SEMA Edition Pontiac G8
30 Oct, 2007
60 Comments 
Pontiac has shown a SEMA edition of its G8 sports sedan- aka Holden VE Commodore SS-V - at the Speciality Equipment Market Association auto show in Las Vegas. Perhaps it is the natural styling of the car, perhaps it has suffered the same lacklustre fate as the 20th Anniversary HSV - one thing for certain with the VE Commodore-based show car is that little has had to be changed to fit in with the SEMA crowd.
Known for its radical and flamboyant display of cars, it is odd then for an almost standard car to appear among the ranks of SEMA - and not at all appear out of place.
Aside from the custom orange paint - which closely resembles the Australian domestic Ignition colour - the car is mostly standard. The bright orange interior, while new to the American public, is commonplace in Australian SS-V models.
Even the 20-inch wheels which are unique to the Pontiac G8 SEMA car in the US are nothing more than the standard VE HSV wheels.
The 270kW V8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, ABS and traction control are all standard equipment as well.
For a SEMA-worthy show car to be derived from nothing more than a custom paint scheme coupled with features the Australian market have had access to for over a year is something Holden should be proud of.
Perhaps they should have taken over a HSV GTS or the new HSV Maloo and really given them a taste of what the humble Pontiac G8 could become.
Source: MotorAuthority
Location: Home / Holden VE Commodore / ...
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October 30th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
By the looks of it this car will do very well over in the states, good work
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October 30th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Is that sarcasm ??????? Hard to tell?
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October 30th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
*waits for anti-Holden brigade to arrive in the back of the RAV4*
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October 30th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
(Just coming out from a RAV4)
General Rubbish, enough said. :|
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October 30th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
lol, Holden is the only car manufacturer exporting cars to the US…enough said.
Oh, and they make the highest selling car in Australia…enough said.
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October 30th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
1. Toyota sells 70% overseas. Enough Said
2. The Corolla is the highest selling car to private buyers (the people who buy the best car, given they are actually using their OWN money). Enough said
This aside, it is amazing that a reasonably stock Commodore is regarded as something decent over in the states, congrats to Holden for that… although Im not sure if the yanks liking it is a good thing as usually their styling is ummm ordinary
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October 30th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
All toyota need is a bit of imagination and they might come up with a good looking car that won’t cost 60 grand.
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October 30th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
lol, pull another one Toyota Paul but show me where u got the figures on Corolla’s private sales? I’ve never seen so many Corolla’s occupying lots at rental car companies as there are today.
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October 30th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
very funny Importjap!!! well done ill pay that.
paul,
do you only have 2 lines you use on here. i reckon ive heard both of them around 100 times each….
they are getting old….
private buyers are also those who are influenced by advertising aswell dont forget.
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October 30th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Jason & Toyota Paul = Both copycats. Enough Said.
Jason, Holdenwoo is just another branch of GM. Not really from Australia that much at all. Can’t you think of anything other than copying. Enough said.
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October 30th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Some of you people are so bias, volume of sales mean nothing, Im sure Toyota or Holdenwoo have spent alot of money on advertising so that in return eat’s profits (BIG TIME) you don’t buy a car just because your next door neighbour has the highest number sold on the road. (WHO GIVES A FUK), I buy because I respect what companies do, I will give you an example and this is fact a little giant company called Suzuki have profited annually over the last 56 years there ain’t many manufacturer’s who can say that and one of the fastest growing companies on the planet, please eat some of your words cause they mean nothing to Australia…..
Toyota means alot to hire companies
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October 30th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Woz, good point and ive said it before too.
who the hell buys cars from the #1 manufacturer just because they are the #1 seller?
do we all bank with the bank that turns the highest profit for the year? Hell no it means they are making more money out of you than the others.
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October 30th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Hey Andrew M,it is well known amongst the heavies in the Motor Trade that being market leader is generally worth an extra 3-4 points in market share.This is because there are a hell of a lot of new car buyers out there who are motorists and not drivers or enthusiasts(like those of us who contribute to these blogs).All they want in a car is reliability,the lowest costs possible, some safety and most of all they just want to get from A to B and just live their lives and a car is just another appliance, a means to an ends.
How else do you explain Toyota’s rise to the top in sales over the past few years.
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October 31st, 2007 at 12:20 am
Holdens are driven by unsophisticated people who still use words like wog and boonga.
Should fit right in southern america.
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October 31st, 2007 at 7:17 am
Toyota Paul,
Tell me Toyota Paul, tell me which Aussie built Toyota is exported to any other country other than the Middle East?
