Gotta love the old Holden wagons. These things were so underrated. Gotta love the v8 and manual. The VT, VY, VZ wagons were the best, absolutely massive boot space and so practical. Sad people didn’t believe in our Aussie cars. These old wagons are so much more practical then SUVs
Ive got a ve ssv wagon myself with a manual l98 in it. Big cam, 4:11s, exhaust, clutch etc. Definitely a comfortable cruiser and sounds good. Certainly underrated with cosmetics aswell as wheels and coilovers make these things. Another great review ross even if i am a little biased haha!
I purchased a 2012.5 Redline Sportwagon Automatic back in 2017. I purchased this because 80% of my driving is highway driving in Victoria. On the highway they get about 5-8L/100. Lots of torque to overcome wind resistance. It's been a really good highway cruiser at 190,000 kms and it's only had a few small issues. Radiator plastics deteriorated, 1 injector failed. But for nearly 200,000 kms those repairs are cheap motoring. At this age the interior is starting to show it's age as the materials GM used are pretty low quality. But body, paint and mechanically these are about as good as it gets.
A manual V8 wagon! This thing is rare and Holden did an excellent job with the Commodore wagons, specifically the VE/VF series... The Falcon wagons were too fat and fleet oriented in my opinion... Great video, and an awesome car 👍
@@AndrewMitchell001 The electricals of a car will stop you, well not completely but it will make the task more complicated, and you'll be spending a lot of money...
@@MartinJones123 Not really I just blew my stage 2 auto trans up and its costing me 4K for drive in drive out rebuild its the second time in 2 years so its cheaper to put a manual box in and just burn a clutch out in the long run than keep building an auto box and mines built built for 500HP
Love my ve SS wagon, manual makes it so much more fun and so practical too! they are also factory e85 ready too which is rare! Great awesome showcase ross reviews.
I’ve always loved the VE and VF wagons, especially the VE. Such a nice looking wagon especially coming from the VZ, and they did an SS and Clubsport also. 👍🏻
When my el falcon wagon died, and it was absolutely a great roomy car, I nearly brought one of these commodore wagons, but.... I ended up getting a bf xr6 and my gosh what a beautiful piece of engineering!
Very nice looking V8 wagon and sounds so good Ross great review A very good buy for someone to look after as they are not making them anymore hopefully these cars are around for many years to come
My partner has a VF II SV6 Wagon. I started dating her after she bought the car so had no say in car choice, but disappointed it was the V6 engine. I think alot of people fear high fuel bills when they hear the word 'V8' and also feel it's too excessive for their needs. I was getting it serviced the other day and the service place was telling me the LS engines are more reliable (none of the GM 3.6 timing chain malarky), have better resale, and shockingly, better on fuel too. Still, the wagons are practical and drive nicely. It's a shame that car companies seem to be ditching them.
i dont know about better fuel economy HAHA (with my right foot anyway) but i would say they wouldn't be that far apart really.. and yes all the points he mentioned are all true. its sad they are basically all gone now :(
As a ford man myself i never thought I'd want to own a Holden but I love these wagons they look tough and I want it. I wish Ford made a more aggressive looking wagon. If I had some sort of mechanical knowledge and a garage I'd get one just to attempt to Barra swap it 😂
I have the same spec but in the grey and far out its awesome. Add a cam and heads package like mine has and they go even faster and sound even madder. Would highly recommend such an awesome and rare beast to anyone who is interested since no body makes anything close to it anymore.
Hi Johnny mate,she's just a perfect daily for the whole family,with V8 power & a nice exhaust note & heaps of room in the back if needed & it's a bloody manual so I can't fault her man,great review bro.
Yus !! I have the 2012 CalaisV V8 wagon, agreed the stock handling is very wallowie in the corners and over undulating roads.. can’t beat the instant power of the 6L, just anywhere in the rev range
Great reviews Ross Reviews. Can you please please please bring out the paddle shifter SSV Redline in Melbourne next please. To Ross Reviews From Jordan’s car reviews
Practicality plus performance is absolutely a perfect combo in my books. I absolutely agreed when said about ford not doing the performance wagon cos i woulda so been on board. But I make do with the sedan anyhow. Nevertheless that commodore is a beauty, 6.4 seconds too what a run
Biggest issue with Ford was the wagon they had to work with. The B series wagon was a long, narrow load hauler. With the VE, the sedan and wagon are the same underneath, just with the different rear end on them. So they could truly give a go at doing performance wagons as it was the same as the sedan. Ford couldn't do that.
