VZ SV8/SS Differences

[ActionDan]

I'm having a really hard time finding out exact differences between SV8's and SS's in the VZ range, used google and this forum already.

I'm aware of obvious differneces like wheels and trim level but I'm more interested in the mechanical differences.

Is the suspension the same?
Are the brakes the same?
I note the headlights are different, is there really that much of a difference between the standard reflectors on the SV8 and the projectors on the SS?

I assume there's people on here who have been through this already so comments from anyone who chose one over the other and for what reasons would be great. Is the SS really worth the extra 5 or so grand that they're showing the dealer used market? (will be leasing through work).

Should have the GTR sold in the next week or two so need to sort out what I'm getting and am tossing up between VY SS, VZ SV8 or VZ SS with VZ SS at around 35 being the upper limit of what I want to spend.

Cheers

[brentonsav]

do you def want a sedan?
ive seen utes in the herald sun for $35,000 drive away brand new...

if your after a sedan, def get an 6.0L L76 so series 2 VZ SS/SV8.
much more responsive to mods than the LS1's...

[ActionDan]

Yep def want a sedan, the last two cars have been two doors with no boot space and I'm over the stuffing around, Need 4 doors and back seats.

Car has to come from a dealer too, private is always cheaper but is not an option with a lease. The series II VZ's are pulling a fair premium over 35k in dealerships.

Cheers

[brentonsav]

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/vehicle/prices.php?key=HOLD06DU

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/vehicle/prices.php?key=HOLD06DX

dealers are more expensive but they are negotiable.
anyway, welcome to the v8 world and good luck... may the rest of your life be skyline-free!

[swingtan]

The suspension in the SS is just FE2, nothing special.

The brakes in the L76 version SS are the up spec brakes, not HSV territory, but bigger than the others.

Oh, and there is no such thing as a VZ Series II, just a later version.

I got the feeling that the later SS's were a bit of a mixed bag for the built in accessories. Leather is standard, but pod gauges are not. I'm not sure if the SV8 came with the L76, but you want the L76, trust me on that. If you're going for a Lease, get an exhaust thrown in on the deal. The L76 loves a good exhaust.

Oh, and I know the SS has the fols out cup holders in the front but I don't know if the SV8 has them. I love the fold out cup holdrs !

[ActionDan]

I've already done a redbook comparison =D

It doesn't tell me things like brake rotor sizes and so forth, I'm really wanting to know how capable the SV8 is when compared directly to the SS. Originally there was a 10k diff in RRP, that's gotta account for something.

My life won't be skyline free, I'm getting rid of my 33 GTR now and getting a daily driver so I can fast track getting a 34 GTR =D But I've always wanted an 8 and you just can't be the sound and pure muscle, and my first car was a VK so I'm a holden boy at heart!

Sorry not VZ Series II, MY06, and yeah there is a 6L in the SV8's in the MY06. There's SFA MY06's for sale through dealers for anything near acceptable prices =\

That aside, does someone have a comprehensive rundown of differences between them?

Is the VYSS considerable as a cheapie option? Decent one's go for about 30, that's pretty good value IMO.

[5.7heaven]

SV8 is an SS without the extra crap...
no leather, no body kit, no big wheels. but they go harder and faster..
mine is VZ SV8 with M6 and 3.73 stock. 250Kw..same as SS but without the SS fruit its lighter
and no there is no series VZ SII, is called a MY06VZ

[Wonky]

It's a bit tricky to compare because both SV8 and SS had several incarnations during VZ, so it depends what you are comparing with what.

04 and 05 SS's had cloth trim and manual a/c - leather trim and climate control were an optional extra. The SSZ came out late 05 with leather/climate, extra gauges and bigger brakes PLUS sold for about $2,000 cheaper than the previous cloth/manual air SS (I assume to help run out the last of the 5.7 engines).

The 06 SS had leather/climate standard and the better L76 6.0 litre motor. It also retained the bigger brakes but went back to the original RRP. The fancy cup holders someone mentioned above came with climate control and leather on either SS or SV8. I assume (but don't know for sure) that 06 SV8s also got the better brakes.

