Faults:

Computer system is not top notch. Service engine on dash appears when not expected. And "check drive train" has appeared too.

Nothing major.

General Comments:

This car looks sporty yet sensible; looks amazing in the red colour.

You can barely hear the engine on long trips, due to its 5 speed auto that includes paddle shifts in auto, having all the grunt you need to overtake with its high output 6,500 rev line.

The car feels sporty when driven on windy roads, without the loss of traction with its wide grippy 17 inch alloys and its FE2 sports suspension that's comfortable and stiff.

The interior is fantastic looking in the red/black mesh colour, which is occupying the very comfortable seats that are very spacious indeed.

Faults:

Automatic headlights not turning off.

Interior lights slow to come on.

Water leak in back passenger foot well.

Clutch starting to die. Holden clutches are weak - get an aftermarket one when it does inevitably die.

General Comments:

This review is for a Holden Commodore SV8. This vehicle was purchased at a low price and in good condition for its age.

Its performance is pretty good standard - 250KW and about 470NM in a 1590kg sedan goes alright. I installed a high flow exhaust, extractors, OTR cold air intake and computer tune, and now it gets about 320-330KW at the flywheel.

Pros - cheap performance, good suspension package, spacious interior, reasonable standard equipment for the money.

Cons - TERRIBLE manual gearbox, clunky, hard to shift, loud, slow and jerky. If you like manuals, you won't like this manual. At least get a rip shifter to quicken it up a bit.

It has developed a water leak somewhere in the rear door seal, leaking onto the passenger footwell. Typical poor Holden build quality. Panel gaps are uneven, and there are a few creaks and groans in the interior.

Fuel economy is pretty bad, even if you drive it gently. Highway economy is excellent, however a short stint in the city, or any performance driving will see your fuel consumption skyrocket. I drive pretty sedately, 30/70 city/highway, and am getting 13L/100KM fuel consumption.

Overall, if you want cut price performance, this car cannot be beaten, however, check the build quality when buying, and be prepared to stump up for regular visits to the service station.

Faults:

Light on the gearbox.

Left door check strap came loose.

Glove box rubber grommet.

Power steering hose came loose.

General Comments:

The car handles well, though the Bridgestone RE92 205 65 r15 are a poor performer. A lot better compared to our old 1996 VS Holden Commodore.

The seats are are very comfortable and supportive for an executive.

There is a lot of leg room at the front and the rear.

The performance of the engine is pretty good, but the 4 speed gearbox lets it down, but we do get according to the trip computer an average of 9.9 liters per 100 km.

The suspension is a little harder than previous models, but works well.

Faults:

Cruise control failed at 20k fixed with new switch gear by dealer (3 visits)

General Comments:

Great car for travelling / towing.

Fast enough to over-take safely

The Alloy Tech is a good work horse - even with the four speed.

Good cheap fast car!

Better than a Falcon BA or BF (I have driven both as rentals)

Faults:

Hand brake failed.

General Comments:

Great car good looking and fun to drive.

Faults:

Rear end noise from new. Noise is a cyclic knock varying with the speed of the vehicle, when backing off on the accelerator. More noticeable when traveling down hill.

Have tried to have above problem repaired three times. Changed dealer, new one is investigating it shortly. One previous dealer gave the lame excuse of tyre flat spots due to parking. This vehicle had 100 km on the clock.

Driver side speaker was polling (distorting). Speaker replaced by dealer.

Air vents not functioning correctly – large volume of air entering cabin from outside when recirculate position is selected. Tried twice to have it resolved. Second fix worked for three days, but again is letting in air from outside when recirculate position selected, even without the fan switched on.

Power steering fluid leak – detected by me due to power steering becoming noisy when the reservoir became empty. Found loose clamp and tightened.

Rear seat-belt not releasing. dealer repaired this.

Electric antenna was not functioning, i.e. not lowering-raising. Repaired by dealer.

General Comments:

This car and my previous holden are lease vehicles. I also own a smaller car (2000 Lancer wagon) which has only had one repair after 80000 km to the electric window opener.

Up until now I have always liked the commodores, but after some faults with my previous one (VX wagon), and now this one (VZ wagon), I will never lease or purchase a commodore again given their lack of quality control.

This car should have been painted yellow to clearly identify its attributes.