Guys I am going to have a look at an Auto VT Clubsport tomorrow and was wondering what are the tell tale signs of genuine one.
I am guessing they have a HDT ID plate on them somewhere as I have noticed this on some ads on ebay, carasales, etc. What else do I need to look for ?
I also recall something about the early 5.7's that they were recalled by GMH and rebuilt or something - what was this all about?
And are they a good thing to have as a "daily driver"?
All comments good & bad appreciated ...
HSV CLUBSPORT VT 1999 5.7L
Started by
_Pallbag_
, May 10 2008 10:10 PM
13 replies to this topic
#2
REDA9X
-
- Inactive
-
- 0 posts
Removed
- Joined: 08-November 05
Posted 10 May 2008 - 10:30 PM
The easiest way is get the VIN and call HSV, they can tell you everything about it. I personally don't like the GEN3's at all, I'll stick with the old 5.0l factory stroker to 5.7l over the gen 3 for now, but the oil issues they had were usually limited to the manual versions.
#3
_BCR42Y_
_BCR42Y_
-
- Guests
Posted 11 May 2008 - 08:29 AM
With regards to tell tales, in the engine bay it should have a HSV build plate on the radiator support, the engine cover should be a HSV cover, it should have extractors and the mufflers should have HSV on them, all the badging should be the correct style, there is alot of imitation badging around, the body kits are plastic not fibreglass, and if you remove the front number plate the front bar has HSV behind it, it's like its been moulded in big letters, one of mine from memory had a factory struct brace as well. With the brakes, they should have the HSV logo on them (some brakes are grey, the R8 had red), and the wheels should have HSV stamped on them as well as the centre caps. In the interior the seats should have the logo, the dash has a HSV logo in the instrument cluster, now a factory VT cluster goes to 220 or 240 and a HSV one goes to 260, I know that it is possible to change the face plate on the clusters, but the gauge won't read right, in the centre console there should be a little flip up tool set and they either have a HSV badge & number there or on the dash, depends on which one you buy. Also the steering wheel has a HSV logo on it, instead of the holden logo. Now I Know alot of the above can be and has been replicated, as I have seen a number of VT Clubsports done mocked up with all the right badging, stickers, interior, steering wheel, brakes, engine cover but what has let them down is that they have fibreglass body kit's. Of course if the car has log books that match this is a benefit, otherwise best to confirm with HSV if you are not 100% on the car, I do also have to say that the standard VT HSV's had around 245kw over the 220KW the standard VT's had and you can feel the power difference in them.
With regards to the Gen 3 motor, three of mine went in for a rebuilt, my 99 VT has its engine rebuilt by Holden, my 02 VX had it's engine rebuilt by Holden, and my 02 Monaro's engine had been rebuilt before I purchased it. If you speak to a Holden dealer they will swear that by VY they had all the problems fixed, but guess what mt current VY chews through the oil also, and to be honest I can't be bothered taking it back and pushing for an engine rebuild as I don't want to be without a car for two weeks. And it's not a proper rebuilt, it's just a dismantle, replace the pistons on the rods and put it back together with a new gasket set. The rattling, uneven idling & the oil consumption just remind me that its a old school V8 with injection, and you are only buying a 25K car, its not like its a merc, bmw or lexus and its going to be refined.
As for being a daily driver, I am not sure how much traffic driving you intend to do in it but in the city our VY goes through 22-24L/100km, however on the open road I have managed to get it down to arund 10L/100km.
Despite all it's problems, I do have to say that;
They are a comfortable car to drive;
Parts are reasonably priced;
They are fairly easy to work on;
And they have shit loads of power, if you get onto an open road and really dig into it, boy can they move, and comfortably!
Just make sure that you check over the car thoroughly and that it has had all services as per log book, remembering that these cars were built to be driven spiritly and any one that has owned them more than likely would off.
Lastly, the reason I only purchased a SS this time instead of another Clubsport was Insurance costs, so be mindful of that.
