03 BA XT to 06 VE Omega V - Worth $6k changeover?

[Pat Riley]

I have a 2003 BA XT Falcon with 129,924 kms - originally paid $6,300 for it over 2 years ago now. I can probably still sell it at a profit now, maybe $7,500.

Looking at getting a 2006 VE Omega V in silver for ~$13,500 with ~ 100,000 kms

Do you think for a car 3 years newer, with 30,000 kms less, effectively the next generation model up (BA/BF vs VY/VZ) and (FG vs VE), it's worth $6k changeover?

I really like the exterior look of the VE Omega V in silver. I like both of the interiors of the VE and BA, but the VE is in my opinion worse than the FG, but is better than the BA (BA looks nice but bits fall apart - console lid, cup holder etc). So from the exterior and interior look and feel of the car, I much prefer the VE.

Only thing I wouldn't really like is I'd be going into a heavier car with a less powerful engine. What is the Falcon 4sp box like compared to the revised 4sp auto in the VE. Better or worse? What about the Barra 182 vs the standard alloytec? I thought the Falcon had the better gearbox even in the 4sp auto and the better engine.

What would you do if you weren't biased towards either manufacturer?

Link of the 2 cars (specs/price) below:

REDBOOK COMPARISON

[seduced_xr]

only drove a VE for 10 minutes on a test drive while picking dads new car so cant really help you there, but the interiors on the VE dont hold up any better then the BA, the one we drove the glovebox lid wouldnt close and the centre console was cracked.

dad test drove both VE and BF in 06. bought the BF, we drove the VE and the FG in december 09 and now have the FG.

good luck

[Pat Riley]

Sorry I should mention that we also have a VE Calais V and two FG R6 utes in the family, so have driven and continue to drive them on a regular basis in addition to my BA XT. The Calais V is pretty nice, but I'm not a fan of the lack of visibility from the A-pillars and would be something I'd have to deal with if I got a VE myself.

[Poidevin]

I went from an BA falcon to a VE omega, I now use the VE as my daily drive.
IMO the only gain out of it is that you will get a newer car, the VE alloytec is terrible compared to the barra motor. The VE 4sp gearbox is nothing to get excited about but the sport shift mode does make it fun. You already know about visibilty from inside the VE.
Also mechinically sepaking my AU falcon has been more reliable than my VE, my VE has had multiple electrical issues (factory fault), had a couple of engine parts replaced multiple times due to them wearing down and has a couple of general faults.

For $6K the changeover might be worth it but it really comes down to which car you like better.

Hope that helps.

[Rodp]

$6k changeover is pretty reasonable, you just have to decide whether you want the VE. What about the BF?

[ltd]

As Rodp suggests, what about the BF? You can get a BF XT at the auctions for under 10K these days and you'll end up with a newer car and less K's.
The VE is the first car I have come across that should have a different message on the mirrors; "Objects in mirror may appear invisible behind all that bodywork"

[Brazen]

I think from a purely value perspective its actually a pretty good changeover figure you have been given. Over the longer term the VE would keep its value better purely being a new gen shape which will still be produced over the next few years. I guess you have to weigh up whether the six grand is worth it for the (small) gains you get.

[Windsor220]

Personally I dont think I could own an alloytech vehicle. Im not just talking about power/ harshness either but reliability. The things are always leaking and you wont have a waranty anymore.

[Road_Warrior]

For me the standard drivetrain of the Omega is a deal breaker. It's woeful. Looks wise and construction quality I think they are much of a muchness, although the VE I feel is screwed together better than the BA inside.

Personally I would wait until FG's get cheaper or buy a BF.

[BLUEYBA]

I have driven my brother inlaws VE omega and I can't believe how bad it is. The motor struggles and the gearbox doesn't help. To me the interior is bland and feels cheap and don't get me started on the handbrake. I don't know how many times I've gotten my fingers caught. I haven't driven the higer spec commodores but I would be looking to get into something higher up.
I have an 04 BA Fairmont Ghia and it leaves it for dead. Thats not comparing the interior as they are 2 different levels. But just motor/gearbox the BA is alot better and that the 4spd BA. The Commodores just doesn't want to get going whereas the Falcon just wants to do the hard work straight away.

[Polyal]

Yeah see if you can find a BF with a ZF, that is a good combo and as pretty damn close to being as good as a I6 n/a FG with a ZF.

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by BA Falcon

I have a 2003 BA XT Falcon with 129,924 kms - originally paid $6,300 for it over 2 years ago now. I can probably still sell it at a profit now, maybe $7,500.

Looking at getting a 2006 VE Omega V in silver for ~$13,500 with ~ 100,000 kms

6 k for 30000 klm. Seems expensive to me.
And, the interior bits you mention were broken by carelessness, they didn't "fall apart"! Myself, I had a work Ute BA with 170k and the interior was without fault, while My parents have clocked 300000k with their 2 BA's and I can report that having driven there 140000 BAII it is the same.

