Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > General Topics > The Pub

The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 28-10-2012, 05:02 PM   #1
chookaradley
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 658
Default Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Ok so I know this might not be the done thing in our forum but I have to ask why do people keep buying this car over an fg falcon, surely it cant just be better marketing? My mates o8 SV6 has just gone bang at 117,000kms and its not an isolated incident.

Ive worked on dozens over the years and have rarely seen a reliable one. My mate is struggling to find a second hand engine coz there just isnt any around. In fact one wrecker told him they sell them as soon as they get them, where as the ford I6 gets sold for scrap usually coz they cant sell them!

#Timing chains stretch
# Engines sludge up despite religious servicing
# Engine has NO torque, 3.6SIDI is better
# Vision out of them is shocking
# Omega interior makes XT interior look luxurious
# Radiators, heater taps and water pumps leak

Brand loyalty it would seem is alive and well, but the FG is a far better car, and some people need to wake up and smell the coffee!

chookaradley is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 05:09 PM   #2
T4ME
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
T4ME's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,374
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Repost.
T4ME is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 05:19 PM   #3
Road_Warrior
Pity the fool
 
Road_Warrior's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

The FG may be a better car, but at the end of the day people buy what appeals to them, and Holden marketing does a very good job at generating that appeal. What you should be asking is: why arent the usual usupects in the motoring media picking up on all of this?
__________________
Fords I own or have owned:

1970 XW Falcon GT replica | 1970 XW Falcon | 1971 XY Fairmont | 1973 ZG Fairlane | 1986 XF Falcon panel van | 1987 XFII Falcon S-Pack | 1988 XF Falcon GLS ute | 1993 EBII Fairmont V8 | 1996 XG Falcon ute | 2000 AU Falcon wagon | 2004 BA Falcon XT | 2012 SZ Territory Titanium AWD

Proud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin
Road_Warrior is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 05:20 PM   #4
Hood-G6
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Hood-G6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Gawler, SA
Posts: 1,707
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

I serviced one yesterday. 45k oil filter sludged up, timing chain noisey. Drained ~3l out and put nearly 7l back in
__________________
Current ride FG G6 Build thread here

For sale

ADELAIDE FG OWNERS
Hood-G6 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 05:26 PM   #5
chookaradley
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 658
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Ive read pretty much all reviews on FG vs VE Road Warrior. Have to say 80% give the win to the FG by a narrow margin. Generally VE steers and handles slightly better and has a better seating position. FG according to most reviewers does everything else better. IMHO the margin increases significantly as the two cars start to put on some kms
chookaradley is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 06:05 PM   #6
PHANTMXR6
It's not an FG MKI.......
 
PHANTMXR6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern Territory
Posts: 7,439
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Willing to help out with useful advice in the technical areas of the forum. 
Smile Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

I work with a couple of guys who have recently (in the last 12 months) bought brand new Commodores. One a Maloo and the other an SS.

I asked them if they compared them to anything else and why they bought a Holden.

Their answer "because it's a Commodore"....................

Not because it looked better or sounded better or went better or was better on fuel.

Purely because it was a Commodore.
__________________
06/08 Manual FG XR6T. Not an FG1 or MKI, an FG...

Want to know how to do an A Service for an FG XR6T?

Look in this http://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11339404

Thinking of oil sampling your engine?

Have a look at this trend http://fordforums.com.au/showthread....ght=oil+sample
PHANTMXR6 is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 06:11 PM   #7
xisled
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,338
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

The only reason it sells is because its a ve Holden and the fg is a ford.
xisled is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 06:13 PM   #8
chookaradley
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 658
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

The diehard commodore fans will always buy commodore, and the diehard falcon fans will always buy falcons. Its the other 75% of large car buying consumers that I dont get. Put simply their should not be such a large discrepency in sales between the 2.
chookaradley is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 06:21 PM   #9
Silver Ghia
Moderator
Donating Member3
 
