Ford Falcon XR8 v HSV Clubsport head-to-head...

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by FGX335

Not to be nitpicky, but not really. It is much more closely aligned with the R-SPEC, as it has its' suspension and calibration, plus it gets a new look with extras like Sync 2, Sat Nav, rain sensing wipers and front park sensors. It is better specced than an FG MkII GT. But it is heavier and has less brand cache, if you care about badges.

Well there you go, further emphasizes my point.
Thanks for that.

[Whitey-AMG]

Nothing offensive or out of kilter in that article.
Agreed the HSV is a better car overall. Doesn't make the XR8 a bad car.

[FGX335]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Well there you go, further emphasizes my point.
Thanks for that.

I wasn't the one saying that an R8 and an XR8 wasn't a fair comparison, so point away.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by FGX335

I wasn't the one saying that an R8 and an XR8 wasn't a fair comparison, so point away.

Not at all, all good, am thankful for your post. Your post just provided more information surrounding what the XR8 is underneath.

[FGX335]

Cool, happy to help. I know it's not the best handling car in the world, but I love it, it performs great for me, brings a smile to my face, and that's all I care about.

At the same time, there are plenty of R8 owners who feel the same about theirs too, and I think that's great.

[GTP534]

I really don't see what there is to criticise about the FG-X dash. I reckon the dash in my R-Spec is better than the VF HSV. Touch screen is in a better position to start, everything fits together well and the colours all match.

I'm not a fan of the suede highlights on VF dashes; I've seen the cloth version on Commodores at one of my clients' and they look very tacky after a year or so.

Engineering wise, I think HSV have done a great job and do more to differentiate the various models.

I really like the GTS but I'm moving on to Mustang now and I'm very interested to read how the local press review the Mustang.

Keeping the R-Spec though as I want to be like the couple in the "retirement" ad on tv!!

[Bluehoon]

FGX XR8 vs VF SS/V Redline - Yes
FGX XR8 vs Clubspat - No.

F6 R-spec vs Club sport - yeah sure.

Don't let fair comparison get in the way of rubbish journalism, please...

[701let]

Originally Posted by Bluehoon

FGX XR8 vs VF SS/V Redline - Yes
FGX XR8 vs Clubspat - No.

F6 R-spec vs Club sport - yeah sure.

Don't let fair comparison get in the way of rubbish journalism, please...

What would you compare a GTS with then?

[335JET]

The main reason im buying this XR8 is because of its a factory fitted Supercharged V8, & its fabulous Whine.. i could'nt care less about its dated dash, im comming from an EL xr6 so everything from the look and feel of the car will be a mega upgrade for me.
also the exhaust noise may not be as deep as the R8 but the pop & crackle from the Coyote is way nicer.

[smciner1]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

There was plenty of "whine" from inside the HSV cabin considering it has no blower...

True Nick. The only whine that I found annoying in the XR8 in that review came from the Drivers Seat.........

[chookaradley]

These reviews are now so predictable. Hardly worth reading.

[40RDT]

Originally Posted by Bluehoon

FGX XR8 vs VF SS/V Redline - Yes
FGX XR8 vs Clubspat - No.

F6 R-spec vs Club sport - yeah sure.

Don't let fair comparison get in the way of rubbish journalism, please...

Best current model falcon vs a top shelf holden seems like a pretty fair comparison, I dont see the problem

[mik]

seemed like a couple of girls doing that road test, they drove around a couple of bends at 40 k`s an hour had a sook and that was the test ???
might as well have gone up and done the shopping at the super market in the two cars and compared boot space.
What a **** test.

[chrisandsharon]

Regarding the cabin of the XR8 - I had a loan car while the F6 was in for a service yesterday - a Ford Kuga. I remembered thinking thank **** for the F6's simple layout. The interior layout was like a spaceship that just annoyed me, I was happy to get out of the thing, still a nice car but way too much going on.

Regarding cabin noise of the XR8.......totally agree if it was anything like the F6. Wasn't happy when new and by 15 000km the cab noise was absolutely disgraceful to the point I was not going to drive from Sydney to Brisbane in the thing. It sounded like a taxi with 600 000km on the clock. Really really disappointed. Then I changed tyres to Michelin Super Sports.......problem solved, super quiet and a pleasure to drive......the difference was day and night, even the mrs couldn't believe the difference. If anyone wants to hear more supercharger on their new XR8 and less road noise I'd **** the Dunlops off asap. If I knew the difference was going to be that big I would have turned all 4 Dunlops into swing seats the day after I bought it.

[XR50T]

Just think in years to come when the tech is completely out of date which car will be better? Ive never heard anyone compare an old muscle car and say yeah but that one has a better tape deck.

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by chrisandsharon

Regarding the cabin of the XR8 - I had a loan car while the F6 was in for a service yesterday - a Ford Kuga. I remembered thinking thank **** for the F6's simple layout. The interior layout was like a spaceship that just annoyed me, I was happy to get out of the thing, still a nice car but way too much going on.

Regarding cabin noise of the XR8.......totally agree if it was anything like the F6. Wasn't happy when new and by 15 000km the cab noise was absolutely disgraceful to the point I was not going to drive from Sydney to Brisbane in the thing. It sounded like a taxi with 600 000km on the clock. Really really disappointed. Then I changed tyres to Michelin Super Sports.......problem solved, super quiet and a pleasure to drive......the difference was day and night, even the mrs couldn't believe the difference. If anyone wants to hear more supercharger on their new XR8 and less road noise I'd **** the Dunlops off asap. If I knew the difference was going to be that big I would have turned all 4 Dunlops into swing seats the day after I bought it.

