Talk me out of buying a Commodore.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by VippiN

Again, thanks for all the replies.



First things first though. For a 20k car, I don't mind travelling interstate and driving home for the right car and the right price.

A quick view of the trading post reveals this:





That's a fair bit cheaper than $27,999.

On the flip side..







Now i'm not saying these are the best examples. or the lowest kays, but there are prices like these out there. I've actually looked at the Calais above and it's pretty tidy, I couldn't fault the exterior. (No I didn't test drive it.) Just a update that things aren't as expensive as they seem..

Fair enough mate, you never mentioned looking interstate at all so i was working on local prices.
The first BA has a s... load of K's so i'm not surprised at it's price, low K standard XR's are getting that money here, i would say it's rough.
The second one is obviously a private sale and by the "reluctant sale' comment i'd say it is a forced quick sale of some sorts.
The third and forth cars are VT's, ones got a too many k's the other seems a bit rich but has been optioned so heavily he thinks it's worth more which we all know isn't the case.
The last one, the Calais ,is a nice car, i would seriously consider it.
I used to work for these guys (Nathan and Nathan) and they sell good quality cars, i considered buying a 98 NL Fairlane V8 from them 2 mths ago.
The only reason i didn't get it was due to my wife preferring the VT.

I have owned a N/A BA and i must admit it was a lemon, it was always in the dealers for brake drag woes, was heavy on fuel.
The missus prefers the Commodore hands down

[jdg]

You know an integra type r from at least 5 years beofore the VX SS would be almost as quick, have better handling and be better built.

[MightyXR6Turbo]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I too live in SA champ, northern suburbs just like Vippin.
I have done my homework and the cheapest i could find a XR6T was a 03 BA with 90 oddK's and for the sum of $27,999.
As comparison a VX SS can be bought with around 120K for about $20K, The BA being newer so obviously would have less k's if looking at the averages.
It's also possible to get the Calais for around $18-20K with Gen3, which would be my choice, it also comes with an AUTO!.
My comments about the manual were in reply to some saying the Holden Auto was it's down fall. I was simply saying that if the auto was so bad he could easily make a CALAIS with Auto into a Calais with manual for the money a XR6T would cost.
Oh and your right with the last part of your post it was the rice inspired XR6T that put an end to the good ole days of displacement leading the way, much like the Skylines at Bathurst, just ask Jim Richards!

I'm also in the Northern Suburbs as well mate. And prices on XR6T's vary as do the VX SS's. But I can tell you now, I did not pay that much for my XR6T when I got it 18months ago, it was an 03 auto, with leather interior and premo sound as well, about the same kms too. And my brother also bought one for less than that price and it was an 02, same kms as that one, with premium sound and optional 18s. So none were pov box XR6Ts, both had some fruit and they weren't terrible colours either (Mine is Blueprint, and my bros was Phantom).

I'm aware the Calais is auto only. I would also go the Calais over a SS, SS's are over priced. And even if he did convert the Calais to a manual, it wouldn't be any quicker than an XR6T stock anyway, so I don't see the point.

As for your rice comment, that is so misguided that you deserve to go back to carbies and HQ's. If a turbo = rice then you are sadly mistaken. I know of plenty of Commo's that have forced induction, and I know a bloke with a ripsnorter of a twin turbo job on his Gen III, and there is no way in hell I'd call that rice.

[dallasv8]

Originally Posted by jdg

You know an integra type r from at least 5 years beofore the VX SS would be almost as quick, have better handling and be better built.

a friend in Mt Isa that had one of the last model integra type r and although it went hard and handled well ,it was not a good car at all.(well, not for $50g)
out of the first year he had it,the majority was in getting warranty jobs.from memory there were 3 gearboxes,2 computers,2 drivers seats and im not 100% sure but i think it had 2 diffs as well.

he did give it a hiding,theres no doubt about that,it just was not a reliable machine when it came to pushing it.

[apolloxbgt]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

would give the high km xr6t one a miss, aswell as the modified vt asking 17.5

Infact i would give the VT ss a miss altogether. I would look for something as stock as possible if you could find it.

The high k xr6 still has extended warrenty, why give it a miss?

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by MightyXR6Turbo

I'm also in the Northern Suburbs as well mate. And prices on XR6T's vary as do the VX SS's. But I can tell you now, I did not pay that much for my XR6T when I got it 18months ago, it was an 03 auto, with leather interior and premo sound as well, about the same kms too. And my brother also bought one for less than that price and it was an 02, same kms as that one, with premium sound and optional 18s. So none were pov box XR6Ts, both had some fruit and they weren't terrible colours either (Mine is Blueprint, and my bros was Phantom).