With regards to the Gen 3 motor, three of mine went in for a rebuilt, my 99 VT has its engine rebuilt by Holden, my 02 VX had it's engine rebuilt by Holden, and my 02 Monaro's engine had been rebuilt before I purchased it. If you speak to a Holden dealer they will swear that by VY they had all the problems fixed, but guess what mt current VY chews through the oil also, and to be honest I can't be bothered taking it back and pushing for an engine rebuild as I don't want to be without a car for two weeks. And it's not a proper rebuilt, it's just a dismantle, replace the pistons on the rods and put it back together with a new gasket set. The rattling, uneven idling & the oil consumption just remind me that its a old school V8 with injection, and you are only buying a 25K car, its not like its a merc, bmw or lexus and its going to be refined.
As for being a daily driver, I am not sure how much traffic driving you intend to do in it but in the city our VY goes through 22-24L/100km, however on the open road I have managed to get it down to arund 10L/100km.
Despite all it's problems, I do have to say that;
They are a comfortable car to drive;
Parts are reasonably priced;
They are fairly easy to work on;
And they have shit loads of power, if you get onto an open road and really dig into it, boy can they move, and comfortably!
Just make sure that you check over the car thoroughly and that it has had all services as per log book, remembering that these cars were built to be driven spiritly and any one that has owned them more than likely would off.
Lastly, the reason I only purchased a SS this time instead of another Clubsport was Insurance costs, so be mindful of that.
Edited by BCR42Y, 11 May 2008 - 08:31 AM.
#4
_pallbag_
_pallbag_
-
- Guests
Posted 11 May 2008 - 08:47 AM
Excellent info BCR42Y, wanna come to Mid South Western QLD and check it over with me ?
This vehicle is quite a few dollars under what Redbook says its value is, but I havent seen it yet so not sure on its condition although the ad says exc cond. Just wanna make sure it is the real deal before I consider anything else with it really.
Thanks very much for the detailed reply ...
This vehicle is quite a few dollars under what Redbook says its value is, but I havent seen it yet so not sure on its condition although the ad says exc cond. Just wanna make sure it is the real deal before I consider anything else with it really.
Thanks very much for the detailed reply ...
#5
_BCR42Y_
_BCR42Y_
-
- Guests
Posted 11 May 2008 - 09:13 AM
Wish I could, have always wanted to visit Queensland!
I have noticed that here in Sydney the prices for them flunctuate quite a bit from $18K - $28K, obviosly depending on there condition and the R8 will always attract more due to the added options.
If you have any questions after seeing it, feel free to pm me. I am not an expert but can say that I have been around a fair few of them.
I have noticed that here in Sydney the prices for them flunctuate quite a bit from $18K - $28K, obviosly depending on there condition and the R8 will always attract more due to the added options.
If you have any questions after seeing it, feel free to pm me. I am not an expert but can say that I have been around a fair few of them.
Edited by BCR42Y, 11 May 2008 - 09:14 AM.
#6
_pallbag_
_pallbag_
-
- Guests
Posted 11 May 2008 - 09:20 AM
Have they got 245 or 250 Kws? Not that it really matters.
The one I am looking at is not an R8 and he wants just over $12k for it ... Have the batteries on the charger now, going to take some piccies for sure.
It looked fairly tidy from a distance as I drove past the house yesterday.
The one I am looking at is not an R8 and he wants just over $12k for it ... Have the batteries on the charger now, going to take some piccies for sure.
It looked fairly tidy from a distance as I drove past the house yesterday.
#7
_BCR42Y_
_BCR42Y_
-
- Guests
Posted 11 May 2008 - 09:27 AM
I just checked the photo's of my one and it had a 250 LS1 sticker on the bootlid, my VX had 255, it's my VY SS that has 245.
$12k is a really good price, the VT Series 1, 5.0L are only just at that level here in Sydney.
$12k is a really good price, the VT Series 1, 5.0L are only just at that level here in Sydney.
