Test drove VXR8 - big disappointment slow
Discussion
Had a test drive of one today it was the LS3
Car was standard and an automatic.
I expected it to be very quick but frankly it was unnotacibly quicker than a Fiat Coupe 20v turbo. A check of the 0-100mph time highlights there is less than one second in it.
Such a shame I expected it to be oh my god fast it is not.
Sounded good outside the car but inside muted.
Did I drive a bad example or are reg all like this? Guessing if yes it explains why so many have supercharged fitted.
Upsides loved the looks, the interior space driving position and outside noise plus the under bonnet look.
Just one of those cars you expect to be faster but to me this looked so quick but fails to deliver.
Car was standard and an automatic.
I expected it to be very quick but frankly it was unnotacibly quicker than a Fiat Coupe 20v turbo. A check of the 0-100mph time highlights there is less than one second in it.
Such a shame I expected it to be oh my god fast it is not.
Sounded good outside the car but inside muted.
Did I drive a bad example or are reg all like this? Guessing if yes it explains why so many have supercharged fitted.
Upsides loved the looks, the interior space driving position and outside noise plus the under bonnet look.
Just one of those cars you expect to be faster but to me this looked so quick but fails to deliver.
Surely to keep the paces similar, the VXR8 will be slowly stretching it's legs whereas you'd probably be more "on the boil" in the Fiat? I'd think the gap might open up a bit more in the 100mph+ range too.
I don't think much of the noise on the standard system, imo it's too quiet and has a flat tone. With an exhaust upgrade they sound bloody great.
I don't think much of the noise on the standard system, imo it's too quiet and has a flat tone. With an exhaust upgrade they sound bloody great.
You need to be more al fresco. I had a ride in a Cerbera a couple of years ago and expected it to tear my face off, but it didn't feel that fast. Too civilised!
Only 3 cars have I ever been in that were s
t-the-bed fast: a friend's stripped and race prepped/tuned mini (maybe some rose tinted specs - it was a long time ago, but soooo raw), a bike engined Westfield, and a V8 Westie which was the most incredible thing I've ever been in!
Only 3 cars have I ever been in that were s
t-the-bed fast: a friend's stripped and race prepped/tuned mini (maybe some rose tinted specs - it was a long time ago, but soooo raw), a bike engined Westfield, and a V8 Westie which was the most incredible thing I've ever been in!If you're looking to buy, there's quite a good buying guide in the current copy of Autocar. Modifications seem quite common within the used examples, including a £21k, 2007, 42k miles, 640bhp supercharged LS2. That should feel a bit quicker. Though I suspect the large, heavy chassis numbs sensations...
I had an LS2 Monaro for four years and I still own the late 20VT Fiat Coupe which I've had for donkey's years.
They're a very, that's VERY, different drive. The Fiat, being a turbo, delivers it's power in a frenetic, you might say explosive, manner, whereas the big V8 just grunts and gets on with it in a similar fashion right through the rev range (for a standard lump). You need to glance down at the speedo occasionally, as the constant grunt of the LS engine can be deceptive and you'll probably find that you're travelling a lot faster than you thought.
At c.5s for the Holden and just over 6 for the Fiat, neither is exactly slow!
They're a very, that's VERY, different drive. The Fiat, being a turbo, delivers it's power in a frenetic, you might say explosive, manner, whereas the big V8 just grunts and gets on with it in a similar fashion right through the rev range (for a standard lump). You need to glance down at the speedo occasionally, as the constant grunt of the LS engine can be deceptive and you'll probably find that you're travelling a lot faster than you thought.
At c.5s for the Holden and just over 6 for the Fiat, neither is exactly slow!
Before I bought a Monaro I read reviews and a few people said they were / felt slow - I thought it was ridiculous - how can something with 400 odd bhp be slow.
However 400bhp in a heavy body with ridiculously high gearing and a crap back end sure as hell isn't quick.
A good cruiser and a nice noise but that's it.
However 400bhp in a heavy body with ridiculously high gearing and a crap back end sure as hell isn't quick.
A good cruiser and a nice noise but that's it.
