VF Sandman wagon and ute

[HK1837]

I agree with the above posts, good to have one back again, but only for the ute. Sandwomen for the wagon maybe?!

My main concern (as a buyer) is it isn't good value. Original Sandmans were a cheaper way to get the optional goodies you wanted and except for early HX you could get one without stripes, meaning the only unique thing was the HQ Sandman horn badge. With these you can buy an SV6 or SSV far cheaper and get all the goodies that you would have bought a Sandman for in the 70's.

[davegmh]

I agree with the above posts, good to have one back again, but only for the ute. Sandwomen for the wagon maybe?!

My main concern (as a buyer) is it isn't good value. Original Sandmans were a cheaper way to get the optional goodies you wanted and except for early HX you could get one without stripes, meaning the only unique thing was the HQ Sandman horn badge. With these you can buy an SV6 or SSV far cheaper and get all the goodies that you would have bought a Sandman for in the 70's.

There are no other options if you want a new Sandman. Mate, your thinking about it too hard. It's only money.LOL. I look at it like this - you can't buy one when your dead !!

[HK1837]

True, but it just doesn't attract me as a buyer, whereas put me back in 1974-9 i'd buy a Sandman ute tomorrow. Today i'd buy an SSV or turbo Falcon ute.

[Sandaro]

Been looking at the difference in specs between the 1978 VB Commodore and the VF Commodore and after reading some of the comments on here I have come to the conclusion that the VF is not a 'REAL' Commodore. Come on fellas, this new sandman is like it has always been with Sandmans......it's all about the VIBE man !!!! The Alpha males can get on here and go bla bla bla about what's wrong with the VF Sandmans but in reality 40 years later one couldn't expect it to be the same. I'm just happy that Holden has given us the opportunity to have a car like this before they cease manufacturing here. I did ask the question once on here about how many of the regular contributors on here actually have a Sandman....... The silence was deafening. To those owners who can't prove conclusively that they have a Sandman, well it's not then? Holden have launched a new Sandman, it's plated a Sandman, it's a Sandman whether some like it or not. If you didn't take the advice a month ago and missed out or you can't afford one it's not the end of the world just don't let envy cloud your judgement. Some of us are thankful for this chance but remember it's all about the 'VIBE'. Just my thoughts. Cheers.

Firstly I own an old Sandman. Broke the silence.

Secondly I think its great to see the Sandman name back, but would have expected the range to be Panelvan and ute. Have no problem with the new ute, in fact I like it a lot. Wagon is offensive to the original concept, but its Holden's name and they can do what they like I suppose.

To Joe public a sandman is a panelvan (I know Ford and Chrysler vans that get called sandmans)

But in my eyes would be like Holden releasing a new VF Monaro with HQ style blackouts on the bonnet and sill panels- in sedan and wagon. Well it used to be a sedan in HQ didn't it, and we don't make a coupe anymore, so the wagons it!

[Innuendo]

The wagon might be a bit weird but at least you would able to climb from the front seat into the back like original van unlike the Utes with canopies on them

The original Holden Panel Van had a cargo wall and you couldn't easily climb through. Ford Falcon vans are also have a cargo wall. The Sportwagon has the same low roof line as a Ute and that is part of the space required. I've heard all this pass through rubbish before. Leaves the door open to customising. Which of course take more balls to make something a little more unique and not so much oatmeal cookie cutter!

There are no other options if you want a new Sandman. Mate, your thinking about it too hard. It's only money.LOL. I look at it like this - you can't buy one when your dead !!

Mate, buy it and enjoy it you'll be one of a limited few. Be prepared though; the nay sayers and haters with opinions will not hold back telling you all about it. I already feel for those who do buy a Sandman Sportswagon.
Remember though the Sandman purchasers of the '70's were laughed at a ridiculed the same way during the Van craze.

I do wonder though, seeing as the Sandman plate reads 2015 edition if there will be a 2016 or 2017 edition?

Will there be a HSV version? Who knows but if there is, that will be sort after.

