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Hi all,
Well I never thought I would here myself saying or doing it but the time has come for a change !!
I have been involved in the Jap car scene for quite a while now, in fact my company is fairly highly regarded in the Scooby scene, I own a classic shape Impreza which currently runs 400bhp/380ftlbs.
My brother emigrated to Oz 15 years ago and my parents went out there 6 years ago and on the very first trip I made to visit them all I fell head over heels in love with Holden HSV's, now, every year I go back I don't think it is to see the family but to catch up with whats going on in the Holden scene in and around Perth, lol.
Sorry to take so long in getting to the point but what I want to know is (now I have had enough of high revving, turbo charged cars) is:
Apart from the kudos of owning an actual Holden, as apart from a Vauxhall, are there any benefits to be had, ie, better trim,performance,build quality etc or are the cars identical aside from the badging.
If I were to choose the "proper" Holden route where do I go to get one, I am probably going for the Aussie equivalent of todays VXR.
Lastly, I have never owned a car and left it as standard for very long, so what upgrades would you all consider as a must have, I myself would start with an exhaust system (must have a really nice V8 burble) and then AP brakes all round but where from there ?
I await your replies with baited breath, oh and BTW the car does not have to be brand new, but could be anything up to 18 months old with some mods already done but in PRISTINE condition so if any one knows of anything that fits the bill ?
Well I never thought I would here myself saying or doing it but the time has come for a change !!
I have been involved in the Jap car scene for quite a while now, in fact my company is fairly highly regarded in the Scooby scene, I own a classic shape Impreza which currently runs 400bhp/380ftlbs.
My brother emigrated to Oz 15 years ago and my parents went out there 6 years ago and on the very first trip I made to visit them all I fell head over heels in love with Holden HSV's, now, every year I go back I don't think it is to see the family but to catch up with whats going on in the Holden scene in and around Perth, lol.
Sorry to take so long in getting to the point but what I want to know is (now I have had enough of high revving, turbo charged cars) is:
Apart from the kudos of owning an actual Holden, as apart from a Vauxhall, are there any benefits to be had, ie, better trim,performance,build quality etc or are the cars identical aside from the badging.
If I were to choose the "proper" Holden route where do I go to get one, I am probably going for the Aussie equivalent of todays VXR.
Lastly, I have never owned a car and left it as standard for very long, so what upgrades would you all consider as a must have, I myself would start with an exhaust system (must have a really nice V8 burble) and then AP brakes all round but where from there ?
I await your replies with baited breath, oh and BTW the car does not have to be brand new, but could be anything up to 18 months old with some mods already done but in PRISTINE condition so if any one knows of anything that fits the bill ?
The new VE's have good brakes, especially the HSV's. If you are going for one of them its a bit early for the good aftermarket parts to have come to the fore.
The older series 4 door VXR equivalent was the HSV GTS. Then yes, exhaust, intake etc can be done. But what you should do is figure out where you want to end up. If you want to supercharge then exhaust is a good way to start. But if you want to turbocharge, then you are only going to have to throw some out. Best advise is to do a lot of reading and figure out where you want to end up, then plan the process.
They sky is the limit with these cars. You can get a 427 engine and supercharge it for well over 1000bhp, or you can stick with the stock engine and ~400BHP, your call.
The older series 4 door VXR equivalent was the HSV GTS. Then yes, exhaust, intake etc can be done. But what you should do is figure out where you want to end up. If you want to supercharge then exhaust is a good way to start. But if you want to turbocharge, then you are only going to have to throw some out. Best advise is to do a lot of reading and figure out where you want to end up, then plan the process.
They sky is the limit with these cars. You can get a 427 engine and supercharge it for well over 1000bhp, or you can stick with the stock engine and ~400BHP, your call.
As far as I'm aware, the Monaro CV8's are all Vauxhall badged Holdens and the VXRs are effectively HSVs.It's horses for courses all are great value. Regards modding there are several companies to choose from now with growing fan clubs; Wortec,LSV,WRC etc.Have a look at www.hsvdriversclub.co.uk for some links.If you want a very rare genuine HSV I can vouch for the black GTS-R in the Pistonheads classifieds as it was my car from new in 2001 until 2005,might be a bit older than your looking for though.Enjoy the hunt.
P.S. as your coming from the Scooby world maybe you'd care to add your comments to the
"Today I've have just had my " thread regarding the Litchfield Type -25?
Edited to add that www.hsvdriversclub.co.uk seems to be down at the moment, and the meet at the Ace Cafe in January is a good place to start!
P.S. as your coming from the Scooby world maybe you'd care to add your comments to the
"Today I've have just had my " thread regarding the Litchfield Type -25?
