Faults:

Engine management computer was fixed under warranty due to dry solder joints.

Replaced two water pumps due to noise.

Front disc brakes were recently skimmed due to a shimmy on brake application.

Plugs in the engine block were replaced after one corroded through. I was very lucky to find this before major coolant loss.

Door rubbers and window rubbers have a tendency to detach.

General Comments:

The car has a re-calibrated engine management system and extractors, and does just over 31 miles per gallon on a trip. I'm happy with that.

Small annoying faults put me off the car, but I have been able to do most maintenance myself.

Faults:

Fan belt has gone.

Seats are terrible - in all aspects.

Petrol pump died.

Brakes are not very responsive.

General Comments:

For a V6 this thing hammers!

It is a good car overall and maybe paved the way for future models.

Have dragged and successfully beaten an AU Ford Futura... quite a good accomplishment!

Must be looked after for it to give 100% performance.

Faults:

Front brakes overhauled.

Front suspension sags.

Leaking coolant somewhere.

General Comments:

Big, comfortable, fast, but very poorly made. Every bit of this car feels flimsy. Pieces of interior and exterior trim are always falling off. The chassis moves and bends through corners. The stitching of the seats is coming undone. One of the doors sticks when you try to open it. I can't believe that as recently as 1990 Holden were getting away with such cheap, shoddy build quality.

On the other side of the coin, the V8 engine absolutely rocks. The acceleration is mind boggling - in fact I think the figures quoted in most literature about this car must be conservative. Also it sounds great.

The 4 speed auto is excellent as well - a bit rough shifting but it feels solid, and the ratios match the engine well I think.

It is a bit of a gas guzzler around town (14-15 l/100kms), but efficient enough in the country to get from Adelaide to Melbourne on a single 85 litre tank.

While these cars are not renown for their handling as a result of the narrow front track, they are a huge improvement over the narrow bodied commodores they replaced. They turn into low speed corners much better, and their rear end is better composed (although still a problem). Unfortunately, their high speed stability does suck when they are loaded with passengers and luggage.

Faults:

Burnouts in 4th gear hurts the back pocket, have had to replace 2 sets of rear tyres, 235/45/17's, not cheap either.

No other problems to date.

General Comments:

Looks and feels like it just came off a racetrack.

Unbelievable performance (straight line and cornering) from factory twin throttle (race spec)engine and 6 speed gearbox.

Interior and seats, great support and comfort, not as good as current HSV's though.

Well worth the high $30k price tag for 1990 car.