WHAT WHEELS SAID AT THE TIME:
"Straight off the showroom floor, the Commodore Executive is a better all-round drive than the Falcon Forte. The Fairmont Ghia and the Calais are virtually line ball, however. All things being equal, we tend to favour the driver's car in any such comparison. But it's impossible to ignore the substantial price advantage both Fords enjoy. On balance, it's enough to get Falcon across the line ahead of the Commodore by the merest of margins. This time." (Nov 1998)
1998 HOLDEN VT COMMODORE vs 1998 FORD AU FALCON
» 1998 VT COMMODORE EXECUTIVE
Why we still like it
A nice friendly car to drive even by today's standards, welcoming interior and intimate driver environment, bigger boot than Falcon, sweet Getrag five speed manual, child-friendly back seat at base level with storage and centre platform for food and games on the run, quieter cabin front and rear, centre port boot access, still looks sporty and smart on the road, comfortable seats, superior brakes when rotors are not distorted, better handling and ride balance over most surfaces, reasonable economy, good resale.
What we still don't like
Crude automatic when it's under duress, wheels splay out under load or towing for accelerated tyre wear, unexpected rear end steer under high cornering loads, lack of rear suspension adjustment, cheap looking dash plastics, sweaty bonded seat fabric, annoying body creaks including door near driver's ear, undertyred, not as durable as a Falcon for hard work, boot hinges slice into luggage and reduce capacity, front brakes require ongoing attention, drivetrain and power steering oil leaks, some heating and ventilation woes, average headlight performance, smiley front styling and full width tail light panel have dated, lack of body protection.
The Veto vote
Don't buy one for heavy towing or heavy loads unless you are prepared to beef-up the suspension and raise the ground clearance which ruins the looks and handling when unladen. Low nose, low centre section and rear overhang can rule it out for steep driveways, rough roads and deep crossovers.
» 1998 AU FALCON FORTE
Why we still like it
Long lasting and unbreakable feel over all Aussie roads, spacious interior feel, raised ground clearance will traverse most roads and driveways without scraping, lower drag delivers equivalent economy with extra pulling power and acceleration, predictable and smooth auto, fold down back seat, clever boot hinges don't eat into luggage space when boot is shut, good bodyside protection, cheaper low speed repairs, outstanding headlights, superior load-carrying and towing ability, constant track rear suspension, progressive handling, easily-repaired seat trim, usefully wider in hip room, styling has not dated as quickly as other 1998 models.
What we still don't like
Unattractive basic dash, manual transmission emphasizes engine and driveline coarseness, mechanical noise front and rear, basic front seats, awkward roofline will crack your head if you forget to duck, tall drivers stare into sun visors, not a driver's car with floaty base suspension, initial understeer and skittish rear, front brakes struggle with extra weight and grunt, undertyred, doesn't look right when sitting at factory ride height, creaking front door hinges, deletion of armrests in rear doors, lack of rear grabhandles, lack of rear storage and no centre armrest/cupholders cause kids to hate base Falcons with a passion that continues into today's BA.
The Veto Vote
Some buyers can't stand the looks, end of story. Lack of rear passenger location can be a non-negotiable issue for children and elderly when there is nothing for them to hang onto. Tall drivers need to check that they have adequate vision. Tapered boot won't hold some baby strollers and certain work equipment.
Used Verdict
After Wheels declared these cars to be so close in 1998, the VT stole a huge march as a winner in the image stakes. At base level, that feel good factor ensures that the VT Commodore Executive will still please more people more of the time and therefore must get the nod as a used car. Be aware that some early examples are starting to feel tired, robbing the car of its quality feel. Aftermarket side strips, mudflaps, decent seat covers and quality tyres can address the obvious shortfalls for not much money.
Because Ford's recent revival has closed the image gap, buyers who need the extra ruggedness and practicality of an AU can buy one knowing the old stigma is now in the past as it commands new respect as a used car. It still offers outstanding value for money even if Ford seems intent on alienating those future buyers who have to sit in the back seat. A Futura with its extra rear seat location addresses this issue for not much more.