Holden export the Commodore not only to the Middle East but also to the U.S of A and if industry rumours are correct it will be sold in Europe and Great Britain where it is already being imported in small numbers. Then we have New Zealand, South Africa, Papau New Guinea, Thailand and other parts of S.E. Asia. Now none of the other countries import the Australian Camry, not even New Zealand whom get their imports elsewhere.
Why not accept the good work Holden is doing for Australia. As a result we are getting excitement machines like the Chev Corvette and Comaro at a much cheaper price than previous importers have been able to get them at. Cadillac and Hummer are other brands which will expand here in the very near future. All this gives Australians more choice. By the way, what will happen if Toyota withdraws its Altona factory as it seems to be leaning towards at the moment. Many people including my cousins husband who is a senior engineer will either have to relocate in another country Or lose his job. Stop this Anti Holden BS and give praise when praise is earned and Holden has definately earned it.
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October 31st, 2007 at 7:23 am
That last comment is directed to all those people who Rubbish Australias own. Get a life.
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October 31st, 2007 at 8:20 am
Going Ford you are an absolute dope…and obviously a 12 year old. Toyota Paul and I copied your mannerisms not out of respect (or laziness) but because we wished to send you up as we loathed your poor attitude to discussion.
As for your comments on Holden just being a branch of GM, all the manufacturers in Australia are part of larger corporations, including Ford, so your argument has no merit.
If I was to take the argument a step further it could easily be suggested that Holden is by far the most localised operation of any car manufacturer in Australia.
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October 31st, 2007 at 8:21 am
mate you’re joking right ^^
All those US brands you’ve mentioned, are for a minority of car owners. It’ll increase the range but doubt they’d sell much. If there’s anything I’ve seen in my work experience so far, any new product is taken with utmost reluctance in being accepted around here. (mostly because people are just set in their ways and rather not change to something new/different).
You realize why Middle East is one of the largest importers of Holden Commowhores right? the price of fuel there is probably half of what people pay here, oh and the fact that people here actually have jobs which they ‘earn’ their living from, rather than rich daddy or being connected in the slightest way with a royal family.
The Us of A - aren’t sophisticated (the majority of the yanks) so don’t even bring them up. How well it will do in Europe, now that will be interesting considering they have a more sophisticated range as is. Asia - don’t even think about it, the number of Toyotas sold there is more than you can comprehend and their range is far far superior over there.
There’s no AntiHolden BS - sure they are good at their marketing skills, give them that much credit indeed (I mean who else brings in korean cars and calls them AuSSie cars).
Don’t turn around and give this some form of patriotic touch. (next thing you know they’ll have that in their bloody ads). Get a life yourself and realize that its all marketing/politics.. notgoodenough.org > go have a read in the automotive section, you’ll be surprised with the number of Anti Holden, I mean ANti AUssie (are you for real?) comments.
Football, Meatpies, Kangaroos and Bogans (who need to do research) -
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October 31st, 2007 at 8:28 am
most australian car is holden? ford falcon is nearly wholly built here, engine, diff, body, the only real imported product is the gearbox if you choose the 6 speed!!!
Ask holden how much of even the commodore is built here… its nowhere near as much as the ford…
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:33 am
holden would never be able to break into the asian market. they only buy their own products and are far more set in that mind set than we are with our own products obviously. and best thing for toyota they are also one of the largest markets.
Joe Paglia,
mate i know it is an advantage to be #1 seller. it puts across the perception that the product must be good but it is not always the case. i just question the mindset of those that think it means they must also buy one.
a good old saying in retail is “Stock sells Stock”. people see a big stack of something and they “assume” it is great value
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:33 am
Alien - you argue that europe is the big key and how well something does in europe is the big telling factor of what is a good car. Well the UK, which is more or less part of europe, went absolutely gaga over the monaro when vauxhall imported it, and they are going absolutely gaga over the VE HSV range which again vauxhall are going to import. The european journo’s who have driven it have written glowing reports on it.
If you could put aside your anti-holden bias for a second you will see that ok yes previous holdens havent been all that special, but the new VE is a pretty darn good car. Yes its built to a price so the build quality isnt that of some european marks, but as far as how it DRIVES goes, its as good as any sedan in the world of comparable price
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:37 am
the only thing i question about the UK market is will people see through it to the practical side. i mean it isnt a type/size of car you would normally see on their roads
they are more into diesel peugeots, citroens, focus’s.
due to the busy nature of the city will they see a larger car suitable?
