Take That holden!

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by smoo

A lack of homework and flawed way of thinking.

I have a work mate who has an older 2012 ish Hilux who refuses to buy a new one because it has a smaller engine. Obviously he is not alone in this neanderthal thinking.
The old 3.0 Hilux made slightly more power and torque than BMWs 2.0 four cylinder N47 diesel from around the year 2000 which was in the 1 & 3 Series. When that shape Hilux was launch BMWs 3.0 diesel was 160kw/500nm. Mercedes new OM642 3.0 V6 in 2005 was 165kw and 510nm.
Knuckle dragging die hard ute owners in Oz with their head too far up their **** to realise their highly inefficient Jap diesels are well behind the times.
I guess a similar perception was back in the early 1990s when the boat anchor 5.0 were pushing 165kw while Toyota and BMW dohc 4.0 V8s were 210kw.

Even now BMW 3.0 diesel range from 190kw/560nm all the way to 280kw/750nm, Mercedes 2.1 turbo diesel 150kw/500nm yet these mongs would rather stick to their archaic 'large capacity' diesel with performance and efficiency or lack of that belong in the 1990s.

If I were buying new and had the intention to hold onto it for a decade or so I'd be tempted to go smaller capacity as I wouldn't be surprised if the enviro push becomes stronger in the near future and taxes cars relative to their engine size, C02 output or claimed fuel use.

So Ford release a Ranger Raptor which resembles something like an urban stadium supertruck, apparently capable of high speed off-road tracks including getting airborne, but people are buying them to do the school and soccer drop offs, and buy the weekly groceries. Never seeing a speck of dirt on its chunky off road tyres.

And this is totally cool with everyone.

But question why it comes with 2.0 engine with the rubber band wound up to the max... and you’re a Neanderthal??

[Adamz Ghia]

While this didn’t help at the time, put an AU next to a VT and Avalon and only one of these cars has aged well.

[anobserver]

Originally Posted by vztrt

I'd say it got to a point they couldn't turn back. Funny enough if you look at the concept drawings it was actually a good looking car. The problem is from drawing to production parts it can turn into what it was.

Internal politics within large organisations is known for producing design shockers.

cough*****tl magna*****cough

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

While this didn’t help at the time, put an AU next to a VT and Avalon and only one of these cars has aged well.

At least the VT looks in place with the models before and the models after. It kept design flow. Part of the Commodore Family.

The AU Falcon looks like a family with 5 kids, but one of the kids looks like the postman.

[xeeclipse]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

At least the VT looks in place with the models before and the models after. It kept design flow. Part of the Commodore Family.

The AU Falcon looks like a family with 5 kids, but one of the kids looks like the postman.

Someone forgot to tell HOLDEN and it's loyal fans that FATHER TIME is the

JUGDE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by xeeclipse

Someone forgot to tell HOLDEN and it's loyal fans that FATHER TIME is the

JUGDE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER.

i drive around without a paper bag over my head??

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by xeeclipse

Someone forgot to tell HOLDEN and it's loyal fans that FATHER TIME is the

JUGDE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER.

Damn Judge Judy

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

At least the VT looks in place with the models before and the models after. It kept design flow. Part of the Commodore Family.

The AU Falcon looks like a family with 5 kids, but one of the kids looks like the postman.

Falcons have done that in the past too though;

XY > XA ; XC > XD ; XF > EA. All abrupt changes in design themes at each of these transitions as well. Why single out EL > AU ?




.

[xeeclipse]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

i drive around without a paper bag over my head??

Beats having to push the the pig....

-fuel pump
-cracked radiator
-fizzled engine wiring loom???
-water in valley
-oil pressure switch or crank sensor kaputt????
-coil pack has blown up
-engine pulley seizure
-crank pulley has torn through completely??

and the list goes on and on and on................

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Raptor

Falcons have done that in the past too though;

XY > XA ; XC > XD ; XF > EA. All abrupt changes in design themes at each of these transitions as well. Why single out EL > AU ?




.

Yes that’s a good point. I guess I singled out the AU because I’m old enough to only recall the release of the AU, being around 13 at the time and starting to take an interest in cars.

However, I doubt any of the models you mentioned received the same level of shock upon unveiling as the AU did.

I can see how Ford designed the models you mentioned, when people wanted sleek looking cars they got XA. When square and boxy was in, XD, when rounded edges and big plastic bumpers were in, EA. But what were people wanting for the AU?

