Trivial little niggles about details on a VE...what have you noticed?

[Wombat]

I've talked to a few guys who are, like me, close to purchasing a VE, and some have come up with what are probably trivial little things about the new model...some are very minor, but some are reasonably major.
A couple came up with the A-pillar blind spot...to be honest, when we test drove an SV6, I noticed the broader A pillar for about five minutes, but then forgot about it. It might bother some people, but that could be to do with thier height and seat position.

My main niggle? The fuel filler door.
The salesman had to put juice in it before we drove off with it, and proudly showed us how "unlike your VX, with this one you only have to do this", and pressed the fuel filler door and it popped open. Then the cap came off with it easily. How nice. Very good change of design. Especially with petrol the prices that way they are and already there being increasing reports of fuel theft.
Now, I know that the plastic cap on the VX could be levered open. I know that if they want your fuel they'll get it. However, there is a psychological aspect to theft, especially from cars. If Car "A" is sitting there unlocked, and Car "B" beside it is not, "A" will be stolen before "B", even if "B" is something very valuable and worth taking like a GT Falcon and "A" is a rusty old Kingswood.
There will be a certain element in society which will realise that getting to the fuel filler takes no more effort than pushing on a flap from outside the car, and will reason "hey, why not? It won't even damage the guys car, and if he can afford a new car, he can afford fifty bucks for the petrol we'll take".

Trivial point I know, but depending on where you live and how prevelant fuel theft is, it could matter to some people.

Anyway, what other little design changes have people noticed that, while happy overall with the VE, have looked at that point and gone "why the hell did they do that?"

[joshtaylor87]

I'm pretty happy with everything about my VE. Some people don't like the hand break leaver, think it looks odd. But I don't mind it when its down it blends into the rest of the console but it does look a bit weird when its up.

The fuel filler door can only be pushed open when the car is unlocked. When the car is locked the fuel filler door is locked too. Have seen a few people try to fill up there new VE's for the first time and they have got out and locked the car then tried to open up the fuel filler door and couldn't work out why it wasn't opening. I've even seen one guy try and wedge it open with his keys.

[Cousin Slow Poke]

LOL!!! The fuel filler door is connected to the central locking... When the car is locked, the fuel filler door is locked to.


Hahahahahahaha! Funniest VE whinge thread I've seen for a while

[AttaBoy]

LOL.... it locks with the car. Don't worry.

[joshtaylor87]

Originally Posted by Cousin Slow Poke

LOL!!! The fuel filler door is connected to the central locking... When the car is locked, the fuel filler door is locked to.

Exactly what I said. It is pretty funny to see people try and open it up at the servo when they have locked their car. They can't work out whats goin on. As I said I sore one guy trying to lever it open with his keys.

[mmrdb]

Originally Posted by Wombat

I've talked to a few guys who are, like me, close to purchasing a VE, and some have come up with what are probably trivial little things about the new model...some are very minor, but some are reasonably major.
A couple came up with the A-pillar blind spot...to be honest, when we test drove an SV6, I noticed the broader A pillar for about five minutes, but then forgot about it. It might bother some people, but that could be to do with thier height and seat position.

My main niggle? The fuel filler door.
The salesman had to put juice in it before we drove off with it, and proudly showed us how "unlike your VX, with this one you only have to do this", and pressed the fuel filler door and it popped open. Then the cap came off with it easily. How nice. Very good change of design. Especially with petrol the prices that way they are and already there being increasing reports of fuel theft.
Now, I know that the plastic cap on the VX could be levered open. I know that if they want your fuel they'll get it. However, there is a psychological aspect to theft, especially from cars. If Car "A" is sitting there unlocked, and Car "B" beside it is not, "A" will be stolen before "B", even if "B" is something very valuable and worth taking like a GT Falcon and "A" is a rusty old Kingswood.
There will be a certain element in society which will realise that getting to the fuel filler takes no more effort than pushing on a flap from outside the car, and will reason "hey, why not? It won't even damage the guys car, and if he can afford a new car, he can afford fifty bucks for the petrol we'll take".

Trivial point I know, but depending on where you live and how prevelant fuel theft is, it could matter to some people.

Anyway, what other little design changes have people noticed that, while happy overall with the VE, have looked at that point and gone "why the hell did they do that?"

