Holden VE Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition
28 May, 2008
111 Comments 
Holden has upped the ante with a new VE Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition. The car comes just at the right time to compete against Ford’s new luxury Falcon range.
The special edition comes with an array of additional features, most noteworthy being the electric sunroof and 19-inch SuperSport Alloy wheels.
“The Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition is the perfect vehicle for the individual or family looking for something extra special, along with the drive capabilities, safety and performance of the award winning VE Commodore.” GM Holden’s Director of Marketing, Philip Brook.
On top of the features available in the standard VE Calais V, the 60th Anniversary Special Edition adds: onyx / Light Urban interior trim combination; alloy faced pedals; chrome surround exterior door handles; silver highlights on leather steering wheel spokes; ‘60th anniversary’ floor mats; ‘60th anniversary’ rear badge.
The Calais will be available in just three metallic colours, Karma (teal), Evoke (dark grey) and Phantom (black). Holden has no specified just how many of these SE models will be made, suggesting they are produced to meet demand.
The car is on sale now priced from $56,790 for the V6 automatic and $61,790 for the V8 automatic.
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May 28th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Still think this is one of the better looking cars on the road.
Cheers
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Yes Lightbulb, it certainly is.
I’ll take a V8 in Teal thanks
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Have to agree there, a very nice looking car!! I’d be really interested (or get one) if they put a new V6 in it!
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 10:54 am
the calais is most definetly the looker in the VE range isn’t it? Was following a black one in traffic the other day and really did think that it looked like the ducks nuts. Pity the omega looks so poverty pack next to it, although the XT FG falcon looks pretty poverty pack next to the G-series so i guess both of the big aussies suffer from the same problem there
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 10:58 am
As a Ford man, I always liked the look of Calais V. For this money though, I don’t think you could pass up the G6E Turbo?
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am
G6E and G6E Turbo is the better car,
Go drive them both, and you will see.
Go Ford
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 11:26 am
It’s got nothing on the G6E Turbo! Oh, and it’s around 5K dearer
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 11:42 am
How terrible is the interior, I vomited, to see holden try and match a dark grey dashboard with out of place cream seats YUKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK !!!!!! Holden has been very good at cutting corners for 60 years and now the corners have become wider..
G6E Turbo is so much better it makes all Holdens not worth any praise…
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Hahahaha, with usernames such as Ford G6E Turbo and Blue Blood, I really didnt expect anything other than one-eyed brand hugging bullsh1t.
Oh, and I would drive one of the Turbo models but… oh wait, Ford arn’t delivering them yet ’cause they STILL need to iron out problems..
Yeah, go Ford …. pffft.
And Ford G6E Turbo, Ford use a two tone interior too… did you throw up when you saw that for the first time? No, didn’t think so..
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Mmmm, you’ll be waiting a while for a new V6. Yes, we know that Holden’s V6 sounds and feels like an old one but it’s only a bit over three years new. Quite a disappointing engine given its technical specification, and the single weakest point of what is an otherwise excellent car.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
GhisGT,
Vote:But the G6E interior actually works, and works well. This is just a low budget tart up out of the parts bin, for a marketing exercise vs Ford.
The Calais interior does not live up too the exterior, way too Omega.
Exterior wise the Calais is the best of the VE’s and less than 2 years since launch, the only model left with any head turning ability.
The Omega (ie the basic silhouette) has aged quite poorly, only the “dressed” versions seem contempory, IMO.
May 28th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Captain Mainwaring – actually the engine in the SV6 and calais is due for an update next year, it will be getting the direct injection V6 currently doing service in the new caddy CTS, and apparently its pretty spiffy. It will also get the caddy’s 6 speed auto box. The existing 195kw V6 in the calais and SV6 and its 5 speed auto will be handed down to the omega and berlina models, meaning the old 175kw and 4 speed will be given its much needed retirement.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Blue Blood – so you’ve driven both back to back yeah? doubt it, not even any of the major motoring journo’s have done a back to back comparison yet, and if you have actually been able to get in and test drive a G6E turbo already then your doing pretty good considering most of the dealers don’t have one to let people drive yet!
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Ford G6E Turbo – the G6E is available with the EXACT same interior colour combination as the calais. Infact both models have “black” and “cream” interior colour options, and both colour schemes are almost identical. So if the holden is “yuk” then by definition the ford must be yuk to!
