Ford Vs. Holden Part1

[mikmak]

This comparison has been a long time coming for me. One a well known favourite and the other the reigning champ before the arrival of the VE range of Commodores.

In the Blue corner, 2005 Ford Falcon XT, 4.0l 180kW I6

In the Red corner, 2005 Holden VZ Commodore Executive, 175kW 3.6l HFV6

Both RWD IRS 4Spd Autos, they are the bread and butter of local Big car brigade and represent great value on the second hand market. Usually starting life as a highway or fleet vehicle, they are subjected to many levels of abuse and exceptional long tours of duty. One of their main characteristics being constitution

I started with the Falcon first, as my last (albeit too short) test drive left me chomping at the bit to explore further than I dare with a dealer on board.


The exterior was nice enough. A tidy metallic blue, it glistened in the sun though its design is as familiar as the neighbour you see every day, barely warranting a second glance.



Climbing into the cockpit, I was reminded of the trait that has torpedoed nearly all of my other attempts to test drive the AU and BA Falcons: the seating position. This is about the only criticism that has remained throughout the AU/BA/BF saga and it really can't be fixed until next year’s Orion model, but they could at least but in a dual arm rear vision mirror (like the Commodore has) which allows you to raise it out of line of sight (when looking to the right of an intersection). Instead, I had to move the seat slightly further forward than I prefer making me peer through the distorted left edge of windscreen forehead of the A-pillar.

Falcon


Commodore


On the road, I was coasting at around 30, before traffic peeled off leaving my nothing but horizon, so I give it the berries in anticipation of the moderate but still exciting note that I had sampled months earlier. Nothing doing!?! All I got was the distant sound of an engine drowned out by something that sounded like a bag less vacuum cleaner sucking up small bits of gravel Oh dear. Aside from the disconcerting terralogical concerto going on, there was also a distinct lack of back shoving. What should have happened was an angry six pack of kids jumping up and down making a racket and me hurtling of into the distance with a wry smile on my face. Unfortunately, no one had informed the gearbox. It was still on smoko but did eventually come to the party. Hmm, maybe I had caught it off guard.

Time to test out Fords my applauded "Control Blade IRS". Sounds cool eh? Into to medium density suburbia I go. (Note: I was familiar with the surrounds and had scouted for areas with plenty of room both from people and hard upright objects like power poles etc. ).
I do a few lefty righty directional changes to get a feel for the body roll (of which there was way too much) then dive in. The first right hand sweeper I come to has an advisory speed sign of 40, which I take (or attempt) at the posted speed limit of 60. Come from the left and then head toward the apex....I said head toward the apex (no dice)...okay now we head toward the apex, apply some throttle...hello? anybody? So the front end is now groaning like a dog that you fed your McDonalds pickles to, as it washes wide, pushed by the upright inline six hanging over the nose. The rear end must have stolen someone’s prescription because it isn't even paying attention. But it’s not the rears fault because the gearbox isn't passing any of the much heralded torque from said I6. There is way too much of nothing going on here. Perhaps I need to yell a little louder, so everyone pays attention.

After finding the appropriate 90deg right hander, I approach at moderate pace and turn in early stepping on throttle as if it's a cockroach running for cover. The cacophony of gravel returns this time with the engine sounding like it’s at least in the same suburb, tyres roar at low grumbling tone as the whole thing starts drifting, rear swinging toward a blissfully unaware mailbox...at a massive 30 odd kph.
These tyres are crap! (not OEM) Needless to say I tootle off at sane speeds much to the amusement of a nearby tradesman painting an old beach house.

Is there anything this car can actually do? Off to the industrial estate and I am actually pleased with the ride quality as I float off some speed humps. Getting to a suitably deserted service road, I once again sink the slipper bracing my eardrums for further aural abuse. Once reaching the posted speed of 80, I sink my size 13s into the brake pedal like my calves have cramped. To my amazement, it pulls up flat, predictable and in incredibly short a distance. Hooray, it ticked a box!



I return the sad old dog to the dealer with some friendly direction in regard to the rubber and horrible ruckus that accompanies any level of enthusiasm.

