Holdens, what have you owned?

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54 posts

Master Geek

#1701931 12-Jan-2017 10:58

Seeing some of these lists is making me seriously jealous.

'84 VK Commodore (owned it for the last 20 years, although it's only been on the road a small fraction of those years)

'96 VS Caprice

'89 VN V8 (originally intended as a donor for the VK)

Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

#1701943 12-Jan-2017 11:16

mattwnz:

Wheelbarrow01:

I have owned 3 white Holden Astras:

The first one was written off shortly after purchase in 2007, in the Newcastle (NSW) floods.

The second one was written off shortly after purchase when it was T boned in 2011.

I tried going for the hat-trick, but I managed to own the 3rd one for a good 6 months without writing it off.

Although white is supposed to be a safe colour, I know more people that have had crashes in white cars, than any other colours combined. I am wondering if it isn't such a safe colour to be in.

Yea that was quite a serious accident. An octogenarian ran a stop sign at 50-60kms an hour and caught my (now former) partner square in the left side. The Astra spun, mounted the kerb, and then mounted a knee high concrete block fence. She had her seatbelt on, and all the airbags deployed, however she was badly concussed when her head made contact with the roof. She eventually had to give up her studies as she could no longer concentrate or look at computer monitors (or even the TV) without getting bad headaches. It also adversely affected her moods long term, which in part cost us our relationship in the end. The other driver got a ticket in the mail which seems lenient, although he was very upset at the time and I believe he may have given up driving shortly afterward.

Smithy100

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Master Geek

#1701949 12-Jan-2017 11:29

MikeB4:

Either buy the last of the current Commodores or wait until the euro sourced replacements arrive. Don't get a Daewoo.

I'd get a skateboard before a Daewoo - the Camira was a freebie lol.

Had a rental VF II SV6 late last year. Much likey!

MikeB4

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#1701954 12-Jan-2017 11:35

Smithy100:

MikeB4:

Either buy the last of the current Commodores or wait until the euro sourced replacements arrive. Don't get a Daewoo.

I'd get a skateboard before a Daewoo - the Camira was a freebie lol.

Had a rental VF II SV6 late last year. Much likey!

I came close last year to buying one but the Craptiva and VE experiences made me back off.

ajobbins

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#1702001 12-Jan-2017 12:55

Briefly owned a VR Executive many years ago that originally belonged to my parents, didn't like it much - odd gearbox (manual).

We have a VE Omega now. Not a bad car, we bought it when it was about 6 years old so was relatively cheap but a pretty nice car with some nice features. I like it, it's comfortable and reasonably powerful but given most of my driving is in heave stop start Melbourne commuter traffic the fuel economy is awful.

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kharris

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#1702033 12-Jan-2017 13:38

VZ SV6 and VE SS (current)

Kirk

frankv

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#1702034 12-Jan-2017 13:43

One Astra. Never again. PoS.

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kharris

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#1702035 12-Jan-2017 13:50

Yeah Atsa are awful, not exactly a premium model

frankv:

One Astra. Never again. PoS.

Kirk

kharris

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#1702037 12-Jan-2017 13:52

MikeB4:

.... and VE experiences made me back off.

What's wrong with VE?

Kirk

MikeB4

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#1702156 12-Jan-2017 16:24

I have various electrical issues with it that required it to go back to the dealer a few times, a couple of times on the back of a towies flatbed. Also had issues with trim etc parting company with the car. I think it must have been a Monday morning car.

ajobbins

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#1702161 12-Jan-2017 16:34

MikeB4:

I have various electrical issues with it that required it to go back to the dealer a few times, a couple of times on the back of a towies flatbed. Also had issues with trim etc parting company with the car. I think it must have been a Monday morning car.

I've had an issue with mine that's just resurfaced and was very common - the timing chain. Many of the VE V6's had a smaller timing chain that over time stretch. Mine started to, and Holden did a software patch (at great expense for something that involved them plugging in a small box and pushing a couple of buttons and took 5 mins) to 'fix' (more like mask) the issue and I just got a warning light again this week which means it's stretched further and needs replacement.

