HSV experience

hey people!

ok ive never been in a HSV before (well actually i have but not whilst its driving) so looking through alot of post's ive noticed that people hear have HSV's. ive read reviews and heard whats good and bad about VZ clubsport or GTO anything.. but what im interested in is a non reviewers point of view on your HSV. i mean, reading a wheels magizine they often say things like "yes the suspension is good but not great, if you were to take a corner at 200km/h the car would loose it" lol and whos gonna do that anyway?..
so i want a normal person's point of view on your HSV. are they exciting to drive? is the engine note to die for? are you trusted back into the set at every quick take of from the lights? are you the one who is always first off the mark? just stuff like that guys.. tell me about your HSV experience that you have every time you take it for a spin.

It looks good, it sounds good, it goes hard.

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Originally Posted by BlackClubbie

It looks good, it sounds good, it goes hard.

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...and if you hang around this site for long enough you'll keep it looking good, make it sound AWESOME, and it'll go like the f%^&en clappers! :)

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Originally Posted by ecka

...and if you hang around this site for long enough you'll keep it looking good, make it sound AWESOME, and it'll go like the f%^&en clappers! :)

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What he said ^^^^^

DITTO.

What are you waiting for? Go buy one now. :lol:

:) mmmmm hsv, if i didnt have one, id want one, which i did, so i got one :rolleyes:

I've had my GTO for about 6 weeks now and I reckon at least 20-30 times people have stopped me in the street while exiting or entering, to ask questions about it and admire the car. Just this morning a young bloke about 20 yrs old or so asked if I minded if he looked at the interior, I said "sure, it's open", to which he replied "oh no, I only want to look through the window", like he was frightened to touch it.

I pulled into a drive in bottle shop about a fortnight ago and the 2 attendants actually dropped to their knees and 'salaamed' the car. unbelievable.

I think it may be the the combination of monaro/hsv but people seem to literally revere it. No doubt there would also be those that would happily run a key down the side as well...

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Originally Posted by showoff

:) mmmmm hsv, if i didnt have one, id want one, which i did, so i got one :rolleyes:

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"Ditto" :D :D :D

Oh yeah it drives okay.............................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .......................Allright it is a bloody pleasure to drive & it is pissing me off that i had to drive the triton to work today. I just dont want every one going out & getting one , like those blue XR6 F@#$% ,that are like arseholes , every one has one :booty:

I'm just got my third (VXII Clubby R8 / Avalanche / Coupe 4). There is just something special about them, I have been in cars that cost twice as much that just don't seem to be anything special. It might sound rediculous but it's almost like the car has a personality or a soul, you just can't get enough of it. Plus the attention they get, if I had a dollar for everytime a kid gave me the thumbs up ... well I could probably buy number 4 :D

Like others have said - it is....intangible to describe accurately.

"What do you drive?"
"A [insert car here], and you?"
"HSV Clubsport.."
"Niiice...."

To people who know a bit about cars, mention HSV and the eyes glaze over as they dream about having one. I certainly did until the opportunity came up to have one.

Trust me it is a big difference going from a 4 cylinder 1.5 litre Lancer to 5.7 litres of the General's finest.

:lol:

with out any doubt the best car that i have had. :D Love it :cheers:

Hi Stevoj, a few answer for you:

are they exciting to drive? Yep :yup:
is the engine note to die for? With after-market headers / exhaust yes
are you trusted back into the set at every quick take of from the lights? Sure, if you want to be, no problem
are you the one who is always first off the mark? Not in standard trim, but you can certainly take on the vast majority of them.

They can always do with some upgrades, as with every car. Some people are happy with them "out of the box", most people here would always want more no matter how good they were "out of the box".

I love to drive my Clubby, and I don't just mean it's fun, I actually LOVE driving it :love:

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Originally Posted by Myydral

Like others have said - it is....intangible to describe accurately.

"What do you drive?"
"A [insert car here], and you?"
"HSV Clubsport.."
"Niiice...."

To people who know a bit about cars, mention HSV and the eyes glaze over as they dream about having one. I certainly did until the opportunity came up to have one.

Trust me it is a big difference going from a 4 cylinder 1.5 litre Lancer to 5.7 litres of the General's finest.

:lol:

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Glad you have friends like that.
I have responses like:

1)You bought a holden???
2)You sold your S15 and bought a holden????
3)Is it as fast as the monaro.

I guess I have too many rice loving friends.

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Originally Posted by NickS

if I had a dollar for everytime a kid gave me the thumbs up ...

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I was up in Sydney last weekend and a guy came passed in a Porsche with a kid in the passenger seat, must have been 10-12 years old. As he drove passed, his son (?) actually turned around in his seat to check out MY car
:cool:

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Originally Posted by VZGTO

I think it may be the the combination of monaro/hsv but people seem to literally revere it. No doubt there would also be those that would happily run a key down the side as well...

