VXR - what to look out for

[Lotus carlton]

I have my eye on an 04 5.7 VXR that I am hoping to go and see at the weekend.

I am specifically after a 5.7 VXR because of the boot space and the fact that there are less of them over here.

Is there anything in particular that I should look out for?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[AM04ARO]

Standard cars appear fairly bullet proof.

Providing the car is within its warrenty then you should have no issues but I would suggest getting it checked over my one of the 'proper' dealers once you have it as they know of all the known issues.

[ringram]

Nice choice of model.
Check rear footwell for moisture.

[well_fans]

make sure its black or it'll be a slow model don't believe them if they say its quicksilver - that's really just the primer ready for a fast colour to be painted on top.

[V8 EOL]

Agree with ringram regards model.

I would check over and above the norm...

Inside edge on the front tyres wares out quicker (due to the geometry) so check the full width of the tyre (they are 245s so put it on full lock to get a good look).

Tapping, knocking & rattling from the engine is a big no-no at any time due to the lack of any over head cams. Whining is OK if you have a silver thing on the top with Harrop written on the side!

Stone chips on the bumper are normal and if your chosen one is in the fastest colour, you will see lots of white specs!

Curbed wheels are a pain to get refurbished due to the uniqueness of the colour.

The bushes ware out on the front suspension quite easily. Put it on full lock and top and start quite aggressively (not in a doughnut sort of way but don't be Miss Daisy) and listen for a knock. Not a problem if you hear a knock, they are £100 to replace with some decent polyurethane ones.

[gareth h]

Paint peeling off door handles comes up quite regularly, lots have been done under warranty

[ringram]

The engines can be a little ticky and noisy, but no knocks are good for sure.

[tiler]

Lotus carlton said:

I have my eye on an 04 5.7 VXR that I am hoping to go and see at the weekend.

I am specifically after a 5.7 VXR because of the boot space and the fact that there are less of them over here.

Is there anything in particular that I should look out for?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Or just buy a 04 cv8 with all the good bits fitted.
And this one is black and all the bits tried and tested as well.

[mose]

Ya having a posting frenzy Kev??

[ringram]

... vxr8 is getting closer, driveway needs clearing

[tiler]

mose said:

Ya having a posting frenzy Kev??

on my mobile phone // what frenzy???

[darren_r1]

James,

are you still running your Lotus Carlton ? have you driven a VR yet to compare the performance ?

[Lotus carlton]

Nope, the LC's gone but only 1/2 mile down the road to my Dad. I have an Alpine B10 V8 as my daily driver now that I love so I have been agonising over what to do. Me and Mrs LC are considering having another child so after much discussion the Monaro is on hold.

I have driven both flavours of VXR and favour the 5.7 because of the boot space. The performance is similar. I think the LC does it in a far more aggressive manor and has awesome in gear performance between 50 and 70 whereas the Monaro just sounds great.