I recall when the BA was first released and how damn sexy I thought it was too, so I bought one as soon as I could afford one.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Was it a Forte they unveiled for the first time? Or an XR or luxury model? (Which are slightly less hideous)

Not sure, might have been more than 1 car all shown at the one time.

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

So Ford release a Ranger Raptor which resembles something like an urban stadium supertruck, apparently capable of high speed off-road tracks including getting airborne, but people are buying them to do the school and soccer drop offs, and buy the weekly groceries. Never seeing a speck of dirt on its chunky off road tyres.

And this is totally cool with everyone.

But question why it comes with 2.0 engine with the rubber band wound up to the max... and you’re a Neanderthal??

Let it go dude. Of course the Raptor's are going to do city duties. Do you expect their owners who probably off road a couple of times a year to only ever drive it on dirt? No one is spending 100% ownership time on dirt. That's a silly assumption.

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

While this didn’t help at the time, put an AU next to a VT and Avalon and only one of these cars has aged well.

Only certain models though. The majority of AU's still look like hot garbage. The only models I would give a pass to are T series, AU II and III XR and Fairmont and Ghia factory optioned with bodykit and 17 inch Tickford wheels.

And Avalon was always an absolute POS.

[au2000]

I remember the newspaper showing a silver AU forte sedan showing off that grille, those silly wheel caps coming off the assembly line saying something along the lines of should ford be worried ?

I remember thinking yes, yes they should and saying I'd never own 1
Tbh the first time I actually liked a au was the series 2 Ghia I spotted in the dealership when I was looking for a BA fairmont, liked it enough that I brought it and still have it

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by xeeclipse

Beats having to push the the pig....

-fuel pump
-cracked radiator
-fizzled engine wiring loom???
-water in valley
-oil pressure switch or crank sensor kaputt????
-coil pack has blown up
-engine pulley seizure
-crank pulley has torn through completely??
-busted clockspring
-manky drivers seat bolster
-saggy roof lining
-clearcoat???... lol
-yellow headlights
-alteeza tail lights
-black rims and tyres of various branding and tread wear
-scratch on the back door
-single mum
-NO PAPER BAG!!!



and the list goes on and on and on................

Correct

[xeeclipse]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

Correct

Better quit while im not too far behind, this friendly fire and split personalities are doing my head in :P.

The drapey roof lining, manky drivers seat (au is also a bit more durable in this department) are things that afflict both cars.

TBH... if you look into the annals of australian motoring production and culture it's surprising at how much was acheived by so few.

Second hand tooling and inferior technology handed down from the U.S.A due to our lowly emission and ADR standards. An industry more renowned for adaption and refining than outright technical innovation.

The humble Ford 6 is probably the closest thing we ever had to calling our own. Whether a crossflow, 3.9, 4.0, intech or barra.......combustion icon.

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Not sure, might have been more than 1 car all shown at the one time.



Let it go dude. Of course the Raptor's are going to do city duties. Do you expect their owners who probably off road a couple of times a year to only ever drive it on dirt? No one is spending 100% ownership time on dirt. That's a silly assumption.



Only certain models though. The majority of AU's still look like hot garbage. The only models I would give a pass to are T series, AU II and III XR and Fairmont and Ghia factory optioned with bodykit and 17 inch Tickford wheels.

And Avalon was always an absolute POS.

I’m in the vast minority, which I’m fine with. I love the AU. The series 1 Forte is the weakest link style wise, but even that one, there’s one near my place, almost as clean as the day it was bought, an elderly bloke has owned it since new and while I wish he’d get some new wheels for it, the rest of the car to me looks great.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

So Ford release a Ranger Raptor which resembles something like an urban stadium supertruck, apparently capable of high speed off-road tracks including getting airborne, but people are buying them to do the school and soccer drop offs, and buy the weekly groceries. Never seeing a speck of dirt on its chunky off road tyres.

And this is totally cool with everyone.

But question why it comes with 2.0 engine with the rubber band wound up to the max... and you’re a Neanderthal??

No, I do think the Ranger Raptor should have come with something more substantial than a 2.0, like a petrol ecoboost or even a V8 (admittedly, I haven't driven one, but if its anything similar to the 3.2, and it reads like it is, then meh, underwhelming as far as something that resembles performance).

I'm thinking of the blokes who snub their noses at the smaller engines. Old Hilux 3.0 v say a new 2.8 Hilux or a 2.0 VW for the simple fact that the Hilux has more capacity. Ignoring it is highly inefficient, despite having the complexities of 21st century common rail diesel/VGT.

[jpd80]

I guess you don’t see a watershed moment until something
different is offered to folks who would never normally consider
going against the grain. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t.