RE: Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer announced

[st4]

Side on it looks like the love child of a Jag XF and BMW E60. Not good....but the estate looks way better, like the XF and E60

[RichTBiscuit]

300bhp/ton said:

Piston Heads said:

Admittedly, both the Mercs are a touch quicker and will also be far better-built

eh?

Absolutely. The Vauxhall is probably more robust than a new C or E class.

[Ozzie Osmond]

moskvich427 said:

The British police force MUST be persuaded to have these at patrol cars.

On the other hand the Taste Police will almost certainly avoid like the plague.

To my eye it looks as though the back was copied from an old Cavalier estate and the front was done yesterday after school by a 10-year old.

[10 Pence Short]

It's what, £15k more than an Insignia VXR estate? For another 100bhp?

I'd hazard that the Insignia is a considerably more modern and well sorted place to be than the Oz wagon, and £15k buys you a nice Caterham for the rare occasions when it's not snowing.

[manamana]

VerySideways said:

rev-erend said:

I thought all the manufacturers were downsizing on engines...

They're a bit backwards these Australians, that's why they're upsizing on engines

Brand new 427? 7 litre big block LS7, £10K, in the box. Thank you GM.

[StefanVXR8]

Part of the problem is that these are Australian built cars and with the current poor exchange rates the prices are higher.

As for residuals, they are no worse than either of the German models mentioned, early VXR8's are still fetching 50% of their new list prices, is that the same for the Germans?

Must confess, I'm not a fan of the spindle look front, I'd prefer it all the same colour like the Maloo.

As for badge snobbery, says Vauxhall on the front and back, but internally all the badges are HSV and that's what you need to remember its a Vauxhall in name only, but that does bring with it a good warranty from new, and cheap warranties for the 2nd and 3rd generation buyers.

When I bought mine a little over a year ago from a main dealer I paid £599 for a three year warranty, how much would that cost for a Merc warranty on a C63/E63?

Stef

Edited by StefanVXR8 on Wednesday 27th March 17:04

[Pumajay]

i knew i saw something strange yesterday at brunters!

[anything fast]

£50,000... £50,000, £50,000

I love this sort of thing but that is a bonkers price for car which no doubt is a million miles away from a Mercedes or BMW in quality.

My Advice, buy a second had BMW 535D touring and a BMW M6, You can get a decent M6 for £25,000 and a nice 5 series for £15,000 and it leaves you with £10,000 for insurance and bills!

[ARAF]

Gorbyrev said:

Vauxhall deserve an all round pat on the back for keeping the back door open to V8 RWD wonders from the former colonies. Keep it coming!

I've been saying that for years.


Nice write-up from Ph too. Well done both.

[taders]

Massive, proven, naturally aspirated engine. Manual gearbox. Manual handbrake. Unlimited mileage, lifetime warranty. Cheap servicing at your nearby Vauxhall dealer. Massive boot. Build and reliability on a par with the German's. Potential 0% Finance. Man maths would suggest less GBP lost on depreciation than the alternatives. I can't fathom all the slagging.

[StefanVXR8]

taders said:

Massive, proven, naturally aspirated engine. Manual gearbox. Manual handbrake. Unlimited mileage, lifetime warranty. Cheap servicing at your nearby Vauxhall dealer. Massive boot. Build and reliability on a par with the German's. Potential 0% Finance. Man maths would suggest less GBP lost on depreciation than the alternatives. I can't fathom all the slagging.

Yup, the last service (4th year) and MOT on my VXR8 was £220 all in.

Stef

[veevee]

Looks crap, the back is straight off a 2002 Signum.

Do BMW still do the 550i?

[VerySideways]

taders said:

Massive, proven, naturally aspirated engine. Manual gearbox. Manual handbrake. Unlimited mileage, lifetime warranty. Cheap servicing at your nearby Vauxhall dealer. Massive boot. Build and reliability on a par with the German's. Potential 0% Finance. Man maths would suggest less GBP lost on depreciation than the alternatives. I can't fathom all the slagging.

[Mr E]

vanschpunk said:

The deal is, its a V8 estate for pennies

Interesting. I'm not sure I'll ever describe 50K as "pennies"

[mk1matt]

anything fast said:

I love this sort of thing but that is a bonkers price for car which no doubt is a million miles away from a Mercedes or BMW in perceived quality.

For that for you

[Petrolhead95]

If I had the money, I'd probably buy it. Audi RS4's are so bloody boring and the C63's are ridiculous to run. At least this is something a bit different.

[soad]

veevee said:

Do BMW still do the 550i?

Yes, they do.

[st4]

anything fast said:

is a bonkers price for car which no doubt is a million miles away from a Mercedes or BMW in quality.

!

Why is it a million miles away from a MB, VAG or BMW in quality. Decent engine, decent suspension components and allright interior trim, and they're made in a high tech assembly line like BMWs, Audis and Mercs. They will be fine

[Zed Ed]

Dr Z said:

Do not care.

LS3 + Manual + Estate + RWD = from me.

Well said

[sc4589]

Mr E said:

vanschpunk said:

The deal is, its a V8 estate for pennies

Interesting. I'm not sure I'll ever describe 50K as "pennies"

In context, against the rivals, it's very strong value for money... the new RS6 is slated to be £75-£80k, the E63 comes in at £75k new... BMW don't offer a Touring version of their M5, do they? If they did, that would undoubtedly be around the same mark. I think Jaguar would be the only ones who'd come close... if they offered an XFR estate, then I think that'd be around the £65k mark.

Either way, it's a large sum of money... but nowhere near what you'd need to spend to get into something with a German badge on the bonnet. I also suspect it'd be more fun, and I don't care if it would depreciate like a Steinway pushed off a tower block.