Edited to add that www.hsvdriversclub.co.uk seems to be down at the moment, and the meet at the Ace Cafe in January is a good place to start!
Edited by sjc on Monday 1st January 15:07
Thanks for the info, as I have already said I am not really sure what I will be going for but TBH the VXR's are very tempting at the prices around at the moment.
I was not really wanting to go down any forced induction route but just good strong V8 muscle up to around the 500bhp mark (if possible)
I know this is possible because of the VXR500 but it would be on one of the slighlty old VXR's
I was not really wanting to go down any forced induction route but just good strong V8 muscle up to around the 500bhp mark (if possible)
I know this is possible because of the VXR500 but it would be on one of the slighlty old VXR's
Edited by AussieRules on Monday 1st January 15:24
sjc,
I have just read your thread about Litchfields and thought it to be a bit ironic, here am I looking at leaving the fold (although my business would still stay Subaru based) and there you are looking as though you could possibly be swayed towards Subaru ownership !!
Litcho (as he is commonly known) has the highest reputation of anyone that moves in Jap tuning circles has and this has been earnt with years of testing and knowlege on Scoobs.
The type 25 cars are absolute works of art (in engineering terms)and are indeed probably THE BEST all round performing car currently available for that sort of money.
I just feel the need to change form harsh, noisy, dare I say it "chav" cars to a more refined ride but with all the get up and go I still crave.
I have just read your thread about Litchfields and thought it to be a bit ironic, here am I looking at leaving the fold (although my business would still stay Subaru based) and there you are looking as though you could possibly be swayed towards Subaru ownership !!
Litcho (as he is commonly known) has the highest reputation of anyone that moves in Jap tuning circles has and this has been earnt with years of testing and knowlege on Scoobs.
The type 25 cars are absolute works of art (in engineering terms)and are indeed probably THE BEST all round performing car currently available for that sort of money.
I just feel the need to change form harsh, noisy, dare I say it "chav" cars to a more refined ride but with all the get up and go I still crave.
I would go for a Vauxhall VXR only because it is a HSV product, with a warranty and parts service to back it up.
Personal preference here… I would recommend a low mileage 04 model. Do a search to find out the differences and go and see for your self. If you are free on the 21st you will see quite a few at the ACE Cafe
If you are interested in upgrades then check out the FAQ here. BoostedLS1 is very knowledgeable on how to tune the nuts off a LS1/2! I am sure 500 BHP is possible without too much expense. If you want noise, go for a Wortec headers and/or exhaust. It goes from quite quiet to fcuking loud.
I can personally recommend Monkfish if you want any work done.
One thing to bare in mind when going from Jap to Aus is the build quality will be slightly lower. Don’t get me wrong, it is not a trabant but the interior finish and panel gaps will be slightly larger and more uneven than you are used to.
The other thing is the cars are pretty heavy with low revving lazy V8s. This means it doesn’t actually feel that quick accelerating at low speeds. The up side is it will keep on accelerating well past 150 at an astonishing rate... Of course forced induction makes this feel quicker but if you are going down the N/A route the tuning options will be in different differentials ect…
Hope that helps. Richard.
Personal preference here… I would recommend a low mileage 04 model. Do a search to find out the differences and go and see for your self. If you are free on the 21st you will see quite a few at the ACE Cafe
If you are interested in upgrades then check out the FAQ here. BoostedLS1 is very knowledgeable on how to tune the nuts off a LS1/2! I am sure 500 BHP is possible without too much expense. If you want noise, go for a Wortec headers and/or exhaust. It goes from quite quiet to fcuking loud.
I can personally recommend Monkfish if you want any work done.
One thing to bare in mind when going from Jap to Aus is the build quality will be slightly lower. Don’t get me wrong, it is not a trabant but the interior finish and panel gaps will be slightly larger and more uneven than you are used to.
The other thing is the cars are pretty heavy with low revving lazy V8s. This means it doesn’t actually feel that quick accelerating at low speeds. The up side is it will keep on accelerating well past 150 at an astonishing rate... Of course forced induction makes this feel quicker but if you are going down the N/A route the tuning options will be in different differentials ect…
Hope that helps. Richard.
