Holden VE Omega sedan

[RedVee8]

I had an Phantom (Black) Omega as a courtesy car while the Captiva was in for a repair, basically a 4 day, 400 odd km, test drive.

The Omega is the base model VE Commodore and comes with the dreaded 180kw HFV6 & 4 speed auto combination. Dreaded because every review you read marks this as a negative point.

For the first 15 or so minutes I loathed this car. I just didn't feel comfortable. The interior with its non-Climate control air con just seemed cheap. The steeing wheel seemed hard and oddly shaped. I felt that the cabin was set too low to the ground. The back seemed to be trailing too far behind the front and I caught the rear wheel on a curb coming out of the servo. Then I turned off Parramatta Rd and onto Birnie Ave towards Lidcombe station. Oh ok, it steered around that almost 90deg curve nicely, heres another - nice.
I little further up the road & I started to work out the steering wheel controls. A little further along and "mmm, this thing rides pretty well" I thought to myself.

I found the smoothness & comfort of the ride and handling to be very nice. The performance to be more than adequate. The fuel economy fine, better than my Captiva over the same commute. The interior is comfortable though the look of the base dash is a little cheap. Heaps of room. The car is quiet too. The only annoyance I had was that I seemed to pull the gear lever back into third rather than drive when starting off - it was just a little hard to judge. And the kill switch Suttons installed, forgot it just about everytime!

I give the thing back today and hop in the Captiva. Gee, I'm up too high! Ohh, feel that bump! Yikes, that throttle is sensitive....

Conclusion.
A very 'nice' car that handled my commute very well. I can see why this would be a popular car with those that just auto-buy the next model Commodore as they come out. My worry is for those that test drive it against competitive models as it seems to be let down in the test drive stakes. A drive around the block does not give the real virtues of the Commodore Omega a chance to shine through.
I can certainly imagine picking up a Commodore next time around, although I hope to be shopping a little further up the tree.
Lets see, Calais - check, leather - check, sunroof - check, climate - check, Sportswagon - mm mm mmaybe.

To paraphrase the VN adverts "I'll love it".
What a nice car.

[mikmak]

Nice short and snappy review RedVee8. I can understand the odd feeling you got when stepping from the Captiva to the VE. I found when test driving the Captiva, that I was sitting too high and forward, ready to fall out the front of the seat. I really loved the steering wheel on the VE I test drove, but that may have had something to do with the size of my gropers. Did you get over the 4spd 180kW combo?

I've nearly talked myself out of a sportwagon (may not be owrth going that far in debt at this stage) and considered an excop Omega. FE2, LSD etc. They can be had at auctions for <18k. But still not sure about the powerplant.

[RedVee8]

G'day MikMak,

It'd be the same drivetrain as your VZ?
I actually didnt mind the drivetrain bearing in mind I actually only did my normal commute plus a trip into the CBD with the car. No enthusiastic or back road work, no manual changes. I did have a couple of rough spots with a couple of gear changes, but the Omega was quite peppy with the typical Commodore 'launch'. It could kick off the blocks when needed. I could happily live with the 180kw engine, though I would prefer the 5sp auto be strapped to the back of it.
What price an 'adjusted' auto from an automatic specialist? I hear they do good work on the 'street machine' specials. Maybe cheaper than a newie to get the ex-Cop Omega with a shift kitted auto, (and a supercharger kit?) ?????????? ok forget the 'charger.
How do you find the engine in the VZ?

[mikmak]

I'd definitely prefer the 5 speed too. As for the transmission getting uprated; I'm trying to find a replacement for the Vectra for as little as possible, as I still want to build my Ausmosis HQ. With Mrs. Mak due before me, it is likely that we will get a mid size wagon/hatch, so probably a liberty/outback or ZC Vectra (pending purchasing advice offered by some fellow GMIers). We really don't need 2 wagons, so the Ex-cop V woudl suffice for towing etc. If their gearbox is the same as the VZ, the shift gate is slightly different so you don't have to press the release between D and 2nd. That means you can cruise along in top or just quickly slap the stick backwards and it will drop it to second with out any need for concentration. I've used it a few times to avoid ugly situations, like when a 5 ton flat bed towing an amusement ride, tried to pull into the left lane (where I was cruising at the posted limit of 70, my eye looking at the corner of his tray). I slapped the stick back to second and floored it. I did make it (obviously) but had to pull half into the emergency lane for the last quarter of his front end. I didn't even have time to toot.

If I jump into a VE ex cop, the most I will spend is probably wheels (if it has steelies) and maybe a growler and/or exhaust.

Still, much like all my plans, it is dependent on tab A fitting in slot B after a re-bore of cylinder F, which can be fit over bollard C on the 2nd wednesday of the first new moon.

For example: To get this car, I have to build a house. To build the house I need to estimate the cost of the Owner builder design. To accurately estimate the cost (in accordance with bank requirements) I need to complete a certified owner builder course. I set out a date for the owner builder course as available, based on the gap between annual leave ( a trip to see the olds in Melbourne) and my companies annual strategy meeting.

My daughter broke her arm yesterday. It was right on the tip of her elbow so it can't go in a cast. As a result, holidays had to be rescheduled pushing back my owner builder course >accurate estimation>and building window by a few months, resulting in an increased cost (through forecast material increases) and thus poorer financial situation.

My life (and goals) are one big evolutionary cascading GANTT chart. Some people think my direction is fuzzy. If they had better resolution, they could see the tiny details.

[RedVee8]

Not the dreaded gantt chart!
If you do the home owner builders course you'll be wacking up a heap of WBS's

[mikmak]

That's where mind genius comes in very handy....helps that we (my company) are distributors

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by mikmak

That's where mind genius comes in very handy....helps that we (my company) are distributors

Interesting.
Your company? or the company you work for?

