VTII Club Vs VXII SS - Better buy??

[Ch0jiN]

Hi Guys, I'm new to the forums, and looking to buy myself an LS1 powered commy in the next weeks or so. So firstly, Hi :)

Secondly, (you knew there would be a question didn't you)

I've been looking at VXII SS's lately as they fit my budget, and are fairly new with the occasional low km leather clad 6m version lurking around. However, today I saw a black VTII Clubsport R8 6M with only 52k (no leather sadly) for 28neg (car yard). Question is, tougher bodywork aside, in your opinion, is an older clubby preferrable to a newer SS? Apart from bodywork, what else am I getting that makes it worthwhile?

Cheers :)

[IIV8II]

Check your insurance cost

VXII sedans had extra rear suspension link and nicer cruise control/indicator stalk

[macca33]

Yep, insurance can play a big part.

I'm not 100%, but I think VT2 R8s had the premium brake packages standard, along with better seats.

It is an older car without the toe-control link, BUT, I like 'em HSVs. You'd have to do a couple of grand better than 28k though.

Good luck with the difficult choice,

Macca

[WE OWN 2 GEN 3s]

When i was car shopping mid/late last year , i was looking at HSV because i just want one . But in the end i bought a VX SS SERIES 2 M6 because of insurance only

STU

[f*freddy]

go the HSV:headbang:

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

Exact same situation as I was with you. I was looking for a VX SS but when I saw my R8 I fell in love. Bigger brakes, better suspension (even if it doesnt have the toe link it will corner better then normal FE2), already have the HSV air box (won't need a monaroe air box for later mods), bucket seats, 3.73 diff (for M6), and 250kw out of the box.
People will tell you that you can make the ss as quick with edit and the such but you would end up spending big bucks getting the same goodies the clubby has with the before mentioned.
Only downside is that you dont get the LS6 manifold with the VTII but it can be easily interchanged.
I bought my clubby and have never looked back. You know you just want one!

[Ch0jiN]

Thanks for the help guys. Appreciated especially because I'm new here.

Well it breaks down like this. The insurance tip was a good one. Seems the difference between 'Holden' and 'HSV' equals about $1300/year Not loads I know, but after driving the VXII SS and the VTII R8, the first and most obvious things that felt (for want of a better word) 'wrong' about them after getting out of my '92 prelude were the same in both the SS and R8. Those things being clutch travel and gearbox throw distance. I've always been told Honda's are known for their nice gearbox's, and having driven Type R's and even my Prelude and now the commodores, I can see why!

Anyway, I still intend to buy an SS, probably the one I just drove, and I'm sure after a little time in the car I'll not notice these things, but I wondered if any of you noticed the same thing (assuming you went from a "sporty" Jap car to your Commodore). I guess clutchs can be adjusted and short shift kits installed of course, just wondering is all.

Oh and yeah, the R8 felt slightly faster, but that also might be due to the fact that it was a dealer sale, so I didnt feel so bad about giving it to it right out of the driveway haha. Seats hold you a lot tighter, brakes are bigger though i couldnt tell any difference in street driving, and as commented before, suspension did feel more rigid than the FE2 equipped SS, not that the SS felt loose at all though. Oh and body kit looks awesome on the R8 as you all know.

So. Still a tough call but I'll let you know what happens next week when the cash fairy arrives and I buy something. No doubt I'll be after recommendations for performance shops in Sydney soon after I get it home ;)

Oh and the coolest thing about both LS1's was, no slappy slappy noise ;) After reading about it here I was sure to find the car of my dreams had a dud engine, but whilst the dealer was sketchy on the R8's history, the SS was all as it came from the factory and whisper quiet cold and hot.

[vzsster]

Hi Guys, I'm new to the forums, and looking to buy myself an LS1 powered commy in the next weeks or so. So firstly, Hi :)

Secondly, (you knew there would be a question didn't you)

I've been looking at VXII SS's lately as they fit my budget, and are fairly new with the occasional low km leather clad 6m version lurking around. However, today I saw a black VTII Clubsport R8 6M with only 52k (no leather sadly) for 28neg (car yard). Question is, tougher bodywork aside, in your opinion, is an older clubby preferrable to a newer SS? Apart from bodywork, what else am I getting that makes it worthwhile?

Cheers :)

try a subaru...............:shock: :shock: :shock:

[Ch0jiN]

[quote]try a subaru[\quote]

Had one. MY99 WRX 3k to insure, then added 5k worth of audio and it was stolen within 6 weeks. Lost almost 9 grand due to insurance cost, stereo, stamp duty etc etc. Basically the reason I got the prelude...all i could afford at the time after that.

Was considering a B4. 2nd hand almost 30k for 100k+ models, awesome leather interior and sound system, but feels a little cramped for my hight comapred to a full sized sedan.

Also, the 2l turbo is fine when there is just you in it, but add passengers and it may as well be an excel engine.

[james2]

Why is their a 1300$ insurance difference ?That does not seem right, if mine was at that difference they would have to pay me.$ 855 for an VX Clubby R8.

