Whats better?

[Ed]

G'day guys and girls, so im just wondering for my first car should i go VS or a VT? i like the shape of the vt's and vx's, but the vs is just as sexy and i was wondering;

1. which is more fuel efficient?
2. which is a better drive, mechanically etc?
3. How many k's are too many k's? (coz i think even these days 200,000+ isnt too bad, the old ecotecs are one of the best engines going around)
4. Are acclaims and executives ordinary compared to say a berlina? or am i better off saving the extra money?

and thats pretty much every question i have, ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOMED AND WILL DEFINITELY HELP ME OUT!

Thanks for this, and yeah my price range is pretty much exactly 5 grand.


EDIT : forgot too add, restricted by red P's, and also can hav auto or manual.


ps. (i took my username from my mums car)

[utekid2]

Hi VEcalaisV
i have a VT series 2 excutive with 144k and my old man has a VS excutive with 350K both are ecotech both auto, what i can say is that both are great to drive with a little more comfort in the VT with saying that the VS is beta on petrol then the VT. this is only my opinon. hope is helps in someway

[feistl]

Depends on a bunch of things... But personally i would go for a VS Berlina/Calais over say a VT Exec. That said, it really depends whether you can find a really good condition VS or VT.

Newer is generally better, although the VT did have a few camber issues etc.

Personally i would probably go a VS Calais if you can find one in your price range.

EDIT - Seems to be a few nice VS SII Calais with under 200,000kms going for $4k or so. Leaves a bit extra to get it on the road... minor repairs etc.

Best of luck

[Ed]

Thanks guys, and yeah feistl, i am quite keen on the VS as it is still a very nice car. That said, the VT interior is just a little bit nicer, although utekid saying that they are easier on the fuel might make up my mind!

Thanks guys need more opinions and details on the cars!!

[feistl]

Thanks guys, and yeah feistl, i am quite keen on the VS as it is still a very nice car. That said, the VT interior is just a little bit nicer, although utekid saying that they are easier on the fuel might make up my mind!

Thanks guys need more opinions and details on the cars!!

Again depends on the model... A VS Calais should have leather seats and climate control etc, whereas a VT exec will be cloth and standard heating/cooling. The VS's are a little lighter, although there wont be much difference between a VS Calais and VT Exec.

[sweefu]

hey mate, they all have the same running gear in the v6's, except on the vs you may not have IRS.

[Ed]

Again depends on the model... A VS Calais should have leather seats and climate control etc, whereas a VT exec will be cloth and standard heating/cooling. The VS's are a little lighter, although there wont be much difference between a VS Calais and VT Exec.

alright, i just see so many vs calais' with just the cloth stock standard interior and not many with leather, thanks again mate.

[Ed]

hey mate, they all have the same running gear in the v6's, except on the vs you may not have IRS.

thanks mate, do you know which one would handle better, say vs calais V vy exec?

[FstStig]

Hey Mate,

Go with the VT. I have had a VS before and had nothing but problems with it. They don't have as big of a fuel tank compared to the VT and the comfort isn't all that good. VT gearboxes are a lot stronger, which is great when towing. Yes some do have camber problems. I personally prefer the VT over the VS. Berlina's are more of a luxury car with Climate control, power windows and rear reading lights in the back (I think the Calais are the same), anyway it will probably all come down to how many Ks are on each car as far as the price goes.

Cheers

Mumbo

[Ed]

Hey Mate,

Go with the VT. I have had a VS before and had nothing but problems with it. They don't have as big of a fuel tank compared to the VT and the comfort isn't all that good. VT gearboxes are a lot stronger, which is great when towing. Yes some do have camber problems. I personally prefer the VT over the VS. Berlina's are more of a luxury car with Climate control, power windows and rear reading lights in the back (I think the Calais are the same), anyway it will probably all come down to how many Ks are on each car as far as the price goes.

