1990 Holden Commodore VN from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Roof lining sags.

Oil leak at the back of the tappet cover.

Break master cylinder went.

Door seals come unstuck.

Annoying rattle in the dash.

The car is a good reliable car, but for me lacks in performance after 1st gear. The commodore is great of the mark, but after it hits second gear its got nuthing till late in the gear.

I have lowered using king springs so it handles a lot better now and has a lot less body roll.

I own a 1989 VN 5.0L Berlina that was sold to me from a dealer in Dalwallinu, Victoria. Near enough to Fishermens Bend where the infamous beast was built 16 years ago. Its done 255,000kms and is crisp as the day she was built if not better :) hehe. She would be pushin close to 200kw if not more!? easy. Stock standard factory extractors, 3 inch single exhaust & cold air induction. Quarter mile haven't done yet, but by george does she feel like a 13sec if not quicker car. Whats got me quite confused is that the I.D. on the plates say the ENG. code is LB9. But correct me if I am wrong (holden gurus) but the code LB9 in a 1989 VN COMMODORE stood for a VN SS Group A specs which pushed 215kw *shrugs* so I dunno what the go is there. Anyway the farmer who purchased it 16 years ago must have got a trick gearbox for towing his floats around because she changes into gear unlike any T700 I have ever felt. She 'Clunks' into the next gear with no rev lag and constant pulling power, it feels so solid. :) And I find that she corners like a dream for a 16 year old work of art, with stock standard country pack v8 suspension. I pedal quite a lot harder than the average driver on the streets, honestly I must, because I'm always passing cars and never being overtaken. *sorry, I can't help it officer it's the vn idleing along under its own steam* :) I fortunately work at an auto parts store & since dropping to Superlow king springs and full adjustable nolathane bushes and bits, larger, fatter tyres she corners comfortably without brakes. This car could now honestly compete in a race at Bathurst and dominate the laps. Its like a train on rails. There is no competition LONG LIVE THE 5.0l VN

(and just to add most of the problems you meantioned with the vn series is true, My car does them all proudly:)

Dare to challenge my words

I have a VN Vacationer, and Gee Whizz does ahe fly!!! I have had her for about three years now, but she was the car I learned to drive in (She used to be my mums). I have had a few problems with her, as I have read in other reviews, I agree that the head lining is a problem in them, (But I'm guessing interior cleaner could've been a cause of that). She goes from Adelaide to alice springs at least once every year, and doesn't skip a beat! This is a vehicle that I know and trust. I can guarentee that any time you can go out into the shed turn the key and she will start straight away. The only real problems I have had with her, is she kept stalling on me, it was like she was out of petrol. The only problem was that the fuel gauge read that she still had half a tank!!! (work that out). After five fuel pumps an a little less than a year, and a couple of mechanics later, we finally found the problem (yes, we, I don't like other people working on my baby, so if it's a necessity, I'm right there helping them). The fuel lines had broken down in the tank!!! The only other major promlem I have had is She keeps throwing leads (Approx 1 every 6 months). If anyone knows what could be causing this problem, it would be great if they could panswe on this website???

I have no problem with the way she handles as I have fat tyres on her. I love the way she just kickes back and flys!!! great on the open road and dragging.

Next I want to get a two and a half sports system with extractors and a high flow cat. (that way other people can hear the grunt I feel)