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I agree with Bret, the seats are cream in a grey interior, the carpets not even colour matched, they didnt even bother to colour match the door trims. The BF MkII Fairmont Ghia interior is better matched than this. In the G6E/turbo the dash is two tone and the carpet is cream. Sure the VE looks pretty schmick on the outside and does turns heads, being a ford man i still like looking at the Calais V, but then when it gets to the interior, the fords got it all over the VE. The piano black and the positioning of the screen and the iPod like controls are just light years ahead of the commodore. Get a G6E turbo on the 10spoke 19inch alloys and you got an equivalent looker to this.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Richo, no. The interior of the falcons are colour matched, floors, dash, door trims all match the seats giving a two tone appearance. The commodore is just cream seats slapped in a grey interior.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Minnow – you know the pianno black dash treatment was started way back with the original V2 monaro right? are you sure its ford who are only just catching up? Notice how NONE of the major european pretige cars use pianno black interior treatments, its all subtle shades of silver just like the commodore. Its the falcon that is behind…
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Richo, the G6E has a shade of silver center console and carbon fiber look strips not silver painted plastic.. again point destroyed.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
And if you ordered a regular Calais with the beige interior, that’s what you get – beige seats, carpets, lower doors and lower dash rather than this admittedly ho-hum mish-mash.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
The reason the cream seats are on the dark mats or carpet is Holden chose to do this, as the cream coloured mats got dirty very quickly. This is as many buyers went on and bought the Onyx mats to cover the floors.
Vote:I guess holden adressed it with this release to see how buyers preceived it?
And one thing im not sure bout this is having the V badge under the Calais one. Doesnt suit it to well imo.
May 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Yeah, the normal Calais V does look much better than this. Then theres the price, a V6 calais V is 54,290 v8 is 59,290 while G6E Turbo is 54,990. Then a G6E is 46,990. Suddenly the commodore is looking a little over priced because you get the same stuff but it also has reverse camera as standard. You can obviously see for a person who isn’t too stitched to either side of the fence, how hard a decision it can be. Both are awesome cars.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Minnow – carbon look strips ay, you mean just like the ones on the VY calais? oh yep, exactly the ones. And how come on the ford its a shade of silver but on the holden its silver painted plastic? despite the fact they are actually pretty much identical?
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Richo, i was refering to the strips being silver painted plastic. The different texture makes it look fancier. The silver painted plastic strips are used on the XT falcon. But yes, i didnt know the VY had that, but the VE doesnt have it right? The center console is silver painted plastic, you have to admit though the ergonomics is better in the falcon and the interior command controls are better in the falcon. Compare the BF to the VE, the VE did have a better looking interior but again the screen was positioned better in the falcon. Holden loves having a low screen. I expect in the VE’s facelift some interior bling will be making a come back. But as highlighted above the regular Calais V has a better interior which i just dont get, i suppose to distinguish it apart as a special edition.. a slightly worse than regular edition and it costs more.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
agree, calais is a nice car, pity it was out of my range for a new car otherwise would had an eye on it.
As for the new 6 engine, does anyone know the specs of this?
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Quick Question right, um i dnt get, how come for the normal calais V u can choose the Cream interior, with Urban light Dash & Urban light door trim, which Looks a Million Times better than the pic above. & for some reason this isnt available on the 60th anniversary. and um i dnt know if u guys know yet, but from now on the normal VE Omega comes with 16 inch alloys as standard and all VE’s in the Holden range come with 6 airbags (including Side-curtain airbags) as standard from now on.
OH and RICHO:: i was gona mention the new V6 but u already have so thx for mentioning that.
and NEWS about the new Holden V6 (which is gona be in SV6, calais & calais V) is that it will be a 3.6 Litre V6, DIRECT Fuel Injection, Developing:: 227 KW @ 6300 rpm, & 371 NM torque @ 5200 rpm, (figures usingregular 87 unleaded) so premium 98 RON, will pretty much have better results.. the engine is about 3% more fuel efficient then the current 195 KW block, and a bit lighter.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Minnow, have a close up look at a VE calais V interior, their are alot of different textures, not just “silver painted plastic” as you put it.
Also you say that the ergnomics in the falcon is superior, well thats not what wheels and motor are saying so i dunno, conflicting reports there. I agree that the screen in the falcon is better placed however
as for the interior comand controls, i havent sat in a new falcon yet, so i haven’t had a play with it all to see how it feels to use, thats the real key. I can say however the commodores controls feel fairly nice to use, although the feel of the auto selector is a bit nasty, but otherwise its all pretty nice. As i said though haven’t had the opportunity to compare to the falcons
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Car Enthousiast – you’ll note the shade of creme is slightly different that is in the normal calais V, my guess is they are trying out this new scheme in a special edition before putting it in the VF commodore because if it tanks in a special edition its no big deal, but if it tanks on the VF then its a bit of a problem. So this is more or less a bit of a “live” market test.
And yes your right, the omega now has a different grille aswell as the 16’s to help lift its appearance a bit, and yep 6 airbags accross the range which means even the poverty pack VE gets the same level of safety equipement as the top of the range, which is a positive thing in my opinion.
