2007 Holden VE Calais V vs 2007 Ford BF MKII Fairmont Ghia

[scvs6]

Hey guys & girls,

I am selling my WH Statesman (and the Magna later on) and would like to replace it with an updated car.

I know this is a Commodore forum, but i'm not trolling, I am seriously thinking about getting a Ford.

Just want peoples opinions on what you like better. I don't want smartass comments like "Get the Calais because its a Holden". I don't have a problem with either Holden or Ford.

The two vehicles are (as listed in title);

2007 Holden VE Calais V
2007 Ford BF MKII Fairmont Ghia

I don't know much about the VE Calais V but from the research I have done on the Fairmont, I have found the following:

1. 190kw 4.0L 6 Cylinder.
2. 6 Speed ZF Automatic Transmission.
3. Full Leather Interior.
4. Premium Sound System.
5. 17 Inch Alloy Wheels.
6. Sports Suspension.
7. Sunroof.
8. Rear Park Assist and Reverse Camera.

And so on.

I have been put off the V6 Commodore (Alloytec) because of the timing chains. I haven't heard any problems with the Falcon 4.0L Straight 6.

I personally like the look of the BF MKII better then the VE Commodores, and will probably go with the Fairmont Ghia, but I would like other peoples opinions. I guess its mainly because I have no-one else to talk to about it, and my dad really isn't interested haha.

Thanks everyone.

Fairmont Ghia:


Calais V:

[minux]

For looks and driveline I'd go the falcon, for resale, possibly the VE.

[Ed]

the calais is a very nice car, don't know much about the falcon, both im suspecting are very similar so if you prefer the falcons looks....go for it, what are the prices like of each of them that your looking at?

[scvs6]

Yeah i'm not too fussed with resale value, as long as the car looks and drives nice.

The prices are all over the place. It varies depending on kilometers, condition, location, etc. I have seen the Fairmont Ghia as low as $13,990 and as high as $26,990. Not sure about the Calais V yet.

[gopher]

sounds like you want the falcon as that is all you have researched lol
but it really comes down to which one you want
not what a bunch of people on a holden forum tell you
me personally i wouldn't touch either

[scvs6]

sounds like you want the falcon as that is all you have researched lol
but it really comes down to which one you want
not what a bunch of people on a holden forum tell you
me personally i wouldn't touch either

lol yeah I am not going to buy what everyone tells me to buy, I just what to know what people think.

A few people have said that I should stick with my Statesman and not to buy a Ford, but that is their opinion.

[Drawnnite]

neither.

for the price of what they are you could either get lucky or stretch it a little further and get a beamer.

thats my opinion
more luxury, in my eyes.
looks waaaaay better
appears mroe upper class

and for an example. this one.
similar price to the calais
bmw-320i-2006

and i much prefer this =P
has waaay more to it
bmw-320i-2006

if you want a manual...
makes me keen on this now actually
bmw-320i-2001

[Reaper]

neither.

for the price of what they are you could either get lucky or stretch it a little further and get a beamer.

thats my opinion
more luxury, in my eyes.
looks waaaaay better
appears mroe upper class

and for an example. this one.
similar price to the calais
bmw-320i-2006

and i much prefer this =P
has waaay more to it
bmw-320i-2006

if you want a manual...
makes me keen on this now actually
bmw-320i-2001

Why would somebody researching a large 4 door family car cross shop it on a car 2 segments smaller??? Nice cars they are but hardly an alternative. Would need to be a 5 series to compete on size. To the OP - I'd choose the CalaisV over a Fairmont Ghia (Got a late BA Fairmont Ghia at work).

Reaper

[Full Spectrum]

For looks and driveline I'd go the falcon, for resale, possibly the VE.

Their no FG minux truly the pre FG models werent that crash hot with the exception of the turbo models. If he were looking VE Calais V and FG G6E well .


Hasn't the OP already chosen?.

[HSV5L]

Hey scvs6 The ba bf have no resail value at all you can pick up xr6t for $7000 go the holden they hold there value for years cheers.

[scvs6]

neither.

for the price of what they are you could either get lucky or stretch it a little further and get a beamer.

thats my opinion
more luxury, in my eyes.
looks waaaaay better
appears mroe upper class

and for an example. this one.
similar price to the calais
bmw-320i-2006

and i much prefer this =P
has waaay more to it
bmw-320i-2006

if you want a manual...
makes me keen on this now actually
bmw-320i-2001

I see what you're saying but I want to stick with Holden or Ford. Main reason is the parts are easier to access (for me) and are cheaper. I drove a 2007 Mercedes C230 Sedan today, it was ok but I don't think I would buy one haha.

Why would somebody researching a large 4 door family car cross shop it on a car 2 segments smaller??? Nice cars they are but hardly an alternative. Would need to be a 5 series to compete on size. To the OP - I'd choose the CalaisV over a Fairmont Ghia (Got a late BA Fairmont Ghia at work).

Reaper

Do you like the Fairmont Ghia you have at work? I have been looking for a car yard in my area that has one so I could at lease road test one and see what it looks like in real life. I have worked on plenty of BA/BF and FG Falcons but you can't compare a XT to a Fairmont Ghia or G6E, thats why I want to go see one.

Their no FG minux truly the pre FG models werent that crash hot with the exception of the turbo models. If he were looking VE Calais V and FG G6E well .


Hasn't the OP already chosen?.

