Which is better, and why?

[TurboDewd]

Ok gang lets try to be non-biased and work out which car is better (we know the answer, but here's ammo for the next BBQ/pub debate), here's a few thoughts:

! = win for XR6T

X = win for SS

= means cant compare or even

! Falcon engine is True Blue - built and designed here (admittedly by AFL types )

! Falcon does away with accelerator cable and uses drive-by-wire technology.

! Falcon does away with aerial (built into rear window).

! Falcon 4.0L 6 is technologically superior to dated LS1 (intro'd in 1997 corvette)

! Falcon auto gearbox is tech. superior to SS offering

! Falcon wins on price

! Falcon wins on handling and chassis balance

! Falcon dash looks great at night

! Chicks observing a 'T' go from 0-juicy much quicker than those watching an SS

! Interior looks better and has a more sophisticated air and feel.

X Falcon weighs a fair chunk more (coz its full of high-tech goodies!)

X Motor mag tested the SS to be a smidge quicker over 0-100 and 400m (¼ mile)

X Late model camira dials a bit easier/clearer to read

X Late model camira has a bigger fuel tank (which isnt always a good thing)

= External appearance? Lets not debate it

anything to add old chaps?

[plonky]

The accel time recorded in MOTOR was a freak time achieved by one of their journos (I think it was Hawley) and hadn't even been achieved by any of the GM Expensive Daewoo test drivers.

It's quite obvious that the car can do it, but whether it can be repeated or is a consiostent time is debatable, so I would take the 0-400m time with a grain of salt.

I really cannot stand such a small fuel tank. It is a real failing in a car like the Falcon.

The Falcon is fairly easy to achieve a substantial power increase with low cost mods, but the SS can also be made to go even harder that it does.

The big thing with the Falcon is that it is easier on tyres than the SS due to the fact that the rear tyres are not undergoing a constant camver change and the rear end is a bit more hi tech than the old trailing arm suspension that has resorted to a couple of control arms with neoprone buses in an attempt to stop camber changes under accel and mid corner.

[plonky]

PS I lpve that avatar Turbo Dewd...I think that chick was in Penthouse a couple of years ago and as they say on 'Seinfield'....."They're real and their MAGNIFICENT !"

[Dr Z]

Similar to the Performance Comparison I shared on the Monaro versus XR6T HERE (where you can also download the zipped version of my Performance Car Comparison spreadsheet) here are the performance comparisons of the SS v XR6T as on my Performance Car Comparison spreadsheet. Take note that the original data is sourced from Wheels and Motor magazines and the calculations are sourced from my spreadsheet. Here is a brief summary, and due to the Monaro and SS performance similarities, I draw the same (copy/pasted) conclusions as before:

Car: Expensive Daewoo Late model camira SS

Price: $50,490

Engine: 5.7L V8

Max Power: 245kW

Max Torque: 465 Nm

0-100Km/hr: 6.2 seconds

0-400m: 14.5 seconds

Wheels issue: November 2002

Motor issue: April 2004

Weight to Power ratio: 6.77 kg per kW

Weight to Torque ratio: 3.57 kg per Nm

$ to Power: $206.08

$ to Torque: $108.58

Fuel consumption: 13L/100km

Total monthly cost (including Fuel, Financing and Depreciation as per Wheels magazine criteria): $1,595

Car: Ford BA Falcon XR6 Turbo

Price: $45,085

Engine: 4.0L I6 Turbo

Max Power: 240kW

Max Torque: 450 Nm

0-100Km/hr: 6.0 seconds

0-400m: 14.3 seconds

Wheels issue: November 2002

Motor issue: October 2003

Weight to Power ratio: 7.22 kg per kW

Weight to Torque ratio: 3.85 kg per Nm

$ to Power: $158.94

$ to Torque: $89.12

Fuel consumption: 12L/100km

Total monthly cost (including Fuel, Financing and Depreciation as per Wheels magazine criteria): $1,422

Performance Comparison Conclusion

The Ford BA Falcon XR6 Turbo costs less, has greater straight-line acceleration, lower fuel consumption, has lower running costs (even taking into account depreciation) and despite having slightly worse Weight/Power and Weight/Torque ratios, in terms of "bang for your buck", it has much cheaper $/Power and $/Torque ratios.

In summary, using Price and Performance comparison criteria only, the T seems to deliver a better "bang for your buck".

While these comparisons are objective performance-based comparisons only, there is NO suggestion that performance is the ONLY important criteria so safety, enjoyability of driving experience etc may be checked in the relevant Wheels and Motor magazine issues listed here.

Safe and happy driving...Dr Z.

[BA_Turbs]

Whoa! This one is going to get messy when the LS1 folk get onto it!

In the Commodore's defence, it comes standard with 18" wheels, what do they cost on a Turbo? The brakes on the Commodore, whether they are actually are or not, certainly have a better feel to them.

I did not even drive an SS Late model camira before I bought the Turbo. My family has always been Ford, always will be. Not for some inherant lack of trust in the Expensive Daewoo product, its just that we only buy Fords. The are probably families out there the same with Holden. The choice was really Turbo or 8 and colour.

Excellent chart there Dr Z covers basically everything that straight figures can cover. The only way to form an opinion beyond that is to go out and drive the cars!

And as far as the blokes at the pub are concerned, if they are going to bag the XR6 Turbo. well they can get right into their rusty Sigmas and Friar tUCK off. I don't need to justify my choice to them! :lol:

[cmdwedge]

I test drove an XY SS before test driving the XR8 (then the XR6T). I wasn't overly impressed with the SS - but at that stage, I was actually pretty confident that I'd be buying a Holden, I liked the outside shape and the V8 sound. During the drive (in a manual) it made weird clunking noises when changing gears and some other oddities - I asked the salesguy if it was normal and he said that it was 'for a performance car'.

I then went to Ford and told them that I had driven the SS that day, but felt that I should at least give the BA Falcon a go before making such an expensive purchase. The dealer actually said 'you drove an SS at lunchtime? This will be easy' and laughed. He was my girlfriend's dad so I didn't think it too arrogant, just thought that he was kidding.

The XR8 hammered the SS in every way, except that it felt very front-heavy. Then I drove the T, which was the same as the XR8 minus the front heaviness (it felt more nimble). Done deal, bought the T.

[Mondie]

One major thing going for the SS is that driveline shunt is much less common in the manuals. l drove a demo SS about 18 months ago and l would happily swap that for my GT.

[ZAP]

One main thing that annoyed me about the SS was the dashboard. It was RED. I found it very hard to see anything clearly.

I also did not like the seats.

I am neither ford or Holden, this is my first Ford and I have never owned a Holden.......

[Worpor]

One of my mates has a SS Ute with the edit and exhaust. He’s wrapped with the T's in gear acceleration cornering so much so than he all most regrets the purchase of it, that and the fact it got to 30 000 kms and dropped 2 pistons

I’ve driven it and the front end feels like its all over the road compared to the T and it has allot of trouble getting the power to the ground in a straight line but hangs on a bit better that the T Ute in the corners. T Ute No independent rear

My choice is obviously the T, as much prefer the interior of the T, the body shape, handling and the turbo’s application of the power. $600 fixed the brakes. Plus I beat him and we are making about the same horsepower

Cheers

Tony

[BADGERSXR6TUTE]

  Mondie said:

One major thing going for the SS is that driveline shunt is much less common in the manuals. l drove a demo SS about 18 months ago and l would happily swap that for my GT.

Mondie, I would have your GT with driveline shunt over a SS anyday, no comparision, shame I haven't got 57 grand to spare