25 replies to this topic

[trescoman]

Today I’m driving a VXR8 (in red) courtesy of Greens (thank you Brian), picked up on my way down to Godalming from home, and they have kindly agreed to let me keep it until tomorrow night . I has the Wortec (switchable) exhaust system on it with the cold air intake, and the 20” wheels …….. and my first impressions are …………..well foot down and listen to that roar It seems handle well, but I spent most of this morning stuck on the M25, so tonight gonna take for a spin !! It kinda likes petrol stations though Bob

[Dave]

the switchable exhaust is great... I bet you dont get better than 15mpg! Borrowed one the other day from Picador Check out "Quickers" they can get hold of VXR8's. Reminder to me - MUST GET THE WORTEC EXHAUST for the Monaro

[trescoman]

the switchable exhaust is great... I bet you dont get better than 15mpg!

In third, foot down, and I saw 4.5mpg come up , so I'm not expecting more than what you suggest on a test drive

What a sound though

[Dave]

<QUICKARS>


link...slightly different spelling to quoted earlier.... based in Slough area + jct 2 of M40.

4.5

I have to switch that function off in the Monaro

[Whiteboy]

Bob it must sound wicked, so when are you going to buy one.

[trescoman]

Well here goes, test drive summary.

First off, this car has the cold air intake (don’t worry you’ll never hear it), remap and the switchable Wortec exhaust which is a pure pleasure, and the 20” wheels finalise the look, at £2500+ they are expensive, but look great against a std VXR8

It’s a massive car in every sense, the interior is comfortable, well presented and spacious, with loads of room in the back for 2 people, the third seat is only for short drives. The seats are of the “bucket” variety and are firm yet supportive and comfortable, (love the VXR logos in the seats) and the driving position is good. I’ve heard talk that the interior can look a bit plasticy/tacky from some magazines, that’s not what I would say……….I think it looks the dogs…….

The engine will pull forever, the acceleration is nothing short of astounding 4.8secs 0-60 before mod’s , and the note in “loud mode” is unbelievable <CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE LINK TO LISTEN>(makes Timbo’s M5 sound like a pussy ), switch to “quiet mode” and it becomes a normal V8, if there is such a thing.
6th gear is a beautiful cruise gear returning around 32-35 mpg at 80 with the revs at 2,000 (barely ticking over). Off the line take off is surprising quick in that the traction control allows fast starts without the squeal of tyres, hard acceleration will bring the consumption down to 5mpg , but averaging out about 20-22 mpg (so there is a thought that says turn off the information and stop worrying about it) overall that consumption ain’t that bad, my ST220 returns 27mpg

Road holding is surprisingly good for such a big car, although I think that I would prefer for the up-rated springs, bumps and holes don’t appear to affect the drivability with the OEM set-up and the ride is smooth.
The brakes do exactly what the write up’s say……………they stop and bloody fast, however I did notice the back thumping a bit

Pro’s
The Looks
The Wortec Exhaust
The Wortec Exhaust (it needs saying twice)
The Engine
The Brakes
Interior
Comfort

Con’s
That bloody rear spoiler (rear view, what rear view)
Radio (no TA and it’s a Blaupunkt, why do Vauxhall spec these ?)
Age old problem where do you park it out the way of the “I don’t care how I park” mob

In conclusion, would I have one

/ Churchill mode on

oh yes !

A great big THANK YOU to Brian (and Dan) at Greens of Holborogh for allowing me to test drive this car………..bloody fantastic.


Bob

[Dave]

glad u liked it your summary of it sounds so close to my Monaro VXR (with no wortec ) The lack of RDS is a pain.

[Timbo]

Bob i dont that link is with the wortec exhaust, it sounded so much louder than that and poped and banged Even considering one myself now

[trescoman]

Sounds like an awesome car, but I can't get past the fact it looks the spoiler and gills in the side just look wrong

the guy from Greens just dropped me a line, saying they can change the spoiler for a more discrete one, obviously that would improve the view from behind.............which would be a big plus over the current spoiler

[Muncher]

I must say I was pretty disappointed with it at the Brands Hatch VXR day. The Corsa and Astra seemed much better rounded and much more fun to me.

[Dave]

Bob here is the current alternative

[kjmac]

I must say I was pretty disappointed with it at the Brands Hatch VXR day. The Corsa and Astra seemed much better rounded and much more fun to me.

I did the one at Oulton, when driving the VXR8 they didn't really allow us to use anything lower than fourth gear. But by the way it was pulling like a train even then I bet its tyre roasting fun in the lower gears. The other cars were 'interesting', but I'd never have one. Wrong-wheel drive!

Dave: Have to say I read your posts on the HSV site with interest, I am thinking about perhaps getting a Monaro (6L VXR + Wortec exhaust of course) to replace the VX before the year is out. Talk about going off on a tangent! Performance thru light-weight to performance thru brute force!

Ken

[trescoman]

Bob here is the current alternative

Dave

Thanks, thats much better, now just gotta sort out that bloody head unit

Bob

[trescoman]

Bob i dont that link is with the wortec exhaust, it sounded so much louder than that and poped and banged

Listen to this then VXR8 Wortec , towards the end.........fantastic sound

[Dave]

Dave: Have to say I read your posts on the HSV site with interest, I am thinking about perhaps getting a Monaro (6L VXR + Wortec exhaust of course) to replace the VX before the year is out. Talk about going off on a tangent! Performance thru light-weight to performance thru brute force!

Ken

I'm getting to like the brute force approach

[Timbo]

Thats more like it ......i want

[JG]

That small spoiler is such an improvment.