With the door locks you could set it in the dash cluster to auto lock all doors when you put it into Drive and then auto unlock when you put it back into Park. Was a pretty good feature when you lived in the city and had your family in the car etc.

Spot on Ross, SV8 replaced the V8 Executive’s. They did do V8 Executives for Vy/Vz but they were for SA and QLD Police only. Preferred the proper povo V8 over SV8 as they tried doing a sort of in between body kit for them to make them stand out more than Executives but not as much as a SS. Same goes to the interior as well. Much like the full base model look more. Unfortunately both Vy/Vz and Ba/Bf we’re the last Commodore and Falcons you could get a V8 in the base models

My previous daily driver was a VY SV8, was a good platform for mods as they were pretty light and I ended up running 10.7@130mph back in 2009 with a stock bottom end LS1, cam, heads, top mount blower etc and ended up doing almost 400,000k's before I moved it on but it would have been good if I could have kept it instead. :)

G’day Ross, I love the SV8 because there basically a Sleeper in terms of a Commodore in my opinion, with the door locking/unlocking situation, you have to physically pull the door locks up the Drivers and or Passenger door locks that will unlock all the doors that’s one of the best features I love about the Commodores!

Hi Ross. The SV8 came out in the VY and VZ models as Holden dropped the option of ordering a V8 in the base model (Executive) commodore. I think the SV8 was targeted at people who wanted a V8 for towing purposes but who didn't want to spend the money for a sports model. Years ago people would tow their caravan, boat, horse float etc with a Falcon or Commodore and obviously a V8 would be an advantage. But in the later years of production people now choose to use a Ranger or Hilux to tow their trailers. But back then the Commodore and Falcon were designed to be an everything vehicle, that is why we had the sedan and long wheelbase versions, ute, panel van and one tonne tray back. If you are looking for production numbers for an upcoming video featuring a Holden, I suggest send an email to Holden as they are known to give out such information.

As long as it makes the blue hairs have a meltdown I'm in!😂

hey man thanks for the upload, always find this info interesting. Seems like NZ got most of the SV8's, at a quick glance there are a few over here.

I have heard of and seen a SV8 many many years ago, I purchased a brand new 2004 Holden VZ Commodore Lumina in that same silver as that SV8, in 2005, and I still own it today over 18 years later, I still love it like that first day. 😊

It’s too bad that many of these Holden and Ford Australia cars never came to the US. We only got the Monaro, VE Commodore/Caprice, and the VF Commodore essentially. I researched all of the many trims that were available throughout the years and they seem like cool cars

It's the bare bones SS that came out in VY and VZ. The VZ V8s had the 3.73 diff ratio in the manuals (same as VT-VY HSVs) and electronic throttle, where as VY V8s had 3.46 diff ratio in the manuals and cable throttle... If you're getting an auto then you're better off getting a Calais and they ride a lot better and have a lot more features

I bought a VZ SV8 new and still have it It’s got the 6 speed manual with rip shift, full exhaust with extractors, cold air and dyno tune It only makes just over 300hp at the tyres but a lot more torque With only 110,000 ks it’s been a good fun car which I intend on keeping It handles pretty good with the standard suspension which I will upgrade along with the standard brakes as they are garbage Overall it’s a lot of car for the money and personally I think the VZ was one of the best looking models Great channel Ross

I read a Holden bulletin years back with the vy sv8 and was based along the lines of Holden was prohibited to release the commodore executive with 15-inch rims and the Ls motor. So they buttoned them up with 8" rims and a bumper. Hence, there is no executive vy or vz with the ls1. Can confirm that driving a ls commodore on pursuit rims is ridiculously fun.

The 2003 VY SV8 was Wheels Performance Car of the year and yes in a straight line they were faster than a SS.

Hi Ross, I had a blue vz sv8 with the ss spoiler which was a factory upgrade. The vz sv8 later 2005 onwards was basically an SV6 just with the v8. From what I was told is the earlier vz n vy were infact executives with the v8, sports suspension n alloys. 😊

The VY Series 1 and 2 SV8 were essentially an Executive with the SS running gear and some minimal interior/exterior addons to make the model. The VZ SV8 was an SV6 with the SS running gear. Until you see the badge or at least hear it, you'd assume the VZ was just an SV6 getting around. As for the interior lock button, no third gen Commodore had it. I had to get used to just pulling and pressing the drivers door lock to unlock/lock all the doors. There is however an auto-door lock like function which locks the doors when the car shifts from Park into any gear. This can be found going through the trip computer.