WARNING: The following part of the comparison may be slightly tainted by familiarity (it's the sedan version of my wagon)

The VZ Commodore was the last of its kind (Read BBDOS CV8s excellent tribute here). Redesigned re trimmed and refurbished a dozen times in 9 years, there was little left to do before its way out the door. More common than its local half brother (The Falcon), seeing one on the road is even more frequent (demonstrated by the pic below where I found one of the same spec parked near my chosen photo shoot) just, but still garners my attention, probably because they are also one of the chosen for local enforcement



On the inside, it's like a second home. Virtually identical to my wagon, it misses out on only a few extras: quad airbags, full fast glass. Still, the double hinged arm on the mirror is out of the way and allows me to sit back from the tiller at a comfortable distance, which in turn now makes my vision to the left pass behind the A-pillar skipping any distortion.
I get comfy so quickly, I feel like I'm cheating.


Taking it to the streets, I feel like an old Navy mate has turned up to take me to the pub (bar/whatever you guys call it). It's not long before I get a feel for the softer setup than my wagon, but I'm surprised at how well it copes with speed bumps and the like, though it’s not as well damped as the Falcon. The Commodores OEM Bridgestone tyres are measly 205 R15 and really need to be up rated for control in the wet. Luckily, today its 27C and there's fun to be had.
Taking the same sweeper as that which left the Falcon a droning wallowing mess, the harder damped front end pushes progressively but is easily corrected with the right foot, as the response from the HFV6 seems telegraphed from ankle to axle. Attacking the same 90deg right where the tradesman was still painting, was rewarded with perfectly controlled rear end pendulum action and a grin from all involved.

As for the noise, there was no harshness like the 3800 of old. The HFV6 doesn't exactly sound cultured either. Instead it’s a tune everyone knows but has forgotten the words. Like a drunken mob it just bellows out loud, confident and uncouth

Originally Posted by Jimmy Barnes after 1000 beers

"Cheap wine and a three legged goat..."

And I'll be damned if I didn't sing along




It took me about 15 minutes to do what took me 25 in the Falcon.

I know some people (F&H) probably turned up here for an even handed account of the local boys and how the battle field was not so long ago. Unfortunately today was a very one sided affair with the blue oval not bringing their A team. The Falcon (87,000 kms) I drove was well past its used by date even though it had a full service history and was only 2 years old. I know it’s not a good example of the breed but today it was all they could muster.

In the red corner, however, the Lion come out blazing, with less than half the kms on the clock (39,000kms) and come away with a fist pumping victory so definitive that it must have been fixed. It's not without its problems. Even the tired XT could out brake it and with a decent set of tyres it may even out corner it. The Falcon I drove earlier in the year was quieter too, but it wasn't as much fun. The VZ is light, lithe and even in its screechingly tiny 205 R15 boots, a blast to drive. For me, that's what it's all about. Lucky the VE has ESP, because it now outweighs the portly Falcon.

Vale VZ, come back soon

[mikmak]

Oh, it's part 1 because part2 will be Orion vs. VE (or whatever is current at the time).

[redstuff]

MikMak...did you write that whole review? It comes across really well written. Nicely done. My favorite line was "The rear end must have stolen someones prescription because it isn't even paying attention."...I'm gonna be laughing all day. Thanks.

[mikmak]

Thanks. I actually had a longer version but IE locked up when I pasted in my last image, dumping the lot . That's why there are a truckload of typing errors in this version. I was madly trying to finish it before my partner got home.

[JoeT]

How did I miss this one! I just noticed the link in your signature!

An honest, even-handed, and may I say, a piss-funny review.

[mikmak]

Thanks JoeT. Although I have got 146 views but only 2 comments. I think there may be some language barrier going on here. Or they just find our base fleet model cars boring.

Except redstuff New Addition to my buddy list

[MonaroSS]

Good write up, hadn't seen it before. You need to advertise more.

The results are not unexpected as even as a kid in the 60's and 70's the Falcons were always biased more towards softer wallowing ride and handling and the Holden’s firmer and more responsive. At least in the base models.

You know if you press edit on your post, click in the edit box and hit 'Ctrl' and 'A' on your keyboard, you can then right click your mouse then left click 'copy' and then open Word and 'paste' it all onto a page which will then light up all the spelling errors. A quick read will also pick up the word errors. The do the same in reverse and paste it all back (as long as the original writing is still left lit up blue) into the edit box and save the changes.

[nota]

the Falcons were always biased more towards softer wallowing ride and handling and the Holden’s firmer and more responsive. At least in the base models.

