Would you buy a last aussie commodore?

[Bayson]

When i bought my fgx xr8 i bought a late 15 model. I honestly thought that as we got closer to final builds staff would care less and less.. surely they are more worried about their future than screwing together a falcon. They have commitments and bills to pay after all. As in any business if you dont buy into the employees, they arent likely to buy in..it has to weigh on them more and more the closer to closure.

If you were on the titanic, as its sinking would you worry if the crockery was clean? Toilet seat down? Not much different at ford or holden id say, self preservation will impact their behaviour.

With regard to last aussie commodore, holden HR department have openly said to employees its better to jump early in order secure a job than wait to closure..

Other businesses have even come into holden manufacturing, invited in fact to poach the best employees. They have been let go with holdens blessings ahead of closure..encouraged by holden HR.

So if all the good employees are going first and holden are proactive in finding work for these people (which is a great initiative from holden), who is left to screw together the last cars?

Id be real nervous if i was waiting for a last build car, all the best employees with "know how" are already gone, they prob have anyone they can find to finish the last cars, all of em "Friday afternoon cars"

I think they are nice cars but id absolutely prefer a 16 build vf commodore over a 17 build.

Like the fgx, surely the 15 builds would be better.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Bayson

If you were on the titanic, as its sinking would you worry if the crockery was clean? Not much different at ford or holden id say

Your comparing wether to clean the crockery and drown against making sure that screw is fastened, do you think the production line workers will die if they hang around to complete the task...

[Iggle Piggle]

**** yeah, I so would!

It was reported just the other day that quality control recently has never been higher. In August 98% of cars had zero issues which was best result the plant has ever had and was best in the GM world that month. They say the workers are building the last cars like they are their own (in many cases they are employee cars), and they realise many of these will be going to Holden enthusiasts and they don't want to let them down. Guess things have also slowed down too giving them time and opportunity to get it right.

[GO FURTHER]

There could be some merit to what you say.

I bought one of the last FG MKII's (late August 14 build), before they ceased production and went on to the FGXs.

While the FGX is no doubt a better car in styling in my opinion and having nicities such as Sync 2, etc, I feel Ford sorted most of the issues and bugs out in the long running (since 2008) FG series in the final production years and later MkII's.

My FG MKII has never missed a beat in over 3 years and 104,000Kms since I bought it new... Not even a rattle anywhere!

I know friends however who bought the FGX and have had quality problems since day one.

However I do feel that with locally produced cars the quality can vary between cars a lot and it's the luck of the draw whether you get a good one or not.

Maybe there is some truth in the joke about never to buy a car built or finished on a Friday.

[mike_nofx]

I wonder if those who stick around till the last day receive a nice redundancy package, where as those who jump ship early miss out?

Could be incentive to stay.

[Itsme]

Most of the work is robotics, what skills are you really losing by some people departing early.

Yes I would buy one of the last if I had spare coin, I think most of the workers would be proud to the end.

[Bossxr8]

Holden and Toyota had their highest quality ratings ever. So your question is redundant.

[malazn mafia]

Would rather a last aussie Aurion. Vehemently disliked all things Toyota and what it stood for (sensible, reliable, whitegoods on wheels), but having driven some of its products from the last 5 years, they really have lifted their game and it's difficult to fault them at what they do best, affordable reliable motoring. They finally managed to put together a nice looking, comfortable interior, a far cry from the horrendous cheap lunch box interiors of the 90s and into the late 00s. They don't groan, squeak, clunk or vibrate like Holdens or Fords do from new and even at low kms.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Would rather a last aussie Aurion. Vehemently disliked all things Toyota and what it stood for (sensible, reliable, whitegoods on wheels), but having driven some of its products from the last 5 years, they really have lifted their game and it's difficult to fault them at what they do best, affordable reliable motoring. They finally managed to put together a nice looking, comfortable interior, a far cry from the horrendous cheap lunch box interiors of the 90s and into the late 00s. They don't groan, squeak, clunk or vibrate like Holdens or Fords do from new and even at low kms.

Ok, ok... so with this newly acquired Toyota love, which is it, you just turned 60 or you just joined a lawn bowls league?

[Sprintey]

Yep totally would. One of the last wagons. Anything VF-VF2 if it was clean would be OK, to match the VY wagon my Dad bought new & loved so much.

[Syndrome]

See my signature.

[whynot]

Originally Posted by Bayson

If you were on the titanic, as its sinking would you worry if the crockery was clean? Toilet seat down?

You have raised a valid concern. There are examples in the business literature of atrocious quality control as business wound down. An example that springs to mind is the Foxmeyer (a pharmaceuticals company based in the USA), when the company went bankrupt after the introduction of a new computer system. The employees were deliberately sabotaging products as the rolled off the line.

