1997 Holden Commodore VS II Executive 5.0 litre 304 V8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

It has its ups and downs

Faults:

Power steering leaks non stop, even though I fill it with about a bottle a month of power steering fluid. Very costly and annoying.

Front bushings replaced. About $60 each.

Common oil leaks from the engine and transmission.

Radiator x5; about $1500 worth.

Water pump seized, and clutch fan came off and chewed through the whole front end $$$$.

Fan belts broke.

Water pump x1.

Air idle valve and throttle sensor replaced x3; $200 each.

When the battery goes flat, the computer resets itself and has a fit.

Poor camber, always needs new tyres.

Rattle in the dash.

Boot leaks water when it rains.

New coil.

Shudder under load.

New leads.

New dizzy. And dizzy rotor button.

It seems to be suffering from electrolysis, apparently very common in these models.

General Comments:

Besides the problems, it has been a really fun car; good solid motor, makes a good tone, turns heads, and is fun in the wet.

It handles very well, loads of low down torque.

The seats are a bit uncomfortable on lone trips, and don't support you well enough through corners.

No leg room.

Nice shape, and sharp looks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th February, 2012

1997 Holden Commodore S V6 ecotec from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

It is a good safe car, but can have problems

Faults:

I needed to replace the oil reservoir for the power steering.

I needed new bushes.

Needed a new radiator.

A new power steering pump.

All around 200 thousand km.

General Comments:

I am happy with the car overall, but the car does smell like a wet smell from the water that leaks in near the boot somewhere.

I just wish someone could tell me where the water comes in, in the boot and how to fix it?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th December, 2009

1997 Holden Commodore VS Esteem 3.8 Ecotec V6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Best value car I've ever come across

Faults:

Overall a very reliable car with only minor things that have gone wrong.

1. Blocked air filter, which was obviously blocked when I got the car. Replaced with K&N filter, which improved fuel economy.

2. Pulley broke, had to get the car towed by the RACQ for free. Only cost $100 to fix.

3. Electric window broke. Cost $300 to fix and jammed down the bottom, which was a pain.

General Comments:

I paid $6000 for a car with 100 thousand Ks on the clock off the original owners. Paint job is in mint condition, and it came with a full Alpine sound system, which sounds great.

Since then I've fitted exhaust and extractors, which sound much better than stock (obviously not as good as a V8). The car has a lot of grunt with a very powerful first gear. Only problem is if you put the foot down after 45ks, the auto gear box won't drop down to first and will stay in 2nd, and at that speed 2nd gear is very gutless due to low RPM.

Also raced a same year model EL Falcon XR6 up to the speed limit of 80ks. Beat it by 2 car lengths.

Overall a great car. Very reliable with a solid engine, certainly no V8, but offers a great happy medium between a 4 and an 8.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 2009

1997 Holden Commodore Esteem 3.8L V6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Reliable and spacious family car

Faults:

The roof lining fell in/off and we had it replaced (12 months after purchase).

The body control module died in it (around 160000KM), and was our only major problem since buying the car.

General Comments:

Great car; very reliable.

Has a rattle in the plastic casing around the gear stick if you lean your knee on it.

Comfortable seats, plenty of space, large boot.

Handles well; turning circle a bit big, even with power steering.

Enough power to overtake on hills, but won't win any races.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2007

1997 Holden Commodore VT Executive 3.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great

Faults:

I don't know much about cars, get in start it and go sort of thing, I am wanting to sell my VT so went to get a RWC. I was told that the power steering pump was leaking and the rack needed replacement. From reading other peoples comments I see this is not uncommon for this year of car and it has done almost 170,000Km, it has a full service history however. I was quoted about $1000 to have this fixed to RWC standard. My question is, is this about what you can expect to pay for this type of work? and am I best to go to Holden service or will my local garage do the same job?

General Comments:

I love the car, but now have a new VE commodore as a company car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2007