1996 Holden Acclaim VSII review from Australia and New Zealand

Lifter motor on drivers power window sheared off rivets, glass fell down. $150 to fix.

Needs new power steering pump, seals gone at 100000km. Not fixed, still works OK however.

Generally my VS is a very reliable car, but not at all mechanically nice to drive.

147kW/305Nm pulling 1400kg = fast.

Drive train harmonics are nasty and they tend to wear out the auto transmission faster than a Falcon inline 6 (for example).

V6 engine is a good proven design (it is a GM V8 with two cylinders chopped off and a balance shaft added - saves on tooling cost...) The low end torque gives good fuel economy, and if you keep the oil changes up to it most of these engines will go forever.

I'd never buy another one. Too boring to drive. Vehicle quality is poor, even on new VXII models. VY will be just the same...

Typical mechanical problems:

Water pump failure. Commonly caused by using the wrong coolant type. NEEDS the expensive coolant and cooling system pellets, as listed in manual.

Change the power steering fluid at least every time you change the auto transmission fluid. (Same fluid.) It will save a new pump and eventually a whole steering system.

Fluid leaks at engine and tranmission. Keep the fluid levels up. Just poor engineering, nothing much can be done.