Faults:

Problems with compression, had to have the head rebuilt.

Replaced 3 water pumps in 12 months.

Problems with EFI computer, had to replace with a reconditioned component.

Exhaust leaks from extractors have cost quite a bit!

General Comments:

Car performs beautifully (provided theres no engine troubles), great looking car, not real quick off the mark, but quicker than the few carby model VK's I've driven!

Cost to run is a little high, it's my first car and I wouldn't recommend them to a younger person with limited cash flow... but... love the car!

Extractors and sports exhaust have made a huge difference to the quality of sound.

Faults:

This is my first car and I believe it's a excellent learner.

It's a easy vehicle to fix for the home mechanic, parts are easy to source from wreckers, but getting some parts new can be difficult.

Problems include a leaky water pump.

Ceased air pump.

A few started motors.

I had to rebuild the motor due to lack of oil changes previously, oil pick up got clogged and eventually dislodged and chewed up the bearings, total rebuild cost about $250.

It can be very expensive to run with very high fuel consumption (super grade fuel).

It's a great cruiser and very comfortable.

General Comments:

A mechanically strong reliable car.

Faults:

Timing Gear(about $350).

Fly wheel (another expensive job).

Front struts & rear shocks worn out (Recently had them replaced).

Hole in radiator.

Steering rack due to be replaced. (Hopefully that is the end of this list for awhile)!

General Comments:

The odometer had been tampered with and has stopped at 241,000km (It's probably done 5000,000km)!

The "Beast" handles much better with the new gas shocks!

I run it on gas, so it is very cheap to run. The money saved on petrol over 5 years would easily cover the major repairs.

This has been a great first car, I try to look after it.

Faults:

I got it quite cheap, but it needed some work to get it running sweet.

Replace radiator, the previous owner put one in for a manual car. The transmission fluid was black.! $80 later worth of trans fluid done the drain for a flush it's good and now red in colour!

I had the transmission looked at and reverse was totally stuffed, but I knew someone who would do me a good price.

The thermostat was put in the wrong way, but I ran it with no thermo for a few days and then put in a new one.

Puttting brakes in this weekend, but they are cheap.

General Comments:

For the amount of k's its done, and I believe it is original, its it excellent condition.

The seats were really dirty and warn in places so put some groovy looking seat covers and it really lifts the whole interior of the car.

Typical tiny rust in bottom of door.

The engine is perfect (thank goodness)

Faults:

Difficult to start when acquired. Eventually traced to missing tooth on distributor drive (plastic) gear, rotor not lining up.

Starter motor failed - possibly damaged by faulty distributor.

Radiator, exhaust, shock absorbers, differential and rear uni joint, fuel pump, indicator stalk, odometer and alternator all repaired - reasonable considering age of car.

Still to fix - Air conditioner compressor seal leaks.

General Comments:

Cruises easily at all legal speeds on highway, tends to be sluggish up steep hills - particularly if 3 speed auto drops down to second gear.

Comfortable seats and ride, handles well and safe roadholding.

For the budget buyer these early model Commodores offer low initial cost, cheap spare parts and servicing (do it yourself) costs.

Faults:

Firstly the odometer is stuffed, so who knows how many kilometres it has done, common fault with analogue odometer in this model.

Two piece tail-shaft bearing went, ouch expensive, approx $250 to repair.

Electric fuel pump suffers from vapourisation on hot days, after a hot summer I replaced it with a higher pressure after market piece for less.

Engine mount ripped right off the rubber, wear and tear, cheap to replace.

Too many general maintance items to list.

General Comments:

With mild suspension modifications, eg. new shock absorbers and springs, the thing is ready for the race track, with 225/60 R15 tyres that is.

With minimal amount of money you can give the motor a nice reconditioning with increased horsepower, add a manual transmission and you got something every businessman in a VT Executive hates.

The E.F.I. is great giving 25% power increase over the Black 3.3L Carby version.

It is my first car and don't think I will every sell it, recommend it to every low income teenager.

Bargain for price, even Calais are great value and hold resale value better.