Silver Ghia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Foothills of the Macedon Ranges
Posts: 18,598
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: As Silver Ghia his contributions to the AU and BA technical areas have been of high quality and valuable to the member base. 
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

People are like sheep sometimes.
Silver Ghia is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 06:34 PM   #10
gtxb67
moderator ford coupe club
 
gtxb67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,640
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

some of us know the car we want long before we drive it
i will never have a holden and more than likely never a gm product either - that doesn't mean i will always buy a ford, but if i was looking for a brand new car for myself (and not my wife), then an fg would be very high on my list

i know many people similar to myself but who are holden fans, so obviously they would not think about a ford when purchasing
gtxb67 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 06:59 PM   #11
galaxy xr8
Giddy up.
 
galaxy xr8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kramerica Industries.
Posts: 15,637
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

I thought in the private sector of the large car segment, the Falcon outsold the Commodore, it was only fleet's and such where the Commodore made up it's sales ?.
If so then people do buy FG's over VE's.
galaxy xr8 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 07:05 PM   #12
gtxb67
moderator ford coupe club
 
gtxb67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,640
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Quote:
Originally Posted by galaxy xr8
If so then people do buy FG's over VE's.
they have good taste, i guess
gtxb67 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 07:20 PM   #13
Bonn
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Bonn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,132
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

It's certainly a sad state of affairs.
Last year, work had me in hire cars for a while, which were either XR6 FGs, or SV6 VEs.
The VE's were a bastard to attempt bluetooth phone pairing.
When test driving my FG this year, bang - it connected instantly - another sweetener.

The V6s come across as very clunky, and the transmissions are so last century. The ****y spoiler position makes rear vision a thing of the past, and the mags look like puss, along with the pedestrian colour options.
Just a few observations.....
Cheers
Steve
__________________
FG Falcon Ute
Daily: E-Gas 4.0 I6, 3 seat 1 tonner, 2300kg Tow Pack, Carryboy, XR6 rims.
6 Stacker, Sat Nav, Reversing Camera, Sunnie Holder, XR dash & St Wheel - thanks Mr FPV!

Jaguar XJ-S: Eaton S/C, I/Cooler, Haltech, DB7 rims, 1:15 Wakefield.

Jaguar XJ6 Wife's daily :2006 Quartz Metallic, FORD Duratec 3.0 V6, ZF 6sp

Previous relationships: FG GT, FG XR8 (+BA XT 5.4, BA AU, EF, EB, EA, EA & XF work cars)
Jags XJ12 & XJ6, BMW E39 Wagon, BMW F11 M-Sport wagon, 20 of GMH FC-HQ
Bonn is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 07:39 PM   #14
compact 351
Regular Member
 
compact 351's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 135
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

wow we have a ve sv6 commodore and we have a gtp,the reason we went to commodore is cause we didnt like the au,after owning a ford and a commodore i wouldnt put **** on either as they both have some problems,as for the ve being slow i dont think so
compact 351 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 07:51 PM   #15
chookaradley
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 658
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Quote:
Originally Posted by galaxy xr8
I thought in the private sector of the large car segment, the Falcon outsold the Commodore, it was only fleet's and such where the Commodore made up it's sales ?.
If so then people do buy FG's over VE's.
If thats the case why is the take up for fleets do high with commodore?.Ford provide a 4cyl option as well as a six, resale about the same, you would have to say purchase prices line ball. Again no logical reason
chookaradley is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 07:53 PM   #16
ivorya
Mad Scientist!
 
ivorya's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 2,869
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

They sell because..