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I dont really like HSV cars as I think they are just over-produced-not-really-very-special cars ....

except, the HSV GTO ...

I think that is a car, that will be looked upon with the same reverence as an A9X ...

Congratulations on your purchase :)

I'm on my third new HSV (VS II Clubsport, VX II R8, VZ Clubsport) and have loved every minute behind the wheel. Here in NZ the first thing people do is replace the exhaust and throw away the cats. With the addition of some headers this has made the VZ LS2 really fly as well as having a sound from heaven. VX R8 had better seats and looked better from the back but everything else about the VZ is better especially the effect of the torque from low down.
I'm afraid I'm unashamedly addicted to my HSV habit.

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Originally Posted by team illucid

I dont really like HSV cars as I think they are just over-produced-not-really-very-special cars ....

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But have you ever even driven one...?

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Originally Posted by team illucid

I dont really like HSV cars as I think they are just over-produced-not-really-very-special cars ....

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Each to his own ... but you couldn't be more wrong :D

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Originally Posted by seldo

But have you ever even driven one...?

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Yes ... a Walky, VP, a VR, a GTS-R, a VT and a VY Series 2 ... they are nice cars, but they have never been able to capture the feeling of owning an HDT/Brock car ...

the HSV GTO is THE car that to me feels like it has a soul, or a spirit that makes me feel as though I am sharing in an experience ... it is a shining light in the HSV stable ... and the HSV 427 would have put "special" into HSV ... so that makes two :)

edit ** Last August I wanted a red GTO - it was a very good price (very good) - I hesitated, said to the missus "I want it", she said no, 24 hours later she said yes, I went to put a deposit on it and it was gone :( - I must say the COUPE 4 is also a fine piece of work and what I would consider special - especially with a few more ponies - if only it was a manual :) **

Thanks for the bad rep points ... if you cant accept an opinion in an internet forum, you shouldnt be here ... gee, maybe I should give negative feedback to everyone because they like everything HSV :rolleyes:

Hsv may not have a HUGE performance advantage over the standard Holdens but they definately are Special. When my dad drops me off to school in our GTO the amount of people that stare at it and come ask me questions about it is incredible. Even guys who have nice Merc's and M3 beema's really like it and when they come for a drive they can't beleive how well it drives.

The car always makes you smile even when your just lookin at it. There's just something about em.

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Originally Posted by team illucid

Thanks for the bad rep points ... if you cant accept an opinion in an internet forum, you shouldnt be here ... gee, maybe I should give negative feedback to everyone because they like everything HSV :rolleyes:

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Slighty off topic, hows your kid now, all better ??? Hope so !

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Originally Posted by team illucid

Thanks for the bad rep points ... if you cant accept an opinion in an internet forum, you shouldnt be here ... gee, maybe I should give negative feedback to everyone because they like everything HSV :rolleyes:

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This rep points thing is getting rediculous ... posting negative rep. points because you don't agree with an opinion is just stupid. As I said, I totally disagree with you but don't believe there was one single thing wrong with your post.

Also off topic but were you at Bathurst last year, not sure if your the same Kurt I met at the C4AC private box. Anyway, as HSV Z Clubbie said, hope your bubs all better :cheers:

The "This rep points thing is getting rediculous" wasn't meant to be something to get people going. Just concerned about team illucid's little tacker, as you replied. Anyway, back to topic :D

I'd class most of the Holden's on this forum as "Special Vehicles". Mine sure as hell is. Local HSV rep took mine for a drive last week when it was in for a small warranty job. He thought it was special. Well actually, at first he was just shocked. Something along the lines of "%$#*!!! What have you done to that??? That's awesome!" :) :D

I didn't really want to get too involved in this because it sounds patronising no matter how I say it.... But I have owned or driven extensively pretty much everything that's had wheels on it in the last 40 years... :teach: :nopity: and , let me tell you, there's been some pretty good cars in that period.
But, out of those, I haven't enjoyed anything as much as my current Senator... Now that's a big call, but it includes everything that comes quickly to mind, plus things like some exotic cars like Sierrra Cosworths, Maserati Bi Turbos, Cobra replicas etc. And, let me tell you, the recent batch of HSVs have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of..... I haven't had so much fun for years... And I say that having entered the the HSV experience very much with my tongue firmly in my cheek... they are bloody good absolutely world-class cars... and would be so much better if HSV actually realised that, and gave them the back-up that they deserve...