Also those figures you have are what the engine puts out in the cadillac CTS, theres no guarantee that is what it will have when it gets into VE, holden may squeze more out, or they may go the other way and detune it slightly to further improve fuel economy.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Wait, so Calais V buyers are paying an extra $2500 for a bit of a change in paint and colours and some alloy wheels that would probably be available from Holden accessories for less?
Well, at least it’s good that they changed the wheels. Ever since they updated them, I think they look HIDEOUS. Why did they even bother to update them. The original ones were fine, apart from the fact they were used in the Lumina special edition, which would have made the Calais V owner very annoyed.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Good job Holden…………..though standard rims on the Calais V look better in my opinion! Though i prefer the two tonne dash option on the Calais V instead with the black on the top of the dash and the nice cream colour down and on the armrests and seats. They should have done the two tonne colour instead though also.
Richo Says:
May 28th, 2008 at 10:54 am
the calais is most definetly the looker in the VE range isn’t it? Was following a black one in traffic the other day and really did think that it looked like the ducks nuts.
Richo, I hope your not talking about THIS ducks nuts………….mine. hehehehehehehehehehehe! :) :)
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Richo, is a little off the mark about Ford G6E Turbo interior, firstly it flows better (class leading), with two tone black on cream/biege colour doors, console and dash, plus the dash is (black) to suit the lighter colours in cabin, have another look at pictures or just sit in one if you dare to, you will find the cabin atmosphere feels well above Calais slapped together aftermarket ambience..
Test drive the G6E Turbo before passing uneducated judgment.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I am currently looking for a ‘big aussie 6′ and it is down to this or the G6E. But having looked at this and the Falcon G6E back to back, my money is going to Ford. What a superb car, and Holden wants to charge another 10k over the G6E for the same features, good luck to holden on that one. Also when I looked at the Holden it had bits falling off it, and was squeaking at 24kms, (no not 24000 or 240, only 24) and the Ford was comfy, and well priced and well designed. Pity work wouldn’t allow the turbo though :( Going for a test run on saturday of both (only sat in them) and I have high hopes for the falcon, better engine and gearbox, better build quality etc. I never though I would say this But Go Ford! (i have alway had holdens)
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hell, Holden employee Richo seems to have this covered. I think I’ll go to bed.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hey captain, someone has to stand up for the general on these otherwise ford dominated forums. Atleast i’m not one of these wankers who knows full well that they are a died in the wool ford fan but run around saying “oh i’m not a ford fan but..” and “i’m normally a holden fan but..” trying to make us think you are some kind of converted soul. Give us a break we aren’t that stupid! I am what i am, a holden and mitsubishi fan and proud to admit it, you won’t hear me pretending to be a fan of the opposition admiting to how much better the other team is
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Will be eager to see some more comparos between Calais and G series.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Phil, I’ve just bought the latest WHEELS and it contains that exact comparison. It’s still in its paper bag and I haven’t snuck a read of the concluding paragraph yet. We’ll see!
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
When will you read it?
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Richo: Some people actually are converts because, like me, they might realise that someone else makes a better car. Although some others on this website have been known to be a bit iffy. I wish that people like Ford G6E Turbo (gee he isn’t biased) would get off forums like this and let people have their say. Not hog it, because their car is the best (because they are so one eyed)
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
For all the ppl whingeing about the “Silver painted plastic” on the calais V, its actually real metal. You ppl have obviously never sat in a Calais.
And as for the cream seats in the grey interior, its only for this Special Edition. If you order a normal Calais V then its all colour matched
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Waiting for Golfie’s comparo summary. Should be a close fight.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
well i believe wheels to be a fair judge of cars so i will accept their verdict either way. I do however believe it will be pretty close regardless of which is handed the victory. Or it might be one of those annoying wheels comparo’s where they don’t actually give a verdict! Those ones tend to shit me, but i’m betting in this one they will being a ford vs holden battle
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
G6E Turbo was the clear winner, one of the best Australia has ever made, they say.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
well there you have it, i’ll cop wheels cos they have the track record to back it up. Looks like holden have a bit to do with the upcoming VF update. I guess if you think about it it really should be better too, it was put on sale 18 months after the commodore so if it wasn’t as good they certainly had the time to improve it and make it better. So anyway i view this as fords response to the VE, now it will be interesting to see what holdens response to the FG is! No matter which side of the fence you sit on the constant back and forth battle between the brands has only one real winner, the aussie car buying public!
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Thanks Golfschwein. I’ll have to grab a copy of Wheels tomorrow.
I thought it’d be closer than “clear winner”. The competition is a good thing. I think G6ET and CalaisV (V8 of course) can’t be beaten when you put quality, performance & price all together.
I sat in a G6E and was very impressed. I’ll need to check out a Calais as well.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
It all fairs good for out local auto industry.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
It puts the kybosh on claims that WHEELS are biased, doesn’t it? They’ve always called it fair, I reckon. BA was a clear winner over VY too, I recall.