Welcome AussieRules.... 
hi mate ,i have came the same route as yo,still got my scoob.
got my vxr 500 now, different kind of power [if that makes sense]
dont feel stressed when larging it lol.
and like yo thought was time to grow up,just a tiny bit.
ps sti 8 430bhp if yo know anyone?
welcome m8,and where yo from.
regards mickya
got my vxr 500 now, different kind of power [if that makes sense]
dont feel stressed when larging it lol.
and like yo thought was time to grow up,just a tiny bit.
ps sti 8 430bhp if yo know anyone?
welcome m8,and where yo from.
regards mickya
mickya said:
hi mate ,i have came the same route as yo,still got my scoob.
got my vxr 500 now, different kind of power [if that makes sense]
dont feel stressed when larging it lol.
and like yo thought was time to grow up,just a tiny bit.
ps sti 8 430bhp if yo know anyone?
welcome m8,and where yo from.
regards mickya
got my vxr 500 now, different kind of power [if that makes sense]
dont feel stressed when larging it lol.
and like yo thought was time to grow up,just a tiny bit.
ps sti 8 430bhp if yo know anyone?
welcome m8,and where yo from.
regards mickya
Hi mickya,
I am from Enfield in North London, You ?
To all the other replies, Thanx for the info and I will try and make the Ace Cafe meet.
From what I have read, you would be mad to consider importing a HSV from Oz as the VXR prices you pay are actually LOWER than we pay in Perth!! I think it's fcuking disgusting TBH, I'm in the market for a GTO or R8 clubsport and it boils my piss to see them cheaper in the UK. AND that is on a straight conversion £ to $, if you factor in 'average wage' then we pay 1.5 times your price for a new GTO/VXR!!!
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
Edited by madazrx7 on Tuesday 2nd January 09:09
madazrx7 said:
From what I have read, you would be mad to consider importing a HSV from Oz as the VXR prices you pay are actually LOWER than we pay in Perth!! I think it's fcuking disgusting TBH, I'm in the market for a GTO or R8 clubsport and it boils my piss to see them cheaper in the UK. AND that is on a straight conversion £ to $, if you factor in 'average wage' then we pay 1.5 times your price for a new GTO/VXR!!!
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
Edited by madazrx7 on Tuesday 2nd January 09:09
Where you from in Perth ?
My parents live in Ballajura and my brother lives on the Vines.
I will be out there in February for a month so could maybe meet up somewhere.
AussieRules said:
madazrx7 said:
From what I have read, you would be mad to consider importing a HSV from Oz as the VXR prices you pay are actually LOWER than we pay in Perth!! I think it's fcuking disgusting TBH, I'm in the market for a GTO or R8 clubsport and it boils my piss to see them cheaper in the UK. AND that is on a straight conversion £ to $, if you factor in 'average wage' then we pay 1.5 times your price for a new GTO/VXR!!!
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
Edited by madazrx7 on Tuesday 2nd January 09:09
Where you from in Perth ?
My parents live in Ballajura and my brother lives on the Vines.
I will be out there in February for a month so could maybe meet up somewhere.
Currently living in Forrestfield, 5 minutes from the new AHG sprint track at the airport. May move once the divorce is settled
Have previously lived in Ballajura, the friend that I share the RX7 with lives there. Give us a shout when you head out. Hope to have my HSV by then... You're in Enfield; I'm from Harrow (although originally a 'Man of Kent') Hoping to be in UK late May/Jun, brother in Surrey, also hoping to time it right for Pistonfest...
Tim
madazrx7 said:
From what I have read, you would be mad to consider importing a HSV from Oz as the VXR prices you pay are actually LOWER than we pay in Perth!! I think it's fcuking disgusting TBH, I'm in the market for a GTO or R8 clubsport and it boils my piss to see them cheaper in the UK. AND that is on a straight conversion £ to $, if you factor in 'average wage' then we pay 1.5 times your price for a new GTO/VXR!!!
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
Edited by madazrx7 on Tuesday 2nd January 09:09
I want to speak to your calculator!
I think you have the wrong country or wrong conversion rate!
A VXR at full retail 37000 pounds equals about AUD$91,000!
Even if it was 30,000 pounds that is still $71,000.
Where is the pound sign on this stupid computer!!????
A HSV GTO at full retail in Oz is about AUD$80,000
Looking on carsales they can be had for about AUD$70k new though.
The US pay a lot less for their Pontiac GTO.
motomk
motomk said:
madazrx7 said:
From what I have read, you would be mad to consider importing a HSV from Oz as the VXR prices you pay are actually LOWER than we pay in Perth!! I think it's fcuking disgusting TBH, I'm in the market for a GTO or R8 clubsport and it boils my piss to see them cheaper in the UK. AND that is on a straight conversion £ to $, if you factor in 'average wage' then we pay 1.5 times your price for a new GTO/VXR!!!
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
Edited by madazrx7 on Tuesday 2nd January 09:09
I want to speak to your calculator!
