Advice wanted on Ford/Holden utes

**Gremlin** · 8th October 2012, 12:08

Yeah yeah, it's got 4 wheels. Figure I really should get a shifty on with upgrading my 1L to something more useful (except I barely ever drive - hence no progression on licence).

If I have to have 4 wheels then it's going to be useful and that means being able to transport bikes should the need arise (not every day kinda thing). Vans handle horribly empty (witnessed a van get blown sideways on the bridge on the weekend to boot) and have a roof, which restricts height and the GSA is a damn big bike. I don't do track days etc, so a ute suits and would prefer car like handling with uh... 0 experience driving. Local mechanic that sorts the family cars says Holden rather than Ford and he's servicing...

Figure a 3.8L V6 auto suits me (why put gas in a V8 when it could go in the bike and the V6 is an ecotec) and want to stay under $10k (lower the better, but figure if I buy cheap I'd want to upgrade in due course, rather than buying a bit better and keeping it for years). Stuff like cruise control would be nice to have... cars can't seem to stick to one speed when I drive... I'm sure it's got nothing to do with lack of experience...

Seems that 200,000km would be about it? Utes seem to hold their value tho

I fancy the VU (gold one in gissy is asking $8500) as I always liked the tear drop lights, but also the first to have independent rear suspension, longer tray and more cabin room than the outgoing VS. Being 6'3 space is good... Don't want to mess with column shift and most VS were bench seats.

So anything I should be avoiding like the plague or going after? I imagine a few of you have had them...

**Scuba_Steve** · 8th October 2012, 12:19

Originally Posted by Gremlin

So anything I should be avoiding like the plague

umm Holden's in general

Whats wrong with good old Toymotas & Nissan's??? cheaper to run (save you money), reliable (save you money), don't come with a white trash premium (save you money), won't be falling apart as you drive down the street (save you money)... Tho I suppose if you're not a good driver Holden is the brand for you. "people who drive Holden, can't" - car enthusiasts

**Gremlin** · 8th October 2012, 12:26

A lot of the standard shape utes are diesel and/or manual. I'm not getting diesel, and since I'm lazy, I've decided auto is fine as well. On my restricted I'd be restricted to autos, but on full could drive anything. Pros and cons of manual vs auto, but auto just makes the learning easier. I'll add gears when I want. You can cheat on motorbikes with your feet down... I don't think I could hold a car on a slight hill like that

Yes, I do have a soft spot for the shape of the sport utes, or whatever they're called... They handle more like cars as well...

Oh, not going double cab either. Makes the tray too short.

**pzkpfw** · 8th October 2012, 12:35

My first car (a '73 ST70 Toyota Corona) was column change. Never had a problem with it.

If you are getting a two-door ute, you may find the bench seat useful the day you see the two (insert preference) hitchhikers.

My 2 cents.

**ducatilover** · 8th October 2012, 15:46

Nothing really bad about them at all. Being an Ecotec it'll shit the starter motor, you can rebuild them with better bits inside.
They're nicer to drive than the AU Coon and better put together than the BA Coon (don't tow as well though, IMO)
Only other issue is they can be heavy on gas around town, but I doubt it's an issue as it's not getting used much

Oh, get one with cruise control too, it rules.

The Dunnydore ute is super comfy also

**Edbear** · 8th October 2012, 16:12

The Ecotec V6, especially if you can get the 3lt rather than the 3.6 is surprisingly economical on the open road, but still won't match the Jappas around town. The Holden will be more comfortable, more like driving and armchair compared to the Jappas as well.

They are good value at the moment as six cyl. vehicles are not very PC these days and a few bargains can be had. I agree about the bench seat if you can find one as you will often need to carry a couple of passengers.

**Gremlin** · 8th October 2012, 16:14

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

My first car (a '73 ST70 Toyota Corona) was column change. Never had a problem with it.

If you are getting a two-door ute, you may find the bench seat useful the day you see the two (insert preference) hitchhikers.

I figure I can see the transmission layout easier on the floor. Even using a tiptronic auto the first time I misread how it operated

For hitchhikers, that's what the tray is for. Cutest gets the passenger seat, unless they're both cute then they might fit on one seat

Originally Posted by ducatilover

Nothing really bad about them at all. Being an Ecotec it'll shit the starter motor, you can rebuild them with better bits inside.

How charming... Guess I'll be speaking to you as yeah, make it stronger then it don't break again. A V8 would use even more fuel and being a V8 or S or SS makes them more and more desirable (read expensive). I've had my thrill from bikes so don't need a hoon ute... That said, there are some very tasty sounding V8s on Youtube...

**Gremlin** · 8th October 2012, 16:16

Originally Posted by Edbear

The Ecotec V6, especially if you can get the 3lt rather than the 3.6 is surprisingly economical on the open road, but still won't match the Jappas around town. The Holden will be more comfortable, more like driving and armchair compared to the Jappas as well.

The 3.6L is Alloytec, newer than the Ecotec which is a 3.8L. At least from the google learning I've done. Seems to be limited information and reviews, but reflects it's more of a vehicle for Oz and NZ. Never come across a 3L, wasn't aware it came out in one?

**Edbear** · 8th October 2012, 16:30

Originally Posted by Gremlin

The 3.6L is Alloytec, newer than the Ecotec which is a 3.8L. At least from the google learning I've done. Seems to be limited information and reviews, but reflects it's more of a vehicle for Oz and NZ. Never come across a 3L, wasn't aware it came out in one?

Absolutely right, I can't brain today, I have the dumb...

The newer Alloytec was available in either 3lt or 3.6lt, but the 3lt may not have been in the NZ spec utes.

Only issue I have heard with the 3.8 is the crank sensor sometimes quitting. Not a biggie, but a nuisance if you're halfway over the harbour bridge.

**SMOKEU** · 8th October 2012, 16:36

Make sure you post up some skid videos on Youtube when you're done as those things peel up mean especially with an empty tray. Lock the diff on it and you've got a very nice skid vehicle.

**Kickaha** · 8th October 2012, 17:54

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Makes the tray too short.

On a single cab Hilux I could fit a bike in and close the tailgate on a Commodore I couldn't, I can't remember what year each of them was but you might want to have a measure up

**onearmedbandit** · 8th October 2012, 18:12

Just sold an 01 VU 3.8 ute in red done 115 with nice alloys and 'roll-bar' for $15k today. Mint vehicles that serve very well.

**ducatilover** · 8th October 2012, 20:17

Originally Posted by Gremlin

How charming... Guess I'll be speaking to you as yeah, make it stronger then it don't break again. A V8 would use even more fuel and being a V8 or S or SS makes them more and more desirable (read expensive). I've had my thrill from bikes so don't need a hoon ute... That said, there are some very tasty sounding V8s on Youtube...

The majority of auto sparkies will be able to re-con the starter with the up-rated bits and bobs (it's actually why 98% of Ecotecs sound like they crank slow) and it's not very pricey either

V8's are excellent fun, total hoot to drive. I've seen them average around 12l/100km which is reasonable for a 225kw/465nm beast. They are the best car-esque ute by far if you ask me (no Holden/Ford bias, not a fan of either)

Originally Posted by Gremlin

The 3.6L is Alloytec, newer than the Ecotec which is a 3.8L. At least from the google learning I've done. Seems to be limited information and reviews, but reflects it's more of a vehicle for Oz and NZ. Never come across a 3L, wasn't aware it came out in one?

3.0 is the "new" direct injection unit, not entirely sure if it was in the utes. Alloytecs are currently developing some fun cam chain issues, so it's best to be keeping clear unless it's had the chains done. The 3.6 goes well though.