Looking back, was the VT Commodore better than the AU falcon

[Solone]

We all know the VT commodore was a smashing success in sales whilst Ford could barely move an AU Falcon back then.

But today if you read the ford forums they keep saying the AU Falcon has since aged much better than the VT commodore and that they are ultra reliable cars and their drivetrains are better???? They go on to slag the VT saying it looks very tired? Are these people a little weird? (or more likely people who were tricked into buying one now talking them up to offload them)

The AU is no doubt the ugliest falcon ever built and this was reinforced by how good the VT commodore looked. It was like that back then and still is that way today.

Further the Ecotec V6/Supercharged V6 easily accounted for the ford i6/XR6 engine.. The LS1 pounded every version of the windsor V8 they ever tried to release.

What have they got to stand on? looks its a no contest, performance its a no contest, interior its a no contest. Its a TKO every which way you look at it.

Do we agree or did the sales charts lie back then and the AU was the better car?

[GTSLOVER]

I think the VT did look better than the AU. The XR's did not look too bad though. Dont know about the wheezy old V6 being better than the Ford six though. The ford six cylinder easily was more powerful, quieter, smoother and a better design than the V6. I have owned a supercharged V6 and I dont rate it. It was a bit of a dog of a thing.

[C4B]

If anything the AU has looked worse over time. I remember when it came out Ford claimed it was the shape of the future, and people didn't like it because it was ahead of its time.

Since modern cars have evolved to look absolutely nothing like the AU (if anything many have gone with stealth fighter eque sharp edges) rather than the rounded "squashed turd" look, it looks even more ridiculous today than it did when it was released.....

PS: I agree with GTSLOVER regarding the engine. Both the V6 and the SCV6 were about as exciting as tractor engines. Having owned an EF XR6 and a Holden V6 I can safely say the Ford i6 engine was in a totally different class to the wheezy Holden 6 banger.

[feistl]

Yep, VT was much better looking but the AU was considerably more aerodynamic (which helped with fuel economy) but unfortunately dictated the horrible looks. The I6 was/is considerably better than the ecotec, and the ford auto transmissions were much better as well. The super6 had the potential to be an awesome engine, but was deliberately detuned from the VS onwards so it wasnt more powerful than the 5.0L V8. As a result, it was just a thirsty underpowered engine that struggles with heat build up (really need an intercooler).

The LS1 V8 was always better than their V8 alternative. The falcon is still probably a better car in most regards, but those looks are just woeful. Id rather drive a kia...

[Jag530G]

AU interior was even worse than the exterior. The VT had it all over the AU there. Plus the VT had IRS which the AU didn't (apart from XR/Fairmont Ghia).

Ford certainly had the better base 6, in fact I can only think the VL was the one Holden model that had a convincingly better 6 than the equivalent Ford.

Cheers, Matthew.

[v8dude78]

Yep have to agree in the looks department the VT shat all over the AU but as far as drivelines go.

The AU had it all over the VT's, having owned both the AU was a far superior everyday & long distance car. There was a reason why all the Taxis were fords.

[El Narros]

No offence but what a silly question, the AU has to be one of the biggest failures of a new car ever. Not only was it ugly as sin, the interior was about 10 years behind the times. Compare it to the Magna and VT of the time and they were miles ahead in quality and looks. Especially the Magna interior compared to the other 2.
The Falcon was (and still is, including the new models) and still is a horrible and unenjoyable car to drive.
I can't believe a team of people worked on this car and thought it was good enough to make. Even worse someone on big dollars above them signed off on it.
The 2 worst cars I have ever driven were an AU Falcon and a old Excel.

[Marco]

In hindsight both were pretty ordinary but not many of their contemporaries are all that crash hot today either.

I think the VT sold well because it looked good, had a nice interior for its day, and the economy was doing well so people could afford a nice new Aussie car. (In later years the economy did even better and people could then afford a nice new imported car, but that's another story).

Tech-wise, remember we're still talking about the old Ecotec and semi trailing arm IRS; but it did seem to work well.

The AU on the other hand looked terrible on day one, and even worse now that they're old and unloved. The interior was garbage new, and Ford's quality standards of the day mean they're even worse now. I can't remember the last time I saw a nice one, but I've seen plenty of tired looking ones that have just been flogged by a succession of broke owners selling them to each other for $1500. The absolute worst thing about these cars is that they seem to be reliable, which means that it'll be a few years yet before they're out of sight and out of mind forever.

