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Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1807
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, May 24, 2013 - 06:10 pm, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Not good for our local industry, regardless of brand. GMH will follow no doubt. May have to stock up on Soarers, wont be any rear wheel drive cars around soon.
Scott Vim
DieHard
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)

Posts: 634
Reg: 12-2010

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Friday, May 24, 2013 - 06:27 pm, by:  Scott Vim (1uz1jz) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah not good. Our wages are very high meaning cost is very high but everyone wants cheap cars. Will the falcon discontinue forever or will they be made in Thailand (or where ever)? Will be a lose of 1000s of jobs.
Brett Cutts
DieHard
south australia
UZZ31 V8

Posts: 785
Reg: 07-2008

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Friday, May 24, 2013 - 06:58 pm, by:  Brett Cutts (Boof390) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Unfortunately as a I eyed ford fan I am sad to see them go but as a mechanic looking at the quality drivability and reliability of the cars coming out of japan and korea versus the crap sold by ford and holden these days their demise is long overdue.
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1809
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, May 24, 2013 - 07:32 pm, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would think we will get US, or World base cars in the future from both GMH, and Ford. Falcon, and in the end, Commodore, as we know them, wont exist. Front, or AWD will be the future.
And you are right Scott, we have(read unions) killed our own industries with wage demands that have to be fed from somewhere. Usually price increases, which turn into a revolving door of more wage demands, more increases etc, etc.
The quality as Brett says of imported cars has improved greatly over the years, and we are expected to buy our local product just to keep locals in a job. I, like most, feel for the workers at Ford etc, and all the associated industries that it will effect.
Scott Vim
DieHard
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)

Posts: 635
Reg: 12-2010

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Friday, May 24, 2013 - 08:58 pm, by:  Scott Vim (1uz1jz) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's funny in small businesses unions don't exist and the workers get In big businesses the unions the companies and prohibit them from operating. We have many people coming here from Europe because we are better off but the way we are going is unsustainable. I feel the unions aren't working in the best interest of the country. It's a bit sad. I love this country.
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1810
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, May 24, 2013 - 09:20 pm, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Spot on Scott
Daniel Clarke
Goo Roo
NSW
TT 2.5L 6 cylinder

Posts: 7373
Reg: 03-2006

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Friday, May 24, 2013 - 09:37 pm, by:  Daniel Clarke (Dieseltrain) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

And here we are owning driving a 20+ yr old Japanese car ...

Just sayin :p
Scott Vim
DieHard
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)

Posts: 636
Reg: 12-2010

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Friday, May 24, 2013 - 10:19 pm, by:  Scott Vim (1uz1jz) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Let me ask you why? Because they are the best quality and well priced at the same time. Toyota captured my imagination young with the Toyota Celica. I had to own one.Proved to be reliable. Never looked back. They are amazing. However was really impressed with the xr6 turbo and the new v8 superchaged ford. I was impressed with the Holden e85 cars. Other then that I was never impressed with the ford/holden thing. Thought Toyota was 10 years ahead. So I'm Toyota blood but I appreciate some of what ford offered for sure.
Blake Gloyn
DieHard
manawatu
soarer JZZ30 TT

Posts: 983
Reg: 02-2006

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Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 06:02 am, by:  Blake Gloyn (Blakenz) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So in 2016, what will be the Ford car to buy, as a collectors item? I'm thinking a falcon GT of some sort(been waiting in vain for a coupe version since 1977!) The supercharged one? With what transmission? And colour ?Loud colour or subtle/stylish? Stripes or no stripes.
Dave Hart
Goo Roo
Waikato
UZZ32

Posts: 1703
Reg: 08-2005

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Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 06:05 am, by:  Dave Hart (Davyboy) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Your Government has been giving your hard earned money to Ford and no doubt Holden just to keep them where they are. No doubt it's happening in the Korean industries too as it is in France and UK. In the end it just doesn't work long term. Workers at the Holden plants should feel worried.
It's those unsubsidised support industries we should feel sorry for.
Ian Rigby
TryHard
NSW
AE102, JZZ30

Posts: 150
Reg: 11-2010

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Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 08:07 am, by:  Ian Rigby (Hiro) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


Daniel Clarke wrote on Friday, May 24, 2013 - 09:37 pm:

And here we are owning driving a 20+ yr old Japanese car ...




