2001 HSV Clubsport R8 VX Series 1 from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

The engine rattles and knocks when it is first started. The service company says that it is normal for this engine to be noisy and to make sure you check the oil level frequently between services as they can use up to 2 litre between 10,000km services. They must be joking... but they are not. They even said if you think that's bad the V6 can be even worse.

Tyre wear. This car has no ability to aligned the rear wheels. Pot luck at the factory will determine how long your tyre lasts... and these tyres are not cheap.

The worst automatic I have ever driven. Kicks down when you least expect it and is very dangerous in the wet. Don't turn off the traction control in this car unless you want to have an accident.

Terrible steering. You feel like your driving a car in the movies as you have to turn the wheel from left to right and back again to stay in a straight line on the motorway.

Squeaking rear bushes. Never seem to know what your talking about. Tried to blame the handbrake cable. But mysteriously after one service the problem on the right hand side went away and then the left hand side started doing it and now they have no idea what it is again.

Based on my experiences with my previous Holden and now this HSV (which is just a Holden) I am convinced that Holden will do anything to avoid cost during the warranty period saying that everything is normal for a Holden, but is in fact not normal for any other car manufacturer. I am also told that if your car is one day past it's warranty they will not even listen as to accepting anything as a warranty repair.

If you own one sell it while it is still running... and before you have to replace the tyres.

Hi Steven, i'am a interested third party replying to your comments that you made on the Clubsport R8. How could you say such things about this car. Obviously you wouldn't drive it in the wet because it is a performance car and not a wet weather car. Why would you buy such a car, obviously you are using it for some other purpose then what it really should be used for. Sell it then if you're not happy, cause their's many other people that have no problems with it.

The problems you state are fairly common with these cars. The THM auto is just an old design so naturally it thumps and crunches and kicks down when it feels like it.

The knocking on start up is piston slap and is a recognised problem with the LS1 V8 along with oil consumption. This is a known serious problem within GMH. Check out www.pistonslap.com. This problem should be repaired under warranty. GMH budgets for engine rebuilds under warranty, but your dealer is reluctant because they must pay for the rebuild then make a claim for costs with GMH later.

Unless you ask for an oil consumption chart to be done and a check of the engine (in fact demand it) you will drive a knocking, oil burning LS1.

"Terrible steering. You feel like your driving a car in the movies as you have to turn the wheel from left to right and back again to stay in a straight line on the motorway."

Maybe if you are drunk or have that Parkinson disease, than you will have to turn the steering to the left and to the right, just to keep the car on straight line...

I Drive 2001 HSV ClubsportR8 VX Series 1 with the 5.7 V8 GenIII Engine and Manual transmission; and apart of some problems, I have no complains whatsoever, from the car.

Specially about the steering.

I had a 2000 Clubsport VX1. At the begining I had the oil pump replaced, but over 35000 Km latter it gave me no trouble at all.

I own a VX SS 2001 Six speed manual. The list of a problems for this car will be familiar to some, but not what you would expect from a new car. During the initial test drive the gearbox had unusual noises and the salesman assured us that it was normal. They replaced the gearbox before delivery and all seemed OK. Then drove the vehicle from QLD to NSW and checked the oil the next day just to make sure all was OK. The oil level was only just above the add mark after only 3000km's. The dealer was advised and said they would look into it. Then I noticed the inner rear tyres were wearing excessively and they were advised of this. They changed the rear camber of the vehicle even paid for one tyre which marginally has fixed the problem. An oil consumption test began around 20000Km's and finally at 47000km's the engine was removed and oversize pistons and rings were installed. By this time it had only six months warranty left and I thought all would be fine. I then checked the oil after another 3000km's and it was still using oil, but not 2.5litres per 40000kms like before.

The car has 57000km's on it and the motor has just got a really bad rattle, the engine has been pulled out and the bottom end is stuffed. They now refuse to fix the problem obviously which was from them putting to much pressure on the on the big end bearings. Will keep you posted with the outcome. Love my car, but this is really testing how much!!