Lexx Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Yesterday morning I drove the 160 miles to Loughborough to collect my new car. Phantom Black VXR8 2009, fitted with the 6.2l LS3 GM V8 - 424 bhp (316 kW)@5900rpm and 418 lb·ft (567 N·m)@4600rpm. The dealer was nice enough to put £25 of fuel in the tank. Which I got 120 miles out of. But that was motorway cruising, where if the guage is to be believed I averaged 25mpg at circa 75mph. Which, isnt too much worse than I got in the Zed. It's a totally different driving experience to the Zed. When Im sitting in it, I dont feel like I have to go fast or loud. Its such a huge interior that it calms and sooths. Yet the slightest press of the loud peddal and she's off like a rocket. I had an M3 sitting up my a**e on the M1 coming home, I pulled in and let him past and he booted it. I "may" have been goaded into it. The of shock in his face when I was easily keeping pace with him was a picture. He's just read the Vauxhall badge on the back and didnt know what it meant. The gear shift when giving it some stick is brutal. But its to be expected when shifting just before the red line. It's going to take me some time to adapt my driving style from that of the Zed. The red line is at 6500 which has caught me out a few times already as I've hid the limiter on slip roads. The interior build quality is much better than the Zed was. Nothing rattles, everything is attached and doesnt move or depress. And it has back seat. Very usable back seat. Im 6ft 2" and my brother who is 6ft3" could still sit behind me comfortably. I havent really had the chance to go give her some stick on twisty roads. I want to get used to driving her smoothly before giving the stick. But I will deff have to upgrade the suspension based on the some twisty roads ive been on. There is too much body roll for my liking, but thats easily sorted with a Pedders coilover kit. The one thing I prepared myself for when selling the Zed was that I would no longer get the looks. I was wrong. This car gets alot of attention. Roll on getting the Bi-Modal exhaust fitted. She's far too quiet at the moment. She's a big car too. I over hang most parking spaces! Gotta be careful with that! Economy - please dont ask! Im not bothered about it. I just want fun. lol. I'll not be leaving the forum, and will hang around like a bad smell. And I'll keep my experiences updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jak Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Looks nice, we had a black one in not so long ago, had black wheels too and looked very mean! Sounded good too as it had the Wortec exhaust on it (set to loud)! As you say theres a bit of body roll but i still thought it handled very well - and was a lot easier to drive then i thought it would be! Jak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Nice Al. I like the VXR8 a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradders Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Very Nice indeedy. A modern Lotus Carlton at last. Think it needs a bit of Lexxing though. Do they do a charger for it? I think they do..... Bradders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattMe Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I dont feel like I have to go fast or loud. ... Roll on getting the Bi-Modal exhaust fitted. She's far too quiet at the moment. I think I live the VXR8s, but I have a soft spot for anything with 8 or more cylinders... Congrats - hope you enjoy her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITZ@CougarStore Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Looks great, Lexx... I'll be passing the dealership later, is your Zed with them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 Looks great, Lexx... I'll be passing the dealership later, is your Zed with them... It was when I left. They are waiting on the V5 after change of reg before they can pass it on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 For all it is cracked up to be I am sure it is really enjoyable. It would just be looking at that Griffin that would get to me! Enjoy it mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 It would just be looking at that Griffin that would get to me! Enjoy it mate HSV badges already ordered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bounty78 Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 V8 424bhp a tint would make it look really nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 That just looks so angry. I love the square handbrake with the push button, I'd never noticed that before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I was waiting for the "it's a vauxhall it's not all it's cracked upto be and i've made a massive mistake! wish I had my Z" lol oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 I was waiting for the "it's a vauxhall it's not all it's cracked upto be and i've made a massive mistake! wish I had my Z" lol oh well No chance of that. The only mistake I have mad is buying another black car. I forgot how much of a pain they are to wash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Oh I can't wait to see this on the 7th Aug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanski Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Nice one Lexx glad you like it and looks like the sort of car that can only get better! Enjoy it mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidS14 Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I was waiting for your comparison as I've yet to drive one (but driven a few 350's now) but have been reading up on the forums. The only thing putting me off a little is the size as there are only two of us so don't really need a four door. Keep us updated on ownership info please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I like it! Very nice Lexx! Fail on your first pic though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I liked it in white Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 I liked it in white I did too. But I refuse to pay £3k premium for the priviledge of having a white car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattbowey Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 very cool man, looking forward to seeing this. did your dotz wheels go with the zed? would have had them off you if i had thought before you swapped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzee Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 Always find it interesting how different countries badge the same car. Here they come out stock standard with HSV badges on them, and there are even HSV dealerships. Thusly much more sort after if they have the posh badge, especially by the crim types. Good to hear you're enjoying it Lexx. What's the Holden/HSV club like over there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 Always find it interesting how different countries badge the same car. Here they come out stock standard with HSV badges on them, and there are even HSV dealerships. Thusly much more sort after if they have the posh badge, especially by the crim types. Good to hear you're enjoying it Lexx. What's the Holden/HSV club like over there? There isn't, it's a Vauxhall club so Lexx will be hanging out with the Corsa boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted June 24, 2010 Author Share Posted June 24, 2010 Always find it interesting how different countries badge the same car. Here they come out stock standard with HSV badges on them, and there are even HSV dealerships. Thusly much more sort after if they have the posh badge, especially by the crim types. Good to hear you're enjoying it Lexx. What's the Holden/HSV club like over there? There isn't, it's a Vauxhall club so Lexx will be hanging out with the Corsa boys Shut it you There is a small community which acts through Pistonheads. It seems busy enough, but isnt really the size and organisation of this place. As for the badges - Holden/HSV is a mostly unkown brand over here. So it was easier for GM to rebrand them Vauxhall and sell them through Vauxhall dealers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pimm Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 As said before, love the car and I would have one if I could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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