[Kryton]

Ive driven both and i wouldnt bother with the VE personally - especially a povo pack.
I had the Berlina for a day and it was loud, gutless and annoying to say the least.
Couldnt wait to give it back and get back to the BA.

[Mr Hardware]

Peronally I would.

[Mr Brooksy]

Be looking into an upper spec BF for the 6K difference. Cant stand the lego plastic dash and plastics in the VE. About as subtle and soft as a sledgehammer.

[sly_ba]

As has been said already I would be looking for a BF. I have driven countless B-series cars and a number of VE's. The VE handles well but thats about it for me...... the BF on the other hand is a pretty well rounded and refined package with a far superior driveline. Much nicer car all round if you ask me.

[351capri]

man i cant begin to comprehend someone willing to spend $6k to go backwards. hold onto your 6k until you come accross a deal on a newer falcon!

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by 351capri

man i cant begin to comprehend someone willing to spend $6k to go backwards. hold onto your 6k until you come accross a deal on a newer falcon!

There was a reason GMHolden spent 1 Billion on the VE. To get Commodore up to scratch against the BA-BF Falcon.

To the OP. IMO You are wasting $6k to go sideways at best. Buy a BF, they are a MUCH better drive and don't have the electrical gremlins that plague the VE.

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by phillyc

There was a reason GMHolden spent 1 Billion on the VE.

Because it was the first time they actually designed their own Commodore instead of just taking designs from Opel.

[Pat Riley]

Originally Posted by davway

Because it was the first time they actually designed their own Commodore instead of just taking designs from Opel.

I don't know about desiging their own Commdore. Looks like they really liked / used what Audi came up with!

But maybe that wasn't such a bad idea because Audi styling = win.

But....it sounds like they forgot to take the engine out of a Honda and the gearbox out of car from this millenium. Maybe they were smart. Maybe they knew that 90% of the population have NFI about cars and gearboxes, but merely like something if it "looks nice".

Sounds reminiscent of the uninformed Magna owner at my work who said that he thought an "XR6 was like a totally different car to my BA Falcon", and that he "didn't know an XR6 was a Falcon", and that an XR6 would "definitely have a lot more power than a Falcon and a much better gearbox too". When I told him that an XR6 (albeit a very good car) is essentially a colour-coded XT with a bodykit, rims and sports seats, he thought I was joking!

[FG XR]

go a BF.

[Mr Hardware]

On second thoughts, maybe not. My reaction is simply due to the cheapness of the VE, Are you sure it's an Omega V not just an Omega? Cos if it's an omega V then it's about 3k too cheap. Buy and onsell?

[iliov]

go bf xt with zf. you wont be disappointed.

[Smoke Pursuit]

U will get a BFII Futura for 13 kay, better value!!

[g220ba]

Does the omega V even exist? I thought it went along the lines of Omega, Berlina, SV6.....

I really wouldn't bother ,save a few more dollars and get yourself into something a bit better. If a VE is something you want save and get yourself into a calais or calais V.

[FalconXR6]

Don't do it.
The BA Falcon is a better car than the VE - particularly in base model form.
As far as drivetrains go - it's a no brainer.

VE might be a newer shape than BA, but the VE shape itself is still very, very old hat / dated in 2010.

Stick with the BA and upgrade to something better than a VE Omega when the time's right and / or you have more cash (save).

[SSVPom]

Omega V was an Omega with alloys, met paint, spoiler and a 'V' badge on the boot. It was a special run in 2006-07 only.

Cheers.

[1TUFFUTE]

i totally agree with all the pos and neg comments on both cars(most coments on both cars are now brocken records) and cant help wondering the style of thread if you posted this on a holden thread..Would be a good read i reckon......there is nooo waaaay they could believe the ve is a better overall package....surely

[ltd]

Originally Posted by SSVPom

Omega V was an Omega with alloys, met paint, spoiler and a 'V' badge on the boot. It was a special run in 2006-07 only.

Cheers.

Sort of like calais is to calais-v?
I suppose in the Omega world it would translate to;
Pile of poo, even bigger pile of poo.

What's worse is it would have come with that god awful ecotec/alloytec - an engine so loud that even the hearing impaired can hear it. The only thing that engine has been good in is the ocean attached to a chain with a boat on the other end. As an anchor, it does well, although it corrodes and dissolves faster than sugar in hot coffee.

What's worse is the VE is such a stylistically challenged bucket with big wheel arches, flares, big chunky A pillars etc; that holden flew out notorious automotive designer Christopher Edward Bangle to apraise their "billion dollar baby". He's the guy responsible for the new direction BMW have taken, as well as the mini and the latest versions of the Rolls Royce.
Anyway, Christopher slowly looked at the front, side and back of the VE commodore and drank in its curves. All the while he was heard to mutter; "tsk, tsk" whilst shaking his head. When he got to the last side he blurted out; "Oh god they've done it to this side as well"

History doesn't record Christophers other reactions, but I like to think he looked at Denny Mooney and laughingly said; "quit your day job, jerk".

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

U will get a BFII Futura for 13 kay, better value!!

with a bit higher km than usual you can get a bf2 futura for 11,900 before bargaining