Looking at Buying a VTII clubbie bit of advise please?

[Manwhore]

Hey Guy's
Just looking to buy a 99 VT Clubsport R8 auto it has 17xxxx on the clock.
Wondering what i should be looking for on the car that may be an issue later or even now on the cars available?

Any advise appreciated.

 

[FirstVL]

The VT.II ClubSport was one of the first local applications of the LS1 engine and there were quite a few problems with these - see http://wikicars.net.au/reviews.php#!content=recalls&make=HSV&model=ClubSport&gen=399

If the budget can stretch, I'd recommend a VX.II or later. Holden shut down their factory for months prior to VX.II to improve quality control ahead of their export program.

 

[Tasmaniak]

Early LS1s drank oil almost as much as petrol. Also try to check the motor on start up on first thing in the morning if thats possible. See if it rattles (Piston slap) and if you leaving it idling for a couple of minutes, will it throw a check engine light?

 

[Tasmaniak]

Actually reading that list... I think mine has suffered from all of them.

 

[mpower]

Go for a VXII as above, all the early issues are pretty much sorted.

 

[Demonica]

Agreed with all of the above. The LS1 VT anything were complete lemons. Wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole. The VX and VY clubbys have come down in price quite a bit so worth a look.

 

[Manwhore]

Okay guy's thanks for the advice i'll start looking for the VX II cheers

 

[ConstantVelocity]

For what it's worth my VT LS1 is fine. Doesn't burn oil, bit of piston slap on cold starts but meh, it does no harm.

I was looking for a VXII+ car too but after looking at a few flogged out examples that people wanted too much for I decided to save my money and go for a stock unmolested VT that popped up. The "bad rep" of the early ones means you can pick em up cheap. If the VTII clubbie has been looked after (big if these days!) and the price is right it's worth considering.