I'm aware the Calais is auto only. I would also go the Calais over a SS, SS's are over priced. And even if he did convert the Calais to a manual, it wouldn't be any quicker than an XR6T stock anyway, so I don't see the point.

As for your rice comment, that is so misguided that you deserve to go back to carbies and HQ's. If a turbo = rice then you are sadly mistaken. I know of plenty of Commo's that have forced induction, and I know a bloke with a ripsnorter of a twin turbo job on his Gen III, and there is no way in hell I'd call that rice.

So tell us where can you get a 03 BA XR6T at the beginning of 06 for less than they are getting now.
Even the OP had to look interstate to find them that cheap, dont you think if he could find examples in this state that cheap he would have used them for comparison?
Is it possible you got it from an Auction?

[XRLightening]

Originally Posted by VippiN

Why SHOULDN'T I buy a VX GenIII SS Commodore?

Please, talk me out of it. Right now I don't see a better altenative in that price range.

5.7L Gen III LS1 V8 - 225kW @ 5200 RPM

You'll make the decision you want after hearing a lot of different opinions.

My 2 cents worth is.......

I had a drive of a BA GTP Auto and also had a drive of a VXII SS Manual (with cold air and full exhaust) both are friends cars. The SS felt so much faster than the GTP. The mate with the SS offered to sell it to me about 3 years ago for $21k I should have got that instead of the BA XR6 Ute I ended up with.

VXII SS is a nice car andif thats what you want, go for it.........

[red_hotxr6]

Actually seeing as you have even considered buying one of those things why dont you go on 1 of the Holden sites and ask their opinion, you might find your answer there.

[TURBOTAXI]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

would give the high km xr6t one a miss, aswell as the modified vt asking 17.5

Infact i would give the VT ss a miss altogether. I would look for something as stock as possible if you could find it.

My 7/2005 XR6T has 106,500 k's it will still be going strong at 145,000k's I dont think 145,000 k's is all that high, my guess on average is that 145,000k's is about half the service life of the orignal driveline. Plenty of AU's reached 300,000 on original front ends and mechanicals, assuming the BA is better engineered it should last at least as long.

Naturally that service life will decrease if he car has been edited, boosted, flogged, poorly maintained etc....

My thoughts.

[MightyXR6Turbo]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

So tell us where can you get a 03 BA XR6T at the beginning of 06 for less than they are getting now.
Even the OP had to look interstate to find them that cheap, dont you think if he could find examples in this state that cheap he would have used them for comparison?
Is it possible you got it from an Auction?

Easy. Not every car for sale is on the net. I got it from Rebel Ford.

[TURBOTAXI]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

So tell us where can you get a 03 BA XR6T at the beginning of 06 for less than they are getting now.
Even the OP had to look interstate to find them that cheap, dont you think if he could find examples in this state that cheap he would have used them for comparison?
Is it possible you got it from an Auction?

My 07/2005 BA MKII XR6T cost $20,750 at auction in December 2006.

It was an ex HWP with 79,xxx k's.

After a stack of warranty work (stuff only an owner would pursue) and injected LPG conversion she is a great and very cheap drive.

If it saved me $7k I would be driving intersate. Or get a dealer to do the legwork and negotiate a premium ($2k?) for them to have the car ready for your pick up at the dealership? either way you are at least $5k better off.

[Blue Oval Mopar Man]

Originally Posted by VippiN

Please, talk me out of it. Right now I don't see a better altenative in that price range.

Buy it, I dont think we should be telling you what to buy ! you know what you want .Go do it !

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

horses for courses i guess - will he modify the car though? Whats his needs? Does he want speed or just a cruiser? Does he like to look at a red/yellow/silver dash fascia or prefer black? Does he even like the AU shape? too many variables, hence why opinions are like a-holes.

Colorful dash fascias! You just summed up the VX SS! Afraid of the AU shape! You just summed up most SS owners! Let the flameage begin! You keep making this argument about the SS's bling and the 'uglyness of the AU! Theres so much more to the AU than its styling, I didnt appreciate this until I gave them a go, and now Im a convert.

Originally Posted by SSBUB

yes but the T is more expensive - well they hold there value better here in WA, dont know about the eastern states. If you can get into an xr6T then by all means, but if your looking at AU pricing, forget em and get an SS. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but cmon, the AU is a shocker....there, i said, flame suit on.

