VXR8 - Think I Want One

[DSLiverpool]

In 1998 I had a Vectra GSi that I loved dearly (one of the first ones out) since then through many luxo barges I have ended up with a GS430 Lexus which due to changed circumstances I dont need anymore (24 mile commute only these days)

Questions are (mainly to dealers I guess)

Is the VXR8 as much fun as a GSi (possibly a stupid question)
Blue / auto / satnav / 20" - how available is it ?
Do I HAVE to get a sport exhaust from day one ? (I read the std one is switchable ??)
I know I will lose £10k taking it home but to be honest after Lexus ownership thats not too bad BUT more than £10k ?

New owners - whats it like ?

Cheers
DS

NB - Other cars in radar are SL55 AMG (2004), Audi S6 (2006), Bentley Conti (2004), M6 (2005) I just cant get around the idea of paying such wedge for a oldish car with little or no warranty hence the VXR is within my means new

Edited by DSLiverpool on Sunday 1st July 11:10

[stigmundfreud]

a warranty isnt a selling issue really, not to me at least. You can also, for 90 quid, look at getting the AA warranty style cover

[V-Car]

DSLiverpool said:

NB - Other cars in radar are SL55 AMG (2004), Audi S6 (2006), Bentley Conti (2004), M6 (2005)

With a choice of cars like that and youre still looking at a Holden?

[Dr Prod]

V-Car said:

DSLiverpool said:

NB - Other cars in radar are SL55 AMG (2004), Audi S6 (2006), Bentley Conti (2004), M6 (2005)

With a choice of cars like that and youre still looking at a Holden?

They're all too common !

[decromin]

Dr Prod said:

V-Car said:

With a choice of cars like that and youre still looking at a Holden?

They're all too common !

after living in london for a while now, i've gotta agree with that. M and S and AMG cars are pretty common around here

[magicgreg]

V-Car said:

DSLiverpool said:

NB - Other cars in radar are SL55 AMG (2004), Audi S6 (2006), Bentley Conti (2004), M6 (2005)

With a choice of cars like that and youre still looking at a Holden?

Agreed!!

Other than the SL55 AMG, I'd take any of the other choices over a Monaro/VXR8, you would be mad no to if you can afford it.

G

[Andy Sargeant]

Just shoot from the hip, don't think you should loose that much at present on the VXR8, going to be more fun and you should not park next to another in Tesco's if you are lucky, all the others are just to common, do the exhaust and a re-map, think thats all you need, mind you all a matter of personal taste.
Take the badges of and most people won't know what the hell it is.

[DSLiverpool]

Point is I can get a new FUN VXR - all the others apart from the Audi are older than I have had before - you try putting a £90 AA warranty on a SLAMG - its £7 / £900 minimum.

I thought the VXR would be "cheap" fun and thats what Im missing

[slackalice]

DSLiverpool said:

Point is I can get a new FUN VXR - all the others apart from the Audi are older than I have had before - you try putting a £90 AA warranty on a SLAMG - its £7 / £900 minimum.

I thought the VXR would be "cheap" fun and thats what Im missing

I understand your thinking, I had the choice of either buying a 500 SL Merc on an 04 plate or a new Monaro on an 07 plate.

Well i chose the Monaro as i am not "stuck up" and I don't have a problem saying that I drive a Vauxhall. The rarity of the car, and the performance and pure presence on the road is enough for me.

I would say go for the new car, 3 year world wide warranty, 6 year perforation warranty, and the peace of mind that you are the only person to have driven the car.

Buy new !

Oh and the servicing is very cheap in comparision.

[LathamJohnP]

DSLiverpool said:

Other cars in radar are SL55 AMG (2004), Audi S6 (2006), Bentley Conti (2004), M6 (2005)

Usually, it makes more financial sense to buy used, as long as you are talking about cars of similar value. But a 2004 Conti will set you back £65k minimum, if PH classifieds are anything to go by, whereas the VXR8 will maybe only (!) cost 43k new even if you add a supercharger, sat-nav etc. In 3 years you might lose 20k on the VXR8, but 30k on the Conti, with much higher servicing and maintainance costs.

Why isn't an E39 M5 on your list? Probably similar character and performance to the VXR8, very discreet, and so much cheaper that you can afford to fix any major problems. And if this LS7-engined HSV happens, you can trade the BMW and lose nothing

John

[DSLiverpool]

Hi John
Assuming the E39 is the new shape ? it was considered but I have had a new 5 (530i sport) and didnt like it just couldnt handle the lines but the M6 is sexier.
The conti is a major aspirational purchase just in radar, it has so many rave reviews on it to make me think mmmmmm but I had SUCH FUN in my GSi vectra that a year or so of that may be what this 43 year old needs.
Originally my aspiration was a V8 Vantage but I live 45 miles from the dealer and cannot be arsed to live in the service bay (same argument Maserati)

Dave

[anonymous-user]

E39 is the old shape V8, not the new V10. I seriously thought about one of these and an RS6 before opting for the Monaro. At 19 mpg (less if you boot it) and BMW servicing these are very expensive cars to own and 20k will secure you a 5 year old example.Also, the engines can have problems if the oil has been allowed to drop leading to massive bills.

As has been said many times before for around 30k there's nothing that will touch a VXR8 for the money. Get one of these, add a Supercharger & exhaust and you have yourself a modern day Lotus Carlton.

[Demolition Man]

wormus said:

.....Get one of these, add a Supercharger & exhaust and you have yourself a modern day Lotus Carlton.

And then some!!

[o.versteer]

wormus said:

E39 is the old shape V8, not the new V10. I seriously thought about one of these and an RS6 before opting for the Monaro. At 19 mpg (less if you boot it) and BMW servicing these are very expensive cars to own and 20k will secure you a 5 year old example.Also, the engines can have problems if the oil has been allowed to drop leading to massive bills.

As has been said many times before for around 30k there's nothing that will touch a VXR8 for the money. Get one of these, add a Supercharger & exhaust and you have yourself a modern day Lotus Carlton.

This man talks a lot of sense

[LuS1fer]

This is the American version of the VXR8, the Pontiac G8...which I prefer the look of.

[DSLiverpool]

Got CLS AMG 55 2006 - comes next week - I bet the VXR would have been more fun but I was worried Im past it LOL

DS

[anonymous-user]

Congratulations, nice car.

[wolfracer]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eWQHnYNNbk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecaradvice%2Ecom%2Eau%2F3357%2Ffifth%2Dgear%2Dtest%2Dthe%2Dvxr8%2F
for those of you that missed the 5th Gear Review.....

[habitualvoyeur]

I drove a blue one and a black one around Donnington this friday on a Vauxhall track day - great day out for £90 - the black one was defo fastest !!
VXR8 feels much lighter in the gear change/clutch than the Monaro - it felt like a normal car !
I would have no problem recommending it, great car.
Walkinshaw was there with a supercharged one with 20 inch wheels and a different exhaust
we didnt get to drive that though - shame !!!

[SkinnyBoy]

driven a few of them now (HSV versions and boggo SS Holden) and they are the bargain of the century, get one now before they ban them. Its definitely on my list for next car.