Holden VE Commodore named best Australian-built car in history

[HK1837]

I had one of the very last VS's, built late in 2000. It was a pretty good thing and nice and cheap too. But was only a V6 and had a crappy Getrag box, still towed better than the VY SS that I replaced it with.
I have yet to drive a VE that drives as nice as my old V2 CV8 either. Closest in feel that I have found is a Ford G6E, except much less power out of the Ford.

[wbute]

From the same magazine that gave the VN Commodore car of the year once upon a time no less. They also gave the P76 car of the year. Good chance they just pick these things out of a hat.

[83 WB_Ute]

I had one of the very last VS's, built late in 2000. It was a pretty good thing and nice and cheap too. But was only a V6 and had a crappy Getrag box, still towed better than the VY SS that I replaced it with.
I have yet to drive a VE that drives as nice as my old V2 CV8 either. Closest in feel that I have found is a Ford G6E, except much less power out of the Ford.

Those G6E Turbo's go like the clappers! They are a pretty damn good alround car! Luxurious, comfortable, quiet, all leather interior all the mod cons that you could want and then the brutal power of the turbo 6 :D
The only bad part is that (I think..) you can't get them in manual :(

[adam perth]

I had one of the very last VS's, built late in 2000. It was a pretty good thing and nice and cheap too. But was only a V6 and had a crappy Getrag box, still towed better than the VY SS that I replaced it with.
.

do you rate the T5 better than the Getrag?

[HK1837]

Getrag was awful. Clutches cost a bomb too.

The G6E I drove wasn't turbo, just the normal sweet 6. On the road very much like the CV8. Just a lot less power. I wouldn't have a manual G6E even if you could get one. Modern autos are so good compared to old hydraulic stuff.

[Vombil]

carn the VS. cant get enough of them. the VZ will be their relative equivalent... if only the motor was 1/2 as good as the VS

[83 WB_Ute]

Getrag was awful. Clutches cost a bomb too.

The G6E I drove wasn't turbo, just the normal sweet 6. On the road very much like the CV8. Just a lot less power. I wouldn't have a manual G6E even if you could get one. Modern autos are so good compared to old hydraulic stuff.

Yeah, the G6E Turbo's are awsome, but as you say, the standard 6 lacks power. The G6E Turbo's at work will wheel spin both rears through 1st, 2nd and into 3rd gear! haha You didn't hear that from me though ;) bahaha

I dunno, I'd be torn between a manual and an auto. As you say, the new auto's are a damn sight better than the old stuff, but I love the mechanical feeling of shifting the gears yourself haha

[SLR_dave]

They also gave the P76 car of the year.

LOL! Top comment!

[HK1837]

carn the VS. cant get enough of them. the VZ will be their relative equivalent... if only the motor was 1/2 as good as the VS

I don't know, the 6.0L LS2 in a VZ ute or wagon is a pretty decent thing, despite how nice a roller cammed sequential injected VSIII V8 is!

[Valencia]

Well ive driven heaps of commodores in my time and i think the ve is one of the best ive driven but i do have a soft spot for the vk ss group a really exciting car to drive for me anyway
vn to vt dont do anything for me bad era for holden imho