#8
_pallbag_
_pallbag_
-
- Guests
Posted 11 May 2008 - 06:02 PM
The advert in the paper read ...
" VT Clubsport Commodore, Gen 3 Motor, Auto, Body Kit, 18' Mags, Excellent Condition, 112 000kms"
Should have read ...
"1999 VT Commodore, Ex Police car, 5.7L exec, Body Kit, Clubsport sticker on boot, looks good from distance, ruff up close"
Too bad, so sad !!!
Oh well, if nothing else he may accept my bullsh1t lowish offer later in the week.
" VT Clubsport Commodore, Gen 3 Motor, Auto, Body Kit, 18' Mags, Excellent Condition, 112 000kms"
Should have read ...
"1999 VT Commodore, Ex Police car, 5.7L exec, Body Kit, Clubsport sticker on boot, looks good from distance, ruff up close"
Too bad, so sad !!!
Oh well, if nothing else he may accept my bullsh1t lowish offer later in the week.
#9
racean69
-
- Members
-
- 782 posts
Forum Fixture
- Name:Rod
- Location:Central QLD
- Car:LH sedan
- Joined: 07-November 05
Posted 11 May 2008 - 07:33 PM
Gee thats a bit ordinary mate... don't these people think.
#10
_BCR42Y_
_BCR42Y_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 May 2008 - 06:53 PM
Sorry to hear that it turned out to be a mock up, I did think that it was a little cheap when you told me the asking price.
On the flip side, don't the ex chasers have a chip in them, so it would have close to HSV power output?
On the flip side, don't the ex chasers have a chip in them, so it would have close to HSV power output?
#11
_Pete_
_Pete_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 May 2008 - 07:43 PM
I've just bought a HSV VX XU6, I was chasing a clubsport either a VS or a VT/VX but the prices for the Clubsports I looked at were a little steep considering the condition of some of the cars.
I'm pretty picky I guess too but when they tell you on the phone the car is straight as and you turn up and can see it needs a door skin then its frustrating!!
I was pretty adamant on the colour I wanted so I was limited in what I was prepared to look at. I was more keen on a quality well cared for VS than I was on an average rough VT. In the end the colour and condition of the VX I bought were what sold me.
Even though at first i was disappointed in not getting an 8cyl, the Supercharged V6 doesnt seem like such a bad thing with 10L/100klms on the highway! and it goes alright too! and looks the part.
I'm pretty picky I guess too but when they tell you on the phone the car is straight as and you turn up and can see it needs a door skin then its frustrating!!
I was pretty adamant on the colour I wanted so I was limited in what I was prepared to look at. I was more keen on a quality well cared for VS than I was on an average rough VT. In the end the colour and condition of the VX I bought were what sold me.
Even though at first i was disappointed in not getting an 8cyl, the Supercharged V6 doesnt seem like such a bad thing with 10L/100klms on the highway! and it goes alright too! and looks the part.
#12
_pallbag_
_pallbag_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 May 2008 - 10:08 PM
Yer still considering making him an offer, but will be much lower than his asking price. He is in need of a sale so you never know?On the flip side, don't the ex chasers have a chip in them, so it would have close to HSV power output?
Not sure about the chip but I do know it has FE2 suspension.
Thinking, thinking, thinking ...
#13
_TJ253_
_TJ253_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 May 2008 - 10:17 PM
Personally id buy a VS Clubsport 5.0L you will get a good 1 for around 13k
I recon they are a better looking car and sound better aswell
Parts are alot cheaper for the Holden 5.0L over the yank 5.7
Anyway its up to you
Goodluck
I recon they are a better looking car and sound better aswell
Parts are alot cheaper for the Holden 5.0L over the yank 5.7
Anyway its up to you
Goodluck
#14
_Pete_
_Pete_
-
- Guests
Posted 12 May 2008 - 10:20 PM
Like I said I also really was set on a VS Clubsport, but I couldnt find a clean enough car that wasnt modified or thrashed/uncared for in the colour I wanted.
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
