confronting against the greyish/dark interior. But the worst of it was parts of the dash were red and looked like they had been given a very ordinary vinyl spray job, something similar to what you could do in the backyard. How they think this looks good or even my mate thinks it looks good is beyond me. The interior is not too bad without this "redline" treatment, perhaps some red piping on the seats etc would have been better. It did have a pretty cool SS emblem on the tray wall between the seats.

I think they made a pretty darn good ute look ordinary with this interior. It may appeal to some and that s great, but generally I think it looked cheap and nasty.

On a side note he did get three years of free car washes which I thought was pretty decent. If it was mine I would change the wheels, get rid of the red inserts, lower it and exhaust and it would be perfect.

Cheers,

Clinton

[Mechan1k]

I'd rather 3 years of free fuel ... than 3 years of free car washes where someone else is going to rub masses of swirl marks into it and just make a complete mess of my paint work.

The new FGs use a clip-in style flat tonneau ... not loop/hooks anymore.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I'd rather 3 years of free fuel ... than 3 years of free car washes where someone else is going to rub masses of swirl marks into it and just make a complete mess of my paint work.

The new FGs use a clip-in style flat tonneau ... not loop/hooks anymore.

car wash probably means sprayed on wax, not a polish.

good that they've dropped the loop/hooks, because mine has the hard cover, but the holes were still drilled out, even though it didn't need them, so they filled the holes with plastic clips, which tend to fall out. (lost three in it's first year).

Originally Posted by blk6t

The Ford ute in the B series is my pick of the bunch

That's the only reason i haven't upgraded yet, the B looks tougher than the FG.

[Cabbage]

True, if you were really into cars you would probably wash it yourself. Probably better for the family truckster.

[Elks]

Nice write up Cabbage.

The GM grey is nice, as is the uni body style vs Fords separate tub. Although the Ford tub being removable does add flexibility. VE interiors are rubbish and always have been.

There is a limited edition XR6T at the moment for similar money with Leather, bidder alloys, Sports bar, Sat Nav etc. and it will dust a VE SS.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Elks

There is a limited edition XR6T at the moment for similar money with Leather, bidder alloys, Sports bar, Sat Nav etc. and it will dust a VE SS.

............but it's not a V8. And for that reason, if I were in the position to buy another V8 ute at the moment, I'd be off to pick up a VE.

[Jock260]

Originally Posted by b2tf

............but it's not a V8. And for that reason, if I were in the position to buy another V8 ute at the moment, I'd be off to pick up a VE.

+1 here.

I'm sure the XRT would be faster, smoother blah blah blah. But a 6 litre V8 with a decent interior, great looks and a tough as nails 6 speed box would get me every day of the week. And they are fantastic value for money.

However, bring back the XR8 in maybe N/A Coyote guise and problem solved.

[Nikked]

Too bad that one piece side requires replacement if damaged to severe in the right places...


and this means you also need a new roof, part of the front skirt dashboard out etc...

[BadMax]

[/LIST]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Too bad that one piece side requires replacement if damaged to severe in the right places...


and this means you also need a new roof, part of the front skirt dashboard out etc...

Keep going...complete interior out, complete rear suspension out and motor/trans out to complete the job.

[pottery beige]

holden or ford.. you buy a new car and youre happy who cares..

and wow how easy that crappy silver painted stuff inside FPVs marks up..

im still happy

[xisled]

The 2 main difference with any Ford and Holden I have found. The Fords feel front heavy and the Holdens feel like they are front light.

Because all I drive is mainly Ford getting into a Holden feels funny. But I think each has there own pros and cons.

[Cabbage]

The one piece body I like the look of purely from a cosmetic point of view. Appreciate that the two piece is far more practical and easy to repair, carry more load etc. The ford and holden utes are pretty good products. I've said this before, they should be in the states as the Ranchero and Elcamino. Americans have an affinity for this style of "truck", heaps of you tube videos of them being restored and being driven around the place.

[Bearman]

Gotta agree, the Holden is a great looking ute , SS in particular. The cab is a bit more roomy, I feel more closed in with the Falcon ute.

The XR6T would hose it for sure but if I were in that market I'd find the SS hard to go past.

[duaned]

Originally Posted by Cabbage

Was a nice looking ute, I love the one piece body more than the separate tray of the Fords.
Clinton

This (and the stupid rear wheel offset) is why I hate the Falcon ute. It's ugly and looks as if it's all a tack on. A Holden Ute body with Falcon Interior and Drive Train = WIN!

[blk6t]

I have a SSV ute, not the redline but it's my daily and I enjoy it.

I purchased the Holden ute back in 2010 over the Ford purely because I felt it was a better package, placing brand loyalty aside. Pricing was also a major win for the Holden ute, SSV twin hump hard cover all the tricks and treats for $42k.

But I do prefer the look of a VE SS ute over a Ford ute, especially when they sit lower and have the wheels to compliment. The Ford ute in the B series is my pick of the bunch but the FG just doesn't do it for me, I think it's the rear wheel arches.

[Cabbage]

I think the Fords have better wheels at the moment. The XR mag wheels look tops.

[XARATE]

This is what love about ford forums- die hard ford fans that can appreciate a nice car and its features reguardless of the brand.
Its a shame how many other people cannot enjoy or appreciate a car purely because its an opposition brand.

I myself can appreciate a nice car reguardles of the brand. I love the ba series to bits (owned two now) and think the VE series are a great car too look at and drive.

Ps I just bought a commodore ute lol

[IDT]

the VE Utes look pretty but the one piece is outshone when a custom tray, that is colour matched, is put on a FG. I have seen few getting around lately and think they are a much better option. The blind spots on the VE ute make it a farce to reverse, even when you turn to look out the back window, as well which is not a good thing for what is ultimately a commercial. So FG with a drop side tray would be my choice.

[Werd.]

Originally Posted by IDT

the VE Utes look pretty but the one piece is outshone when a custom tray, that is colour matched, is put on a FG. I have seen few getting around lately and think they are a much better option. The blind spots on the VE ute make it a farce to reverse, even when you turn to look out the back window, as well which is not a good thing for what is ultimately a commercial. So FG with a drop side tray would be my choice.

Drive a 90s hatch then hop into a Territory or late model falcon..

Around right hand corners in the Territory (old model) you might as well be blind folded, with the giant mirrors and the thick pillars lol.

[RASER]

Bit to early, should have waited till the VF comes out early 2013, that will be a BIG step up from the current VE and a larger 6.3 V8 to boot

Still no F150 though....