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by mikmak

I'd definitely prefer the 5 speed too. As for the transmission getting uprated; I'm trying to find a replacement for the Vectra for as little as possible, as I still want to build my Ausmosis HQ. With Mrs. Mak due before me, it is likely that we will get a mid size wagon/hatch, so probably a liberty/outback or ZC Vectra (pending purchasing advice offered by some fellow GMIers). We really don't need 2 wagons, so the Ex-cop V woudl suffice for towing etc. If their gearbox is the same as the VZ, the shift gate is slightly different so you don't have to press the release between D and 2nd. That means you can cruise along in top or just quickly slap the stick backwards and it will drop it to second with out any need for concentration. I've used it a few times to avoid ugly situations, like when a 5 ton flat bed towing an amusement ride, tried to pull into the left lane (where I was cruising at the posted limit of 70, my eye looking at the corner of his tray). I slapped the stick back to second and floored it. I did make it (obviously) but had to pull half into the emergency lane for the last quarter of his front end. I didn't even have time to toot.

If I jump into a VE ex cop, the most I will spend is probably wheels (if it has steelies) and maybe a growler and/or exhaust.

Still, much like all my plans, it is dependent on tab A fitting in slot B after a re-bore of cylinder F, which can be fit over bollard C on the 2nd wednesday of the first new moon.

For example: To get this car, I have to build a house. To build the house I need to estimate the cost of the Owner builder design. To accurately estimate the cost (in accordance with bank requirements) I need to complete a certified owner builder course. I set out a date for the owner builder course as available, based on the gap between annual leave ( a trip to see the olds in Melbourne) and my companies annual strategy meeting.

My daughter broke her arm yesterday. It was right on the tip of her elbow so it can't go in a cast. As a result, holidays had to be rescheduled pushing back my owner builder course >accurate estimation>and building window by a few months, resulting in an increased cost (through forecast material increases) and thus poorer financial situation.

My life (and goals) are one big evolutionary cascading GANTT chart. Some people think my direction is fuzzy. If they had better resolution, they could see the tiny details.

On the Cars....

One wagon is enough, but zero is probably too few. I call the Cappy a wagon, in my view that is what it is - SUV leaves me cold.

I'm a bit of a Subey fan, I had a 81 Subey 4x4 Wagon for a few years just before marriage til 2nd kid was about ready to pop. Top car in the 'couldn't kill it with an axe' school of automotive appreciation.

I'd say you'd be happy with any of those 3, although I'd personally look for the 2.2 Vectra over the 3.2. Don't have any real reason, just a bit scared of the complication of the V6 re servicing over the long haul.

For instance, my short list (for 12 mths time -tragic!) to replace Captain Captiva is VE sedan or Sportswagon, Forester XT, Outback, and if we still need the 7 seats I'll prob just go another Cappy -maybe a diesel. Looking at pushing up to the 45-50 mark. Not sure if I'll feel the Subeys are a touch small after the Cappy? anyway I spend around 3 hours a day in the car so I figure I can justify something nice. I've found that just like a house, the greatest luxury you can have in a car is ......... room.

[RedVee8]

wrote this in the industry sales figures thread, prob fits here better.
just a snip'n'paste

VE Calais V Sportwagon

Saw 4 today 'in the wild' and another that I took for a test drive. Wanted to try a Calias for size. They cheated a little as they 'only' had a Calais V V8 6sp auto in Evoke and Light Urban trim.

Drive
Beautiful car, sounds lovely, goes like a train. Actually, I'm a little worried as it is double demerits for the long weekend, and a couple of times I found i was going about 20ks quicker than I thought....... not too mention being over the speed limit.... found a nice little bit of road, car stops well too. you really don't know it is a wagon. Also, being wet it was nice to drive a car with the rain sensing wipers... sounds a wank, but a nice thing in reality. other nice point was the park assist at both ends with visuals on the screen.

Accomodation
Beautiful soft leather seats. nice chunky sports steering wheel. Took my boy and one daughter, 15 & 12 with me to try the package. Great, they loved it. Then tried Calais and Berlina sedans and found my boys head touches the roof lining in the rear of the sedan, but he still had clearance in the Sportwagon.

Conclusion.
Not due for 12 months, but I can see a Sportwagon coming up. The Outback and Forester turbo on the shopping list will have their work cut out to better the Holden this time. Think I may be able to stretch to a Calais, but the kids (of course) are trying to get me to go all out for the Calais V - it really was that nice. no decisions yet though. My Jove that V8 is lovely.....

[mikmak]

Stop coming up with such good justification. I'm trying to talk myself out of it

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by mikmak

Stop coming up with such good justification. I'm trying to talk myself out of it

Seriously, I don't remember thinking of it as a wagon except when it was stationary and I was checking the size and amenities. Time for a mikMak roadtest........

As far as buying goes.... I was talking to a different dealer last week asking about VF, DIV6, AFM V8 - she didn't know anything about them, suggested too soon, but dropped this into the mix, "but they are putting a 60th Ann edition on the (Sportwagon) out soon".

maybe that could be a good value proposition for you?

[mikmak]

*fingers in ears* lalalalalala




Yes, I know how futile that is

[The Commodore]

good review

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by RedVee8

Interesting.
Your company? or the company you work for?

Erm, I lack the necessary levels of delicacy and diplomacy to negotiate with others. So yeah, the company I work for
I'm good at what I do and that doesn't include contract negotiation (may have something to do with my 2 years as a PITA AMWU Shop steward in my previous job).

As for the Sportwagon test drive, it's on my list