What would you pick?

[Gillie]

I am changing companies and have the oppotunity of a work car. The choices are between the following vehicles. holden Commdore, Ford Falcon, Toyota Aurion and Mitsubishi 380. All Are base models. I have test driven all of them and can't decide. What do you lot reckon? I know none of them are a landrover, which is unfortunate but would appreciate some input.

[WildOne]

I am changing companies and have the oppotunity of a work car. The choices are between the following vehicles. holden Commdore, Ford Falcon, Toyota Aurion and Mitsubishi 380. All Are base models. I have test driven all of them and can't decide. What do you lot reckon? I know none of them are a landrover, which is unfortunate but would appreciate some input.

I've always been a Ford fan but do like the new Conformadore.

[Bigbjorn]

My experiences with my late model Falcon ute have soured me against anything with a Ford label for ever. I go to auctions regularly and Mitsubishi Magnas and their descendants are noteworthy for the lack of interest and v. low prices paid. This tells me something. Late model Commodores ,< 8 years old consistently fetch around $1000-$2000 more than equivalent Falcons. This also tells me something. I would not buy a Toyota of any description by personal bias. I hired a Commodore wagon two years ago when the Falcon ute was laid up yet again with electrical problems and was very happy with it. Over 30mpg Brisbane-Sydney-Brisbane.

[B92 8NW]

I am changing companies and have the oppotunity of a work car. The choices are between the following vehicles. holden Commdore, Ford Falcon, Toyota Aurion and Mitsubishi 380. All Are base models. I have test driven all of them and can't decide. What do you lot reckon? I know none of them are a landrover, which is unfortunate but would appreciate some input.

AURRRRRRRION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A friends dad just got an aurion company car and its a very nice car (for a toyota). Its the sportivo ZR6, the 200 kW V6 leaves our VY Ecotec commo for dead and it has the very nifty smooth 6 speed auto with the "manual thingy" (on all models unlike holden), I think its made by Aisin.

[beforethevision]

Yeah, as a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE-A) i get bombarded with stuff on new design methods in production cars. The aurion is the one that continually get a floggin as top notch. Seems to be worth the $$.

[Gillie]

AURRRRRRRION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A friends dad just got an aurion company car and its a very nice car (for a toyota). Its the sportivo ZR6, the 200 kW V6 leaves our VY Ecotec commo for dead and it has the very nifty smooth 6 speed auto with the "manual thingy" (on all models unlike holden), I think its made by Aisin.

Agree but base model is all they are offering. No spoilers, basic interior, basic seats, steel rims. All a bit of a dissapoinment really.

[DirtyDawg]

I'm getting a company car too Gillie, it has been ordered and it is a Rodeo 4wd dual cab...will be fun to have time to mess with the fender:twisted:

[loanrangie]

I vote Aurion , never been a fan of the looserdore and the falc is just too big for my needs, but then again its a company car i would have whatever they want to give me .

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I think faced with that choice I'd be pleading for a car allowance so you could get something decent. :o

[RonMcGr]

I am changing companies and have the oppotunity of a work car. The choices are between the following vehicles. holden Commdore, Ford Falcon, Toyota Aurion and Mitsubishi 380. All Are base models. I have test driven all of them and can't decide. What do you lot reckon? I know none of them are a landrover, which is unfortunate but would appreciate some input.

I'd go for the Falcon or Commodore.
The Toyota is goos if you like FWD.
The Magna 380 I would not touch with a barge poll. Read some of the road reports and you'll find out why. :D
I believe MMAL will dump it at the end of the year.
It is Australia's modern version of the P76:)

[Outback 1]

the only one i can give opinion on is late model falcon.
having owned a ba as do several other members of my family,the economy is excellent they are brilliant and comfortable to drive on a long trip{having done several trips to vic }and i generally got 8 or 9 litres per 100 km
fuel consumption . 30 -31 mpg:D
as i haven't owned a late model holden /toyota/mitsubishi,
i will leave comment on those up to others:D

[460cixy]

falcon for sure the current bf2 is a tops car get in now before they kill it with a poxy v6 in the next model. working at ford i see all the dramas with falcons and rarly see anything major except diff bushes. there comfy and have lots of balls besides holden means a great deal to korea falcon would be the most australian car on the road!

