New VE Pictures. Is it a Commodore or a Falcon???

[nota]

It's about Material more than design - give me a boring but well made interior over a funky-but-citroen-bad interior.

Agree about durable - I'd rather a dashboard that doesn't decompose after a few years, like euros & japs still do. The most durable dashboard I can recall is 1979-84 Ford XD/XE, most of them seem to last amazingly well with no cracks even after 20+ years in the hot aussie sun

I still remember my mate's Fiat 2300, literally every time you drove it there was this soft rain of granulated yellow powder falling from the dashpad which coated everything including your knees

[Mr. Jinx]

I agree ford has the best interior bar none, But it's easy to make a huge improvement over what came before it, the AU really missed the boat bad, My brother interior was as good as a AU.
Ford set the bench mark very high with the BA interior, Especially the dash thats gold It matches many overseas cars also. But it's going to be as hard for them not just holden to improve better then it.

Thats a fairly extreme statement.

BA isn't that good. My old man's Fairmont's lower console's & door trim plastics were far from being excellent IIRC. Very rough and hard. If you grazed your elbow or something on the plastics near the side windows, pain wasn't too far away. The lower plastics would also scuff easily, going from black to white when hit with a black leather pair of shoes

Also there's no cover under the steering wheel. If you get on your knees (pedal level) and have squiz towards the firewall you can see the metal and the steering rack. Far from cosy. A VR Comode even has a panel there.

With the transmission are with the SSS equipped BAs, there was a gaping gap between the tunnel console and the plastic surrounding the gearstick. Stuff gets lodged in there and makes an awful mess. Its also rather unsightly.

Also, sitting in the back seat, the door's metal bits can be seen inside. I just can't stand that.

But the centre console is fantastic, as is the upper console. Dash is a bit so-so. The upper model VZs are better in that they are more elegant and give a good deal of info thanks to the 3-tier LCD displays, allowing you to keep attention at whats right infront of you.

[adrenaline]

^^I wouldnt say what slick said was extreme at all. Overall, you couldnt possibly match a VZ interior to a BF interior. The inner doors on the VZ (and most other parts appart from the console/ dash) are the same as the original VT of the 1990s!! In terms of noise reductions, the BF blows the commodore away. Also people have to stop referring to the BA in every comparo to the VZ. Think BF.

Also, i can see where fpv is coming from where he said holden have dropped the ball with the interior. Fine, they are only camera-phone pictures, but they give you a good idea, especially with the inner doors. FROM WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN the VE interior is not near a revolution. And i dont get why holden puts the power window controls for driver and passenger in the centre parrallel to the drivers ass. It must be annoying having to look to the left and down to put down the window when ur driving...

[fpv_gtho]

Considering theres the gearshift and audio controls down the centre also, it makes sense ergonomically.

Its a similar thing to how Ford keep their power window switches at the top of the door trim, just inside of the drivers side mirror, and how before BA the headlight switches were a dial on the right of the steering wheel. Now Ford have gone to a more conventional switch on the steering column for that though, probably to clean up the dash design as they moved alot around on the BA's interior, like putting all the other switches at the bottom of the ICC, as opposed to littered across the dash

[SlickHolden]

In one place i would give the VY-VZ a big plus over the BA-BF, Is the dash cluster. I think holden has had a winner there for some time now they have a years supply of fun in that trip computer they have, Gear selections all the sound system digital speddo and even some hidden features in there to. And maybe even the seats they have come along since it was said they were crap for long distance.

But I'm not sure why anyone would think it's any harder to use the power windows in the centre as to on the drivers door, My sisters old VL was very easy to work but my mates VR berlina was even better but as the models go on they make them easier to use and you don't need to look down it's like changing gears you just know where it is.
Like my heater doesn't have a back light to change the output of heat through the different places around the car, But i know that to un fog the windows is far left, One above is feet, top middle is cold and hot, One past that is all vents the last is all over.
But the VYII i went in the dealer was sticking them up and down without looking, But he did say they have been driving it around since they got it.

[Blitz_]

Ok, here's something to contemplate, with this all new design, and all of the different opinions thus far, considering the investment and the hype, will it stand a chance to win car of the year - even with perhaps a bundle of fantastic cars released in the same year? Consider it, personally, no, from what i've heard, but a part of me says it CAN because it is a commodore anyway and it will supposedly re-invigorate the large car segment.

The interior looks nothing spectacular, nor does it look schlocking, it just is really, and still has some design cues from the commo's of old. I will be greatly dissapointed if it does not surpass the BF in a majority of aspects such as refinement, build quality etc. Such a large amount of money being invested, I would hope that holden hasn't gone on looks and gone away with the smaller aspects of car manufacturing that make the difference.

