Aussie help needed.

[Milliethemutt]

I'm going to Australia on holiday later this year and have been looking to hire an nice car while in Perth. I have managed to find a place that will hire a Boxster or Z3 but wanted to try and get some good Aussie V8 action. Does anyone know of a hire company that does a V8 Falcon or Commadore? Most of the big hire companies do V6 or straight 6 3-4 litre jobs but I want a V8 if I can.

 

[chinny]

I think Hertz hires out these sort of cars, anywhere that hires out a Z4 will usually have a Commodore or a Ford Falcon.
As to your choice, due to excessively regulated speed limits in Australia, I would suggest a Ford XR6 Turbo, or FPV Tyhpoon as Fords handle better than Holdens. If you want to lay down some rubber or out drag some ricer, then Id suggest an SS Commodore or a HSV. Holdens being more powerful than Fords.

 

[FAOLIU05]

Thats not true. The XR6 Turbo can throw down better than any Holden Commodore SS or HSV.

 

[Jay]

A XR6 Turbo is 240Kw's it will NOT keep up with a new HSV 297Kw's, Even a new SS Commodore 250Kw's (Monaro gets 260Kw's) will just out run it in a straight line. I know this from personal experience.

 

[FAOLIU05]

The ('03) XR6 Turbo has 322hp (and surpisingly good mpg) and the ('02) Commodore SS has 315hp. Even the 2003 Holden VY Commodore SS has 320hp, using the same 5.7L LS1 as the '02 SS. The XR6 Turbo is also quicker to the punch, but ultimately averages out right with the SS.

The XR6 Turbo is also quicker to 60mph than the newest version of the HSV ('04 and 367hp). But I didn't say it was faster. You'll need to be going up to 100mph or so to notice such differences between XR6 Turbo and HSV.

But as far as throwing down rubber and out running "ricers", the XR6 Turbo can do better than any Holden.

 

[Jay]

The ('03) XR6 Turbo has 322hp (and surpisingly good mpg) and the ('02) Commodore SS has 315hp. Even the 2003 Holden VY Commodore SS has 320hp, using the same 5.7L LS1 as the '02 SS. The XR6 Turbo is also quicker to the punch, but ultimately averages out right with the SS.

The XR6 Turbo is also quicker to 60mph than the newest version of the HSV ('04 and 367hp). But I didn't say it was faster. All I said is that it can throw down just as good as any Holden on the street. You'll need to be going up to 100mph or so to notice such differences between XR6 Turbo and HSV.

But street wise, I'd go with the XR6 Turbo. It offers nice performance, nice gas mileage, and adequate comfort.

I am refering to new cars (current model) as thats what you would get when you hire one.

Holden has been increasing the power output of the 5.7L LS1 ever since they started. The '02 SS does not compare to the 05.

(all 05 power figures straight off official websites)

05 XR6 T = 240Kw's (312hp)
05 SS = 250kw's (325hp) (LS1)
05 Monaro CV8 = 260Kw's (338hp) (LS1)
05 HSV Clubsport = 297Kw's (386hp) (LS2)

The 02 SS was a VX 225Kw (305hp) version. 03 VY's were 235Kw versions.

VT = 5.0L 195kw's (Series I)
VT = 5.7L 220Kw's
VX = 5.7L 225Kw's
VY = 5.7L 235Kw's
VZ = 5.7L 250Kw's


Like I said I have had personal experience with these cars and the XR6T doesnt accelerate quite like the 05 LS1's and LS2, but that said I dont mean to come across as the XR6T is slow. Also you do notice the difference before 100mph.

Also just checking fuel economy

XR6T = 12.9Litre/100Km's City
SS = 13Litres/100Km's City

(Fords website didnt list Highway so I left it out)

Dont even bother with Fast autos and concept cars links, just go straight to manufacturer specifications.

All I said is that it can throw down just as good as any Holden on the street.

(*Now edited out*)

But I didn't say it was faster.

Well you said,

Thats not true. The XR6 Turbo can throw down better than any Holden Commodore SS or HSV.

Thats the only reason I replied in the first place.

But as far as throwing down rubber and out running "ricers", the XR6 Turbo can do better than any Holden.

How so? because it is slower and has less power?

The XR6 Turbo is also quicker to 60mph than the newest version of the HSV ('04 and 367hp).

Well the Newest verion of the VZ clubsport can do 100kph (62mph) in 5.1, and that is straight from the HSV website, I have seen it make 4's in Australian Mag reviews but I will stick to the official HSV time.

