Checking Out The Enemy

[richdave]

So I spent the last 3 days driving the VY “S” Late model camira covering about 1500km’s. Leaving my "T" in the care of a mate who by the way owns the "S". I must state here and now the comparison is somewhat unfair since the “S” V6 is not anywhere close to the XR6T for power. The standard features/handling are IMO fair comparisons though.

The comparison was between my Auto XR6T with 17” rims and a VY “S” Auto with 18” rims.

Pros for the VY:

The car “feels” more comfortable cruising at 115km/h than the XR6T does.

Both driver and front passenger windows have auto down feature.

The leather looks better than the XR6 leather

When triggered, the alarm will display details on the Dash display when you next turn ignition on.

Uses less fuel - 9.4l/l00km compared to 10.4l/100km in the XR6T on exactly the same trip. Although both cars are averaging 13.8l/100km around town. Not much in it really

LH foot rest.

Doors lock when you put it into drive or reverse and unlock when you park.

Illuminated window switches.

Window switches in centre console.

Remote deadlocking of doors (I Really miss this after having the VY/VX)

Interior and exterior lights come on when you unlock car.

Headlights/high beams are very efficient and at least on par with the BA.

Boot has a flat floor.

The silk screening on the rear screen covers the spot where the standard centre stop light lives, unlike the BA where it is clearly visible making the rear spoiler and stop light seem like a bit of a “tack on”

After a phone call the stereo gently comes back up to your preset volume.

Cons for the VY:

As expected, lack of power (even compared to the N/A XR6)

Even with the lower profile 18” wheels the car seems much less stable cornering at speeds above 80km/h

No sequential shifter

Boot release in glove box

Map lights in centre of roof making it difficult to reach them while driving

Boot seems significantly smaller.

Boot lid hinges intrude into boot space reducing effective size even more.

The seats are not very comfortable, I felt I was sitting on the seats rather than in them.

Ride/handling seems no better than the VT or VX (both of which I have owned)

Standard stereo does not sound as good as the standard BA stereo

Cup holders are front/back rather than left/right. (they should have kept the VY/VX set up)

No panic button on key remote.

Fog lamps seem less effective than the BA.

No 40/60 rear fold seat, only the small centre opening.

The cruise control is on a stalk rather than the steering wheel, whats worse is the VT/VX has a stalk with 3 buttons on the end you could activate with your fingers without taking your hand off the wheel. The new setup requires you to take your right hand off the wheel to rotate a collar on the stalk to set/resume speed…a BIG step backwards.

The standard steering wheel is both ugly and uncomfortable.

No rear courtesy lights

No foot well lights

The rear demister is not a high enough power rating ‘cause it took ages to even start to demist the screen

Foot notes:

1 My mate took the XR6T home and his wife asked why he didn't by one of them

2 My mate tells me the XR6T has "some poke" and he is now planning the "T" when his current lease expires.

3 I picked my 3yo daughter up from kinder today in the "S", even she could tell that it didnt go "that" fast! To quote her "that's not fast daddy"

[Turbo6man]

So the VY feels more comfortable at 115 kph but it doesn't go around corners over 80kph as good as the T - well duh! Unfair comparison for both cars as they are obviously set up with a different ride/handling compromise.

1 litre/100km less fue for the VY - and you think that's a PRO ??? Sheet if the T only uses 1 litre/100km extra, that to me, is a real condemnation of the VY considering the power difference. Of course a Hyundai would be even more economical heheheh.

I personally don't like the idea of the doors auto locking as soon as you select D or R - I would like to be able to choose when to lock my doors - I never drive with them locked in case the absolutely worst thing happens and I'm left unconcious in the car and rescuers can't get me out.

All in all, the rest of the comparison and comments are quite relevant and makes for an interesting read.

