The new Vauxhall VXR8

[motorsportnerd]

in my opinion, holden and ford stuff is dumb technology. when you look across the board at all manufacturers, yes, including *sigh* hyundai, they have pretty much all evolved into smarter more efficient cars, adopting different drivetrains, suspension setups etc. examples of this are subaru's awd platforms, mercedes s class's plethora of nasa-like technology on wheels (which is often looked at as to what we will have in regular cars in 10 years .... look at the current s class etc), hyundai embracing diesel technology etc. there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of advancements in the automotive industry, which some manufacturers have embraced, and others have gone on their own path. take holden for example, same layout that they have had since kingswood days. sure they have refined it a bit, but it is essentially the same thing that they have been selling for decades, a large family vehicle with a 6 or 8 cyl engine and rwd. they have not moved away from this formula since they have been producing cars (look at the fx and fj, same deal, tractor-like pos ride, low tech and rwd etc). i dont understand the mentality of a commodore / falcon buyer, as there are far more intelligent purchases to be made. cars such as subaru's liberty pisses all over what a falcon or commodore offer, and it holds its resale value and oozes quality (go and check one out if you doubt it). also compare a vw golf or polo with a ford focus or holden barina. its a no brainer. i could rabbit on all night about different cars that carve up holden and ford on so many levels, but whats the point, you can lead a horse to water, but you cant make it drink. for me, holden and ford stuff is for people who dont know anything about cars and are happy to be average, happy to make do with what they have, as if they new differently, knew that there was a far better quality car just around the corner for similar money that holds its resale value (unlike holden and ford), they would grab it with both hands. each to their own i guess, give me jap / italian / german stuff any day.

I'm afraid I fail to understand why all Ford and Holden stuff is "dumb technology". How about a Fiesta Econetic? Or a Mondeo TDCi with its 5.9L/100km fuel economy? Or a Focus RS - which is hardly low tech.
Even the Falcon is hardly low tech. A 24-valve DOHC motor with Variable Valve Timing may no longer be absolute cutting edge, but its still current technology. True, it needs Direct Injection to bring it up to the very latest standards, but there are still plenty of V6 and straight six 24-valve DOHC motors in use by other manufacturers - including BMW. Also, not many cars at the same price as the Falcon (mid-high $30K) have better gearboxes than the 6-speed ZF box - which is German built and also sees service in various Mercedes models.
The Holden sixes also feature 24-valve V6s with Direct Injection, and likewise have modern six-speed autos.
The Falcons and Commodores may not be absolute cutting edge, but they are hardly "low-tech". They don't have OHV motors, live rear axles, 3-speed autos or drum brakes.
What the Falcons and Commodores do is provide plenty of space for 5 people in comfort, with a fairly high level of refinement and smoothness, decent ride/handling compromise and the capability of towing pretty heavy trailers.
They do the job they are designed for. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Where they fall down - and where the Japanese/European opposition comes up trumps is in perceived build quality and certainly in poor resale value.
The comparable Volkswagen Passat may have more cutting edge tech with their DSG gearboxes and efficient diesel engines, but they are also more expensive and that high-tech DSG box has not proven to be highly reliable in service yet.
The Subaru Liberty, Honda Accord Euro and Mazda6 (a manufacturer/car you haven't yet mentioned) are all great cars, with excellent build quality, handling, refinement, comfort and space and will all be reliable. They would all be on my personal shopping list (well - maybe not the new Liberty which looks appalling). And I recommend them all the time to those looking for cars in the $30-40K bracket.
However, none of them are any more cutting edge in terms of technology than the similar priced Fords and Holdens. Except perhaps the Subaru AWD system - but considering that most road tests say that the FWD Mazda6 has comparable handling, I'd question whether the complexity of the Subaru's AWD system and higher cost of maintenance is worth it for marginal improvements over the FWD & RWD platforms at the same price.
Also, none of the Japanese fours can tow a caravan as easily as a Ford or Holden and none are as spacious. Also, fours are inherently less refined and more coarse than either a straight six or V6, so they can't match the Aussie sixes for smoothness either.

What I'm saying is simple - most of the cars that the Falcon and Commodore sixes can be compared with are no more cutting edge in tems of technology.
I agree that no private buyer should buy a Falcon or Commodore new due to excessive depreciation. And I agree that there are other excellent cars in the same price bracket, but buying a two year old Falcon or Commodore is hardly a dumb decision.
Personally, while I own a Fairmont BA, I won't proclaim it the best car around. It does its job well though and is hardly a complete pig to drive.
And in a few years time I'd consider replacing it with a Mondeo TDCi - once its taken its initial hit of depreciation. And I won't think I'm poorer for buying a Mondeo over a Passat. I would consider a Mazda6 though.

As for comparing any Commodore or Falcon with a $200K Euro - waste of time. They are not comparable in no one buying a Mercedes E63 will even consider an HSV or FPV.
One must also remember that these high price Euros do depreciate. Anyone for an Audi RS4 for around $30K? What were they new seven or so years ago? Worth considering if you can afford to maintain it.
I agree with you about the Barina however - but that's hardly a true Holden is it?