Holden and that handbrake 🤦🤮lol Can't remember if the VZ had the same. It's like they said let's make a great car all round and then someone said what about the special person he needs to have some input. Great idea! Hey Frankie make us a handbrake will ya? Lmao
My old man had one of these, however it was just an SS so it had the better cloth seats we thought the same when we were testing driving others that had the leather seats
These have a TR6060 not a t56. I have a VE clubsport Series 1 and just replaced my t56 gearbox with a TR6060. From 2009 onwards they are TR6060. Much better boxes.
What was involved in the swap, easy or difficult? I wouldn't mind finding a better gearbox for my wagon, something a little less agricultural or at least something that shifts cleaner.
Lol...that clutch is fried after that O-1OOKMH test. Lmao 🤣😂 I would love one of these VE SS wagons. They look really good. Just some coilovers like you said and Bobs your Auntie. Great vid Johnny 👍👍
Brought a 2012 ve recently and the thing has developed engine problems literally had it 3days already been back to dealership once and the cars still not fixed 😒
That’s gold , I’m looking trading my 2013 black Z series SV6 wagon on this SSV redline wagon from Next ride in Como on the weekend 🤘🏻🤘🏻36k isn’t all that bad for that wagon
B. Barrett is definitely there because of experience, which is all the coms and organisation of the line that we don't really get to hear or see. I hope he has a blinder🤞 I think he'll still do cross field kicks, chips to joedan etc but don't expect that if they win and make the quarters. I feel its a bit of a distraction from their actual "crucial games" plan. maybe see what they been planning behind doors of we aren't in front by much with 20 to go. Kia kaha mighty ABs 🤙
I prefer the VF myself, but they are a great wagon with room to load the load area bigger than a normal roof wagon . If they made a Ford fg wagon, that needed to have irs, ford gave up and stuck with the leafs on the bf.
@RossReviewsau I've got a ev 2009 series 1.got it with only 97000kms in totally stock form..deleted the AFM big cam that could do with a stall converter but isn't that bad with out one..OTR n full manta headers and exhaust 3" hi flow...442rwhp work got done at OZTRACK performance n it's sounds fukn amazing and gose hard...U GOTTA LOVE THEM MATE...love yr reviews mate.
@@MartinJones123 3.0 not much just intake and exhaust and a throttle controller I think the 3.0 are pretty underated Considine they will rev to 8000rpm all day long and the platform was originally developed for boost IV got a mate with one with a side mount supercharger and it dyno at 230rwkw on low boost not even intercooled like I know the 3.6 LFX is a more powerful how ever the 3.0 is great in fuel on highway cruising IV had mine down 7.3L per 100km so I just think it's pretty cool I can get that kind of fuel economy and still do 0-100 in under 7 secs
Just picked up my manual wagon after a complete engine rebuild, in preparation for supercharging... new cam kicks arse: ruclips.net/video/1JIK5MmEklY/видео.html
The thing that plagued the Barra wagon was Ford's refusal to get rid of that antiquated live rear axle and replace it with an independent setup. Besides, Holden hoarded more of the taxpayers' money than Ford.
Mate if you have to worry about the cost of fuel you can't afford it!! I own one Voodoo Blue and she's a beast!! Off you go back to your 4 banger that can't pull the skin off a rice custard!!
I have a Calias V Wagon l98 with a Harrop blower and i only fill with 98 octane average price about $2.00 per litre , also i havent reset my trip meter for several thousand kms and i have averaged 13.2 litres per 100 over a few years. ps its ran 11.2 @ the Perth Motorplex ,you would be doing well to find a car that quick and that fuel efficient if you cant tell i love it.
So basically..... Get the R8 and it be perfect lol. Problem with the R8 it looks a bit over the top. Great thing about this SS it's a bit more classy. I want one but not sure if to save that extra 20 - 30k more and just get a higher k R8 touring. Hmmmmm... decisions.
Was it Tony Abbott's fault that Holden sales declined year after year, that the ZB Commodore was a disaster, that GM had decided to stop RHD vehicle production world wide, that many of their models were cheap garbage, etc?