[Marco]

PS - only a truly one-eyed Ford fan would now try to argue that the AU was better than the VT in some way. I say this for two reasons - one, if you looked at the AU with only one eye it might look better, especially if one of your eyes has slightly blurrier vision than the other; and two, because the market decisively rejected this car when new, and is still rejecting it now. If you want a tidy VT these days, three or four grand will see you in something nice. (I saw a nice looking manual VT S by the side of the road over the weekend for $3500 and I was tempted, for some reason, until I remembered that I didn't actually have a use for one). You can buy any AU Falcon you like for half that.

[Smitty]

................ There was a reason why all the Taxis were fords.

and that was ...Holden REFUSED to make a taxipack in VT or paint VTs special taxi colours like yellow! :)

[Jag530G]

PS - only a truly one-eyed Ford fan would now try to argue that the AU was better than the VT in some way. I say this for two reasons - one, if you looked at the AU with only one eye it might look better, especially if one of your eyes has slightly blurrier vision than the other; and two, because the market decisively rejected this car when new, and is still rejecting it now. If you want a tidy VT these days, three or four grand will see you in something nice. (I saw a nice looking manual VT S by the side of the road over the weekend for $3500 and I was tempted, for some reason, until I remembered that I didn't actually have a use for one). You can buy any AU Falcon you like for half that.

Here's a question for you. If you were forced to choose, would you NOW buy a 15 year old second hand base AU Falcon Forte 6 or a VT Commodore Exec V6? Which would you choose? I'd have to admit, the taxi cab reliable drive line would tempt me towards the Falcon, but everything else says Commodore.

Cheers, Matthew

[Solone]

There is a thread on another forum about how the AU has really come forward some 15 years on from its release and people are realising they were wrong to choose VT.. they even continully post pictures of a current model mercedes that they believe looks exactly like the AU rear.

I agree the XR models look ok but still a step back from the EL series XRs which were very nice. The VT simply destroyed the AU in every motoring facit possible. Even the ecotec from series 2 with its weight saving gave the AU a black eye.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11350680&highlight=au+15+years (makes the Vt look 20 years old lol)

[Drizt]

The AU we had is still the worst car we ever owned. Unreliable ugly POS.

The VT s2 we had was a much much better car in pretty much every regard.

AU was a dud back then and its even worse now.

[v8dude78]

Here's a question for you. If you were forced to choose, would you NOW buy a 15 year old second hand base AU Falcon Forte 6 or a VT Commodore Exec V6? Which would you choose? I'd have to admit, the taxi cab reliable drive line would tempt me towards the Falcon, but everything else says Commodore.

Cheers, Matthew

I would have to pick the AU but only because they are so reliable. And I know it's only one of thousands but the brother in law just stopped using theirs as they bought a VZ crewman which suits their needs better but the trusty old AU has done numerous trips from Queensland to Vic to SA to Tassie. Towed everything from overloaded trailers when moving and boats etc

And now it's being used in his yard to move things around with including the odd truck lol BLOODY thing just won't die lol

[Solone]

Here's a question for you. If you were forced to choose, would you NOW buy a 15 year old second hand base AU Falcon Forte 6 or a VT Commodore Exec V6? Which would you choose? I'd have to admit, the taxi cab reliable drive line would tempt me towards the Falcon, but everything else says Commodore.

Cheers, Matthew

The VT2 hands down, it still looks good even in present day models company. Those Ecotec motors can also take a beating. The AU just looks mid 80s to me, it should have been released post XF and pre EA.

[Marco]

Here's a question for you. If you were forced to choose, would you NOW buy a 15 year old second hand base AU Falcon Forte 6 or a VT Commodore Exec V6? Which would you choose? I'd have to admit, the taxi cab reliable drive line would tempt me towards the Falcon, but everything else says Commodore.

Commodore, no question, plus half a day's work with some polish and wax and if I could stretch, a nice second hand set of 17s. The VT is still a good looking car today, especially if you can find one that was in one of the nicer colours like Bermuda blue, Raven, Phantom, Valencia, Heron, or the dark green or blue-green colours that I've forgotten the name of.

I wouldn't accept a free AU unless I had absolutely no money of my own. Seriously. Wouldn't want to be seen driving one, wouldn't want to suffer one uglifying my driveway and lowering the tone of my neighbourhood.