Autoweb is telling me the XR6T makes 100kph (62mph) in 6.6 seconds, I couldnt be bothered finding a official Ford time. (Your link says 5.9 even so thats .8 off the HSV)

Also States a HSV 1/4mile of 13.3, while last I looked the XR6T was 14.3.




Overall a XR6T does not compete with a new HSV and its not supposed too. Thats what the F6 Typhoons for.

 

[FAOLIU05]

 

[Viper1555]

Someone can correct me on this but from what i hear, ford and holden use 2 diferent ways of dyno testing, not sure what they are called?

Holden dyno test their engines using normal atmosphereic conditions like you would find outside, whereas ford use eviromentaly controled conditions not sure what that involves exactly. But using fords dyno system, the HSV LS2 that is 297kWs ends up being about 305-310kWs

Another rumour i heard was the FPV "Boss" Engines that are supposed to put out 290kWs is it? put out about 260 if that at the flywheel on some tests done from independant companies.

anyone want to clarify this?

Im a holden/hsv man personally but credit weres its due, the Typhoon does look nice weather it goes hard or not.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Yes, Ford and Holden do use different types of Dyno. I read it in one of my MOTOR issues.

 

[James2097]

Ford and Holden measure the power at different places. Don't remember where exactly but the power figures are taken at different points along the drivetrain. This is why the power figures for Fords and Holdens have a disparity, but I just don't remember exactly how Ford or Holden do it...
I think the disparity is kinda intentional, so you can't precisely measure them up in any really definitive way (well you can but it makes it a bit blurrier), kinda tricky - like comparing the mhz of intel vs AMD chips vs RISC chips and then assuming which is faster simply off of a mhz rating, it doesn't work quite that simply unfortunately... Sorry for geeky analogy...

I'm a Holden man, so get a Monaro and tune it up to 355KW. My mate has one which Craig Lowndes' dad (V8 Supercar dude) rebuilt the engine of, it is SCARY that Monaro. The sound is downright OFFENSIVE! 3 people have lost their license driving that car. But I digress...

Definately get a Monaro, or a HSV of any type (but they probably won't rent these...). Totally personal opinion, but anyone who thinks a car company that makes a butt ugly car featuring those horrendous 70's retro speed stripes (Lime? Orange? Ew!!) down the side is cool/stylish needs an eye test and psychological help. The interiors of Fords don't get any better...

Besides the Holdens win because they have far better and niftier designed cup holders.

 

[Viper1555]

Gotta love the "Holden" cup holders, ive pulled a few out to replace them. and its allways funny because they have SAAB printed onto the side of them haha....

 

[chinny]

I read recently that even though Holdens make more power at the flywheel its evened out a bit at the rear wheels due to ford having a better drivetrain or something.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Besides the Holdens win because they have far better and niftier designed cup holders.

You're right. I was playing with my friends dads VZ Calais cup holders for about 5 minutes, just pressing the button, pushing them back in then pressing it again.

 

[Jay]

You're right. I was playing with my friends dads VZ Calais cup holders for about 5 minutes, just pressing the button, pushing them back in then pressing it again.

Thats what you do in the Motorshows, just fiddle with cup holders and other things.

The Holden ones are great even Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear thinks so.

 

[James2097]

Thing I did - went to the Melbourne International Motorshow one year with a mate and we did a (no joke!) serious critique of every cup-holder (and only the cup-holders) in every new car on show. Thats just the kind of guy I am.

 

[[FPV]Rusty]

Over and over again people keep mentioning the fact the two manufactuers use different power output calculation methods (ford use DIN, forget what Holden uses). Now according to HSV the GTS would be 310kw in DIN, and the rest of the 6.0l LS2 fed HSV range that is 297kw in their calculations would be about 305kw DIN (compared to the FPV GT's 290kw DIN).

In a recent MOTOR mag shootout between the best aussie performance test, they included a dyno test, the GT topped the list at 242kw at the rear wheels. The ls2 clubbie was 228kw at the rear wheels. Yet apparently Ford and FPV are the ones over rating their power outputs. CAPA, the company that did the dyno test say even in Holdens method of calculating power at the flywheel the GT was really 310Kw.

Now that thats been said, back to the topic. No knowledge of where you might find a good rental place, but if you want an amazingly fun drive, its gotta be the FPV GT. It does everything particurly well. Unless you really want straight line prowess over all, the Clubsport wouoldnt be a bad pick, but it doesnt have the good ride of the GT, and isnt as predictable when it gets sideways. Lower down the order the Ford Falcon XR8 is a bit front heavy and its suspension is probably to soft, good ride, but not a great drive. The Commodore SS however, is a very good drive, either that or an XR6 turbo would be my pick.