Gotta love the old Holden wagons. These things were so underrated. Gotta love the v8 and manual. The VT, VY, VZ wagons were the best, absolutely massive boot space and so practical. Sad people didn’t believe in our Aussie cars. These old wagons are so much more practical then SUVs
I agree... Having owned a VY Wagon and now a VF Wagon, I can say that they're much better than these stupid SUV's...
We wanted to keep up with Jones’s and going for bmws mercs and so on .local cars weren’t posh enough
@@tonyjones6689 Euro cars are nice but for what the Aussie cars offered, they were great value...
absolutely love these wagons eh! i could really see myself getting one someday!
Can you get parts?
Ive got a ve ssv wagon myself with a manual l98 in it. Big cam, 4:11s, exhaust, clutch etc. Definitely a comfortable cruiser and sounds good. Certainly underrated with cosmetics aswell as wheels and coilovers make these things. Another great review ross even if i am a little biased haha!
Off man that sounds mental.. would love one like that
The disappearance of station wagons is almost as tragic as the disappearance of Holden.
Agree 🥲
I purchased a 2012.5 Redline Sportwagon Automatic back in 2017.
I purchased this because 80% of my driving is highway driving in Victoria. On the highway they get about 5-8L/100. Lots of torque to overcome wind resistance.
It's been a really good highway cruiser at 190,000 kms and it's only had a few small issues. Radiator plastics deteriorated, 1 injector failed. But for nearly 200,000 kms those repairs are cheap motoring.
At this age the interior is starting to show it's age as the materials GM used are pretty low quality. But body, paint and mechanically these are about as good as it gets.
yup with decent maintenance you should have little worries... i really enjoyed this thing
A manual V8 wagon! This thing is rare and Holden did an excellent job with the Commodore wagons, specifically the VE/VF series... The Falcon wagons were too fat and fleet oriented in my opinion...
Great video, and an awesome car 👍
Thanks Martin! As soon as I seen it with a manual I had to take it out 👀🇦🇺 awesome bloody cars
What's stopping anyone ripping the auto out and putting a 6 speed manual in if they wanted.
@@AndrewMitchell001 The electricals of a car will stop you, well not completely but it will make the task more complicated, and you'll be spending a lot of money...
@@MartinJones123 Not really I just blew my stage 2 auto trans up and its costing me 4K for drive in drive out rebuild its the second time in 2 years so its cheaper to put a manual box in and just burn a clutch out in the long run than keep building an auto box and mines built built for 500HP
@@AndrewMitchell001 Yeah I guess, if you're going down that route...
Always loved the six litre wagon especially with six speed. And Ford did miss the boat on many occasions. 👍🇦🇺🍻
They def missed the boat with wagons
"It's a Big old car, with a big old motor" had me laughing mate.😂
🤣 facts
I recently sold my VE SS wagon that I had for 6 years. Awesome car and 100% reliable. I almost wish I kept it after watching this review.
Instant regret 🥲 hope you got something equally as cool
Love my ve SS wagon, manual makes it so much more fun and so practical too! they are also factory e85 ready too which is rare! Great awesome showcase ross reviews.
Yeh the factory E85 was a crazy fact I didn’t know until researching it!
I’ve always loved the VE and VF wagons, especially the VE. Such a nice looking wagon especially coming from the VZ, and they did an SS and Clubsport also. 👍🏻
Awesome wagon I gotta say
@@RossReviewsau get a hsv wagon on even a really old one
When my el falcon wagon died, and it was absolutely a great roomy car, I nearly brought one of these commodore wagons, but.... I ended up getting a bf xr6 and my gosh what a beautiful piece of engineering!
cant go wrong with either i would say eh :)
Very nice looking V8 wagon and sounds so good Ross great review A very good buy for someone to look after as they are not making them anymore hopefully these cars are around for many years to come
Awesome vehicle this one.. really enjoyed w
Love the wagons and they put power to ground so well especially with and LSA block and 2650 Harrop on top.
Offf that sounds wicked
They were the ultimate holiday cruiser, pack up the kids and camping gear in the back and head off to Queensland for a cruise
Family vacation 🇦🇺👌
I have a sv6 and a SSV wagon (latter modified). Can’t say they get much better unless you have a HSV Tourer
Agreed man
My partner has a VF II SV6 Wagon. I started dating her after she bought the car so had no say in car choice, but disappointed it was the V6 engine. I think alot of people fear high fuel bills when they hear the word 'V8' and also feel it's too excessive for their needs.