[Marco]

There is a thread on another forum about how the AU has really come forward some 15 years on from its release and people are realising they were wrong to choose VT.. they even continully post pictures of a current model mercedes that they believe looks exactly like the AU rear.

LOL, tell that to the marketplace Ford boys. Unwanted new, worthless now. The customer is always right, and the customer says "do not want, never did".

[Solone]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Mercedes_CLS_(C219)_rear.jpg
LOL, tell that to the marketplace Ford boys. Unwanted new, worthless now. The customer is always right, and the customer says "do not want, never did".

lol

[C4B]

I certainly hope there's no Ford fans out there with AU's taking up shed space in the hope they'll sell it for a zillon dollars in years to come.

Although there are some crazy Holden fans out there too. A BRAND NEW VT HSV XU8 with no k's on it for $40,000.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-Special-Vehicles-XU8-1999/SSE-AD-1015022/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

I owned a Bermuda Blue XU8 and although it was better than the equivalent SS of the day, I'm at a loss why anyone would keep one in new condition.....

[Solone]

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2009/klm/2009-MEC-Design-Mercedes-Benz-CLS-Rear-1280x960.jpg

Surely Mercedes didnt give the AU falcon designers a job after they got fired for the AU?? did they?? lol lol

[Marco]

I agree that the CLS bears some resemblance to the AU, but if you ever saw the two near each other it's chalk and cheese. The Merc design is really well executed and works as a total package - the low rear and those taillights work because they come with a low roofline, sculpted sides, and a good looking front end. The AU is badly proportioned, has an odd glasshouse, and has cheap and nasty detailing.

I'd be really interested to see the AU styling sketches to see how it was supposed to look. IIRC though I think I read that the AU was originally supposed to have quite a round shape, a bit like the VT or perhaps the Taurus, but then Ford in its infinite wisdom decided to apply New Edge styling to it at the last minute after the hardpoints were locked in. (To the point where, again IIRC, this was literally done over a weekend by the then-Ford global styling boss). I think this makes a lot of sense, as if you look at the AU glasshouse and door openings and imagine a softer, rounder look then the sort-of-oval shaped side and rear windows and odd windscreen shape start to make more sense.

[Solone]

I agree that the CLS bears some resemblance to the AU, but if you ever saw the two near each other it's chalk and cheese. .

I had a party at my house a few weeks back and a mate turned up in his AU and parked behind my VT. It was chalk and cheese to compare the two..... I just cant stop laughing at how the ford guys think the Mercedes proves the AU was ahead of its time. lol lol

http://www.mynrma.com.au/media/ford_falcon_au_forte_1998.jpg

[C4B]

Lets face it, there are people out there who think the HSV XU6 is a collectible car, so it just goes to show there's no limit to how delusional people can be.

AU Falcon looks better than a VT..... Sure it does..... And Brownyn Bishop is sexier than Miranda Kerr....

[Marco]

I can remember getting the Wheels issue where they had the scoop photos of the AU a month or two before release and being gobsmacked at how bad it was. I could not believe that such a car was about to go on sale.

Seriously, did nobody at Ford Australia say "guys, that looks like shit..."? Then again, maybe nobody had the guts, given the restyling was ordered by the global Ford boss and done by the global styling boss. Must have been pretty hard being a stylist or engineer at Ford Australia knowing that your hard work had either been thrown away, or was about to be placed in a car that was going to tank massively because of how it looked.

[Marco]

I wonder how many diehard Ford guys tore out immediately and bought one of the last ELs when the AU came out? The EL XR range and Fairmonts still look good today.

[Solone]

I wonder how many diehard Ford guys tore out immediately and bought one of the last ELs when the AU came out? The EL XR range and Fairmonts still look good today.

IF you look at the Falcon VS Commodore sales chart from around 1995 onwards to today it shows a few things..

Total large vehicle sales are generally in decline...sales of falcon/commodore in totality

Secondly it shows that holden have generally enjoyed 50-60% of sales where in some months the falcon would nip ahead in sales but generally Holden had 50-60%. (except in a period of 1999-2002)

During this period 1999-2002 the VT commodore sold 2 units for every 1 AU falcon. So the VT enjoyed 70% of sales in this period whilst the AU dropped to the lowest percentage of sales against commodore ever.

When the BA was introduced sales returned to their norm with Falcon getting back to almost 50% of sales and Commodore enjoying a slight advantage. (abeit a declining total market)

The VT performed better than any commodore ever against Falcon so for anyone to say the AU was the better car, I just dont know how anyone can conclude such.

