FG Barra Turbo to VF2 SSV Redline

[newi]

Hi all,

I am toying with the idea of selling my XR50 turbo and grabbing one of the last SSV redlines. I know its a strange thing to ask on as Ford forum but I am wondering if anyone has done this too (I suspect they have..)

I am keen to know how the V8 feels in comparison to the barra turbo (yes - I will test drive a few) but am keen to get owners opinions on what they like/dont like etc.

I am not sold on it yet - may just keep the falcon. But I am due for an upgrade and need something with four doors and power.

Paul

[Bossxr8]

It will feel slow, but handle better.

[Vesper Martini]

You might miss the Turbo feel.

[Polyal]

Shame you cant keep both.

I wouldn't care how slow the SSV is, its a good looking car and goes well enough.

[newi]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It will feel slow, but handle better.

This is what I am worried about... Barra turbo peak torque is at 2000rpm and the LS3 is at about 4000 I think.

Lots more tech and nice bits and pieces though.

[newi]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Shame you cant keep both.

I wouldn't care how slow the SSV is, its a good looking car and goes well enough.

Oh don't worry. The thought has entered my mind.

Wifey doesn't seem to see my point of view....

2 super cool Aussie cars would be great to have in years to come.

[arronm]

I have both. Tickle up the SS and they go OK. Nothing like a turbo though.

VF is a way better car to drive.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Shame you cant keep both.

I wouldn't care how slow the SSV is, its a good looking car and goes well enough.

There's a VFII SS Redline I always see on the way to work ... looked and sounded mint ... cammed and exhaust .. polished within an inch of it's life ... never thrashed.

But sounds and looks so nice.

If i was to buy anything from the red team ... the SS Redline is the pick of the bunch.

You will miss the oomph of the FG Turbo .... but the interior and the sound of the VF would be much better.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

There's a VFII SS Redline I always see on the way to work ... looked and sounded mint ... cammed and exhaust .. polished within an inch of it's life ... never thrashed.

But sounds and looks so nice.

If i was to buy anything from the red team ... the SS Redline is the pick of the bunch.

You will miss the oomph of the FG Turbo .... but the interior and the sound of the VF would be much better.

Yeap the VF2 is a nice car and they did everything the punters wanted.

The Miami is nice, but the VF2 SS is a better overall car than the FGX which for 99% of people is plenty.

[arronm]

True. realistically the SS has enough power for most. I tuned mine, had the gearbox tuned. Changed the diff to 3.5 and fitted OTR, headers and full exhaust. Power enough to floor it and leave in a cloud of smoke.

Blind spot mirrors and heads up display with speed and speed limit is the best tech yet. Sold me on the car. Mine is a wagon.

[Big_Daz]

I've owned an MY17 SSV Redline Manual for nearly 2 years after my FG XR6T Auto..

Comparing Standard to Standard my Redline is quicker than my Turbo in a straight line, but.. and its a BIIIIIIG but.. delivers the power in a very different way... And that's the kicker... The LS3 loves a rev and goes harder the more you rev it, plus it piles on speed ALOT quicker than you think... The turbo does thing differently which may take some getting used to and everyone is different.

The rest of the car though (handling, steering, interior, equipment level, etc) is no contest... The VF2 is miles ahead (and that includes the FGX). this is simply because Ford gave the team no money to develop the product...

A for looks.. Well that's subjective to each person... I love the look of the VF2 (especially in Redline trim) but also think the FG is one of the better looking Sedans made as well...

And the noise, even in stock form, is epic...

My experience is based solely on Standard vs Standard...

[Cashie]

Originally Posted by newi

Hi all,

I am toying with the idea of selling my XR50 turbo and grabbing one of the last SSV redlines. I know its a strange thing to ask on as Ford forum but I am wondering if anyone has done this too (I suspect they have..)

I am keen to know how the V8 feels in comparison to the barra turbo (yes - I will test drive a few) but am keen to get owners opinions on what they like/dont like etc.

I am not sold on it yet - may just keep the falcon. But I am due for an upgrade and need something with four doors and power.

Paul

I've owned a VF11 SSV, its a great car, has more tech than the FG and will also outhandle the FG. The interior is a comfortable place to be.
The engine is deceiving, it doesn't have the turbo boosted torque curve, but it is plenty fast if you give it the berries. The bimodal sounds excellent too.
It can be surprisingly good on fuel if you aren't wringing it's neck.
I almost bought another one when I recently bought the Stinger.

[burnz]

love my car, cant compare as ive never owned a barra ford..
i love driving it even as a daily..

[CyberWasp]

Keep the Barra and get a Mustang. That's what I did.
The Mustang can get you around, and when you need the 2 extra doors you can fall back to the FG when duty calls.
Best of both worlds.