I was getting it serviced the other day and the service place was telling me the LS engines are more reliable (none of the GM 3.6 timing chain malarky), have better resale, and shockingly, better on fuel too. Still, the wagons are practical and drive nicely. It's a shame that car companies seem to be ditching them.
i dont know about better fuel economy HAHA (with my right foot anyway) but i would say they wouldn't be that far apart really.. and yes all the points he mentioned are all true. its sad they are basically all gone now :(
i love how youre getting more and more aussie in every video lol. Love you work mate, keep it up!
🤘 thanks mate love the Aussie rides
Awesome car, wish we got the wagons in the USA.
the US got shafted big time with Aussie Fords and Holdens
As a ford man myself i never thought I'd want to own a Holden but I love these wagons they look tough and I want it. I wish Ford made a more aggressive looking wagon.
If I had some sort of mechanical knowledge and a garage I'd get one just to attempt to Barra swap it 😂
I definitely would rock one of these wagons fun to drive look nice and practical for a family.. just gotta afford the fuel bill lol
I have the same spec but in the grey and far out its awesome. Add a cam and heads package like mine has and they go even faster and sound even madder. Would highly recommend such an awesome and rare beast to anyone who is interested since no body makes anything close to it anymore.
exactly! what i would do if i owned one.. really really enjoyed this wagon id happily own it :)
Hi Johnny mate,she's just a perfect daily for the whole family,with V8 power & a nice exhaust note & heaps of room in the back if needed & it's a bloody manual so I can't fault her man,great review bro.
Yus !! I have the 2012 CalaisV V8 wagon, agreed the stock handling is very wallowie in the corners and over undulating roads.. can’t beat the instant power of the 6L, just anywhere in the rev range
nice stuff mate.. yeh like most aussie cars stock they float around a bit.. but man doesn't take much to make them animals
I have an09 SSV auto with 3.7 gears and a 3600 convertor with 430 whp and it is super quick and fun to drive
I really enjoyed this one
oh man you gotta love a Manual V8 Wagon! so cool
Was one badass wagon
Great reviews Ross Reviews. Can you please please please bring out the paddle shifter SSV Redline in Melbourne next please.
To Ross Reviews
From Jordan’s car reviews
Now your talking mate so happy to see this Featured ,ours is only the auto tho haha but still has a healthy 440rwhp tho haha
440 is healthy 👏
Practicality plus performance is absolutely a perfect combo in my books. I absolutely agreed when said about ford not doing the performance wagon cos i woulda so been on board. But I make do with the sedan anyhow. Nevertheless that commodore is a beauty, 6.4 seconds too what a run
spot on Dean! gotta love these.. i actually would happily get one n i think 30k for a nice one is a deal right now
@@RossReviewsau Absolutely!
Biggest issue with Ford was the wagon they had to work with. The B series wagon was a long, narrow load hauler. With the VE, the sedan and wagon are the same underneath, just with the different rear end on them. So they could truly give a go at doing performance wagons as it was the same as the sedan. Ford couldn't do that.
Holden and that handbrake 🤦🤮lol Can't remember if the VZ had the same. It's like they said let's make a great car all round and then someone said what about the special person he needs to have some input. Great idea! Hey Frankie make us a handbrake will ya? Lmao
yeh the handbrake design is not that good eh
2:20 is that sound coming from you or the car?🤙😂Awesome reviews btw🌶🔥🔥
HAHA mate i wish i could make noises like that
@@RossReviewsau 😂😂🤙🤙🌶🌶
My old man had one of these, however it was just an SS so it had the better cloth seats we thought the same when we were testing driving others that had the leather seats
Cloth for the win.. these seats sucked
These have a TR6060 not a t56. I have a VE clubsport Series 1 and just replaced my t56 gearbox with a TR6060. From 2009 onwards they are TR6060. Much better boxes.
What was involved in the swap, easy or difficult? I wouldn't mind finding a better gearbox for my wagon, something a little less agricultural or at least something that shifts cleaner.
@@paulh8515 Good luck, they are rare as hens teeth. They bolt straight in up to 2012 I think.
