Ute feedback - R8 Maloo / SS-V

[Sharkie]

I'm in need of a ute for non tradie stuff - essentialy building a new house soon and need to landscape etc etc etc ....

Been looking at a 07 Holden Rodeo DC lately and close to buying 1. 3.6 V6 Manual 4x4, I have no interest in an Amarok and won't have any until either it comes with the TSI engine or a V6 TDI.

However I've ben thinking lately about getting into a V8 Ute ..... something about a bit of both worlds. Since I have no need for a work ute, but rather an occasional workhose and an occasional "toy" a new E3 HSV R8 or SS-V looks like an option. Be good to have some real engine sound for a change again.

Any input? Known issues or problems with these?

[jazd]

Any input?

Yeah dont do it

[Stiggy_21]

What wrong with a mk1 caddy

[The_Hawk]

Dear god do the new SS utes go hard. The brother in law had one until recently and the other brother in law has an SS sedan. The amount of pull is just amazing! I have to say I considered one for a while, but I really do need an extra couple of seats these days

[Blitzen]

I'm a big fan of the VE Maloo. They look great, and go really well too... I have been reading in a few places about poor paint matching quality though.

[team_v]

The thunder ute is going for 40k at the moment i believe.
Pretty decent price for a lot of power/little weight

[TomC]

The thunder ute is going for 40k at the moment i believe.
Pretty decent price for a lot of power/little weight

Agreed! Would much rather a regular SS - much more understated. The Maloo has too much plastic bodykit IMO and shocking visibility from those massive b-pillars.

Either way, assuming you get 19"s, I'd start saving for your next set of tyres already... Yeehaa

[GoLfMan]

driven an SS-V ute. The Maloo just isn't worth the price premium! For the extra coin you could make the SS go SO much harder than a Maloo!

The manual shift was stiff and slow, but agreeable. The Clutch wasn't too heavy, the engine is just a gem, torque everywhere and doesnt complain about pulling from idle from any gear. Goes DAM hard and makes a real nice noise, and I tell you what my mate gets an average of about 13-14L/100 which isn't all that bad considering its a big donk!

Can't fault the trim, looks well put together inside (much better than previous generation commodores), the paint however wasn't the greatest, but with a good professional polish it would have come up a treat. Comfy seats, plenty of room etc.

I'd drive one over a current VW anyday..........

any problems? Not sure, nothing major, I'd put it out there that they have less than new VW's do.

Plus now with liquid gas injection technology, you can run it for the same price as a 4cyl and not kill the power of running it on petrol!!!

[Sharkie]

Had a look at a SS Thunder Ute this morning. Looks good, with me not being a Holden fan at all, its far better than I expected. Thunders come with 19" Alloys (gunmetal colour) IQ SatNav & Bluetooth and partial leather and is $39990 drive-away ..... .... what a bargain .... $500 extra for metalic paint. Standard tyres are 245 Bridgestone RE50As, so that will have to go !

Couple of minor mods and 320kw is beckoning apparently .....

With it raining today, I'll go back and test drive next week when its dry ..... and very likely buy 1. 200kw Tig will make way for a 300+kw RWD V8 .....

[GoLfMan]

very likely buy 1. 200kw Tig will make way for a 300+kw RWD V8 .....

turn the frown upside down man. I'd take the Ute over the Tig anyday!!!!! (just cos the Tig isn't my kinda car)

[phaeton]

TSI Amarok not far away some have been photographed in Argentina.

Ford Ute if you must :S

[Spyda]

Big and heavy compared to older models and sound weak standard but you wont find a better ute. Its cheap, has heeps of room and goes hard. The only problems i have heard of from friends who own these utes are the rear lights leak water in the maloo but its covered under warranty, putting a stereo in them is an effort, when moded they are still slower than older moded models.
With the light mods you will get 260 at the rears but keep in mind light mods include a $2500+ exhaust system and $1500+ tune and intake, cam packages cost more than other LS motors too.

[sh|tbmxrider]

XR6T/F6/GS Utes = much more cheap & easy performance potential than any of the holdens..

[Mk3 AAA]

The auto box is a bit of a dog, I'd go manual, parking sensors dying seem to be a common fault and people complain about rear visibility, but they're quick (proper quick) and overall nice. Holden quotes $750 for individual 19" tyres... so don't bump that traction button and shop around for tyres. You wouldn't consider FPV too?

Keep us informed, I have a theory that P Plater laws (not that old in QLD) restricting youngsters to 6cyl has increased the quality of V8s getting around.

[Spyda]

XR6T/F6/GS Utes = much more cheap & easy performance potential than any of the holdens..

yeah....but there fords n turbo