[Woodchukka]

I would take a VT hands down over an AU. Tickfords alterations to the front made a big difference to a very ugly car. Holden choice to style the VT as it did being more sympathetic to what people liked is just good business sense. Styling a car supposedly before its time will not sell them today or in the AU's case the future either. Telling people what they want rather than asking is asking to be spanked.

[Scottn1au]

VT gets my vote for sure. A neat clean VT lowered with a set of nice wheels still makes my head turn..... can't say that about any Ford!

[Jag530G]

I can remember getting the Wheels issue where they had the scoop photos of the AU a month or two before release and being gobsmacked at how bad it was. I could not believe that such a car was about to go on sale.

Seriously, did nobody at Ford Australia say "guys, that looks like shit..."? Then again, maybe nobody had the guts, given the restyling was ordered by the global Ford boss and done by the global styling boss. Must have been pretty hard being a stylist or engineer at Ford Australia knowing that your hard work had either been thrown away, or was about to be placed in a car that was going to tank massively because of how it looked.

The story I heard is that in response to poor product clinic reviews Ford had a panic attack and decided to make Auto and A/C standard on the base Forte. in 1998 A/C was still an extra $2K option on a VT Exec. The Commodore still massively outsold the AU despite being nearly $3K dearer on an equivalent feature basis.

What I find bizarre about what Ford did with the AU is that they had a very good idea what the VT would look like as the Opel Omega B was released to the public in 1994, 4 years before the AU went on sale.

Cheers, Matthew

[Krizto]

The HSV SV99 .... what more can I say .....

2602

2603

[Solone]

Some dilushional people are trying to flog off those AU t series cars for $35k + on carsales. i know they never sell but geeezz..

I dont see them any better than a VT2 Clubsport? $10-15k

[Marco]

LOL what?

People need to understand this about the value of older cars. The cars that eventually become valuable are those that were (1) rare and desired when new (demand > supply); or (2) popular when new but rare now and desired for sentimental reasons.

So for instance: a Monaro GTS 350 or Falcon GTHO fits into category (1), a nice EH wagon or VW Kombi would fit into category (2).

Let's look at the AU T-series cars, shall we? They were uncommon new, but not desired - they were uncommon because they didn't sell any. So they won't go into (1). What about (2)? No, they were not popular new and there isn't much history attached so nobody is going to say "wow, I always wanted one of those and now I can finally afford to buy one".

My prediction is that these things will never do much better than a few grand more than the equivalent year's XR8, and with Ford fading away to insignificance in Australia there isn't even going to be a future generation of Ford fans that will go searching for them. (Seriously, I predict that the general level of interest in Ford's products in Australia will end up being somewhere behind the Koreans and perhaps a little ahead of the lower-volume Euro brands like Peugeot. By the end of the decade I'd expect to see them in the lower half of the top 10 selling brands in Australia).

[Jag530G]

My prediction is that these things will never do much better than a few grand more than the equivalent year's XR8, and with Ford fading away to insignificance in Australia there isn't even going to be a future generation of Ford fans that will go searching for them. (Seriously, I predict that the general level of interest in Ford's products in Australia will end up being somewhere behind the Koreans and perhaps a little ahead of the lower-volume Euro brands like Peugeot. By the end of the decade I'd expect to see them in the lower half of the top 10 selling brands in Australia).

A few grand more? You're being way to generous!!! Another thing that will kill their value is the massive spike in power outputs in the last ten years. Who's going to excited by a 200-220kW AU Tickford Falcon these days? A 200kW Toyota Aurion could probably beat it in a drag race. We LS lovers are lucky that is pretty easy and cheap to tune up a VT/VX 220kW LS1 to 300+ flywheel kWs, which still fairly competitive these days.

Cheers, Matthew

[Solone]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-TS50-2002/SSE-AD-2362472/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

Could you pay more than $15k for this? (assuming its immaculate)

Its no better than a HSV VX clubsport 255kw which could be had for $15k. Arguably the VX HSV was one of the nicest looking HSV cars made. Outsold the ford tickford t series 3-1 and in its day, the HSV considered faster and a better drive. HSV Also has more potential if thinking about modifications.

[IJ.]

Why do you care so much.... seriously it's a Fugly PoS loosely based on the Taurus melted blob of plastic, also a failure...

Poor build quality and not terribly reliable so fails on all counts

Hardly worth 1 page of discussion let alone 3.....