[CraigE]

A lot of Aurions have been recalled as well. Toyota had to stop sale of these and the Rav 4 for some time as well.
Happens to Holden and Ford as well.
If you are not brand biased the Aurion is a nice car, though a tad expensive, we thought seriously about getting one. I do not think resale will be great though. Commodores / Statesmans seem to have the best resale value.
Ford Falcons dont have a resale value and depreciate real quick.
Still undecided on the new Commodore / Staesman range. Something does not look quite right. Did see a nice purple 6 litre SS the other day though that I quite liked.
I still think the VT was the best Commodore Holden have produced.

[Gromit68]

I wouldn't discount the 380...
My father-in-law gets a new 380 every year - he racks up over 80,000kms each year.
The 380 is fautless. It's quite a nice drivers car and is quite rapid.
It's more fuel efficient than the Falco-dore, you don't bang your head on the roofline as you get in (unlike the Ford), it's quiet, even under hard acceleration (unlike the Holden) and it has a proper handbrake (unlike the foot operated park brake in the Toyota).

Build quality is also tighter than the other 3 cars. The plastic parts meet up nicely. Even in the Toyota you'll find evidence of poor interior quality.

Warranty is longer, and if it's a company car, why worry about potential resale?

Finally, the backseat in the 380 is the most comfortable than the Falco-dore competition. It's firmer, you can see out the windscreen and it's far easier to get out than the other vehicles.

I know which one I'd get. (actually, if I was after something really nice, I'd chase down a Mazda6, but they're rarely offered as company cars)

-Alastair

[EchiDna]

free car? who cares what it is... just make sure it uses the same fuel as the landy...

in your case - do you need a big vehicle, or is it a $$ decision by the company? if it is $ value, ask for a smaller diesel like a golf... similar price, much nicer vehicle for long distance driving unless you are a very large fella

[RonMcGr]

I wouldn't discount the 380...
My father-in-law gets a new 380 every year - he racks up over 80,000kms each year.
The 380 is fautless. It's quite a nice drivers car and is quite rapid.
It's more fuel efficient than the Falco-dore, you don't bang your head on the roofline as you get in (unlike the Ford), it's quiet, even under hard acceleration (unlike the Holden) and it has a proper handbrake (unlike the foot operated park brake in the Toyota).

Build quality is also tighter than the other 3 cars. The plastic parts meet up nicely. Even in the Toyota you'll find evidence of poor interior quality.

Warranty is longer, and if it's a company car, why worry about potential resale?

Finally, the backseat in the 380 is the most comfortable than the Falco-dore competition. It's firmer, you can see out the windscreen and it's far easier to get out than the other vehicles.

I know which one I'd get. (actually, if I was after something really nice, I'd chase down a Mazda6, but they're rarely offered as company cars)

-Alastair

He must be one of the few who have had a good run and actually like that car :D

MMAL have finally realized the Magna/380 is dragging down their reputation and will ceases making them.

I think they are gowing to stick with the little ones. I'm actaually surprised MMAL is still in business. Mitsubishi Japan have been very patient with them.

[Relay]

Aurions are dreamy...I love driving them. Maybe it's just me. But if I had the money I'd go out and buy one -right- now.

Sadly I dont have it!

[dmdigital]

I've just spent 3 weeks driving rental 380's. I've also had a 4 or 5 other rentals of these cars over the last year. Some (like the one I just had for 10 days) were brand new others had upwards of 25,000 to 35,000 km on the clock.

They are a comfortable enough car for a long trip and that's about the only good thing I can say. My Td5 Disco has more initial pickup and is more economical, they all seem to have "something funny" with the front end. Don't know what and I can't put my finger on exactly what it is either.

Auto transmission is very sudden in changes and cruise control tends to surge suggesting a cheap unit is installed.

Boot space on 380 isn't as good as Falcon or Commodore either.

Haven't had a drive of a Toyota so I can't say anything about them.

[incisor]

I have driven a few hire Mitsubishi 380's and i have been very impressed i have to say.

quiet, very potent, and cruise very nicely on a long distance run, which is why i needed them... did i mention quiet....

fuel consumption was higher than i expected but, nice cars to drive the ones i have had... i would certainly entertain one..

i wouldnt entertain an aurion, i don't like the way they ride one little bit, sorry...

[RonMcGr]

I have driven a few hire Mitsubishi 380's and i have been very impressed i have to say.

quiet, very potent, and cruise very nicely on a long distance run, which is why i needed them... did i mention quiet....

fuel consumption was higher than i expected but, nice cars to drive the ones i have had... i would certainly entertain one..

i wouldnt entertain an aurion, i don't like the way they ride one little bit, sorry...

