1987 Holden Commodore SL Nissan 3.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Excellent value for money, just buy a well looked after one as they are starting to age a bit.

Faults:

Thought I had a crank angle sensor problem, but turned out the screw which holds the distributor rotor had actually fallen out! wow such a simple thing made the car seem like it had major problems (when trying to start, it was very hard to turn over and obviously wouldn't run)

General Comments:

Very powerful car - nice to drive manual is difficult to get used to at first because the engine is so quiet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th September, 2002

1987 Holden Commodore VL 3.0 Nissan Straight 6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

An excellent buy

Faults:

The Air-conditioning needed to be converted to the new gas, used in newer cars. Because it ran on the old R12 gas.

The first engine blew up because it over heated.

Rear shock absorbers had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This car is still one hell of a fast car.

I haven't had any problems with it since I bought it.

The car still looks brand new, it has been kept in top condition.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2002

1987 Holden Commodore VL 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A roomy comfortable family car

Faults:

The indicator stalk is coming away from the steering column, and will soon need to be replaced, as the lights will not go onto full-beam.

General Comments:

The car is extremely reliable, running costs are really low.

One of the most comfortable older cars around, for example, the seats are very wide, and it is easy to get three people into the back seat without anyone being uncomfortable.

The power isn't bad for a large car of the 1987 age.

Handling isn't that great, would be biggest let down of the car. Although with decent driving it sticks to the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd June, 2002

1987 Holden Commodore VL 5.0 V8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A definite high performance bargain

Faults:

Blown fuse to compact disc player.

Blown fuse to instrument illumination.

Melted high and low beam fuses.

General Comments:

The car handles beautifully at high speeds as well as hugging tight corners.

The pickup is great, you just watch the speedo needle climb.

The fuel economy isn't too bad considering the 5.0 litre V8 is fitted with a four barrel Rochester carburetter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th May, 2002

1987 Holden Commodore VL 3.0 Atmo Six from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

If you can't appreciate a VL, then you don't know much about cars

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with this car over 2 years.

General Comments:

This car is the base model (Executive) and could only be described as neat when I bought it.

It has excellent red paint and an engine that is sweet as a nut.

People often complain about the handling of Commodores. This is not an issue with me. I knew the car would handle terrible when I bought it.

I kept enough money to immediately fit a set of Billstein Shocks to the rear and Strut inserts in the front. This is on the standard springs. It handles very well now, even sporty, with a set of five spoke mags, and low profile tyres.

I made my own custom air intake which looks and sounds awesome. And got a 2.5 inch mandrel bent exhaust fitted to a set of genie extractors. At the same time I got the cam upgraded to a lumpier item, and the computer recieved a chip to match the new mods. I think the chip basically advances both the cam and ignition timing.

I have since fitted a Limited-Slip Diff off a VL Calais, mostly for the purpose of attaining the Disc brakes attached to either side of it. It now pulls up good enough to match how quick it is.

How quick is it?

Tricky question...

It's not mind blowingly quick, but it definitely beats 3.8 later model standard Commodores and older Carburettor fed V8s. In fact it anihilates the older V8s and I suggest that they all should be crushed and turned into better cars. I will be honest and say that my car has been beaten by this posh guy in a wicked little Civic. I'd say he must of had about 105 kw at the wheels. That thing flew.

I'm looking now at building a turbocharged engine and hopefully I might find a reasonably priced twin cam head for it. I'm hoping to get about 220-290 rear wheel horsepower. I estimate that my car now has about 110HP at the rear wheels so this would be enough to keep me happy for years to come.

Car has a Pioneer Deck, Pioneer splits, JBL 3 ways, Schneider 6 by 9s, a Clarion 12 inch Sub. The sub and schneiders are fed by a 1000 watt Saint USA amp (yeah I know cheapo, but goes alright trust me).

Adios Amigos.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th January, 2002