1988 Holden Camira JE SLX from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Many problems with interior build - for example, the whole instrument binnacle came loose.

Door handles broke and had to be replaced frequently.

Overheated a couple of times in 2001.

Often lost hubcaps (for what reason I do not know, but it sure was embarrassing)

Some electrical problems.

The Camira was my first car. It still looks fairly modern; however I was quite disappointed by it.

Performance isn't terrible, but it is worse than you would expect. Maybe this is why Holden lovers hate them!

Handling is tight enough for a family car, and it grips the road well.

However, the worst thing about the Camira is its build quality, especially the interior.

Lots of things come loose or break, and the steering wheel is quite uncomfortable.

The constantly breaking door handles were a real pain. Also, the passenger door will not unlock from the outside with a key.

There weren't too many mechanical problems, but the few were quite expensive to repair so I can't rate the car well.

My Camira was reasonable transport, but if I had the choice today I'd much rather buy a Japanese car.

I find it interesting that you're commenting on a car that was quite old when you purchased it. If the car was considerably newer, I could understand your complaints.

I'm assuming that you spent very little money to buy this car (Camiras are very cheap to buy). If nothing else, this car may have shown you that you get what you pay for - if you buy cheap, prepare to make compromises.

You must have had a sick example - my JE is as quick as a VT commodore away from the lights.

I have had a 85 jd for many years apart from other cars and it has served me well with only minor problems. I have done all servicing myself. is still in pristine condition and the engine has plenty of guts.

I sorry, but as quick as a VT?

Maybe when resting your foor on the break and revving the guts out of it at the lights and the commodore taps the throttle as he takes off and keeps with you.

I had a JE camira for 2 months, that's all I could handle it for. yeh sure it went well (thought nothing like a VT, that makes me laugh) not to mention the built quality the vibrations and cooling problems.

Never again will I bring up the word camira in a conversation as it gets me fired up the amount of times this car left me stranded, its was in mind condition no oil leaks from the fantastic holden built power plant, but otherwise was a real piece...

Good camiras are quite quick and have a good top speed. but compare apples with apples.

The 85 Kw JE 2.0L engine is much better than all 1980 2.OL

and many other 4 cylinder cars. and compare a 1980s 4 cylinder with a 1980 4 cylinder. or it really isn't fair on the camira. which was and is a very good car.