I'm surprised the dealership did not explain the mechanism of the fuel cap to you! ie. when you lock the car it locks the fuel cap.

[Wombat]

I take my whipping happily...

That fuel door locking with the car makes a lot more sense...the guy seemed to be pushing the point of how easy it was to open the cap, and I was too busy working out how many options I could order to take it up to my "expected" (and normal price on road before the price drop) price to pay of $45000...I didn't even think to ask if it could be locked in any way.

Personally I thought the handbrake lever was very well done...it might sit up and look a little odd when it's "on", but then what car handbrake doesn't? It sits down nice and neat in an unobtrusive way in the console when released.
I liked the seats, my wife thought there was heaps of room in the back seats, more than in our VX (and this is important as our sons are 6"2 and 6"3 respectively...) and headroom is great as well. It didn't "feel" like a big heavy car, and handled a lot better than I imagined a car weighing that much would.

I believe we might actually buy an SV6, six speed manual, and as I said, load it up with options...I mean, we were quite willing to pay up near $45000 on the road, so why not take advantage of that and whack in a load of options to bring it up to that price?

[mmrdb]

Originally Posted by Wombat

I take my whipping happily...

That fuel door locking with the car makes a lot more sense...the guy seemed to be pushing the point of how easy it was to open the cap, and I was too busy working out how many options I could order to take it up to my "expected" (and normal price on road before the price drop) price to pay of $45000...I didn't even think to ask if it could be locked in any way.

Personally I thought the handbrake lever was very well done...it might sit up and look a little odd when it's "on", but then what car handbrake doesn't? It sits down nice and neat in an unobtrusive way in the console when released.
I liked the seats, my wife thought there was heaps of room in the back seats, more than in our VX (and this is important as our sons are 6"2 and 6"3 respectively...) and headroom is great as well. It didn't "feel" like a big heavy car, and handled a lot better than I imagined a car weighing that much would.

I believe we might actually buy an SV6, six speed manual, and as I said, load it up with options...I mean, we were quite willing to pay up near $45000 on the road, so why not take advantage of that and whack in a load of options to bring it up to that price?

You'll love the SV6! I actually traded my VX series 2 for my SV6 in Feb 08. Mine is auto but, the select shift is fantastic. I'm probably telling you how to suck eggs, but make sure you get the MY09 model. Some dealers are still trying to clear MY08 stock. What colour are you thinking of buying? Cheers.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Wombat

I've talked to a few guys who are, like me, close to purchasing a VE, and some have come up with what are probably trivial little things about the new model...some are very minor, but some are reasonably major.
A couple came up with the A-pillar blind spot...to be honest, when we test drove an SV6, I noticed the broader A pillar for about five minutes, but then forgot about it. It might bother some people, but that could be to do with thier height and seat position.

My main niggle? The fuel filler door.
The salesman had to put juice in it before we drove off with it, and proudly showed us how "unlike your VX, with this one you only have to do this", and pressed the fuel filler door and it popped open. Then the cap came off with it easily. How nice. Very good change of design. Especially with petrol the prices that way they are and already there being increasing reports of fuel theft.
Now, I know that the plastic cap on the VX could be levered open. I know that if they want your fuel they'll get it. However, there is a psychological aspect to theft, especially from cars. If Car "A" is sitting there unlocked, and Car "B" beside it is not, "A" will be stolen before "B", even if "B" is something very valuable and worth taking like a GT Falcon and "A" is a rusty old Kingswood.
There will be a certain element in society which will realise that getting to the fuel filler takes no more effort than pushing on a flap from outside the car, and will reason "hey, why not? It won't even damage the guys car, and if he can afford a new car, he can afford fifty bucks for the petrol we'll take".

Trivial point I know, but depending on where you live and how prevelant fuel theft is, it could matter to some people.

Anyway, what other little design changes have people noticed that, while happy overall with the VE, have looked at that point and gone "why the hell did they do that?"

The door is locked when you lock the car. I'm sure it's possible to break it off but it wouldn't be easy. Other than a few software issues I have been happy with mine. Will probably get another one in a few weeks.

Reaper

[Holdfast]

Airstrike plus

[BLK-SAB]

As has been covered, the fuel cap locks. And the design of the petrol filler cap, being attached to the door, if it isnt turned on properley can be unspun as the door is opened.