I have driven LS1's from their beginning and have now been fortunate enough to be able to have two HSV's and honestly you cannot compare the drive. Both of mine have been the R8 model, the racing suspension is firm but excellent, gives you confidence that I did not have in the others with the amount of power they produce. The brakes are excellent, you know that when you see the expression on the persons face behind you when you can pull up as quickly as that. They love being driven hard, I get better fuel consumption driving, of course to the speed limit, but getting to it very quickly. Their exhaust needs improvement IMHO. The quality of the exhaust is good but the note needs improvement. I have edited the HSV's and also edited a VT11 I had, cannot compare them the HSV is so far in front. (Not sure if the price difference is relative to the improvements though)The hardest thing is what is next, when you have driven one of these machines.

you know what they say...... "HSV YOU just want one!" :) :)

I got a vx2 clubbie and i rekon it rocks, brand new engine, seats hug ya and the body is good, steers and corners good, good fuel economy (not atm cos im running it in)

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Originally Posted by Myydral

To people who know a bit about cars, mention HSV and the eyes glaze over as they dream about having one. I certainly did until the opportunity came up to have one.

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And that's the point. It depends how much that stuff is worth to you - and it's best to be honest. If you are not into modifying your car, then the HSV is a great deal. If you are planning mods, you'll get a better result for less money doing it youself on the base version. But then you'll never, ever, get it back in resale. The HSV might retain more value.

I had a VT2 R8 which I left stock. Was foolishly waiting for the warranty to run out before I did anything to it. When the time came I just couldn't see myself keeping it in the long run - those early LS1 HSV's had the crap Exec interior!

For me, I bought the CV8 with the intention of modifying up-front, which I did. If I did not have those plans it probably would have been a GTO. If I ever thought I would sell the car, it would probably have been a GTO instead (resale).

I've had 6 HSV's now...

94 VR Enhanced Exec
94 VR Clubsport 185i
96 VS Clubsport 185i
00 VT Clubsport 250i R8
02 VX Clubsport 255i R8
04 WK Grange 285i

Every one of these vehicles was a pleasure to own and drive.
Every one of these vehicle turned heads of people from 10-60.
Every one of these cars delivered what HSV promised and what I expected.
Every one of these cars was great value for money when compared to "apples to apples" competitors.

Need I say more.

Oh btw my Grange is just over 12 months old, has clocked 112,000kms is still on its first set of plugs and leads, does not use oil, gives 12.2l/100km on a daily basis and gets positive comments from everyone who rides in it.

I got 72,000kms outof my 18" S-03's and have just done 40,000kms on the 19" P-zeros with prolly another 20-30,000ks to go on them.

The car is serviced once a month (I do 10,000/mth :rolleyes: :eek: ) and bar a new auto at 90,000 has not missed a beat.

Some of my clients own Jags, Bentleys, Mercs, BMW's, Volvos, Porsches and each of them continue to be amazed by the HSV product esp when compared to their product. $ for $ HSV stands alone as an affordable OEM performance car manufacturer.

My .02c :D

i have driven (absolutely flogged) an Avalanche (5.7-auto) a VZ Clubsport manual (6L-6speed) a HSV GTO (6L-6speed) and a VZ maloo (6L-6speed) i didnt really pay much notice to anything except the fact that the 6 litre VZ series absolutely hammers in every gear, I have never been sideways in 1st,2nd,3rd in any car before, but these things are an absolute GEM.
If i had the money, i would buy one at the drop of a hat. (i would get the manual, not the auto, as i think they are more fun
love them :) :) :)

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Originally Posted by NickS

Each to his own ... but you couldn't be more wrong :D

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Aah Nick, it took MANY years, but you were right, I was very wrong :)

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Originally Posted by team illucid

Aah Nick, it took MANY years, but you were right, I was very wrong :)

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:wave: ... been a while mate. I take it you're enjoying the E Series? 7 years isn't all that long really ... :eeeeek:

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Originally Posted by NickS

:wave: ... been a while mate. I take it you're enjoying the E Series? 7 years isn't all that long really ... :eeeeek:

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After 6 months of driving an Audi, I realised just how good the HSV VE product is. In many aspects the HSV outshines the Audi, which was twice the price, but is probably half the car :)

I thought you left the blue screen TI ?
welcome back

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Originally Posted by DK-3800

the 6 litre VZ series absolutely hammers in every gear, I have never been sideways in 1st,2nd,3rd in any car before, but these things are an absolute GEM.

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Thats the same conclusion I came too after test driving a VE clubby and grange, went straight back to a VZ and bought an R8 - absolutely love it :)

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Originally Posted by team illucid

After 6 months of driving an Audi, I realised just how good the HSV VE product is. In many aspects the HSV outshines the Audi, which was twice the price, but is probably half the car :)

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Which Audi? And what didn't you like? I've been looking at a 2007 RS4

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Originally Posted by steve_t

Which Audi? And what didn't you like? I've been looking at a 2007 RS4

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Audi Allroad, 2006.

Where is the HSV better - power, acceleration, gearbox, handling, seating, fuel economy

Where is the Audi better - trim look and feel, quiter ride all around (roadnoise, engine noise etc), better power windows, Quattro, interior gadgets (boot divider built in etc),

Servicing costs are about the same.