Cars

[Michael]

What do you reckon about Holden sourcing cars from Korea.

I'm not suggestuing that the Korean product is poor at all. But there is a perception that they are a cheap producer.
Aussie icon made in Korea.

Do you think this will bite Holden?

 

[poppa x]

What do you reckon about Holden sourcing cars from Korea.

I'm not suggestuing that the Korean product is poor at all.  But there is a perception that they are a cheap producer.
Aussie icon made in Korea.

Do you think this will bite Holden?

Afraid not.
It won't hurt their sales.  Most punters are only interested in price.  Vehicle dynamics don't interest them.  Maybe only 10% ish of the population care about handling, braking, traction control, ABS etc.  The rest buy the cheapest car with the best cup holders.  Hyundai have had traction control on their cars for a year or more and only 2% of cars sold were optioned with this feature.

 

[Redford]

Good stuff. Thanks for that Ba-da-Bing.

you thinking of buying one?

Maybe.......also looking at the SS. But with fuel prices being what they are, the SS might chew up a bit too much.

 

[Lidsand]

What do you reckon about Holden sourcing cars from Korea.

I'm not suggestuing that the Korean product is poor at all. But there is a perception that they are a cheap producer.
Aussie icon made in Korea.

Do you think this will bite Holden?

its not a perception, they are poorly made compared to even our production standards. it already hurt holden in the sale of the barina because of of its 2 star safety rating. they even paid $x00000's to have it re-tested and it got the same rating :. i have seen and heard brand new tk barinas with sticky lifters tapping off their brains. viva is no better

but in saying that, they are still better than any american made car

 

[Lidsand]

Good stuff. Thanks for that Ba-da-Bing.

you thinking of buying one?

Maybe.......also looking at the SS. But with fuel prices being what they are, the SS might chew up a bit too much.

check the sv6, it might surprise.

buy in red hot, ignition or black.

best resale

 

[Michael]

nice gear change in the auto (5spd active select). fairly unobtrusive esp (better off though > )

L&B
So the SV6 has the 5 speed? Whereas the base model has the 4 speed?
If this is the case. Then buy the SV6

 

[Lidsand]

nice gear change in the auto (5spd active select). fairly unobtrusive esp (better off though > )

L&B
So the SV6 has the 5 speed? Whereas the base model has the 4 speed?
If this is the case. Then buy the SV6

yes and yes

 

[Michael]

nice gear change in the auto (5spd active select). fairly unobtrusive esp (better off though > )

L&B
So the SV6 has the 5 speed? Whereas the base model has the 4 speed?
If this is the case. Then buy the SV6

yes and yes

Why the hell would Holden go to all the trouble, build a new car, build a new engine then perservere with that substandard 4 speed auto?
They must have a bit of stock left over?

Any idea when the Omega will get the 5 speed?

 

[Lidsand]

nice gear change in the auto (5spd active select). fairly unobtrusive esp (better off though > )

L&B
So the SV6 has the 5 speed? Whereas the base model has the 4 speed?
If this is the case. Then buy the SV6

yes and yes

Why the hell would Holden go to all the trouble, build a new car, build a new engine then perservere with that substandard 4 speed auto?
They must have a bit of stock left over?

Any idea when the Omega will get the 5 speed?

why would they bother putting a 5 spd in a base model for the fleets?

the fleet operators couldn't give a stuff about the cars, private heads dont buy the base model new. (second hand is a different story). the only thing that comes into consideration for the fleet operators is $'s and residual values when they turn them over. thats why the omega will always be poor value for a new car buyer. when you think that $5k more buys a berlina ( cd stacker, 17" alloys, dual zone climate, reversing sensors, better trim prestige name plate and more) or an sv6 then seriously which private buyer would buy an omega new?

 

[Michael]

nice gear change in the auto (5spd active select). fairly unobtrusive esp (better off though > )

L&B
So the SV6 has the 5 speed? Whereas the base model has the 4 speed?
If this is the case. Then buy the SV6

yes and yes

Why the hell would Holden go to all the trouble, build a new car, build a new engine then perservere with that substandard 4 speed auto?
They must have a bit of stock left over?