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:39 am
and btw alien, you call holden drivers bogans, well mate i take great offence to that because i love my commodore and i am anything but a bogan, infact i hate ferrals (i think ferrals is a better name then bogans personally) as much as you clearly do, but i generally dont buy cars based on what badge they have on them, i buy cars based on how they drive. And anyone who judges people based on the car they drive is just plain ignorant. I like european cars too, my wife will soon be behind the wheel of a skoda octavia, but i also like my aussie cars because i happen to like the relaxed manner in which they drive and the amount of performance you get for your dollar is also extreemly competitive. If you dont like me because i drive a holden, and therefore must be a bogan, then frankly your a wanker
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:40 am
Andrew M - for that very reason it wont be sold in the UK as a family car, vauxhall is only going to import the HSV models and they will be positioned very much as a sports sedan, and will actually be priced very high compared to what we pay here in Australia, and the Brits still think its a bargain! go figure..
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:55 am
its dissapointing to see what a disapointment the pontiac one is but 50 cenys g8 looks the goods!!
i have to say if i bought a commodore ( id ride my bike before i did!!) id have to order all the pontiac front for it, i really like it!
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:23 am
“and btw alien, you call holden drivers bogans, well mate i take great offence to that because i love my commodore and i am anything but a bogan, infact i hate ferrals (i think ferrals is a better name then bogans personally) as much as you clearly do, >”but i generally dont buy cars based on what badge they have on them, i buy cars based on how they drive” judges people based on the car they drive is just plain ignorant > Well Richo, you clearly aren’t a bogan and being honest with you, I don’t classify bogans = holden driver , more so just someone who lacks the knowledge and commonsense (which I can see that you exhibit well).
you’ve made two solid points which I’ve quoted with the >
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:33 am
i agree alien,
the first thing i look at in a vehicle is…
will i enjoy driving this vehicle??????
sorry that is a must for me
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October 31st, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Sorry Andrew M but you are mistaken, Holden is already exporting to the Asian market - Commodores to China and Korea
http://www.abc.net.au/insidebu.....737335.htm
http://www.holden.com.au/www-h.....tegoryId=5
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October 31st, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Jason said…
“Going Ford you are an absolute dope and obviously a 12 year old. Toyota Paul and I copied your mannerisms not out of respect (or laziness) but because we wished to send you up as we loathed your poor attitude to discussion.”
“As for your comments on Holden just being a branch of GM, all the manufacturers in Australia are part of larger corporations, including Ford, so your argument has no merit.”
Call me a dope and 12, then you just a retard.
I ment Holdenwoo wankers like you think Holden is more Australian than Ford your comment has no reason at all.
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October 31st, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Jason…
YOU ARE #1 D-HEAD EVER BEEN ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH AND A HOLLOW SKULL WHO KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN SPROOKING ON ABOUT JUST HOLD’EN TOGETHER …. BEEN EXPORTED! YOU HAVE THE BEHAVUOR OF 10 THATS JUST BEEN BRAIN-WASHED BY DUMBARSE PARENTS. NO, MAYBEY FROM A MENTAL WARD, HEY?
P.S. Your vagina will not be a virgin when you look at your self.
Not good when you finaly reach 13 years old and no guys will want to ever do you. :)
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October 31st, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Jason, I just said Genral rubbish, than you insult me :( …idiot!
Because of that, you attracted “Driving-Fords-is-like-xxx” to insult you.
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October 31st, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I love this old “MYTH” that Ford and Holen are soo Australian when theyre not.
Theyre both American companies set up after the war.
Toyota employs and takes care of their aussie workers much better than holden and Ford.
Also the argument the Holden and Ford are more Australian in their building is also outdated.
Holden now uses more parts sourced and made in China so in essence what part of Holdend is still Australian?
Id rather my parts come from Japan that China.
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October 31st, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Elitist, Ford came out long before the two WWs and so did GM.
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October 31st, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Elitist,
so when did toyota come here??
how do you figure toyota is more australian?
you mean the same toyota who came here to export and gain from the large profitability due to our once weaker aussie dollar and now they are making less money due to the high aussie dollar they are thinking of abandoning australia.
is that the same toyota you are talking about??
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October 31st, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Paul and now Elitist reccon Toyota is more Aussie because of workers, WTF?
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October 31st, 2007 at 8:42 pm
NEWS FLASH>>>>>>>>>Truck has been involved in an accident in mid east with V8 Supercars involved…….Some cars damaged !