Dave,

Anything would be quiet after a Land Rover :D

[incisor]

Dave,

Anything would be quiet after a Land Rover :D
esp my defender :P

[Bushie]

Not qualified to comment,

haven't owned or driven anything but a 4WD (more than a few k) over the last 25 years.


Martyn

[incisor]

an aurion - look at this (http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php'showtopic=12464) and this (http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php'showtopic=12464)

and this (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22458509-13232,00.html)

[stevo68]

I voted Ford, but either Ford or Holden. Just personal choice but would only ever own Oz or European, just not a fan of anything Japanese. As for Aurions, just a snazzy camry and I freakin hate camrys. For some reason it is always a camry driver that really gets up my nose on the road, don't know what it is.

Regards

Stevo

[Quiggers]

an aurion - look at this (http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php'showtopic=12464) and this (http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php'showtopic=12464)

and this (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22458509-13232,00.html)

...love how toyota deflected the story in 'The Australian' dismissing 'an isolated case' into a publicity push for the new 200 series...

Dear Mike Breen, reckon he's been there since Adam was a boy... nice guy, must have the irrits with all these dramas....

Hey Gillie, why are you stuck with this choice (of 4)?

GQ

[Cap]

I would go for the 360, its a very underrated vehicle. Next would be the Toyota.

[RonMcGr]

I would go for the 360, its a very underrated vehicle. Next would be the Toyota.

You mean this one :D

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_109108/article.html

Last few lines.. "What we have instead is a car that simply can’t do what it attempts to, a car that fundamentally doesn’t make a lot of sense. And clearly the market agrees with us...."

[Ace]

Go the Falcon, but i am biased. In all seriousness either of those 4 would be ok, go out to the dealerships and pretend you are buying one and test drive them all, then make a call.

[Ken]

At the end of the day it doesnt really matter, as you havnt had to buy it, all servicing costs you nothing and ITS FREE :)
So whichever car you choose I would just go for a colour you like one with heaps of leg room, and boot space the most options available for the base model you choose and enjoy

My 2 cents

Cheers Ken

[bazza]

I currently have a BF Wagon on straight gas....

Fantastic, 900-1,000 klms per tank. This one has done 78,000 klms in 10 months and not had a problem.

My company cars for the last 9 years have been Ford. We had a few issues with the early ones but the BF gas is brilliant.:D

Bazza

[Gillie]

Thanks for all your replies. I have watched this thread with interest and agree that any car that you get for work is better than nothing. Special thumbs up for those that voted and those that supplied links. I think any car is going to have its good and bad points.
I did get to test drive them all and here are my thoughts.

Commodore
Quiet nice, seats aren't that great, the cruise control is annoying to set. Overall I thought this was going to be the winner.

Ford
Can't stand them and I don't know why. This was at the bottom of my list. And then I drove one. The one I tested was on gas and was fantastic to drive. This was the last car I tested and the ride seemed to be the best with a logical set out of controls and easy to use. The seats in this car were the best in all of them tested.

Aurion
I was really dissapointed in the base model Aurion. Nothing really to moan about except it was boring. The seats werent terrific, steel rims and rubbish looking hubcaps. On the plus side they have airbags all round including rear side airbags. They also have a full size spare which the Commodores and Now the falcons do not. The sportivos I thought were great. Looked good and the seats were really good. But not on the list.

380
I hired one of these for a week in Perth a few weeks ago and was really impressed. I thought the car was terrific, quick, comfortable but this was compared to the defender! Not really sure where I would put it in the line up. Everyone that I know who has one has told me to get something else.

So what is the verdict. Which car will be added to the pile of cars that seem to be multiplying out the front of my house? So far there is the wifes 99 TD5 Disco, the 98 TDI Defender 130, The old patrol ute which has become an airloom and I reckon the new car will depend on if they let me get an upmarket spec.
The problem with going to a car yard and saying I want to test drive this vehicle is ........
Sorry mate we don't have any of them. What do you want one of those for as we have a limited edition version with $8000 worth of extras for cheaper than the model you were after. So Blowed if I know now.

I reckon I will try for a Falcon ES Which is specked up from the futura. If they say no to that then I will go with the Commodore Lumina. Its only a work car but I expect it will get to places that my lasndrovers won't get to.:eek:

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Now what colour.....................