1. They chase fleet sales.
2. They discount the crapper out of them
3. They premote the car as 'Australian's Own'
4. No Aussie Jurno will ever bag this vehicle. Even when parts of the door trim, glove-box fall off during the test.
5. Ford and Falcon I6 have a reputation of being extremely thirsty. My Boss and collegue hired a FG XR6 recently, major holden supporters. They came back and raved at how little fuel was used, how it felt so much better than the VE they had hired the wk previous.
ivorya is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 08:04 PM   #17
chookaradley
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 658
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

The poor fuel economy of the I6 is a myth. I remember about 3 years ago carsales I think they took a VE Berlina 3.0 SIDI and a FG G6 to Bathurst, did 161 laps at the speed limit. Guess what.. The Falcon was more economical. Even the current SZ Territory is criticised for its economy, yet its better than Kluger, Captiva, CX9 in petrol form
chookaradley is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 08:20 PM   #18
WPR1
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 390
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Ignorance!!
WPR1 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 08:26 PM   #19
Brazen
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Brazen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,876
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

My VE is one of the most solid and reliable cars ever I have ever had. The big issue with the FG is the seating position, you are immediately put off by the car before you have even turned the key. My FG2 is a column shift and seems to feel a bit better as I can splay my legs out to compensate a bit. But how did the FG ever get signed off with that low steering wheel and high seat? Amateur hour.

And the styling, all the proportions of a EL Falcon. Falcon is the more modern drive, if only it looked it!

And don't forget some consumers simply don't know any better and buy the more crap car.
Brazen is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 08:39 PM   #20
Windsor220
Now Fordless
 
Windsor220's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Fremantle, WA
Posts: 3,611
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Quote:
Originally Posted by galaxy xr8
I thought in the private sector of the large car segment, the Falcon outsold the Commodore, it was only fleet's and such where the Commodore made up it's sales ?.
If so then people do buy FG's over VE's.
I'm not sure who ever came up with that on here but it turned out to be false. When the breakdown figures were shown, Commodore beat Falcon in every segment.
Windsor220 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 08:49 PM   #21
Dusty1
Giddy up!
 
Dusty1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,126
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Is it because Holden wouldn't sell a rubbish vehicle?

I haven't driven a Commodore in a long while. When I did I didn't like it. But Holden don't sell rubbish do they?

I can't think of an average Ford, but the Epica, Riva - yeah...average.
__________________
Current:
June 11 built Titanium TDCi Territory, Edge, side steps, mud spats, bonnet protector, tow pack, full tint.
Nov 10 built XR6 Sensation.
Previous:
Oct 07 built Mondeo TDCi hatch, Stardust Silver, bluetooth, leather, tow pack, sunroof.
Dusty1 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 09:01 PM   #22
jpd80
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
jpd80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,398
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Thoughtful contributions to our community 
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Quote:
Originally Posted by chookaradley
The poor fuel economy of the I6 is a myth. I remember about 3 years ago carsales I think they took a VE Berlina 3.0 SIDI and a FG G6 to Bathurst, did 161 laps at the speed limit. Guess what.. The Falcon was more economical. Even the current SZ Territory is criticised for its economy, yet its better than Kluger, Captiva, CX9 in petrol form
I notice Drive never went back to Bathurst to compare the VE SIDI 3.0 against the FG II Ecoboost 2.0.
jpd80 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 09:04 PM   #23
onfire
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
onfire's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,078
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Here we go again.
__________________
FOR SALE: 2 0 0 3 F A L C O N X R 8
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...31#post5041431


onfire is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 09:06 PM   #24
robbyj
Rob
 
robbyj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: VN Capital
Posts: 1,584
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

exactly^ if they were rubbish they would be recalled. This has not happened.

People who are holden buy generally buy holden. People who are ford generally buy ford. Id take a stab and say there is more holden then ford fans.

So when the VE appeals to them, and are in the market, they will buy a VE.
Even if a few ford fans tell em they are crap.. the FG is far superior.
__________________
99 liquid silver AU Classic -Sold
Supercharged Nissan 350z 280rwkw
Blueprint series 3 AU V8 manual
robbyj is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 09:08 PM   #25
jpd80
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
jpd80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,398
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Thoughtful contributions to our community 
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

This is a hard little period for Holden but VF promises to be a very good car technically,
so all the jibes leveled at VE will be mostly a thing of the past. There's a new game
starting up in a couple of months time and Ford better be ready.
jpd80 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 09:15 PM   #26
2011G6E
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
2011G6E's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: On The Footplate.
Posts: 5,086
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Yawn.

