Is everyone okay??
Discussion
Rensko said:
Jader1973 said:
I doubt anyone has V8 utes for hire. You could get a Caprice V8 from Avis - 6.2 V8 and cheaper to hire than a V6 Commodore wagon when I last hired a car.
Can you still get a Caprice rental car? Thought they are now Mercs etc...Remember chatting to one of the employees of a rental car place - said that the V8 Caprices had a bit of a habit of coming back with bald tyres...
Unfortunately my automotive life is not terribly exciting at the moment - I've currently got an Astra hatch (which gets replaced by another Astra hatch next Tuesday) and the OH has an Astra wagon. Both good cars but not terribly exciting tbh.
However between Jun and Jan I was running about in this:
It is an LT Commodore hatch with a 2.0 turbo 9 speed auto and yes, it is FWD. Coming from the UK and being aware of Vauxhall's reputation, and having driven a previous Insignia turbo FWD (albeit in LHD Buick format) I was expecting this to be a horrid torque-steering mess. However, it is very good. Quick enough, I couldn't get it to torque steer, and the 9 speed box and the engine work perfectly together.
Then today I was able to borrow this:
It is a Calais Tourer: V6 AWD with a 9 speed auto. It is much more engaging than the 2.0. More engine noise (which is actually quite nice) and it sticks to the road like s
t to a shovel (based on a rather rapid turn in to a junction with throttle application part way through - something that I'd never have attempted in a V8 VF).
Overall I'm very impressed with it.
However between Jun and Jan I was running about in this:
It is an LT Commodore hatch with a 2.0 turbo 9 speed auto and yes, it is FWD. Coming from the UK and being aware of Vauxhall's reputation, and having driven a previous Insignia turbo FWD (albeit in LHD Buick format) I was expecting this to be a horrid torque-steering mess. However, it is very good. Quick enough, I couldn't get it to torque steer, and the 9 speed box and the engine work perfectly together.
Then today I was able to borrow this:
It is a Calais Tourer: V6 AWD with a 9 speed auto. It is much more engaging than the 2.0. More engine noise (which is actually quite nice) and it sticks to the road like s
t to a shovel (based on a rather rapid turn in to a junction with throttle application part way through - something that I'd never have attempted in a V8 VF).Overall I'm very impressed with it.
motomk said:
Drove one on the weekend to, I think because the salesman was busy and wanted us entertained, so threw us the keys after we had driven the car it was parked next to.
It was also the basic 4 cylinder turbo, 9 speed auto and I agree it went surprisingly well.
Lowered the seat and it felt like I was sitting on the tarmac, it went so low. If I was looking for a Camry or a Mazda6 I would look at one.Surprised how zippy it was to be honest.
Sadly I wanted to drive the Astra but the seat didn't go low enough for my liking, so it was struck off the motomk list of favourable cars.
I agree with that: feels like you sit “in” the Commodore and kind of “on” an Astra.It was also the basic 4 cylinder turbo, 9 speed auto and I agree it went surprisingly well.
Lowered the seat and it felt like I was sitting on the tarmac, it went so low. If I was looking for a Camry or a Mazda6 I would look at one.Surprised how zippy it was to be honest.
Sadly I wanted to drive the Astra but the seat didn't go low enough for my liking, so it was struck off the motomk list of favourable cars.
The Astra is a good car though - we’re on number 5 or 6 now I think. The OH really likes them.
200bhp said:
Makes a change to read something from someone who's driven it. Some of the "its not a commodore" comments on the Holden facebook ads make me laugh.
Usual caveat of "I work for them" applies. However if I didn't like it I wouldn't bother mentioning anything (see my post further up about the Trailblazer for example 
).Rensko said:
Also - anyone know how the new Commodores are selling? I've seen that they are starting to hit the rental car fleets already...
Too early to tell tbh. It'll take roughly 3 months to settle down I reckon. May should give a reasonable indication. Rental is a bit of a marketing tool - hire one; like it; buy one when the time comes (hopefully).