Sorry but gee I can't agree with that. Nor I venture would the vast majority of motoring journalists from the 60's and 70's because in truth I cannot recall one single road-test comparison (or reference) in Wheels, Modern Motor or Motor Manual of pre-1977 Holdens and Fords which claimed the Holden to have superior dynamics (on sealed roads) to Falcon

For sure the Holdens had more stability and better tuned for dirt or rough-road usage, and their steering ratio was sharper. But in every other respect those George Roberts era Holdens were dreadful things to corner and handled like a barge. Turning into a corner brought terminal plough understeer and that chronic front end kneel, descending toward the bump-stops. It was comically painful to watch them attempt a u-turn. That built-in understeer and crap geometry was unresolved until the 1977 HZ, which admittedly was transformed into a great handler only after Roberts left the (GM-H) building

Al least with Falcons the front stayed upright and they had some balance to the chassis, for bonus points offering drivers the option of final oversteer - if you could twirl the wheel fast enough to catch it. Overall not a bad handling car in its category and perennially rated better than Holden

Valiants could be scary, no argument there. But old Holdens were understeer personified: bounce, bob, lurch, kneel, plough. Responsive?

Holdens = body construction
Valiants = motors & autos
Falcons = handling & seats

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

Good write up, hadn't seen it before. You need to advertise more.

The results are not unexpected as even as a kid in the 60's and 70's the Falcons were always biased more towards softer wallowing ride and handling and the Holden’s firmer and more responsive. At least in the base models.

You know if you press edit on your post, click in the edit box and hit 'Ctrl' and 'A' on your keyboard, you can then right click your mouse then left click 'copy' and then open Word and 'paste' it all onto a page which will then light up all the spelling errors. A quick read will also pick up the word errors. The do the same in reverse and paste it all back (as long as the original writing is still left lit up blue) into the edit box and save the changes.

Now I have no pictures.

On the up shot, I wasted 6 minutes fixing it up which means I have been spared the misery that is "All Saints". How many Australians have to put up with this dramatic affliction? It's an outrage!

[mikmak]

Oh, and I can attest to both points raised on pre 77 Holdens (well the big ones at least). My HQ rolled like a ******* and understeered like an Aurion, but yes it also rallied like a Subaru (which is hard work when you've got 3 on the tree!)

[nota]

Originally Posted by mikmak

Oh, and I can attest to both points raised on pre 77 Holdens (well the big ones at least). My HQ rolled like a ******* and understeered like an Aurion, but yes it also rallied like a Subaru (which is hard work when you've got 3 on the tree!)

Cheers for adding your opinion. Don't get me wrong or think me anti GM-H; I like Holdens! And yeah its amazing how they mutate into really decent handlers when they hit the dirt, like they were born for it (well they were!)

Previously owned:

FJ (1st car, cost $4)
EK (custom 179)
HD (14,000 miles)
HG wagon Belmont 173
HG 253
HG Premier 253
HQ 253 (traders x 3)
HQ DeVille
HJ wagon 308
HZ ex-cop 253 3sp (great car)
VC L 202 (ex-cop hottie)
VK Group A (bought new)
LC XU-1
179 powered T-Bucket

[isszy]

Originally Posted by mikmak

Thanks. I actually had a longer version but IE locked up when I pasted in my last image, dumping the lot . That's why there are a truckload of typing errors in this version. I was madly trying to finish it before my partner got home.

I thought I was the only one who did this LOL...

My post count goes up on Thursday nights, when she's at badminton...

[isszy]

So, did you wear a Holden t-shirt into the Ford dealer ?

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by mikmak

Now I have no pictures.

On the up shot, I wasted 6 minutes fixing it up which means I have been spared the misery that is "All Saints". How many Australians have to put up with this dramatic affliction? It's an outrage!

I copy and paste form Word into and out of the edit box all the time without ever losing pics. I always do it if I'm posting a long post, just in case the 'Submit Reply' button screws up and I would otherwise lose my work.

As long as the pic address is copied with the text then it pastes back the same. Unless your version of Word is set to convert them into active links when you copy into Word (i.e. they appear blue and underlined) because then if you copy those back into the edit box they will not work.

You could try changing your Word set-up if that's the case or just click on each active link, right click and click on the Hyperlink> drop down and click Remove Hyperlink.

[mikmak]

Yep, new computer w/2007 office though not with Vista? Its the bosses laptop after my Desktop chucked a wheely some I'm still tweeking bits here and there. Have to wait a few weeks for the travelling nerd show to come back around my way so I can build a new one.