1987 Holden Commodore Executive 3.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A high performance mean machine

Faults:

The boot leaked a while ago, but that was no big deal.

General Comments:

This executive is mean and fast.

Under the bonnet sits a 3.0 Nissan engine and accompaning it is ACL Conrods and pistons, high volume oil pump, ported and polished heads, crane solid cam shaft, EMS managment.

The exhaust is made up of Pacemaker headers, 2.5 inch cat converters and 3 inch straight through muffler.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th April, 2003

1987 Holden Commodore VL 3.0L from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Do the little things and it keeps on going

Faults:

Airflow meter packed it in at 210000km.

Rust around windscreen and boot which resulted in the boot being under an inch of water.

Steering went pear shaped while exploring the bush (VL's have very little ground clearance) New rack and pinon, struts etc.

Shocking fuel economy at the moment, however before I could get 600km out of a 63L tank country driving. The oxygen enrichment sensor on the exhaust may be broken.

Speedometer is slightly out over 60km/h (Got done for 89kmh in 80 zone,but my speedometer was showing 80kmh)

Temperature is reading higher these days.

General Comments:

Great for country driving and overtaking, however the rear drums at the back make braking interesting (I'm pleased it's a manual).

The red paint work stays a treat if it is looked after, and together with nice wheels it's a tidy piece of work.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th March, 2003

1987 Holden Commodore VL Executive 3.0L straight-six, EFI from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Best Commodore built so far, and I've driven every model!

Faults:

Airflow meter expired 2001, causing stalling and rough idle. Cost $590 to fix.

Muffler cracked in 4 places, 2001. Replaced with Walker Stainless muffler.

Steering components wearing out. Not yet repaired.

General Comments:

Excellent family car. Extremely reliable, goes like a bullet, handles better than my previous car and is more comfortable.

4-speed auto is strong and there is very little road or engine noise at any speed.

This car has everything I need in a car, and nothing I don't want. This is despite being the basic model in the range.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd March, 2003

4th Jan 2009, 05:19

UPDATE:

I still have the car. Its been five years since I wrote the above review and she's still going strong with 401,000km on the odometer. A/C has been regassed, I replaced the water pump and timing belt, trans mounts and centre CV.

The only complaint I have is a shudder between 3rd gear and Overdrive, which occurs on upshifts at 70km/h. Any advice as to what causes it? Thanks.

1987 Holden Commodore VL LE RB30E (Nissan 3.0L) from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great looks and performance for the money

Faults:

Water leaking into spare wheel well in boot and rear light assembly.

Boot switch not working.

Heater and Air/Con not working properly.

Electric aerial not working.

Fuse box partly melted.

Transmission slipping badly between gears.

General Comments:

The LE is factory lowered, with factory mags and body kit - looks great.

I got this for a good price, due to the work required on it - had been in an accident and the chassis was bent, also a few things not working properly.

Had to give it a full service when I got it, as it hadn't been too well looked after (that's what happens when you buy a "boy's" car) - oil & grease, transmission service, new air filter, plugs etc. The engine was still sound, needed the cambelt replaced, but it was nice and smooth, didn't burn any oil etc. I replaced the thermostat and flushed out the heater lines trying to fix the heater, but that didn't work, never got around to sorting it out properly. Had to replace the top radiator hose, all brake pads/shoes, rear muffler.

It had 235 tyres on, but they were scrubbing and getting big gouges out of the shoulders, sold them and put a set of 205s on. This also fixed the speedo which was out of calibration from the larger tyres.

Had all the rear light assembly out and repaired cracks in the lenses to stop water getting in, also had to fix a bit of wiring and replace bulbs because of water damage.

I was a bit disappointed with the plasticy interior, seemed a bit cheap and nasty and things break easily.

However, I was very impressed by the performance. Quicker than I expected even with no engine mods, handling is good because it's lowered. I planned on fitting nolathane suspension bushes because it still wasn't as good as I wanted on cornering, and then maybe upgrading shocks etc. but didn't get around to this either (only had it 6 months).

Fuel economy was not bad for a 6cyl, never worked it out properly, but I think about 24mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd February, 2003