Seeking advice for buying a VXR8
Discussion
Hello Everyone.
I'm new to the forum.
I'm looking to buy a 6.2 manual VXR8 (probably an 09 plate).
I test drove an early VXR8 back when Vauxhall were offering test drives years ago (probably in 2007/8) and loved it, and now want to scratch that itch.
I see that many VXR8s for sale have been modified. What would you consider to be the more desirable modifications? LS7 clutch; OTR intake; suspension mods; exhausts? Do any mods cause knock-on problems for the cars?
What are you experiences of VXR8s with superchargers? I like the idea of the extra power but not sure I'd want to live with the whine from it and also I'm not sure how often you could use the extra power (legally) on the road.
Additionally, are there any common faults with these cars I should be aware of when viewing them? I see from photos that VXR8 seat bolsters tend to suffer but is there anything else to look out for? Do they suffer from rust?
Many thanks in advance.
All the best,
Paul.
I'm new to the forum.
I'm looking to buy a 6.2 manual VXR8 (probably an 09 plate).
I test drove an early VXR8 back when Vauxhall were offering test drives years ago (probably in 2007/8) and loved it, and now want to scratch that itch.
I see that many VXR8s for sale have been modified. What would you consider to be the more desirable modifications? LS7 clutch; OTR intake; suspension mods; exhausts? Do any mods cause knock-on problems for the cars?
What are you experiences of VXR8s with superchargers? I like the idea of the extra power but not sure I'd want to live with the whine from it and also I'm not sure how often you could use the extra power (legally) on the road.
Additionally, are there any common faults with these cars I should be aware of when viewing them? I see from photos that VXR8 seat bolsters tend to suffer but is there anything else to look out for? Do they suffer from rust?
Many thanks in advance.
All the best,
Paul.
Hi Paul ,
properly done mods are a good idea , it saves you having to pay out later to get them done , supercharging likely to shorten the life of a car plus increase wear , but it’s a great mod to have , and in time i will supercharge , servicing is not much only pricy bit is discs and pads , for day to day driving i think n/a is probably a better idea , rust can be there so worth checking , bushes can sometimes wear quicker as it’s a heavy car but every thing is find able and not too expensive , drive a few models so you know what you really want , not much goes wrong with them , look at monaro’s too , hope that helps
properly done mods are a good idea , it saves you having to pay out later to get them done , supercharging likely to shorten the life of a car plus increase wear , but it’s a great mod to have , and in time i will supercharge , servicing is not much only pricy bit is discs and pads , for day to day driving i think n/a is probably a better idea , rust can be there so worth checking , bushes can sometimes wear quicker as it’s a heavy car but every thing is find able and not too expensive , drive a few models so you know what you really want , not much goes wrong with them , look at monaro’s too , hope that helps
Rumbledriftspin said:
Hello Everyone.
I'm new to the forum.
I'm looking to buy a 6.2 manual VXR8 (probably an 09 plate).
I test drove an early VXR8 back when Vauxhall were offering test drives years ago (probably in 2007/8) and loved it, and now want to scratch that itch.
I see that many VXR8s for sale have been modified. What would you consider to be the more desirable modifications? LS7 clutch; OTR intake; suspension mods; exhausts? Do any mods cause knock-on problems for the cars?
What are you experiences of VXR8s with superchargers? I like the idea of the extra power but not sure I'd want to live with the whine from it and also I'm not sure how often you could use the extra power (legally) on the road.
Additionally, are there any common faults with these cars I should be aware of when viewing them? I see from photos that VXR8 seat bolsters tend to suffer but is there anything else to look out for? Do they suffer from rust?
Many thanks in advance.
All the best,
Paul.
Looks like PH have done you a buyer's guide in the nick of time I'm new to the forum.
I'm looking to buy a 6.2 manual VXR8 (probably an 09 plate).
I test drove an early VXR8 back when Vauxhall were offering test drives years ago (probably in 2007/8) and loved it, and now want to scratch that itch.
I see that many VXR8s for sale have been modified. What would you consider to be the more desirable modifications? LS7 clutch; OTR intake; suspension mods; exhausts? Do any mods cause knock-on problems for the cars?
What are you experiences of VXR8s with superchargers? I like the idea of the extra power but not sure I'd want to live with the whine from it and also I'm not sure how often you could use the extra power (legally) on the road.
Additionally, are there any common faults with these cars I should be aware of when viewing them? I see from photos that VXR8 seat bolsters tend to suffer but is there anything else to look out for? Do they suffer from rust?
Many thanks in advance.
All the best,
Paul.
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...
There's not really much between 6.0 and 6.2, sticking a supercharger / cam in either will give plenty of extra shove, so unless you're dead set on going for as much power as possible it's worth looking at the 6.0 as well, despite being 200cc down they can still struggle their way up a hill
Check if they've been undersealed, recent discs would be a nice to have. Exhaust is frankly an essential mod so factor in buying one if somehow you find a stock one. LS7 clutch also very nice to have.
Suspension mods, a decent spring / damper set-up will be more suited to the road, most coilover sets are a bit 'firm' but if that's your thing the seats are plenty squidgy enough, so perhaps evidence of bushes and things being done would be nice.
Even with a supercharger on you're still talking ~100hp/litre so not exactly highly stressed.
They're easy to work on, non-bodywork parts are cheap and accessible from the US (Pontiac G8 on rockauto.com), few specialists dotted about the country, most problems have been found and worked around on here, good facebook groups too.
Not all blowers whine particularly loudly and it is related to throttle input, it's not gear driven, the whine is the sound of the air being compressed.
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