I own a VY SV8 with the t56 manual and it's great fun. Similar to the VZ auto you just reviewed the gearing is pretty tall from factory and that hurts it off the line. Swapping out diff gears made a big difference in mine. The SV8 could be optioned with "Holden by design" extras. Eg my car has a full leather interior and extra front/rear/side skirt trims. It's pretty easy to pick the difference between the VY and VZ SV8s - the VZ has spotlights in the front bar and a more aggressive shape to the bonnet. The V8 front bar is full pov-pack. Makes a great sleeper. Re: door locks - locking/unlocking the drivers door lock from inside the car will trigger all the other door locks to do the same. Pretty standard for the VT-VZ range I believe.

this is mega cool. seems like a great cruiser chuck a nice exhaust on it and it would be my perfect type of car. understated, but has the power when you want it

Awesome 😎 video Ross Reviews. Can’t wait for the next video.

These are one of my favourite commodores ever since I was little.

That’s interesting about the locks. In the states the 04 and 05 GTOs didn’t have a central locking button until the final year 2006. The only way on the 04 & 05 to lock and unlock both doors was to push down or pull up on the driver door. That would do the same for other door or visa versa. Of course as you said you had the key fob as well.

Bought a red one in 2011, T56 manual, had 114,000km’s. Paid $4500. Pulled the running gear out, put it in my 180SX, got it engineered and daily drove it till 2018

have one of these with full leather ..same colour...have put big bore.. extractors..otrcai ..maflees tune..definately get up and shreds now. didn't know there was only 500 made..wow...regards from nz

I bought my SV8 manual new and I still love driving it everyday.

Still impressive though. The BA XR6T stock is around 6 seconds. Thanks for the review and the new upgraded 4K resolution. Cheers

I remeber when I first saw one of these in that silver a few years ago. And I was like wtf. Than looked them up. They’re a really cool piece of history. Kinda like the falcon RTV’s with a 5.4L. Also Ross I have a WN2 Caprice with an LS3 down in vic. I know you’ve done a WN1 but not 2.

Good video, and I agree with your thoughts on it. I have a VY (2003) SV8 with the manual gearbox. I've done bolt-on mods and tuned MAFless. I would never claim it was super fast on a track or in a drag, but it has good torque and eats up the miles comfortably.

Still got my VY series 2 SV8 in a manual that I bought brand new. A few mods done over the years but nothing over the top and still drives well everyday I drive it.

They were a pretty popular lease car for Holden employees. The fun of the 8 without the price (though they were all pretty cheap on the Holdens lease scheme for employees).

Seen them, they took over from essentially an executive fitted with the optional V8 engine, as this became the base model V8 in the commodore line up in 2002 pretty rare also.

I have seen a red VY SV8 in 2003. Black interior, SV8 red custom print on black leather seats, red Speedo that glowed red numbers at night and black Simmons 3 piece rims. Never seen one since.

Pretty much an executive but has some SV6 bits in it. I have a VZ executive (absolute povo pac, doesn’t have electric windows in the back). The seats in this car are different to the executive seats (from sv6) and the gauge cluster is also the sport one. Also has the 6 disc changer I think whereas the regular exec doesn’t. Seems like an sv6 interior with the running gear of an ss. The exec had a different front bumper and also didn’t have fog lights

I have a 2003 6 Speed Manual VY SV8 over here in NZ. Immaculate condition inside and out. After market body kit, cammed, pacemaker headers, otr etc tuned and 310kw at the rear, she's one quick street car. One of if not the tidiest SV8 in NZ I've been told. Would love to share a Pic or video somehow if possible?? Love your channel bro, keep up the good work 💪🤘

I like just how understated these are and how it looks an sv6 but with an LS1 under the hood. My dad has a red SV6 it handles great but does seem to lack that theatre that the V8 brings. I did notice when doing the 0-100 you didn't let it rev right out to 6200rpm maybe that would have helped.

mate of mine has a baby blue sv8 bought new with 40,000kms on it now , he loves it more than his 2 monaro's, was going to sell it for $15k about a decade ago but luckily changed his mind

Have a mate who had an identical car but Manual for a few years. Copped 50,000ks of abuse. Was driven hard on old pacific highway (twisty bush road) multiple times a week and was thrown into a cook often. A lot of fun memories doing some pretty questionable things in that car.. handled well on twisty bends for a big car. only thing that went wrong was the diff getting a bit lazy but still drove fine. ended up selling it for a few grand more then he paid for it to a younger bloke who ended up writing it off a month later after hitting a power pole head on from running out of talent. Shame but great car and don’t see them often anymore.