[C4B]

2604


As much as I'm sure the AU's are a collectors item (on some planet far far away!) I think I'll stick with my VTII for now.....

[Marco]

Why do you care so much.... seriously it's a Fugly PoS loosely based on the Taurus melted blob of plastic, also a failure...

Poor build quality and not terribly reliable so fails on all counts

Hardly worth 1 page of discussion let alone 3.....

You're right...sorry, we'll go back to not talking about anything at all, which seems to be the way this forum is going these days.

[El Narros]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-TS50-2002/SSE-AD-2362472/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

Could you pay more than $15k for this? (assuming its immaculate)

Its no better than a HSV VX clubsport 255kw which could be had for $15k. Arguably the VX HSV was one of the nicest looking HSV cars made. Outsold the ford tickford t series 3-1 and in its day, the HSV considered faster and a better drive. HSV Also has more potential if thinking about modifications.

this link has made my day, this dude seems deadly serious too.

[iloveholden]

The VT Commodore and the AU Falcon came out around when I was 11 or 12 years old and it certainly cemented my loyalty to the Holden Brand as I grew up wanting my license! The AU Falcon was a terrible car to look at, be in and drive. The VT commodore, was such a nice car for the time. I remember walking into my mates garage and seeing his VT GTS, brand new in blue with the silver accents on the skirts...I thought it was the best looking car i'd seen and still looks good today imo (although he sold years back).

Some of the above VT examples are very nice!

[IJ.]

You're right...sorry, we'll go back to not talking about anything at all, which seems to be the way this forum is going these days.


Sorry Marco, didn't realise the forum had gotten quite that bad that it all hinged on offtopic discussions about Fords...

I've tried posting "interesting" threads but there's minimal to no input in them just plenty of readers, gets a bit tedious when you're the only poster..

And to get back somewhat on topic, the VT is one of the prettiest cars of it's era, the Falcon one of the Ugliest, it "might" have saved itself if it had been well built or reliable, it was neither.

[A^K^T]

Not sure about the AU but the 1998 VT I had that now belongs to a friend has been and continues to be a good and reliable car , it has over 280,000km on it , still runs well and the things that have needed to be fixed have been simple and fairly cheap to fix.
As far as I know the motor has never been opened , just a power steering pump and a few cooling system bits have been replaced.
Wish I had kept it instead of buying the Focus , I am now back in my 10 year old VY tonner and can't see any reason to sell it.

[macca_779]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-TS50-2002/SSE-AD-2362472/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

Could you pay more than $15k for this? (assuming its immaculate)

Its no better than a HSV VX clubsport 255kw which could be had for $15k. Arguably the VX HSV was one of the nicest looking HSV cars made. Outsold the ford tickford t series 3-1 and in its day, the HSV considered faster and a better drive. HSV Also has more potential if thinking about modifications.

Considering a mate at work just picked up a BA GT-P for 18k.. No you wouldn't think so. Die hards like them though so they fetch a pretty penny. Plenty of HSV's in the same boat. VS GTS-R. It's nothing special really. No pedigree, nothing over a normal GTS to write home about. But still they command a premium if you really want one.

[seedyrom]

You guys are friggen idiots.
Are you forgetting the most beautiful piece of craftsmanship ever created?










THE DOUBLE WING!!!!

http://www.trueblueford.com/images/AU1xr13.jpg

[Marco]

All good mate, I think we're both frustrated by the same thing about this forum lately.

[Solone]

Lol at double wing...Ford really had their heads in the sand during this period.

Tickford dealers were trying to flog off the 220kw ts50 for $65k large and wondered why they couldn't move them??? Scratching their heads??

Then to look over the fence in the Holden yard to find a VT2 exec ls1 with 220kw for $32990. Lol. Plus the VT2 ls1 would run away from it and looked way better .

[Woodchukka]

Maybe ford could have tried this?

http://content6.flixster.com/question/36/78/28/3678284_std.jpg

[VX2VESS]

yes.


VT2 and VX looked better the the VE as a well.

[Solone]

this link has made my day, this dude seems deadly serious too.


they are deadly serious.. the writeup really is representative of their sentiments. Completely deluded. IF they go to a car dealer trying to trade it in, the tickford owners think they have a bentley on their hands and then the dealer principal sees an old AU that noone wants and offers them $7000-$8000 trade in. (what its worth to the non deluded)

Id love to see the tickford owners face when the reality is presented to them.

