OK, so my Dad didn't get the HSV...

"Dann" (ammerty) 03/02/2014 at 08:23 • Filed to: CARYARD SATURDAY

3

15

On the bright side, however, he did buy this...

A 2002 Holden VU Commodore SS Ute, complete with obligatory LS1 V8 and 6-speed manual. Unlike the HSV, this has quite low mileage for its age (128,000km / 79,500mi) and also featured a nice set of 18s, slightly lowered suspension and a sports exhaust (which will be further modified to a cat-back twin hot-dog setup).
At $12k, its pretty decent value (for a dealer anyway, given its mileage)

This model Commodore ute was the first to receive the Ls1 (detuned from the US version, rated at 225kw/302hp), models upto 2000 were fitted with the Holden 5.0L V8. The drivetrain in this ute was still tight and fresh, no untoward valvetrain noises that the LS1s are prone to and the 6-speed still shifted tightly, and surprisingly, had most of its service history available.

The interior is still in quite good shape as well (though the stock stereo is set to be binned for a more modern bluetooth unit), and the seats and trim still in great shape with no wear to speak of.

So, suffice to say, my Dad is happy with his purchase and perhaps happier to be rid of the Savvy he was driving previously.

jkm7680 > Dann 03/02/2014 at 08:28

1

Congrats, That's even better! I'm not too sure about the pattern on the interior though

offroadkarter > Dann 03/02/2014 at 08:29

0

Well the great thing with a LS1 is, a set of heads, a cam, an intake and a tune = 400+ rwhp easy.

Also, what is a "holden 5.0L", tell me thats not a 305 chevy small block

Dann > jkm7680 03/02/2014 at 08:31

1

Yeah, I don't know what Holden was thinking back then, I think it was conceived between bong hits (Designer: 'The Matrix is big right now, lets do that, and put Esses in it!")

Dann > offroadkarter 03/02/2014 at 08:39

1

No, not the 305 (thankfully), the Holden V8 was a 308 small block (was originally offered in both 4.2L 253ci and 5.0L 308ci versions, up until 1983), and ran in pretty much every Holden V8, in various forms (mainly 4.2L and 5.0L and a limited run of 5.7L stroked engines in the 90s), from 1969 up until 1999.
Holden did also offer the Chevy 350 small block alongside the Holden V8 in early models (1969-1974)

jkm7680 > Dann 03/02/2014 at 08:41

0

Haha, more like one giant acid trip

offroadkarter > Dann 03/02/2014 at 08:42

0

I didn't know holden had their own V8 but it makes sense.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Dann 03/02/2014 at 09:25

1

Now that's an Ute!

Congrats!

And oh, don't forget to do an obligatory burnout!

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > offroadkarter 03/02/2014 at 09:27

0

Little known fact about the Holden V8: it was the basis for the Repco V8 used in F5000 and Brabham's F1 cars.

KnifeKnut > Dann 03/02/2014 at 09:57

1

kanadanmajava > Dann 03/02/2014 at 11:54

0

Nice find. The color is pretty awful but still better than red. We don't have a single Holden Ute in Finland. Registering a quite new Australian made car here is nearly impossible. One Falcon Ute pops up quite often in car gatherings but that isn't registered either and it still moving semi legally with Australian plates.

bob and john > Dann 03/02/2014 at 12:21

0

nice!

pdthedeuce > KnifeKnut 03/02/2014 at 13:36

0

indeed .

ohmysti > Dann 03/02/2014 at 13:36

0

WHY NO MALOOO?! :P

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > jkm7680 03/02/2014 at 17:18

0

I like the seats alot, those are cool looking. For something funky like that its a perfect fit...

(I want golf gti seats for mr2 so take my opinion with a grain of salt)

Dann > kanadanmajava 03/03/2014 at 05:31

0

Agreed, Hyper Yellow would not be my first choice for colour, nor red.
What restrictions in Finland prevent the Commodore from being registered? I'm guessing emissions?