What were the main reasons you jumped ship to a Holden ?

[Rodge]

Seems there's quite a few who have jumped ship since Ford's announcement back in May.

Just curious, what were the main reasons why you decided to change ?

Better technology ?
Affordable V8 power ?
Perception that they will be around longer ?
Just felt like a change ?
I like the shape better, surely not ?
Better value for the kit you get ?
All of the above ?

Please can we keep this a sensible thread, if possible, I'd just like to know why people have left the Ford brand. I'm not passing judgement and this is not a witch-hunt to ferret out all the defectors, just want to see why people left.

[PHawk]

Loved the look of the E1 Maloo, But on owning one for a period of time some of it's short comings where flat out dangerous, the most significant was it's lack of rear and side vision, with the 2 humps it was nigh on impossibe to see out the back and as for the side view because you sit so low you can't even prop yourself up to look out the window to see what's beside you, they have of course fixed that problem now. The LS3 was a let down too even in manual form, I say this stepping out of an F6 310 and into the Maloo....But it was and is IMHO the best looking Ute on the market, would I buy another HSV....Lets just say this Anything is possible (At the right price )

[csv8]

If I jumped ship , it would be value for money....

[Mk II]

I jumped ship in 2011. No Ford dealership would sell me the car I wanted for the price I wanted. I wasn't asking anything crazy, just what they were being offered for in Sydney.

I went into a Holden dealership and had done the deal I wanted in about 20 min.

Just 2 weeks ago I picked up a new VF SSV Redline, once again I looked at Ford, but this time it came down to the technology and interior of the Commodore being so much better (in my opinion) than the Falcon. If I was looking when the FH gets released it might be a different story.

[Motorbreath310]

Originally Posted by PHawk

Loved the look of the E1 Maloo, But on owning one for a period of time some of it's short comings where flat out dangerous, the most significant was it's lack of rear and side vision, with the 2 humps it was nigh on impossibe to see out the back and as for the side view because you sit so low you can't even prop yourself up to look out the window to see what's beside you, they have of course fixed that problem now. The LS3 was a let down too even in manual form, I say this stepping out of an F6 310 and into the Maloo....But it was and is IMHO the best looking Ute on the market, would I buy another HSV....Lets just say this Anything is possible (At the right price )

Did you have many problems with it, though? And, off topic: Did you find the seating position any better than in the FG? I've felt they're both about the same, height-wise. This is speaking of normal Commodores, though (SV6, SSV)

[jimmyxr6t04]

I bought a WM Caprice in 2011 because as much as i wanted the SC V8 from FPV, they were so expensive for what you got... At the time, the Caprice was great value for money, and priced about the same as the GS, but had a heap more luxury and features, albeit lacked the engine i wanted.

The plan was always to lease an 'interim' car until i had the funds for a GT. The interim car was preferred to be a GS, but it was like an XR so i didn't want to be in a GS for 2 years, then buy a GT with the same interior and then feel underwhelmed when i finally did get the GT... Hence, i went the Caprice with full luxuries.

Time has come, and soon i'll in the GT. Very much looking forward to it, and more so than i would have if i had a GS previously!

[blk6t]

I jumped ship (sort of) a couple of years ago, went for a VE SSV ute and for a number of reasons...in my opinion:
- The Holden ute looked better than the FG ute, again my opinion, I just couldn't stop staring at the very large rear wheel arches of the FG ute.
- The Holden ute had a better compartment setup and cabin layout over the Ford ute.
- Specs and tech were better in the SSV range and better pricing over Ford ute. Also much better leather quality over the Ford especially the FG range.
- Seating position was far better, felt lower and better positioned.
- V8 was OK, it was no slouch, it was no S/C V8, but it was still went well.
- The auto was woeful, I think manual would have been much better.

To be honest it was a good all round ute, I think the VE utes look tough especially dropped and with some large rims to fill the guards. The SSV was a good model sitting between the Maloo and the basic SS.

[Rob 351]

How far can I go back Rodge? For me growing up as a Fordie all my life, avid Allan Moffat, Murray Carter, & Dick Johnson fan. My old man wouldn't let me buy a second hand car, someone else troubles I can hear him saying right now. So I saved up half the money & he took me to the bank to borrow the rest.
Really wanted a Falcon but the XF just didn't do it for me even in S Pack form so I bought a VL Commodore with a 5.0 V8. It really was a great car & have plenty of good memories with that car. Cost me $15,990 brand new & 500 for comprehensive insurance as a 17 year old.
The old VL had 121 kws & a 3 speed tri matic auto which was the only gearbox available in the V8 holden range in the VL. No air conditioning, no sparky windows, no auto anything except for the gearbox & stock she ran 0-100 in a earth shattering 9 seconds..lol.
I kept that car for 8 years & traded it on a HSV Clubsport which I didn't enjoy at all.
Bought my first Ford in 2003 with a BA XR8 ute, now that was fun. I can only imagine the fun the F6 & SC boys have with there leaf sprung FG utes! Driving a modded one in the rain must be near on impossible! Crazy fun!
The rest is history for me but I loved my VL 5.0!

