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Last night I was given the oppotunity to drive a VY SS series 2 6sp manual. As a V8 mad Ford fan I didn't have to have to be asked twice to see what the dark side offered. I will try and be as unbiased in my opinion as possible so if I do seem that way forgive me I am a ford man 
. As I have not yet driven an XR I can only compare to my XT.
The Car
The car was a white police issue commodore SS. A friend of mine works for Holden and leases cars every so often (he is not brand loyal, he'll drive any car). He jumped at the opportunity to grab this one. I am not sure what a standard SS looks like compared to a police issue. The only noticeable difference in this one was the digital speed output.
My Thoughts
Exterior
Well being white it looks like a fridge on wheels, but that happens with most cars. It had the 18in rims. I still can't like the back of the car but have got used to it. Compared to the falcon the car just doesn't seem as refined, smooth. But it looks mean from the front. I did like the feature when it became dark the lights would go on automatically. So even when coming back to the car and unlocking it, the lights would go on. I also liked the fact that the power window controls were lit up at night. c'mon Ford how many cents would it cost to do that. However I didn't like how the front doors didn't have them but were on the console, much better to have them on the door handles.
Interior
They have come a long way with the interiors of the commodores. It didn't look too bad but it still had traces of being a 6th generation VT. Seats were comfy and there was HEAPS of room front and back. However the back seats in my XT seemed more accomodating. I am only 5ft 7 so I don't require much. I wasn't too keen on the red dash :AAHHH:. In a white car it looks weired. At night when the dash is lit up you don't see the red. Indicator stalks were light and easy. The cd player console, a/c, etc area was way too busy for my liking. Too many controls. To adjust something while driving it was too easy to pay attention to the buttons rather than the road. The boot seemed a little small and shallow. I expected a big gaping chasm.
The ride
Ok well the car drove well and was DAMN QUICK. As you would expect from 245kw 5.7 V8 it had power. At idle the car sounded lovely, a low burble to signify whats underneath the bonnet. However when giving the car some instead of sounding better the note sounded more like a vacuum cleaner. Maybe a better exhaust system?? Anyway probably the worst thing about the ride would have to be the clutch. Its too damn long. Other cars I have driven never had a clutch like that. But I guess thats how they are. Gear changes were very smooth, no dramas there. Although what the hell is with the 6th gear?? Seems a waste to me. Never even used , not even on the freeway. Brakes were not the best. Felt like stock exec brakes. Ride was stiff, but expected that from a sports sedan (and being a police car). Body roll was evident and if it wasn't for those wide new sticky 235 tyres at the back the car would have lost grip. Just didn't seem as stable on the road as the falcon.
Overall I was impressed by the car, it was quick, drove well and was a V8. However it would take a lot more for me even to consider a holden. But was a good experience.
Now all i need now is to get my butt into an XR :wnc:. Does anyone know if you can hire them from places like Budget and the such??
. As I have not yet driven an XR I can only compare to my XT. The Car
The car was a white police issue commodore SS. A friend of mine works for Holden and leases cars every so often (he is not brand loyal, he'll drive any car). He jumped at the opportunity to grab this one. I am not sure what a standard SS looks like compared to a police issue. The only noticeable difference in this one was the digital speed output.
My Thoughts
Exterior
Well being white it looks like a fridge on wheels, but that happens with most cars. It had the 18in rims. I still can't like the back of the car but have got used to it. Compared to the falcon the car just doesn't seem as refined, smooth. But it looks mean from the front. I did like the feature when it became dark the lights would go on automatically. So even when coming back to the car and unlocking it, the lights would go on. I also liked the fact that the power window controls were lit up at night. c'mon Ford how many cents would it cost to do that. However I didn't like how the front doors didn't have them but were on the console, much better to have them on the door handles.
Interior
They have come a long way with the interiors of the commodores. It didn't look too bad but it still had traces of being a 6th generation VT. Seats were comfy and there was HEAPS of room front and back. However the back seats in my XT seemed more accomodating. I am only 5ft 7 so I don't require much. I wasn't too keen on the red dash :AAHHH:. In a white car it looks weired. At night when the dash is lit up you don't see the red. Indicator stalks were light and easy. The cd player console, a/c, etc area was way too busy for my liking. Too many controls. To adjust something while driving it was too easy to pay attention to the buttons rather than the road. The boot seemed a little small and shallow. I expected a big gaping chasm.
The ride
Ok well the car drove well and was DAMN QUICK. As you would expect from 245kw 5.7 V8 it had power. At idle the car sounded lovely, a low burble to signify whats underneath the bonnet. However when giving the car some instead of sounding better the note sounded more like a vacuum cleaner. Maybe a better exhaust system?? Anyway probably the worst thing about the ride would have to be the clutch. Its too damn long. Other cars I have driven never had a clutch like that. But I guess thats how they are. Gear changes were very smooth, no dramas there. Although what the hell is with the 6th gear?? Seems a waste to me. Never even used , not even on the freeway. Brakes were not the best. Felt like stock exec brakes. Ride was stiff, but expected that from a sports sedan (and being a police car). Body roll was evident and if it wasn't for those wide new sticky 235 tyres at the back the car would have lost grip. Just didn't seem as stable on the road as the falcon.
Overall I was impressed by the car, it was quick, drove well and was a V8. However it would take a lot more for me even to consider a holden. But was a good experience.
Now all i need now is to get my butt into an XR :wnc:. Does anyone know if you can hire them from places like Budget and the such??
