2002 HSV GTS Coupe review from Australia and New Zealand

Engine required total rebuild following excessive oil consumption.

Up to around 3000 kilometers, this car performed very well, and gave no cause for concern at all.

Gearbox reluctant to engage reverse.

I am absolutely disgusted at the situation I am faced with.

This vehicle cost me well into 6 figures ($NZ), including insurance, improved security, radar.

For a vehicle of this price to have such serious problems at such a low mileage, I have been put off HSV products for good.

I have previously owned an HSV VP Clubsport 5th anniversary model, and a BMW 540iSE, both gave no problems of note during the course of ownership.

Indeed the older HSV proved more reliable than its 10 year newer cousin could ever hope to be.

The dealer has proved less than sympathetic. The concept that this should not happen in any new vehicle, regardless of cost, has been lost on him.

I had heard of issues with Gen3 motors before, but did not seriously expect to have any problems of this nature, who would with a 100K supercar!?

I plan to cut my losses and sell-on the car very soon, and will probably look at something like a 540i M-enhanced , or perhaps an Audi S4.

Promised much, but the reality is that HSV products still lag behind Europe when it comes to reliability and built quality. For me performance and price on their own are not enough.