I remember these,. I liked them because they remided me of my mates VR or VS Calais that came ffrom factory with a 5.0 back in the 90s

Most of them ended up highway patrol cars in Queensland cheap V8 interceptor that rode comfortably

imho from VE onwards the standard SS was just the SV8, while the actual SS was the SSV. Originally in the early VY commodores the SV8 was just an exec with the V8, FE2 suspension, 17" rims, and LSD. However later SV8 models were just the SV6 with V8s and the LSD. The main differences between the S and the SS (aside from the V8) were the different taillights, headlights, CD player, rims, as well as some other interior niceties. Likewise the VE SS and SSV also shared similar differences (headlights, taillights, sound system, interior stuff, etc), with the SS and SV6 being close to the same car with different powertrains (similar to how the old SV8 was basically the SV6 with a V8). Edit: it appears that only late VZ models were more similar to the SV6.

first time hearing about the sv8 . cheers

I had one seen a VY SV8 at a dealer and to my surprise was a 5 speed manual transmission

I own a vz wagon executive and The only door looks are the ones on the doors, no other switchers or anything.

I have not seen one of these since they were brand new!

Had a stinger red sv6 vz for a while, bloody well balanced, loved it, always wanted one since i saw it at the age of 8. always like the sv8, got a couple around my block. but something about the sv6 always peeked my interest.....then it threw belts, lost cylinder 5, and a fuck ton of other issues....

Yo years ago when I was a kid I told my brother I seen an sv8 down the street and he didn't believe me. They're real!

Saw one for sale in NZ few weeks ago at Pearce Bros in Auckland $10k , I did notice it only had a single exhaust tip !

Bloke in the next st has an SV08 Senator pretty cool & yeah the only Senator to come in manual & FYI the 08 means it a 1st gen VE

Lock button is the lock on drivers door itself. Push down then pull back up releases the other 3 doors.

I’ve been waiting for this one

Regarding the locks, typical of the commodores you use the drivers lock (under your elbow on the window sill) to lock and unlock all the doors. If I remember correctly if you lock/unlock any of the doors using the little pop up invocatory thing, it would lock/unlock all the doors.

I reckon it'd be cool to get a Toyota Lexcen and it's Commodore equivalent next to each other and go over them. There's a couple of different models from the VN. Then you could do a follow up on the Holden Apollo and Camry equivalent. They were just rebadged cars and are identical basically but would still be interesting. They're not performance cars though.

SV8 in VY 1 form was the "purest" you could say to the V8 Executive it replaced. The only different features they got to an Executive was a rear spoiler, SS bolstered cloth front seats, deleted door mouldings, and colour coded side skirts. VY II added SS Headlights. When it got to VZ, They were pretty much a V8 SV6. But without the V6, and the flappy paddle 5 speed auto. V8 retained the 4 speed auto and 6 speed manual options

I brought one of these as my first v8 for 4K when the prices bottomed out, 175,000k’s all stock, rough but body was straight and mechanically good. Only bad thing was it was an auto. But once I chucked on an engine back exhaust and intake it completely changed the way it ran. But once it was due for a rebuild, went all out with a cam and all the goodies. Made 270kw through a stock auto and drove beautiful, went like a shower of shit

The SV8 was Holdens answer to the XRRT on paper, to a price point. The XR8 and SS cost 45k at that time,the XR6T was 42k . Holden had no competitor at this price so this was there solution, it could stack up against the XR6T on paper to a price but not on the road.

Had a VY SV8 6 SPD Same amount ok Was a awesome sleeper

_SV8, while being a pov-pak SS, it’s key role was to provide an affordable performance option against the ever popular BA/BF XR6 turbos, back in the day. Both Wheels & Motor magazines promoted it with standing 400mtr times that always seemed to trump the early XR6T, at least for those who only cared about the 0-400 and not the 80-120kph times. This rivalry helped power levels of both cars climb with every new revision from that point onwards_ … 😎 _cool review Ross_ 👍🏼

Haven't seen any on the road for ages...years

I loved my sv8 was about 8 grand cheaper than a ss did a exhaust upgrade and ross you can make any car exciting by the way you drive it😊.

You are not missing anything. The American GTO was also like that for 04' and 05'. 06' got a button on the center console to unlock the doors.

A bloke down the street from my last place had a vz sv8. I rate them because of the v8 executive/ poor mans SS thing. Only thing I didn't like wasn't about the car, but the bloke had a zorst on it and was a shift worker. So he would warm it up before leaving for work at 3am Wednesdays through Sundays.

I own a 03 VY model with the T56 with the usual mods from cam to exhaust and 4.11 diff gears and swapped out the whole interior for leather SS and even the cluster was changed to an SS one and has 175xxxkms. Have tracked it quite a few times and on the pad once youve said those numbers about the rarity i think ill be putting it back on the road after the rebuild without the turbo and a fresh lick of paint thanks for the motivation :)

I did see one of the VY SV8, from memory the SV8 was quicker than the SS due to the weight advantage.