From memory the SS style body kit on SV8 only came in at the start of 05 i.e. if you get an 04 SV8 it basically looks like an Exec. The suspension and running gear are identical on SV8 and SS from the same year.

The SS has better seats, 18" rims, 6 stacker CD and in SSZ and 06 models has leather and climate as standard. There are some other trivial differences but nothing else major I can think of. However, I have a feeling I must have missed something because that doesn't seem to add up to the difference in price.......... :confused:

Plus of course the 'prestige' of owning an SS compared to an SV8. :D (I've had both.)

[StevieD]

Having bought an SV8 last year (coming from a VY II ss UUte with M6 leather and climate) I've spent big bucks bringing it up to SS spec (almost there).

The Sv8 is just an exec V8 so if you like nice stuff get the SS, if you're happy with the base model go the SV8.

In the VZ (SV8) you get most of the SS kit, minus headlights, tail lights, flutes and wheels.

If 5 or 10 kilos is important to you to be faster (.001 over the 1/4) you might be better off buying a smaller lighter car and forgetting a commdore altogether.

I guess it depends what you want. I'd go for a MY06 VZ SS M6. Nice car with all the fruit and a nice 6 litre V8.

I have an A4 now and it's boring as batshit! Definitely wouldn't recommend it!

My 2c worth

[subtle]

mate if u are just after a v8 as a runaround maybe the vyss is a cheaper option. the sv8s arent that bad but the ss does have a few more frills.
you should just try and get the best car you can for the budget you've got and even though i love my sv8 i would try and get an ss.

[Darkrayne]

uf youre not after sporty looks then go the SV8 if youre after something that looks awesome and goes too go the SS

[AFAR]

yeah there isn't really much of a difference.
Bodykit, wheels and seats are the only real standout. The rest is just crap.
Although the SS does tent to hold its resale value better.

Both cars run the same.

If you are looking at modding, definately go for the SV8 if you can save a couple of grand.
The more money you throw at your cars performance, the bigger your smile will be once you put your foot down, although im sure you already know this :).

[Wonky]

uf youre not after sporty looks then go the SV8 if youre after something that looks awesome and goes too go the SS
That only applies before 2005 as after that they had virtually identical body kits so 99% of people wouldn't know the difference.

[wablacksv8]

If you intent on spending a few $$$$ on mods then buy a 04 VZ SV8. If you want to look like everyone else buy a SS. I have seen 04 VZ SV8s for well under 30K. The mechanics are identical and you can do a real nice sleeper with a few mods.

[gmhraw]

yer go the ls2 vz ss much more grunt and also a better note u carnt go wrong with them.

[Wonky]

yer go the ls2 vz ss much more grunt and also a better note u carnt go wrong with them.
No LS2 in SS. 2006 VZ V8s were L76 motor - different beast altogether to LS2.

[ActionDan]

Hmm, some good comments all round, thanks guys. Still unsure though, I'd love a 6L but they're pulling well into the high 30's at dealers (did find an SV8 6L on carsales for 36 but it was red and probably had that matching interior which looks horrid in my opinion), can't go private due to lease. Would really like to do it for no more than 35 on the road and I had an 05 SS lined up for that with dark tinted windows and genuine mats thrown in and all onroads and transport to my location included so that seemed decent value but my buyer is having bank issues so the SS was sold before I could get it. The VY is probably a better cheapie option than the SV8 for the luxury aspect though it does have 5kw's less and misses out on the cool bonnet and front bar.

Might run some figures by the leasing agent and see what it'd cost me to get the 6L SS, it;s the one that really takes my fancy with those sexy Monaro wheels n such.

Also, just to clarify re the SV8 seats the same design just no fancy trimming or are they a different seat all together with less support?

[Wonky]

Also, just to clarify re the SV8 seats the same design just no fancy trimming or are they a different seat all together with less support?
Less support.

[vyssbeast]

Seeing as you are saving up for a GTR, do you see yourself modding this temporary ride? If not then doesnt really make a diff if you get the 5.7 or 6L ... prob only resale difference ...

[ActionDan]

I will do some basic stuff, but nothing too serious. The VY SS might be the go for the cheapie option I think. Save more too.