Mrs wants a HSV VXR

[Ijustgot1]

Hey all, the Mrs is mad keen on one of the little HSV VXR Astras.
Has anyone got one? Driven one?
Whats the feedback and news on them? Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.
I love the R8 and have the ute myself so still have a large car, but living out of town and lots of weekly kms travelled, it could be a good fuel saver at the same time for her.
Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated, and no dont want to buy a Prius so no smart comments of that ilk would be great!
Thanks
Holty

[tim_k]

Has your missus got strong wrists? Top Gear reports that the torque steer in these things is shocking

[Black AH CDX]

You're referring to the original Top Gear test, when they drove a VXR without final tuning, basically an SRi Turbo with the VXR engine.

Yes it has some torque steer but its not going to rip the hands of your Mrs.

Head over to www.opelaus.com to see what owners think

[DR-vyss-108]

i know this is a holden forum, but if you gunna spend the cash on a hot hatch, you would be silly to go past a golf gti, my dad owns one and it is seriously good, easy to drive, extremely fun (alot more useable power than my ss anyway) handling is pretty amazing, just feels so well put together....

"hoping not to get bagged out here" :)

[iloveholden]

You're referring to the original Top Gear test, when they drove a VXR without final tuning, basically an SRi Turbo with the VXR engine.

Yes it has some torque steer but its not going to rip the hands of your Mrs.

Head over to www.opelaus.com to see what owners think

Yeah your right mate about that Top Gear ep.

I've never driven one but i reckon they looks really nice, little red or blue one would suit your Mrs.

[LS2SS]

Has your missus got strong wrists? Top Gear reports that the torque steer in these things is shocking

Have to agree with that. They have massive torque steer.

[SCiFiRE]

Even the original TS Astra turbo had a bucket-load of torque steer. But its only when you really give it the right boot. Otherwise its no problem, so i wouldnt be worried.
Go for a test drive and see for yourself?

[CLUBRED]

I don't think you heard the Mrs properly mate, I don't think there's a decision to be made other than who gets to wash it on the weekends.. :D

[Black AH CDX]

oh and while you're out test driving, take the RenaultSport Megane Cup out for a run. That thing has been getting rave reviews, esp the limited edition 3 doors.

[VT_Lance]

i had the same thought in my head are they good car coz they look nice lol

[02vxss]

i haven't driven a vxr but if it is anything like a mazda 3 mps stay away. The mps has the worst torque steer i've ever encounted, bordering on dangerous.

i'd put another vote in for the golf gti, extremally nice to drive, no torque steer, enough pwr, and it is just a quality product.

best bet mate is to test drive the car and see if it suits you & the missus.

[matthewfnorbert]

golf gti is the go! even the 1.4l GT is a good package and who would not want a supercharged and turbocharged engine.

[whitels1ss]

Hey all, the Mrs is mad keen on one of the little HSV VXR Astras.
Has anyone got one? Driven one?
Whats the feedback and news on them? Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.
I love the R8 and have the ute myself so still have a large car, but living out of town and lots of weekly kms travelled, it could be a good fuel saver at the same time for her.
Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated, and no dont want to buy a Prius so no smart comments of that ilk would be great!
Thanks
Holty


If that makes her happy and it the car that she wants get her one.
The car is for her? ........YES!
Who are we to tell her what to get?
She lets you have your HSV, you let her have what she wants.

[planetdavo]

As good as the GTI is, to many people it looks pretty bland sitting next to a VXR.

[JLR]

Friend of mine has had one for 6 months. Ive been in it, driving it aswell. Bloody awesome car. When people say 'massive torque steer', seriously, it isnt that bad. It would depend on if your on a hill etc (weight at back of car), but on a flat surface, you can seriously launch these things. Very deceptive in looks, and its definately quick. Love the Recaros, wheels, flip out keys, already lowered at a nice height. Interior dash is ok, didnt get to explore the full functions though. The only thing, is that people who dont know will ask, what car is that, and when you say HSV VXR, they wont believe you and just think its an Astra!

but it would be a tough choice between a

HSV VXR
Mazda MPS
Ford XR 5 turbo
VW R32 (prob out of price range though)

[planetdavo]

The only thing, is that people who dont know will ask, what car is that, and when you say HSV VXR, they wont believe you and just think its an Astra!

Probably the same boofheads that say "It's just an expensive Commodore" when the W427 is mentioned...

[CSP]

My sister recently went through a couple of months of car shopping and test driving. Looking at everytihng in the same class as the VXR. She ultimately ended up with the VW Golf GT-Sport (with full leather, DSG box and sunroof). Cheaper, much more refined, more comfortable, much more fuel efficient and not a whole lot less powerful.

