Holden Calais v Ford Fairmont Ghia 2005 Comparison

BACKGROUND:
Over the past two decades, both Holden's and Ford's top shelf luxury models have evolved from US-style slushmobiles into a desirable combination of flamboyant luxury and performance in the areas of suspension, tyres, engines, transmissions and seating. The Calais and Fairmont Ghia are now line ball in their sports-luxury emphasis that started with Ford's XC Fairmont GXL and Holden's VB Commodore SL/E.

For buyers wanting straight luxury with a softer edge, save yourself the loot and stop at Holden's Berlina level or Ford's Fairmont.

From August, 2004 the battle between Calais and Fairmont Ghia went up another notch after Holden introduced its new Alloytec engines to what is likely to be the last variation of the 1997 VT Commodore. This is a repeat Holden ploy.

Holden traditionally never offers a new engine with a new body preferring to deal with one major round of changes at a time. After Holden refines the body and suspension, a new engine is added to the very last of the series. All the great Commodores follow this pattern. The VZ Calais is therefore in the same class as the collectable VL Calais with its premium Nissan engine and the VS Calais with its new generation Ecotec engine.

The VZ Calais benefited the most from the VZ facelift when it gained the premium 190kW Alloytec engine, GM's French-built five-speed auto with push-button sequential shift, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution and advanced traction control, all as standard.

The Calais (and its Acclaim stablemate) was also the first Australian-made sedan to get the latest Bosch ESP 8.0 electronic stability system as standard. Although Ford was first with the Territory, the system is not offered on the Fairmont Ghia, handing the Calais a clear advantage in primary safety. Not all of these features are offered with the Calais V8 which retains the earlier electronics systems.

Holden has become a master at adding extra attitude and style to the Calais without compromising its base level. The VZ Calais is one local luxury car where you won't need to tell your neighbours you have gone all the way. Aggressive five spoke alloys plus a deep front spoiler with additional lights and deeper air intake provide a link with the SS as do the special projector lens headlights and matching tail lights.

The VZ's raised centre bonnet section and more vertical front work better on the Calais with its extra chrome and other detailing. The firm suspension settings halfway between sports and normal, lower clearance, 17-inch wheels and wide low profile tyres make the Calais more of a tarmac blaster than a red dust Holden. Testers at the time felt that it was the best all rounder of the VZ Commodores.

Both the Fairmont Ghia and Calais offer significantly upgraded cabins with fancy steering wheels, intricate centre control centres with larger screens and more push button operations and premium sound. Both have dual zone climate control systems where passenger and driver can dial in their own temperatures, once the preserve of only the most exclusive luxury cars. Features like electrically adjustable seats, parking sensors and leather abound in both cars while the Ghia introduced electrically adjustable pedals.

Where the VZ Calais is the executive show-off, the Fairmont Ghia is understated to the point where you could miss it. Once the leader in separating its top models from base levels, Ford lost its nerve after it was forced to hastily add a Ghia-style front to its base AU Falcon.

This continued into the BA leaving the Ghia looking like a base Falcon to the untrained eye with alloy wheels, extra chrome trim and a mesh grille framed in chrome. To match the Calais, the Ghia needed the XR's headlights and more aggressive lower front fascia with proper driving lights. Fairmont wheels tend to be tame to the point of bland and the BA Ghia wheels are no exception.

Ford had the chance to even the score in October 2004 with its BA Mark II update but the Ghia was the least changed. Not surprisingly, the Ghia is in danger of dropping off the radar screen after it received only mild alloy wheel changes, extra wood and leather around the steering wheel and transmission selector. Even though the Ghia is a more recent design, there is no clear leader here.

THE CASE FOR THE VZ CALAIS
You would choose the VZ Calais for its lighter and sportier feel. The new engine is a disappointment when it needs revs to deliver its best and Holden hooked it up to the old exhaust system so it sounds the same as the old one. Yet the five-speed auto makes it all worth while and enhances the fun to drive factor as well as cut petrol costs.

Despite the old technology suspension, it handles and rides well but camber changes can provoke extra tyre wear when loaded. Its looks and extra sports detailing add a significant feel good factor. Because the VZ wagon and commercials will continue alongside the new VE after mid-2006, the VZ is not going to date as quickly as expected.

THE CASE FOR THE BA MkII FAIRMONT GHIA
You would choose the Ghia for its split-folding rear seat which is unique in this class of vehicle, its advanced multi-link independent rear suspension which tows better than any Commodore without the tyre wear problems, and its extra safety especially in rear collisions. This shows up as extra weight and fuel consumption. Ford's big inline six may be down slightly on horsepower but its superior torque at low engine speeds means the four-speed auto and its sequential shift is adequate and it can be more relaxing. It is also cheaper to fix.

Cabin quality is generally higher except for the doors after Ford had to abandon its soft feel textures on the door pulls when they didn't meet durability standards. Neat touches like the concealed boot hinges, longer wheelbase and fuel tank ahead of the boot point to a more recent design. Upgraded Ghia suspension is also a benchmark like the Calais. Less extroverted looks may be an advantage for some.

PRICES
These models are seriously expensive at over $50,000 new but they drop at least $10,000 in the first six months when so many sell under heavy discounts to government funded fleets and as company executive cars. There is no shortage of examples just over six months old as some organisations maintain a constant turn-over. They represent outstanding value for money as soon as they hit the used market.

CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY
The new BA Falcon twin cam engine did suffer some serious problems in its early days and required major repairs in a number of examples. This should be behind most examples today but it is worth checking the extent of any warranty repairs as some may have a new engine.

Ford's four-speed auto transmission can have some odd flaring which a flash computer update should have rectified by now.

Both Calais and Ghia have computers that might need to be updated at each service. Make sure that any used example has been in a factory service bay recently and has all the latest parts and programming updates.

It is very early days for Holden's Alloytec engine but so far the reports are good. Unlike the new Ford engine, Holden's new engine has already been used in other applications and any sorting was completed prior to its Holden application.

Both cars need careful checking for underbody damage from careless drivers.

The service and usage history must be carefully checked out to make sure that the new car warranty has not been rendered void. The other big concern is a car with a doctored odometer reading to cover big distances in a short time. Checking the car on the factory computers should reveal any discrepancies.

If it is a "program" car, who had it earlier? Was it a genuine company car for an executive or was it a renter?

Who is selling the car and why? Check all interior fittings for accelerated wear as they are not cheap to fix or repair. Check exterior for fine scratches and dull plastics after too many automated car washes.