Will try finding link for all you I have email address for!!!!
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October 31st, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Ok Im sure not all of us care about V8 supecars…
Right on Elitist… these fairies around here have some idea that Ford and Holden are Australian, sorry but they are American companies. This ‘Going Ford’ is the funniest, according to him because Ford is called ‘Ford Australia’ here that makes them Australian, forgetting that every company does the same thing with their name. Regardless as I mentioned in another area, Toyota these days is involved in more sponsorships of Aussie events then the locals, employs many people and exports alot more then the locals… if you regard contribution to an economy as ‘Australian’, they are WAY more Australian. The only thing Ford and Holden contribute to Australia taking money away from the government in the form of handouts.
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:05 pm
A lot of us Ford fairies do….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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October 31st, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Lol this much is true!
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Alien,
Here we go again, that pathetic bogan comment again. I will tell you what. You are the bogan not us Holden owners. We are generations of owners, we are loyal to the brand unlike you who has either never owned a car (which I suspect) or driven so many brands that you couldn’t tell the difference between a Datsun 180b and a Toyota Corona when looking at one thats if you know what they are in the first place. So grow up and get real and stop catergorizing the owners of Australia’s most popular individual car who would all say your the bogan loser.
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Going ford is like buying shit,
I would suggest you do some research on Holden and you will find they were carriage builders in Australia before GM bought into them so actually Holden is far more Australian than Ford ever will. If you don’t believe me research it on the web or go to a Library and get the book about Holdens history. If you cant be bothered I will find a link with the information and paste it here. But I would suggest you try and save face by looking it up and admit that Holden is more Australian than the US company Ford which was named after of course US resident Henry Ford otherwise to all people who know anything about automotive history in Australia will see you as a 12 year old wanker . In other words you will find that Holden was around before the 48/215.
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Elitist,
Read the above comment do the research and you will see Holden were around prior to the war and were around prior to GM buying into it.
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:28 pm
^^ seems you failed to read my comments above - and exhibit quite well that you truely are, a waste of flesh and organs - aka bogan .
here’s a couple of names for ya jzx90,jzx100, mark2 grande, mark X , allion, premio oh and one of my personal favourites the jzs147.
Do you even know what these cars are? they are some of Toyotas better models that unfortunately aren’t imported in mass volume to Australia.
Now put the brand names, models aside and just look at the engineering behind these cars - being in the field of work I am, thats what interests me more… and quite frankly the technology of Holdens doesn’t impress me, I’d rather Ford than Holden .. if it ever comes to that.
don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying a Camry or any of these mundane Toyota models released in Australia are any better or extreme engineering - I’m talking about the bulletproof 2jz, the torque of the 1jz vvti or the smoothness of the 1uz. All these engines are old no doubt, but the fact that they still rival your holden technology to this day and age - thats engineering.
hell I’ll save you the hassle of looking it up here are some torque figures: (none of which exceed 6cyl)
Mark2 38.5 kg*m (377.56 N*m) / 2400 rpm (T + vvti)
Jzs147 44.0 kg*m (431.49 N*m) / 3600 rpm (TT)
Jzx100 38.5 kg*m (377.56 N*m) / 2400 rpm (T + vvti)
Verossa 25.5 kg*m (250.07 N*m) / 3800 rpm (Vvti)
oh incase you can’t read properly - I clarified that a bogan is someone who lacks knowledge and commonsense (not because of a car that they drive) ..
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Toyota Paul, you have no Idea about automotive history. And as I said look what happens when the Aussie dollar gets up to clarity with the US dollar and also find out that it is actually gaining a lot on the Japanese Yen, then watch them retreat just like their soldiers of war did. What will you say when Toyota exports from Thailand to Australia because of the cheaper labor over there. Also by the way many japanese cars are already made in Thailand for eg. Honda Civic, Honda Accord (not the euro), the Honda Jazz. all the light trucks are built there also, Ford are going to export their next light car from Thailand. I could beat you in a debate on Australian Automotive history with a local anaesceptic in my arm awaiting for surgery. In fqct I could even give you the History of Toyota in Australia which I am sure you wouldn’t know.
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Football(NFL), Hamburgers, Eagles and Holdenwoo ****, coaches doesn’t count, not part of GM.
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Football, Meatpies, Kangeroos and Holden Cars [more like what going Ford said] “Football(NFL), Hamburgers, Eagles and Holdenwoo crap”…
YOUR NAME SUCKS COX, IDIOT!!!!
