The vehicle was delivered with a delamination in the windscreen on the drivers side, no tyre placard sticker or right hand "Clubsport" sticker. All were replaced after delivery.
The engine consumed an excessive amount of oil, well over the 2.5 litres per 10,000 km's which Holden say is acceptable.
The oil light would stay on after starting the engine and then go out after a few seconds. On one occasion it didn't. The oil pump was replaced. This took three weeks, as there were no oil pumps in Australia.
The car was scratched by the dealer while putting the engine back in during the oil pump replacement. The paint repair was like orange peel and had to be fixed by my own spray painter at the dealers cost.
The rear differential whined when under no load, right from day one.
The gear lever rattled against the console in second gear due to insufficient clearance. The standard gear shifter was replaced with a short shift lever, however there is now an internal rattle when in third gear and operating in the higher rev range.
The engine and rear differential were eventually replaced at 11,000 km's.
The new engine continues to consume oil at a rate of 2 to 2.5 litres every 10,000 km's. Holden say 2.5 litres per 10,000 km's is acceptable.
The rubber boots on the front steering arms had to be replaced after 30,000 km's, due to the heat radiated from the engine.
The car looks great, but there is a serious problem with oil consumption that can occur with the 5.7L Gen III LS1 engine.
A mates VX Series II Clubsport was tested at 2.5 litres per 10,000k km's. He bought the vehicle new (Del 7/02) after the dealer assured him the oil consumption issue was fixed in the Series II.
While it's a bit hit and miss, its not a good thing having to top up a new $65,000 plus vehicle (any new car for that matter) with oil between services. All this and then to have the car manufacturer tell you its acceptable after you bought vehicle. Be aware!
Dear sir,do you want me to act suprised that these new bute motors have not had a sullution in four years.One word comes to me is Quality'Try ford's new motors and compare. signed holden freek.
Unfortunately I have to agree with you. I purchased a new VX R8 Clubsport and had similar oil pump problems from day one. But to be fair General Motors Holden were quick to remedy the problem.
Hi There I have a clubsport and can't beleive the way they go through tyres. The way they go through them is amazing, they have perfect tread on all wheels except for the inside edges (front and back) where they have worn to the steel belts I took the problem up with Penfolds holden in Burwood and they told me it was normal for this kind of hi performance vehicle especially because of the special LSD diff, great suspension and vehicle hight. - How about skipping the crap and just fixing the problem? They mentioned its probably due to wheel alignment issues that I should have addressed. they mentioned that I should of had the wheels aligned (all 4) every 5000 kms. I have had 5 new cars in the past (not holdens) and never expericence such terrible uneven tyre ware on any other vehicle like this. The car has only done 22000 kms and I drive it with care. I can't understand that In this day an age if they can't make a car worth 65 thousand dollars drive resonably even on all four wheels then whats the rest of their package like?
I'm Very Disappointed and will never be buying a holden again and I will be telling my friends!!!
You can get a camber kit fitted to decrease the tyre wear.
I have when I had a VX SS.
As someone who does a little track racing (with an old E30 m3) I can say that the camber is set to that angle to improve stability and handling, it's a 'cheap' factory fix for a poor handling car which I would assume with the commodore is due to weight and poor axle location. not just cheap, but a little crafty too because when a new vehicle gets reviewed, it rare that the press do any large mileage and if they do, their consumerables (Tyres) are paid for by either the car-makers or their press company, therefore it is easy to overlook tyre wear. It's quite common to see a comment about tyre wear on long term test cars, but its usually followed up by a comment about how hard they have been used!
Two things with using an aftermarket camber fix, 1. It will effect the handling adversely (badly for all you aussies) and 2. WHY?? it should be done correctly by the factory, what a terrible 'last resort'!
Actually the camber kit I got fitted to my VX SS did not effect the handling at all. It decreased the tyre wear and the handling was fine when I bought the VX SS and it was fine when I got fitted with a camber kit.
I own a vt clubsport with the old faithfull 5 litre and I haven't had 1 single problem with the car yet everthing thing is OK just like when I brought it 102 000 ks ago and you probley think I'm a grandad driver??? I'm actully a p plater and the clubby gets a fair thrashing at least once a week and she still runs beaut
something to think about these all alloy gen 3 may have more killawots, but are the as reliable as the 5 litre???
The earlier ones were not that as reliable, but now they are fairly reliable engines. I had my VX SS up to over 120,000k's without any issues. I have now a VY2 Calais and has just over 30,000k's on it and has not had any issues at all. They are a simple engine so not much can go wrong with them. Look after it and it should be fine.
Wheres my other comment?
Hi, I have a vx clubsport TT (twinturbo) built from HPF (horspowerfactory)it has 370kw at the back treads at 9psi and still running stock standard running gear accept transmission. i have had a few cars in the past, but I think this is the best car I have owned. if you have noise in the diff its called oil thinner pure it into the diff and it will be fine. oil consumption feed it more air sounds dumb, but works. tyre's ummmmmmmmm???
Bought a manual VY11 R8 after owning a Nissan 350z track. Similar price, no comparison.
The gearbox is depressing in comparison, like rowing boat, don't take my word for it test drive a 350. Buy an auto.
37,000 kms, no oil pressure, new oil pump, engine out to change and fit. $1700 if off warranty. In fairness Heartland supplied parts and I paid for labour. Second month of ownership.
It is a comfortable, good looking family car with lots of space, but no sports car and doesn't really feel that fast due to weight.
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