What deal did you get on a VF?

I appreciate reading your honest opinion.



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Yep your right, 2014 build cars coming on line late jan, dealers will want to move stock. I bought a sep 06 Build VE SS for $42000 drive away in jan 07 even though Ve hadn't been out for 6 months dealers hate stock sitting there

 

Sadly, this is an excellent summary from timandhayley above.

Unfortunately I believe, apart from other factors, there is a general perception here that Australian built cars are inferior to most imported products. When you do some research and see what expensive mechanical and electrical problems many of these imported vehicles suffer from, including many high end cars, you know this is untrue.

Still, GM did not do itself any favours by releasing the VE with so many quality control issues coming to light soon after and for a couple of years hence. After they did such a good job with the earlier cars this should not have happened.

For size, power and performance the VE/VF are (IMHO) good value for money when compared with what you would have to pay for equal or better performance from a similar imported sedan. (If you think not then look at the asking prices of alternative sedans in auto and manual with similar power and performance). However most of the market seems to be quite content driving around in their Front WD lousy power to weight ratio imported sedans and hatches that have to be revved to 4500 rpm for anything beyond moderate acceleration. Don't get me started on the SUV thing.

Most of the market has happily killed off local production with their purchase choices and I do not see Toyota hanging in over the medium term. So the market will get what is coming in the medium term and that is inevitable higher prices of imports when many believe that with the demise of local production they will be able to drive around in a 3 series BMW for a mid range Commodore price. These people are dreaming.

Australians are already paying prices above other markets for the same cars. Having totally killed off local production imports will increase putting additional pressure on the Australian dollar exchange rate with increasing demand for foreign currencies to pay for ever more high value imports. The foreign currencies we have to earn annually to pay for vehicle imports is staggering.

Australians are deluding themselves that the past and present relatively high AUD exchange rates will go on indefinitely. They will not and ultimately the AUD will drop again against the USD, Euro , UK Pound and Yen to traditional levels. Were it not for the central banks in the US, Europe , Uk and Japan taking deliberate severe monetary policy actions to depress (trash) the value of their currencies in recent years, we would already be there.

So for their lack of support for the local industry (I am able to say I am not one of them) the market here will get what it deserves and that will be higher prices for their (imported) cars due to a number of factors:

- ever increasing production costs
- increasing international freight costs
- a much lower AUD exchange rate than we have seen over the past 4-5 years - the most important variable factor in the pricing of imports.

For the GM fans that believe that they will now be able to get a good looking US import with a RWD powerful V6 or V8 engine for the price of a similarly appointed VF Commodore then I believe they are deluding yourselves. Just look at the pricing of that imported 4 cyl Malibu thing even at the current favourable exchange rates. GM USA are not going to tool up for a low production run of US built Right Hand Drive cars with V6 or V8s just for the Aust market. What they do has to be for a wider international market.

I very much hope I am totally wrong but I very much doubt it.

As for the VF, telling the market you are killing off the Commodore will inevitable hurt VF sales as many people (not the Commodore fans/ enthusiasts on this site) will be afraid to invest in a discontinued car for a number of reasons. I hope this is not the case but I will not be surprised to see the VF cease earlier than some think if sales drop to levels that make continued production very uneconomic for GMH.

 

I'm in WA looking at Calais V v8, dealer had car in stock but wouldn't really budge under 56k, was telling us he had no more room to move, that was with the standard stuff thrown in plus tow package. Would like to get it to 54k, doesn't seem to unrealistic to me.

 

If you'll take White you can buy my Demo. 2013 plated Calais V8 Sedan. Currently done about 350kms, for $52,000 drive away. Genuine GM Towbar is about $750 fitted.

We sold a New 2014 plate Calais V V8 last week for $55,800. That's what a metallic one owes in Perth, with 12 months rego. The Bonus on 2013 build VF's is only $500.

There's a Holden 4 day sale starting on 15th January. There will be a 5 year factory warranty offered on 2013 plated cars during this sale and possibly an extra bonus, but this is not currently confirmed.

PM me if you want more help......

 

What a depressing read.

I have been OS for a while, and have had to put up with a French "large car' and a Toyota Corolla. On the flat, it is OK, but the countries in which I have been living are mostly not flat. The desparate lack of performance makes driving a chore. The fuel saving, which is not particularly great, is not a substitute for the performance loss, not even at nearly 1:40 euro.

When I return, I will be a VF buyer, but I guess I will have to make it last rather than change every couple of years or so.

 

I ended up getting my Calais V V8 for $52k, it was brand new showroom stock drive away.

However I can't shake the feeling that maybe I should have sprung for the Redline!

 

With a bit of haggling I think you could of got a Redline manual for sure with mats , shields,spare wheel ,metallic paint, but as long as you are happy with your purchase that's what counts


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wow i got the V6 Calais V for 52k lol i got tint and mats lol

 

I ended up getting a Redline Ute for 50k with mats and tint

 

Funny world we live in, we have had our thinking adjusted "that $50000 for a car" is a good deal. I suppose it is all relative. This what happens when you get old and cynical. lol

 

Did you trade your ute in? if yes mind if I ask what they offered you mate?

 

Done, got the cv8 for 55k. Phantom black, mats, boot liner, alloy pedals thrown in. Quite happy with that.

 

$26000 for my ute

 

What ute

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I'll take a stab at it and say its a "VE Series 2 Thunder Ute". Sorry cant give you the colour or transmission type :>)

 

Thanks for the info,makes me think twice about even considering upgrading at this stage...I wouldn't budge under low 30's at least.

 

Good luck. I don't know what the market is like where you are, but I couldn't even move my 2011 SS with 40k on it for 30 in the private market. Ending up taking 28 for it trade.

 

Yeh they drop a bomb quickly don't they mate might test the waters private and see...mine has extremely low k's but maybe dreaming still...
How you finding the walkinshaw gear mate?,ive similar kit on my Thunder..pretty happy with it but just need/want headers to complete the setup.

 

Anyone here own the brand new VF GTS I saw with front end damage being put on a tow truck in Canberra today? Sad sight.


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