Comments: 1-15, 16
On the same day I bought my Holden VR the motor blew up on my way home, so the car dealer picked it up and replaced the motor.
When I went back to pick it up the second time it broke down whilst I was stopped at the lights waiting for them to change green, so again the car dealer had to come pick it up and fix it.
The third time I went back to pick it up the radiator had a severe leakage problem, but I still took it home.
Once I had it home it was just one problem after another for the first year.
The first time I took it in for a warranty of fitness check after I brought it home I had to:
-replace the whole exhaust system.
-replace rear shock absorbers.
-replace front brakes and.
-replace all caster and link rod bushes.
Not even 6 months after that I still had problems.
The wiring will never be right. (I also own another 1991 Holden Executive which has the same problem.) The boot light stays on sometimes, the inside lights won't turn off unless you take the bulb out and the small right hand side indicator light needs a good bang sometimes so it'll work.
The remote key had to be replaced as the car wouldn't start a lot of the time.
Horn needed to be fixed as it only went when it wanted to.
The alternator has been replaced twice.
The power steering system had to be replaced as it was leaking.
Tie rods needed replacing.
Boot won't stay open.
Central locking doesn't work properly as it only locks 2 of the 4 doors and unlocks 3 of the 4 doors.
The interior trims are unattached themselves IE. roof material sagging and floor carpet lifting.
Has a very bad rust problem around the spare wheel area.
Have recently had to replace the master braking system.
Although this car has been nothing, but a hassle it does have a few upsides to it.
It has a big powerful engine.
It handles exceptionally well at it's top end speed of 220 kilometers.
It is a very spacious and comfortable ride. I have 3 children under 5years of age and they all need carseats, which all fit on the rear seat.
Does not lag behind going up hills.
Very good at cornering and holds the road well.
I have also repainted it bright red with chrome trimmings which makes it a real head turner.
It still has the same old simple and basic boring cabin area.
I have often thought about getting rid of it, but after all I've done to it I don't think there's much point unless someone offered me the right price.
I love Holden's and would definitely buy another Holden in future years to come, but it would be a lot later model with hopefully a lot less problems.
VR commodores are fantastic cars, I work as a head mechanic in New Plymouth, New Zealand and we hardly see these cars with problems at all, Japanese cars have the faults you list and are very common, however like always buyer beware, find a vechile that's been well serviced, and if you're not a mechanic yourself have a mechanic have a look,
there are really only 2 problems that come up in the VN to VS Commodores and they are the coil packs, and the crank sensor, also auto trans that haven't been serviced well will give problems as they need new filters and fluid every 30,000km
apart from that they are much more reliable than Fords and most Japanese vehicles and are value for money and extremely reliable.
Jason p.
Vr that is all.
I just got my license about a week ago and brought a 93 Vr, I'm an apprentice auto sparky and the only problem I've found with it is the transmission seems to lag a lot. I love my Vr best holden!!
I also have a Vr Commodore 94' FI v8 5sp, Which I bought about 3 months ago, Since then I have needed to replace headers, thermostat, radiator, sway bar kits, rack and pinion, Castor's, gear box mount, both engine mounts, front right bearing wheel kits, fuel injection kit, rotors, and shockers, any one wanna pay me the 7000$$ I just payed on top of me 7000$$ car, but aye the car is nice, Vr rock, and v8 with 355 stroker that's sick...
VR Commodores rock. I have a 94 model, which has had no problems whatsoever, mechanically wise. It's extremely reliable and handles really well. It's got heaps of power when it's needed and never seems to disappoint. Yes the electronic are shocking on mine too, you're not alone. My central locking only works on 3 doors if you're lucky.
Holdens aren't really my thing, but I think they are really ugly.. my friend has one and it keeps breaking down a lot.
1994 Commodore Ute.. 328.000k.
Had three petrol tanks replaced after 6 months.
7 sets rotors, 2 sets coilpacks - about 6 No 1 cyl ignition leads and two sets spark leads uprated to a later model as required.
Is on the original gearbox, which had two solenoids replaced - original slippery diff, which still works.. original engine, with uprated heads at 280k with 3 angle cuts and porting; uses no oil.
New radiator core uprated, new A/C condenser after Nullabor Plains {Adelaide/Perth} trip through locusts.
Numerous sets of tyres, which last about 80 k...