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Mk II

I jumped ship in 2011. No Ford dealership would sell me the car I wanted for the price I wanted. I wasn't asking anything crazy, just what they were being offered for in Sydney.

I went into a Holden dealership and had done the deal I wanted in about 20 min.

Just 2 weeks ago I picked up a new VF SSV Redline, once again I looked at Ford, but this time it came down to the technology and interior of the Commodore being so much better (in my opinion) than the Falcon. If I was looking when the FH gets released it might be a different story.

Sticks out like the third ball on a greyhound as being the best bang for buck for those that want heaps of tech, in my opinion. I'm not the slightest bit surprised there's huge demand for that model.

[red_hotxr6]

Sorry, but if i did jump ship it would never be to a holden..i am not a hypocrite...there are plenty of great FORDS out there that i could buy and drive..

[Nikked]

Couldn't tell you, only owned fords :-)



But, it has been tempting in the past to buy a VY SS ute or sedan, they are a nice package, and with a tickle, MAFless tune + OTR they have a bit of grunt.

[BroncosXR8]

It's been very tempting lately to get a SS Sportswagon, Ford don't have anything like it, IMO it looks great and aggressive yet sensible enough for the missus not to question me about it.
I to also prefer the looks of the Holden/HSV utes over the Ford/FPV's.
Though the G6E Turbos really do it for me!

Haven't changed yet though and the old EL II XR8 is still putting around... slowly

[Bucknaked]

I couldnt jump ship even if I wanted too. I have a 12 year old who has ford as part of DNA. He once refused to get into a commodore because it was a holden and after I made him get in the car or walk home, all he did was cry on the way home and then give me the silent treatment. Think he was 4 or 5 at the time.

His mum said I created a monster.

[black13]

i went the other way,i now have my 1st ford ive owned since i was 18, & i'm a really old tnuc now,

[GASWAGON]

Why do people buy the Holden utes when the load capacity is only 600kg and they have no space behind the seats to fit anything....

Fords utes win in both these areas...

[TheZHLANE]

Havn't had a reason to jump ship.

[Ozzyiceman]

I'm just a little bit bemused that this thread is still open. Surely I'm not the only one to see the irony!

[bigwil]

Being drunk is the only way I would jump ship then it would be for sale as soon as I sober up

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Why do people buy the Holden utes when the load capacity is only 600kg and they have no space behind the seats to fit anything...

Because 2-door sports car.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by Ozzyiceman

I'm just a little bit bemused that this thread is still open. Surely I'm not the only one to see the irony!

Yep .... saw the irony but I cant transfer this thread to www.holdensgobetterapparently.com.au

As long as it all runs along smoothly no worries being here though.

[GTP534]

Sorry to say, but I don't see the irony. I wouldn't mind if someone explained it though; at least then I could give that nodding look!

[Dr Smith]

I'm still wondering where's the evidence that "quite a few" have jumped ship.

[Mr Brooksy]

Highly unlikely to jump ship to Holden, had enough of them in the past and beenhugely unimpressed, and sure some models look better than their equivalent Ford models. But I will more than likely jump to BMW, no way I will go backwards from Ford to Holden, but Ford no longer will provide a 4 door serious sports sedan in rwd. So the next logical step is the car company understands the value of the I6 and rwd 4 door sports sedans! The ones all sports sedans are measured against.

[b2428]

I would never totally jump ****. But i would seriously consider a VZ crewman S in 6 speed manual. The sister in law has one and for some weird reason I love driving the thing. Mind you I will ALWAYS have a ford of some description in the fleet. And atm I have 3 so I think im allowed on transgretion or however its spelt haha

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by GTP534

Sorry to say, but I don't see the irony. I wouldn't mind if someone explained it though; at least then I could give that nodding look!

...... asking people on a Ford Forum why they bought their Holdens.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Why do people buy the Holden utes when the load capacity is only 600kg and they have no space behind the seats to fit anything....

Fords utes win in both these areas...

I thought the holdens actually have a higher payload?

[Legit290]

It was just after I started to find men attractive

[Syndrome]

Never jumped ship. Never will.

[jimt3te50]

Originally Posted by b2428

I would never totally jump ****. But i would seriously consider a VZ crewman S in 6 speed manual. The sister in law has one and for some weird reason I love driving the thing.

I laughed when I read this. My mate had one and got a price to trade it in. They offered him nothing for it. The salesman told him they're as popular as herpes and just as hard to get rid of

[1TUFFUTE]

This thread is to fettle out all the pagans for a good ole stone the pagans session

The GTS will be extinct in no time and we'll all be salivating over the next era of performance cars here in aus. The GTS is by no means cheap and by no means collectible...so unless you happen to be right in the price point and in the market right now....I don't see the point in something that's by no means anything near collectible....hence at 100k...it'll depreciate faster then you can breath between sobs.
On the note it seems a good car if that's what your into....but it certainly won't plus the negatives for me.
No go sorry.