Any idea when the Omega will get the 5 speed?

why would they bother putting a 5 spd in a base model for the fleets?

the fleet operators couldn't give a stuff about the cars, private heads dont buy the base model new. (second hand is a different story). the only thing that comes into consideration for the fleet operators is $'s and residual values when they turn them over. thats why the omega will always be poor value for a new car buyer. when you think that $5k more buys a berlina ( cd stacker, 17" alloys, dual zone climate, reversing sensors, better trim prestige name plate and more) or an sv6 then seriously which private buyer would buy an omega new?

Good point

 

[Lidsand]

holden do well with their luminas, svz equips and models like that which they value add alloys, leather, spoilers etc to the base model and charge the same price. only then do private buyers buy them , too good to turn down and they live with the old clunky 4 spd box

 

[JPM]

I got a Mitsubishi 380 GT a few months back and it hasn't missed a beat. I've done just over 4,000 kms now, and I can't really find fault with the car.

For $37,000 i got a 3.8 litre V6 engine, which goes from 0-100km/h in 7.6 secs and is reasonable on the fuel, I think its the lowest in its class. I got the 5 speed auto with sports mode, and it included a sunroof, leather sports profile seats, leather steering wheel, slate mahogany accent panels, sports luxury instrumentation, bluetooth, rear parking sensors and 17" alloy wheels all standard.

It handles well for a front wheel drive, there is virtually no cabin noise, heaps of legroom, a great sound system and plenty of room in the boot.

It also came with 5 year roadside assist free, and a 5 year or 130,000 km bumper to bumper warranty and a 10 year or 160,000 km power train warranty.

 

[Redford]

Good stuff. Thanks for that Ba-da-Bing.

you thinking of buying one?

Maybe.......also looking at the SS. But with fuel prices being what they are, the SS might chew up a bit too much.

check the sv6, it might surprise.

buy in red hot, ignition or black.

best resale

I will check the SV6 out. Interesting those colours holding greater re-sale value. I wouldn't go for any as a matter of personal taste (although the black looks ok, but is hard to maintain). Prefer the nickel and white colours.

What's your view on the quality control on Holdens Ba-da-bing. I've always been concerned at their poor finish with respect to panel fit, trim and moulding fit etc. etc. Nowhere near as good as a full imported Jap car imo.

 

[poppa x]

What's your view on the quality control on Holdens Ba-da-bing. I've always been concerned at their poor finish with respect to panel fit, trim and moulding fit etc. etc. Nowhere near as good as a full imported Jap car imo.


In 2000 I purchased a new Calais Gen 111 V8.  The car was unbelievably expensive to maintain.  In 2005 I replaced it with a new Honda Accord Euro.  No comparison.  The Honda is better finished and so far cheaper to service.  I do miss the power though.

 

[tigersnake]

I like the new commodore.  First one I've liked since the first gen VC-VL.  Always liked the brock specials from this era, still like the VL Calais in Turbo or 308.

I reckon though RF there will be another wave of petrol hikes, just a matter of when.  I'd keep that in the back of your mind, I'm sure it is.  Mileage sounds good though for a 6.

Drove a Mitsubishi 380 recently.  As a mode of transport it was pretty good.  Deserves decent sales.  I'm with Poppa, these days I like hot nippy 4s better.

 

[Lidsand]

Good stuff. Thanks for that Ba-da-Bing.

you thinking of buying one?

Maybe.......also looking at the SS. But with fuel prices being what they are, the SS might chew up a bit too much.

check the sv6, it might surprise.

buy in red hot, ignition or black.

best resale

I will check the SV6 out. Interesting those colours holding greater re-sale value. I wouldn't go for any as a matter of personal taste (although the black looks ok, but is hard to maintain). Prefer the nickel and white colours.

What's your view on the quality control on Holdens Ba-da-bing. I've always been concerned at their poor finish with respect to panel fit, trim and moulding fit etc. etc. Nowhere near as good as a full imported Jap car imo.

funny you say that about the colours because i went for white when i ordered my 2005 liberty wagon knowing full well that silver and black would hold better value. but white looks stunning and is easier to clean.

hero colours like ignition always hold their value within 3-4 years of the colour coming out, so if you are only keeping the car for a short time go the hero colour preferably with leather. longer term black and red are very solid. black more so. silver is silver and will always represent a good balance between resale and low maintenance ownership but silver is not what it was a couple of years ago. white is great for keeping clean but poor in resale.

build quality on the VE is the best i have seen in an aussie car next to the 380. panel fit is tight and consistent with very low tolerances. cabin fit is not as good but better than anything else holden has done. the quality of the plastics and trims is of a high quality but not quite like an audi. you wont have door mouldings fall off as often as they used to (i have not seen any problems yet in regards to this)

overall the quality is brilliant but will never be as tight as my liberty :hihi

 

[Lidsand]

I got a Mitsubishi 380 GT a few months back and it hasn't missed a beat. I've done just over 4,000 kms now, and I can't really find fault with the car.