Low parts and repair costs can soon take the sting out of rising fuel prices with either choice.
At VT Calais and AU Fairmont Ghia level, the AU Fairmont Ghia's premium dash, different exterior styling, smoother auto and superior double wishbone rear suspension steals a march on the VT Calais as a better all-rounder. The Ghia's better rear end offers the refinement and comfort of a VT Calais yet its geometry is unaffected by high cornering loads, heavy luggage and towing. Unlike the base Forte, the Ghia also treats rear passengers to similar comfort and location as the front.
2000 FORD AU SERIES II FALCON vs 2000 HOLDEN VX COMMODORE vs 2001 VXII COMMODORE EXECUTIVE
What Wheels said about the AU Series II at the time
" Having seen, driven and generally been impressed by what AUII is and does, we're moved to say that if these changes don't turn Falcon's fortunes around, it won't be Ford's fault. Even if the AU was." (May 2000)
What Wheels said about the VX at the time
" Holden's bought breathing space until the all-new VY in 2002. But it better be working on driveline and suspension to keep Commodore Australia's favourite car."(Oct 2000)
What Wheels said about the VX Series II at the time
" Previously, the body would roll and the car would drift off the line you'd set. It was irritating and a point of inferiority against Falcon, Camry, Avalon and Magna. Kiss that goodbye. You'll feel more confident in this car, more sure that where you've placed it is where it's going to end up." (Oct 2001)
» 2000 FORD AU SERIES II FALCON FORTE
Why we still like it
Laminated firewall delivered a huge improvement in refinement, much classier interior, big appearance boost with bigger 16-inch wheels, deeper body skirts and Fairmont front, more sophisticated handling and ride, better brakes, extra safety, much better fit and finish, smooth auto and powerful six, extra equipment.
What we still don't like
Lack of rear passenger location, basic front seats, tapered boot, rear cabin noise, coarse manual six-cylinder driveline.
» 2000 VX COMMODORE EXECUTIVE
Why we still like it
Improved refinement, extra crash safety and equipment, more mature styling, improved straightline stability, tighter body, small power increases, extra sound deadening for rear passengers.
What we still don't like
Most VT shortcomings were not addressed especially rear suspension and thumpy auto transmission.
» 2001 VXII COMMODORE EXECUTIVE
Why we still like it
Everything good about the VX plus the first rear suspension in the Commodore's local history to provide grip and stability to match the Commodore's big engines a year before everyone expected, big boost in controls and cabin quality.
What we still don't like
Not much, extra refinement and grip highlighted crude automatic transmission even more.
Verdict:
Wheels placed the AU Series II Falcon well ahead of the VT Series II Commodore only to watch that gap almost close at the VX facelift later the same year. The used market seems to have reinforced that position as buyers appreciate the wider all-round capabilities of the AU Series II over the VT but are prepared to pay a premium for the freshened-up VX of the same year.
At base level, the AU Series II Falcon Forte can be regarded as an equal to the VX Commodore when the AU's flaws in refinement, brakes and suspension were addressed.
At luxury level, exclusive VX Berlina and Calais styling closed the gap at a time that Ford's Fairmont models lost their exclusive appearance to save the base Forte. The AU Series II engineering advances just allow the Fairmont Ghia to hold its lead over the VX Calais.
Because the VX Series II upgrade addressed previous Commodore shortfalls at such a fundamental engineering level, it remains a better proposition at both Executive and Calais levels than the AU Series II and final Series III facelift. Unless heavy towing or regular rural use are a factor, the VX Series II stands alone after realizing the full potential of the original VT design. You can bet Ford would not have gone the extra mile with the BA Falcon if the VX Series II was not as good as it turned out to be.
Note: The battle of the performance versions introduced wildcards not applicable to the family cars because of the Tickford influence over Ford's XR models. The multi-layered contests between S, SS, XR6 and XR8 will be covered in a future feature.