Duck, I’ll say this here, as it’s not likely to be read by Dingo/Toyota Supporter/etc. He’s been banned something like 20 times and keeps renewing his IP address to inflict the site with his one-dimensional garbage such as on the Camry thread.
I see you on the Camry thread asking or inviting him to comment. It’s best not to. His limited intellect is easily dealt with but, more seriously, the bloke’s a sociopath who isn’t well. Bullying, name calling, the never-say-die attitude evident in his continual return to the site even when banned,multiple aliases, lack of empathy are but some of the calling cards well on display in his hate-filled comments. Have you seen any that are friendly? He quite literally doesn’t know how to.
The site owners have been in contact with some of us and asked us not to engage, invite or respond. We’re taking heed, so now he needs to find others to attack.
Thought I’d let you know here, as he’s not likely to come looking.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
wheels has never been biased, thats usually just something people trot out when the car they like is given a bad review.
as far as i can remember though, ford have always released after holden, meaning they usually have time to respond to holdens latest product. But as far as i can recall every time there was an update there was fresh comparo’s and the victories (averaged accross the range) was more or less as followed:
VT v EL = VT massive winner
VT v AU = VT comfortable winner
VX v AUII = VX comfortable winner
VY v BA = BA comfortable winner
VZ v BA = as close as its ever been to a draw
VZ v BF = same again
VE v BF = VE comfortable winner
VE v FG = FG comfortable winner (assuming golfie is telling the truth, which there is no reason why he wouldn’t be)
VF v FG = ???? we’ll find out next year!
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
That all sounds about right to me Richo, with one exception in my humble opinion. The BA to BF update was almost solely mechanical, very little in the skin changed. Mostly driveline refinement.
The I6 just keeps getting better, and the introduction of the ZF-6 auto was a master stroke (was it in BAII? I’m not sure). VZ introduced the Alloytech which hasn’t been a patch on the I6.
When talking base6 vs base6 I thought BF had the upper hand on VZ. I may be wrong, I don’t have old issues of wheels to look at. Correct me if I am wrong.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I’d expect the Ford to win being a more fresh design.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I know exactly what you mean Golfschwein.
When I see a post from Dingo, or realise it is one of his/her many, many aliases, I skip to the next. Some good points, I must say, but also very one-eyed and regurgitated.
I suggest you do the same Duck and anyone else new. At least 10 regulars who’ve been on CA since the start have left for another site because of one individual.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Quite agree, Richo. The VF will be the interesting one to watch. Here’s what will tempt me out of the Golf and into a Sportwagon:-
1. a 3 litre-ish VM Motori Turbodiesel with a 6 speed auto
2. a full length glass roof ala Peugeot 308. To Hell with the heat build-up!
3. a proper matching of interior finishes because the current technical finish on the dash and door tops mismatches horribly with the old-fashioned grain on the lower dash and door areas.
4. bring back Morpheous Metallic!
5. Fresh frontal styling.
End of wish list! :)
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Rain sensing, flat blade wipers
Not only does Calais V-Series detect rain on the windscreen, it determines how heavily it’s falling, and adjusts wiper speed accordingly. Because the wipers utilise flat blades, screen clearing ability is also improved over traditional wiper design. top quality
these are the same sytems used in bmws and mercs, it also has heated exterior mirrors with position memory and the calais-v has heaps of standard features, as stated above. what does the fg g6et have? yes a reverse camera which costs 500 just like a front parking sensors on the calais-v.
why does the fg xr8 have the same grey plastic dash with coloured plastic strips, the same monochrome screen, the same coloured plastic door handles and it also has 4 airbags like the fg xt. the omega has 6 airbags and alloys standard.
guys you need to put it in account that ford spent 800 million on the au back in 98 which failed and then 500 million on the ba facelift which adds to be 1.3 BILLION on one platform. the vy cost less than half the ba project which was about 220 million ofcourse holden at this time were working on their ve project and also the vt was such a huge succes, and they let go of the accelerator. yes the ba was great but the only main problem it had was with it’s brakes (”brake shuddering” car wants to sway left or right under braking).
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Hopefully the new engine will boost sales on the interim before Ford or Toyota jump on the same boat, I know the Aurion engine with DI is already in the IS350 so they might follow suite soon after with a Aurion revision or a new v6 car lol… thats if they decide to play catch up.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I agree watto, its ok for good arguments even though the argument may be flawed sometimes, but when it gets personal, it just ruins the article comments completely.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Come now Senator. They both have trick bits on them and Wheels are comparing one overall package against the other.