I have to say if I were in the market for a smaller car, it would be the VW Golf (probably the R32). After spending so much time looking at everything around, they're clear winners.

[Martin_D]

The VXR is a great little car :)
The 'torque steer' problems these cars have are about as 'real world' as the C63 AMGs the press rave on about being sideways at every bend - i.e. if you dont provoke it, doenst happen :teach:
With sharp edgy styling and a great tuneable engine about the only thing holding the VXR back is its price tag. Certainly makes a refreshing change to see these cars on the road. Best part is its not a long drive from Warnambool to Adelaide for a tune :lol:

[BILLY R8]

good choice of a car

[Ijustgot1]

Tuna, what subtle upgrades would you suggest? I was thinking maybe an exhaust, but as this would be a daily for her, so dont want it too silly. Have you done much with them so far? Are they tuneable like when they do an edit on the gen`s etc? Fuel efficiency is an issue that needs to be taken into account with this car!
Thanks
Holty

[CSP]

Fuel efficiency is an issue that needs to be taken into account with this car!

Then don't buy one... The GT-Sport Golf has a combine average of 7 litres per 100km thanks to the 1.4 direct injection, turbo'd & blown (yes BOTH) engine. And it's 0-100km is 6.1 seconds!!! Not to mention much more comfy (the VXR Recaros are quite firm), four doors, a lot more room and much better resale.

[Ijustgot1]

Ok, she wont take anything less than a HSV so the VW and Mazda vehicles are a worthless option in this discussion. Basically we either keep the current R8 or buy the VXR. Im happy to keep what we have, and have no reason to upgrade as I love the current car, but its her daily driver and being out of town the daily commute is getting expensive, hence the VXR option.
Thanks, loving the different opinions. Going to ring Smiths in Geelong this week and see if they have one to test drive, otherwise were off to Melb for a drive.
Holty

[CSP]

It won't be much less expensive with the VXR. If she wants a cheaper commute and nothing less than a HSV she needs to wake up!

Ring dealers before turning up for a test drive. They aren't a popular enough car for dealers to stock a lot of them.

[_MetalliX_]

CarAdvice has two road tests of th VXR, I strongly recommend checking them out.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/4595/2007-hsv-vxr-turbo-road-test/

http://www.caradvice.com.au/8892/2008-hsv-vxr-review/

[CRBZ]

Tell her, what she wants and what she can have are 2 different things... haha, refering to title havent read threw the pages yet.

Also its always nice to think it is a 2 way street in terms of getting things for people... that possibly ull get something in return 2. All in all asking here isnt going to help. If women want something there gonna get it.

Havent heard or seen this HSV VXR. Could be rare or because no1 wants one?

[Martin_D]

Tuna, what subtle upgrades would you suggest? I was thinking maybe an exhaust, but as this would be a daily for her, so dont want it too silly. Have you done much with them so far? Are they tuneable like when they do an edit on the gen`s etc? Fuel efficiency is an issue that needs to be taken into account with this car!
Thanks
Holty

Holty, if you brought the car over to us, here is how it would go :)
Initial dyno session in the morning, with the Astra making around 132kw at the front tyres :cool:

From there we would refabricate the rear section of the exhaust system which will drop the back pressure in the exhaust, and allow another 0.2 - 0.3 bar boost pressure which we would 'tune' in on the dyno. Flashing the PCM and custom tuning will take the best part of a day with one of these cars, and should net a result of close to 152 - 160 front wheel kilowatts and take the flywheel rating to a smidge over 200kw...at which point the Astra becomes a really fun ride! :cool:

Factor in 2 days to leave the car with us, and around $2900 in parts and tuning for the result :bow:

[planetdavo]

Havent heard or seen this HSV VXR. Could be rare or because no1 wants one?
HSV do not bring a lot in. Only 100 or 200 a year from memory.

[iloveholden]

Holty, if you brought the car over to us, here is how it would go :)
Initial dyno session in the morning, with the Astra making around 132kw at the front tyres :cool:

From there we would refabricate the rear section of the exhaust system which will drop the back pressure in the exhaust, and allow another 0.2 - 0.3 bar boost pressure which we would 'tune' in on the dyno. Flashing the PCM and custom tuning will take the best part of a day with one of these cars, and should net a result of close to 152 - 160 front wheel kilowatts and take the flywheel rating to a smidge over 200kw...at which point the Astra becomes a really fun ride! :cool:

Factor in 2 days to leave the car with us, and around $2900 in parts and tuning for the result :bow:

Sounds good enough to me for a little small car. :)

[BTA-MOTORSPORTS]

Has your missus got strong wrists? Top Gear reports that the torque steer in these things is shocking

Great car and they really move for a little 4 beside the torque steer,i drove one and have too agree excessive torque steer when you get into it.

[Ijustgot1]

she needs to wake up!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
CSP, what that meant to mean??

[matthewfnorbert]

Ok, she wont take anything less than a HSV so the VW and Mazda vehicles are a worthless option in this discussion. Basically we either keep the current R8 or buy the VXR. Im happy to keep what we have, and have no reason to upgrade as I love the current car, but its her daily driver and being out of town the daily commute is getting expensive, hence the VXR option.
Thanks, loving the different opinions. Going to ring Smiths in Geelong this week and see if they have one to test drive, otherwise were off to Melb for a drive.
Holty

if you are changing because of the daily driver costs then the most expensive thing you can do medium term is buy new again... might as well stick with the R8 if nothing else is an option. drive the 1.4 vw GT, it might change her mind

[planetdavo]

Great car and they really move for a little 4 beside the torque steer,i drove one and have too agree excessive torque steer when you get into it.

The two most powerful cars in that class are the Mazda 3 MPS and the VXR. Now for some reason, the two most known for torque steer!
Go down to lower powered competitors (like Golf), and the torque steer pretty much disappears. Pretty normal front wheel drive traight here, and one potential buyers need to accept comes with having so much power/torque.

[JLR]

Yeah, definately ring dealers before heading out to see if they have them. I know the Holden dealer in Sunshine had a demo model there mid this year.

[lampshade]

Holty, if you brought the car over to us, here is how it would go :)
Initial dyno session in the morning, with the Astra making around 132kw at the front tyres :cool:

From there we would refabricate the rear section of the exhaust system which will drop the back pressure in the exhaust, and allow another 0.2 - 0.3 bar boost pressure which we would 'tune' in on the dyno. Flashing the PCM and custom tuning will take the best part of a day with one of these cars, and should net a result of close to 152 - 160 front wheel kilowatts and take the flywheel rating to a smidge over 200kw...at which point the Astra becomes a really fun ride! :cool:

Factor in 2 days to leave the car with us, and around $2900 in parts and tuning for the result :bow:

Just to add to this, I would replace the precat on the car also and look at upgrading the brakes to the AP 4pot as the standard brakes are at about there limit and do fade after a bit of spirited driving.

My othe halfs Vxr is running around 170kw and the AP's are by far the best mod on the car.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/lampshade1/DSCN6318.jpg

[CSP]

Just to add to this, I would replace the precat on the car also and look at upgrading the brakes to the AP 4pot as the standard brakes are at about there limit and do fade after a bit of spirited driving.

My othe halfs Vxr is running around 170kw and the AP's are by far the best mod on the car.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/lampshade1/DSCN6318.jpg

Sack your photographer!

[VT_Lance]

and put the standard mags back on look far better

[bwg]

and put the standard mags back on look far better

Those wheels actually look good when you see them in the metal/flesh/alloy. They will also be lighter than the 19 inch VXR wheels and will ride better as the profile isn't as low because they're 18.

Plain and simple... the VXR will torque steer if you provoke it. It is not as bad as people make out.

I've had people drive my flashed Astra Turbo and go WHOA, because the power through the front wheels does pull. Yet after the initial shock, they adapt... and so will you/she. The shock generally comes from driving a different style of car. My mates who already drive similar hot hatches (and have driven mine), don't even comment on it. I guess it's what you're used to.

For me, the VXR would be close to one of the best looking hot hatches. The shape, the power, the rims...

Yes there's the XR5, Gti, Renault, 3 MPS. You really can't wrong with any, because they all have their pros and cons.

The VXR is not that common, as HSV has been given limited number from its Opel/Vauxhall counterparts overseas. That is the other reason why it still has the Opel symbol on the steering wheel, as the expenses involved with amending were too great relative to the numbers it would be sold in.

With 81% of VXR owners not owning an HSV before, the VXR has really been about opening up a new market for them

There have been people buying brand new ones for around 40K driveaway, so pricing can vary.

Another option is the Nurburgring VXR. These are going to sell quickly, as there are only 20 being allocated to Australia. 835 have been allocated worldwide, as 8:35 is the time the VXR was officially timed at at the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. It is the only way you can buy a white VXR, and i'd say resale on them may be better, even if there is a $2000 premium over the standard one.