Accord euro navi vs passat 118 TSI

[ChaosMaster]

I would go the Calais V V6 or V8 don't really matter. V6 has a lot more power than the Euro or regular Accord would ever dream of anyways, more torque too, and a better spread of gear ratios. Personally, I want the V8 simply because I spend so much time on the fwy, and the cylinder deactivation appeals to me as well as the extra torque, paying 6k extra for that though is a bit rich, lolz. But man, have you tried sitting in the new Calais V, so quiet (not Lexus quiet but at least BMW levels) and very comfy too. Was on 18's though, could have sworn 19" were standard on the Calais... Apparently the new Senator, with the MRC, rides better than the Calais V even though it's on 20". They say it's on par with Benz Air suspension, which is saying something.

[Fredoops]

^^^ it's probably the last australian commodore, and if finally got it right

[ozscott]

The last of the VF HSV's with the 'vette motor should be a keeper. That one would increase in value or hold it well anyway. The SSV would be a nice machine too, but not an investment. The new commodore should finally be the vehicle to genuinely poach driver who would normally buy OS vehicles. Having said that I have dealt with Holden with a new VT S manual - never again... I have had excellent service from Land Rover and nearly as good from Honda, but wouldnt go Holden again (and Ford much the same I read).

Cheers

[Rudy]

New holden looks good minus the hideous roof antenna but apparently horrible on fuel consumption according to caradvice (compare to claimed values). Wont sway me from the Japs unless I personally test drive it (not buying into the biased media hype yet). Id get the grange though if anything as that looks sick.

[ChaosMaster]

Yeah Holden service is crap, but then, I service my cars myself, so it means nothing much to me. Cheaper this way too. Fuel consumption rating vs Claimed, well, it's always off. Depends on what type of driving you do. I do a lot of FWY driving, and a V8 will easily match a I4 in the same car or at least get really close simply because it'll be geared taller and it won't be worked as hard everytime a small slope comes. Drive it in the city and anyone expect low 10s is dreaming.

This applies to Diesels as well, they only excel in FWY type driving. Drive it in the city, and I think you'll find that it'll burn as much fuel as a petrol equiv, only costing more to refill. Apparently Hybrids do better in City driving than on the FWY.

As for car reviews, I enjoy reading them, but I take them with a lot of salt. I mean seriously, they complain about shit like a Camry not being able to handle well, or how a Land Cruiser rolls around corners. They talk about things "driving enthusiast" who are the only ones who would read their reviews, want to know about. It doesn't necessarily mean it's of any relevance. I mean look at how they talked up VW only to now thrash them about their service attitude. Unfortunately for me, the media have had a negative effect. I mean if I bought a Camry (I was looking at the Hybrid), I would want it quiet and comfortable, and the interior design more classy and less of those shiny cheap stupid plastics they put in to try appealing to those who are 13. Instead, they made the ride firmer, the steering heavier in the name of "sportiness" and we still get that crap hole of an interior, simply because that's what the media is focusing on.

[Rudy]

They did mixed driving and all cars are off on consumption but the commodore got like 14L/100 and the cars they were testing aganst got closer to claimed figures (although still far off). But those tests are far from scientific I agree.

Yeh thats what Im saying too...I take all those reviews with a grain of salt, and that includes the relentless praising of the new commodore and comparing it to the E class. Hence why I need to personally check it out before I go along with it seemingly being the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[ChaosMaster]

Yeah, go test it out. I have, which is why I'm surprised by how good it is. What really got me what the ride quality and how quiet it was, you wouldn't believe it was a commodore. Actually, you could compare it to a last generation E-Class. Interior has been improved by quiet a bit, but that IQ interface still looks like something from a 90's console, it's like it's still running a 16bit colour map, much like the first generation coloured screen phones. Don't think I've seen any reviews mention this though.

Edit: I should add that I don't like the oil gauges the HSV model all have. It's prob the one thing that puts me off HSV altogether, it's that bad. I mean I've read reviews on it, but seriously, go take a look at it. Don't know WTF HSV were thinking.

[Rudy]

Wheels have to be the first thing to go on any Holden and sux finding them in 5 x 120. If only it was 5 x 114.3 :/

[Fredoops]

Wheels have to be the first thing to go on any Holden and sux finding them in 5 x 120. If only it was 5 x 114.3 :/

BMW spec

LOL take a V8 SS, put Intake Exhaust head and a tune... BAM instant 50kw gain

[stndrd]

Rays Engineering do wheels in 5x120

Holden usually look better with OEM wheels than some Bob Jane special wheel anyway.

Also $5k will get you around the 280-300rwkw mark in an SS, as opposed to 130-140fwkw in a Euro.

The VF interior really is something to praise. The quality and feel of the fabrics and plastics are euro (Audi, BMW, Merc) spec now. Best bang for buck car under $50k I believe, as it is such a practical car. Choose a wagon and it's even better

[Rudy]

Yeah I was only half serious...just harder to find used stuff in that size as not as common is all...I gotta test drive one of these beats asap.