Ever actually driven a VE? Directly hopped out of a VE into an FG? It's honestly hard to find a bad new car today, and if you aren't badge-blinded, there's really a toss of a coin between a VE and a Falcon.
The salesman at Holden when we were looking at an SV6 and wondering whether to buy it or an XR6 (but ended up with the G6E), he said that unless a potential customer brought it up, they didn't actually mention the "small" engine was only 3 liters to head off any preconceived notions about what it would be like. I've driven them, and they go just fine.

We're talking street cars...not racing cars...we're talking about family cars that Joe Average is going to buy. I would bet hard cash that 90% of buyers off the street could care less about 0 to 100 times or quarter mile times or power and torque...as long as it's pleasant to drive, comfortable, roomy, nicely equipped, safe, and reliable, they could care less about the other stuff.
When you mention "performance", they don't think "quarter mile", they think "how long between fuel stops".

I love a spirited drive as much as the next guy and have always been keen on doing up cars and motorbikes, but when we were considering the two cars, I never even recall asking about power outputs or torque of the various motors on offer, apart from saying we wanted a six cylinder. I was more interested in price, features, trade in offer, warrantee, servicing costs, and stuff they were willing to throw in.
2011G6E is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 10:03 PM   #27
mik
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
mik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Melb north
Posts: 12,025
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazen
My VE is one of the most solid and reliable cars ever I have ever had. The big issue with the FG is the seating position, you are immediately put off by the car before you have even turned the key. My FG2 is a column shift and seems to feel a bit better as I can splay my legs out to compensate a bit. But how did the FG ever get signed off with that low steering wheel and high seat? Amateur hour.

And the styling, all the proportions of a EL Falcon. Falcon is the more modern drive, if only it looked it!

And don't forget some consumers simply don't know any better and buy the more crap car.
The high driving position i suspect may be to also cater for women folk.
mik is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 10:08 PM   #28
grandpa_spec_F6
AFF Whore
 
grandpa_spec_F6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: In between gas stations
Posts: 2,246
Tech Writer: Recognition for the technical writers of AFF - Issue reason: Writing tech articles 
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Me: "It's faster than a VE, it's more fuel economical than a VE, it shifts better than a VE (auto), costs less, insurance and rego is less so why isn't it a 'better' car?"

My mate: "Because it's a Ford" <-- Drives a Nissan
__________________
Favorite Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Damo View Post
My GMC Sierra is banned under Victoria's high powered vehicle laws, and its a 4082kg apartment complex on wheels.
Current Ride: Not a falcon, the struggle is real
grandpa_spec_F6 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 10:12 PM   #29
2011G6E
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
2011G6E's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: On The Footplate.
Posts: 5,086
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Interesting one about the "fat pillars". Look at any modern cars and pillars are "fat"...especially ones with airbags and other safety stuff.

Our WB ute still has the same basic architecture as the original HQ ute that was praised for having the "thinnest A-pillers of any production car" at the time, and they're still noticeably thin.
Modern crash safety requirements would scotch a new car having pillars that thin...
2011G6E is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 28-10-2012, 10:21 PM   #30
paule11
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Townsville
Posts: 1,167
Default Re: Why do people keep buying VE commodores?

Quote:
Originally Posted by chookaradley
Ive read pretty much all reviews on FG vs VE Road Warrior. Have to say 80% give the win to the FG by a narrow margin. Generally VE steers and handles slightly better and has a better seating position. FG according to most reviewers does everything else better. IMHO the margin increases significantly as the two cars start to put on some kms
This is exactly what I thought Hired a SV6 I usuallly get an XR6.
I was impressed with the braking and handling was not impressed with the engine was a pain when overtaking foot to the floor and it doesnt go foot hal f to three quarters down and it goes better.
paule11 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Reply


Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 12:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL