1989 Holden Commodore S Pack 3.8 V6 EFI from Australia and New Zealand
Summary:
Bad Quality, Great Performance
Faults:
Mis-aligned and rattling drive shaft.
Fractured Muffler.
Constant Powersteering leak.
Timing chain and gears recked.
Button Details have worn off.
Interior light is covered by brown plastic hanging on by a bolt.
Steering wheel well worn.
General Comments:
The VN S is a very sparsely equipped car. Everything from the windows to the door locks is manual controlled.
The build quality of the vehicle is shocking to say the least. The engine is very grumbly and can be quite loud, sound insulation is quite poor. The steering wheel rattles, so does the centre console. The kick panel hiding the fuses is liable to drop due to its plastic clip design. Almost everything is plastic and looks extremely cheap.
The stock sound system is pathetic. Turning the volume knob half way will cause distortion.
I have to constantly refill the power steering fluid because it just leaks so frequently. The power-steering sounds like a squeaking ship as it turns. The engine is also liable to shut down if you full-lock the wheel.
I found this car was very expensive to keep due to the constant malfunctions. This car is hardly worth selling since it has a very low market value.
I do find this car starts first time every time, even in the cold.
This car however is a very sporty vehicle with smooth looks and a powerful engine. I usually keep the transmission in D instead of the suggested Over-drive position for better fuel economy. I average about 15L/100km.
The performance of this machine is stunning in the dry, but extreme caution should be taken in slippery conditions. The rear is very rigid and will whip out easily.
This car is big, good-looking and powerful, but also very primitive. The car is cheap to obtain, but also to sell. Prospective buyers should also not that this car is the most stolen vehicle in Victoria. Extreme care should be exercised in finding a location to park the vehicle. I installed an alarm system myself and was shocked at the ease I could possibly hot-wire the ignition to start the vehicle.
If your looking for economy and build quality you should instead for a Toyota otherwise this car will meet a sensible young driver's needs.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st October, 2005
2nd Aug 2010, 06:12
I am the original poster of this review for the 1989 Commodore S Pack. It's been 5 years since I last did the review and this car has taken me through university.
It's done over 215,000 km now which has been mostly long distance road trips around Victoria. I've taken this car to The Grampians, Lakes Entrance, Mt. Bulla, Lake Mountain, Wilson's Prom, The Great Ocean road and some other memorable places.
Looking back on my original review, I would say I was very harsh on the car. This is my first car and I just love it because it's tied in with all my great memories from the road trips.
The car has been very reliable on road trips and all of the problems I've had were electrical. The high-beam relay shorted on the way to Mt. Bulla and a head lamp blew on the way back from Lake mountain.
Day to day, there have been some failures such as;
- Engine Computer failed $350.
- New brake pads and brake discs re-machined $200.
- New rear muffler $150.
- Water pump bearing seized.
- A/C pulley bearing seized (I circumvented that by installing a drive belt that by-passes the A/C) $30.
- Windscreen wiper snapped $5.