Ve Ssv

[Zero_PSI]

So I'm considering trading in my BA for a VE SSV ute. I really want a V8 now. Chances are this wont happen because I'd be losing alot of money. But has anyone owned one? And are they worth the 30something grand?

[Poetic Justice]

Manual or auto?

I have only driven manuals, but they were fantastic. Lots of grunt.

My pet hates about the cars are the red lit dash, the auto adjusting bass in the stereo and the shape of the steering wheel. The overall drive and that is great, especially being a coil springed rear as opposed to the leaf springs most utes use. Given I don't use any utes I drive for actual work the coil spring isnt an issue, but if you're a tradie you may want to give this some consideration.

Also, VE hard lids on the utes are annoying as hell for rear vision. They basically make it impossible to see out of the rear with. Whether this is the same case for Fords I'm unaware but it is something I've noticed with the Holden.

Good car in my opinion, and if it's got reasonable kays in the 30k price arena it sounds good to me.

[Windsor220]

You buying new then? May be worth picking up one thats a few years old. Will still be a VE. Or even consider the Ford equivalent if you prefer Fords.

I worked at Holden for a bit last year so have driven and worked on a few. Pretty good for a ute in regards to handling and power. Be prepared you may be visiting the dealership a bit as VEs have a few issues.

[Zero_PSI]

It's just a consideration as I'm over the moon about the way the BA drives, looks, handles etc. My brother said the VE feels "cheap" to drive compared to both mine and Dads utes.

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by Zero_PSI

It's just a consideration as I'm over the moon about the way the BA drives, looks, handles etc. My brother said the VE feels "cheap" to drive compared to both mine and Dads utes.

The VE does feel cheap inside compared to a BA and even more so compared to a FG.

Plenty of FG XR8's in the low to mid 30k bracket.

[GS608]

Originally Posted by SCUD

Manual or auto?

I have only driven manuals, but they were fantastic. Lots of grunt.

My pet hates about the cars are the red lit dash, the auto adjusting bass in the stereo and the shape of the steering wheel. The overall drive and that is great, especially being a coil springed rear as opposed to the leaf springs most utes use. Given I don't use any utes I drive for actual work the coil spring isnt an issue, but if you're a tradie you may want to give this some consideration.

Also, VE hard lids on the utes are annoying as hell for rear vision. They basically make it impossible to see out of the rear with. Whether this is the same case for Fords I'm unaware but it is something I've noticed with the Holden.

Good car in my opinion, and if it's got reasonable kays in the 30k price arena it sounds good to me.

Ford are just as bad with rear vision, especially with the bulge hard lid and tinted windows.

[tex]

Maybe ask about the Ve over at LS1?

The responses will help you justify changing from the Ford I reckon.

[Elks]

I've spent years driving VE SS's as company cars. My thoughts in no particular order.

The 6.0 V8 is a gem and sounds great
They look OK
The auto is rubbish.
Vision is poor. High sides, thick pillars and small external mirrors. The utes are worse.
Interior plastics are hard and tacky and feel cheap
The factory bluetooth is useless
Despite being large 330mm brakes are average

My thoughts would be buy a BF/FG Pursuit, fix the resale problem as well.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Elks

The factory bluetooth is useless

what year commies are you driving?
mine is a mid 2010 and bluetooth is fantastic

[AUIIPURSUIT]

drove my sisters bf's ve ssv wagon (manual) and i loved it.

[fordomatic]

if you are jumping ship, the engine alone is enough to make the jump. the manual is pretty good however it is very clunky. most my mates have ve ss's and they don't seem to suffer from as much axle tramp as the ford manuals do. i actually want to buy one but for some reason i just cant jump ship, no matter how hard i've tried. the interior is pretty cheap but i think the ssv's interior is a step forward

[rancidpunx]

Ive driven a few through my line of work. The interior is not as good as the FG. A mate of mine has an SS and prefers my manual turbo clutch and changes. Biggest complement was to say the FG turbo is quicker by a fair margin. Very high praise from a loyal Holden bloke.
For me the engine note is only good once you get into it but my XR6T ute is louder stock for stock at idle in the cab. The power delivery of the V8 is smooth all the way to redline but I didnt find any real shove and like you get in the turbo. However seeing as you have to go a V8 id agree with someone above and go with a second hand Super Pursuit.

[290v]

Check the load carrying of the two vehicles & the towing capacity before you buy

[AWD Chaser]

Originally Posted by AUIIPURSUIT

drove my sisters bf's ve ssv wagon (manual) and i loved it.

A BF VE?

A Ford / Holden hybrid?

jk - I know you meant boyfriend

[AUIIPURSUIT]

haha, it was brand spanking off the line too, hadnt even hit 100 kilometers. Only fault i found with it, was the carpet was rippled down the trans tunnel. He went and had a look in the yard and saw a few others with it, some not so bad.. i though that was pretty poor quality control to think its acceptable, even its its not that noticable, its brand new.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by The G6ET Spot

The VE does feel cheap inside compared to a BA

Pffft, you've got to be kidding right?

[RS027]

My mate has a VE SSV ute that he uses in many events around Perth. Last year he asked me to drive it with him in the FABCAR 1-day classic and I gotta say it was good to drive. Interior is nice and rides well. Very capable and quick car that in the end we finished 1 place behind an R34 GTR in 15th overall and at times I was able to place in the top 10. Honestly it's a car that does most things well and it is very reliable.


In-car from FABCAR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDg3WtUQHg

[EgoFalcon]

Driving VE SSV ute I found it was pretty light on its feet, hated the steering wheel and the handling. I don't mind the SSV interior with colour screen but stock SS one sucks bad time. Thing I hated most was the hand brake, oh god that looked so cheap and nasty. Rear vision was problem but get same with a ford if have hardlid buldge. Massive B pillars (I know its a ute but still). If going by sound its personal opinion but i dislike the sound of stock LS engines. It really bogged down if put something decently heavy in the back (heavy sheet metal was my example), can't comment on fords as only regular ford ute is an f250. I dislike the seats. Sound system is better then fords I thought. I prefer the blue to the red instrument colours. I liked in the digital speedo it read out exactly what speed you were doing even under foot to floor situation (hehe), fg falcon digital speedo kind of delays the speedo readout (meaning put foot down jumps from 30 to 46, not 30, 31, 32 in rapid form). Manual feeling stuff is PERSONAL OPINION, you will get used to the clutch as in any manual car (unless its broken). One plus is the IRS (independant rear suspension) in the ute, but is a downfall for carrying something in the back.

Thats all I can think of at present.

[tapeworm]

I think VE's look like bloated Astra's, the v8's sound like fun to drive though.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by AWD Chaser

A BF VE?

A Ford / Holden hybrid?

jk - I know you meant boyfriend

Hahaha.. just realised that FG backwards is GF. I think I'd rather a GF than BF

[GreenR]

Been in a VE SS Ute (So not the SSV). Full exhaust riding on 20inch wheels. Seemed pretty fun to me. Had some serious get up and go to 100km/h. Wasn't a rough ride either. Went pretty well around corners keeping stable going about 80km/h (industrial area)
Although it sounded awesome the Falcon V8's do sound better. Also I thought the stock sound system in the ute was crappy as. You couldn't put it up that loud at all.