Given the chain was intended to last the life of the engine and not need servicing it's a massive job - at least a full day's labour and lots of parts. Holden quoted me $3500+ to fix it, but you can get it done by smaller specialists for more like $1500. One of the biggest things for anyone considering a V6 VE to be aware of. Was supposed to only be the early engines, but lots of reports of even late model ones having the issues too.

V8's had major issues with some parts too I believe.

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Rikkitic

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#1702163 12-Jan-2017 16:35

I had a 1983 Commodore until a few years ago. It was in immaculate condition with no rust, though the paint finally started to oxidise the last couple years I had it. I loved that old boat (huge car, 4 cylinders, no power steering) but was not in a position to restore it, which it would have been ideally suited for. I finally sold it for nearly as much as I had paid many years earlier, when it was in much better condition.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

BuzzLightyear

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Ultimate Geek

#1702179 12-Jan-2017 17:26

ajobbins:
MikeB4:

I have various electrical issues with it that required it to go back to the dealer a few times, a couple of times on the back of a towies flatbed. Also had issues with trim etc parting company with the car. I think it must have been a Monday morning car.

I've had an issue with mine that's just resurfaced and was very common - the timing chain. Many of the VE V6's had a smaller timing chain that over time stretch. Mine started to, and Holden did a software patch (at great expense for something that involved them plugging in a small box and pushing a couple of buttons and took 5 mins) to 'fix' (more like mask) the issue and I just got a warning light again this week which means it's stretched further and needs replacement.

Given the chain was intended to last the life of the engine and not need servicing it's a massive job - at least a full day's labour and lots of parts. Holden quoted me $3500+ to fix it, but you can get it done by smaller specialists for more like $1500. One of the biggest things for anyone considering a V6 VE to be aware of. Was supposed to only be the early engines, but lots of reports of even late model ones having the issues too.

V8's had major issues with some parts too I believe.

The "newer" 3.6 v6 had some issues. I stayed away from them. The old 3.8 litre is a bullet proof motor. The 6litre l76 motor can have issues like wise the early build 5.7 LS1's. Golden rule don't buy the first gen of a new model.

driller2000

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#1702192 12-Jan-2017 18:41

kharris:

MikeB4:

.... and VE experiences made me back off.

What's wrong with VE?

In my exp with a 2006 VE SS-V owned since 2010 to current (75ks --> 182ks) - very little.

Good power, comfort + size (4 passengers + long trips incl luggage = no issues), good handling (given its size) and styling for the money.

Maintenance has been usual consumables and stuff you do at required service intervals ie. tyres, oil, coolant, filters etc.

Additional items over 6 1/2 years of ownership have been alternator reco, water pump, AC recondition and engine mounts.

Never had the heads off, or transmission issues etc - ie. no majors.

Given it's performance - and I drive it hard - I think the maintenance costs have been entirely reasonable.

Oh yeah - gas mileage is "poor" - but to be expected for a 6.0L V8 - weighing 1,800+kg and with a driver with a heavy right foot :)

Coil

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#1702380 13-Jan-2017 07:54

Rikkitic:

I had a 1983 Commodore until a few years ago. It was in immaculate condition with no rust, though the paint finally started to oxidise the last couple years I had it. I loved that old boat (huge car, 4 cylinders, no power steering) but was not in a position to restore it, which it would have been ideally suited for. I finally sold it for nearly as much as I had paid many years earlier, when it was in much better condition.

How to win at owning a car. Buy a 15 year old car. Wait 20 years so they become classic. Profit.

driller2000:

Additional items over 6 1/2 years of ownership have been alternator reco, water pump, AC recondition and engine mounts.

Never had the heads off, or transmission issues etc - ie. no majors.

Given it's performance - and I drive it hard - I think the maintenance costs have been entirely reasonable.

Oh yeah - gas mileage is "poor" - but to be expected for a 6.0L V8 - weighing 1,800+kg and with a driver with a heavy right foot :)

Engine mounts? How hard did you driver her for that to occur? Or was it a defected part being repalced?
I could contest your gas mileage with my BMW straight 6, My 2.8 uses more around town and on the highway than my 4.4 V8 540 did. $160 tank of 98 lasts around 400KM.

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