1990 Holden Commodore VN 3.8 V6

Summary:

Great performance car spoilt by poor trim

Faults:

Engine management computer was fixed under warranty due to dry solder joints.

Replaced two water pumps due to noise.

Front disc brakes were recently skimmed due to a shimmy on brake application.

Plugs in the engine block were replaced after one corroded through. I was very lucky to find this before major coolant loss.

Door rubbers and window rubbers have a tendency to detach.

General Comments:

The car has a re-calibrated engine management system and extractors, and does just over 31 miles per gallon on a trip. I'm happy with that.

Small annoying faults put me off the car, but I have been able to do most maintenance myself.

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

Review Date: 18th August, 2001

1990 Holden Commodore VN 3.8 litre, V6

Summary:

A powerful bargain!

Faults:

Fan belt has gone.

Seats are terrible - in all aspects.

Petrol pump died.

Brakes are not very responsive.

General Comments:

For a V6 this thing hammers!

It is a good car overall and maybe paved the way for future models.

Have dragged and successfully beaten an AU Ford Futura... quite a good accomplishment!

Must be looked after for it to give 100% performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2001

1990 Holden Commodore VN V8 5.0 litre injected

Summary:

A poorly built missile

Faults:

Front brakes overhauled.

Front suspension sags.

Leaking coolant somewhere.

General Comments:

Big, comfortable, fast, but very poorly made. Every bit of this car feels flimsy. Pieces of interior and exterior trim are always falling off. The chassis moves and bends through corners. The stitching of the seats is coming undone. One of the doors sticks when you try to open it. I can't believe that as recently as 1990 Holden were getting away with such cheap, shoddy build quality.

On the other side of the coin, the V8 engine absolutely rocks. The acceleration is mind boggling - in fact I think the figures quoted in most literature about this car must be conservative. Also it sounds great.

The 4 speed auto is excellent as well - a bit rough shifting but it feels solid, and the ratios match the engine well I think.

It is a bit of a gas guzzler around town (14-15 l/100kms), but efficient enough in the country to get from Adelaide to Melbourne on a single 85 litre tank.

While these cars are not renown for their handling as a result of the narrow front track, they are a huge improvement over the narrow bodied commodores they replaced. They turn into low speed corners much better, and their rear end is better composed (although still a problem). Unfortunately, their high speed stability does suck when they are loaded with passengers and luggage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th June, 2001

1990 Holden Commodore HSV VN SS Group A 5.0 V8 twin throttle

Summary:

Best HSV ever built, last of the true Holden muscle cars

Faults:

Burnouts in 4th gear hurts the back pocket, have had to replace 2 sets of rear tyres, 235/45/17's, not cheap either.

No other problems to date.

General Comments:

Looks and feels like it just came off a racetrack.

Unbelievable performance (straight line and cornering) from factory twin throttle (race spec)engine and 6 speed gearbox.

Interior and seats, great support and comfort, not as good as current HSV's though.

Well worth the high $30k price tag for 1990 car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th January, 2001

21st Feb 2001, 06:26

Must have been a step up from a VN V6??? They are a joy to drive.

6th Apr 2001, 16:00

What about the rough idle of the VN V6. that can't be a joy.

10th Oct 2001, 05:44

I envy anyone lucky enough to own one of the greatest production cars ever built. I was lucky enough to drive one of these rare power plants and will never forget the experience. To the people out there enjoy and savour this truly astonishing piece of Australian muscle car history, as there will never be another car like it.

Long live the VN SS GROUP A the greatest muscle car ever built.

Andy.