The dash in the new commo' will be good no doubt, perhaps more Alfa esque dials? TFT screen as per standard and higher grade materials with an emphasis on chrome highlights and lighter tones for up spec models?

Im a ford fan no doubt, but I just pray this car doesn't bomb and come out as a big dissapointment to some. Its much the same as the Xbox360, so much hype pre release to deliver the goods, and I make this same statement to the VE - are we really expecting to much??

[SlickHolden]

Everyone is expecting the best car made in the world.
Maybe we should hope for the best Australian built car.

I don't see the similarity with the 380 other then they both sit high up the rear and go lower to the front. first pics they got of it they made it look like the 380, But now it's not really the same, There was a new Vectra owner that made the comment he thought it had a look of his Vectra when it was on the road with the Monaro taking pics behind it.
From what i have seen of the 380 is a big high arse, I dont mind it but it's doesn't seem very big at all but i know that it's pretty long just in the flesh it looks small, But it's got this feeling of being in 3 bits, Front centre rear they all seem like they came come apart if you know what i mean, Sounds dumb but thats what the car looks like when i see it.

Holden don't have build quality issues, In-fact it's funny cause one thing the yanks agree on is when the Monaro went state side they thought it was the best build quality interior car. In GM in the U.S.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

I think a CoTY gong is HEAVILY dependant on a good first impression. EVERYTHING must be perfect and work, because, as with the 380, Sympathy gets you to the second round, no further

if it handles, stows, and looks good doing it, There's no reason why it shouldn't be in with a chance - intended function points should be through the roof.

[SlickHolden]

I hope it handles better at the rear, The front end has got better over the years, It turns and handles from the front fine they just need the rear to become better. Not just have it good for tracks and banging around corners have a more centre balance.

But on the 380 it's a good car i don't know why people don't buy them more, Anyone who had a Magna would want something twice as good wouldn't they?.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

They don't buy them because when questions are raised over whether or not the company will be honouring warranties and spare parts availability should the Australian operations collapse Dealers do some great navel gazing.

They are good cars, but there is little or no reason for people to buy it over another, similar model - it's just average.

[nota]

Any manufacturer or importer who volume-sells cars in Oz is required by law to provide a supply of spare parts for 10 years after the vehicle ceases to be sold here

Once upon a time most dealers would hold on to NOS (New Old Stock) for yonks. In the nineties I recall being in a local Ford dealer when a bloke walked up & requested a heater cable for a '65 XP Falcon - yep it was in-stock! It cost him all of $2 iirc. And in 2001 Canberra Mitsu dealers were still carrying some NOS Valiant stock. But from about 1990-on Ford (for one) have been dumping their 10 y/o stock into the aftermarket

In '85 I was able to buy NOS high-comp pistons for my '65 Buick, a brand which only sold maybe 50 cars here in 1965 - and only seven high-comp V8s like mine. The parts guy had them stored on the shelf since new and when I asked for them he said to me "Mate I've been wating for you for twenty years!"

And in Melbourne eg the specialist-aftermarket still stocks tons (literally) of NOS parts for obscure brands like Studebaker, Hillman & Vanguard etc

[IBrake4Rainbows]

It's good that the spare parts base is there for these cars.

I think it's just the public perception that 'oh, Mitsubishi's been in the news, it's not going to be here very long'.

380 was supposed to be the saviour car, it's just average instead.

[fpv_gtho]

I think a CoTY gong is HEAVILY dependant on a good first impression. EVERYTHING must be perfect and work, because, as with the 380, Sympathy gets you to the second round, no further

if it handles, stows, and looks good doing it, There's no reason why it shouldn't be in with a chance - intended function points should be through the roof.

COTY also depends on the competition. The 3 series is in the running this year, and that got the awardd at NAIAS iirc, but the euro's always get hurt here by the extra taxes. The last few years Wheels seem to be a bit more "open" about rushing to give all new Commodores the COTY, so its not guranteed to win.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

In the recent Wheels comparo the 3 series was beaten by the IS250, so I'll be interested to see how it fares in CoTY.

There's really yet to be a stunner released in 2006, but it's only may

EDIT: 3 Series was included in 2005 CoTY, it made the second round.

[SlickHolden]

It's good that the spare parts base is there for these cars.

I think it's just the public perception that 'oh, Mitsubishi's been in the news, it's not going to be here very long'.

380 was supposed to be the saviour car, it's just average instead.

Could almost blame the media for doing what they do best, Stir up rumours that have only minimal truth.
Driving down the road yesterday i was passed by a VR-X in holden and fords colour The baby poo one
I though a look thats about the 10th i have seen in my area, But it was only a hire car. Now I'm thinking how many of them are hires.