[HK1837]

Yes the wagon is weird I agree. However they have revived the Sandman name and that is cool. Sandman wasn't all about the van craze as you say. It wasn't like they re-invented the wheel. The entire Holden range was built on one simple platform for the reason of building up a base model to a sports model for no extra cost to the company. It was a way to sell a sports version of the ute. The only specific Sandman part was the stickers. Now that's what they have done in 2015.
Personally I think HSV has been selling the same idea with the Maloo since the early 90's. Holden really have no ute to build into a sports ute because they have been doing it since the SS in VS? Or thereabouts. So a sticker kit and badge are it.
HSV took the ability of Holden to build a Sandman with the Maloo.

I thought the same thing, the SS ute and in reality the S ute (which has been around since VG) has made it hard for the Sandman's return and probably why it has already been nit-picked. The fact that there has also been offerings of similar intent from Ford, FPV and HSV hasn't helped either.

I just edited this when I saw Innuendo's response too, and I agree buy it, own it and enjoy it. I won't criticise you for it, just because it isn't to my liking or I can't see the value in it only means it doesn't suit me.
Maybe the "2015 edition" is Holden's way of leaving the door open for more examples next year?
I doubt HSV would be able to use the Sandman name as it belongs to the Holden brand, and their Maloo is far more heavily featured that the SSV or SSV Sandman. You never know though.

[Innuendo]

I thought the same thing, the SS ute and in reality the S ute (which has been around since VG) has made it hard for the Sandman's return. The fact that there has also been offerings of similar intent from Ford, FPV and HSV hasn't helped either.

It isn't hard at all for the Sandman return. Too many are hung up on the fact that Sandman has to be related in upgrades or features that compare with the old '70's versions.
Why does it have to meet some brief from the '70's. Face it, it a sticker kit and parts bin additions both then and now!

[wbute]

Been looking at the difference in specs between the 1978 VB Commodore and the VF Commodore and after reading some of the comments on here I have come to the conclusion that the VF is not a 'REAL' Commodore. Come on fellas, this new sandman is like it has always been with Sandmans......it's all about the VIBE man !!!! The Alpha males can get on here and go bla bla bla about what's wrong with the VF Sandmans but in reality 40 years later one couldn't expect it to be the same. I'm just happy that Holden has given us the opportunity to have a car like this before they cease manufacturing here. I did ask the question once on here about how many of the regular contributors on here actually have a Sandman....... The silence was deafening. To those owners who can't prove conclusively that they have a Sandman, well it's not then? Holden have launched a new Sandman, it's plated a Sandman, it's a Sandman whether some like it or not. If you didn't take the advice a month ago and missed out or you can't afford one it's not the end of the world just don't let envy cloud your judgement. Some of us are thankful for this chance but remember it's all about the 'VIBE'. Just my thoughts. Cheers.

I have a HX sandman ute in the shed Dave. I don't choose to spend 20k on it though. Maybe in ten years time.

[davegmh]

The original Holden Panel Van had a cargo wall and you couldn't easily climb through. Ford Falcon vans are also have a cargo wall. The Sportwagon has the same low roof line as a Ute and that is part of the space required. I've heard all this pass through rubbish before. Leaves the door open to customising. Which of course take more balls to make something a little more unique and not so much oatmeal cookie cutter!


Mate, buy it and enjoy it you'll be one of a limited few. Be prepared though; the nay sayers and haters with opinions will not hold back telling you all about it. I already feel for those who do buy a Sandman Sportswagon.
Remember though the Sandman purchasers of the '70's were laughed at a ridiculed the same way during the Van craze.

I do wonder though, seeing as the Sandman plate reads 2015 edition if there will be a 2016 or 2017 edition?

Will there be a HSV version? Who knows but if there is, that will be sort after.

I fully understand what is being said about the sports wagon but for some silly reason I recon they look great. Don't know why. As for the 2015 Edition plate, well yeh it does make you wonder

[HK1837]

It isn't hard at all for the Sandman return. Too many are hung up on the fact that Sandman has to be related in upgrades or features that compare with the old '70's versions.
Why does it have to meet some brief from the '70's. Face it, it a sticker kit and parts bin additions both then and now!

I mean hard to make it seem like you are getting value in a package. Holden know how to do this, Thunder utes were from memory $1000 more on an SS but got you about $2500 or more in extras. It is hard for another ute package to achieve this, as Holden have based it upon 2 x existing upgrades over the base ute: SS and -V which means that the SS-V essentially has all the extras already.