1985 Holden Commodore VK review from Australia and New Zealand

Not much compared to previous cars owned (all Nissan and Ford).

Rust on the inside bottom of the doors.

Radiator leaks. But easily fixed.

Needed to replace radiator hoses, cheaply and easily fixed.

Thermostat needed replacing, cheap but a little difficult to install.

Water pump went, cheap to replace and difficult to install.

Needed brakes replaced, a bit difficult to do, but relatively cheap.

Most expensive detail that needed replacing was one of the headlights, which cost an excessive $500 to buy new, but I found one with not too much searching for $50. The headlights have a habit of rusting on the inside.

Driver's side door trims have a habit of falling off.

Original paint is not too good, it has a tendency to crack and flake, but I hear many of these cars were recalled and repainted by Holden.

Fuel gauge is faulty, and I have no idea what's wrong with it or how to fix it as it says nothing about it in the original owners manual.

All pretty minor maintenance stuff considering its age.

This car has a comfortable and roomy interior.

It is a pretty comfortable smooth ride.

Is very sluggish up hills, and a bit on the noisy side. Cruises nicely on the open road.

Blows black/blue smoke when cold started. But starting in the cold is no problem, always threatens to stall in the cold but doesn't, lacks guts though.

Nice looking solid car.

Could use some minor modifications.

Costly to run, but cheap to fix, maintain or modify.