Holden Sportwagon Vs. Mondeo Wagon

[mikmak]

So this is off the back of GenerationIV's query. Which would you prefer.

Mondeo has the edge on technical equipment (including voice recognition) and price, but is significantly down on power. Don't forget that the Engine/transmission combo for the Commodore is about to shift to a 3.0 DI/6A drivetrain. This will result in parity for fuel consumption though the torque gap will narrow. Commodore still maintains a 30% torque advantage and power will be almost 2:1.

Here's the comparitive link for the 3.6 Port Injected Berlina vs. the Mondeo Zetec model. LINK

Other things to consider....

2.3 is the only engine option for the wagon. Commodore weighs more and tows more. It [Commodore] will also cost more for registration due to having six cylinders, but it is highly likely that servicing and repair costs of the Mondeo would mitigate that advantage.

Choose your load lugger.

[redTT]

Easy Commodore

[mikmak]

Pretty simple decision for me, but what is most important is how the decision progresses with Ford fans.

[Exploder]

Why isn't there a modern Falcon wagon?

[Joe88]

Originally Posted by Exploder

Why isn't there a modern Falcon wagon?

I believe.... it's because they're making too much money out of fleet sales i.e energex who buy alot, and with the sportswagon being smaller the falcon has a bit of a niche... and they don't have the R & D cash sitting around. Thats my assumptions at least.

[mattyman1010]

I'd be very tempted with switch from a aussie 6 to the mondeo wagon even if its just for its pricing and better re-sale.

[King Riffle]

I would honestly have to drive them first. FWD doesn't really bother me, and I don't exactly drive the Mach 5 right now so power isn't a huge priority. The Mondeo is smaller than the Holden right?

[Bravada]

The Commodore wagon will always sell more. It's manufactured locally, so Holden can offer a broader selection and responder quicker to market changes. More importantly, they need every sale they can get to survive as a manufacturer. For Ford, the Mondeo is still an import, so they won't be pushing it so hard. If anything, they will try to position it as a premium product vs. the competition to recoup more of the importation costs.

[Simon says]

Pictures? You know, since we are comparing . . .

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by Simon says

Pictures? You know, since we are comparing . . .

Added to the first post

...and surely you couldn't go from the Merc to a tiny little Mondeo?

Originally Posted by King Riffle

I would honestly have to drive them first. FWD doesn't really bother me, and I don't exactly drive the Mach 5 right now so power isn't a huge priority. The Mondeo is smaller than the Holden right?

Yes, the Mondeo is smaller, but not by as much as you might think. The link in the first post will give you external dimensions.

[throwback]

Personally I prefer the new Falcon Ute. I wish we built Utes here for us.

[BBDOS CV8]

Ford spent the money they would have allocated to the Falcon wagon to the Territory softroader in the early 2000s. It did very well for a couple of years and it's still a 5-figure vehicle for them although it's declined to approx 50-60% of peak sales. It's a good size but no engine other than the petrol 4.0 blunts it slightly compared to the plethora of small diesels. For a while they were the soccer mom car of choice. It now really needs a makeover, because they've been selling the same basic shape since intro.

With a good diesel it may eke back some market share. It's a moot point as to whether they would have done just as well with a modernised wagon. Given that the Holden Sportswagon was to be an AWD/SUV as well - even Holden is probably surprised that a conventional wagon is doing so well. Their wagon is now a fleet special - not terrible but still with a leaf-spring rear end and it didn't share the FG Falcon's bady update.

[chinamonty]

What is so wrong with leaf springs in a wagon? Anything that assists rather than hampers load carrying capability is good.

[isszy]

Commodore Sportwagon

1. It's a wagon (oh, so is the Mondeo)
2. It's a Holden
3. It looks better
4. It's bigger
5. It is more powerful
6. It tows more
7. It's RWD
8. It looks better
9. It's built here
10.It looks better

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by mikmak

Added to the first post
Yes, the Mondeo is smaller, but not by as much as you might think. The link in the first post will give you external dimensions.

Bleh. Then I stick with my I have to drive it first comment. If the Mondeo were significantly smaller I would lean towards that just because a large car and the city don't always go together particularly well.

If I were given a choice and told I had to pick one without research, it'd be the Mondeo. That's due mostly to the benefits of FWD in snow.

Do you guys have the VW Passat wagon? The current one has to be one of the best looking wagons.

Originally Posted by chinamonty

What is so wrong with leaf springs in a wagon? Anything that assists rather than hampers load carrying capability is good.

I think federal regulations now require every car made to be able to lap the Nurburgring in less than eight minutes.