Modded VE SS utes are absolutely EVERYWHERE. Usually complimented by a stupid rego plate and mega sized "Unit" sticker on the window. At least the FG's are less common, in comparison.

For what it's worth, my old man has just bought a 325kw R8. I have driven it several times now and my 270kw XR6T feels as quick, if not quicker (particularly under 4000rpm).

Unit stickers on utes are worth 125rwkw.. Probably the only mod done to them.

plus dont forget its against the law to drive a Late model camira without a hoodie on and up....

Now now boys, dont throw stones at glass houses. Plenty of FPV wanna bees done our way with their GT stripes on the stock XR6s.

Hoodies arent only confined to Late model camira drivers, they are the standard for Skyline, and 180sx drivers mainly down our way.

And, best to wear them on a hot day. Really shows the old saying no sense, no feeling. Or, you cant put brains in a statue.

Now sorry, what was the question???

First post here, (I drive a 2012 MkII XR6T Ute, in white, the best colour :-P)

I've driven both and especially if you're looking at the manual go the XR6T, the SS still uses the T56 and not the TR6060 (TR6060 has a far better torque rating and way better shift feel), some serious clutch issues in the SS while as far as I'm aware the Ford utilises the TR6060 and a slightly better clutch, the steering wheel sucks compared to the ford (read cruise control) ICC is better than iQ IMHO regarding functionality and ease of use particularly whilst on the move, seats in ford way more comfortable too but that's a personal opinion.

Engine wise, the SS has a sh*t tin of torque available right away but when it come to slamming it in the guts, the ford will rape the sh*t out of it, spend 3k and you'll eat any HSV on the market while saving $20k+ and if you ever plan on towing anything, Ford I6T engine will be better not to mention having the leaf springs you wont bottom out on a speed hump like I used to while towing anything more than 200kg (granted that's a comparison between the Bogan special sedan and XR ute neither using lowered springs).

SS is more of a show ute than the Ford, the Ford still retains its actual ability to work, that's just a personal opinion and each to their own in that respect. The interior in the Bogan special feels a bit better put together than the Ford, a little more robust and solid whereas the Ford feels a little more stuck on but not so much that you feel like you may pull a door trim off, no auto window for driver in ute, not in mine at any rate, but the control on the drivers door are much simpler to use than Holden's centrally mounted kit (I drive with my left hand on the highway when I'm lazy).

SS with an exhaust (even as cheap as X Force) it has that incredibly addictive V8 rumble, stick a cam in and you have the beastliest sounding ute going around and the noise it makes is not to be be discounted as a very large pro IMHO, the Ford on the other hand is a bit quieter but does have very nice induction noise and turbo whine to counter it but that V8 sound is difficult to go past.

SS/Bogan special has IRS and tends to hold traction a little bit better under a bit of stick in the corners but also doesn't boost to contend with, Expensive Daewoo warranty is like getting blood out of a stone whereas I took my ute to ford yesterday afternoon with a couple of questions and a busted stereo speaker and they checked everything, topped gearbox oil up, explained everything they did and didn't charge a cent (given there was nothing specifically wrong in the end apart from a couple of U Bolts in the rear being a tiny bit loose) they could have charged for the work performed (read this as a big thanks to Paul Ellul at Peter Warren Ford in Liverpool on the Hume Hwy, anyone in that area, strongly recommend them for any servicing/warranty repairs) Holden, whenever I had a problem, it was as if I was causing them a very large inconvenience when there actually was an issue (clutch was stuffed after 30xxx km along with the clutch cable being very loose and this was an unmodified Bogan special sedan).

Just my 3 cents but I went with the Ford because the service I received from them would only be second to someone who just bought a bloody BMW M3 or something else Euro and expensive and still slower than the XR6T.

Long post, sorry bout that,

Regards,

PaulRM

PS.

Feel it pertinent to note that I was a die hard Expensive Daewoo kid and adult for my entire life, learnt to drive in HSV's and Bogan special 's and owned my own Bogan special for a couple years, after finally driving an XR6T, yep, swapped to the magical trickery that is rip your face off fast Ford turbo.

Edited February 12, 201313 yr by PaulRM

V8s are so last year

Unit stickers on utes are worth 125rwkw.. Probably the only mod done to them.

What sort of gains are to be had from Chevy badges ?

Edited February 18, 201313 yr by Michael.S

Chevy badges are +25 killawasps per badge..

I have a 2012 fg turbo ute,manual. The gearbox and driveline is noisy, sloppy and just generally crap,im on the third diff under warranty,never done a skid or dropped the clutch.If I had my time again I would have gotten a Expensive Daewoo ute or the auto version of the turbo,fords manuals are bloody shocking and heaps slower than an auto turbo,my ute gets real bad axle tramp also.

Dont get a manual ford ute!

If you plan to modify it get a ford if you want to keep it stock get a v8 holden.

I got a GS ute, picked it up brand new for an absolute bargain (mind you I played a lot of good cop/ bad cop for 1 entire week with the dealer)

It's got full leather, even on the door trims, ZF6 Auto, Satnav, touch screen, every upgrade I could possibly fit into her.

I had it for 2 weeks, had the rear muffler cut out and replaced with a straight pipe, then did a K&N filter, and had it tuned By Bruce Hienrich, It made 375rwkw.

And will spin 2nd gear up to 100km/h very easy! Off the line it's just a smoke show.. but rolling start it'll eat most things on the road.

I've owned a manual XR6T BA sedan with 330rwkw@15psi.. the car was great fun to drive.. but the old T56 gearbox was a hunk of junk.. seriously, it rattled and was slow on shifts, not to mention the number of clutches I went through with that tune (mainly due to clutch drops/ kicks)

But you have 35k budget, I'd say just go with the FG turbo, and with a little bit of playing around, it'll hammer most V8's