P.S. suck shit LOL! :P
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Alien,
I would suggest you re read your post because it sure doesnt read that way. You would know bugger all about cars. Some members of my family have been in many areas of the Motor industry and I have a cousin who owns and races his own V8 supercars and hires other drivers for Bathurst etc and he has won it a few times plus his from Victoria. I can guarantee you I know a hell of a lot more about every car than you and not just Toyota’s. Oh and by the way I used to race at Calder park and unless you know. Racing drivers need to know a fair bit about the mechanics of cars. Just check out about Larry Perkins knowledge with the business he runs. So give up before I make a fool out of you.
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Football(NFL), Hamburgers, Eagles and Holdenwoo crap…
YOU ARE #1 WANKER EVER SEEN ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET AND A HOLLOW SKULL WHO KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN SPROOKING ON ABOUT JUST HOLD’EN TOGETHER SHIT! YOU HAVE THE BEHAVUOR OF 10 THATS JUST BEEN BRAIN-WASHED BY DUMBARSE PARENTS. NO, MAYBEY FROM A MENTAL WARD AND SPECIAL ED CLASS AT SCHOOL, HEY?
P.S. Your screen name sucks donkey balls. Suck shit LOL :P
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Football, Meatpies, Kangeroos and Holden Cars [more like what going Ford said] “Football(NFL), Hamburgers, Eagles and Holdenwoo crap”…
YOUR NAME SUCKS COX, IDIOT!!!!
P.S. suck shit LOL!
Just shows one of either.
1 you are a juvenile in otherwords you are well underage with the language you use.
or
2. mYou have a severe mental deficiency which makes you act like the above.
Its nearly 12 midnight, does your mum know your going online at night dishing out shit to people who are over 3 times your age. Cant be bothered dealing with shit like you, I am going back to the political debate forums where adults go.
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:50 pm
THAN GO THERE AND PISS OFF THEN!!!!!!!
…ARSEHOLE KID, IF YOU ARE AN ADULT THAN ACT YOUR FUCKING AGE THAN! AS SOON AS THEY FIND OUT THAT YOU’RE A KID ON A POLITICAL FORUM THEY’LL TREAT YOU LIKE CRAP!
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Good, no more kids on this site, go to your POLITICAL forum and let them find out your a kid. :P
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Sorry, i’m a looser!
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October 31st, 2007 at 11:13 pm
mate - I don’t have to realize how much you do, or don’t know about cars nor do I have the time/patience.
and if you’re into racing, you’d know fairly well how much more there is to gain from the J-spec engines (2jz,rb26 or the 13b ) compared to these v8 engines. Also as you know that much about the history of motoring, I’m sure you know how strategically Nissan Skylines were removed from the local races considering they were mutilating the competition.
and if we’re going to bring cousins in - I’ve got a couple out here with engines that would rival the likes of what you’ve interacted with (800hp capable 2jz, Millennium Motorsports) - a couple with the UAE plates, try any of them you’ll realize what I’m on about.
oh I give up - at even bothering to try to prove anything because I’m quite satisfied with what I drive right now and don’t believe I’d be changing anytime soon. However I keep mentioning that new Ford demands attention. I personally believe the research/development with Fords is far more superior to Holden.
end/
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November 1st, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I am sorry, I made an error. I said ‘YOU’…
THIS IS WHAT I SHOULD OF SAID LAST NIGHT, SORRY!
…Just shows I’m one of either.
1 I am a juvenile in otherwords I am well underage with the language I use.
or…
2. I have a severe mental deficiency which makes ME act like the above.
Its nearly 12 midnight, my mum doesn’t know im going online at night dishing out shit to people who are over 3 times my age. Cant be bothered dealing with real people like “Going Ford, is the going thing”, I am going back to the political debate forums where adults go, but i’m a 14 year old kid!!!
THAT WHAT I MEAN! :)
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November 2nd, 2007 at 6:36 pm
I’d say both you’re asking us!
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November 5th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Also Football(NFL) head.
…You haven’t told me Why the Orion will be a failure Just because it has an old platform. How come a car’s “s***” just because it’s floor plan is a simlar to an AU’s affect the whole car? Got me!
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November 5th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
N.Max - sting (is there 2 people who wrote that post as ????)
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November 6th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
i am dum
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November 6th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
^
and you all know that was not me that said that!
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June 21st, 2008 at 9:56 pm
All of you could not put enough brain cells together to get a Darwin Award. And to think scholars like all of you are actually out on the road in cars makes me think that perhaps Man shouldn’t really be walking upright.
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