1986 Holden Commodore VL 3.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Absolutely brilliant

Faults:

Muffler needed replacing due to rust.

Both front and rear springs needed replacing.

General Comments:

The VL Commodore is one of the nicest shaped Commodores to come out during the 1980's, and even ranks high up there among the newer VS and VT/VX models.

The car handles well and is very smooth and quiet to drive.

The Nissan 3.0 litre motor is one of the best motors Holden has used, guaranteed to last 300,000 kms and a lot more, which is what makes this model a very popular one.

1986 VL Commodore Americas Cup Special Edition model (air-con and 4 gauge tachometer included).

My VL has undergone a full body two-pack white respray.

Tinted windows.

215/60/15 tryes with chrome pursuit rims.

Sports steering wheel.

All velour interior.

Alpine 6-stacker CD changer and deck, 2 Pioneer 6-inch speakers, 2 Pioneer 6x9 speakers, 10 inch subwoofer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th July, 2001

14th Jul 2001, 04:09

Sounds like a great buy mate, keep up the good effort! Holdens rule!

12th Sep 2001, 20:11

Dude, how much have you spent on it?

1st Aug 2002, 01:34

Over $20,000 now, not including the car.

But its worth every cent!

14th Dec 2002, 21:09

The VL was a very good car, but 20 grand is a bit of a waste now champ, The current commodores are arguably the best made.

25th Jun 2003, 10:59

Hey man, what is there to spend 20 grand on with a non turbo vl. I have a vl wagon, that is super quick for a non turbo, with a 2 pak paint job, an exhaust, a massive stereo, a modified interior and a body kit. What have you spent your money on man?

30th Apr 2005, 19:05

I have owned a VL Royale 3.0l for 15 years. This model was produced in NZ. and has slightly lower specs. than a Calais, but more than a Berlina. It is the best car I have ever owned. It has done 159000km, and has cost me less than $3000.00 in repairs. I look after it like a baby, as I cannot afford a new car. The most expensive repairs have been a reconditioned steering rack, and a full set of valve lifters. It does not use any oil between changes; I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change both oil & filter every 2 yrs. (we only do about 3000km. per year.) I think that VL's are one of the best models Holden have ever made. Cheers. John Hoyles. (NZ.)

1986 Holden Commodore VL 3.0 Litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great first car

Faults:

Air conditioning won't work.

Water pump replaced.

Odometer doesn't always work properly, think the previous owner has messed around with it.

General Comments:

The car is great and reliable always kicks over first go in the morning. Also will go hard when I'm out cruising.

However I want to gain some more performance but not sure how yet. Any ideas or suggestions would be great.

Email me at Nathan_10@hotmail.com for suggestions.

Thanks

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th June, 2001

22nd Aug 2001, 02:10

Easy way to gain a few Kw is by putting a hole in the bottom of your air filter box. Underneath will be some metal which you will have to cut a hole into. Don't worry, the car is still structurally sound. Run a 4 inch bendable pipe through to behind the front grille. Patch up the hole in the front of the air box and there you have it... COLD AIR INDUCTION.

Make sure you have small holes in the bottom of the pipe, cause if water gets in there it needs to be able to flow out. A K&N filter never goes astray. I've had mine for a year now and I'm still happy with the performance increase. Mine is the fastest natually aspirated VL in Brisbane.

14th Sep 2001, 02:38

Hey, thanks for the comment, and I shall use cold air induction. You say you're from Brisbane, well I'm from the sunshine coast, do you cruise up here because there are some extremely nice VL's around up here?