Buying a VXR8

[02joe]

Evening,

I am currently tempted to buy a VXR8.

It is a grey colour with black leather and has a Wortec exhaust. FSH, new MOT and I know who has owned it since it was 400 miles old.

It was originally supplied by Picador and I think they registered the colour wrong. When I HPI'd the car, it said it has had a colour change and used to be red? Having spoken to the customer he assures me this was never the case, but it just concerns me slightly.

The car is a 09 with 39000 miles and it is a good example. Seller wants 20k for the car.

I know the sellers son and it is definitely a genuine car, but the recorded colour change concerns me. I haven't been to see the car yet, but I have seen photos and it looks very tidy.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[preciousmetal]

It wouldn't necessarily be Picadors fault, its more likely a fault at VX factory on registration

Wouldn't be the first time. I have had 2 x evoke grey VXR8s in the past saying previous colour was red. Also had them saying wrong gearbox

If you are happy with the car don't worry about it

[Mud_]

LS2 or LS3? Manual or auto? Supercharged? Sounds like a nice car, but a bit overpriced. Compare to: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...

[H5V VE]

Its a known problem. Hopefully this thread will set yuor mind at rest.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=105...

[02joe]

Mud_ said:

LS2 or LS3? Manual or auto? Supercharged? Sounds like a nice car, but a bit overpriced. Compare to: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...

What do you think is a fair price for it? I was going to offer £18,500. Does that seem high still?

[DRC72]

02joe said:

Mud_ said:

LS2 or LS3? Manual or auto? Supercharged? Sounds like a nice car, but a bit overpriced. Compare to: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...

What do you think is a fair price for it? I was going to offer £18,500. Does that seem high still?

Have you thought about the facelift E2 GTS that is for sale on pistonheads.

[Winky151]

09 should see it with an LS3 I'd imagine.

[preciousmetal]

DRC72 said:

02joe said:

Mud_ said:

LS2 or LS3? Manual or auto? Supercharged? Sounds like a nice car, but a bit overpriced. Compare to: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...

What do you think is a fair price for it? I was going to offer £18,500. Does that seem high still?

Have you thought about the facelift E2 GTS that is for sale on pistonheads.

what for £18,500

[V8NHH]

Man are they holding their prices??
I remember paying £24999 brand new on the road for my LS3 Auto VXR8

[pah250]

DRC72 said:

Have you thought about the facelift E2 GTS that is for sale on pistonheads.

This one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

I had the pleasure of hearing this car zoom past at full chat some weeks ago - sounds fantastic

[02joe]

The car in question is a 6.2 Manual. I think that means it is an LS3. Are these things reliable? Anything I should check for on them?

[Janosh]

Engine and gearbox are strong when looked after but check for obvious drive-train issues: clunks, knocks, etc.

Worth checking the wear on brakes and other consumables as these can be expensive.

Service history - I'd want to see maintenance receipts from Monkfish or Walkinshaw as they are the 2 best known specialists.

If you're free, come along to the meet at Elite in Alton this weekend, there'll be lots of cars and owners with first hand experience that they'll be happy to share with you.

[DRC72]

02joe said:

The car in question is a 6.2 Manual. I think that means it is an LS3. Are these things reliable? Anything I should check for on them?

Yes it's an LS3 what the guy said above me but factor in a complete clutch and clutch slave cylinder roughly every 3 years

That seems to be the rough time as to when it fails on a manual.

[H5V VE]

DRC72 said:

Yes it's an LS3 what the guy said above me but factor in a complete clutch and clutch slave cylinder roughly every 3 years

That seems to be the rough time as to when it fails on a manual.

How do you work that out? Bit of a sweeping statement.

Mine ran on originals to 85k without issue including at least half of that supercharged.
Only reason I swapped it was it couldnt take the power when I changed the s/c. Nothing wrong with the clutch otherwise.

[Mud_]

02joe said:

What do you think is a fair price for it? I was going to offer £18,500. Does that seem high still?

I can't give you a price, but there are similar but higher spec cars for less money in the classifieds. Do you want an original car, or one pre-modified for your pleasure/convenience?

[SturdyHSV]

Mud_ said:

02joe said:

What do you think is a fair price for it? I was going to offer £18,500. Does that seem high still?

I can't give you a price, but there are similar but higher spec cars for less money in the classifieds. Do you want an original car, or one pre-modified for your pleasure/convenience?

Bearing in mind the latter saves you a lot of money in the long run, as modding them is almost unavoidable, especially if you make the mistake of going to a meet

[preciousmetal]

H5V VE said:

DRC72 said:

Yes it's an LS3 what the guy said above me but factor in a complete clutch and clutch slave cylinder roughly every 3 years

That seems to be the rough time as to when it fails on a manual.

How do you work that out? Bit of a sweeping statement.

Mine ran on originals to 85k without issue including at least half of that supercharged.
Only reason I swapped it was it couldnt take the power when I changed the s/c. Nothing wrong with the clutch otherwise.

that's what some sellers would say when they are desperate to sell an LS3 Auto that's been posted everywhere HSV related

have only had to do 3 clutches in the 250+ VXR8s I have had in and sold inc under warranty in 6 years. so yes just slightly one sided and untrue statement

[DRC72]

H5V VE said:

DRC72 said:

Yes it's an LS3 what the guy said above me but factor in a complete clutch and clutch slave cylinder roughly every 3 years

That seems to be the rough time as to when it fails on a manual.

How do you work that out? Bit of a sweeping statement.

Mine ran on originals to 85k without issue including at least half of that supercharged.
Only reason I swapped it was it couldnt take the power when I changed the s/c. Nothing wrong with the clutch otherwise.

Granted it does not apply to all but i know of enough cars that have needed them doing along with gearboxes.

The guy at least needs to know what is likely or could happen to his potensial purchase.

[preciousmetal]

Janosh said:

Engine and gearbox are strong when looked after but check for obvious drive-train issues: clunks, knocks, etc.

Worth checking the wear on brakes and other consumables as these can be expensive.

Service history - I'd want to see maintenance receipts from Monkfish or Walkinshaw as they are the 2 best known specialists.

If you're free, come along to the meet at Elite in Alton this weekend, there'll be lots of cars and owners with first hand experience that they'll be happy to share with you.

As Jan says you are more than welcome to come to the meet I have organised this Saturday 13th @ Elite Car Co, Kingsley, GU359LU (1.00pm-4.00pm) to meet owners and see a few different VXR8s

[02joe]

I'd love to have come along, but I work in retail so I am working this weekend 😔