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Auto Talk => Head to Head => Topic started by: omicron on May 24, 2007, 01:52:11 AM

Poll
Question: ...for the Australian buyer
Option 1: Holden Calais-V votes: 11
Option 2: Ford Fairmont Ghia votes: 3
Option 3: Mitsubishi 380 GT votes: 1
Option 4: Nissan Maxima Ti votes: 2
Option 5: Toyota Aurion Presara votes: 1
Title: Luxury cars
Post by: omicron on May 24, 2007, 01:52:11 AM
(http://www.southgate.com.au/ve/VE_Calais_V_033.jpg)
(http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/BlobServer?blobtable=DFYImage&blobwhere=1137385394666&blobnocache=true&blobcol=urlpicture&blobkey=id)
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2408/380dl7.jpg)
(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8789/maxiym0.jpg)
(http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/ToyotaAurionV6.jpg)
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: nickdrinkwater on May 24, 2007, 07:05:15 AM
Don't know much about these, but I voted for Maxima because it looks the best   :praise:  None of them seem that luxurious though.....you don't have Mercs, Bimmers or Audis down there?  :devil:
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on May 24, 2007, 07:35:48 AM
I'll take the Ford, because I want it.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: Tave on May 24, 2007, 08:41:52 AM
Don't know anything about any of them. Picked the Mitsu.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: Michael Estorol on May 24, 2007, 11:45:34 AM
does anybody else think that they all look the same?

I must be getting old.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: ifcar on May 24, 2007, 11:52:58 AM
Quote from: Tave on May 24, 2007, 08:41:52 AM
Don't know anything about any of them. Picked the Mitsu.

Three of them are sold in the US.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: chevyguy06 on May 24, 2007, 12:16:07 PM
1.Holden
2.Ford
3.Nissan
4.Toyota
5.Mitsu
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: nickdrinkwater on May 24, 2007, 02:26:26 PM
Quote from: ifcar on May 24, 2007, 11:52:58 AM
Three of them are sold in the US.

I didn't think any of them were?

The closest is the Pontiac G8 (slightly reworked Holden).  The Aurion is very similar to the Camry, but with different sheetmetal, and possibly different engines?

The Mitsu 380 is based on the Galant sold in the US, but only based on - it's not the same car.

The Ford and Nissan are unavailable in America AFAIK.  There is a Maxima in America but it's not related.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: omicron on May 25, 2007, 05:15:58 AM
Quote from: nickdrinkwater on May 24, 2007, 07:05:15 AM
Don't know much about these, but I voted for Maxima because it looks the best :praise: None of them seem that luxurious though.....you don't have Mercs, Bimmers or Audis down there? :devil:

We only just got electricity! Give me some time.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: heelntoe on May 25, 2007, 05:32:55 AM
i, along with 8 others, voted for the holden. :praise:
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: Rich on May 25, 2007, 05:39:30 AM
Is there an Opel version of the VE sold yet?  If so I believe I've seen a couple of them around here.  The proportions on that platform are wonderful.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: TheIntrepid on May 25, 2007, 07:02:19 AM
Quote from: nickdrinkwater on May 24, 2007, 02:26:26 PM
I didn't think any of them were?

The closest is the Pontiac G8 (slightly reworked Holden).  The Aurion is very similar to the Camry, but with different sheetmetal, and possibly different engines?

The Mitsu 380 is based on the Galant sold in the US, but only based on - it's not the same car.

The Ford and Nissan are unavailable in America AFAIK.  There is a Maxima in America but it's not related.

I think he means that the 380GT is sold as the Galant GTS, the Aurion Presara is sold as teh Camry XLE, and the Maxima is sold as, well, a Maxima.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: nickdrinkwater on May 25, 2007, 07:11:26 AM
Quote from: TheIntrepid on May 25, 2007, 07:02:19 AM
I think he means that the 380GT is sold as the Galant GTS, the Aurion Presara is sold as teh Camry XLE, and the Maxima is sold as, well, a Maxima.