[vixf6]

Sold the F6 a while back and recently bought a 2016 vf11 redline which had the 5 year factory warranty.
It’s handles way better, sounds amazing, but it’s a little bit fancy, lane departure warning, head up display, sunroof etc, quite a few things to have to think about.

I miss the somewhat low tech F6 believe it or not.

I hate the steering, it’s some type of electric system that is tiring and has no feel or connection/feedback to the road it requires continuous correction to keep it straight.

I also miss the 80-120 rush the of the turbo and it just scared me, there’s nothing scary about the vf it’s just linear. The F6 would destroy it at those speeds.

I just wanted a nice v8 one last time and preferred the look of the vf

[ebv8]

the VF is the better car but is it worth double the price
if yes then buy it
whats the FG worth? $15-25k
whats the SS worth? $45-55k

[burnz]

Originally Posted by vixf6

Sold the F6 a while back and recently bought a 2016 vf11 redline which had the 5 year factory warranty.
It’s handles way better, sounds amazing, but it’s a little bit fancy, lane departure warning, head up display, sunroof etc, quite a few things to have to think about.

I miss the somewhat low tech F6 believe it or not.

I hate the steering, it’s some type of electric system that is tiring and has no feel or connection/feedback to the road it requires continuous correction to keep it straight.

I also miss the 80-120 rush the of the turbo and it just scared me, there’s nothing scary about the vf it’s just linear. The F6 would destroy it at those speeds.

I just wanted a nice v8 one last time and preferred the look of the vf

steering for me is good with self centering, although turning circle is crap..
when an a aggrossy B double can do it in one and i'm relegated to a three point turn, there's a problem..

[JC]

Originally Posted by arronm

True. realistically the SS has enough power for most. I tuned mine, had the gearbox tuned. Changed the diff to 3.5 and fitted OTR, headers and full exhaust. Power enough to floor it and leave in a cloud of smoke.

Blind spot mirrors and heads up display with speed and speed limit is the best tech yet. Sold me on the car. Mine is a wagon.

I’ve got blind spot mirrors and heads up display on mine, total cost under $40. And I didn’t have to settle for a Holden to have them.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by vixf6

Sold the F6 a while back and recently bought a 2016 vf11 redline which had the 5 year factory warranty.
It’s handles way better, sounds amazing, but it’s a little bit fancy, lane departure warning, head up display, sunroof etc, quite a few things to have to think about.

I miss the somewhat low tech F6 believe it or not.

I hate the steering, it’s some type of electric system that is tiring and has no feel or connection/feedback to the road it requires continuous correction to keep it straight.

I also miss the 80-120 rush the of the turbo and it just scared me, there’s nothing scary about the vf it’s just linear. The F6 would destroy it at those speeds.

I just wanted a nice v8 one last time and preferred the look of the vf

That's one of my biggest gripes with EPAS - it's more of a laborious task than hydraulic steering, where you can use the weight of the car and castor/action of the wheels to feel connected and do some of the work for you. ePAS is always a chore in my opinion. It's ok in my i30 and not bad in the Mustang, but can be terrible in some cars. Does the SSVR have adjustable steering weight?

[newi]

Originally Posted by vixf6

Sold the F6 a while back and recently bought a 2016 vf11 redline which had the 5 year factory warranty.
It’s handles way better, sounds amazing, but it’s a little bit fancy, lane departure warning, head up display, sunroof etc, quite a few things to have to think about.

I miss the somewhat low tech F6 believe it or not.

I hate the steering, it’s some type of electric system that is tiring and has no feel or connection/feedback to the road it requires continuous correction to keep it straight.

I also miss the 80-120 rush the of the turbo and it just scared me, there’s nothing scary about the vf it’s just linear. The F6 would destroy it at those speeds.

I just wanted a nice v8 one last time and preferred the look of the vf

Sweet. Did they all have a 5 year warranty? Or have you paid extra? I thought the 5 year warranty only came in July 2018.

[Franco Cozzo]

I haven't driven an 8 cylinder VF yet but do they have that annoying laggy throttle mapping that the 6 cylinder ones have? Its real doughy off the line because of the way the throttle mapping is programmed, if you put it in power mode its a bit better but it still sucks.

[Cashie]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I haven't driven an 8 cylinder VF yet but do they have that annoying laggy throttle mapping that the 6 cylinder ones have? Its real doughy off the line because of the way the throttle mapping is programmed, if you put it in power mode its a bit better but it still sucks.

No lag in any od the 8s I’ve owned and driven.

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I haven't driven an 8 cylinder VF yet but do they have that annoying laggy throttle mapping that the 6 cylinder ones have? Its real doughy off the line because of the way the throttle mapping is programmed, if you put it in power mode its a bit better but it still sucks.

No, none of that in mine (Manual) or the Auto ones I test drove back before purchase...