THE STANDOUT MODELS
Between 1997 and 2002, I covered thousands of kms in just about every AU and VT variation. My most memorable drives from this period...
VT Commodore 3.8 five-speed manual Wagon
After the VT's extra weight seemed to make the old US auto even more agitated, I requested a drive of a Getrag five-speed manual, never expecting to see one outside the catalogue. After I was presented with a wagon, I expected little from one of Australia'sbiggest cars with only a V6.
I couldn't have been more wrong. As I belted this block of flats up a slippery mountain road, its grip and handling were impressive for a load lugger as the long wheelbase and extra weight seemed to settle the sedan's twitchy rear.
Even if the gearshift was not as precise as expected, I never missed a gear, which is more than anyone can say about the later V8's six-speed. Because its power was not sucked into the auto's abyss, even the engine seemed willing and sporty. It was light years ahead of its EL Falcon wagon rival.
If you were a keen driver and family finances dictated one vehicle, a manual Commodore V6 wagon would make life bearable, a fact I quickly pointed out to several clients who went out and bought them. They were equally impressed.
VT Commodore 3.8 auto Sedan Dual Fuel
It was one of those calls where you say what the heck, let's do it. The idea was to see if I could drive from Sydney to Adelaide in a showroom stock Commodore without stopping for fuel.
Cruising on the speed limit, I covered the 1400 km on a combination of ULP and LPG, with enough fuel left over for another 150km; surely a record range for a production car. I am not a morning person so the drive out of Sydney was a yawn but once in Adelaide later that day, I could have turned around and gone back, a testament to the VT Commodore's frugal and relaxed long distance ability when the auto only has to find one gear and the rear end is pointing straight ahead.
AU Series II Falcon 4.0 auto Wagon
An overseas cousin, her husband and two boys were on a flying two day visit to Melbourne. My job was to pick them up from the airport in the morning, take them and their luggage on a 500 km round trip of the mountains and wine growing areas and get them back to Melbourne later that day for a family dinner. Just your average Aussie trip really.
With four out of five occupants in the six foot range plus enough luggage for a month away, there was only one choice. It was the same AUII Falcon wagon that a colleague had just taken to Central Australia and pronounced better for the job than a 4WD. As we nipped and tucked through dirt forest roads to cover as much as we could, the big Falcon never once bottomed out. It was also serene and comfortable enough for my passengers to snatch a few zzzzs before dinner who were still raving about the amazing Aussie wagon when they left the next day.
AU Series II Fairmont Ghia 4.0 auto Sedan
It was a wet, miserable Saturday so a group of us decided to head out of the city to find a country pub and watch the footy around a log fire. As the Ghia glided over the rutted and slippery dirt roads with passengers semi-reclined in leather lounges and its premium sound delivering crystal clear footy coverage, I was talked into driving on until we reached the snow resorts. After a long lazy dinner, we arrived back at around midnight. The AUII Fairmont Ghia was that sort of car.
VX Series II Calais 5.7 auto Sedan
A premium model must make you feel special and the VXII Calais with Gen III V8 could do that better than any Commodore since the VH shadowtone Commodore SL/E 5.0 or the VL Calais Turbo. Its premium grille lost the smiley look which is why it still looks so good and the rear lights were classy.
Holden was also the first to launch dual zone climate control in its standard wheelbase, allowing cool passengers and hot drivers to share the same cabin. Add the Calais's superior leather-covered seats that breathe, classy dash and powerful yet frugal Gen III V8, the VXII Calais was an outstanding combination of Statesman luxury and Commodore agility and performance.
Despite the auto's attempts to downshift mid-corner, the VXII's new control link rear end wouldn't let it move off the driver's chosen line. After a fast and fabulous drive through Victoria's central plains, I concluded it was Holden's best drive ever this side of the sporty models and a new pinnacle for the local industry. You would still be proud to own one in 10 year's time providing you find a V8 without piston slap.