Comments on: Save space – Ford

By: Andrew. M

Andrew. M — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:09:30 +0000

paul i am not a holden fan so it hurts me to have to defend holden, but i am also unbiased unlike yourself which is why i have to say something.
holden does build cars with A/c. nothing to laugh at as far as i see. i havent seen a commy with out A/C since oh about a 1987 mod.
holden dont list it as standard in order to reduce their list price but i betcha if you went to order one with out A/C you prob wouldnt get one. i suppose you could say at least holden give you the option. now there is a lesson in optimism for you.
the fact is even by the time you factor in the extra for A/C the commy still isnt any dearer than competitors.
its similar to metalic paint…..
every car comes with it now days (unless its white) yet they dont factor it into the price in order to make the list price look lower. yet every one still pays for it. same with the A/C.

and get your hand off it paul who were you talking about when you said “aussie brands” (meaning more than 1) holden and who? i know your angle.

and on the third one its another argument all together, but briefly toyota has to offer a reduced price as they are breaking in to the market otherwise no one would look at them. now dont make me give you a lesson in business because there would be a lot to tell you about by the sounds of it

By: adam

adam — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 21:35:26 +0000

Jacob…

Agree 100%.

Paul…your typically vague about Ford and Holden. How do you even know if Ford would drop the price of falcon to compensate for the $100 charge for a normal spare? you don’t…like Andrew said, your assuming.
Just like the affordability of a Lexus V8 and ‘local’ V8, $70,000 gap…
Until you go out and buy a NEW car you wouldn’t know what your paying, ever heard of the actual buy/negotiated price?
You use the ‘local’ argument against Ford and Holden, yet have said many a time that they are no better than Toyota? Always using Toyota as an example.
I said that Ford and Holden spend more R&D money here in AUS than Toyota, you work out if that makes them more ‘local’ or not…

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 12:57:42 +0000

QUOTE = Paul by the way ford do offer A/C standard so please correct yourself. and the fact that holden doesnt is covered by their reduced list price. so once you pay for A/C it comes out the same price anyway. its not ripping people off unless they start at the same price and then still make you pay extra for it.
and how do you know the new space saver for ford doesnt also mean an adjusted price??? oh there you go again “ASSUMING”.

1. I know the Falcon has A/C…. I did say “Or” and at no stage did I specifically mention the Falcon. So nothing to correct, just use common sense.

2. Holdens reduced list price? Enlighten me but there isnt a large difference between the Omega and ATX (Obviously the Lumina changes this) and regardless its not just about that, the fact that they market their vehciles as being built for the harsh Aussie environment but then dont have A/C is laughable.

3. Yes I will gladly assume… they currently sell the Falcon at or higher then the Aurion and with way less features. So with these added features and a newer model you could say this is a reasonable assumption.

By: Andrew. M

Andrew. M — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:53:04 +0000

you beat me to it Jacob, well said!!!!
what does it matter? and that most spares have speed limits on them anyway.
im not being sexist but perhaps a female might be able to change a tyre now cause they could actually lift one. there is a bonus
and the fact they are painted yellow means you will do your best to get it changed damn quickly anyhow.

Paul by the way ford do offer A/C standard so please correct yourself. and the fact that holden doesnt is covered by their reduced list price. so once you pay for A/C it comes out the same price anyway. its not ripping people off unless they start at the same price and then still make you pay extra for it.
and how do you know the new space saver for ford doesnt also mean an adjusted price??? oh there you go again “ASSUMING”.

hey ED,
you say it will be fitted to entire falcon range in your article, does this include falcon ute range? I doubt it. no space to gain there and they arent load rated

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 06:12:01 +0000

Seriously, what the hell has being in “Australia” got to do with it? 90%+ of us live on the damn coastline, its an absolute myth that anymore than a minority will be put out of place by a $100-$250 option. Some of you make it sound like you have to traverse the Kimberly’s to get to work every day.

By: gavin

gavin — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:49:21 +0000

ever lifted a full size spare out..trust me the space savers are a damn sight lighter..most normal spares are speed limited too

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 08:36:22 +0000

1. No I would consider other options other than Toyota, if I had the money Id get an R32 for example… not a TRD Aurion. But the fact remains, the japs are offering a full size while the local “Aussie” brands aernt offering A/C standard or full size spares… two features youd expect from cars designed for this country not from “foreigners” like Toyota! Locals of convenience?

2. Yes bargain a spare tyre in instead of something else like rear parking sensors etc. Fact is the consumer loses out here, while the manufacturer gains. Now I have said, how much the consumers lose out is debateble, a space saver isnt that bad… but when your competition at the same price is offering them and your meant to be an Aussie brand Id be asking alot of questions!

3. Yes I lack knowledge because I dont know what spares tyres cars have… oh no I have absolutely no cred now because of that lol. My general point was that they are charging more for it over the steelies… its a money making excercise.

By: adam

adam — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:17:13 +0000

Paul…

You will never buy anything other than Toyota, so in your case and opinion you have nothing to worry about…true?

I bet you Ford will not be making that much money charging 100 for a steel spare, why? people will bargain the steel spare into the deal.
Who wants a alloy spare!? this is where your lack of knowledge comes through.
Traditionally, spare wheels have been the same specification as whats on the car itself, or what actual wheel and tyres are on the car, meaning if its a base model vehicle with steel 15inch wheels, thats what your spare would be. If it’s a 16inch alloy wheel thats what the spare would be, hence the option.
Only in the last few years have some manufacturers have been replacing alloy spares with conventional steel wheels to save money and now there’re starting to convert to space savers.

By: fil

fil — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:39:06 +0000

i don’t think I’ve had a flat tyre this century so I consider it a non-issue. If you live in the bush, pay extra for the full-size spare, or (even better) negotiate with the dealer to include it in the price. If you live in the city you can benefit from the weight saving. Case closed.

By: Bavarian Missile

Bavarian Missile — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:14:59 +0000

Saves money for the manufacturer not space anyway,the wheel well it sits in is the same size of a standard spare wheel. Only had one other than the one we just got on the Shelby Stang we just rented,have it for 2 days only and you waist time trying to fix it so you can drive over 55 mph. Disapointing if you rent something your looking forward too. Mind you the last was on a new Landcruiser that wasn’t a space saver and the dealer hadn’t pre-deliverd the car correctly and we couldn’t get the spare wheel down ,another waiste of a day trying to get it fixed.

Alborz have just tried to email you from Hotel room story of the Stang but Hotels server tells me toooo large to send. Will get hubby to stick pics in a zip folder tomorrow see if that helps. Before were of to another bloody trade fair,Melbourne this time,gee its cold here.