I'm resurrecting this thread simply because it was getting too quiet in here until yesterday - almost a month with no posts!
Ute is proving to be noisy, fun, and not really very practical at all. Current daily is a red Commodore RSV wagon, which replaced a white Commodore RSV wagon.
Have got itchy feet and find myself browsing Carsale, Gumtree and Ebay quite a bit.
SWMBO wants one of these...
Hope everyone is well and looking forward to Christmas
Ute is proving to be noisy, fun, and not really very practical at all. Current daily is a red Commodore RSV wagon, which replaced a white Commodore RSV wagon.
Have got itchy feet and find myself browsing Carsale, Gumtree and Ebay quite a bit.
SWMBO wants one of these...
Hope everyone is well and looking forward to Christmas
Hasbeen said:
Yes long time no see, a bit like my cars really.
Going through my stuff last night I realised I've had the S2000 Honda for 7 years. It's tyres are now just over 5 years old & due for replacement, although they have dome only 6000 kilometres.
The TR7s tyres have just a few more kilometres on them, & are also about due too. The TR8 is worse as we are still finishing a lengthy conversion from auto to manual on it.
I really can't justify having so many cars I no longer use. I wonder what an immaculate, 45000 kilometre 2001 Honda S2000 is worth. I bought the thing for long distance cruising, & just don't do much of that any more, so I might as well sell it to someone who would use it. Or is it like to start to increase in value as a classic, so worth hanging onto.
Meanwhile Merry Christmas to all, & a happy new years driving.
General consensus is S2000 will only go up in value.Going through my stuff last night I realised I've had the S2000 Honda for 7 years. It's tyres are now just over 5 years old & due for replacement, although they have dome only 6000 kilometres.
The TR7s tyres have just a few more kilometres on them, & are also about due too. The TR8 is worse as we are still finishing a lengthy conversion from auto to manual on it.
I really can't justify having so many cars I no longer use. I wonder what an immaculate, 45000 kilometre 2001 Honda S2000 is worth. I bought the thing for long distance cruising, & just don't do much of that any more, so I might as well sell it to someone who would use it. Or is it like to start to increase in value as a classic, so worth hanging onto.
Meanwhile Merry Christmas to all, & a happy new years driving.
hman said:
Yeah its about to hit 31c in Melbourne now and I'm going to take a dip in the pool in a minute - rain tomorrow making way for a cool 16c Saturday and back up to 31c on Monday
What effect that has on the bushfires is anyones guess
Good timing for cooler weather - I’m swapping cars on Tuesday so need to wash the current one this weekend What effect that has on the bushfires is anyones guess
Looks like next week is the same: 3 days at 30 odd and then 18 on Thursday
Pommy said:
Jader1973 said:
hman said:
Yeah its about to hit 31c in Melbourne now and I'm going to take a dip in the pool in a minute - rain tomorrow making way for a cool 16c Saturday and back up to 31c on Monday
What effect that has on the bushfires is anyones guess
Good timing for cooler weather - I’m swapping cars on Tuesday so need to wash the current one this weekend What effect that has on the bushfires is anyones guess
Looks like next week is the same: 3 days at 30 odd and then 18 on Thursday
Pommy said:
Jader1973 said:
Pommy said:
Jader1973 said:
hman said:
Yeah its about to hit 31c in Melbourne now and I'm going to take a dip in the pool in a minute - rain tomorrow making way for a cool 16c Saturday and back up to 31c on Monday
What effect that has on the bushfires is anyones guess
Good timing for cooler weather - I’m swapping cars on Tuesday so need to wash the current one this weekend What effect that has on the bushfires is anyones guess
Looks like next week is the same: 3 days at 30 odd and then 18 on Thursday
To be honest I have no idea how it actually compares to any of the competitors because I only drive Holdens.