However, there are other examples of employees doing their best work as the factory closed down. Such behaviours have a lot to do with the factory culture. From all reports, the Holden workers are doing some of their best workmanship ever.

My answer to your question is, no (edit: as in no concerns). I have no concerns (from a quality control perspective) of buying one of the last Commodores. I would be more than happy to buy one of the last Commodores. As I have said elsewhere … the decision to buy a one of the last Falcons or Commodores (or Aurion if you must) should be seen as an emotional decision, and not one that is expected to provide a financial return at some future point.

As an aside, one of the worst cars I have owned (from a quality control perspective) was one of early G6E to roll down the line. Great to drive, but it was back at the dealer every second month with one type of issue or another …

[73 4V XB]

Just a heads up on the VF commonwhore. If your reverse camera goes blank, as in no picture but the lines are still there, we need to take it back to holdon for a update. It's happened to one of our hearses I built. Spent hours rechecking wiring, ended up ringing the local holdon dealer

[ronwest]

https://imgur.com/a/BQHE9

There she is...

The final end of an era in oz manufacturing.

Red or blue, it's a sad day.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by ronwest

https://imgur.com/a/BQHE9

There she is...

The final end of an era in oz manufacturing.

Red or blue, it's a sad day.

They should have painted it the same colour as the first Holden 48-215.

[Bayson]

No doubt its sad they stop production. No disputing this.

But the fact is that holden have been openly working with their employees to find other work.. the best employees are long gone. For those that remain they must be thinking about their futures, how they will pay their kids school fees, not worried about screwing together a commodore for an employer leaving them in the lurch.

Holden (and ford) have really tugged the emotional heart strings to move the last cars, consumers should be boycotting them for abandoning australian workers and then tomorrow selling us imported cars to make more money . hoodwinked us.

These cars need people to check quality issues. They cannot be serious if they think quality is as good as it would have been a year ago. No way.

My fgx xr8 has its motor initialled and built by the head of motor building at ford. Im proud of that. To say people have no input to the quality of these cars??

The last cars have to be compromised.

[Bayson]

If you were out to sea and the ship captain said to you (gun to your head) walk the plank (into the unknown sea) but..... then stopped you and said actually first can you screw this commodore together?

Whats your frame of mind? Yeah ill do my best for the same person who is about to turf you?

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by Bayson

The last cars have to be compromised.

By the same token the FGX XR8s built in 2015 would have been built by people with similar tensions at play.

And my FGX XR8, built May 2015, is still tight, no noises-nada -nothing-no dashboard squeeks, with 45,000 km on it of driving- including a track day and all sorts of spirited runs. It is clear to me that the guys who built my car took special care with it- soo tight.

Aside from the rear spoiler screw coming out, the only problems I have had have been self created (wearing out front rotors prematurely, burring the rear diff fill in screw when changing diff oil) etc.

Lately I have been driving my daughters Honda Civic and when I hop in my FGX XR8 I am blown away how tight and solid it is with the km and driving and abuse I have put the machine through.

If the last Commodores are built to match the way my machine is-I would have not one concern.

My FGX XR8 is the best built car I have ever had......and that was built by people knowing they only had another 1.4 years employment left....

[PooDog]

if you want one of the last Commodores you would buy it regardless if they had some quality issues... did that with my FGX, bought it sight unseen because i wanted it ....if you have any small issues most can be corrected easily
simple decision

[Mercury Bullet]

I've got one of the very last xr8s.

Like asagaai, mine is faultless and has been driven the way God intended.
Not a squeak out of her, just a screaming engine.

I've had one parking sensor fail.

Would I buy the last Holden if I were a fan? You betcha.

I think the workers heart and soul goes into the last cars, they will never get to do it again.

EDIT: by last I mean last few runs down the line, not literally.

[Big_Daz]

I have...lol... Im eagerly awaiting its arrival and delivery... Mine was built end of September and am I worried about Quality issues? Not at all.. I am looking forward to enjoying many years of V8 powered Goodness in one of the last (and Best) of the Breed (I also put the FGX Xr8/XR6T in the same category) for many years.. This car will stay with me until I can give it to me son when he comes of age....

Mine is an SSV Redline Manual in Son of a Gun Grey with the Optional Forged 20's and standard Lip Spoiler is what I ended up with... This will be joined by (when/if I can find one) a late FG2 FPV F6 in Manual (My favourite Ford)

[ronwest]

Last year I bought a new May 2016 build Calais V.

At the time I had thoughts of waiting for the MY17 but even though my traded G6E was in good shape it's value was continuing to diminish.

Had my trade been 12 months newer I would have waited but don't regret the decision.

Whether the build quality of the '17 model would be compromised didn't enter into my decision making.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Bayson

No doubt its sad they stop production. No disputing this.