[richdave]

QUOTE Turbo6man VY feels more comfortable at 115 kph but it doesn't go around corners over 80kph as good as the T - well duh! Unfair comparison for both cars as they are obviously set up with a different ride/handling compromise

To clarify my comment, the VY feels like it is in a "sweet spot" at 115kmh, whereas IMO the "T" feels like it should be going a bit faster (120-125 IIRC) to find the "sweet spot"

QUOTE Turbo6man 1 litre/100km less fue for the VY - and you think that's a PRO ??? Sheet if the T only uses 1 litre/100km extra+ that to me, is a real condemnation of the VY considering the power difference. Of course a Hyundai would be even more economical heheheh.

Obviously missed my last comment on that point

QUOTE Richdave Not much in it really

QUOTE Turbo6man I never drive with them locked in case the absolutely worst thing happens and I'm left unconcious in the car and rescuers can't get me out.

You can unlock them at any time and I believe they automatically unlock the car in event of a colission

[CHIPS]

Thanks for the informative comparo. Dave.. Good reading, I think I've Got the right car! :D

[richdave]

Good reading, I think I've Got the right car! :D

me too....

[KEN 24T]

Good read, Dave ... wonder how badly mis-quoted you'll be on others forums? :lol:

[plonky]

I wish I was only driving a VY SS for three days!! My new car is a VY SS and I'm stuck with it until next May. That's when the XR8 returns to roost!

[bdennis]

Dave,

Good write up ol' son!

Esp like foot note 3.. Made me laugh!! :lol:

I had a VY Aclaim in NZ for a few days. Like chalk and cheese realy. So glad to get back in the BA. I did not like the seats and HATED the cruise control set up (after having Telstar, Forrester, AUII and BA the commie one is so crap!)

Sure all cars have their differences. Some better some worse.

Would not change from the BA for quids!

[Turbo6man]

QUOTE Turbo6man VY feels more comfortable at 115 kph but it doesn't go around corners over 80kph as good as the T - well duh! Unfair comparison for both cars as they are obviously set up with a different ride/handling compromise

To clarify my comment, the VY feels like it is in a "sweet spot" at 115kmh, whereas IMO the "T" feels like it should be going a bit faster (120-125 IIRC) to find the "sweet spot"

QUOTE Turbo6man 1 litre/100km less fue for the VY - and you think that's a PRO ??? Sheet if the T only uses 1 litre/100km extra+ that to me, is a real condemnation of the VY considering the power difference. Of course a Hyundai would be even more economical heheheh.

Obviously missed my last comment on that point

QUOTE Richdave Not much in it really

QUOTE Turbo6man I never drive with them locked in case the absolutely worst thing happens and I'm left unconcious in the car and rescuers can't get me out.

You can unlock them at any time and I believe they automatically unlock the car in event of a colission

Thanks for clearing up the ride/handling comment - it's all clear enough now you put it in the proper context.

Regarding not much in it really ... no, I didn't miss it, but it does nothing to explain how or why you would consider the economy of the VY to be a pro ... I think it's a big con. And the difference is:- that on a trip the T which has what?, 40% more power, uses only 9% more fuel and in urban driving your figures say the T is even better value at 0% more fuel.

You believe the doors unlock in a collision ... but DO they? ... and who would like to volunteer to test this belief? OK, if Holden (ooops, sorry for blaspheming) say they do, then I guess you have to trust them ... hmmmm

You MAY be able to unlock them yourself at any time, but what a farking nuisance having to UNLOCK your doors every time you start to drive.

NO I didn't misinterpret any of your comments and, as I said, I think most of what you said was very well put and I agree with your comments overall. We all have personal preferences and I was only pointing out where mine differed from yours, and why. It's not to say either is right or wrong - just that we all "see" things differently. Sorry if I was a bit cheeky in the way I expressed them, but it was all done in good humour and a bit tongue in cheek.

[AMoffat]

Look I'm six three.

It's all in my legs. I like the leg room in a VX/VY but you sit side ways on the seat. Slanted to the right. The rear is too soft in the springs. The front too indistinct.

Give me a BA anyday.