AU pricing? I got my AU2 for 13k, with 110kms the equivalent VX SS is at least 3 grand more (with way more Ks) AND a colorful dash!

The AU is not a f&*^%ing shocker! Get over it!

Originally Posted by VippiN

Loving all these posts guys. Really giving me something to think about. Nothing like a good debate!

will he modify the car though? Engine bay wise yes, to an extent. Nothing crazy.
Whats his needs? Daily and looks good and holds its own.
Does he want speed or just a cruiser? More so a cruiser that can show the power if I feel the need.
Does he like to look at a red/yellow/silver dash fascia or prefer black? I like colours.
Does he even like the AU shape? It's not horribad but it doesn't arouse me either.

As a daily that holds its own, is a nice cruiser and has a bit of poke for fun, you cant go past an AU XR8. If he needs similar poke to an SS he can go the AU3!

BA XRs have all sorts of colorful bits on the inside, but the steering is too similar to the Commodores, and the cars feel heavy, thats why I went an AU. EVEN THOUGH I didnt love the styling behind the nose cone. Once I got her home, I realized how nice looking the AUs are. Regardless, I picked it because of the way it drove!

[TruBlu351]

That bloooody annoying Holden ring alarm when you sit in the seat, ignition on and no seatbelt plugged in. How stooopid. That's why I wouldn't buy one ;)

[dallasv8]

i would buy an AU VCTxr6 definitely.i bought one when they were released and it was a really good car that driving between Mt Isa and Townsville would get at least 850km to the tank sitting on 110.driving around town i would get around 550km to a tank

the only problem it had in the 50 000km that i put on it was in rainy weather the front electric windows slowed down.apart from that, it was excellent.

[burnz]

what is there to talk about vxII is the go, vxI look ferther
as opposed to the laser they both vx/au will not do what a little laser will
do around corners IE body roll, but the grunt of both vx/au will put a smile on your face.
the vxII does have fully adjustable rear (toe in/out camber pos/neg ) great for track work.
the ss should have FEII suspention.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

BUY ONE!


2) They ARE NOT the new vn 5 lita as some homie put it.

You are correct, they are the new VLT here where i live there is that many VT/X SS's around here bogons driving them because they are gettin real cheap and are pretty good BFYB and easy to extract power from, that said there are some real nice examples around to. Pity that they all sound like crap, my mate has an SS ute and its the only GenIII that ive heard with a decent note. But if he does buy one get a camber kit installed in the rear and check the engine history as has already been pointed out. IMHO id prefer a fully optioned AU S3 XR8 ie premo sound, leather premo brakes and full kit.

[jdg]

Seen a BA XR6t at the auctions sell for less than 20k...not looking hard enough mate!

If you had to compare BA to a VX then definately the BA. Buying a VX would be comparable to buying an AU.

[kim and james]

I had a vx ss for the missus and an au3 xr8 for me apart from the vx only making 5000k's between services and needing more oil it was not a bad chariot but the xr8 was infinitely better ride , handling, dynamics a much nicer car to drive. Some on here suggested xr6t. Stick with a Ford if you want a better ride get your vx ss if you want the "wow" factor for want of abetter word.
Good Luck either way!!

[SSBUB]

Originally Posted by The_Fantastic_Ford

Colorful dash fascias! You just summed up the VX SS! Afraid of the AU shape! You just summed up most SS owners! Let the flameage begin! You keep making this argument about the SS's bling and the 'uglyness of the AU! Theres so much more to the AU than its styling, I didnt appreciate this until I gave them a go, and now Im a convert.



AU pricing? I got my AU2 for 13k, with 110kms the equivalent VX SS is at least 3 grand more (with way more Ks) AND a colorful dash!

The AU is not a f&*^%ing shocker! Get over it!



As a daily that holds its own, is a nice cruiser and has a bit of poke for fun, you cant go past an AU XR8. If he needs similar poke to an SS he can go the AU3!

BA XRs have all sorts of colorful bits on the inside, but the steering is too similar to the Commodores, and the cars feel heavy, thats why I went an AU. EVEN THOUGH I didnt love the styling behind the nose cone. Once I got her home, I realized how nice looking the AUs are. Regardless, I picked it because of the way it drove!

I was just pointing out to the man that he might not like the so called bling. If he likes it plain, he could go AU. Coloured dash is hardly bling anyway and boy racer, lots of cars have white dash facias or coloured fascias etc. Its not a big deal.

