Faults:

The car was maintained and faultless for 9 years. Eventual problem was, it was difficult for mechanics to find an electrical fault. The car would start, then unexpectedly, would shudder violently, lose power steering, had no power, seemed to affect the brakes, could not get up any speed at all. Extremely dangerous.

Called NRMA and had it taken to nearest approved mechanic. He diagnosed (on a diagnostic machine) 'clearly the alternator'. I told him I had been told by a Holden service centre that it was the computer going, but he was definite it was the alternator. After a repair of $680.00, I drove the car home. Next day, just on the freeway, the exact same thing happened. Rang him and he said, "Oh it was definitely the alternator" & didn't want to know me. Couldn't drive the car, didn't want to take it back to someone who couldn't fix it to last even for one day, so after approaching the mechanic who said he could fix it, but it would be another problem in addition to the original, I had no choice and sold it for next to nothing. I have been told the electrics are hard to diagnose. Why?

Faults:

Timing belt and pulleys changed every 60000k; $700 each.

Stereo is erratic and turns up on its own.

Ignition barrel sticking - key stuck.

Front brakes, $750.

Coil pack, $450.

Radiator replaced.

Air con condenser leaking at 120000k.

Water pump leaking, $700, 120k.

Water hose leak at the rear of the engine - 120k.

My mechanic refuses to work on another one of these leaking water pipes, as it took him 4 days to replace one before. Never again he said!

General Comments:

Heavy on fuel.

Electrics are erratic.

Many mechanical faults and repairs.

Costly wheel alignments.

Expensive services for timing belt and pulley replacement every 60k.

Very hot interior in the summer sun.

Air con never was very good.

Cannot do any work on the car, as all nuts and bolts are a special type, only accessible with specialised tools.

Faults:

First, the key barrel seized up 3 months after getting the car. Have to get it replaced AGAIN, as it is doing the same thing 9 months later. $200.

Computer has been replaced, a nice $2500, and they had my car for a month!

Boot leaks (haven't yet found the problem).

Dash lights randomly come on (electrical, but still can't find where).

Display doesn't work where the clock and date is shown (again, electrical).

Car completely stopped when I was on the freeway. Don't know why!

Revs WAY too high.

Cruise sometimes doesn't work.

Slips from D into 3 a lot.

Paint has gone bubbly/rough, but only on the front of the car, just under the grille.

Headlights 'cloud' over. I have owned the car for just over a year (first got it from my aunty), and have replaced them twice!

VERY noisy/rattly when driving on the freeway.

Remote/keyless doesn't work.

Something wrong with the exhaust, sounds like I have a damn V8!

General Comments:

Fuel consumption is good.

Speakers are good.

I was so happy when I first got the car, but now I wish I hadn't. My aunty had 0 problems with it, then I got it, and BAM, everything goes wrong.

Since getting the car, I have ended up spending $3000 plus getting it repaired or looked at, for them to tell me they can't find the problem.

Such a disappointment.