Which ute pro's v con's FG XR8 v VE SS

MoreHPformyXR6 · 30-07-2008, 08:08 PM

Hi Guys

This is early days into my research probably 12 months down the track. But im fairly certain my next car will be a Ute. I know this is a ford forum so the answer's may be blue biased. I was hoping everyone who puts their 2cents in, will try to be as impartial as possible. I would be looking at getting a Ute purely as a recreational vehicle (I dont have any need for a work horse - if I did my choice would be far easier).

Im tossing up between the FG XR8 post Sept 2008 and the VE SS so both cars would have ESP. I would more than likley be getting an auto as I do a lot if inner city stop start driving. Now I know the VE Ute has sedan like suspension in the rear end which too me is a plus. But with the new FG Ute the rear end set up doesn't seem to get a bad write up from the car critics. I know the ZF 6 is a far superior box to the Holden. Can anyone tell me more about the auto in the holden or link me to any write ups etc. (I know basically zero about it). Id look to do basic mods down the track breathing mods and custom tune. Which make gives me more bang for my mod bucks?
Does the XR8 out rank the SS feature wise or vice versa etc?
I just created this thread as a general chit chat for AFF members as the pro's and con's of both vehicles and your unbiased input is welcomed. As I get further into my research I will probally raise a similar chat on LSI forum's.

:

Thanks & Cheers

Scott

burnz · 30-07-2008, 08:13 PM

that's a tuff choise, L98 v's boss. and a weekend toy.
if you go the holden get the 6 speed manuel, dont bother with the auto.

b2tf · 30-07-2008, 08:18 PM

Im half considering updating the ute and both of those are on the look-at list. In my opinion the VE looks better (but it is my opinion), however the XR will carry more and is more capable with loads etc. Gearbox and engine wise they are both on par and I think to decide you would need to drive them both - I'm yet to drive an FG but I did like the VE a lot.

Bang for your buck in terms of mods you can have a VE running 12 second passes for decent money if you so wish.

Ives · 30-07-2008, 08:20 PM

I believe the XR8 ute is the better car here. However, the SS looks better imo. I've seen a couple FG utes (XR6s and XR8s)... they look good from the front, but nothing special from the rear.

mad cow · 30-07-2008, 08:25 PM

if you grab the latest issue of top gear magazine they take both of those utes for a fang into the outback. i cant tell you the results as ive only just got the magazine.

4Vman · 30-07-2008, 08:27 PM

If you're buying a ute as a ute its a no brainer... the Falcon load capacity and rear end alone is a winner.

MoreHPformyXR6 · 30-07-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

If you're buying a ute as a ute its a no brainer... the Falcon load capacity and rear end alone is a winner.

If I was its a no brainer thats for sure. But it would be purley used for recreation and going two and from the office oh and maybe a bag or two of potting mix from bunnings may see the lined tray hehe

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad cow

if you grab the latest issue of top gear magazine they take both of those utes for a fang into the outback. i cant tell you the results as ive only just got the magazine.

Thanks for that will have to pop down to my newsagent in the next few days.

chubbz80 · 30-07-2008, 08:37 PM

the only thing that would move me to the other side to the ve ss would be the ugly join line in the xr6,8 utes have after the cab i understand that it can be a traytop as well but it looks like crap atleast the ss has a continuse shell but thats my opinion

**Falcon Coupe** · 30-07-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

If you're buying a ute as a ute its a no brainer... the Falcon load capacity and rear end alone is a winner.

Plus the auto is better and IMO the SS has nothing on the FG in looks.

4Vman · 30-07-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Plus the auto is better and IMO the SS has nothing on the FG in looks.

Good points, plus the extra KW's.. actually come to think of it is there any reason why you'd even consider the SS...??

tex · 30-07-2008, 08:57 PM

My mates SSV last weekend cranked out 245 @ the rears! That from an advertised 270 @ the fly.

A GTS 300 VX same dyno, same day, next car on the dyno - ran up 240............

Go figure.

He's landed an absolute ball tearer, a freak,

or an SS with the HSV 307............................................... .........................

xls3v · 30-07-2008, 08:58 PM

vz maloo with 6 speed
puts my 3v ba to shame

tex · 30-07-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xls3v

vz maloo with 6 speed
puts my 3v ba to shame

Was it ever going to be the other way around?

Sorry, just don't see your point.

**Falcon Coupe** · 30-07-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex

My mates SSV last weekend cranked out 245 @ the rears! That from an advertised 270 @ the fly.

A GTS 300 VX same dyno, same day, next car on the dyno - ran up 240............

Go figure.

He's landed an absolute ball tearer, a freak,

or an SS with the HSV 307............................................... .........................

My Clevo puts out 320kw at the rears, maybe he should buy an XD ute ?....or maybe there is more to it than dyno graphs.

MoreHPformyXR6 · 30-07-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex

My mates SSV last weekend cranked out 245 @ the rears! That from an advertised 270 @ the fly.
....

Auto or Manual?

Thanks for the input guy's as I said in my 1st post its more than likley id go auto due to what type of driving its used for plus im a shorty 170cm so I dont want to sit to close to the airbag which is always a consideration.
I just wonder if the six speed auto in the SS are any good or atleast ok etc?
Looks wise I like the look of both an VE SS Ute lowered with no mad spats looks hot and haven had a real close look at the FG XR8 ute as yet but from what ive seen it looks quite nice. Looks in a car is a big factor for me but I like them both I know what people mean with the gap in the Falcon ute between tub and cab. But thats neather here nor there for me (got over the gap in the Ford ute years ago). Plus anyone know of the top of there head what the auto's do 0-100km and quater mile (standard) for both camps?

drew`SEVNT5 · 30-07-2008, 09:13 PM

um, all those guys spouting the BS about load capacities...

sorry to burst your bubble, SS has more load cap.