While it is reasonably quick, it is only marginally faster to 100 than a VF SV6. It is way ahead in terms of fit / finish, steering feel, handling etc though. It feels much more nimble and being AWD it sticks like glue. In reality it would be way quicker on twisty bits than even a V8 VF - mainly because you could put it in and through corners much faster - I'll turn any ZB I've driven (even the FWD 2.0) in to a T junction at much higher speeds and with much sharper inputs to both throttle and steering than I would ever have dared to do in a VE / VF. I'll also happily floor it when turning out of a junction, which would only end badly in a VF unless you waited until it was pointing in the direction you wanted to go.
The only annoying thing is the adaptive cruise, which I'd forgotten I hated and can't be switched to normal cruise. To be fair I hate any adaptive cruise so it isn't Commodore specific
I haven't played with VXR mode yet. It has only done 200km up and down the freeway to work and back. Once I've got it over 1000km I'll take it for a decent run out to the country.
If I had decided to buy a Commodore I'd look at an RSV wagon. Same engine / trans as the VXR but with more space. They also seem to be available used with about 10k km on them for $30k ish, which is pretty good value.
Pommy said:
Firstly, Jader, sorry i never responded and thanks for your insights. Seems like an underrated car. Seen a few police commodores and youd think if its good enough for them it must be reasonable.
Ive never tried adaptive cruise and thought it would be good.
Going to be a used bargain before long.
Ive got an Astra RSV and agree about auto off and sport on - makes a considerably noticable difference
TBH it is a used bargain already Ive never tried adaptive cruise and thought it would be good.
Going to be a used bargain before long.
Ive got an Astra RSV and agree about auto off and sport on - makes a considerably noticable difference
I'm getting more used to the adaptive cruise. It is pretty good in slow moving traffic where everyone is basically doing the same speed (think Citylink in the mornings) and I am using it to do full stop / go in that situation. I still find myself braking initially though - I react to brake lights 2 or 3 cars ahead, not the car immediately in front slowing down which is how the cruise works - I still don't trust it to stop properly from 80 km/h!
On the freeway I find it painful - driving changes from thinking "oh I'm getting closer I'd better think about overtaking" to either "has this guy sped up, oh no I've slowed down" or trying to move out to overtake before the cruise brakes. I still haven't mastered it and always lose 2 or 3km/h as I come up on slower stuff. Maybe parking it in the outside lane with the cruise at 110 (honest officer) is the way to go.
The ideal system would be one where you can switch between the two: adaptive for the clogged up bits and normal for the freeway.
200bhp said:
Jader1973 - I assume that given recent news, the answer to the "Is everyone OK?" title of this thread would be a No?
How will you cope when you can no longer drive a Holden? Does it mean you're no longer contractualy obliged to tell us that they're all wonderful cars?
How will you cope when you can no longer drive a Holden? Does it mean you're no longer contractualy obliged to tell us that they're all wonderful cars?
I’m okay. Looks like I’ll be “contractually obliged” for another 7 months at least, unless I can negotiate an earlier date. I then need to figure out what to do next.
Our days were numbered as soon as they sold Opel. It was a matter of when, not if, they made the decision.
Pommy said:
What do you do there Jader and whats the next step?
Hope all will be ok.
I'm fortunate in that I've moved roles a fair bit (11 roles in 20 years across Holden and my previous employer) so I hope I'm not going to have too much trouble finding something else. Seems I'll have plenty of time to figure out what to do next.Hope all will be ok.
There's a "what car" thread being put together in my head which will probably appear in a week or so.
Pommy said:
Good time to ask - how's everyone doing?
Seems like every is supposed to be ill but actually not many are. Am sure that will change soon.
I’m working from home (the US hit the panic button last Friday and said everyone who could should) so I though I’d save some $ on fuel and tolls for a few weeks.Seems like every is supposed to be ill but actually not many are. Am sure that will change soon.
I reckon if we all do the right thing we’ll be out the other side of this in 3 to 4 weeks.
