The "ve" Thread

[XR8-260]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

ok, i saw 15.3 listed for the SSv somewhere when i was flicking through, must have been another mag.

the SV6 would do about that

[kinksta]

Pretty sure Pickett is a ford fan, he crashed his bloody beautiful black GT last year!!!

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by kinksta

Pretty sure Pickett is a ford fan, he crashed his bloody beautiful black GT last year!!!

It was a BA XR8, and he was ****ed. Dumbass wrote it off good and proper.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by McobraR

Mooney stated in Wheels magazine that they are definitely working on DI. and that the introduction of the DI V6 is a little more than 12 months away. If the VEII is released late 2007, it probably wont have DI, but if its released in 2008, then i reckon it definitely will. Considering the VE drinks abit more than the falc already, i reckon they're desperate to lower its fuel consumption. As for the cost of the project, i agree that holden has already cut costs with the car, but since they're good at exporting, im sure they'l make some money in no time.

Ford had a prototype twin cam engine in testing for the EA too, but that didn't make it into production. They would have investigated it and maybe even started playing with DI, but 12 months away is just wishful thinking. 2-3 years I'd say. Adding a 5 speed auto and DI would push the price up by close to 2 grand, impossible to do in this climate. They would probably fit the 5 speed across the 6 cylinder range for VE II with DI possible available on the next model after that on the Calais V, Statesman and Caprice.

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

Byron Pickett plays for the Melbourne Demons AFL club by the way.

Byron Pickett debuted in 1997 for North Melbourne, but shone in 1998 by winning the then Norwich Rising Star Award with a perfect score (all panelists gave him top votes). He was a member of the unsuccessful Grand Final Team that year.
He played in the 1999 Kangaroos premiership over Carlton and controlled Matthew Lappin after half time (Pickett played a great game).

At the end of 2001 he left the Kangaroos to go Port Adelaide, where he played in the 2004 Premiership and collected the Norm Smith Medal (although I think Peter Burgoyne deserved it).

In 2005, he lost focus on football and had a disagreement with Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams, causing Pickett to depart from Port, where he was recruited by Melbourne where in 2006 he displayed his best form in 2 years.

That's off the top of my head.

[Full Spectrum]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Dead wrong, the Aboriginals that actually have a car are quite picky, the royalty rich one's always buy fords before holdens. In fact even the poor ones go ford first, reliability for these people is everthing. Drive a commodore over dirt roads for a few months, then you wont need to scratch your head anymore.

Who the hell is Byron Pickett??

Drive a commodore onto a work sight for 10 years and tow 1000kg+ and if it falls apart which it hasn't come tell me how a dirt road is bad. Because you do know all the car makers drive them on dirt roads.

Bryon would have family living with you ask around.

Originally Posted by 4Vman

What a rediculous and offensive comment.....

You don't have a clue so shut up.

Originally Posted by Bud Bud

I saw that bush mechanic show (the one that shows the genius and tremendous ingenuity of the outback Aborigines mechanical abilities) a couple of years ago and they reversed a VB Commy backwards at 30 to 40 k/ph for 200 k’s after blowing up the trannie when they hit a rock. It kept going for ages until the tranny let go altogether because it over heated. Incredibly the engine was still running after revving its guts out without sufficient cooling.

My brother seen every episode of it and keeped telling me to watch it. I just so happen to see that very episode also. Didn't they use the window washer motor as a fuel pump also. Them old engine might not have much power or class but they are all strength in long distance.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by SlickHolden

Drive a commodore onto a work sight for 10 years and tow 1000kg+ and if it falls apart which it hasn't come tell me how a dirt road is bad. Because you do know all the car makers drive them on dirt roads.

Bryon would have family living with you ask around.

You don't have a clue so shut up.

My brother seen every episode of it and keeped telling me to watch it. I just so happen to see that very episode also. Didn't they use the window washer motor as a fuel pump also. Them old engine might not have much power or class but they are all strength in long distance.