Everything I’ve read about the new turbo I6 and NA I6 (in whatever form) says it is a winner. VF will up the ante yet again, of course. Take a loss as it comes.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Yep Joober. Some of these blogs really go down the toilet when it gets overly personal/insulting.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
In the end you have to recongnise your own personal bias and accept the opinions of experts. I tend to prefer the VE mainly based on styling (i really do feel the FG’s exterior styling is overly fussy) however i can recongnise that these feelings are most likely personal bias. In the end wheels have declared a winner and thats that basically. Holden have had more then their fare share of wins over the years!
You gotta remember though, Ford have had 18 months to evaluate holdens package and make sure that the FG is superior, so its pretty obvious that it was gonna be the better car, now the shoe is on the other foot and holden has around 18 months before the VF is due which they can spend doing exactly the same thing, therefore (in theory atleast) the VF should be a better car then the FG when it comes along…
…but then ofcourse there will be the FH falcon (or whatever they decide to call it) in 2011! and on the game goes…
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Couldn’t agree more Richo.Swings and roundabouts. I always liked the muscular stance of the VE. Omega’s look very average with wheels not big enough to fill those big guards which always seemed overdone. But the upper-spec VE’s and the HSV’s with big wheels are hot/mean looking machines.
If the FG had turned out to be a flop, I seriously may have got an SS or SS-V as my next car. The Turbo I6 in all it’s guises justifies my waiting in the hope that my favoured brand really moved forward.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Richo i think you are mistaken with the VT over EL. Not saying the VT wasnt a better car but if i remember correctly ( I may be wrong) the VT actually came out 16 or 18 months after the AU. then the BA and VY were almost in the same week i think
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Eddy The Expert, its real metal aye? i take back my comments about cheap painted plastic.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 1:23 am
Watto_Cobra, the 6spd was available in the BF but only in the Fairmont, Ghia, and XR6’s and 8. And Arlester, the VT came out in 1997. EL ran to mid 1998 and ford was creating those Sapphire falcons, the Sapphire falcons hold their value better than a AU forte.. i wonder why? lol.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 1:34 am
As for those wiper blades on the VE commodore, all that did by changing to the european method was make the exercise more expensive. For the sake of making a wiper blade more technologically advanced and complicating the hell out of choosing a wiper blade so that it employes more people to be wiper blade experts… holden chose the european method. A wiper blade now costs about 30 bucks each when you could otherwise replace a wiper rubber for 3 bucks, theres your auto wiper technology bettering your complicated life because its too busy to flick a switch… wow must be an effort to do that. And that auto lights on feature… again you must be blind if you cant figure out its too dark. I was behind a Honda Odyssy, its lights kept turning on under every bridge on the freeway and because its tail lights blink on you think they put their brakes on… another pointless annoying technology.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Minnow, I’d heard somewhere you have to replace the entire wiper arm or at least most of it on a VE??
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Minnow, come now. You don’t fall for the old Maxwell Smart turning on your tail lights to make ‘em think you’re braking trick, do you? Really? Truly? Seriously?
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 8:50 am
i have auto headlights and auto wipers on my VRX lancer and i have to say i think they work pretty well. They don’t constantly flick on and off with underpasses on the highway (maybe the honda system is too sensitive?) and they only seem to come on when its genuinely dark. The auto wipers also seem to work pretty well although you can manually adjust their sensitivity and if you have it set too low they never come on and if you have it set too high they go spako on you, but once you’ve found the right setting they work pretty spiffy. It’s not so much that people are too lazy to flick the switch, it’s just that its nice to not have to do it if you know what i mean?
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Exactly, Richo. The car does it for you. It’s the same with ESP and sat nav. The car does it for you. And that’s nice. The Golf’s wipers ARE spooked by the shadows of freeway pedestrian overpasses and make a single sweep of the windscreen as a result. It amuses me. They are automatic, after all.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
The interior looks nice, shame the outside says commodore.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
That’s weird. I would’ve said the exterior looks very good but didn’t think much of the interior. *shrug*
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Yeah, the whole wiper. You know how on the normal cars you can replace just the rubber, either thin or wide blades.. well the VE and many other cars like the focus, astra… most euro cars the the whole thing is replaced besides the arm and you either have to buy it from the dealer and you know how dealers like to charge very nice prices for the smallest things, or order it in aftermarket (trico just started making them), at an auto shop because there are so many types no one keeps them in stock.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
“I suggest you do the same Duck and anyone else new.”
Watto_Cobra, I know what you mean about Dingo but I am not new to this site, Ive been on here before you know, a while now!
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Minnow, how much do they cost each?
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
arlester Says:
May 29th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Richo i think you are mistaken with the VT over EL. Not saying the VT wasnt a better car but if i remember correctly ( I may be wrong) the VT actually came out 16 or 18 months after the AU. then the BA and VY were almost in the same week i think
Arlester, the VT come out in 1997 before when the AU was released in 1998.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Duck, my wording was poor, I didn’t mean you were new. You were asking where/why BM has gone.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Ok, i understand
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Does anybody know the cost of VE Commodore Wiper Blades?
