2001 HSV GTS -R review from UK and Ireland

No problems whatsoever.

Easily the most fun saloon car on the planet. I looked long and hard at the BMW M5 but in the end, the Holden's character just won through. Although the M5 is a cracking car, it left me a bit cold in the way that German cars often do. It's almost too perfect and too capable. The Holden in comparison is a little rough around the edges, but it has the important ingredients spot on, namely power, feel and chassis ability. It's also rare in the UK, unlike any BMW.

The Chevrolet based V8 is a delight, and punts this big saloon along with almost supercar baiting grunt. Sounds lovely too, and with that grunt, a really well sorted chassis, and some subtle adjustments to the (excellent)Racelogic traction control system, roundabouts can be your personal playground. In the more demanding twisties, the bulk disappears, and the big Holden really does handle. It turns in brilliantly, the steering has plenty of feel, the six speed 'box is slick, and the brakes are eye popping!

I can report that the HSV is not only fast and well sorted, but reliable, and not as far away from BMW build and solidity as you might think. It's a stonking cruiser too, allowing licence losing speeds to be attained and maintained with near on silence in the cabin. Apart from scary fuel consumption (11 mpg worst, 18 average, 26 best), it's a fantastic all rounder. Fast, smooth, suprisingly agile and with an exclusivity and rarity in the UK that BMW's just no longer have. If you're not a badge snob and care more about what a car does than what badge it wears, try one. You will not be disappointed.