Hey there slickholden, you are missing my point. Driving a car into a building site at walking pace, weather you are towing 1000kg or not does not compare to driving a car acrosss the plenty highway or the sandover highway, or across the tanami. (get a map) This is the kind of hard road tests I was talking about. You dont want to hear it, but it is a fact that cant be debated, the same year holdens fall apart long before the falcons. Maybe all manafacturers do drive their vehicles on dirt roads. To what extent I dont know. But I am sure that they are not tested like our bush mechanics test them.

And as far as Byron Picket goes, believe it or not I dont know everyone that hails from this town. And who care's if he owns a couple of 1990's commies.

And you will find that the show "the bush mechanics" was scripted. The holden was used because they would not sacrifice one of their fords. And if you dont know, at the end of the show they went a bought a new (used) ford station wagon.

And your comment about the Aboriginals and their ability to own a car was insulting, unintentional, but an insult all the same.

Cheers.

[Joes_meat]

Those old VB's aren't that reliable...

Prone to stripping timing gears (nylon), blowing and warping pistons (I did two, very poor quality metal), and the varajet carbies (they're French!) are pretty poor too.

That's the 4 and 6-pots though. I'm not hugely knowledgeable on the old 8's.

[Full Spectrum]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Hey there slickholden, you are missing my point. Driving a car into a building site at walking pace, weather you are towing 1000kg or not does not compare to driving a car acrosss the plenty highway or the sandover highway, or across the tanami. (get a map) This is the kind of hard road tests I was talking about. You dont want to hear it, but it is a fact that cant be debated, the same year holdens fall apart long before the falcons. Maybe all manafacturers do drive their vehicles on dirt roads. To what extent I dont know. But I am sure that they are not tested like our bush mechanics test them.

And as far as Byron Picket goes, believe it or not I dont know everyone that hails from this town. And who care's if he owns a couple of 1990's commies.

And you will find that the show "the bush mechanics" was scripted. The holden was used because they would not sacrifice one of their fords. And if you dont know, at the end of the show they went a bought a new (used) ford station wagon.

And your comment about the Aboriginals and their ability to own a car was insulting, unintentional, but an insult all the same.

Cheers.

So do you think a car siting on a building site for 13 hours of the day with wood bricks bags of cement in it dust storms the works truck spitting crap all everywhere wont hurt a car? Your talking driving over some crap roads I'm talking about a car doing a truck or Utes job. I know a bricklayer that used a sedan for years he towed with it he used it to store all his equipment and anything a bricklayer would use. Have you ever seen a bricklayers or painters car when they use a sedan or waggon? They are terrible They got dust and crap in parts and places that you would never believe but they still go day after day.

You don't care about Bryon Pickett because it might contradict your earlier comments?

I think you complete got it wrong with what i said about aboriginal people owning cars, You say there picky i say they dont give a rats as long as they got a car, Unlike many they really don't car to much about trends and what others think, They are not controlled by media as we are.

Originally Posted by Joes_meat

Those old VB's aren't that reliable...

Prone to stripping timing gears (nylon), blowing and warping pistons (I did two, very poor quality metal), and the varajet carbies (they're French!) are pretty poor too.

That's the 4 and 6-pots though. I'm not hugely knowledgeable on the old 8's.

Well we only just sent our VB to the big cars guy in the sky, And the most i spent on it was $850.
Changed 2 gaskets on the manifold, 1 carby, 4 shocks, 1 head, Panhard rod, 8 tyres. That was in 14 years. And i swear on my fathers grave this car never once left us stuck anywhere never once it was the most reliable car we ever have had it just ran and ran. Even when it done the head ran on 4 cylinder till we changed it. Be lucky to have spent $2000 on it.
When anyone in the family broke down we always got called to help out, My brother wouldn't tow my sisters VL in his EF so we had too tow it.
My VP double that and it's left me on the side of the road 3 times already ran out of petrol because it doesn't run out like a normal car in the red it's in the white. Very hard to pick it. So to be safe run as low as just under a 1/4.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by SlickHolden

So do you think a car siting on a building site for 13 hours of the day with wood bricks bags of cement in it dust storms the works truck spitting crap all everywhere wont hurt a car? Your talking driving over some crap roads I'm talking about a car doing a truck or Utes job. I know a bricklayer that used a sedan for years he towed with it he used it to store all his equipment and anything a bricklayer would use. Have you ever seen a bricklayers or painters car when they use a sedan or waggon? They are terrible They got dust and crap in parts and places that you would never believe but they still go day after day.

