1981 Holden Rodeo Reviews

Nothing really, the radio tuner needle gets stuck from time to time, and the self cancellation indicators don't work.

I actually just realised when I saw the comment on the other 1981 Holden Rodeo from 2000, that I wrote that when I got my first Rodeo in 1999.

I have had Commodores, Falcons, and even a Skyline. But I keep coming back to Rodeo's. I now have a work Holden VE Commodore so I thought I could get another Rodeo.

I actually bought this ute for $1200 at a deceased estate auction in NSW.

It has been fantastic, I have only had it less than 6 months, and it has not been off the road once, whereas my VE Commodore and house mate's Corolla has been with warranty issues..

The car is slow, noisy, and the seat belts dig into ya ribs. The vinyl sticks to the back side on a hot day. The heater is useless. No air con, no power steering.

But mechanically it cannot be faulted; it starts every morning, gets revved hard, and doesn't drink oil or water. But, if you put a load on it, it keeps working and working.

I love it.

Not all that much and they are all from being neglected like getting fungi in the fuel line.

It is a very reliable workhorse but the parts can be hard to get your hands on. This is because there aren't to many Holden KB Rodeo's and even less 2.0L diesels.

The only complaints are in the 4wd models - a limited slip differential would be nice in the mud. And the pre-heat glow takes a while.