Add dynamat throughout floor, doors and boot and the sound gets better again.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by XR50T

Just think in years to come when the tech is completely out of date which car will be better?

The one that still runs.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by XR50T

Just think in years to come when the tech is completely out of date which car will be better? Ive never heard anyone compare an old muscle car and say yeah but that one has a better tape deck.

It'll be no different to what it is now.
Chassis and suspension technology != sound systems.

[duaned]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Spot on- I agree totally on this.

About the interior, the Commodores do look nice with the suede stitched dashes, and the little analog dials in the centre console, and has the expensive bling factor. But it is very busy, almost old Japanese chintzy, and the main speedo and rev counter dials are clunky and unappealing, like having a hot babe with boobs that are actually downright unattractive and unpleasantly unbalanced (not sure what that would entail but I will leave it up to your imagination).

LOL, have you considered giving up on the crack pipe???

[FGX335]

That would be my only complaint - tyre roar. It's not a big deal, but the rest of the ride is polished, so I'll ride out the original tyres, and then enjoy the difference when I put a set of real tyres on!

[SensationFG8]

Originally Posted by duaned

LOL, have you considered giving up on the crack pipe???

not everyone likes what they have done for their interior....

[AussieCJ7]

So you review 2 cars that market themselves as a performance orientated model and argue over interior, noise and how bumps feel. ???? Not single objective performance measure and claim there is a a winner ???

[Sabantien]

Originally Posted by AussieCJ7

So you review 2 cars that market themselves as a performance orientated model and argue over interior, noise and how bumps feel. ???? Not single objective performance measure and claim there is a a winner ???

You know, I was thinking much the same thing. You get the G6E or a Statesman for a nice interior and smooth ride. That said, while I haven't been in one, the XR8 looks pretty similar inside to my G6E and on a personal level, I prefer it over the Statesman.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by duaned

LOL, have you considered giving up on the crack pipe???

Yeah- must have been on crack when I said redline had little analog dials in centre console, was the GTS that I looked at in the dealer that had those.

But- coming to the speedo and rev counter, I do not like what commodore has done to these 2 main dials. To me they should be big and clean (Honda Euro have nice dials that are clean and look upmarket). When I am really hoofing it free from speed restrictions, my eyes are only on road/rev counter.

Critical the rev counter is big and clean.

The commodore having a further 2 dials embedded underneath into the 2 main dials has mangled it- to me it is fussy, cluttered and unclean- cluttered with unnecessary gumph.

For me, nothing should intrude from the clean dial of the rev counter. If I was going pure sports, then I like Porsche- the centre big clean round dominant dial being the rev counter.

So yes- the Commodore gets points for the suede stitching and finishes, gets a negative mark for the tech info panel which sits too low from eye of sight vision, and gets a big negative for the awful speedo/rev counter with mangled insert dials, and the general chintzy jap look-perhaps they were trying to tie that in with the Hyundai morphed rear end....

The Falcon gets a positive for the clean speedo/rev counter, SYNC information panel being closer to eye level, gets negative for small buttons on centre stack and general LG whitegoods look of centre stack and Sync pod, and general lack of X factor bling.

The leather seats in the Falcon also looks cheaper than the Commodore.

But, balancing all this on my crack pipe, I would still take the Falcon interior, because, aside from the most important things being engine, transmission, chassis & Steering/brakes, when I am driving the next most important thing for me is a clean big nice rev counter.

[duaned]

Guess you want shift lights on the steering wheel next? That may have happened if Ford Australia could only workout how to illuminate the buttons on the steering wheel first!

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by duaned

Guess you want shift lights on the steering wheel next? That may have happened if Ford Australia could only workout how to illuminate the buttons on the steering wheel first!

Na mate- Holden needs to employ their skills to do that so that their owners can avoid having to look at that awful rev counter dial!!!!

[lucas2]

The wheels on that Clubsport are terrible.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by 335JET

The main reason im buying this XR8 is because of its a factory fitted Supercharged V8, & its fabulous Whine.. i could'nt care less about its dated dash, im comming from an EL xr6 so everything from the look and feel of the car will be a mega upgrade for me.
also the exhaust noise may not be as deep as the R8 but the pop & crackle from the Coyote is way nicer.

I was worried I would not like the super whine.

I come from naturally aspirated atmo modded engine background, and was worried because I love induction noise of old school multi throttle body carburettors (side draft webbers anyone) and just have never taken to the turbo whooshing/pfheeew pop off valve sounds of turbos.

But, ringing the Miami's neck and getting that turbine banshee shriek gave me similar tingles in the nether regions to when I had the BMW M3 4 litre screaming above 5,500 revs...

You are going to love it. Like you I also love the sound of the high tech v8 with multi valves and multi cams (AMG C63 anyone), and the super charger banshee wail is just a further feral insanity twist added to that Miami beast.

[Falcon Coupe]

At the end of the day both are the last of great Aussie V8 sedans. The color of your blood will determine what you buy. Just as the factory supercharger will determine who blows the other away at a set of lights ;)

[SensationFG8]

Haha that pretty much sums it up.