Territory Turbo or VE SS Sportswagon?

[MercuryT]

Would be interested opinions on this and which you would buy between the two.

Had my BA Turbo for six years, but sadly it will have to go as kids and dogs won't all fit going forward. Would really like to know which wagon others would buy (ignoring Ford bias)?

I've driven both and each have their plusses and negatives - I have no intention of going off-road. Will be second hand, and $25,000 max (to be honest its disappointing Ford didn't make a fast Falcon wagon option )

Anyway, I still want something that is (relatively) fast, fun to drive, not too old or some underpowered 'prestige' Euro thing that will most likely cost a fortune to run as it gets older.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated on which wagon you would buy and why! Whether based on personal experience or otherwise. I'm leaning to VE SS, but happy to hear if that is a poor decision.

[MAGPIE]

Do you want a proper boot or not ?

[deadfish2]

depends on things you want.... is extra height important? do you want a manual? what insurance worth between the 2? etc etc etc

[fordomatic]

VE SS wagon for sure if you want the performance feel of a sedan. Best advice is to go and drive both and decide for yourself.

[Chopped]

SS Wagons look great IMO. That's what I would be getting out of the two.

[MercuryT]

Thanks for quick replies guys, much appreciated.

Magpie - the boot in VE will be big enough I reckon - plus the territory is not huge either (compared to older Commos and Falcons I mean - or maybe it just seemed smaller?)

Deadfish2- extra height not an issue. Insurance neither as i'm rating 1 and they are pretty close. I am however keen to move back to manual after having the old 4 speeder....

Fordomatic - yeah, that is no doubt why I am thinking VE SS. But I honestly think the Ford Turbo is still better than any Holden 8, despite it being cumbersome in SUV form. I've driven both, but guess just wanted to hear other opinions which might help me as I may not have thought of everything!!

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Chopped

SS Wagons look great IMO. That's what I would be getting out of the two.

Yep, even if I didn't need a wagon reckon if I was to buy a SS I might go wagon anyway as they look better than sedan (IMO)

[bangm001]

My old man has a 06 terri turbo ghia in EGO colour. Awsome car, we have two labs and the dogs love it in the back! 7 seater has come in handy a few times (especially when my old man picks up me and the wife to go to a function/party). Not to mention the bunnings runs being able to store just about anything in the thing! We also have a holiday house and have to tow a boat to a "boat ramp" which is pretty much just like rocks and sand and its perfect. Also goes like the clappers! We have taken out the bung in the exhaust and it has a k&n. Only really big downfall is the fuel consumtion, but at 2100kg, and being able to do a mid 6 sec 0-100, cant complain really. Cant comment on the SS other that iv had the VS/VT/VY SS's and once i drove a BA/FG turbos havnt looked back.

[sbutler]

My daughter has a SSZ wagon, i think its 09 six speed manual 6ltr model. Ive driven it quite a few times & I like it. Its let down by a few things,[mainly quality stuff] Battery in the boot for one, very confusing command centre. But most cars are no car is perfect.
Before she had the SS, she had a Terry, "non turbo" & loved it. She wants another Territory.
If it were me I'd look for a FPV F6X Territory, that would be the ducks, nuts IMO

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/...D-2244492&Cr=0

[bangm001]

Sorry to cut back in, we also looked at the F6X at the time when my old man got the TT ghia, it was a winter white 7 seater (with black stripes). The dealer wanted quite a bit for it back then (we just sold the FG F6 to clear some funds and the f6x would have taken all of it again!). But, that thing was an absolute rocket, they go quite a bit harder than the normal TT probably as they have alot more torque like the fpv sedans. We decided on the TT ghia as it did everything he needed at that time (and for around 12K less as a used car). But old man still talks of selling a fpv for a non fpv and that is he could have he would have gone the f6x.

[MAFIA]

Say no more!!!! This territory was beating every commowhore that weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvrqRNeNWyw

[sneaky]

what is the age difference between the 2 cars at your price point? ie are you looking at 3 year old SS vs 7 year old Terri?

don't know if fuel use is an issue or not, i had a 07 SSV sedan with manual gears. it would return about 13L per 100ks around town, and got down to low 9s driving on highway/freeway with cruise on.

[xxx000]

SS Wagon, less problems and very popular

[BIONIC MAN]

I may be a little biased, but just the decent sized cabin in the terror, particularly the extra height makes it so easy to carry stuff or put the kids in without crawling in the back seat of some wagon or sedan, makes it a great choice. (being 6ft 5 makes most cars seem cramped)

yes its a bit thirsty, and has more complex driveline and perhaps requires more maintenance than a RWD car, but there is not another car I would swap the wifes TTG for that I can think of... maybe a brand new territory, but I would miss the power of the turbo, it makes it seem a much smaller lighter car than it really is.
make sure the territory your considering is a ghia, has much nicer standard equipment.

[Polyal]

I want to say the Tez but ball joints, "rust" issues and the poxy diff bushes really make it hard to recommend.

