Newbie with a couple of Holden type questions

[evoesque]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a new car currently and have got my eye on a Holden of some description. However, I'm having some trouble around the models.

What's the difference between the HSV GTS and the commodore?? 2 adverts in the classifieds and as far as I can see they look the same??

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/688256.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/609594.htm

Which is the one to go for?
How is the performance? I'm coming from a VX220 and realise the Holden won't go round corners like the VX but how's is it point to point?
MPG dire or just not great (e.g. 22 plus?)
Anywhere specialise in selling them? I'm based in the south-east. I know they are a rare beast but they seem to rarely come up for sale.

Thanks all

[Raggyman]

Both are the same...

The commodore was the base model car, and then, they go off to the HSV factory to have goodies added. Both of these look to me as if they are HSV's. Geez, they are pretty cheap now..

[Island boy HSV]

Welcome to our forum.

I found Wiki was good for the history of the commodore here is a link [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_C[/url]

I am not too sure but the VTI car has an iron block Holden and the VTII has the LS1 engine in. The VTII car will have race logic traction control as it looks like a UK car.

As for performance they are 1600kg or so and in stock form have 345bhp. This is not the whole story as the V8 engine has allot of low down torque. There are some good handling packages which make the car much more responsive. A set of bushes will significantly change the connection to the road. I have a VX1 HSV GTS and have changed the diff ratio from the standard 3.73:1 to 3.91:1 this makes the car more responsive low down.

MPG is dependent on how you drive it, on a motorway run you could expect 27-30 Mpg, I tend to use 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th gear when I am not in a hurry.

Edited by Island boy HSV on Tuesday 16th September 09:21

[TerryS]

Those are both Iron Block I think.

[kjmac]

evoesque said:

Hi Guys, Which is the one to go for? How is the performance? I'm coming from a VX220 and realise the Holden won't go round corners like the VX but how's is it point to point? MPG dire or just not great (e.g. 22 plus?) Thanks all

Hi, I came from a VX220 (NA) to a VXR monaro (sorry not a 'real' holden ). I use the same username on the vx220.org.uk site. Assuming the cars you've mentioned are anything like the same dimensions / mass as my Monaro it will take you a while to get used to carrying around the extra bulk. These cars are quick, but you've got to take more care through the corners. I put mine to the test when I went on a run with some of the vx220 guys, some of who drive like turbo nutter b4stards! You can keep up, but you've really got to work at it. I regularly attend PH events in the ‘ro and I think it's about on the pace. My 6 litre motor manages 20mpg commuting, 27mpg on the motorway, can't comment on the exact motors in those cars, but I guess it’ll be in a similar ballpark.

Hope this drivel wasn't too irrelevant!

[Husaberk]

Iron Blocks only run to 220KW(300bhp) stock