[Ch0jiN]

Dunno "why" exactly, but I got two quotes for comparison from nrma.
SS = $1300
R8 = $2600

My area is expensive as far as insurance goes though. Stupid really, because I have secure parking at home and at work (same suburb) and I pay more than when I lived in Paddington with street parking (2 cars flogged from Paddo by the way)

Anyway, thats the $1300

[james2]

I would be making lots of phone calls to lots of companies to find a better rate. By the way, HSV rules.:yup: I live in the NT and had the best price from a QLD company.:dance:

[Ch0jiN]

James, yeah I lived in Brissy most of my life before moving to Sydney. I can assure you that insurance rates differ hugely between Sydney and Brisbane.

That said, I just called the guy with the SS and told him I'm buying it :) Just felt like the better purchase in my gut. Sorry to dissapoint the HSV fans :) When I spoke to him though, he told me he'd hook me up with his broker and get me a good deal on insurance too, so hows that for service :)

All I gotta do now is offload the prelude. Not the right forum to do that though is it ;) Wonder if anyone would take a prelude in exchange for tints, stereo, zorst, suspension, mcai and a tune :)

Oh and also, much prefer private sale where I get to know the only previous owner (SS) as opposed the dealer (R8). Every car I've bought from a dealer has burnt me, and every private car i've bought has been a gem. I'm hoping for the same this time too.

[VTSII Clubby]

Had to make a simillar discission and chose the Clubsport. I would do the same today. Couldnt be happier...

[Ch0jiN]

Thanks for your replies guys, all academic now as I've put a deposit on the SS. Just waiting for the nod from the bank to go sign stuff and I'm away.

At the end of the day, I chose the lower insurance and the more subtle styling of the SS. I'm not planning on circuit racing it, so the larger brakes were not a consideration. I am planning on replacing the FE2 suspension anyway (i'll ask more about that later, was thinking of a whiteline kit maybe) so the firmer ride of the R8 was a mute point, and sure the R8 felt a bit quicker, but I'd always intended to do exhaust MCAI and tune anyway. The seats in the R8, whilst akward to get in and out of, were superior, but the ones in the SS are leather, and coming from ass scrapingly low prelude seats, they are like getting in and out of my lounge...much nicer to live with.

So thanks again, and as soon as I get it you can expect some more questions haha.

[VooDoo]

VY SS's have been seen in the low 20's these days and VT Clubbys under $20k. Make sure you have a GOOD look around especially in the FS sections of the forum as there are some awesome cars and great bargins to be had. If you looked hard enough a VX clubby can be found in the mid to high 20's.

[Ch0jiN]

VooDoo, I'm sure you are spot on, but yeah, see the thing is, I'm very, very lazy, and needed a new car quite urgently. I am possibly the worlds worst shopper to be honest. After all, I paid 15k for my prelude only to discover when i got home and called the insurance company that the most they could insure it for was 12k due to that being it's market value. So I completely expect to see dozens of VXII SS's trading for far less than I paid (low 20's)now that I've agreed to buy one. Anyway, as long as I can accept my own issues, thats all that matters right?

That said, you'd also be disgusted to know that I'm seriously considering selling the prelude to a dealer just so I dont have to deal with the hassle of trying to sell privately. Sure I'll get less money, but I wont have to get it fixed up (needs a new master cylinder), and I wont have to deal with ppl trying to haggle with me.

[lukaswild]

VooDoo, I'm sure you are spot on, but yeah, see the thing is, I'm very, very lazy, and needed a new car quite urgently. I am possibly the worlds worst shopper to be honest. After all, I paid 15k for my prelude only to discover when i got home and called the insurance company that the most they could insure it for was 12k due to that being it's market value. So I completely expect to see dozens of VXII SS's trading for far less than I paid (low 20's)now that I've agreed to buy one. Anyway, as long as I can accept my own issues, thats all that matters right?

That said, you'd also be disgusted to know that I'm seriously considering selling the prelude to a dealer just so I dont have to deal with the hassle of trying to sell privately. Sure I'll get less money, but I wont have to get it fixed up (needs a new master cylinder), and I wont have to deal with ppl trying to haggle with me.


You should have tried Parkside Autos (across the road from Suttons Holden in Arncliffe) if you're looking for a low km Clubsport or SS. They only buy and sell very good examples and are realistic on prices. Good family business to deal with too. As for Insurance, try Shannons. They are $260 per year cheaper for my SV300 than anyone else, and that's at an agreed value too.

[Ch0jiN]

You should have tried Parkside Autos (across the road from Suttons Holden in Arncliffe) if you're looking for a low km Clubsport or SS. They only buy and sell very good examples and are realistic on prices. Good family business to deal with too.

Haha, funny you should say that, thats exactly where the HSV R8 I was talking about was :) They also had a couple of VX SS's there, quite a few thou over the price I paid, but that said, the ones they had were modded and mines not, a couple also had big wheels. Both were of the 19" or 20" chrome bling variety that I'm not really fond of. Also, I'll admit being very skeptical of dealers as I may have already mentioned. I've been sold three duds to date from dealers so I just felt more comfortable being able to talk to the guy thats owned the car since birth. Not that I've had a bad experience in any way with Parkside. Let me make that clear.

Anyway, still waiting for the bank to send paperwork to the branch. Gotta love banks dontcha. "Loan approved over the phone in 10 minutes, paperwork might take two weeks though...."

[lukaswild]

Still a nice yard to drool in though hey!