Funnily enough, the most reliable car I have ever owned (actually the only car I have ever owned, but it is super reliable) is a 15-year old, 375,000km-strong Australian-built Japanese car :-) Best of both worlds :-)
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1812
Reg: 07-2005

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Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 09:26 am, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The US car industry would have folded as well if the Government over there hadnt jumped in. As Dave said, its a world wide problem.

I have been a Holden man most of my life, and at the moment have a Holden, a Ford, a Soarer, and a Chev. Pretty well got it covered.
Scott Vim
DieHard
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)

Posts: 637
Reg: 12-2010

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Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 01:26 pm, by:  Scott Vim (1uz1jz) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What's your favourite? The xr6 pulls hard doesn't it? One of the few cars that will nail me off the lights. Most v8s don't really have.what it takes.
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1815
Reg: 07-2005

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Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 07:24 pm, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My XR6Turbo ute has an F6 motor(blew the original)
310kw spec, been worked a bit.
It goes hard, but still is tuned on the low side, so plenty left. These engines in stock bottom end will handle 400rwkw with the right parts,and a good tune.
The turbo is so easy to drive, and has it when you want/need it.
My GTS has that good V8 sound, and plenty of power(not a match to the Ford), but I hate the 6 speed auto. I still dont know why all those gears are needed. Comfort, and brakes are a strong point with the GTS.
My Chev pickup is a toy, has an LS1 and 4L60E auto.

But, I still rate my Soarer as the best all round car I have. No power compared with my other vehicles, but there is just something that ticks all the boxes for me. This is my 3rd Soarer, and I hope not my last.
If I could only keep one of my cars, it would be the Soarer.
Dave Rose
Goo Roo
wa
UZZ31 / ML320 CDI

Posts: 2309
Reg: 03-2007

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Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 09:34 am, by:  Dave Rose (Sand_groper) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I still dont know why all those gears are needed

You are joking right?
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1817
Reg: 07-2005

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Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 10:03 am, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dave, I know the reason the gears are there, but to me they are not needed on an engine with 400hp.
You would remember back to when the 2 speed Powerglide etc were about. They did the job with way less hp than we have today.
The 4 speed autos to me are very good at doing the job IMHO.
Scott Vim
DieHard
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)

Posts: 639
Reg: 12-2010

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Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 11:23 am, by:  Scott Vim (1uz1jz) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You can make first and second really short so it's quick off the line without big power and still have over drive. I think 5 speed is enough. Think there is some cars rolling with 8 speed autos now.
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
LS400 + Soarer.

Posts: 2004
Reg: 11-2007

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Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 11:38 am, by:  Boris Siljanoski (Z2tt) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ford have actually made some quality Falcons. The EL and EF were great cars and much better than the VS Commodore. the BA is a good car too.

My Soarer is the perfect match thats why I drive one but being an old car it's always off the road as I'm always putting new parts into it, so it was time to buy a new car.

The problem was instead of making cars that go fast, Toyota now only make cars that look fast like the 86.

The FG Falcon XR6 Turbo is a great car, the gearbox is so nice and smooth and the shifting pattern and logic is the best.
Dave Rose
Goo Roo
wa
UZZ31 / ML320 CDI

Posts: 2310
Reg: 03-2007

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Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 12:46 pm, by:  Dave Rose (Sand_groper) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Its really all to do with fuel consumption I suppose ,Mercs 7 sp,BMW 8sp, Rovers new 9 sp ,do jump gears that are not required ,also down shift using all the gears during braking.
James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvti single turbo

Posts: 1682
Reg: 10-2008

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Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 02:27 pm, by:  James Buchan (Jrbuch) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've driven the supercharged 335kw Falcon - although it was a prototype when they were being developed, and had to say I was very very impressed with the power. In years to come, it could be a collectors item.
I've also driven G6E turbos. These feel lacking in power and torque compared to the supercharged V8, and feel a little bland. Still, a nice package though.

Overall, although I don't care to own a Ford, I think losing them isn't good for Australia. I feel for those who're going to lose their jobs. That said, at least they came out and told everyone now. I have two friends working for Ford, and they tell me the writing was on the wall, so it's not as if we had no idea this was coming.


If I could get my Soarer to have the power of one of these bad boys, I'd be a happy man. Cubes + boost. You can't beat it. Hmm, maybe one day, I could convince myself to own one of the supercharged ones.. But it'd be the only one I'd buy.