Was rb no turbs but went so well. Part from rust. Loved it.
Lol...that clutch is fried after that O-1OOKMH test. Lmao 🤣😂 I would love one of these VE SS wagons. They look really good. Just some coilovers like you said and Bobs your Auntie. Great vid Johnny 👍👍
And the wrong gear limiter bash at 5:19 followed by a huge clutch slip. Ouch!
sheeeee be right mate
Had a vl wagon. No turbo but worked motor n suspension. Was nice'
The Gen 4s sound so good
Brought a 2012 ve recently and the thing has developed engine problems literally had it 3days already been back to dealership once and the cars still not fixed 😒
V6 or V8? How many kays? Any service history?
damn that sucks
They are only T1 break discs though. Slotted discs ( T2 ) would help more.
series 2 always would be nice
Dude your channel rules.
Thanks mate I love making it
Yeah mate I agree 💯 % Johnny is a legend. Love all the reviews. You have a great variety of cars.👍👍
Great video Ross! Can you review a 2012 ssv ve v8 sedan next thanks?
I’ll do my best mate
@@RossReviewsau thank you and keep on doing these insane reviews your killing it 🔥
Sweet wagon man
Love a good wagon
Great review bloke ! Love the 6.0 in my ve Calais. Would be great as a manual. Has a full system so sounds the goods like this one ☝️
gotta love the sound eh! biggest thing that makes me sad on my barra haha.. V8 noise is epic
Is it still fun on Auto though?
That’s gold , I’m looking trading my 2013 black Z series SV6 wagon on this SSV redline wagon from Next ride in Como on the weekend 🤘🏻🤘🏻36k isn’t all that bad for that wagon
Mate tell them I sent you 🤌 it’s a wicked thing
You'll never lose money on that !
My best time in mine is 5.7 with traction control on.
yeh maybe i should have left that on haha
Fpv had the F6x. An all wheel drive barra turbo territory.
yeh ive been in it.. but the sports wagon idk just like that a little more + manual
@@RossReviewsau can’t beat a manual. 😃
Awesome video.
Thanks for the visit
B. Barrett is definitely there because of experience, which is all the coms and organisation of the line that we don't really get to hear or see. I hope he has a blinder🤞
I think he'll still do cross field kicks, chips to joedan etc but don't expect that if they win and make the quarters. I feel its a bit of a distraction from their actual "crucial games" plan. maybe see what they been planning behind doors of we aren't in front by much with 20 to go. Kia kaha mighty ABs 🤙
My vf ss sportswagon otr cam headers tune etc etc and goes good 👍 but fuel cosumption OMG 😳 but love it
We don’t buy em to save fuel 🤣
@@RossReviewsau that’s right and don’t buy build em
Be hard getting one at 25k at the moment
WA got a few but cleaner ones are close to 30-35
Another amazing video thank you
Thank you mate
I prefer the VF myself, but they are a great wagon with room to load the load area bigger than a normal roof wagon .
If they made a Ford fg wagon, that needed to have irs, ford gave up and stuck with the leafs on the bf.
Ikr 😞 I wish we had an fg xr wagon
my left ear enjoyed this
If you dyno tune em and lean them out they are way more economical and you get 400hp
Another great Aussie review m8.. lucky we buy these things for fun not practically.. well this is kinda..
Feed it (fuel) and send it..
That’s it eh! 🤣 I wouldn’t mind one of these eh
AUD$36K is exceptionally reasonable for a forever car, wish it was in NSW :(
heap in w.a going for 27k-35k
Yup they are very reasonable
Yea gotta love them mate
So good
@RossReviewsau I've got a ev 2009 series 1.got it with only 97000kms in totally stock form..deleted the AFM big cam that could do with a stall converter but isn't that bad with out one..OTR n full manta headers and exhaust 3" hi flow...442rwhp work got done at OZTRACK performance n it's sounds fukn amazing and gose hard...U GOTTA LOVE THEM MATE...love yr reviews mate.
Yer love a fast wagon. Look so much better than suv.
12.2/100? That would be amazing from my 6l.