The 380 isn't the same car as the Galant, though it does look similar.  I already pointed out the similarities between the Aurion and the Camry.

The Maxima is not sold in NA, though there is a larger, unrelated car also badged Maxima.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: omicron on May 25, 2007, 07:20:44 AM
An Aurion is a Camry with different nose and tail, and the Camry 3.5 V6 engine.

A 380 is based on the Galant, but isn't just a nose and tail job. There are, apparently, inherent chassis differences, and we get a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic with the 3.8.

The Oz Maxima is the JDM Teana.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 08:05:29 AM
Quote from: nickdrinkwater on May 25, 2007, 07:11:26 AM
The 380 isn't the same car as the Galant, though it does look similar.?

Same chassis, almost exactly the same body, same powertrain: they're the same car with different fascias.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: omicron on May 25, 2007, 08:07:34 AM
Quote from: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 08:05:29 AM
Same chassis, almost exactly the same body, same powertrain: they're the same car with different fascias.

Either way, it's an underwhelming fart that offers little or no relief to stomach pains.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 08:09:40 AM
That's the general consensus here as well. A good product, but not particularly compelling. The 258 hp (190ish kW) Ralliart trim is the only desirable version of it, but it's priced too high.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: ifcar on May 25, 2007, 08:31:07 AM
Quote from: omicron on May 25, 2007, 07:20:44 AM
An Aurion is a Camry with different nose and tail, and the Camry 3.5 V6 engine.

A 380 is based on the Galant, but isn't just a nose and tail job. There are, apparently, inherent chassis differences, and we get a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic with the 3.8.

The Oz Maxima is the JDM Teana.

As 93JC said, it's the same car with a few changes. And the Teana is apparently mechanically related to our Maxima, even if it's not identical.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: omicron on May 25, 2007, 08:33:53 AM
Quote from: ifcar on May 25, 2007, 08:31:07 AM
As 93JC said, it's the same car with a few changes. And the Teana is apparently mechanically related to our Maxima, even if it's not identical.

Yes, I believe the Teana is a bit of Altima and a bit of US Maxima.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 11:10:17 AM
And the NADM Maxima is almost all-Altima anyway. :tounge:

The Altima, Maxima and Teana are all very closely related.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: omicron on May 25, 2007, 11:26:48 AM
Quote from: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 11:10:17 AM
And the NADM Maxima is almost all-Altima anyway. :tounge:

The Altima, Maxima and Teana are all very closely related.

Except, ours looks better than your clog.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 11:29:55 AM
Quite.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: nickdrinkwater on May 25, 2007, 11:43:48 AM
Quote from: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 08:05:29 AM
Same chassis, almost exactly the same body, same powertrain: they're the same car with different fascias.

:nono:

Quote from: omicron on May 25, 2007, 07:20:44 AM
A 380 is based on the Galant, but isn't just a nose and tail job. There are, apparently, inherent chassis differences, and we get a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic with the 3.8.

:evildude:
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 11:46:02 AM
Notice he said 'apparently'.

The only significant difference is that we can't get one with a manual gearbox.
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: nickdrinkwater on May 25, 2007, 12:33:25 PM
Quote from: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 11:46:02 AM
Notice he said 'apparently'.

The only significant difference is that we can't get one with a manual gearbox.

Quote from: Wikipedia
Based on the North American Galant, the main visible differences from the Galant and the 380 are the bonnet, front guards, grilles and bumpers. There have also been changes to 70% of the American car to create a car more suited to the Australian market, such as the use of higher quality materials and new sophisticated suspension designs.

:huh:
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: heelntoe on May 25, 2007, 12:36:14 PM
marketing speak? :huh:
Title: Re: Luxury cars
Post by: 93JC on May 25, 2007, 12:56:52 PM
A creative way of saying "we swapped out a lot of the yank parts and replaced them with locally-sourced parts to skirt Australian tarriffs".