Aaaand, in ute form, id take the SS/SSV ute over XR8, IMO it looks better, and it is a better motor....

Add the XR6T in the mix, and id go the blue oval..

Now, go to sedans, and its a different story...

tex · 30-07-2008, 09:14 PM

Manual, with aftermarket air filter and rear resonators removed.

No other mods.

3vXT · 30-07-2008, 09:14 PM

If your not buying it to carry heavy stuff i'd probably go with the SS.
I think the holden utes have a history of being a little quicker around the twisty stuff while sacrificing load carrying abilities to the fords.

Personally, i like their V8 better too but i wouldn't trust their auto as much as the fords (so i'd get the manual).

In short if it were me, it would be a choice between a manual SS ute or an auto XR6T ute (and i have no idea what i'd pick

) Between the two you've mentioned though, it would have to be the SS.

4Vman · 30-07-2008, 09:17 PM

Can i ask why you're buying a ute if you don't plan on carrying stuff and using it as a ute??
Why not just buy a sedan!

plext · 30-07-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

um, all those guys spouting the BS about load capacities...

sorry to burst your bubble, SS has more load cap.

Aaaand, in ute form, id take the SS/SSV ute over XR8, IMO it looks better, and it is a better motor....

Add the XR6T in the mix, and id go the blue oval..

Now, go to sedans, and its a different story...

Yeah, course it does.......

tex · 30-07-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

My Clevo puts out 320kw at the rears, maybe he should buy an XD ute ?....or maybe there is more to it than dyno graphs.

Why would anyone buy an XD?

I personally wouldn't buy an SS, BUT, I personally believe that in his case, he's brought good bang for buck.

Thought everyone might get some interest out of that, but seems (in your case) I was wrong.

And yes, there is more to a vehicle than just dyno graphs. The comparo to the '300' GTS was more my point.

tex

FlipXW · 30-07-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

um, all those guys spouting the BS about load capacities...

sorry to burst your bubble, SS has more load cap.

Aaaand, in ute form, id take the SS/SSV ute over XR8, IMO it looks better, and it is a better motor....

Add the XR6T in the mix, and id go the blue oval..

Now, go to sedans, and its a different story...

The ability to make it a tonner is always there. Im pretty sure its load limited due to the 19inch wheels.
The FG has by far the better auto and interior. Also can be taken into consideration.

apolloxbgt · 30-07-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex

Why would anyone buy an XD?

WTF??Because they are tuff.

burnz · 30-07-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex

My mates SSV last weekend cranked out 245 @ the rears! That from an advertised 270 @ the fly.

A GTS 300 VX same dyno, same day, next car on the dyno - ran up 240............

Go figure.

He's landed an absolute ball tearer, a freak,

or an SS with the HSV 307............................................... .........................

the L98 has better torque curve than the LS1, and better than the LS2 for that matter.

drew`SEVNT5 · 30-07-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plext

Yeah, course it does.......

Thats all well and good, but factory 'Max Payload' Figures are as such:

XR6T/XR8 Ute on 18" Wheels: 570kg
XR6T/XR8 Ute on 19" Wheels: 500kg

SS Manual: 617kg
SS Auto: 597kg

SSV Manual: 528kg
SSV Auto: 508kg

The numbers don't lie..

pitpal · 30-07-2008, 09:30 PM

Pretty sure theres nothing in it in regards to the quater. Couple of tenths

tex · 30-07-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolloxbgt

WTF??Because they are tuff.

OK.

If you say so.

MoreHPformyXR6 · 30-07-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Can i ask why you're buying a ute if you don't plan on carrying stuff and using it as a ute??
Why not just buy a sedan!

You can ask for sure = I want to.
I love the look of the ute's always have so I say why not, id be buying it for purley for recreational enjoyment (selfish reasons I know hehe)

plext · 30-07-2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

Thats all well and good, but factory 'Max Payload' Figures are as such:

XR6T/XR8 Ute on 18" Wheels: 570kg
XR6T/XR8 Ute on 19" Wheels: 500kg

SS Manual: 617kg
SS Auto: 597kg

SSV Manual: 528kg
SSV Auto: 508kg

The numbers don't lie..

Gee, you're right.

Guess I didn't get lot on there after all.

It's only the published figures that count people, ignore experience and follow Drew into the happy land of the numbers I got off the internet are the the only truth and light.

Join now!

drew`SEVNT5 · 30-07-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plext

Gee, you're right.

Guess I didn't get lot on there after all.

It's only the published figures that count people, ignore experience and follow Drew into the happy land of the numbers I got off the internet are the the only truth and light.

Join now!

Hahah..

I don't doubt you did....

I also know I have gotten a similar load on the back of my ve ute on 18's... as well as my mates au ute, both above the factory figures

Just saying, published figures are there for a reason, whether or not you(or I) choose to follow them, is another thing....technically, I am correct...the best kind of correct(thank you, futurama)

Good work on the sarcasm, too...

I imagine a retort in a similar style to your good self, the admin, would have one out on ones ?