1988 Holden Commodore VL 3.0L from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great overall package

Faults:

Hole in muffler from rust. Replaced with whole new exhaust. Extractors and 2 & 1/4 inch system.

Crank angle sensor dies at about 230,000km.

Alternator died.

Drivers seat has a tear on right hand side.

Boot leaks slightly.

Front left headlight blew at about 245,000km.

Back indicators and brake lights have all blown at various stages.

2 power steering pumps have gone, probably from doing too much circle work.

Gearbox and Drive-shaft both went at about 210,000km.

General Comments:

VL is in my opinion the best looking Commodore that Holden has built. The inbuilt spoiler gives it a great look.

It is a good overall package. It has enough power to have fun in, yet it is not over powered to make it too dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced driver. Will smoke the tyres with a bit of effort, but it is still very docile around the city.

It is a great car to drive in the country. I have driven 1,000km in 1 day in it and it went like a charm. Didn't even look like over-heating. And the seats are comfortable enough for the trip as well. It really just does eat up the miles.

Handles gravel roads reasonably well. Does have a tendency to under-steer if pushed hard. That can change to over-steer fairly quickly if accelerating hard out of a corner on the dirt.

Radio and speakers are very average so I recommend upgrading them.

Also 14inch rims were standard so I changed them to the 15inch VL Calais alloys. I am running 205/65 on them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th December, 2002

1988 Holden Commodore VL 3.0L 6 cylinder from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Cheap, reliable and lots of grunt ;-)

Faults:

Although its still only a recent purchase, my Vl has been running like a dream. It has had only very minor problems that have all been fixed now.

- Car needed a service when I got it.

- Front windscreen pumps are not working.

- Rear drums had to be replaced.

- Hard to get into the reverse gear sometimes.

- Battery light indicator is broken (in the dash)

- The hand break cables needed tightening.

General Comments:

This is a recommended first car. (fun for burnouts :P)

My maroon Vl commodore is a great performer (Even though it's a 14 year old car). It has no rust, great paintwork, good gearbox, good engine, perfect interior and a nice sized boot.

The clutch and gearbox feel just right.

The engine has plenty of grunt, and flooring the old beast still scares me a little :)

The interior, although in great condition, is a little dull and plain (Light grey)

My VL has no power steering, which makes it very difficult to park or turn in small spaces.

The car tends to feel very light at the back end. When driven in rain or on a dirt road it tends to slide around a significant amount.

The car is very responsive to acceleration. I've taken it to 170km/h and it still wanted to go more.

Overall, this reliable beast of a car has been great. It looks fantastic (with small modifications), responsive and sounds like a beast.

I'd keep it for as long as possible before buying a new car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st October, 2002

1988 Holden Commodore VL Berlina 3.0L naturally aspirated from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Reliable, goes good, huge stereo

Faults:

Radiator seeping on top weld.

Crank angle sensor failed.

General Comments:

Very clean VL station wagon.

My parents have owned the car since new, oil has been changed every 5k.

All original running gear with original head gasket.

Stereo Very good has 4 7x10 Kenwood speakers in box's run by a Alpine V12 amp, 2 12in Phoenix Gold sub-woofers in a mono box with kenwood amp. Sony explode head deck 52watt.

2 1.2 exhaust with no resonator from the cat back.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th September, 2002

1988 Holden Commodore VL 3.0 turbo from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Absolutely off its nut

Faults:

Nothing really has gone wrong with the car apart from blowing the original turbo that was factory fitted and I also blew the diff, but what do you expect, running a ten second turbo with a single spinner diff so I had a ford 9" fitted.

General Comments:

Quickest car I have ever driven on the street.

Ten second quarter mile was my last run and I use this car to go to work everyday. Had the interior all re trimmed so it is immaculate inside and extremely comfortable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2002