Two obligatory pictures of the then prototype GTP 335 - used for testing purposes

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Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1818
Reg: 07-2005

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Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 03:29 pm, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dave, its fuel consumption, and emissions driven.
Which in some ways is a joke. A good tuned FJ holden would get 30+mpg back in there day(early 1950s for you young blokes)
Some of the new Nissans, Mercs, BMWs, Lexus have now gone to 7, and 8 speed autos. May as well put a Roadranger 18 speed out of a truck in them.
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 6859
Reg: 10-2005

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 12:12 pm, by:  Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


Dave Rose wrote on Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 09:34 am:

I still dont know why all those gears are needed




Mostly to set good fuel efficiency figures and meet CO2 requirements.
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 6860
Reg: 10-2005

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 12:23 pm, by:  Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My grandmother just passed away recently and has left me a decent sum of money - so I am definitely looking at replacing the Soarer - its 16 years old now, I've had it for 8 years, its done 230,000km and its just time for something newer. Been thinking of a G6E - I can get a 2008/2009 model for around $20-$25k NZD which is probably the most I could slip past the wife...
I would be interested in hearing anyone's opinions? Not in any kind of a hurry.
Vincent Chan
TryHard
nsw
v8

Posts: 305
Reg: 12-2010

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 12:30 pm, by:  Vincent Chan (Vincent191) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Matthew, I'll keep the Soarer and get a new wife. :-)
Scott Vim
DieHard
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)

Posts: 646
Reg: 12-2010

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 12:30 pm, by:  Scott Vim (1uz1jz) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah a good non Toyota choice.
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1829
Reg: 07-2005

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 06:17 pm, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Matthew, go a G6Eturbo if you can. Mate has one, and far better car than his previous BMW in his opinion.
Michael O'Driscoll
TryHard
Victoria
TT

Posts: 375
Reg: 10-2005

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 11:46 pm, by:  Michael O'Driscoll (Remickz) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey James,

Yeah i think we all knew at Ford it was going to happen sooner or later, but i think it still shocked a lot of people when the announcement was made.
We were all called into a 9am large group meeting (everyone here at the proving ground) and i think Geelong and Broady did the same, told us the news.

And then it was back to work, my new prototypes aren't going to test themselves ;)
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
LS400 + Soarer.

Posts: 2009
Reg: 11-2007

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - 03:02 am, by:  Boris Siljanoski (Z2tt) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The G6E is a great luxury car and definitely feels like a BMW in some aspects, They have their issues but all in all for what you pay it's a nice car.

You got to see if the extra price from the XT to the G6E is worth it for the extra equipment you get too.
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 6861
Reg: 10-2005

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - 10:41 am, by:  Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'll have a close look at a few of them.

I could probably get a good G6E turbo for another 5K-8K or so, which is tempting, but from what I can tell the turbos only really hit their stride once you are into loss of licence territory, and that's really just totally pointless for me as I won't be doing track days or anything in the foreseeable future.. I'd rather spend the difference on some new cabinetry for the garage & a new telly, and I always try to pay cash for my cars - bad enough to lose money through depreciation than to servicing a loan too.

This replacement car, whatever it ends up being, will be ostensibly a family car - for the most part we use the wife's SUV for school runs, holidays etc, but the Soarer currently gets enough use running the kids around that not having 4 doors is becoming a real pain - a tow bar would be bloody useful too.

I have looked at, and driven a 2009 XR6, and was very impressed by the power - even the handling wasn't bad for a big saloon, but the all cloth & hard plastic interior really let it down and it was generally lacking equipment (even compared to my fairly basic 16 year old Soarer the interior felt cheap) - which is where the G6E comes into its own.

Nah, I wouldn't trade the wife in - I'd be hard pressed to find a better model.
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.

Posts: 1832
Reg: 07-2005

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - 08:15 pm, by:  Ian Johnston (Ted) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What about some of the Lexus models Matthew. Some nice cars in their lineup.
The turbo goes a lot better than you think. Power can be tuned to come in whenever you want it, and the FG models have a smaller turbo, so spool up quicker. Drive one if you can. I think you will be impressed.
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 6862
Reg: 10-2005

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Saturday, June 01, 2013 - 04:06 pm, by:  Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes I was keen on an is350,but they are just a bit pricey. Lexus seem to fetch better money than BMW and mercs in the 4 to 5 year old range. I'll definitely try a turbo fg.

Had a look at a 2008 g6e today, it had 160k on the clock, but a full service history and a sharp price, under 20k.

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