[VYBerlinaV8]

The VT was definitely better styled, both inside and out.

I think the AU has a bit of a reputation as a workhorse car, and they seem to have lasted OK. To be fair, the BAs I see getting around look awfully tatty, I don't think they have aged as well mechanically.

I had a VY series 1 for 8 years, and it was a good car.

[Jamolad]

Keep pushing it along Hulk, you should be able to get this thread to 5 pages easy - then you can bust out a thread re a friend or family member that ignored your advice and knocked back your hand-picked low km car in showroom condition for a cheap roughie that has high km and questionable service history.

Weird stuff going on - lots of hulk threads on LS1, while AFF is full of Holden, HSV, Gen F and GTS threads. Turns out the planet of the apes was actually Earth all along, but I'm still confused.

[Solone]

Keep pushing it along Hulk, you should be able to get this thread to 5 pages easy -

Turns out the planet of the apes was actually Earth all along, but I'm still confused.

okaaay.... hulks threads lol.

This thread is a tribute to how the VT demolished the AU. its a sales fact. The only planet of the apes around here is anyone who beats their chest about the AU falcon being any good. lol

[VT_Lance]

Vt any day of the week, Love my old VT more then i did my GF of 5 years at the time lol but the engine/gear box weren't that great tho with 390xxxKM done

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk310/VT_Lance/my%20car/DSC00642.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/VT_Lance/media/my%20car/DSC00642.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk310/VT_Lance/my%20car/DSC00644.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/VT_Lance/media/my%20car/DSC00644.jpg.html)

[Solone]

there is a user on the ford forums that spend a good $150k on an AU falcon. He even has a name for it, called the "Perkulator" or "eliminator" or something. I read that he turned up to a hotel with it and thought he would get special treatment/parking for it. The attendant looked at it (an old AU) and directed him to the parking station down the road lol. I just dont understand why he spend so much on an AU and then how he thinks its the best car around.

[zorro]

A few grand more? You're being way to generous!!! Another thing that will kill their value is the massive spike in power outputs in the last ten years. Who's going to excited by a 200-220kW AU Tickford Falcon these days? A 200kW Toyota Aurion could probably beat it in a drag race. We LS lovers are lucky that is pretty easy and cheap to tune up a VT/VX 220kW LS1 to 300+ flywheel kWs, which still fairly competitive these days.

Cheers, Matthew

I know of (Marco will too) an older Magna with stock engine making VT era SS's and actually a cv8 also look a bit silly....

I'd have one of these, easily best AU ford ever made and sounded tits under full noise

2614

[Scottn1au]

Ford Forum!! Might have to head over for some light entertainment :lol:

[JT]

2618
my thoughts on the AU

[Solone]

I know of (Marco will too) an older Magna with stock engine making VT era SS's and actually a cv8 also look a bit silly....

I'd have one of these, easily best AU ford ever made and sounded tits under full noise

2614

no question its the best AU ford ever made but that isnt much to brag about. It would have been a great car if released against the old Holden V8s from VT series 1 but From LS1 onwards these AU fords were pounded in every comparo. It turned up way too late. The CV8 monaro would make short work of this AU.

[Angeldust]

vt-vz are by far my favourite commodore's.

Im keeping my VZ for a long long time.

[Marco]

I reckon in 20 years from now I'll be one of those strange people who have accumulated many examples of the same type of car; in my case, VE Commodores :)

[Jag530G]

I reckon in 20 years from now I'll be one of those strange people who have accumulated many examples of the same type of car; in my case, VE Commodores :)

I reckon one of the little annoyances you'll have in 20 years time with VEs is with all the running changes over the 7 year model life, buying parts will be a bit of a pain. It won't be a case of what model Commodore, or even what year, you will virtually have to go shopping with your VIN.

Cheers, Matthew

[IJ.]

I reckon one of the little annoyances you'll have in 20 years time with VEs is with all the running changes over the 7 year model life, buying parts will be a bit of a pain. It won't be a case of what model Commodore, or even what year, you will virtually have to go shopping with your VIN.

Cheers, Matthew

Pretty well have to do that now Matt, not too many clued up Parts guys left....

[Jag530G]

Pretty well have to do that now Matt, not too many clued up Parts guys left....

Well done, you got the thread to five pages!!!!!! ;)

[Solone]

I reckon in 20 years from now I'll be one of those strange people who have accumulated many examples of the same type of car; in my case, VE Commodores :)

I currently have 2 VT2 Commodores. I have owned 3 all up, 2 of which LS1 and an ecotec, all great cars
I also currently have 2 BA2 Falcons, Ive owned 3 all up, turbo 6, Boss V8 and I6
Ive owned 3 EL falcons, currently own none, tickford 6, two V8s

But Im happiest to say, Ive owned 0 X AU falcons. I wasnt that silly :)

[VYBerlinaV8]

I reckon one of the little annoyances you'll have in 20 years time with VEs is with all the running changes over the 7 year model life, buying parts will be a bit of a pain. It won't be a case of what model Commodore, or even what year, you will virtually have to go shopping with your VIN.

Cheers, Matthew

Assuming you can get parts...

[zorro]

I remembered a funny mate of mine had an AU2 Fairmont which was undoubtably the best car on the road, so good infact it didn't kill the gearbox what he did neutral to drive rev limiter one wheel skids......

Have to be honest though that car copped a fair hiding (I had it airborne and bottomed out one night) and never broke anything so must be reasonably well made.

[Swordie]

I like both. VT shape has aged well. AUIII XR8 would be a good substitute for VXII SS. I'm quite partial to AU Fairlane and LTD.

[Marco]

Huh? Someone liked the AU Fairlane?!

[zorro]

Huh? Someone liked the AU Fairlane?!

These guys did

2629

[shucks]

I used to have an AUII XR8. It was optimisticly rated at 200 flywheel kw and didn't feel any quicker than a 182kw BA 6cyl, but sounded awesome. The double wishbone IRS craps on Holden's semi-trailing arms from great heights and the double wishbone front end is well set up too. They steer and handle better than VT-VZ commodores, and have much more rigid bodies that don't creak going up driveways. With more power and better looks they would have been a good car.

The non-XR live axle ones drive like a horse and cart, but they're reliable and the big six wafts along nicely. Taxi fleets loved em. No-one else did. If I wanted a cheap beater for the daily grind I'd buy an AU on LPG and drive till the wheels fall off...

[zorro]

It's been noted elsewhere that BA wagons on gas will be the next cult car........

[VL Executive]

I reckon in 20 years from now I'll be one of those strange people who have accumulated many examples of the same type of car; in my case, VE Commodores :)

You could say thats me now. Except Ive accumulated VL Commodores. :lol:

[Swordie]

It's been noted elsewhere that BA wagons on gas will be the next cult car........

Older Commodore and Falcon wagons have great space. Shame there's not modern versions.

[VL Executive]

Commodore, no question, plus half a day's work with some polish and wax and if I could stretch, a nice second hand set of 17s. The VT is still a good looking car today, especially if you can find one that was in one of the nicer colours like Bermuda blue, Raven, Phantom, Valencia, Heron, or the dark green or blue-greencolours that I've forgotten the name of.

Yep, the dark green is a nice colour. This is my parents VT I Berlina in Capricorn Mica. It even looks like Raven black in some light conditions / angles Gets a polish with the Menzerna polish and Dodo wax every Xmas.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/87vlexec/VTWed2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/87vlexec/VT3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/87vlexec/VT2.jpg

My VY SS ute reflection in the paint finish

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/87vlexec/photobucket-6210-1325048091616.jpg

Sorry if I over posted with the pics.

[Solone]

Yep, the dark green is a nice colour. This is my parents VT I Berlina in Capricorn Mica. It even looks like Raven black in some light conditions / angles Gets a polish with the Menzerna polish and Dodo wax every Xmas.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/87vlexec/VTWed2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/87vlexec/VT3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/87vlexec/VT2.jpg

My VY SS ute reflection in the paint finish

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/87vlexec/photobucket-6210-1325048091616.jpg

Sorry if I over posted with the pics.

nice car but a must mod in my opinion is the series 2 clear rear lights. The orange set from series 1 look out of place.

[Jag530G]

nice car but a must mod in my opinion is the series 2 clear rear lights. The orange set from series 1 look out of place.

Agreed, the clear rear indicators and side markers are much better.

In 1998 I hired a Capricorn Mica VT Calais from Avis and drove from Melbourne to Dampier in WA. Fav colour for the VT, was a great car and a great trip.

Cheers, Matthew

[Swordie]

VT shape has aged well, Holden nailed it.

[my_Berlina]

Absolutely love my VT II Berlina V8. Still looks good and with 270K on the clock is still going strong and an absolute joy to drive.