VT SS Manual or VS SS Manual - How do I decide

[doof47]

Hi all,

Need some help if you please. Am currently saving up to buy myself an SS manual but am unsure whether I should get and VS Series 2 or a VT, by later September I'll have enough saved up.

What I do know is that the VS Series 2 was by far the best from the VN to VS range.
What I dont know is much about the VT model.

Did VT come out in only series 1 or was there a series 2 also.

I do like the looks of a VT body style over a VS, but I also need to factor in the engine which the VS series 2 was brilliant.

If I could relate the VT, it is in the same position in its range (VT-VZ) as the VN was in its range (VN -VS). I never liked the VN model, easy to steal, substandard instrument panel and quite plain, VP got a bit better, and so it goes on.

I started going to car yards last weekend to scout out a VS or VT SS Manual and came across a VT Gen 3 SS Manual for $8000 *bargin*, but unfortunately it sold earlier that day.

Now I have heard of Gen 3 before and assume it is to do with the motor as it is a 5.7lt as oppose to the standard 5.0lt.

Can I have your feedback as to what I should be aiming for.

It is my first V8 that I will be purchasing so I need to know what I should look at regarding the body (inside and out) and the engine. I would consider both 5.0lt and 5.7lt, and as mentioned before, needs to be Manual.

Thanks fellow Holden Followers.

[Cameron P]

pretty sure there is series 1, 2 and 3 in the vt's.. personally id choose the gen 3 vt over the 5.0lt vt and vs

[helicraze]

VS or VT I would get whatever you find in better condition (if you don't mind 5L) or try to get the series 2 VT which was 5.7L.

Either way you will still have all the common commodore problems

[old mate]

series 1 vt ss had the 5 litre holden v8 (304), then from series 2 onwards in vt the ss had the gen 3 v8 (ls1).

i wouldn't buy a series 1 vt ss over a good vs ss, as they have the same engine but the vt is heavier. the series 2 onwards vt ss is different. when they first came out they had oil consumption problems but all those should have been fixed by now. the build quality in the vt commodore is better than the vs, and obviously a bit more modern. a standard series 2 vt ss won't feel as grunty as an early holden engined ss in the lower revs as the torque peak with the ls1 is at higher rpm.

the ls1 engine is pretty crazy with mods now and the old 304 holden is getting left behind.

if it were up to me i would find a good condition vs ss with a manual and mod it. they are a bit lighter and i like the sound of the aussie v8 more.

[karlos]

series 1 vt ss had the 5 litre holden v8 (304), then from series 2 onwards in vt the ss had the gen 3 v8 (ls1).

i wouldn't buy a series 1 vt ss over a good vs ss, as they have the same engine but the vt is heavier. the series 2 onwards vt ss is different. when they first came out they had oil consumption problems but all those should have been fixed by now. the build quality in the vt commodore is better than the vs, and obviously a bit more modern. a standard series 2 vt ss won't feel as grunty as an early holden engined ss in the lower revs as the torque peak with the ls1 is at higher rpm.

the ls1 engine is pretty crazy with mods now and the old 304 holden is getting left behind.

if it were up to me i would find a good condition vs ss with a manual and mod it. they are a bit lighter and i like the sound of the aussie v8 more.

Well said.A nice black manual VS SS ftw.

[VR028]

try and get ur hands on a vt series 2 with the ls1 in it. if u cant the vt series 1 is still a new safer better handling chassis than the vs. it just depends what ur after. for looks, a nice black vs as mentioned above will do nicely

[JSTCOZ]

VT all the way man, had a basic vt and vs. aalso the vs look cheap and dodgey compared to the vt lol drives alot better too and a better engine with the Gen3

[50LTRv8]

Well said.A nice black manual VS SS ftw.

The thing is though, the inside of a VT is so much nicer than the VS, there is no way I could go back to a VS now.