I was going to go with the BF MKII Fairmont Ghia, but would like to go actually see one, seen heaps of pictures but none in person. But I can't do anything until my car sells.

Hey scvs6 The ba bf have no resail value at all you can pick up xr6t for $7000 go the holden they hold there value for years cheers.

Yeah someone else said to get a XR6T, but I prefer the look of the Fairmont Ghia better. Still like the XR6's but yeah. What do you mean they hold there value for years? I would probably be lucky to get $7000 for my Statesman, but I am trying to get as much out of it as I can.

[detox_nath83]

if u go the ford... better join ford forums coz we wont wanna talk to ya

[scvs6]

if u go the ford... better join ford forums coz we wont wanna talk to ya

I will still have my VS, plan on keeping that for the long term.

[gopher]

neither.

for the price of what they are you could either get lucky or stretch it a little further and get a beamer

why buy a german taxi when for the same money you can buy an australian taxi?

[nemesis_adrasteia]

having worked on both id pick the falcon.

[alpha_au]

BF falcon looks ancient exterior wise (spose they came out in 02 in ba form) imo. Might be good/better mechanically but looks far more dated. What are the newer FG falcons worth? Are they a better alternative to a VE Calais?

[nathanVY]

Drive both.

Pick the one that feels the best to drive - that's what matters.


Not a huge fan of either one of the interiors to be honest..


EDIT: The newer FG G6E would be the way to go ..

[Drawnnite]

Drive both.

Pick the one that feels the best to drive - that's what matters.


Not a huge fan of either one of the interiors to be honest..


EDIT: The newer FG G6E would be the way to go ..

cannot agree more.

why buy a german taxi when for the same money you can buy an australian taxi?

also as people have asked why go for the beamer.
well frankly to me they are a league above in build and status. (ive driven a ve calais and it never felt right, in more ways then 1)
also to me you get more value for money, even though it may be more expensive in the long run.
even though they are smaller. they use less fuel. and unless you really have to tow something do you need a bigger car?
and yeah reaper they are smaller, but it was still an alternative to suggest. no harm in making a suggestion =P
but this speel here doesnt need to be discussed further, he already doesnt want a beamer =P

so have you gone and had a look and both cars you are looking for and had a test drive yet?
also have you thought about chucking say a VZ calais into your options? similar styling, and a little bit cheaper. some that ive seen have some very low kms aswell

[nathanVY]

Obviously a VZ Calais is the absolute winner.

[HSV5L]

Well the statesmans $7000 If it was a nu fairlane ghia it would be $2500 both the same era. They dont hold value the fords. I know i have gone through 40+ cars last year.. But its what you like at the end of the day its your money. Good luck with your search cheers Travis

[scvs6]

BF falcon looks ancient exterior wise (spose they came out in 02 in ba form) imo. Might be good/better mechanically but looks far more dated. What are the newer FG falcons worth? Are they a better alternative to a VE Calais?

Don't mind the FG Falcons. I drove a G6 today dedicated gas and it had plenty of power, only problem is the price. G6E is worth $30,000 average still.

[scvs6]

cannot agree more.



also as people have asked why go for the beamer.
well frankly to me they are a league above in build and status. (ive driven a ve calais and it never felt right, in more ways then 1)
also to me you get more value for money, even though it may be more expensive in the long run.
even though they are smaller. they use less fuel. and unless you really have to tow something do you need a bigger car?
and yeah reaper they are smaller, but it was still an alternative to suggest. no harm in making a suggestion =P
but this speel here doesnt need to be discussed further, he already doesnt want a beamer =P

so have you gone and had a look and both cars you are looking for and had a test drive yet?
also have you thought about chucking say a VZ calais into your options? similar styling, and a little bit cheaper. some that ive seen have some very low kms aswell

Obviously a VZ Calais is the absolute winner.

Wouldn't mind a VZ Calais, I have always liked them. But I can't drive a V8 for another 2 years or less, and I don't want a 3.6L V6, knowing my luck the timing chain will chuck it in not long after I buy it.

[scvs6]

Well the statesmans $7000 If it was a nu fairlane ghia it would be $2500 both the same era. They dont hold value the fords. I know i have gone through 40+ cars last year.. But its what you like at the end of the day its your money. Good luck with your search cheers Travis

Yeah I know about the resale value but if I like the car enough, ill be keeping it for a long time anyway.

[scvs6]

I know this might sound stupid but deep down I don't want to sell the Statesman, its a nice car and the only problem I ever had was when the ABS module went on it, but the car was still driveable so it hasn't let me down. If it doesn't sell on eBay, i'm not going to relist it. I have been told that if I sell my Statesman that I would be down grading if I get a Ford and stuff like that. I don't know what to do at the moment.

[Reaper]

Do you like the Fairmont Ghia you have at work? I have been looking for a car yard in my area that has one so I could at lease road test one and see what it looks like in real life. I have worked on plenty of BA/BF and FG Falcons but you can't compare a XT to a Fairmont Ghia or G6E, thats why I want to go see one.

It's ok. Nice but reminds me of something my father would drive. To me it's just bland. Although both leather the VE seats leave the BA for dead in comfort and support.

I was going to go with the BF MKII Fairmont Ghia, but would like to go actually see one, seen heaps of pictures but none in person. But I can't do anything until my car sells.

Go take both for a test drive (ie 1 hour or more) and choose from there. Neither have any major mechanical issues to speak off. I'd try to make the budget stretch to a Sidi VE if possible.

Reaper