1984 Holden Camira JB from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

There have been no mechanical problems.

It is slow as a turtle and handles like a trolley.

The cabin is ugly and uncomfortable.

The engine sounds awful when it's going well.

It "handles like a trolley" you say? Maybe it's time to replace those factory shocks (as they are 18 years old) and sit back and relax.

The 84 Camira is one of the best cars I have driven when it comes to handling, even when it had 18 year old factory shocks.

The Camira is the best old car I ever had. The parts are cheap and easy to replace. With new cheap shocks, the Camira is really comfortable.

Of course it will be slow with the crappy little 1.6, you get them in Mazda 323's, go for the bigger engine option and you will be right.

I own a vauxhall cavalier convertible, same as a 2 door camira, I think these cars are OK, looking hard for a camira in uk, any one got friends or relatives in uk with 1, they all have little problems, like any other make of car, Rabbit (uk)

I run a JB wagon which has travelled 295 000km

The piston rings and crank bearings I replaced at 180 000k

at this point engine runs great No major system failures

at this stage

treat it carefully to make it last, regular oil/filter changes and don;t push it too hard.runs well for a 1600cc

I have been driving my '83 SLX wagon for about 8 years, mostly on rough unsealed roads, and it is holding together amazingly well. I got a service history with the car and apart from new shockies and clutch it has survived with an engine mount repair and normal routine maintenance. With 426,309 KM on the clock I just have to keep driving it to see how long it can actually last! C.S. Tasmania

Our JB camera was rubbish. We bought it at 90,000k, and it went though two gearboxes, a clutch, a head rebuild, and a replacement engine before we gave up and sold it to the only person who would buy it - the wreckers.

The car never made 160,000. I don't know how the prior owners treated the car, there was no evidence of abuse. I didn't mind the handling or the power for its age and engine size. I am told later models are better.

My advice - buy a Toyota, we did and never went back.