1996 Holden Berlina VS 3.8L V6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great day to day cruiser

Faults:

Gearbox blew at 245000kms

Power window switches several times.

Crank angle sensor and oxygen sensor.

Power steering leaks a bit.

General Comments:

I couldn`t imagine an easier car to live with day to day.

It is very comfortable, has plenty of power and uses almost no oil (1 liter per 10,000km`s)

Fuel economy is exceptional considering the thrashing I give the car daily. I`ve had it down to 8.5 l/100k`s highway and 10 around town.

The few problems are really only small niggles with the exception of the gearbox blowing up which cost me $2500 to fix.

The motor still pulls like a train and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.

I have no doubt it will make it to 400000Km`s with regular oil changes.

I won't sell it until I hit 1,000,000Km`s.

With the climate control, cruise and power windows it has all the comfort I need.

I love my car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2005

13th May 2005, 10:58

***UPDATE***

3 weeks after I wrote this review the water pump failed.

These early model VS water pumps are expensive, $300 just for the pump excluding fitting.

24th Jun 2006, 05:26

#ANOTHER UPDATE#

I am now up to 312000 kilometres and have since my last update replaced the radiator and the harmonic balancer.

1996 Holden Berlina VS 3.8 EFI from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A real sleeper with many extras

Faults:

There's a rumble in the rear drivetrain.

I had to replace the key which had the security system included. $63 for the key and another $21 to get another cut! If the battery dies in this, I'm told I have to purchase a new key.

General Comments:

This thing GOES! I really couldn't believe how seriously quick these cars are, it makes my (old) V8 Mercedes seem slow in comparison. Fuel consumption is hovering around the 12.1l/100km which is pretty good. I use the cruise control regularly to avoid problems with the boys in blue.

The ride is a little rough and the seats are a touch spartan and uncomfortable compared to the more comfortable ones I had in my VH.

I was lucky enough to pick up a Berlina which comes with all the goodies apart from a CD stacker, a few extra speakers, and leather trim found in the Calais. The climate control is superb.

Great for highway cruising and blowing away four cylinder, backwards cap wearing "boyz".

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 2003

26th Jul 2005, 04:56

Update...

40,00km later and still nothing seriously wrong with the car. Minor niggles.

There was a water leak in the boot which I didn't realise at the time of review, apparently the seals around the lights on the boot have a habit of leaking. A common fault on this model.

The gearbox is getting "twitchy" on hills at around 80kmh. Reading reviews, the transmission packs it in regularly on this model, so I may have to look for a VT or VX soon.

The climate control has been intermittently failing to start on start up, but seems to work after a minute or so.

The Forest Green paint on the roof is oxidising and no amount of cutting will get it out.

Power steering pump has developed a leak (another common problem) I just buy more fluid which requires a top up every eight weeks or so.