For $37,000 i got a 3.8 litre V6 engine, which goes from 0-100km/h in 7.6 secs and is reasonable on the fuel, I think its the lowest in its class. I got the 5 speed auto with sports mode, and it included a sunroof, leather sports profile seats, leather steering wheel, slate mahogany accent panels, sports luxury instrumentation, bluetooth, rear parking sensors and 17" alloy wheels all standard.

It handles well for a front wheel drive, there is virtually no cabin noise, heaps of legroom, a great sound system and plenty of room in the boot.

It also came with 5 year roadside assist free, and a 5 year or 130,000 km bumper to bumper warranty and a 10 year or 160,000 km power train warranty.

not bad considering it was a $50k car when it came out in late 05 but thats a mitsubishi for you. great cars, *smile* resale so no-one buys them

 

[Redford]

Good stuff. Thanks for that Ba-da-Bing.

you thinking of buying one?

Maybe.......also looking at the SS. But with fuel prices being what they are, the SS might chew up a bit too much.

check the sv6, it might surprise.

buy in red hot, ignition or black.

best resale

I will check the SV6 out. Interesting those colours holding greater re-sale value. I wouldn't go for any as a matter of personal taste (although the black looks ok, but is hard to maintain). Prefer the nickel and white colours.

What's your view on the quality control on Holdens Ba-da-bing. I've always been concerned at their poor finish with respect to panel fit, trim and moulding fit etc. etc. Nowhere near as good as a full imported Jap car imo.

funny you say that about the colours because i went for white when i ordered my 2005 liberty wagon knowing full well that silver and black would hold better value.  but white looks stunning and is easier to clean.

hero colours like ignition always hold their value within 3-4 years of the colour coming out, so if you are only keeping the car for a short time go the hero colour preferably with leather. longer term black and red are very solid. black more so. silver is silver and will always represent a good balance between resale and low maintenance ownership but silver is not what it was a couple of years ago. white is great for keeping clean but poor in resale.

build quality on the VE is the best i have seen in an aussie car next to the 380. panel fit is tight and consistent with very low tolerances. cabin fit is not as good but better than anything else holden has done. the quality of the plastics and trims is of a high quality but not quite like an audi. you wont have door mouldings fall off as often as they used to (i have not seen any problems yet in regards to this)

overall the quality is brilliant but will never be as tight as my liberty  :hihi

Thanks for that. I've been reading a few posts on various forums, and I’m a bit concerned about some of the comments being made about the interior finish. Lots of squeaks, lots of rattles etc. One review by a journo also went: “Some colleagues have reported concerns with interior fit and finish.”

I've always preferred fully importeds until now. Finish quality is my numero uno concern with a potential purchase of a Holden.

 

[Lidsand]

Thanks for that. I've been reading a few posts on various forums, and I’m a bit concerned about some of the comments being made about the interior finish. Lots of squeaks, lots of rattles etc. One review by a journo also went: “Some colleagues have reported concerns with interior fit and finish.”

I've always preferred fully importeds until now. Finish quality is my numero uno concern with a potential purchase of a Holden.

go to a dealer and look touch feel and drive for yourself. try to drive a demo with more than a few thousand klms on it as it will be looser than a a new car with zero klm's on it. traditionally these cars are driven hard by sales staff and test pilots and have usually had a pretty hard life.

that should give you a pretty good idea, everyones ears are different and your idea of quality may be different to someone else's

 

[rokin.tiger]

Not too sure where else to post this but for those car lovers out there here's something that doesn't happen everyday.

My cousin is looking to purchase a ute for work means. Happened to find one that fit the bill on car sales, arranged a test drive/look with the owner who happens to be none other than Jack Trengove. He was very shocked upon meeting him but assured he was(is) a top bloke!

Anyway the car is a 2011 Holden Ute SV6 Thunder VE Series II...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/holden-ute-2011-13177544?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=14&page=2&eapi=2&__N=1246+1247+1252+1282+1216&num=15&silo=Stock&Range=Price%3A30000%2C35000%7E0.5&items