RE: sjc's Holden HSV GTS-R

[apollo]

Have you ever driven a standard GTS - is there really that much difference from the extra 70bhp?

[sjc]

Apollo, I have driven the GTS back to back with mine on a couple of occasions and the extra grunt becomes apparent at around 4000RPM, but you do have to be caning it to really feel it. It was also far too quiet on full chat, so now I've got an exhaust I can hear when gunning it but is silent when cruising. My intention was to get the GTS as all the 12 R's were sold,(and I would have been perfectly happy with that) but one deal fell through and I was in the right place at the right time.

>> Edited by sjc on Tuesday 13th August 20:38

[apollo]

Many thanks, I'm tempted to upgrade because the last GTS-R is up for grabs at £39,995 - still unregistered. Quite a discount, but I don't want it in black. Boo Hoo

[sjc]

Think thats the one at Bauer Millet then. It's 1 of 2 brought over for the 2001 Motor show I believe and (I think) its the VX series. Bauer bought that car and a Grange from Rod before he returned home. You might want to speak with Mark about it as I'm not sure how much of the added spec it's got.

[sjc]

Apollo, so did you buy it then?

[apollo]

No, I've been talking to Mark about the new 2 door Coupe he's bringing in. Its made by the Oz tuning company CAPA and features AP brakes, Bilstien suspension and lots of other fancy stuff inside and out. The HSV version looks stunning, I am awaiting pictures of the CAPA model. Standard madel kicks out 435bhp and costs £45k - the expensive one an amusing 570bhp at £70+k.
Did a track day at Silverstone last week. A lot of fun but the old girl is just to heavy for all the hair-pins on the GP circuit. I had never been overtaken on a race track before and I don't like it.
Am also now considering a couple of second-hand supercharged HSVs - the black one at LSV and the silver one at Warrender. However, both are ove-priced. The guys at Warrender reckon they've had 220mph out of it - sounds like the calibration on the speedo needs checking.