[Macca86]

VT's had a series 1 and a series 2 mate
S1 VT SS 5.0L - 179kw
S2 VT SS 5.7L (LS1) - 220kw
The series 1 VT will have the same 5.0L engine as the VS SS but as mentioned above the VT is heavier. So technically the VT has a lower power/weight ratio. But as also said above, the VT is more modern then the VS so personally id go for a VT. Both the 5L and the 5.7L have their pros and cons mate so its all up to you really. The 5.0L sounds heaps better (imo. has that old school V8 sound) and has a lower torque range, plus you will prob find one a lil cheaper as you can probably talk a seller down a lil (the whole ''well it isnt a 5.7L so its not really worth that much'' line etc) but, in comparison to a S2 the 5L lacks in power. Although if you plan on doing it up the 5L still has some good potential if u port out the heads etc. With a 5.7L you will gets heaps more power and as said there are 1000 mods available to get even more out of it. The 5.7's had a lot of issues in early days and a lot of engines were completely rebuild while under warranty due to piston slap/excessive oil consumption/etc. (I think they have an X or something stamped near the VIN if they have had a rebuild done?). Also if the kms are near or over 200k then give it a full checkover underneath, as I have seen countless 5.7's come through my work with oil leaks all over the place.
Hope that helps you out Doof

[rb26dett]

Drive some and see which you like the best.

[MkyHnly]

the vt's also came out with better things such as bigger and better braking systems, airbag as standard and irs as standard... theres more modern things in a vt than a vs, its really what you are looking for and interested in that you should decide on mate.

[VTLS1]

the other option is to completely forget about the ss altogether. reality is you can get an executive,berlina or whatever in exactly the same engine combination you want,it will be cheaper because it doesnt say ss,it will be lighter in weight because its not an ss,probably wont be abused as much & will be half the price for full insurance than an ss. some of the standard versions will still come with lsd,elec windows etc if it doesnt these are easy to change & it would still work out cheaper in the long run........................now,i just gotta wait for all the peoples on here to disagree with me & the facts,lol

[kniever]

now,i just gotta wait for all the peoples on here to disagree with me & the facts,lol

an ss is lighter than a berlina

[Lumps of cheese]

Vt, alot better option and a better car all round than the vs. Get a series 2 ss if you can with the ls1.

[DSAvtSS]

My VT S1 SS has been GREAT, i would like to drive a VS for a comparison.

The LS1's INSAAAAAANE motors, but besides the power didn't feel as cool as the 5.0. It is one of those weird little things.

You need to drive a couple of models, every car is different. MY 5.0 feels completely different from a mates VT S1 SS., My Cousins VT S1 GTS feels different to another S1 GTS that i got to drive a while back.

The only Problems that you should be wary of effect EVERY CAR, Heater cores, aircon compressors, bushings etc.

the best advice anyone can give is to get the car with the best history, the car that YOU like to drive.

[brinz96VS]

go with a vs ss if you can find one thats worth buying.
maybe have a look at a V8 Berlina or Calais in either VS or VT??
will probably miss out on the manual box though.

[low vs]

i thort the vt had a roller cam? vs had the hydrolic cam.i have both cars

[K-Man]

I would go the VT. If you can find a series 2 with the LS1 definately go for that. I hava a VX SS and the LS1 is awesome, especially after some easy mods, although you do have to rev it a bit.

[hq-racing]

i thort the vt had a roller cam? vs had the hydrolic cam.i have both cars

yeah the series 1 vt 5.0 had a roller cam n some III VS.
the senators ran roller rockers too..

[hq-racing]

as to my opinion id rather a VS, i dont know what it is bout there shape but i love em.
i like 5.0l's better than the LS1's too.. more grunt they seem to have at low n better sound..
jst my opinoin..
drive em both n see what ya like thats the best thing to do..

[marknteej]

VT series 1 has the 5.0 Holden V8 engine which is HSV spec. Basically the last of the HSV V8 engines went into the VT series 1 they all were hyd roller cammed engines. I think they go well and sound great and I also have a 300Kw LS1 in my VY2 HSV so I can compare the two.
My VT is a manual, I converted it myself. The VT 1 5 speeds are pretty ordinary compared to the T5 in a VS and T56 in the VT 2 but strong. 1 Thing to consider is the VT 1 was unique and engine mods are expensive if tuning is required because there is not much demand (or support) for it.
Parts, engine and body are very cheap and readily available for the VT so that is a positive so if you want to save some dollars, get an auto convert it to manual and avoid the expense of an SS in both purchase and insurance.

[mitchy_vn]

i lik the vs, but if u can find a vt 5.7L that will be mint.. otherwise if u cant then get the vs, its lighter..
thats what il do