Two sets of gas shockers uprated, two z bars uprated, two sets rear suspension upper trailing suspension arms.
Replaced original exhaust system two years ago with 2.5 inch pipes. One steering rack at 150k.
Uprated plastic bushes front and rear, one set of lower control arms, and one set lower ball-joints. Converted to LPG at 280 k 5.4k per litre.
This Ute has been driven loaded at high speeds across Australia at 150 kph. Discs wore because of hard linings and speed. Handles superbly.
Repairs, while annoying, are well within warranty or service use. No rust, and oils and filters every 5k services on time.
Now with all the mods in service, it's reliable, fast, no rattles, and it's been well and truly used, AND HAS AT LEAST ANOTHER 100K IN IT.
I own a VR Commodore. It has been very good car except :-
Roof lining
Shocks in rear failing after 3 years; Monroes Sensatracks
Trailing arm bushes
Boot lift struts
Battery in key (and resoldered connectors)
Security system locked with static electricity. (fixed with removing leads from battery)
A/C drain blocked and filled car with water
Air filter needs replacing often to keep good on fuel
Seems hard on rear suspension
I own an old Ford (Fairlane) as well; it seems more reliable, but it's the Commodore that gets driven away on weekends.
Gday, I bought a VR V8 ute brand new in 94. Pretty much looked after it, flogged it every now and again, still runs like new.
Little things are starting to show like the light bulbs in the dash, and brake pads, but this is to be expected for a 14 year old car.
I always thought it must have been made on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
They used to say Holden finally got it right with the VR.
I also own a VR Commodore - great car. The auto transmission won't change past 3rd sometimes, though I wonder why - bad electrics? Who knows.
I also own a 94 VR Commodore Ute and have had this one for 5 years. Thing is, this one is special, as it is one of a limited number of factory stretched Utes made for the NSW Ambulance Association. I recently brought it to NZ complete with Aussie plates, where it has drawn attention and many comments wherever I drive it.
I have renewed most parts - the sub-frame cross members, bushes, bearings, sway bars, tyre's, rims, sensors, motor and transmission, re-painted it, re-sprung it with heavier springs and generally tidied it up. It looks pretty stunning and has been a real good workhorse for me as a Builders Ute.
I've got to say that some of the mechanical repairs are annoying but after being a Ford man all my life, someone would have to offer a lot of money to make me part with this one as I would hazard a guess that there wouldn't be more than two in the country and you sure feel special driving it.
Hey guys, I have a '94 VR Calais, family hand me down. Recently I have had nothing but problems with the car, initial problem with the car was it would intermittently just shut down while driving (turn off). Things I have done with it in the last year:
1. Crank angle sensor
2. Coil spring modular replaced
3. Fuel tank replaced
4. About 4 years ago had a reconditioned engine replacement.
Last week I had an Imco LPG gas conversion, thinking I have spent a bit of money on it and it was worth holding onto. I love the VR, it runs better than my folks BMW. As soon as I got the gas done, the same day it started making weird (belt slipping) noises and the mechanic said its coming from the transmission!!! About a $2,000 cost to replace that! What do you guys think? Should I continue to pump money into this car?
Thanks for your advice??
Just bought my 94 VR Ute for 6g. It runs well, the only problem is the transmission. Any advice? Thanks.
I paid $2500 for Commodore Acclaim station wagon 1 year and a half ago. The only problem is that if the tank is less than half full, and on a slope the car doesn't start, so I never let it
go less than half tank.
Now the real problem is that I lost the reverse. This car doesn't reverse; they are asking me for between $800 and $940 to replace the gearbox with a second hand one, and they give me 3 months warranty.
Except for that the car is great, the power is amazing.
Best car I have driven.
The VR is the best car of its time. I own a 94 sedan Acclaim with the power chip, paid $5000, never had any any serious problems, definitely got me moneys worth out of the 3.8L.
- It has a 2.5" red back exhaust all the way through.
- Prestige electric sun roof.
- 18" Wheels.
- Ultra low king springs.
- And a full sound system.
This car has 247,000 on the clock. I bought it when it had 197,000. I have put this car through hell since I bought it.
It handles really well around corners, and in the wet if ya know what I mean... as long as you keep all the oils up and always get the best fuel, they're awesome.
Fords are S#@&y.