1986 Holden Commodore VL Nissan RB30 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A good cheap reliable car

Faults:

The power steering hose blew after having the car for a few weeks. Cost me $286 to fix.

Radiator has a hairline crack down it. I just use Bars-leak to stop it, works well.

Also look for rust in the boot and around the back window seal.

General Comments:

The Nissan engine is very reliable and strong I give it a hiding and still continues to run very well!!

The Executive is basic and doesn't have many options. But it's a cheap good car for the "P" Platers.

The back end is easy to loose in the wet, so take her easy around corners.

I have sat her on 17" ROH rims, put a clarion head unit in, 2x 6x9's in the parcel shelf and two 12" subbys in the boot. Had to redo the rear parcel shelf as it was very flimsy and didn't suit the speakers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th June, 2005

1986 Holden Commodore 5.0 V8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Not worth the asking price..

Faults:

Fuel Pump

Floppy feeling Panels (drivers side door inner panel came off)

Door handle came off

Head gasket

Gearbox Crunched badly into second unless double cluched.

General Comments:

Where to begin... The performance was OK, but in relation to how much fuel it used and the size of the engine it was pretty ordinary. My last car would have been quicker than it and used half the fuel.

The quality (or 'feel') of the car was pretty bad compared to others its age I've owned (I put a review up for the BMW 325i also).

From reading the other reviews on here, it seems that it can be made into a pretty quick, neat handling machine if you spend the money on it. I just couldn't be bothered, nor did I feel I should have too, so replaced it with a Supra... now that is a car that goes :)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th March, 2005

1986 Holden Commodore VL Executive 5.0 Litre V8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A Very fast 308 5 Litre V8

Faults:

Water Pump failed at 195,000 kms $200 AUD Fix.

Carby was re-jetted and rebuilt at 197,000 kms.

Found that the head was cracked at a major service (200,000kms), so motor was stripped down and fully rebuilt. A cost of $5000+

General Comments:

Fully rebuilt motor at a cost over $5000, Yella Terra heads, ACL flat top pistons, Crane cam, Crane roller lifter and much more make 226Kw at the wheels.

4 Speed Automatic transmission works well (TH400) with B & M Megashifter.

Stock 4 Wheel disc brakes stop the car fine with 17" Alloys with 235/45 Bridgestone Potenza tyres.

The LSD is a lot of fun! But kicks the rear end of the car out when changing gears with the foot flat!

Easily beats the new model Holden Monaro, BA Falcon GT & XR6 Turbo! This car surprises a lot of people. The Holden 308 is a great motor to play around with for great power and performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd February, 2005

24th Feb 2005, 17:42

Wow 226Kw is a big number, but not un common for a bit of work on a 308! My brother in law has spent around $10,000 on his 308 and makes over 600hp. By the way where are you from?

26th Feb 2005, 08:24

In Adelaide, if you have seen my car you would know it custom painted blue pearl with the number plate: 'EVADING'

8th Mar 2005, 14:12

Love to see the dyno chart on the 220odd RWkw 308.

1986 Holden Commodore VL 3ltr (nissan) from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Reliable, but boring car

Faults:

EFI unit failed when I tried to sell it, turned out to be the air flow meter.

Suspension was never quite right.

Injectors needed replacing prematurely.

General Comments:

Resonbly reliable car back when I owned it, but it had low K's, I'd be cautious about buying one now. The car handeled badly.

Then engine was OK compared to older (and later) holden engines, but was nothing special.

Suspention was poor.

Seats and interior were well wearing, but bland.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th February, 2005

1986 Holden Commodore VL Executive 3.0 Litre, Straight 6, OHC from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

High performance on a 'P' plater budget

Faults:

I have had no problems with my VL, In 4 months I have traveled 14,000 k's and have only had to change the oil!

I bought this car with full service history and from the books I can see it has had a few major items replaced such as: Power steering, all sensors, Air flow meter ($400 AUD), Radiator & Water pump.

General Comments:

For a car that is 18 years old I can beat most new model 6cyl and V6 cars, By cheaply installing a Hi flow air filter, Extractors & A 2.5" Sports exhaust.

My VL starts every time and I have had no problems with this car what so ever and as a "P" plate driver this helps my wallet stay healthy!

The car drives beautifully, holds the road extremely well with 235/50/R16's on the rear and with 225/50/R16's on the front.

I only run the Nissan made 3.0 Litre Six cylinder engine (RB30E) on 98+ octane petrol, it really makes the car fly!

When looking to buy a VL commodore make sure the cooling system has been upgraded. If not get it changed as soon as possible as the factory radiator sits to low for the motor and this results in poor cooling causing the engine to over heat, resulting in the head cracking ($1000+ AUD Fix)

Also look for: Rust in the boot, boot seals, under the rear window and windscreen.

I use to drive a Mazda RX2 with a 12A Rotary engine, I honestly find the VL just as powerful if not better! The VL 6 cylinder is quite economical on the highway, but in the city it loves to drink a lot, just as much as my old rotary! (But that would be the way I drive my car! foot flat!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th May, 2004