SS vs XR8 and the winner is......

[Brazen]

http://www.carpoint.com.au/reviews/2...mparison-47799

While the Commodore SS is clearly the more sophisticated car, it simply gives too much away in almost every aspect of performance to the Falcon.

The first round of what is shaping up to be a titanic final struggle has a winner on points. Until we can prove otherwise, Australia’s best mass-market muscle car is the brand-new supercharged Falcon XR8.

[Moby Vic]

And how much did the R-Spec and GT-F cost?

[WHYME]

The XR8 is worth getting on the engine alone, it's a no-brainer.

[kypez]

Finally a review that gets a muscle car isnt about how quite the cabin is nor how I can stream music in a car!

[arronm]

Yep I agree the ford has the better performance engine

But there is more to a total package than just power

[SensationFG8]

Yep and the rspec setup has that "more" in spades.

[Mighty Reds]

While the Commodore SS is clearly the more sophisticated car, it simply gives too much away in almost every aspect of performance to the Falcon.

Lol they may as well called the SS a slow ****.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by SensationFG8

Yep and the rspec setup has that "more" in spades.

Not really..package reference is in regards to trim, gizmo's, ride and all the other bits. The VF had more money splashed at it we cant deny that.

But what Ford spent the money on is what is winning the dong for the moment.

People who talk about the overall package are always the ones that are deficient in power because they have nothing else to fall back on.

Same thing happened with the T Series, they went the package route because the poor old 5.0 just couldnt keep up. Then they got the 5.6L and changed their tune..LOL

[tut0r]

That as a great write up, actually sounded objective almost!!! Its a hard choice though even as a ford fan. But if you want stupid power and the ability to get more of it its a no brainer!

But still not a fan of the interior...

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Polyal

No really..package reference is in regards to trim, gizmo's, ride and all the other bits. The VF had more money splashed at it we cant deny that.

But what Ford spent the money on is what is winning the dong for the moment.

People who talk about the overall package are always the ones that are deficient in power because they have nothing else to fall back on.

Same thing happened with the T Series, they went the package route because the poor old 5.0 just couldnt keep up. Then they got the 5.6L and changed their tune..LOL

Regardless. These cars are tribal purchases. The commodore could be 5 seconds slower down the 1/4 , the red team faithful will still buy it over the XR8.
Comparisons for these 2 are a moot point.....always have been really.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Bluey-GT

Regardless. These cars are tribal purchases. The commodore could be 5 seconds slower down the 1/4 , the red team faithful will still buy it over the XR8.
Comparisons for these 2 are a moot point.....always have been really.

I think buyers have become a lot more of the Swingers type. Especially over the last decade.

There will be a few jumping ship, albeit, begrudgingly.

[blueoval]

Horses for course really. If you want refinement, the SS is the way to go. If you want performance power and handling, the XR8 wins hands down. That said even though the interior of the XR8 is dated visually, I still like it. It's simple and should have all the mod cons that one needs.

It will be interesting to see who digs deep into their pockets and how this results in sales leading up to the factory doors closing.

[Dr Smith]

Hmmmm..dilemma, sell Territory, upset wife, buy XR8, probably not make wife as happy, keep Territory, buy XR8, knock down front fence to add 3rd parking spot, probably still upset wife...but wow would I have a happy life.

[responsef6]

Whenever I read a motoring review and they pick falcon for obvious reasons, they always bend over backwards to make holden readers feel ok by pumping up their interior and bagging out the fords.

Just say as it is... The falcon smashed the commodore on all the points we actually buy our performance cars for

[responsef6]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith;526****

Hmmmm..dilemma, sell Territory, upset wife, buy XR8, probably not make wife as happy, keep Territory, buy XR8, knock down front fence to add 3rd parking spot, probably still upset wife...but wow would I have a happy life.

Knock down the fence, life is too short to compromise on what you really want. Go buy that xr8 and smile for the rest of your life

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith;526****

Hmmmm..dilemma, sell Territory, upset wife, buy XR8, probably not make wife as happy, keep Territory, buy XR8, knock down front fence to add 3rd parking spot, probably still upset wife...but wow would I have a happy life.

easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

[Sioso]

Originally Posted by kypez

I think buyers have become a lot more of the Swingers type. Especially over the last decade.

There will be a few jumping ship, albeit, begrudgingly.

Agree.
I was never a Ford person until the XR6T came along and in the past 10 years I've owned a lot more Fords than Holdens.

[arronm]

Seeing as there will be no more Aus Ford I have decided to buy the last of the XR8 before they close. Even though I don't like the look it will be nice just to have one. Probably drive it a couple of times a month like my F6. Do they do lightning strike?

[graphicgoose]

Can't tell if serious or not A double ron haha. But yep, they do lightening strike.

[XBv8mmm!]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith;526****

Hmmmm..dilemma, sell Territory, upset wife, buy XR8, probably not make wife as happy, keep Territory, buy XR8, knock down front fence to add 3rd parking spot, probably still upset wife...but wow would I have a happy life.

G'day Doc.

Do it. Trust me, you will love it.
I've had mine for a week now and it just keeps getting better every time I drive it.


Cheers,
Garry.

[xr6tjet]

I love how they drip feed the fact that the falcon is better and still provide that reassurance to holden owners that the interior is better.
So typical of journos especially carsales ones lol !!

[Mighty Reds]

It sounds like driving the XR8 makes you smile whilst the SS is clinical almost Toyota like.

[arronm]

I am dead serious mate. I just decided 30 mins ago. Good colour choice is made. Silver like my other half dozen cars. Mod list is already started. Lowered. Full exhaust. New intake and whatever Simon reckons for a nice 400rwkw. Auto this time. So gearbox cooler and strengthen straight up. I want to be able to beat it like I do my F6.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by XBv8mmm!

G'day Doc.

Do it. Trust me, you will love it.
I've had mine for a week now and it just keeps getting better every time I drive it.


Cheers,
Garry.

I'm still regretting selling the G6ET for the Terry...and you're not helping........ unless you can build me a carport, lol... happy and safe motoring.

[graphicgoose]

Originally Posted by arronm

I am dead serious mate. I just decided 30 mins ago. Good colour choice is made. Silver like my other half dozen cars. Mod list is already started. Lowered. Full exhaust. New intake and whatever Simon reckons for a nice 400rwkw. Auto this time. So gearbox cooler and strengthen straight up. I want to be able to beat it like I do my F6.

Sweet, another car that we can hassle you about needing a paint job on I reckon you should go with the Shockworks coilovers man, you'll love how they make the car feel. Welcome to have a drive of my GT if you want to test first. 400rwkw from Simon will be tune only haha! And again, i reckon you should try driving it with a manual first as it suits these engines much better than the turbos.

[arronm]

That's for the offer. I will do that. Pretty keen on auto but won't rule a manual out

Doesn't it come with decent shocks stock?

Suppose I better take a look at the specs of the car. I don't know much about the options

[graphicgoose]

Comes with Rspec suspension setup, which is supposed to be pretty good. I haven't driven one with the Rspec setup though.

[arronm]

That sounds good. If the ride height is ok I won't touch it

[fgpsi]

Where is BUMDOGS

[MITCHAY]

Anyone would think the SS is a slow car but it isn't. The XR8 is faster which it should be given it has the entire GT driveline thrown in :

I wouldn't wait around to buy an XR8, I'd be doing it now if you want one.

Unless Holden chuck the GTS engine in the SS (which I doubt would happen), you're not going to see anywhere near a comparable bang for buck proposition.