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Richo,
your dates are wrong.
ford has not always followed holdens release
the best side by side release to date has been in august 2002 where the BA and VY were released with in a week of each other.
and what was the result again for the most equal comparison ever? (dont get on your high horse it was just a friendly dig ha ha)
VT V EL?
well the EL was about to wrap up, and the VT was just starting.
ford didnt release after holden there.
if a model from holden or ford hasnt lined up, then bet your bottom dollar thet the oposittion had thrown a series revision in to combat the others new model.
holden updates their models more frequently.
holden does smaller updates (but more of them) where as ford seems to do massive updates (but less of them)
therefore there will always be a point where ford is a clear cut winner until they fade into the pack, then hey presto!!!! they surge again.
i reckon fords sales would pick up a bit more if they updated frequently like holden does.
even if it is just a small head light drop like VR-VS VT-VX or VY-VZ
when ford went from BA-BF they spent the money on under the skin stuff.
if they had have spent that little bit less on under the skin stuff like holden does and put it towards a little face lift, im sure the BA release sales may have kept solid.
why did they wait till BF11 to change the headlights?
that should have been mandatory in BF1 IMO.
the BF1 did get much better tail lights than the BA though.
pity the headlight order didnt arrive on the same truck
oh and what were your winning results formulated off?
Vote:your feelings? styling?
i beg to differ with just a couple
May 30th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Its funny how this has already turned into a ford vs holden debate. Again.
This car, while it looks okay on the outside, is probably full of milk tray plastic. Just like every holden.
And any Holden drive has to admit that, right? Its flimsy, even with a huge price tag. Who are Holden trying to impress? They’re not a luxury or sports brand. They make taxis!
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
^And Ford dont! Dumbar*e!
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Hey John, BMW’s and Mercs are used as Taxis overseas whats your freaking point assclown?
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I agree ChrisGT, thankyou. He’s not making sense is he?
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
yep ford use metal do they, every single door handle in the fg range is coloured plastic execpt for the g6e’s and they are as thin as a stick, also the silver strips are plastic obviously! and they use so much grey plastic espicially the xt, every single model in the ve range has satin chrome finishes on the steering wheel cup holders and all doors handles except for the omega. Guys why are not talking about bentley’s or rollers here!
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Senator, do you know the cost of wiper blades for the VE Commodore. Will the FG have them to?
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Atleast the ve door trims are full stitched leather, including the door handles or rests, not like the fg where the doors are mostly plastic with a small rectangular area of leather.
yes the fg falcon interior is better, as the ve is outdated but still looks great, but the ve still uses quality materials as stated in alot of reviewers in the usa about the pontiac g8. Does the g6et have 8-way electric seats and memory for up to 3 people for both front seats?
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
not sure duck, but they are standard for calais-v, statesman and caprice.(go to clais-v, holden web and it’s under key features; exterior). It does not seem that it is a option for the other ve’s.
Not sure if the fg g6et will get it, all i know is that it usues the same wipers as the fg xt.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Senator, do you know what John is saying because holden dont make cars for taxi’s how come fords are in taxi business too? So is Beemers and Mercs in Germany.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I know the G6ET seat memorises its position (also display settings) to the flip-key fob being used at the time, in effect giving each key holder their own personalised settings when that person uses the car.
This is all going over board comparing even door stitching, isn’t it? Anyone should just go and sit in, and drive both, and choose the one they like more. They both look good.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Duck, John may have bagged out Holden, but he didn’t even mention Ford. Just guessing, I’d say he’s not a fan of either and prefers Euro or Jap.
Have you noticed a few people have bagged Holden, then when you ask why they think Ford is better, they often say they don’t like Ford either.
Don’t take it hard if someone says they hate Holden and just assume they are a Ford fan if they don’t state that, because it seems like a lot of the time they don’t like either. *shrug*
Their choice. It’s no longer Ford vs Holden. For me its getting more and more like local vs. imports.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
The new Ford FG Falcon don’t use wide flat blade european wipers like used on Commodore, Corolla and Focus for example. I had a zoom on the picture of FG falcon at different angles plenty of times (on CarAdvice, FG falcon first steer article) and they are the same traditional ones used before. I thought they would have used the european wipers……oh well! I was wrong.
How come the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore dont have a rear windscreen wiper? Sure it does not look better but its good in heavy rainfall.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Thanks Watto_Cobra, I didnt say anything along the lines of “unlike Fords, who have amazing interiors”
I agree also, that with people who dont only recognise Fords & Holdens as transport, it is becoming more local vs import. And yes, my favourite cars are Euro cars, and I love Jap cars too because of how much effort they put into their sports cars.