The economy might be buggered though, at least the bit that relies on international tourists. However looks like international travel will be really difficult for a while, so maybe more people will holiday here instead.
Chin up
It will be interesting to see what happens. Given the trajectory we should be down to zero new infections per day within a couple of weeks. Assuming that continues for 3 weeks you could argue we’re clear of it, so why keep things locked down longer than that?
The issue is that currently ScoMo et als strings are being pulled by the medical experts with their “thousands will die” models and the “it could come back and thousands will die” scenarios. Hopefully governments will see sense and look to get the economy up and running again ASAP, although tbh round here the only real difference is the pubs and cafes are shut, everyone else seems to be carrying on as normal - I walked past a house (with the dog as part of our daily walk) that seemed to be having their carpets cleaned today. Not sure how that is essential.
The sensible approach is to get local infections to zero and continue to quarantine all arrivals until a vaccine is available. Yes, international travel will be more painful than usual but at least domestic life can get back to normal.
Added bonus is everyone has to holiday here so the economy gets a boost from that.
Although the approach to schooling isn’t sensible imho. I think they should keep them closed until end of April. Going back next week only means people start to move about, think things are back to normal etc so I wouldn’t be surprised if infections spike again. And the restrictions drag out as a result.
Or they could let another floating Petri dish dock and offload more infected...
The issue is that currently ScoMo et als strings are being pulled by the medical experts with their “thousands will die” models and the “it could come back and thousands will die” scenarios. Hopefully governments will see sense and look to get the economy up and running again ASAP, although tbh round here the only real difference is the pubs and cafes are shut, everyone else seems to be carrying on as normal - I walked past a house (with the dog as part of our daily walk) that seemed to be having their carpets cleaned today. Not sure how that is essential.
The sensible approach is to get local infections to zero and continue to quarantine all arrivals until a vaccine is available. Yes, international travel will be more painful than usual but at least domestic life can get back to normal.
Added bonus is everyone has to holiday here so the economy gets a boost from that.
Although the approach to schooling isn’t sensible imho. I think they should keep them closed until end of April. Going back next week only means people start to move about, think things are back to normal etc so I wouldn’t be surprised if infections spike again. And the restrictions drag out as a result.
Or they could let another floating Petri dish dock and offload more infected...
hman said:
The schools aren't going back until the end of term 2 here in Victoria - at the minute I'm working from home and the wife is working here and at a hospital and now both my kids will be being home schooled.
Somethings got to give on that front, we cant home school and work from home for 12 weeks.
I think you’ll find they’ll go back earlier than that. My OH is a teacher (we’re in Vic) and they are currently only planning for remote learning for this next week and the week after.Somethings got to give on that front, we cant home school and work from home for 12 weeks.
It will be almost impossible to justify another 12 weeks of restrictions given the way infection rates are going. It would kill the economy.
Pommy said:
I got made redundant yesterday.
Makes for a grabby headline so I'll be honest I applied for this back in December and left yesterday. On one hand weird not having a job when it seems like the best thing to do is cling on to one, but after 9 years was able to leave with a lump sum equal to a years take home salary so to be honest pretty happy about it.
Wife's give me a pass to have a day of drinking and laziness so celebrated leaving by getting a really good bottle and have spent all day going through it.
Job market had effectively stopped so reckon will be 3-6 months off.
Good luck!Makes for a grabby headline so I'll be honest I applied for this back in December and left yesterday. On one hand weird not having a job when it seems like the best thing to do is cling on to one, but after 9 years was able to leave with a lump sum equal to a years take home salary so to be honest pretty happy about it.
Wife's give me a pass to have a day of drinking and laziness so celebrated leaving by getting a really good bottle and have spent all day going through it.
Job market had effectively stopped so reckon will be 3-6 months off.
3 to 6 months for things to normalise is about right I reckon, depending on the job sector / role.
