What to buy? New Holden wagon or G6e turbo?

Paddyboy · 21-12-2009, 12:06 PM

Hey guys,
Its time for me to buy a new car. Now im a Ford boy through and through but im in love with the new commodore wagon. I dont like the VE sedan but love the wagon and am looking at getting the calais v8. However I also love the G6e turbo which looks so classy and is bloody fast, faster then the holden v8. The predicament im in is this:
I love my v8's and I love wagons (ive had a vx wagon and ba wagon for work cars) I dont have to have a wagon though but I really want a v8 and nothing from ford comes with a v8 apart from the xr8 which is a bit to "boy racer" for me. Thats why Ive narrowed my choices down to the G6e turbo and valais wagon.
They are both entirely different cars but I love them both.
Whats the turbo like to live with? is it civilized when driving sensibly (like taking business associates out for lunch)
Ive never actually driven a ve apart from an omega and I thought the quality of ride was definetly below the ford.

What do you guys think? I dont want to hear "buy the ford coz its a ford"

My way of thinking is, I want to get the Ford but whats making me think twice is lack of v8, and ive never owned a turbo so I dont know what its like to live with.

any advice, info would be greatly appreciated.

cheers

Paddyboy · 21-12-2009, 12:08 PM

Wretched · 21-12-2009, 12:10 PM

First off, my advice would be to jump to each car and test drive,both will be different.
Both are good cars, however my preference would be the G6ET, I do like the style of it and the look and feel of the interior and I am more of a fan of the turbo characteristics. That said the sound of the Holden V8 is addictive and in sportswagon form, the Ve is a nice looking machine, especially the Calais.

SB076 · 21-12-2009, 12:15 PM

I suggest you test drive both - I have a G6ET and love it its very easy to drive and civilised when you want it to be, but also very quick when you want it to move.

I swapped from a GT to a G6ET and although I still miss the GT (and the V8) - the G6ET is a very good car - cant say about the wagon as I havent driven one - but I suggest you have a look a the interiors of both cars and take both for a test drive - hopefully one will stand out

blueoval · 21-12-2009, 12:17 PM

The sportswagons I have seen being sold at car yards for around 45k drive away. The G6ET's I know you can get for between 45-55k depending on specs. Comes down to what is better suited to your lifestlye. I like them both also, and if I was to consider a cummodore, it would have to be a V8.

RedHotGT · 21-12-2009, 12:20 PM

If it was me - I'd have to decide exactly what I wanted it for...

I'm a wagon lover - so the practical side of me would go the sportwagon...
Best looking Holden in a long time... and no real Ford alternative...

But for style, fuel economy, and a go-fast sleeper... G6E...
you can tastefully modify them so they are a little less grandpa-ish... (and a little less like a G6E without the boost)...

If you're light on the pedal, its just like driving the usual taxi-pack fords... but if you're a little heavy on the loud pedal - strap yourself in... it goes a little blurry around the edges!!!

Either way you'll be happy... but Either way you've got yourself a tough decision!!!

All the best - as i've been no help at all!!

Brazen · 21-12-2009, 12:23 PM

I love the Falcon. But there is nothing like having a car with a bit of practicality. Looking back on the cars in my life, I dont neccessarily miss the ones which were the fastest or the best looking, I remember the ones which were functional and added to my lifestyle.

I remember travelling around the east coast with my girlfriend (now wife) in my XD wagon, us sleeping back with the tailgate open by the ocean and just other great moments, and the times I travelled around in my Escort panel van to the shows in rural Vic and NSW showing my uncles prize-winning pig. I have a sedan at the moment, its a good car it does its job, but my next car will definately be a wagon. I miss just having the options a wagon gives you (and call me crazy but I always think wagons look better than sedans).

By the way over 1500 Sportwagons were sold last month, they are very popular.

FPV8U · 21-12-2009, 12:26 PM

I quite like the Calais V Sportswagen, i'd drive both though.

Paddyboy · 21-12-2009, 12:32 PM

Yeh ive driven the G6e turbo and loved it, however Im not sure about what its like day in and day out as my test drive was only 10 mins and I was blown away by how quick it was. I loved the interior as well. Its just the practicality of a wagon and how sexy the wagon is as well thats getting to me.

divine_afg · 21-12-2009, 12:53 PM

I Hope Ford makes G6E-T in Wagon !

I would test drive them both few times before making a decision.

Good Luck

blueoval · 21-12-2009, 01:07 PM

either way, its a tough choice to make. What ever you decide, dont look back on 'what ifs'.

Paddyboy · 21-12-2009, 01:27 PM

another important question, usually when I pick up my new cars, I go straight to the local exhaust place to get it sounding good, ive never heard a 6 turbo with an bigger exhaust on, is it worth it or it sounds good from the factory?

blueoval · 21-12-2009, 01:36 PM

i personally wouldnt bother till it out of warranty.

**Polyal** · 21-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Ah all the V8 boys will have a go about the 6 zorts noise but it has a character of its own. Easy as to get a note, will all depend on how loud and when you want to hear it.

Its a no brainier for me, G6ET all the way, but I agree some of the wagons look good and it must be saving their bacon at the moment.

I was going to ask do you need a wagon, but then I remember the VE wagon really doesn't have that much room so its a mute point.

What about a 300C V8 wagon..hehe

Fev · 21-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Get out and drive one of each. Your own experience will never compare to someone elses.

**Polyal** · 21-12-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fev

Get out and drive one of each. Your own experience will never compare to someone elses.

Naturally but he did ask for opinions..LOL

Auslandau · 21-12-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I was going to ask do you need a wagon, but then I remember the VE wagon really doesn't have that much room so its a mute point.

What about a 300C V8 wagon..hehe

It is ..... you cannot compare the older wagons to these. I do know a few that have got them for company cars and 'wagon' space has deminished. Transfer the contents of a VZ into the rear of the VE and you are left with a pile of stuff with no where to go. Just saying comparing the VE wagon and G6E is almost the same .... Always amazed at the boots on those things.

For me personally it would be a no brainer ..... I would prefer the better interior for starters ... I would also look at the 300C wagon as well.

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Brazen · 21-12-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auslandau

It is ..... you cannot compare the older wagons to these. I do know a few that have got them for company cars and 'wagon' space has deminished. Transfer the contents of a VZ into the rear of the VE and you are left with a pile of stuff with no where to go. Just saying comparing the VE wagon and G6E is almost the same .... Always amazed at the boots on those things.

For me personally it would be a no brainer ..... I would prefer the better interior for starters ... I would also look at the 300C wagon as well.

The 300C really isnt any bigger than a Holden wagon anyway. I think the Holden is the way to go if a wagon is a must.

Now if Ford made a G6E Turbo wagon, then it would be a no-brainer.

Smoke Pursuit · 21-12-2009, 03:07 PM

We just replaced a VE Calais 6 litre V8 sedan with a G6E T.. All 3 of us in the family agree that the G6ET is sooooo much better then the calais ever was, in comfort, refinement, economy and power!! It just smashes it..

We had the calais for 3 years and bought it brand new as one of the first VEs, then it was nice but the FG is just soooooo much better it isnt funny!

1TUFFUTE · 21-12-2009, 03:11 PM

just i side point about the wagon...i read somewere the ford mondeo (mid size car) has more room in the boot by a fair amount. I thought that weird but must be the shape of the cars...

Anyway i would take the g6et over the wagon aswell but they do look good and if u need the extra space in the back it may just be the turning point to get u in the wagon. Falcon tho for me...

7apples · 21-12-2009, 03:15 PM

if it was my id get the wagon. just for the dog. but if i could do with out needing a wagon. i really wouldnt know what to do, Big call to make

Mr Hardware · 21-12-2009, 03:20 PM

Easy. Count how many times in the last few years you've needed a wagon. If you can't count them on a hand or two, get the wagon. If you struggle to get more than about three, get the sedan. Simple.

Brazen · 21-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Easy. Count how many times in the last few years you've needed a wagon. If you can't count them on a hand or two, get the wagon. If you struggle to get more than about three, get the sedan. Simple.

But it is that dozen or so times that you need it which makes it worthwhile. Really sedans are a very pointless bodystyle. you take up all that room on the road but have something not very practical. Once you have had a wagon its very hard to go back to a sedan. Thats why you see a lot wagon owners only ever get other wagons or hatches, crossovers, people movers or SUVs, except stupid me... I got a sedan and will be getting back to a wagon soon enough.

I have said it before in the Falcon wagon thread, but sedans to me are a dying bodystyle, versatility and flexibility is where its at!

yanknbank · 21-12-2009, 03:44 PM

As a day to day car the G6ET is great. You can drive it sedately around town with a minimum of fuss whilst sipping around 12.7 lt/100 km's. On a recent 1300km trip down the highway to Geelong (with a fair bit of driving around Geelong itself) the trip computer displayed an average fuel consumption of 9.4 lt/100km's. I reckon for a big car, that's outstanding.

However if you press the pedal way down and turn the volume up loud, it'll peel your eyelids all the way back. Blindingly fast in a straight line, it goes around corners nicely too.

I've lived with the G6ET for 45,000k's and a week short of eighteen months and have been that impressed with the car I'll be lining up for another when the G6ET II hits the dealers sometime in the latter half of 2010. It won't disappoint you.

XR6_190 · 21-12-2009, 04:15 PM

Have you tried flipping a coin?

SB076 · 21-12-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddyboy

Yeh ive driven the G6e turbo and loved it, however Im not sure about what its like day in and day out as my test drive was only 10 mins and I was blown away by how quick it was. I loved the interior as well. Its just the practicality of a wagon and how sexy the wagon is as well thats getting to me.

Day in day out its great - I would recommend it. Its not a track car IMHO but it does surprise a lot of people just how quick it is. The interior is great and its a well put together car. I have the standard exhaust and wont be changing it.

But good luck with your decision and let us know which car you go for - both are good cars - hopefully when you test drive both, one will stand out as a more obvious choice to suit your requirements.

Rodp · 21-12-2009, 04:25 PM

Saw some of the sportwagons on the weekend. Look nice from the outside but I was completely underwhelmed by the cargo space.

Take the badges off both and for me it would be the G6ET - by quite a margin.

If I was to look at a wagon and cosmetic won over ultimate practicality, I would go a sportwagon. Now, if it was practicality I was after... nothing beats the Family Truckster. It's a fine automobile.

mac_man_luke · 21-12-2009, 04:48 PM

you could spend up and get a GT-E, V8 + sleeper

XR6_190 · 21-12-2009, 04:55 PM

I honestly think the G6ET is the way to go, the interior is much classier than the Calais V, and will be the better choice financially, it will have better resale, better fuel economy, and is cheaper from the start (remember, you can not get a base Calais Wagon with a V8, you have to go up to the Calais V wagon to option up the V8.) If you really do need a wagon (in your opening post you state that you don't) than by all means the Calais V is the one to get, but if not, the G6ET is the saner choice.

mik · 21-12-2009, 05:08 PM

wagons of the past tend to have a bit more road noise in the cab , not sure about the commy, you can fit a lot of gear in a sedan with split rear seats, but you know what you want to carry and whats suitable, how about this , organise with a dealer a demo wagon for a weekend the following weekend a g6et, , the one that puts the biggest smile on your face is the winner, i suspect both would though .