HAHA just the claimed figure
Ford didn't make an FG wagon.... The Territory was their wagon and you could get a turbo
Ford's equivalent is the Territory Turbo,
Very underrated cars
True but they ain’t manual, I’ve reviewed an F6X but this has a little more sportiness
@@RossReviewsau Fair enough,
I seen your review of the F6X and you seemed a little underwhelmed, is that fair comment? I'd happily settle for either
Yeah, mechanics LOVE them ! LoL
Come drive my VF SS black edition 6 speed... LS3... Completely stock
Send me a message 🤙
@@RossReviewsau ok sweet will do!!
Edit: sent you a DM via IG
0 to 100 in 6.4 seconds not bad
I thought it would be a bit quicker consisting I can get 7 secs in my modded VE V6 wagon
@@jamesalbrecht418 he did spin the tires tho
@@jamesalbrecht418 What mods do you have? 3.0 or 3.6?
@@MartinJones123 3.0 not much just intake and exhaust and a throttle controller I think the 3.0 are pretty underated Considine they will rev to 8000rpm all day long and the platform was originally developed for boost IV got a mate with one with a side mount supercharger and it dyno at 230rwkw on low boost not even intercooled like I know the 3.6 LFX is a more powerful how ever the 3.0 is great in fuel on highway cruising IV had mine down 7.3L per 100km so I just think it's pretty cool I can get that kind of fuel economy and still do 0-100 in under 7 secs
@@jamesalbrecht418 Nice, I also have a stock 3 litre Omega... How much power is yours making?
Try 17L 100ks
More than likely 🤣
that's about what I get in my 2 ton v6 nissan van
Just picked up my manual wagon after a complete engine rebuild, in preparation for supercharging... new cam kicks arse:
ruclips.net/video/1JIK5MmEklY/видео.html
Hell yes mate!
The thing that plagued the Barra wagon was Ford's refusal to get rid of that antiquated live rear axle and replace it with an independent setup. Besides, Holden hoarded more of the taxpayers' money than Ford.
Огромный мощный красивый !
лучшая отдача
Fuel at over 2.50 a litre....you can keep it.
I’d happily keep it 🤣
Mate if you have to worry about the cost of fuel you can't afford it!! I own one Voodoo Blue and she's a beast!! Off you go back to your 4 banger that can't pull the skin off a rice custard!!
I have a Calias V Wagon l98 with a Harrop blower and i only fill with 98 octane average price about $2.00 per litre , also i havent reset my trip meter for several thousand kms and i have averaged 13.2 litres per 100 over a few years. ps its ran 11.2 @ the Perth Motorplex ,you would be doing well to find a car that quick and that fuel efficient if you cant tell i love it.
still isn't no au v8 fairmont wagon
;p to true
They will dip into the 5.01 4.9's
On 275's in the rear. 😉
I don’t doubt it eh
I'd rather have that than an SUV any day.
Absolutely 💯
Better sway bars not coil overs
I like em low too 🤣 but yeh that would help
So basically..... Get the R8 and it be perfect lol. Problem with the R8 it looks a bit over the top. Great thing about this SS it's a bit more classy. I want one but not sure if to save that extra 20 - 30k more and just get a higher k R8 touring. Hmmmmm... decisions.
Well said! Tho SS wagons in manual are extremely rare.. (also in the R8 tourer tho😅)
25-35k????? I bought one for 12k that’s a normal price for one
12 is definitely a deal! N depends on kms
Holden definitely left ford in the dust when it came to wagons. Pity GM US killed Holden. Arseholes….
It was Tony Abbott. He told them to piss off.
Definitely Holden killed it with the wagons 👌
Was it Tony Abbott's fault that Holden sales declined year after year, that the ZB Commodore was a disaster, that GM had decided to stop RHD vehicle production world wide, that many of their models were cheap garbage, etc?
@OzDelphi Yeah that was all his fault aswell because he is a jesuit of AusGov Corp.
Cave man cars
You can keep your Tesla
👎👎👎Ross i think you lost me now, those duny doors bounce around in the rear end and are wrough in the front end, they are not safe.
Ha Ha I own it's great grand daddy 5ltr VN wagon T5
🤘🤘🤘🇦🇺
I'm confused. Is he American or Aussie XD
Canadian Kiwi living in aus past 10 years
@@RossReviewsau Love your work :)
I hate you guys. I'm just pea green with envy. All we get are the saloon s here in the states. I'm in love ❤️. I'd get a vanity plate.. "the Hammer"