RE: Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer announced

[briSk]

They really need to sort out the front. The original version was so much better before they added all the tat!

[pSynrg]

Makes me want an Omega MV6 Estate again (and I'll certainly take this once it's down to similar prices, yes please!)

[dvs_dave]

aucklander said:

The commodore sells well down in Aus and NZ (and now the US where it is exported) due to the fact fuel here is 1pound per litre (if that).

Sadly no longer available in the US since 2009. It was badged as the Pontiac G8 but died when GM axed the Pontiac brand in '09. Was about the only decent car that ever had a Pontiac badge on it. They've kind of re-introduced it in LWB form as the Chevy Caprice, but it's only available for government/police service use, no public sales.

I had the SV6 wagon as a hire car whilst on holiday in Queenstown and I thought it was a jolly good car. Interior was a a bit cheap and nasty to the touch, but it was solid and very comfortable. They've also got acres of legroom front and back, easily on a par with a SWB S-class or 7-series. It's a large car and is arguably half a size up on the 5-series/E-class, where as the Insignia is smaller than these. As for comparing it to a C-class, well you could park one in the boot so...

It was great fun blasting along those gorgeous quiet roads on the South Island and it's a very tidy handler. Even the V6 had decent performance so the V8 would be a hoot. The V8 is hugely and reliably tuneable, not to mention cheap, which is more than can be said of the Germans.

50k is steep for the UK market, but that's mainly because of the silly Oz dollar exchange rate at the moment. If that sorts itself out it'll be down to around the 40k mark which is where it should be. In all I liked the honest simplicity and charm of it. It wasn't trying to be all clever and sophisticated with needless gadgetry and silly trinkets. Just a bloody good solid, comfy and simple fast car....as it says on the tin.

Edited by dvs_dave on Wednesday 27th March 19:10

[hman]

the SV6 which I had last week was only the same size as my e60, no way was it the same size as a 7 or an s-class

[DCLXIV]

dvs_dave said:

Sadly no longer available in the US since 2009. It was badged as the Pontiac G8 but died when GM axed the Pontiac brand in '09. Was about the only decent car that ever had a Pontiac badge on it. They've kind of re-introduced it in LWB form as the Chevy Caprice, but it's only available for government/police service use, no public sales.

Happily, the new Chevrolet SS is the VF Commodore underneath.

[LuS1fer]

I wasn't even aware Vauxhall still had the VXR8 in their lineup.

A big V8 estate can't be a bad thing but it won't gain sales on looks, that's for sure. Back in Monaro days, the car was a reasonable looker but as it has evolved, it has grown ugly.

I'll take a new 7.0 500 hp Camaro Z28...and maybe an old Signum for when I need an estate.

[JordanTurbo]

It looks much nicer with the HSV colour coded front end.

[badboyburt]

JordanTurbo said:

It looks much nicer with the HSV colour coded front end.

The vents shown on the press car are the Vector Vent Kit option, looks much more aggresive.

[IanJ9375]

There will only be a handful of these in the country as I imagine they will be brought over to order.
Shame the exchange rate has hiked the price up but then there's not a lot VX can do about that

Here's some photos when it landed for type approval - http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?21...

[Clivey]

IanJ9375 said:

There will only be a handful of these in the country as I imagine they will be brought over to order.
Shame the exchange rate has hiked the price up but then there's not a lot VX can do about that

Here's some photos when it landed for type approval - http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?21...

Well I think that looks awesome (I don't even mind the black nose on the car in those pictures)!

[LuS1fer]

JordanTurbo said:

It looks much nicer with the HSV colour coded front end.

Er...no.

[squeezebm]

JordanTurbo said:

It looks much nicer with the HSV colour coded front end.

That is hideous

[Escort Si-130]

Not an estate car person, but this does seem rather cool.

[Yiliterate]

dvs_dave said:

Sadly no longer available in the US since 2009. It was badged as the Pontiac G8 but died when GM axed the Pontiac brand in '09. Was about the only decent car that ever had a Pontiac badge on it. They've kind of re-introduced it in LWB form as the Chevy Caprice, but it's only available for government/police service use, no public sales.

Wash your mouth out, sir!

[LuS1fer]

Yiliterate said:

Wash your mouth out, sir!

Doesn't help that Burt is taking a dump in it, though...

[MadDog1962]

Ali_T said:

£50k?

Really?

How can Chevrolet sell the Camaro SS with the same drivetrain on the same floorpan for only £35k?

Umm.. where shall I start:

1. They don't. You have to add on sales tax (which varies significantly from state to state, but is typically about 8% in most states, here in Texas it's 8.25%. So we're already say closer to 38K.

2. In the UK you have 20% VAT. So the 35K becomes 42K.

3. There are other hidden costs not included in the price that usually add another 3% or so. Making that 35K base price closer to 43K.

4. That re-badged Holden is being shipped all the way from Australia to UK. Australian port charges are some of the highest in the World. Probably adds another 1% or 2%. So we're getting closer to 43K.

5. The Holden is actually better made. The trim materials in the Chevrolet are cheaper and the Holden has a bigger and more expensive to build station wagon body, probably made in smaller numbers.

OK, so we're still a little off maybe. But it's not as dramatic as you'd think. Used cars here (in the USA) in many states are not that cheaper than in the UK (depending on what you buy).

Insurance is more affordable here, as is fuel (half the price)and repairs are generally much more expensive.

I'd much prefer the Holden than the Camaro if I was in the market for something like that. HSVs are awesome.

[s m]

Yiliterate said:

dvs_dave said:

Sadly no longer available in the US since 2009. It was badged as the Pontiac G8 but died when GM axed the Pontiac brand in '09. Was about the only decent car that ever had a Pontiac badge on it. They've kind of re-introduced it in LWB form as the Chevy Caprice, but it's only available for government/police service use, no public sales.

Wash your mouth out, sir!

Have you seen the Trans-Am article in 'CAR' mag this month?

[Exar Kun]

For those that complain about the car being £50,000 - well that's about what they cost in Australia so considering it's got shipping included in that price it isn't so bad. Of course, where that argument falls down is we pay over £100,000 for a C63 estate and over £150,000 for an E63 so they're not exactly ever going to be cross shopped.

In terms of perceived quality it's a no brainer. The Mercs are miles and miles ahead. Getting into an HSV it really does feel like it's half the price of the Merc. The doors sound horrible when they close and the plastics feel very cheap. A base model A class feels miles ahead let alone a C or E.

[007 VXR]

LuS1fer said:

I wasn't even aware Vauxhall still had the VXR8 in their lineup.

A big V8 estate can't be a bad thing but it won't gain sales on looks, that's for sure. Back in Monaro days, the car was a reasonable looker but as it has evolved, it has grown ugly.

I'll take a new 7.0 500 hp Camaro Z28...and maybe an old Signum for when I need an estate.

Monaro was and still is IMHO the best of them all

[JordanTurbo]

JordanTurbo said:

It looks much nicer with the HSV colour coded front end.

badboyburt said:

The vents shown on the press car are the Vector Vent Kit option, looks much more aggresive.

squeezebm said:

That is hideous

I was referring to the black egg timer shape trim in the front bumper.