Cheers

Mumbo

Thanks mate, just wondering, what kind of issues did you have with the VS, because ive heard reviews from mechanic mates that they are a great reliable car?

[FstStig]

Had a Brake Caillpar snap on me, had endless problems with the hoses getting splits in them. Could never stay at normal temp during city traffic. I replaced almost the whole cooling system and the problem never went away. So unsure as to what was wrong. Overall if you want comfort, go with a VT, their seats are way more comfortable to sit in. Even more so the drivers due to them having the Lumbar. If your not going to do any heavy towing, then I guess a VS would be alright, but if you do, do a lot of towing you are better of with the VT as i stated before they have stronger gearboxes. A lot of people now days are also putting VT/VX motors into the VS's because they are slightly more powerful (not by much though).

Best thing to do, is select a few different VT's and VS's take them for a test drive and find out for yourself which one is best for you. Everyone could sit here until the Melbourne Cup started again, saying which one is better etc etc. Bottom line is, you get what you pay for with cars. If you buy a cheap car you are going to have some problems regardless of the make.

Cheers

Mumbo

[sweefu]

Had a Brake Caillpar snap on me, had endless problems with the hoses getting splits in them. Could never stay at normal temp during city traffic. I replaced almost the whole cooling system and the problem never went away. So unsure as to what was wrong. Overall if you want comfort, go with a VT, their seats are way more comfortable to sit in. Even more so the drivers due to them having the Lumbar. If your not going to do any heavy towing, then I guess a VS would be alright, but if you do, do a lot of towing you are better of with the VT as i stated before they have stronger gearboxes. A lot of people now days are also putting VT/VX motors into the VS's because they are slightly more powerful (not by much though).

Best thing to do, is select a few different VT's and VS's take them for a test drive and find out for yourself which one is best for you. Everyone could sit here until the Melbourne Cup started again, saying which one is better etc etc. Bottom line is, you get what you pay for with cars. If you buy a cheap car you are going to have some problems regardless of the make.

Cheers

Mumbo

Sorry mate i'd have to disagree here. IMO it really does depend purely on the car. i have had a vs for a fair while now, with not a single problem. not one at all. i find vs to be extremely reliable and a great car.

[Ed]

Best thing to do, is select a few different VT's and VS's take them for a test drive and find out for yourself which one is best for you. Everyone could sit here until the Melbourne Cup started again, saying which one is better etc etc. Bottom line is, you get what you pay for with cars. If you buy a cheap car you are going to have some problems regardless of the make.

Cheers

Mumbo

yeah i agree mate, you might have just copped a dodgy one though i guess, but yeah ill end up testing both too see what suits i guess, just needed a bit of advice.

[Trayner]

The vt and the vs have the same engine , yet the vt is alot heavier then the vs . so the vs will be lighter on petrol

[Kal123]

VS all the way.

I find the VT the ugliest commodore ever, can't stand them, and the VS can be made to look great.

[TMM]

I'd go for a VT. Much more comfortable, probably more reliable and a hell of a lot safer. The VT interior is also much nicer place to sit! (less crappy plastic!)

alright, i just see so many vs calais' with just the cloth stock standard interior and not many with leather, thanks again mate.

I'd avoid leather anyway. The leather in commodores (even the VE) is pretty poor quality, and unless it's been meticulously maintained, VS/VT leather will be looking very sorry for itself by now (cracked, creased and lacking texture). Also it gets hot in summer and cold in winter.

The cloth trim in the luxury models is much nicer then the executive/S/SS trim. The exec and sport models (possibly also the acclaim?) use a nasty scratchy material, where as the luxury models use a softer plush velour type material

If you can find a tidy VT-II Acclaim or Berlina (have side airbags as standard) with less then 180,000kms within your budget that would be ideal. If you can afford a VX-II or newer then go for that as they revised the rear suspension (added control links) to fix the toe/camber issue. Each model/series incrementally improves in safety which seems to be greatly overlooked on this forum.