Hey, how does the 380 boot stay up,

Does it use gas struts?

-Daniel

Yeah I'm pretty sure it does.

Cant remember if it uses struts, but it looks damn cool when it opens.

It uses gas struts aswell as the metal elbows. (i think)

Gas Struts and metal elbows on the outside of them. Both non intrusive into the boot space.

has anyone got a photo?

Here are some pics...

Here are some pics...

Thanks for the pics!! :D That is awsome how the struts don't intrude on your boot storage space. You don't know how many times we thing we've got something to fit in the Verada's boot to find out it won't close :rant:

Does it feel heavier then the 3rd Gen Magna's boot?

Yes, it's good the hinges no longer spear into the boot, but the boot itself is a fair bit smaller.
The lid shuts with a satisfying "thunk", but can't really say whether it's more solid. Maybe. The lid itself is smaller. What was wrong with the Magna lid? I thought mine was ok....

Yes, it's good the hinges no longer spear into the boot, but the boot itself is a fair bit smaller.
The lid shuts with a satisfying "thunk", but can't really say whether it's more solid. Maybe. The lid itself is smaller. What was wrong with the Magna lid? I thought mine was ok....

Na there's nothing wrong with the Magna lid at all. Just my mate hated it because it rattled heaps (he had a TE with subs in the boot). He was saying to me that it was because the boot was too light. I think it was more the frame thingy which surrounds the number plate. I will edit my last post, sounds a bit incorrect actually.

I doubt the 380's boot would rattle at all because it doesn't have the number plate on it, which is a good thing if you want subs (not that I would probably get them though).

Thanks for the pics!! :D That is awsome how the struts don't intrude on your boot storage space. You don't know how many times we thing we've got something to fit in the Verada's boot to find out it won't close :rant:



Yeah BA falcons had the same.. Great for space..:P

Yeah BA falcons had the same.. Great for space..:P

Yep even the Ford Focus has a larger boot than the BA Falcon. Go figure...

Does the VE have the struts which don't intrude on boot space???

And from what I have heard the VE has the battery in the boot? Is this correct?? Also, wouldn't that be a stupid place to put it because alot of people use the boot for storage (as you are meant to) and if you have alot of stuff in your boot wouldn't it make it more difficult to check / replace the battery. Where as if it was in the bonnet, a place where you don't store stuff, it would be more logical.

Imagine you are driving interstate (or on a long trip) and you've got a bag full of suitcases (it's a family travelling). They've got no-where else to store the additional baggage (in the car - because they have 4 or 5 passengers) and they have to remove alot of the bags in the boot to get to the battery.

What were they thinking??

Yeah the VE has the struts and they moved the battery to the boot. I really can't see it being a problem. How often do you need to check the battery when on a trip. Usually I'd do it before I left. It would have to be a sealed one to stop the gasses from leaking into the cabin anyhow, so you couldn't do much.

The same could be said for having the spare tyre in the boot.

Yeah the VE has the struts and they moved the battery to the boot. I really can't see it being a problem. How often do you need to check the battery when on a trip. Usually I'd do it before I left. It would have to be a sealed one to stop the gasses from leaking into the cabin anyhow, so you couldn't do much.

The same could be said for having the spare tyre in the boot.

Yeah, but it just seems more logical to have the battery under the bonnet. We have never had a flat tyre and we have driven from Adelaide to Kalgoolie (sp?) in WA and our car wouldn't start (VX Calais) and it was the battery (it wasn't flat, the leads were ***). If it were in the boot we would have had trouble because it was full with suitcases. I just don't see the point in placing it in the boot, it's just an unexpected change I spose.

I spose their is an advantage though. Because most people would drive into their driveways (not reverse) it would make it easier to access the battery for the RAA to jump-start it because the back of the car is facing their van. Also though, does the VE have a key hole on the boot (I know the TL + Magna didn't and the 380 doesn't). Because if you have the battery in the boot and it goes soooo flat you wouldn't be able to get the boot open!.

And from what I have heard the VE has the battery in the boot? Is this correct??

What were they thinking??Plenty of people do it - BMW does it. The Nissan Skyline R34 GTR has it in the boot as well. So what, it doesn't get in the way.

The current level of technology in batteries doesn't even require you to have to refil the battery cells with water. I don't know the level of battery maintenance required for the current range of Black Diamond batteries now (which are exide off the top of my head anyway), but I know for what they were putting in the TJs in 2003 in the terms of batteries was behind the 8 ball.


Imagine you are driving interstate (or on a long trip) and you've got a bag full of suitcases (it's a family travelling). They've got no-where else to store the additional baggage (in the car - because they have 4 or 5 passengers) and they have to remove alot of the bags in the boot to get to the battery.

What were they thinking??
Likewise, what if they got a flat tyre? They'd have to do the same thing nearly everyone else does - pull the luggage out. And your more likely to get a flat tyre than a flat battery on long distance travel.

battery in boot = safety

after front on accident - hazardlights operable.

mercedes benz - battery in boot - in case of accident the (well i know E-class sedans) can communicate with mobile phone towers to notify emergency operaters that an acciden has occured and using a GPS system pin point the location of the vehicle and if the airbags have been deployed.

battery in boot = safety

after front on accident - hazardlights operable.

mercedes benz - battery in boot - in case of accident the (well i know E-class sedans) can communicate with mobile phone towers to notify emergency operaters that an acciden has occured and using a GPS system pin point the location of the vehicle and if the airbags have been deployed.

Ok, that kind of makes more sense. I didn't realise that and that clears things up. Now that is a good idea, particuarly if the driver is unable to contact emergency services/operators him/her self.

At the same time though no one in my family has had an accident in which the airbags have deflated. In fact the only accidents we have had are when two idiots (one of who was a P plater driving an uninsured car) crashed into us. But i spose, for whatever reason if we one day have a front on crash and are unable to make a phone call due to the severity of the crash it could potentially save a life, which is a very, very good thing. Would I buy an E-Class if I had the dosh? No, I'd buy the new S-Class instead (I would never buy a C-Class because of where they are made and build quality issues).

Anyway, back on the boot thing, I spose it's not a bad idea placing it in the boot provided their are no issues with it being their (which we will know in a few months time).

You've got to remember though that the Commodore doesn't do this. If it did it would make it more purposeful to place it their. All in all, I'm undecided to where I'd like it placed. I mean what if someone crashes into the back of you? (depending on where it is placed in the boot though; from what I have gathered it is placed on the right side).

The VE battery in the boot is excellent news for car stereo people! Doesn't help the fact that it's still a holden though :/

Here are some pics...

Bit off topic but nice choice of colour there for the VRX Zarbs :D

.....now for the wheels!!