I think you have the wrong country or wrong conversion rate!
A VXR at full retail 37000 pounds equals about AUD$91,000!
Even if it was 30,000 pounds that is still $71,000.
Where is the pound sign on this stupid computer!!????
A HSV GTO at full retail in Oz is about AUD$80,000
Looking on carsales they can be had for about AUD$70k new though.
The US pay a lot less for their Pontiac GTO.
motomk
I'm going by the thread www.petrolheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=331316&f=69&h=0 that says you can get new VXRs for £26,995, which I am informed is approx 1 years "average salary". $75k in Oz is approx 1.5 years "average salary" so yes I'm pissed off!!
I've been looking on carsales.com.au, but new cars don't show the price, so I am assuming list, which is $78,990 plus ORC (which in Perth are HUGE!)
BTW, you make the £ sign by using Alt + 0163 (using number pad)
madazrx7 said:
motomk said:
[quote=madazrx7]From what I have read, you would be mad to consider importing a HSV from Oz as the VXR prices you pay are actually LOWER than we pay in Perth!! I think it's fcuking disgusting TBH, I'm in the market for a GTO or R8 clubsport and it boils my piss to see them cheaper in the UK. AND that is on a straight conversion £ to $, if you factor in 'average wage' then we pay 1.5 times your price for a new GTO/VXR!!!
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
ETA: I'm in a similar position to you, have a RX7 road track weapon and was thinking of a RX8 as a sensible family car. Now decided that I actually want something a bit cruisier/lazier...
Edited by madazrx7 on Tuesday 2nd January 09:09
I want to speak to your calculator!
I think you have the wrong country or wrong conversion rate!
A VXR at full retail 37000 pounds equals about AUD$91,000!
Even if it was 30,000 pounds that is still $71,000.
Where is the pound sign on this stupid computer!!????
A HSV GTO at full retail in Oz is about AUD$80,000
Looking on carsales they can be had for about AUD$70k new though.
The US pay a lot less for their Pontiac GTO.
motomk
I'm going by the thread www.petrolheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=331316&f=69&h=0 that says you can get new VXRs for £26,995, which I am informed is approx 1 years "average salary". $75k in Oz is approx 1.5 years "average salary" so yes I'm pissed off!!
I've been looking on carsales.com.au, but new cars don't show the price, so I am assuming list, which is $78,990 plus ORC (which in Perth are HUGE!)
BTW, you make the £ sign by using Alt + 0163 (using number pad)
Edited by AussieRules on Tuesday 2nd January 14:06
I think you will find that the £27,000 is for the last of the 5.7ltr,pre registered,deivery mileage models.
The £37,000 price tag is for the new 6ltr VXR500.
If I am wrong I am sure somebody will correct me but unless things have changed considerably in the last 10 months since I was in perth, yes, they are cheaper in the UK
The £37,000 price tag is for the new 6ltr VXR500.
If I am wrong I am sure somebody will correct me but unless things have changed considerably in the last 10 months since I was in perth, yes, they are cheaper in the UK
Your Wrong !!!
The price was for Pre registered VXR 6.0 only a few left now.
Many reasons why it was so cheap but basically they have not sold very well in the UK and Vauxhall havve mad quite a loss on this batch, so its not really a fair comparison.
Compare it to the list price of £37000
Vauxhall is really trying to sell its last cars before the new models arrive, all the cars sold at the moment where built last August 05 so really have been hanging around for a while.
Don't get too upset look how much we pay for our housing compared to Perth and just about everything else!!
The price was for Pre registered VXR 6.0 only a few left now.
Many reasons why it was so cheap but basically they have not sold very well in the UK and Vauxhall havve mad quite a loss on this batch, so its not really a fair comparison.
Compare it to the list price of £37000
Vauxhall is really trying to sell its last cars before the new models arrive, all the cars sold at the moment where built last August 05 so really have been hanging around for a while.
Don't get too upset look how much we pay for our housing compared to Perth and just about everything else!!
AussieRules said:
I think you will find that the £27,000 is for the last of the 5.7ltr,pre registered,deivery mileage models.
The £37,000 price tag is for the new 6ltr VXR500.
If I am wrong I am sure somebody will correct me but unless things have changed considerably in the last 10 months since I was in perth, yes, they are cheaper in the UK
The £37,000 price tag is for the new 6ltr VXR500.
If I am wrong I am sure somebody will correct me but unless things have changed considerably in the last 10 months since I was in perth, yes, they are cheaper in the UK
No, the £27,000 is for the last of the 6.0 VXRs. Don't even start me on the VXR500, you can't even get that here!!
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