Though my VE Series 2 V6 Company car and the VF V6's I used to drive through my old work DID have this.. Im not sure if its because the 3 litre V6 needs a rev to go anywhere or the throttle mapping but it did suck, and was a concern before I drove the VF2... All good though..

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

That's one of my biggest gripes with EPAS - it's more of a laborious task than hydraulic steering, where you can use the weight of the car and castor/action of the wheels to feel connected and do some of the work for you. ePAS is always a chore in my opinion. It's ok in my i30 and not bad in the Mustang, but can be terrible in some cars. Does the SSVR have adjustable steering weight?

It does have adjustable weight, when you put the TC in "Competition Mode" it changes the steering as well as turning on launch control, etc.

[Franco Cozzo]

We've got two 3.6L VF Commodores at work as company cars and I'm convinced it's the way the throttle is mapped, they're laggy as to get off the line and I doubt it's lack of torque from the engine because we've also got a Hyundai IX35 4 cylinder special with 400,000km on the clock and it's super responsive to minor throttle inputs in comparison.

I experienced the same crapola with our old Mazda 6 as well it just takes ages to do anything as you make minor throttle changes, very noticeable at intersections and roundabouts.

Interesting the V8 variants don't appear to have the same issue, are these vehicles SS variants or HSVs? I wonder if the Calais V8 variants are also more responsive?

I'll be thinking about this all night tonight

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

We've got two 3.6L VF Commodores at work as company cars and I'm convinced it's the way the throttle is mapped, they're laggy as to get off the line and I doubt it's lack of torque from the engine because we've also got a Hyundai IX35 4 cylinder special with 400,000km on the clock and it's super responsive to minor throttle inputs in comparison.

I experienced the same crapola with our old Mazda 6 as well it just takes ages to do anything as you make minor throttle changes, very noticeable at intersections and roundabouts.

Interesting the V8 variants don't appear to have the same issue, are these vehicles SS variants or HSVs? I wonder if the Calais V8 variants are also more responsive?

I'll be thinking about this all night tonight

Must be the mapping then.. I wasn't sure. The ones we had where the smaller engine Omega/Evoke. The VF ones where worse than the VE2 as well..

My experience is both in my Redline Manual (MY17) and the 2 Redline Auto's I test drove. The VF2 Clubby R8 Manual and GTSR Manual I have driven are sweet as well... I haven't yet driven a V8 Calais V.

I had a 12/2015 Mazda 6 Diesel for a while there also and I found the throttle mapping pretty crappy with small loads... I learnt to drive around it after a bit but still wasn't ideal...

[vixf6]

Originally Posted by newi

Sweet. Did they all have a 5 year warranty? Or have you paid extra? I thought the 5 year warranty only came in July 2018.

Don’t know when or how many had it but the AUG built 2016 that I bought privately had a fully transferable 5 year/130000 km factory not dealership warranty, covered to mid 2021 sweet.

Another thing is the Auto it’s ok, but the ZF is in another league.

Do love the HF 20 staggered wheels though with the 275’s on the back.

[arronm]

ZF doesnt rev match on downshift though. Its works perfect on the track.

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by vixf6

Don’t know when or how many had it but the AUG built 2016 that I bought privately had a fully transferable 5 year/130000 km factory not dealership warranty, covered to mid 2021 sweet.



Another thing is the Auto it’s ok, but the ZF is in another league.



Do love the HF 20 staggered wheels though with the 275’s on the back.

MY17 ones came with the 7 year factory warranty (mine has it). I wish mine had the hf-20 wheels... same width as the 19s but much nicer looking.... cold not find a manual with the 20s available to buy new...

Totally agree with your sentiment on the auto though. It’s by no means bad but (I was buying a manual either way but just wanted to at least try the auto) after owning an FG Turbo with the ZF it’s far superior to the Holden auto...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JasonACT]

It was 2012, I wanted a V8. I told the Holden dealer this would probably be the last chance I got to own one as petrol was on the way out - but it had to be new. He wouldn't move on the price though, not an inch. He said, you should consider the 6 and when he said it again, I bought the 6.

The FG XR6T LE. From the dealer up the road. Had it tuned a year later.

I've had a Ferrari pop and crackle past me, but, none of the Holdens have been able to do it. Not the VWs and not the BMWs. The Nisssan? Well, he did too, but I had given up on him on the 4th red light when he finally decided to try... 3 out of 4 though, who cares?

[stevanford]

My cousin owned a VF2 SS at the same time I owned a FGX G6ET. I found that the G6ET was definitely the quicker car and the drivetrain was more refined. Falcon also had a bigger boot. Outside of that, the VF2 was the far superior car.
We took both our cars to the drags on the same day. The VFs quickest time was a 13.2, the G6ET a 12.9, both automatic.
If you're happy with it being slightly slower, go the SS. Far better car overall.