Should I ditch the Statesman ?

[checkitout]

My 2006 WM V8 Statesman has just finished it's lease and I am in two minds whether to keep it or change it for a new or near new current Caprice V8.

I noticed there is a series 2 Caprice however I am unsure what the difference between series 1 and series 2 is. Does anyone here know what this difference is?

Some of the dealers I have spoken are very helpful about differences between the series models... I would like to hear advice from an independent party anyway. Of course there is always that "spin" about he "one they have in the yard"

Any advice or experience members have here will be much appreciated.

[planetdavo]

The major difference with series 2 WM is the fitment of the touchscreen iQ.
Also, Statesman became the new "base" Caprice, whereas the old top of the range Caprice is now known as Caprice V.
You also get the L77 E85 compatible V8 engine on series 2, which may or may not be of any interest.

[checkitout]

Thanks

Is there any difference with sound proofing the internal cabin from outside noise. ?

I notice going through the tunnels in Melbourne is really annoying especially when lucrge trucks are beside you...

BTW I only have 75000kms on my current Statesman which I think is not very much for a car like this

[Marco]

If there's not much of a difference between your WM and a new one, and yours is still in good order, then I have to ask why you'd want to cost yourself a lot of money to update? You've already worn most of the depreciation...

[HSVREDSLED]

If money is a concern, then two terms come to mind.

1. Depreciation. You have all ready suffered a hit. Buying new. you will suffer again.

2. Residual. How much is the residual? Mine was $12,000 when I cam off lease and the car was probably worth about $27000. It was a no brainer to keep it.

[Steve-LS2]

If there's not much of a difference between your WM and a new one, and yours is still in good order, then I have to ask why you'd want to cost yourself a lot of money to update? You've already worn most of the depreciation...


If money is a concern, then two terms come to mind.

1. Depreciation. You have all ready suffered a hit. Buying new. you will suffer again.

2. Residual. How much is the residual? Mine was $12,000 when I cam off lease and the car was probably worth about $27000. It was a no brainer to keep it.

Pretty sure the OP said the lease is finished so the monthly payments would be pretty much the same as they are now, depreciation shouldn't come into it.

If your residual is cheaper than market costs, take out a loan (if you need to) and keep it, ofcourse it's no longer under warranty should you wish to take that into account.

[checkitout]

My lease was more like a hire purchase.... no residual or nasty balloon :) (I had that with my past cars)

My current Statesman does not have the built in DVD system or Sat Nav. I have been thinking about having these installed.
Also I have been looking to do one of those modifications for extra power (exhaust air take and tune etc)
I also need a set of tyres, new battery and front engine pulley change.

If I change to the Caprice apart from the power mods I get the extras and lose some of the maintenance fees I need to spend.

WRT to depreciation as I use the car for work it actually works to an advantage as a tax washup as well.

[Wonky]

As PD said, the new V8s all have the L77 motor which has AFM gear installed, just that it's not enabled in the manuals. There are reports of issues with failing or noisy collapsible lifters which need to be replaced, though possibly on only a small percentage of cars. Just one more thing to take into consideration.

[planetdavo]

As PD said, the new V8s all have the L77 motor which has AFM gear installed, just that it's not enabled in the manuals. There are reports of issues with failing or noisy collapsible lifters which need to be replaced, though possibly on only a small percentage of cars. Just one more thing to take into consideration.

Just to clarify this comment, from my experience with warranty claims, we are having no more issues with lifters in AFM motors than we had with earlier non AFM motors.

[Wonky]

Fair enough PD. You are in a position to know - I was just basing it on posts I'd read on here relating to the collapsible lifters and can remember very few posts about lifter problems on pre AFM VEs.