To some people, Im afraid, Ford vs Holden IS the big picture. Maybe some of them need to take a ride in an R34 GTR, or an M6. :D
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I hear ya. I’d love an Aston Martin DBS or Audi R8. A long way out of my price league though. I buy Aussie wherever possible, the new F6 sounds the goods so that’s what I’m aiming for.
IMO G6ET and Calais-V (V8) of good luxury, great performance, attractive, Aussie made, and reasonably priced. They tick nearly all the boxes.
Yeah, if someone says they don’t like Ford or Holden, I no longer assume they prefer the other.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
nah they are both great cars but the turbo tops off the g6e, great performance and much better than the ford v8 and it’s quick!
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
the ford turbo times are amazing 5.1-5.2, and a fg f6 got 5.2 form the latest wheels, but im sure it could hit 5.0 or even 4.9.
I see your point john but holden and ford make quality cars, that match and even beat numerours european cars. even the yanks want these fords on their streets just like the commodores. hopefully ford usa open their eyes and consider to import some new falcons in the not too distant furtue.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Unlikely, the way the $US is at the moment. The G8 deal was done well before the $US went downhill.
Vote:May 31st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Well, the last car I had was a commodore, a VX Exec. It was horrible, unreliable, everything broke. I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge the new models, but I’ve only had experience with the tacky older models. Even though I wouldn’t buy either, I have to say, the new ones do LOOK cool, obviously I havent driven them, but yeah, from an aesthetic point of view, thats my opinion. And the new Ford’s suprised me, to be honest.
As an example, my dream car is an RS4. But right now Im saving for a twin-turbo E34 BMW 450i. Hah, I just cant get past the Euro thing.
Vote:May 31st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
^Have had nothing wrong with our VT (relaible wise).
Vote:May 31st, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Could anybody answer my question at the time i posted at?…………………..May 30th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Vote:May 31st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Geez, I stuck my nose in at the local Ford dealer today, and forgot to have a good look at the wipers Duck. Sorry ’bout that. Two mates and myself lined up a drive in an XR8 manual for next weekend, because they haven’t gotten hold of a Turbo yet. Will have a good look then.
I fully understand why wagons have a rear wiper. The airflow/backswirl off the roof/sides is always dumping heaps of dust/rain/whatever onto the back window. Can’t say I’ve ever thought “why doesn’t this sedan have a rear wiper?”
Some hatchbacks do have a rear wiper though because they suffer from the same problem as wagons.
Vote:May 31st, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I know what you mean about VT reliability Duck, you may get a good one or a bad one. I’ve heard stories about Aus but my has been “almost” faultless.
Original battery lasted 7 years. Got a slowly leaking waterpump replaced under warranty at about the four year mark. Absolutely no other problems.
Vote:May 31st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Yeah be good if you could find that out (about wipers) Watto_Cobra thanks!
Vote:May 31st, 2008 at 8:57 pm
The thing I want to know is this:-
Every new Falcon I think, whether single CD XT or flashy in-dash 6CD G6ET says “mp3 compatible” on the Interior Command Module.
Does this mean “plug in mp3 compatible” or is the actual in dash CD player mp3 compatible? The $450 tech pack gives you bluetooth and full iPod compatibility (on-screen playlists, etc) on anything less than a G6E.
I bought a Kenwood mp3 player for my AU about 8 years ago. I only change discs a couple of times a year to update with newer stuff because you’re talking 150-200 songs per disc so I didn’t option the 6-stacker with the head unit, no need to.
If the unit in the FG play mp3 CDs standard, which I suspect it does, I won’t need to get a bloody iPod or hook up my mp3 player to it.
Vote:June 1st, 2008 at 4:31 pm
100th Comment! Yeah! :D Holden Commodore V V8 (two tone dash colour) Versus Ford Falcon GG6ET! :)
Vote:June 1st, 2008 at 4:32 pm
^Opps! Sorry for the two g’s in G6ET :-)
Vote:June 5th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
DRUMROLL PLEASE!………………………………………………….
……………………………………..
…………The answer to the winner between the Ford Falcon G6ET V Holden Commodore Calais V (V8)is………………………………..4 and a half stars for the falcon and for the commodore is……………………………4 stars.
So the winner is the FG FORD FALCON G6ET between the two!
Not by much though! :)
Results from WHEELS mag June.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Watto_Cobra, have you found out yet?
Vote:July 7th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I am thinking of buying a VE-V V8 calais I will definetly put it on Injected LPG, What you reckon guys?
Vote:July 7th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
yes the G6 Turbo is good as turbos can be very fuel efficient compared to bigger engines like the Gen 6.0.