Sorry mate, you cant convince me that the AU is better than the VX. Im not afraid of the AU shape as you say, its just a blood ugly car. You can convince me about BA/F arguments as being great cars, atleast on the eye, but the AU? Just never looked like a winner

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

I was just pointing out to the man that he might not like the so called bling. If he likes it plain, he could go AU. Coloured dash is hardly bling anyway and boy racer, lots of cars have white dash facias or coloured fascias etc. Its not a big deal.

Sorry mate, you cant convince me that the AU is better than the VX. Im not afraid of the AU shape as you say, its just a blood ugly car. You can convince me about BA/F arguments as being great cars, atleast on the eye, but the AU? Just never looked like a winner

I dont want to convivce you, youre already a lost cause its Vippin im trying enlighten. If the AU is ugly, the VX is just plain...plain.

Ha! So the BA-F, are only OK because theyre a little plain jane just like your VX? You really are a lost tourist...

Ah well, each to their own.

[SSBUB]

Originally Posted by The_Fantastic_Ford

I dont want to convivce you, youre already a lost cause its Vippin im trying enlighten. If the AU is ugly, the VX is just plain...plain.

Ha! So your VX isnt just better than the AU, but also the BA-F, and theyre only OK because theyre a little plain jane just like your VX? You really are a lost tourist...

Ah well, each to their own.

I never said the VX was better than the BA/BF. You must point that one out to me. I think the BA/F is much better than the VX. However that would be comparing a newer model to an older model.

If the VX SS is plain in your eyes i respect your opinion. I like the look of the SS variety, particularly black :

[LeadFoot81]

Yeah Ill pay that black is nice, in silver nice also. That mustard color tho...

[GT290]

Quick getting up there but it was slow around the 180 +. The GT would eat it up there.
220 cut out though.

Originally Posted by Grechie

i say get it, look at this things acceleration!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLF81...elated&search=

[VippiN]

I dunno about where you guys are, but I rarely see any bogan hoons in Gen3 SS's or Calais. If anything it's the standard VT/VX they put stockies on the rears and about, but the majority of Gen3 drivers are car enthusiasts and I don't think i've ever seen one thrash there car.

Personally I don't think the VX is plain looking at all. I love the curves before it went all square shaped with the VY.

Regarding the AU looks, i've always been a sucker for quad headlights on the XR series (I mean hey my TX3 has quads) but in all honesty I think they're it's saving grace for me.

About being slow at 180+, I don't think I have to worry about that as i've said previously it's a daily cruiser not a mallala machine.

The talk of body roll is an issue for me. Coming from the TX3 with whiteline everything it hardly moves when you slam it around a corner. Though I doubt i'll be doing any hills driving in such a large saloon in comparison to what I have now.

[SSBUB]

Originally Posted by The_Fantastic_Ford

Yeah Ill pay that black is nice, in silver nice also. That mustard color tho...

We agree on something! Yes hyper mica as it is called is one for pub debate as to wether its a look or not - not my cup of tea either though. However the interior they have with yellow and black trim comes up nice but the exterior paint is :

[apolloxbgt]

Originally Posted by VippiN

but the majority of Gen3 drivers are car enthusiasts and I don't think i've ever seen one thrash there car.

You musnt be looking very hard,I've seen plenty getting a flogging at the hands of enthusiast's".

[LeadFoot81]

Yeah in vic ive seen many an SS owner floggin the crap outta their car. Not saying they were all moronic hoons, but at the very least they were 'driving them the way they should be driven'

Vippin youre in for a shock when/if you upgrade to the SS/XR8, you can punt them hard, but youre little Laser is a whole lot more nimble than either saloon. My mrs Fez is great for maneouvarability. Splash out and get an XR4! woot woot! : nah I wont make the debate any more complicated.

[RavenLS1]

Originally Posted by red_hotxr6

Actually seeing as you have even considered buying one of those things why dont you go on 1 of the Holden sites and ask their opinion, you might find your answer there.

why dont you stay out of threads with your one eyed opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[red_hotxr6]

Originally Posted by RAVEN81

why dont you stay out of threads with your one eyed opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont know if you have looked lately but this is a FORD FORUM not HOLDEN, TOYOTA ETC but FORD and yes when it comes to FORDS i am very, very one eyed, if you want to talk up your HOLDENS etc please go to the APPROPRIATE forums.cheers :