Difference between 2002/03/04 models

[SupremeVT98]

G'day guys,

I'm now looking to replace my V6 and purchase my first second hand V8.

Basically I am after a 2003-2004 Calais VY V8 but it's a bit dearer than my budget.

I'm a bit confused which ones better or if there are much difference between models.

Firstly, I am confused with the SS and SV8, which one's better? I noticed that the body shape of the SS is better.

What about the VX SS and VY SS? or the VY Berlina and VY Calais?

I've got a budget of between 25K-27K and I went to one dealership today in Sydney to have a look at a 2004 VY II Calais with 80000K's on the odo and they were selling it for 32K!

This particular vehicle is posted up for sale on 3 different website with 3 different prices, one for 26K, one for 27K and 32K.

Do they do this on purpose? Because when I called the guy up, I was told it was 26K, when I went there, it was 32K, I want to arrest the prick.

But I realized I'm not a cop. LOL

[BLACKWAGON]

I think the ss is the best buy, leather interior, climate, elec windows, airbags, 6 stacker, lsd, fe2 and u have the option of the manual if that intersests u.
2003 is 235kw, 2004 is 245 but that means jack and once u mod them they are the same anyway.
I test drove a few sv8s before I bought the ss but they felt really plain to me, just like an exec with a few options and a spoiler.
I know the ss is sortof like that 2 but they feel much sportier with the guages, embroided sets, spoilers look heaps better etc

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=74225

There ya go mate, no leather but a hell of alot of cash that u wouldnt need to spend coz its all done!

[Wonky]

You’re obviously very new to these cars if you don't even know the basic differences between SV8 and SS, Berlina and Calais. That is not intended as a criticism as you obviously want to learn, but at the moment you stand a high probability of being suckered out of lots of your money unless you are a very quick learner or can get someone knowledgeable to go with you before parting with your money.

If you can't find someone knowledgeable to help you then please at least take whatever car you find and intend to purchase to a sponsor like Sonny (at Marrano’s) up there to be thoroughly checked over by an expert before handing over money. Whatever it costs you (I’m guessing $100??) it could save you many times that in hidden problems that those guys know to look for given all their experience on LS1s.

Basically the SV8 is the poor man’s SS and is basically an Executive with a V8. Exactly the same power and running gear, just lacking some of the niceties which set the SS apart eg. bodykit (the SV8 only has rear spoiler), 17” wheels instead of 18”, basic seats instead of the more body hugging SS seats, single CD instead of 6 stacker, no foglights etc etc.. The SV8 was about $9,000 cheaper new from memory so should be much cheaper second hand as they don't have the same appeal second hand as the SS, especially to the boy racer set. Very few SV8s in VYI/VYII will have leather and climate control (came as a bundle) whereas there are quite a few SS’s in those models with leather.

The Berlina lies in between the base Executive and the relatively luxurious Calais. It comes standard with a number of things the Executive doesn’t have but the Calais is better appointed again and has more appeal to most people.

You need to make sure you are very familiar with the market prices from Redbook and Glass’s Guide as found on sites like www.carpoint.com.au, www.carsguide.com.au and www.carsales.com.au. Eg. http://www.carpoint.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?sid=112B696E285F&tabid=500606&N=280%204294967244%204294955729%2058%204294967151&Make=HOLDEN&Nne=30&Ns=pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&Model=CALAIS or http://www.carpoint.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?Model=COMMODORE&Ns=pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&N=280%204294967244%204294967243%204294955729%2058&sid=112B6963FE85&Ne=17&Make=HOLDEN&tabid=500606&Nne=30

Bear in mind also that second hand V8s are hard to move these days and most dealers and private sellers are prepared to come down a loooong way in order to sell them. If any dealer or seller tries to play hardball or funny buggers with you as the dick with the overpriced VYII Calais V8 you mentioned just walk away with a smile on your face. A lot of the time they will come chasing after you, but would you want to deal with them anyway??? There are lots more cars out there with people desperate to move them – look hard and be prepared to look at lots of them to get a really good feel for what’s around and how much people are prepared to come down to sell them.

Do your homework and you will end up with a great car for a bargain price :thumbsup: but please don't be a wood-duck and rush in unprepared or you’ll at best pay too much and at worst be ripped off blind! :vpo:

Edit: See also http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=76299 which I just read too. Something to check for when looking at Calais.

[motomk]

Having owned an SS and an SV8, they are very similar!
However I might be confusing the issue here.
The SV8 has the same sort of fitout as the earlier SS's like the VX and VTII
I would be aiming for at least a VYII something. The engine problems of VX and VY were behind it by then plus it has the better suspension of the VXII onwards.
You should be able to get an VYII SS for that money maybe even a VZ SS. If you want to mod it then maybe the SV8 would be a better option. Spare mod money! But they aren't pretty, but who cares!!!.....they can go!
If you want luxury then a Calais or even a Berlina would be good but the Berlinas are rare. One odd thing that I watch is wheel/tyre size. Tyres or Good tyres cost money, so I tend to get 17 inch wheeled cars at present. This will be probably change with VE if I do get one. The VY/VYII Calais from memory has a slighty wierd sized tyre on it.
Maybe drop Markone2 a PM , he is a car buying guru!

motomk

[Gilly74]

G'day guys,

I'm now looking to replace my V6 and purchase my first second hand V8.

Basically I am after a 2003-2004 Calais VY V8 but it's a bit dearer than my budget.

I'm a bit confused which ones better or if there are much difference between models.

Firstly, I am confused with the SS and SV8, which one's better? I noticed that the body shape of the SS is better.

What about the VX SS and VY SS? or the VY Berlina and VY Calais?

I've got a budget of between 25K-27K and I went to one dealership today in Sydney to have a look at a 2004 VY II Calais with 80000K's on the odo and they were selling it for 32K!

This particular vehicle is posted up for sale on 3 different website with 3 different prices, one for 26K, one for 27K and 32K.

Do they do this on purpose? Because when I called the guy up, I was told it was 26K, when I went there, it was 32K, I want to arrest the prick.

But I realized I'm not a cop. LOL

Well for a start treat it like it got 100K on it, because it probably has!
I just bought a 2004 Calais with cream leather circa 90K km and had a new sunroof, new carpets and tow bar fitted for 29K. I could have walked away with the car for 24500. So tell this bloke he's dreamin, give him YOUR price and YOUR mobile number and then walk away. I guarantee that you should be able to find the car your looking for 25K, particularly now that we are close to end of the financial year.

If your in Sydney try looking a Anthony Lahood Motors on Parramatta rd. They seemed to have very good vy and vz stock and at reasonable prices.