Just think of all the jobs you can get done round the house in that time
Light at the end of the tunnel hopefully.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-08/national-ca...
Although it has all gone pear shaped in Vic so I expect we'll be the last to see this happen.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-08/national-ca...
Although it has all gone pear shaped in Vic so I expect we'll be the last to see this happen.
StefanVXR8 said:
My turn to be made redundant!
My company claimed it was restructuring it's Australian business even though I covered APJ. I think it was an engineered redundancy because I didn't dance to the lie and undersize tune of the two VP's in this region, in one way glad to not be associated with them any more, though I will miss the product, travel and most of the people I worked with.
Stef
Sorry to hear that. Hope it all goes okay.My company claimed it was restructuring it's Australian business even though I covered APJ. I think it was an engineered redundancy because I didn't dance to the lie and undersize tune of the two VP's in this region, in one way glad to not be associated with them any more, though I will miss the product, travel and most of the people I worked with.
Stef
To fill time while I "work" from home I've been browsing Carsales trying to figure out what to buy when I leave.
I'll be doing about 30k km a year (based on traveling to Melbourne every day) and I want a wagon, which kind of limits choice a bit. I won't buy new, only ex-demo or used. I'm planning on keeping it for 5 years but will probably get bored so resale value has to have some consideration.
Budget is about $40k: I'm trying to keep my car and the OH's car (yes I have to buy her one too) as close to $50k as possible. Keeping the OH's Trax is a given I think based on the price they are giving them away at. Hopefully we can trade it next year sometime and get more than we paid for it.
Of course if I find something I really want I'll go over the $40k
Shortlist is:
ZB Calais Tourer: current lease car that I can buy when I go. Problems are 1) 12,000 km service intervals 2) it is white 3) I really don't like it, even driving it the 2km in to town gives me the sts 4) it does 9.1 l / 100km 5) there won't be any resale - it'll be worth fk all in 12 months 6) I know it was built in March 2018 and only registered in Nov 2019 so it isn't "new" at all. Upside is it is cheapest to buy.
Skoda Octavia: available for $30k ex-demo, about 4 years warranty, cheap to run. Downsides 1) not exactly inspiring 2) DCT. Has 15k km service intervals. Likely to have next to no resale value. Overall this is the last ditch choice tbh.
Skoda Superb: about $30 to $40k, balance of warranty. Good fuel consumption (on paper). Has 15k km service intervals. Downside 1) not many about (I found 1 which looks great, 2 years old, low km, sub $30k, just arrived at the dealer - ran the rego through VicRoads and it was cancelled 9 months ago!), 2) DCT. If I could find the right one (i.e. not white) then these make sense I think.
Mercedes C Class - would be 4 or 5 years old. Towards the top of my budget. Proper AT gearbox. I'd go for approved used so it comes with 2 year warranty. Low fuel consumption (on paper) and 25k km service intervals so even although it is more expensive per service it doesn't work out that much more overall. Doesn't have Carplay but seems to have everything else the Calais has.
VFII Calais V wagon. Available for around 30k ish. Known quantity. Will go on forever. Can be serviced by a monkey with a stick and a rock. Huge, capable, has all the toys you really need. Parts are plentiful and cheap. Fuel consumption isn't any worse than the ZB.
Then there is the wildcard entry:
VFII SS wagon. Over budget, fuel consumption is horrific, goes like stink, sounds great, has all the toys you need. Should go on forever. Seems a bit sacrilegious to buy one to run in to the ground. Only ones I can find on Carsales in Victoria under $50k from a dealer are all ex cop cars (they have a plastic battery cover on the right hand side of the boot so easy to tell) which is a red flag for me. The benefit of one of these is it stops me from wanting another weekend toy, so I'd actually be saving money because I'd only buy one car, not two
At the end of the day the money for the cars will be coming out of my package, so the purchase price isn't really hugely significant. It is running costs / resale that is the main thing. According to my spreadsheet (I'm really busy with work, honest) they are all pretty much the same to run over 5 years except the obvious outliers of the Octavia (cheapest by about $1500 a year) and the Redline (dearest by about $1900 a year). Everything else is within a few hundred dollars of the ZB (usually lower tbh due to fuel consumption).