If your ok to suck up the diff bush thing then go the Tez, its more practical by a mile. But on average you would probably be better off with the SS.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Magpie - the boot in VE will be big enough I reckon - plus the territory is not huge either (compared to older Commos and Falcons I mean - or maybe it just seemed smaller?)

The load space in the Terri is shallower than a traditional Falcon wagon, but not by a lot. Terri load space is wider and taller. But it still hammers the Commodore hatch for space.

[Polyal]

Oh and regarding fuel consumption, you may aswell have a V8 note.

[AndyXR6T]

The only reason I would choose territory is for 7 seat option. Otherwise the SS would win in any other department.
I couldn't 'upgrade' car to something that has pretty much identical interior too. Going from the BA to territory has only minor differences in interior

[bigsta]

Dont get me wrong I love the SS i use to have one (a vy) and i think the sportswagon is a great car and concept but i would buy the AWD terry turbo ghia every day of the week over the commy.

Its a unique car the TT and there will not be another like it for a long time so grab one while they are still newish.

End of the day though each to their own the commy is more refined and interior is nicer and body prob looks nicer but i love the grip and the handling of the terry way more.

Drive them both (hard if you can) before deciding mate and good luck.

[GK]

If I had the cash to get either and fuel them etc, I believe I'd go the Territory. They are a unique part of our Ford history.

They're got 7 seats, more cargo space than a sports wagon.

If the commodore had a decent luggage space, I'd go the other way.

One thing though, be mindful of the diff bush issues on AWD Territories. I reckon a turbo would be much harder on them too.

Check with those who are better placed to know, but apart from the that, I'd give the win to the Terry.

GK

[Rodge]

I'd go the Terry Turbo...the only Tezza with proper performance, sorry but it is, NA inline 6 and diesel ones are sluggish in my opinion.
I've never liked station wagon's so that would count out the so called sport wagon Holden, get a vehicle with proper versatility if you're into that sort of thing i.e. SUV. My 2 cents.

[SSVPom]

I've owned an SSV Sportwagon and now a Territory Diesel. The Terry wins in cabin ambience, cabin space and the 7 seats but the Sportwagon won on the V8 engine's noise and power !

Both cars are enjoyable to drive, handle great but are polar opposites in character. Two different approaches to the family car solution.. If you have dogs and kids stuff, go the Terry. If load lugging is less important go the V8.

[max_torq]

Have a look at Chrysler 300c touring , or BMW series 5 e61 touring. They look like decent wagons.

[Agile]

I'll chuck my 2 cents worth in. Mates commy sports wagon is much smaller than the terry. Four adults and golf bags and buggies can fit into my territory and no way in a sports wagon. Terry electric pedals to the floor, steering wheel all the way in and drivers seat comfy for me at six foot gives much more rear legroom. Sliding rear seat gives even bigger rear storage area.
Normal I6 with Flash Tune, under-drive pully, extractors with debung and 2.5in exhaust, K&N cold air intake goes along quite nicely without the insurance impost although I must admitt I would love the Ghia Turbo. Size wise there is no comparison and looks are a personal thing so good luck with your choice.

[MercuryT]

Thanks for all the replies guys, much appreciated!

The differences in opinion and the reaons why is what led me to start this thread, as I guess neither is a bad choice and really comes down to personal preference as to which is more suitable. Whilst different style cars, they are the only local options that do the fast and practical thing.

My dogs are both over 70cm at shoulder and weight 40kgs, so with child gear also then maybe the VE Wagon is too small - I probably should sneak them in to test, I just assumed it was big enough as the old Commo wagon space was huge!!

The issues people mention regarding Territory surprise me a bit, maybe just some affected cars not all? I am sure the Holden has certain issues too I guess.

I think I will drive them both again and make a decision (will come over to Mainland to buy one as not much choice here in Tassie) - the idea of getting something different with V8 note leans to be the Holden, but then i've loved my Ford turbo which makes me think I should stick with another one, albeit more practical!

Thanks guys for all input...

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by max_torq

Have a look at Chrysler 300c touring , or BMW series 5 e61 touring. They look like decent wagons.

Thanks for giving options, but not keen to run an aging Euro car (know of a few people had massive bills when things go wrong, after thinking they got a bargain compared to "new" price) and the Chrysler, well, I just don't like the look of it at all!!

Both are probably good cars though if could find a good one.

[Alan D Segal]

I vote for the SS wagon.

[MercurySilver]

go the terra
although the ss wagons look damn sexy in shape i reckon (actually test drove the sv6 model before we bought the g6et)

[simon varley]

I just bought an 09 VE SS wagon. I feel bad deserting Ford, but they don't offer me a manual wagon. Love it. The only disappointing thing is the audio - no USB in and few upgrade options.

[Alan D Segal]

Is there an SSV wagon? The SSV sedans had upgraded audio etc (including AUX in) over the SS. That would've addressed that concern for not much extra $$.