You don't care about Bryon Pickett because it might contradict your earlier comments?

I think you complete got it wrong with what i said about aboriginal people owning cars, You say there picky i say they dont give a rats as long as they got a car, Unlike many they really don't car to much about trends and what others think, They are not controlled by media as we are.

Well we only just sent our VB to the big cars guy in the sky, And the most i spent on it was $850.
Changed 2 gaskets on the manifold, 1 carby, 4 shocks, 1 head, Panhard rod, 8 tyres. That was in 14 years. And i swear on my fathers grave this car never once left us stuck anywhere never once it was the most reliable car we ever have had it just ran and ran. Even when it done the head ran on 4 cylinder till we changed it. Be lucky to have spent $2000 on it.
When anyone in the family broke down we always got called to help out, My brother wouldn't tow my sisters VL in his EF so we had too tow it.
My VP double that and it's left me on the side of the road 3 times already ran out of petrol because it doesn't run out like a normal car in the red it's in the white. Very hard to pick it. So to be safe run as low as just under a 1/4.

Ya just dont/wont get it do ya......

[Falcon Freak]

Early VE sales feedback

Another response

Third link

FF

[uranium_death]

How about we end the nibbling?

It's getting nowhere.

[blackahcdx]

Originally Posted by Falcon Freak

Early VE sales feedback

Another response

Third link

FF

all those are are assumptions.

Anyone that takes that as gospel is just an ***

[Fordoldie]

Originally Posted by blackahcdx

all those are are assumptions.

Anyone that takes that as gospel is just an ***

Numbers in NZ are really taking off.

I cannot belive the difference between an Omega and it's forbears. Absolutely no comparison whatsoever, chalk & cheese.
It is smooth, ample power and the 4 spd behaves very well indeed. Most impressed. I just spent the weekend driving over 800kms in a BA Futura and it made the Omega seem light years ahead

[colossus]

Originally Posted by Fordoldie

It is smooth, ample power and the 4 spd behaves very well indeed. Most impressed. I just spent the weekend driving over 800kms in a BA Futura and it made the Omega seem light years ahead

Really I found the oppositte - Omega was gutless - less torque, more weight than the 6 cyl Falcon, and the 4 speed is from the dark ages, but each to their own. The Falcon is still ahead in the sixes to me. The V8's is a different story.

[Fordoldie]

Originally Posted by colossus

Really I found the oppositte - Omega was gutless - less torque, more weight than the 6 cyl Falcon, and the 4 speed is from the dark ages, but each to their own. The Falcon is still ahead in the sixes to me. The V8's is a different story.

I wasn't saying who was ahead. The 4 spd works perfect for what it is intended. I also thought the same of the BA I drove.
Omega is not gutless unless you compare it to an XR6t. What were you comparing to?
For a base model I think it shapes up among the best on the market in it's class.. Fleet buyers here are unindated with staff requesting Omega over other brands.
Economy we were getting av 12.4 around town in traffic and 8.4 open road
When you drove it you could tell it was heavier? and less torque? F...k I wish my 30 years in the trade could have taught me that because it feels lighter and better balanced than a BF. Torque maybe just but I tried hard to critisize it and came up short and I've tested many many cars over the years. Credit where credit is due

[colossus]

Originally Posted by Fordoldie

I wasn't saying who was ahead.

Really?

Originally Posted by Fordoldie

I just spent the weekend driving over 800kms in a BA Futura and it made the Omega seem light years ahead

I was comparing it to a XT - to me it feels gutless, the alloytech is rough and tourqueless compared to the XT. This is just my opinion, if you feel differently then fair enough.

[Fordoldie]

Originally Posted by colossus

Really?
I was comparing it to a XT - to me it feels gutless, the alloytech is rough and tourqueless compared to the XT. This is just my opinion, if you feel differently then fair enough.