Sorry guys had to post this - suprises me how fast those Fiats are with an alleged 300ish bhp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojK2KeN5504
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojK2KeN5504
exgtt said:
Sorry guys had to post this - suprises me how fast those Fiats are with an alleged 300ish bhp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojK2KeN5504
Lol that is a great vid and I guess confirms what I thought web I drove it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojK2KeN5504
I guess E39 M5 wouldn't be much quicker either having similar power.
That sounds rediculus lol
I test drove a supercharged auto version and to be honest, wasn't that impressed either. The box seemed very sluggish and if you kicked down, not a pleasant surge, more of a jolt. Great spec but still felt very mainstream GM. Still wouldn't mind a 500 Monaro though, albeit happy with what I have for now.
Welshbeef said:
exgtt said:
Sorry guys had to post this - suprises me how fast those Fiats are with an alleged 300ish bhp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojK2KeN5504
Lol that is a great vid and I guess confirms what I thought web I drove it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojK2KeN5504
I guess E39 M5 wouldn't be much quicker either having similar power.
That sounds rediculus lol
slimtater said:
I test drove a supercharged auto version and to be honest, wasn't that impressed either. The box seemed very sluggish and if you kicked down, not a pleasant surge, more of a jolt. Great spec but still felt very mainstream GM. Still wouldn't mind a 500 Monaro though, albeit happy with what I have for now.
If the box is re-mapped they are much better, although ive never been in an auto one as im not a big fan.redgriff500 said:
However 400bhp in a heavy body with ridiculously high gearing and a crap back end sure as hell isn't quick.
A good cruiser and a nice noise but that's it.
They have a bit more to them than that, although im used to 540+ bhp so maybes im spoilt but they are great cars. Appreciate you didnt gel with yours but they are numerous owners who wouldnt have anything else.A good cruiser and a nice noise but that's it.
Welshbeef said:
Had a test drive of one today it was the LS3
Car was standard and an automatic.
I expected it to be very quick but frankly it was unnotacibly quicker than a Fiat Coupe 20v turbo. A check of the 0-100mph time highlights there is less than one second in it.
Such a shame I expected it to be oh my god fast it is not.
Sounded good outside the car but inside muted.
Did I drive a bad example or are reg all like this? Guessing if yes it explains why so many have supercharged fitted.
Upsides loved the looks, the interior space driving position and outside noise plus the under bonnet look.
Just one of those cars you expect to be faster but to me this looked so quick but fails to deliver.
I'd expect a manual to be a smidge quicker Car was standard and an automatic.
I expected it to be very quick but frankly it was unnotacibly quicker than a Fiat Coupe 20v turbo. A check of the 0-100mph time highlights there is less than one second in it.
Such a shame I expected it to be oh my god fast it is not.
Sounded good outside the car but inside muted.
Did I drive a bad example or are reg all like this? Guessing if yes it explains why so many have supercharged fitted.
Upsides loved the looks, the interior space driving position and outside noise plus the under bonnet look.
Just one of those cars you expect to be faster but to me this looked so quick but fails to deliver.
I see one on the way to work sometimes, sounds like a manual shift, seems reasonably fast but sounds FANTASTIC!!
I've seen a few tested in Autocar/Evo mag and they do seem to post times about a second or 2 slower to 100 than you perhaps might expect for a car of that power/weight ....... But they look an attractive proposition for tuning.
Despite the engine size they do like a few revs before they stretch their legs. This isn't helped in the car you drove by its autobox which blunts perceived performance a bit further. If you've been used to driving a turbo car, most NA cars will feel slow in comparison due to the lack of bottom end shove.
That said the supercharged versions are something to behold, but even they dont feel stupid quick due to the long leggedness of the box.
That said the supercharged versions are something to behold, but even they dont feel stupid quick due to the long leggedness of the box.
I don't suppose being GM it's got the same issue as the Camaro has it? Supposedly the Auto ones need 98 octane fuel, and if filled with 95 they quickly switch to a much flatter map with about 30-40bhp less and never return to the high Octane map unless you do a 'fuse pull' which effectively resets the ECU.
The Wookie said:
Supposedly the Auto ones need 98 octane fuel, and if filled with 95 they quickly switch to a much flatter map with about 30-40bhp less and never return to the high Octane map unless you do a 'fuse pull' which effectively resets the ECU.
Internet twaddle I'm afraid, the code in the ECU is a bit better written than that.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff