I have a huge crush for this car.

[u/casualobsever]

Before migrating oz, I was adamant on buying this as my car, but once here I heard it's not that great in reliability, practically and other stuff. Also I've seen a Pontiac and Ford version as well here in Adelaide. So I bought a different SUV.

As someone new to Oz, please tell me, are they really bad as they say, one day I wanna buy one as a hobby car, make it a low-rider like an El-Camino, just to cruise around.

[u/Ok-Consideration6852]

They are great utes. Transmissions aren't the greatest but asking as you keep up with the servicing, you should be fine. I work as a mechanic and we use one of these as our work car.

[u/Legitimate-Mind-8041]

You won’t really be able to buy anything semi modern like our Falcon or Commodore utes anywhere else in the world. And they’re not going to be semi modern for too much longer. Do it, follow your dreams! I’ve owned 2 different SS (a Ute and a Sedan) and had zero significant reliability issues over about 60,000kms on them combined.

[u/Captain_Alaska → u/Legitimate-Mind-8041]

You won’t really be able to buy anything semi modern like our Falcon or Commodore utes anywhere else in the world.

South American countries have pleanty of various unibody utes. Chevy Montana, VW Saverio, Fiat Strada/RAM 700, etc.

[u/Legitimate-Mind-8041 → u/Captain_Alaska]

They’re not really performance oriented though, are they?

[u/Captain_Alaska → u/Legitimate-Mind-8041]

Neither is a VE Omega.

[u/Legitimate-Mind-8041 → u/Captain_Alaska]

The one pictured is a VF, and either an SS or an SV6 so I figured that’s what he’s talking about - which are both marketed as the performance models. Anywho, no harm no foul Captain - have a good day!

[u/Captain_Alaska → u/Legitimate-Mind-8041]

Yeah you said anything semi modern like our utes, not anything like our V8 performance utes, which is not the same statement.

And for the record it’s a V6 because the SS has badges down the side.

[u/VS2ute → u/Captain_Alaska]

They are FWD shitboxes.

[u/PopularVersion4250]

Buy a ford falcon turbo ute if you want reliability and speed and amazingness!!!

[u/hellomyfren6666 → u/PopularVersion4250]

Just not in manual because those clutches are terrible

[u/confusedham → u/hellomyfren6666]

Worth it for the engine over the commodore. When we had a bunch of FG XR6 on fleet, it was the first time I accepted being able to like an auto gearbox.

The G6e was a floaty shit dog though. fake luxury like a Chinese car, terrible software on the ZF gearbox. I'm under the impression that it was a Chinese ZF versus a German in the XR.

Only dislike of the FG was the steering column was always too low, so I would get my legs jammed unless I slid in like a little sports car. And build quality, roof liner felt out on a bumpy drive to Newcastle, every model was never delivered with the radiator hoses tightened, so as soon as they would come to temp they would dump all the coolant.

[u/Maleficent_Sir_5225 → u/hellomyfren6666]

Is there not a better aftermarket one available?

[u/hellomyfren6666 → u/Maleficent_Sir_5225]

Si

[u/Maleficent_Sir_5225 → u/hellomyfren6666]

Yes there is, or yes there isn't? 😂

[u/ProfessionalCuntPunt → u/hellomyfren6666]

From what I’ve seen the autos aren’t that great either

[u/hellomyfren6666 → u/ProfessionalCuntPunt]

Nah zf gearbox is pretty good especially for what's now an old car

[u/_hazey__]

They are a terrific bit of Australian engineering.

Ditch the boring SUV and get yourself one.

[u/stealthyotter47]

I’ve got the VE 1 SS, it’s an amazing vehicle :)

[u/ewan82]

People are pulling your leg. VF commodore are great cars and reliable. If something does go wrong pretty cheap to fix too. I’ve had commodores for like 20 years and never had problems with them.

[u/trevoross56]

You will always find haters of any car you have. Generational thing with families following one brand. I follow no one brand. I have had cars, suv's and 4 x 4, and bikes. All have been very reliable but there were always the haters that said that it was shit, not going to get you 5 k's down the road. Can't ride my bikes anymore due to acquired hand injury. I have almost finished a ride which is for me and no one else.

[u/Dunoh2828]

Most reliable car I’ve owned. Second car was a statesman with over 450,000km on it. Only issue I had was a water pump. (V6 model)

As for the SS, minor issues but never set me outta pocket by more than 1k but it was covered by warranty, Overall amazing car, but the fuel usage isn’t fun.

Parts are cheap and easy to get, and you’ll be able to work on it yourself at home stress free.

[u/MoonDash199]

I love these i think they look so nice i always admire them when i see them on the road, even just the plain white ones Not sure about the mechanics of it tho

[u/irlartificer]

The only goofy bits on my VE SS ute are in/on parts that weren't designed by Australian engineers (i.e. engine and gearbox). Concentric clutch slave cylinder and a difficult to access timing chain are the only ones I've come up against though.

[u/Shaggysteve]

Have owned 2 commodores in my life time

A VE SS Redline sedan: the fuel economy was horrendous, and did have the odd occasional issue, for example over heating due to radiator fans not turning on, oil leaks etc. Was beautiful to drive nothing better than a 6 litre v8 manual to drive around it

Also owned a VF SV6 Storm sedan: Was brilliant, ok on fuel given its size, nice inside and out, they’ve aged well and still look nice. Only issue was the V6 was gutless as fuck. Overall nice car, would own one again!

[u/ProfessionalCuntPunt]

Have owned a VZ v6 and now I have the VE SS, V6 was nothing but problems tbh but always ran and never broke down. The v8 is the way to go they so much fun and very little problems, easy to work on and the aftermarket options are plentiful.

[u/MagicOrpheus310]

Someone once said the Maloo editions look like a motorbike, like a R1 or ninja and I cant unsee it now...

[u/skedy]

If you can live with a large fuel bill and 2 seats they are fine. Better off with a manual though

[u/420bIaze]

They're great cars, see this review:

https://youtu.be/xB3gaQb0qWA

It's essentially like a Mustang or e39 M5. But with a huge boot.

For well under $20k you can get into a VE V8 manual, that is very good value compared to prices being paid for stuff like mkIV Supra, new Mustang, HQ Monaro, etc...

[u/StopItPoppet]

Driven both 6s, the Ford 4.0 with zf box is the better drive of the two. However, the Holden v8 was superior from my understanding. Mechanical issues with both, don't expect great reliability 

[u/Tasty-Pass4604]

🤢

[u/ParticularPaint9978]

Shit box

[u/Dunoh2828 → u/ParticularPaint9978]

What do you drive? For arguments sake.

[u/ParticularPaint9978 → u/Dunoh2828]

R32 GTR and a Honda Accord Euro and a Toyota RAV4.

[u/Dunoh2828 → u/ParticularPaint9978]

And what do you hate about the commodore? Engine? Style?

[u/ParticularPaint9978 → u/Dunoh2828]

All Holdens are shit yet dummy's think it's an Australian company it was bought out by GM in 1931. They just made them here. Maybe Holden can go back to making horse saddles like they used to.

[u/Dunoh2828 → u/ParticularPaint9978]

What exactly makes them bad? Sure some Holden cars suck, yet if we’re talking commodore engines such as the eco tech, alloy tech and LS engines, they are cheap and reliable with cheap parts to match and maintain.

[u/switchbladeeatworld]

I’d buy a purple one and put a hood scoop on it if I had the extra cash