Yes really. I was comparing it to its "forebears", models gone before it.

Also I dont think, I KNOW it is not a "gutless" car. Just drove it again with some senior managers looking to decide on company car choice for majority of staff through 2007. They all agree as I do that it is a different car and in no way even ressembles a Holden. Or Holden we may know.
The engine isnt rough other than the V6 growl from the exhaust. Any unbiased person would agree as these guys dont give a hoot what the badge is they just want the nicest car for the money. Those that want XT will get it but not many choosing because it lacks the goodies of Omega

[4Vman]

Fleets choose vehicles based on purchase price, ongoing operating costs and retained value... every fleet ive ever been associated with chose from the Commodore or Falcon purely on cost of purchase, on going maintance costs and payout figure... the fleet managers are like accountants, they're more interested in the bottom line, they couldn't give a hoot which one drove nicer....

[Boss 260 Ute]

I only just found this thread - LOL
I don't mind the look of it. But the flared guards, I hate! Overall not a bad car for $1bil !NOT! It's not much for $1bil.

[Fordoldie]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Fleets choose vehicles based on purchase price, ongoing operating costs and retained value... every fleet ive ever been associated with chose from the Commodore or Falcon purely on cost of purchase, on going maintance costs and payout figure... the fleet managers are like accountants, they're more interested in the bottom line, they couldn't give a hoot which one drove nicer....

Yes exactly, and if the staff are then given a choice of 2 or 3 models to choose from they chose the one they like best.
In the case of the managers I referred to earlier their Parent Co in Australia told them they SHOULD choose the Holden, and they were all rather negative towards it as a result but all changed their minds after driving it, including me.
Lease company residuals started out conservative for Omega but are now looking rather favourable given the poor residual of the old model

[NC 5ltr]

Saw a few VE's today(2 omegas and a ss/sv6)and i must say they dont look good on the road.They looked as if they had put under a big press and squished with those huge flares and big bumpers...not to mention the air ducts on the front looked out of proportion to the bumper...definatly not my cup ot tea.

[FPV8U]

Don't know about you guys but in my area i have seen quite a few VE's mostly fleet, a few SV6's and SS.

Did see an SS-V today, Red, 20's, the Stripes, evan optioned up it didn't look tough to me like a XR8, GT or a VX Clubsport (They were/are nice)

[blackahcdx]

Originally Posted by colossus

Really?



I was comparing it to a XT - to me it feels gutless, the alloytech is rough and tourqueless compared to the XT. This is just my opinion, if you feel differently then fair enough.

The alloytec engine is not rough.

Not many ppl on here know the difference between roughness and noisiness.

The alloytec is simply noisey, not rough. Got to the Ecotec if you want rough.

The improvements Holden made to the Alloytec for VE are good, it actually sounds ok now, but i still think it could sound a hell of a lot better.

[Full Spectrum]

No ecotec wasnt a ruff engine, I'll go as far to say mine the Buick version was is a ruffer running engine, Idle isn't flash they drive fine but are louder and not as smooth low down in the revs, The Series 1 VN was the worst of them all, But the ecotec is pretty smooth compared to them. The alloytech i think is a great engine and I'm looking forward to getting the Calais soon I'll let everyone know.

Seen a pimped out VE SV6 yesterday 20" chrome wheels lowered igniton colour looked pimp, I'll see if i can get a chance to snap some pics of it.

[alstar5]

Has anyone else noticed the VE Commodore's exterior looks really similar to that of the BA/BF. Mainly lights.

Perhaps it's just me, but has anyone else noticed?

[bob^]

It is pointed out a number of times in the VE thread...

[alstar5]

Just saw it. Apologies. Can someone please delete this thread.

[blackahcdx]

the lights are similar, but that is all.

Park the two next to each other than the VE dates the BF immediatley

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by blackahcdx

the lights are similar, but that is all.

Park the two next to each other than the VE dates the BF immediatley

..and the Aurion dates the VE....can't believe I said that!