Vote:November 3rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I really like the interior it cuts up all the black so not to dark its something different aswell. Also looks more stylish I don’t like all cream matched like you normally get in the Calais V its to bright. On another note those who like black don’t need to get burnt in summer with black leather the cream ones help alot
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
nice looking car, ive read about half of the many comments and unless it has been mentioned in a later comment then i’d like to say, i’m confused as to why all this talk about interior, and less on specs :S
Especially performance figures, normally in forums theres bitching on which one is faster, and i haven’t read anything yet on this.
weird lol.
Final word, The VE is over 2 years old, and the FG is fresh as, so all you people saying the FG is better,then go figure!
Although i admire the Ford turbo’s, i still think ford should work on there V8’s.
This is Australia, V8 territory.
Fair enough if the FG XR6T turbo is a bit faster than the VE SS, but hey it doesn’t beat a V8’s sound.
Lol all this talk on interior and colour matching, queer comes to mind.
Both are nice cars, if you want the 6 then get the ford, if you want the 8 then get a Holden, nuff said.
Vote:April 8th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Just bought an MY09.5 Calais V with AFM. Yes it’s supposedly down 10kW on power but it’s smooth as silk and easily (and less ceremoniuosly) passes cars on the highway. Had a friend with a BA XR6T and he had no end of dramas with it. Computer, water pump, diff, etc…etc I stopped listening to him after then ‘cos I thought the list was long enough.. LOL! Plus he said it was absolutely shocking on fuel. I haven’t done any economy tests yet since it’s still running in but AFM definitely works according to the trip computer.
Vote:The old Manual VX Gen 3 SS I had did spectacularly well on the highway though. I regularly got less than 8 l/100km out of it and this was measured by the old way (fill to the brim then fill to the brim at destination).
Can’t say i tried the G6ET as I wanted a RWD V8 (and Ford’s V8 is not as good in any way in my opinion) but I would expect it to be a nice car. I would also expect it to cost more to run without AFM and based on what others have told me. Price wise you’ve never had a better choice. Falcodores are better than they have ever been and sh1t on new euro or jap offerings for the same money. Plus Holden (and no doubt Ford) are offering huge $ off especially V8s since they’re environmentally unfriendly.
I think it’s a cheap trick to take the LSD out of the Calais though (when did they do that?). That should be standard.
The VX was excellent as far as reliability went for the 8 years I had it since new. Standard engine rebuild to fix the piston slap issue and I broke the diff playing on a track (both fixed under warranty). That was pretty much it. Yes they are major but unlike the XR6T they were fixed under warranty early on it it’s life. The BA continued to fail. He may have got a bad one and I may have got a good one but I can only go by what I know. It was fun to drive though (as was the SS).
If you need a big car the question is only really going to be Holden or Ford. Otherwise you’ll end up with a small car. 2 kid seats just don’t fit on the back of anything smaller with room for an adult in the middle. I know ‘cos I wanted a Passat R36 (or at least looked seriously at one).
Competition improves the breed (except with the AU). The newer car should always be better and if it isn’t something’s wrong. Therefore the G6ET should be better than the Calais V.
That doesn’t work with the GT-P vs the GTS but that’s another story.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:16 am
I have read recently that Holden will be releasing a new V6 with 224kw and 363nm that will be more fuel efficent
Vote:May 11th, 2009 at 11:01 am
It doesn’t matter what Holden bring out or upgrade, their philosophy is simple. Cubic Inches or literage rather than technology, and it might be good for short term but what about long term, if they keep going they will be shoe-horning truck engines in their cars…all they need to do is find a supplier, coz everyone knows that Holden haven’t made an engine of their own since the ‘Black’ I6 in the VK.
The VE was an ugly car from the get-go, big lumpy rounded car, with tiny 4 cylinder car like tail lights and a flat arse end which looks like it’s been rear ended by a bus… YUK.
The FG is a brilliant car, in every way, design and technology, Holden have been playing catch up since BA was released and I think they will be playing catch up for a long time to come. And I’m not talking about sales figures, because clearly Australian consumers have their heads in the sand. I know one person who bought a Commodore simply because (in his mind) it was Australian… poor mislead individual.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Hello I’ve heard the new (in Australia) Holden V8 AFM
Vote:system drives from Melbourne to Sydney without refuelling.
We are about to renew our Caprice (with a LSD option!)has anyone done the fuel stats around town when the AFM is working? Nothing against AFM but who would buy a large V8 and be interested in getting 8L per 100KM in place of 9?
You buy a nice car like a Caprice 1890kgs dry LWBase with a large V8 for reasons other that being great on fuel they are great value for money, and Aussie built. Back to my question 15, 20 and even 25L per 100km if your GPS puts you behind a tram! with AFM not working in first or second what are the around town per 100km fuel stats? I’m guessing you do end up saving 2 or 3 L per 100km driving across town. In ending I plan to remove the spare and run my new car on Gas, taxi drivers say the engine needs a new top end after 200,000km i guess the third or four owner will find out if that is true. Happy motoring whatever you drive. Andrew.