The usual suspects of Mazda, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru etc really don't do anything for me tbh.
Anyone got any thoughts / suggestions?
PS I reserve the right to change my mind based on eventual job location (if I get one before I leave), and deciding I actually want something else
I'll be doing about 30k km a year (based on traveling to Melbourne every day) and I want a wagon, which kind of limits choice a bit. I won't buy new, only ex-demo or used. I'm planning on keeping it for 5 years but will probably get bored so resale value has to have some consideration.
Budget is about $40k: I'm trying to keep my car and the OH's car (yes I have to buy her one too) as close to $50k as possible. Keeping the OH's Trax is a given I think based on the price they are giving them away at. Hopefully we can trade it next year sometime and get more than we paid for it.
Of course if I find something I really want I'll go over the $40k
Shortlist is:
ZB Calais Tourer: current lease car that I can buy when I go. Problems are 1) 12,000 km service intervals 2) it is white 3) I really don't like it, even driving it the 2km in to town gives me the s
ts 4) it does 9.1 l / 100km 5) there won't be any resale - it'll be worth fk all in 12 months 6) I know it was built in March 2018 and only registered in Nov 2019 so it isn't "new" at all. Upside is it is cheapest to buy.Skoda Octavia: available for $30k ex-demo, about 4 years warranty, cheap to run. Downsides 1) not exactly inspiring 2) DCT. Has 15k km service intervals. Likely to have next to no resale value. Overall this is the last ditch choice tbh.
Skoda Superb: about $30 to $40k, balance of warranty. Good fuel consumption (on paper). Has 15k km service intervals. Downside 1) not many about (I found 1 which looks great, 2 years old, low km, sub $30k, just arrived at the dealer - ran the rego through VicRoads and it was cancelled 9 months ago!), 2) DCT. If I could find the right one (i.e. not white) then these make sense I think.
Mercedes C Class - would be 4 or 5 years old. Towards the top of my budget. Proper AT gearbox. I'd go for approved used so it comes with 2 year warranty. Low fuel consumption (on paper) and 25k km service intervals so even although it is more expensive per service it doesn't work out that much more overall. Doesn't have Carplay but seems to have everything else the Calais has.
VFII Calais V wagon. Available for around 30k ish. Known quantity. Will go on forever. Can be serviced by a monkey with a stick and a rock. Huge, capable, has all the toys you really need. Parts are plentiful and cheap. Fuel consumption isn't any worse than the ZB.
Then there is the wildcard entry:
VFII SS wagon. Over budget, fuel consumption is horrific, goes like stink, sounds great, has all the toys you need. Should go on forever. Seems a bit sacrilegious to buy one to run in to the ground. Only ones I can find on Carsales in Victoria under $50k from a dealer are all ex cop cars (they have a plastic battery cover on the right hand side of the boot so easy to tell) which is a red flag for me. The benefit of one of these is it stops me from wanting another weekend toy, so I'd actually be saving money because I'd only buy one car, not two
At the end of the day the money for the cars will be coming out of my package, so the purchase price isn't really hugely significant. It is running costs / resale that is the main thing. According to my spreadsheet (I'm really busy with work, honest) they are all pretty much the same to run over 5 years except the obvious outliers of the Octavia (cheapest by about $1500 a year) and the Redline (dearest by about $1900 a year). Everything else is within a few hundred dollars of the ZB (usually lower tbh due to fuel consumption).
The usual suspects of Mazda, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru etc really don't do anything for me tbh.
Anyone got any thoughts / suggestions?
PS I reserve the right to change my mind based on eventual job location (if I get one before I leave), and deciding I actually want something else
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