But the fact is that holden have been openly working with their employees to find other work.. the best employees are long gone. For those that remain they must be thinking about their futures, how they will pay their kids school fees, not worried about screwing together a commodore for an employer leaving them in the lurch.

Holden (and ford) have really tugged the emotional heart strings to move the last cars, consumers should be boycotting them for abandoning australian workers and then tomorrow selling us imported cars to make more money . hoodwinked us.

These cars need people to check quality issues. They cannot be serious if they think quality is as good as it would have been a year ago. No way.

My fgx xr8 has its motor initialled and built by the head of motor building at ford. Im proud of that. To say people have no input to the quality of these cars??

The last cars have to be compromised.

You couldn't be more wrong. Before I was re-deployed to the proving ground I went through it in the engine plant. When you are working you are not thinking about losing your job and forgetting what you are doing. It doesn't work like that. And if anything it was the best, most passionate people who stayed around to the end, and there were quality bonuses to be paid on redundancy as well, so no one wanted to let the side down. I wasn't there at the end but I know the cars built at the end would have been just as good as a year before. The people were so experienced that the job becomes automatic, and not building that many cars meant they had plenty of time fixing any issues. Not like it was when the line was running full steam back in the day when you were under the pump just making the daily quota.

[PepeLePew]

Wasn’t long ago anyone suggesting such sacrilege as the purchase of an SS would’ve been shot. One thing positive out of all this negative is levelling the field and making many look at what we all had without the badge bias. We had some awesome cars that were ours designed and build by proud Aussies. And right now is our last chance to snap up what remains. Like it or not VF2 is the pinnacle and Holden retained the development inertia that Ford unfortunately abandoned late in the piece. Let the badge cloud your judgement and you’ll look back and have plenty to cuss about.

If you don’t have your ideal Ford in your drive now snap up what you can Redline especially is a fine car (though I still can’t get past the thought of a pushrod in 2017 only GM could get away with that) as by the time you stop seeing shadows the ship will have sailed on finding a new one. You can always leverage that 7 year warranty currently offered....though as bossxr8 reports from actual experience it’s less likely you’d need it not more.

[Express]

Originally Posted by PepeLePew

..........snap up what you can Redline especially is a fine car (though I still can’t get past the thought of a pushrod in 2017 only GM could get away with that)..........

Doesn't Dodge still utilise pushrods for it's Hemi V8's including the Hellcat?



.

[PepeLePew]

Sorry it was late and I was a bit short in my reply and should’ve said Holden . I was only thinking of the Holden Ford relativity in Australian journalism ...I always thought if FoA had of persisted with a pushrod offering it’d have been mentioned in every article written subsequently if Holden had switched to a quad cam offering.

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by Bayson

No doubt its sad they stop production. No disputing this.

But the fact is that holden have been openly working with their employees to find other work.. the best employees are long gone. For those that remain they must be thinking about their futures, how they will pay their kids school fees, not worried about screwing together a commodore for an employer leaving them in the lurch.

Holden (and ford) have really tugged the emotional heart strings to move the last cars, consumers should be boycotting them for abandoning australian workers and then tomorrow selling us imported cars to make more money . hoodwinked us.

These cars need people to check quality issues. They cannot be serious if they think quality is as good as it would have been a year ago. No way.

My fgx xr8 has its motor initialled and built by the head of motor building at ford. Im proud of that. To say people have no input to the quality of these cars??

The last cars have to be compromised.

You obviously build theories and not cars. Cars are built to quality standard and i can guarantee that you wont be able to find any quality differences between different year builds.
If you you look at different FG XR8s can you tell who installed the engine ?

[roddy1960]

G'day all . I have always preferred Falcons over Commodores and Kingswoods , no real logic to that and always just loved being considered a Blue Tribe member. Dad had Fords but he really liked his HX Kingswood too . I actually don't mind at all the VF . It's a bloody good car and yes if I had to have one in the shed it would not be a problem .
Also though owning a FG XR6 with the Barra ,any VF Commodore would have to be the V8. The Holden V6 isn't in the same league as the Barra , not N/A and absolutely not with the Turbo
Cheers Rod.

[Paull]

Not a Commodore, but I have bought a new Caprice, Son of a Gun grey. Will be getting it mid-November. Am I concerned about quality in relation to any other Holden built over the last 5 years, nope.

[Iggle Piggle]

Originally Posted by Paull

Not a Commodore, but I have bought a new Caprice, Son of a Gun grey. Will be getting it mid-November. Am I concerned about quality in relation to any other Holden built over the last 5 years, nope.

So much want for one of them in that colour.

On Monday there was a burst water main out that way...traffic report guy on radio says "Watch out for delays due to burst water main near the old Holden factory". Was sad hearing it referred to that way within 3 ****ing days.

VA Prototype:



Last 'real' Commodore: