VE SSV 6M ute ownership experience

[msjwood]

Hi all.
You may or may not be interested in this, but I thought I'd fill you in on my almost 13 yrs experience with my VE SSV 6M Atomic green ute. Basically, it's a list of things I've fixed over the years. These events may not be in exact chronological order. Car now has 119,000km on it.
Purchased new Nov 2007.
Had clutch replaced under warranty at 18,000km mid 2009, as it became undriveable. I was gobsmacked that they did this, as clutches are normally regarded as consumable items.
Safety recall on tailgate latch.
Driver's door lock actuator replaced under warranty about 2010.
Both catalytic converters replaced as they collapsed internally-about 2013, 2016.
Windscreen washer reservoir replaced about 2015-it cracked.
Front bumper sagged-not replaced-was resting on the headlights. My paint and panel man elongated the upper mounting holes and pulled it up.
Upper strut bearings replaced under warranty about 2010, as steering wouldn't self centre after a corner.
Camber adjustment bolts fitted ($10 purchase from Holden spares).
Headlight bulbs replaced about 2013.
Various external trim pieces replaced-windscreen L & R vertical trims, roof rubber strips, and both door exterior window seals (base of window).
Sagging roof lining replaced.
Tonneau cover restitched by auto trimmer as stitching was falling apart.
Plastic high mount brake light sail repainted 2018 as clear coat failed.

Various other issues I've experienced.
Gets wet inside if parked in the rain. I park it outside in my driveway which has about a 10 degree downslope. If I park it in reverse, (nose up), no problem.
Occasional wierd clunks from rear end (diff?) when mildly accelerating out of a corner.
Leather peeling off steering wheel spokes.
Internal support in centre of driver's seat back is cracked. Need new seat back.

Things I like.
Fast. (I'm not a hoon, but it can merge like a demon)
Handles like dream.
Comfortable.
Looks great.

Things I don't like.
Rubbish dash and info screen.
Stupid oil pressure & voltage gauges at center top of dash.
Chews out rear tyres. I don't carry a load, and don't go nuts on acceleration. Get 20,000km max out pf rear tyres.

Battery lasts about 5 yrs.
Original exhaust, brakes, suspension and wheels.

Only thing I'd like is an auto trans. I'm getting old, and my shoulders are rooted. My wife has a 2015 Calais SSV 6L, and it's awesome.

Cheers all. Enjoy your cars, because they're the last of breed,

Cheers, Mike.

[whitels1ss]

Sounds like you have had quite a reasonable run out of it so far.

These cars are a hard act to follow, any idea how long you will keep it now or what you would buy if you were looking at replacing it?

[Wonky]

I've had 3 VEs so far, all A6 due to my disabilities. First was an SSV sedan, bought new Mar 07, sold late 08 or early 09 to a guy who still has it and loves it. Next an MY9.5 SSV ute bought new Mar 09 and sold early 2015. Last I heard (mid last year) the guy in Qld who bought it from me still had it. Next and current car, former LS1 member and mod Senator Mike's blown MY09 Senator in Feb 2015. The SSV sedan was bolt on only, the ute had small cam and shaved head and the Senator is 390rwkw on a very tough dyno. The sedan did around 30k km, the ute around 100k km and the Senator has done 45k km in the time I've had it.

TBH I'm struggling to think of anything I replaced through necessity on the sedan or ute. The ute did need a replacement driver's seat base (typical VE), got an Optima battery to cope with aftermarket alarm, GPS tracker and amp/subby plus upgraded front brakes to Brembos to run at Temora. I can't remember anything I've had to replace on the Senator except brake pads all round (about $300 or so all up inc disk machining from memory). Did upgrades to make the motor safer with the extra power (double valve springs, pushrods) and mods to make the blower more efficient eg. thermal blankets, upgraded intercooler pump and 12L reservoir but that's about all from around 175k km in total - very happy!!! No doubt I've forgotten something but certainly wasn't big!

[msjwood]

If I had to replace it, I'd look for a 2017 VF2 ute, 6A. Looks like the costs of buying one aren't dropping any time soon though.
Cheers. Mike

[msjwood]

Hi all.
As a reply to my own thread, I've bought a 2016 VF2 Redline 6A. $42,000 with 150,000km at new year. Very nice. Now I have 2 utes! Tossing up keeping the VE somewhere safe.
Cheers, Mike