2004 Holden Berlina VY 3.8L V6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Powerful and reliable family sedan

Faults:

Driver's seat adjustment controls broke numerous times.

Buttons on radio got scratched easily.

Mainly interior things like plastic etc. Exterior paint was prone to scratches, but that can't really be helped

Headlights turn off when the car is switched off and locked, but if left on the 'automatic' setting, headlights sometimes stayed on, draining the battery

As car got older (160,000K's+), it tended to go through a bit of oil every now and then for no apparent reason.

General Comments:

Very comfortable, good on long trips.

Power on tap when needed; otherwise very humble.

Good acceleration, but most power was at higher revs.

Despite being a big car, if you drove it well, you could get good fuel economy out of it; we averaged 10-11L/100K.

Superb handling, good feedback through the steering wheel.

Excellent grip, could take sharp corners at fair speed easily, even with traction control off, and was still hard to throw it around.

Plenty of room in the back and the boot.

Sturdily built car; once fairly majorly bumped into the back of another car, yet had no damage to engine bay, only exterior scratching was present

No other real problems, regularly serviced at a Holden dealer, and as a result, there were no major surprise problems with the car, only scheduled replacing/refitting of parts were needed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th December, 2010

2004 Holden Berlina VY Series II 3.8 V6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Middle Managers Vehicle

Faults:

Vibration in front wheels at moderate speed, corrected at first service under warranty.

Clunking noise in front suspension while traversing driveways, corrected at first service under warranty.

Trip computer occasionally generating wildly onerous "distance to empty" figures (ie 1,400km). Corrected at first service under warranty.

Rear passenger door makes severe clunking noise when opening. Still not satisfactorily resolved.

Car had sustained minor damaged and was repaired before delivery. Still not satisfactorily resolved.

Headlights poorly adjusted, corrected at first service under warranty.

General Comments:

An excellent highway vehicle that is very suitable for touring Australian's open roads.

Very thirsty on fuel around town (15l/100km) but good on the highway (7l/100km Canberra to Sydney).

This particular derivative of the Commodore family is the softest riding. The Calais and the SV6 are better ultimate handlers. That said, the Berlia, however, offers more road holding than the what average motorist needs.

Plenty of creature comforts. Low interior noise. Excellent seats.

To be honest, the greatest attraction for me is the excellent terms that I can lease this vehicle under. Any problems with the car can be fixed under warranty. If I was paying with my own money or I had to hold the vehicle for longer, I would be paying extra and getting a Ford Falcon or a Toyota Camry.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st December, 2004

2004 Holden Berlina Series 2 VY Wagon 5.6L LS1 V8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A true luxury wagon with power and comfort

Faults:

Cruise control stopped working.

General Comments:

This car has got to be one of the best Commodores built. Its smooth and quiet to drive, but has ample power. It has most of the trimmings as a Calais sedan. It has plenty of room to take the family. Drinks less than my old patrol I just love it. I think Holden has done well with this series.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th January, 2004