Old work mate sold his grey VN SS to buy a VZ SV8 6.0l. Took ages to find the SV8. Think the VN SS would be worth more than VZ now. He sold the VN for $2200.

Hi Ross I have a holden 304 complete Blackmotor with the VB engine number prefix.the motor has been done up by an engine company seeming it had a regrind camand shaved rocker bridges.every performance part was missing like the b cast heads .I got it dynoed and it different have 100 HP .with a 229 ratio killed it aswel.

Great review as always mate, and awesome car, as I might be a little biased as my pic might suggest😜

I currently own a 2005 VZ SV8 6 speed manual with full leather trim. I'm guessing leather was an option on the SV8. It has an exhaust and extractors but its pretty stock. I'm pretty sure they have the same fe2 suspension setup as the SS also although I've just fitted new shocks and front end bushes to my car and now looking at getting dome lowered springs. Mine also has a VZ Clubsport wing and a VK style HDT grill and 20 inch wheels which makes it look a lot better. Also The SS headlights look a lot better then the standard SV8 so looking at picking up a set in the near future. I will next go for a OTR and mafless tune then in time get it cammed and freshened up but for now I'm pretty happy for what it is. Paid 10k for it about 3 years ago now.

They are quite rare i understand. Basically a base commodore with a V8 from the SS

Love the sleeper appeal of the SV8, but nowadays, I'd probably go for the SS as they have more fruit, despite weighing more...

6.5 seconds 0-100 is reasonable for a stock standard car. If i was to make a full race/track spec car or even set up a car for drag racing. The SV8 would be a fantastic car to work with. Less equipment means less weight and less things to go wrong. Also you can be more forgiven by doing some insane modifications to it. Or turn it into a very fast sleeper.

I bought a turismo blue VZ sv8 only last year and I couldn’t be happier with it, 6speed manual and a nice exhaust, what more could you want

Still a better time than those old Tickfords That you reviewed couple of years ago probably similar year

I should of bought one for an extra 8k dealer only had a sv6 demo with five speed paddle shift ❤

A set of 3.73 diff gears would help it heaps.

The VX Executive could also be ordered with a V8 and manual trans, which was like a pov pack SS, nothing more. You could stick SS badges on a V8 executive to pretend, but you're kidding yourself. It will never be as good.

U should come to Nz I have to Falcons A fairly stock El xr6 with some light mods and then and 84 xe falcon Ute with a solid Cam351

Yes I remember the SV8

It's like an XT if it had the turbo Barra or 5.0 302 from factory

You press your lock button on the drivers door and they all should go down

A lot of ss owner’s will tell you it’s the Same but I believe these were simplified and slightly lighter and all testing at the time they were new confirmed that they were slightly faster even if just a tenth to 100

Cheaper new and faster than SS because lighter. This was after the V8 option was dropped on the Excecutive.

VY/VZ interior has held up pretty well imo

Im rocking the SV8 VY modded. Previously owned the SS Love the VY-VZ models,, slush box is the only dislike👍🏽

Probably already mentioned but Holden stopped making these because they would beat an ss due to having same power train but being lighter lmao

alot of Sv8s get vy/vz clubsport kits put on em. i mean why not

Yes mate I knew they existed but would I buy one no I'd just go for the SS,but they're rare & whoever owns one should definitely keep it because like you said there's a lot of mods that can turn it into an even better car so the option is there,anyway still a nice car & your review was spot on brother so thanks for another enjoyable vid.

yes plenty sv8 cars over here in nz poor man SS still good plantform for mods

Hey Ross, love the review man, I've been looking at a VY SV8 as my first V8, but I'm tossing up between a VY SV8 or a VE SS, and I'm super torn between both (I love both ughhhhhh) I've only owned a VT Commodore Olympic Edition (The ecotec is such a slug), and I think it's definitely time to upgrade :)

Thank you.

I ended up getting an LS1 Berlina for even more sleeper mode.

My VY SV8 series one has FE2 suspension. I'm sure the VZ SV8 would also have FE2?? Gotta love the lazy old 4L60 auto......

Have you heard of the s pack series before the sv8 series? My parents had a vu ute s pack v8 6speed manual

locking the driver door locks all the other doors

should review the vz SV6 as it came with the 5 speed auto and paddle shifters

I did not know they made sv8 I would buy one

commodores always go better on the backs of tow trucks... it's their natural habitat 😂

8k back in the day would have got u coilovers otr full exhaust maybe even a cam done u be seeing 300rwkw will would be decent street car

Sv8 didn't come out with the SS body kit.they come out with exec front and rear bars...

AUD $ 29 921, they got a be dreaming!

try a magna rallyart

Executive with LS and bodykit...

Brought one of these it’s a vy sv8 picked it up for $8500