For my next car I've got two choices in mind. A sensible choice, Mk3 Octavia vRS, or a mad, you-only-live-once choice, which I've settled on as being a Vauxhall VXR8. I'm a great fan of V8s, and I'm thinking if I'm going to own one I'd better own one before they go obsolete! Need a decent size car for family duties too, and the VXR8 seems to tick all the boxes! Just on the off chance, has anyone owned one, or know anyone who has owned one? Am I mad?!

Your mad, they are an awesome car probably single figures regards to mpg. Like you said before they go obsolete, do it. I remember they had one at a pro drive racing day, 4 pax and driver, foot down, way to go.

Skinnyman had one until quite recently.

Skinnyman had one until quite recently.

 

If only!  Mine was the Vectra VXR so was only a lowly V6.  I do miss it terribly though.

 

As for the original question, make sure you have deep pockets if you go for the Holden.  The reason I sold my VXR was down to cost.  I loved the car and was contemplating moving up to a VXR8.  However, the running costs would have crippled me so that's why I'm back in a Skoda.  The fuel is the obvious cost, as is the £500+ a year for tax.  Then there were all sorts of other things that cost more because they weren't Vauxhall items, such as the dampers.  

 

If I didn't have the three kids, or a mortgage, or a sensible wife or indeed all of the aforementioned burdens/commitments then I'd be in a different car.  If you can afford it then go for it.  

I sold my car to MW Performance as they deal in fast Vauxhalls.  They are on ebay and have their own website.  Another place to have a look is VXR Online.  They cater for all the VXR cars so beware of the hoodies with their Corsas and Astras!

 

Prices seem to start at around £15k for a nice example but if you are willing to go for an older car and model there are some Monaros out there for less.  

 

Enjoy your search as they are amazing cars and each time I see one I get the calculator out and do some man maths.  One day, one day......

 

http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/index.php

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=mw-performance-cars&hash=item43f12bc892%3Ag%3Al8EAAOSwuzRXd81s&item=291808987282&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xvxr8.TRS0&_nkw=vxr8&_sacat=0

Edited 3 September, 20169 yr by skinnyman

Not a V6, but have you checked out the Vauxhall Insignia 2.8 V6 24V Turbo VXR's

http://autotrader.co.uk

Have you considered a Jag XFR?

 

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201608196942060

 

505hp for under £20k

Thanks for the replies. I know the VXR8 will be an expensive car to live with, but I've done my research and think I know what to look out for. I know brakes are expensive for these, circa £200 per disc plus pad costs, so I'd ideally get one with recent discs and pads. There are a few specialists that can help with servicing (Walkinshaw Performance and Monkfish Performance are the big two) so that's not too bad. I don't plan on owning it very long, a year at most, so I could probably live with the fuel and tax costs in that time, and just have fun with it.

The XFR sounds interesting, but I've never been a massive fan of Jags, plus the XFR looks just a bit too plain for me, which the VXR8 doesn't with the big rear wing and flared arches!

Just a little thing, I think you will find that the indicator stalk on the VXR are on the right hand side.

Just a little thing, I think you will find that the indicator stalk on the VXR are on the right hand side.

 

I'm used to that on SWMBO's Kia Picanto so should adjust to it fairly easily.

S type R for budget super saloon motoring ....

I would definitely get the VXR8  I've driven a couple of Holdens and although they didn't feel as fast as I thought they would, I loved the engines And indicators on the RHS is a minor win for me too

 

Actually one of the cars I drove was a long wheel base car built for Tom Walkinshaw before his racing company went bust. It was quite refined, but I'm sure it wouldn't have cost much to make it a lot more grumbly and V8-ish

Edited 5 September, 20169 yr by Lady Elanore

Walkinshaw (albeit through his son Ryan) still run holdens performance division (HSV) over in Australia. So getting it serviced at walkinshaw performance wouldn't be too bad a move. Definitely go for it though! Shame you cant get the commodore here, or a nice Ford FG Falcon! Anyone for an import?

Didn't they import the Maloo? I like it just for the sound of it's name. Mallloooooooo   

It wouldn't be my first V8 choice but they are pretty cool and do sound awesome.

I think for me it would be an Audi S4 or merc E55 amg.

Edited 6 September, 20169 yr by Phil-E

My neighbour is selling a 1980 V8 Trans-Am Turbo. It was the pace car at the 1980 Indy 500...allegedly.

From EVO, the Monaro will do better than 30mpg on legal motorway tag, and drop to about 13 given some beans; just so you know.

My neighbour is selling a 1980 V8 Trans-Am Turbo. It was the pace car at the 1980 Indy 500...allegedly.

Well, the Trans-Am was used that year, but in that time frame the supply of the Indy pace car allowed the manufacturer to produce a 500-off limited edition, which your neighbour's car is probably one of.

I sold a 5.7 V8 Corvette C4 Auto to a young guy once and told him if he drove it back home (down South) and kept it at no more than 70, he should be able to get 30mpg. He didn't believe me, but rang me once home to inform me he had indeed managed it. Not bad eh

Mate of mine has had one pretty much since the supercharged one was shown on Fifth Gear. He's never had any problems with it save for your normal service items - and many, many rear tyres.

Makes a truly epic noise (a screaming supercharger is highly addictive along with that exhaust note), but do be aware that you'll struggle to get 15mpg in the real world, and it's very easy to get it into single digits...

I've driven faster and more powerful cars, but don't think I've driven one which delivers the power in quite such a brutal way when you floor it, which makes it feel *very* rapid.

I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I could afford it, they're hilariously good fun.

Neighbour has a 70s corsair as well. He reckons he can get 35+ on it because the engine is simple. He rattled some number at me possible it was a 350 V8 I can't be arsed to figure that in metric.

 

He keeps trying to sell me on his American Muscle cars. I love the noise but even he admits they drive like boats.

What about something truly, properly mental?

http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C670438

If you want to spend forty off grand and not lose too much a 911 is probably the way to go.

Have you considered a Jag XFR?

 

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201608196942060

 

505hp for under £20k

 

I love the 'supercharged' lettering on the bonnet vents, good thing it's a saloon not an estate otherwise I'd be tempted to have a look.

 

John

Edited 9 September, 20169 yr by JohnMcL7

I love the 'supercharged' lettering on the bonnet vents, good thing it's a saloon not an estate otherwise I'd be tempted to have a look.

 

John

 

Haven't seen a shooting brake much lower than £35k so far and none below 40k on Autotrader right now.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607015448820

 

I'm torn on things like this. A 500hp car should be a special thing to polish and take out on nice days, but you don't hide a 5d estate away for a sunny day.

Might just wait on the prices of the 5l F-Type to drop a bit.

There is a nice looking automatic car up in Turriff for sale and i am tempted.

VXR8 6.2 i V8 4 door, red, 2009, 47,500 miles.

But there are just so many better cars around for sale for similar money or less. 

& AWD is nice with that sort of power.

But the you only live and die once.

Edited 9 September, 20169 yr by GoneOffSKi