Comments: 1-15, 16-22
Noise developed in motor that sounded like a tappet noise. It became very loud & Holden said the noise was at an acceptable level for an aluminum motor.
Motor re-build at 20,000 kl service.
Doors re-aligned at 20,000 kl service.
Chatter kit installed at 20,000 kl service.
Electric window console replaced as window controls were sticking in position.
Heater control unit replaced as it was making loud clicking noises & it had a large gap of no air flow when switching from face to feet etc..
Rear window rubbers adjusted & one was replaced.
Car returned for diff clunks. Holden advised that car was fine & no noise or problem was discovered by them.
Vehicle returned to Holden at about 22,000 kl with water leaks. As a result back seat was drenched. Holden dried out seats, but couldn't find leak.
Car returned following week with water leak again. Holden replaced rear boot spoiler seals & again dried out rear seats. There is now a water mark on rear door trim where the door meets the seat that cannot be removed.
Car returned with water leak still present and rear seats wet again. Advised to wait until following week (with wet smelly seats) when car was booked in for 30,000 kl service.
Car develops top end rattle. Holden books it in for 2 days to replace rockers etc.. We drop car off to have this done & the 30,000 kl service.
Car also still has damp rear seats.
Return to pick up car & top end has not been repaired. Holden states the noise levels are acceptable. Diff clunk still present.
Holden finally finds grommet missing from underneath car that is the probable cause for water entering.
Vehicle still displaying noise from top end.
Vehicle still has diff clunk.
Vehicle has developed a shudder type sound when turning hard right.
This car has been nothing, but trouble since we purchased it.
It is very comfortable to drive and handles well, but in light of all the other problems, I believe they are a waste of money.
Talking to Holden is like banging your head against a brick wall.
They have admitted to us that the VX SS have problems, but you really have to push them to fix them.
I believe this car is going to continue to have problems & once the warranty runs out we will be screwed.
Our old VN V8 has never given us an ounce of trouble since we purchased it new in 1991. It is old & tired now though, but I wish we had spent the money on that instead.
Don't buy a VX SS.
Just a quick update... Went into dealer on Friday & complained loudly about problems with car. The fact that a few other customers were there in the Service Department helped as Holden have stripped heads down & are having them looked at as well as other things up top. (Went back in without an invite & the heads were off today!)
They are also going to 'Investigate' the diff noise further & the car is staying for 4 days.
We have also lodged a complaint to Holden Customer Care about the seats. I want them & the marked door trim replaced. I won't hold my breath waiting for the outcome - I kinda already know they won't feel the need to replace them. Different if it was their butts having to sit on them!
As Holden failed to find leak on over 3 seperate occasions, I believe this is justified.
We have also decided to sell the car.
Mate, I've noticed that you got the car with 17000ks, I got a VX SS new and have had not one problem and have found the local holden dealer (Bathurst holden) to be reliable all the time. my mate is a mechanic with bathurst holden and he assures me if the LS1 is ran in properly there will be no worries. If I were you I would try and trace the history of the car, previous owners etc, with that diff problem and tappet problem id dare say your car is an ex VB burnout car. the only two cars Bathurst holden have had to rebuild have been series1 VX SS highway patrol cars due to oil consumption.
Hi,
i have also purchased a VX and found there to be no problems thus far. I Have recently upgraded my sound system and have spent almost $15,000 on modifications. my suggestion to you would be to sell your current VX and buy a VT or even a VY. all cars on the commodore range are very reliable I have found and this being my 12th vehicle from holden has been the finest yet. I wish you the best of luck.
Jeez mate you sound a bit stiff there. I've had a Series 1 VX SS for about a year now and apart from a bit of diff clunk and a problem with the fuel pump modulator its been sensational. I've heard of plenty of people having the rebuilds due to excess oil consumption and funny noises, but, touch wood, I'm about to clock up 60k with no such problems. Maybe I just got a good one, but it's my first V8 and I'm fair dinkum in love. Don't give up on the general because of one bad car mate. Anyone can stuff up!
Not just the one car "mate", these cars have consistently had problems since they were released, and has even been reported by the media a few times now. I am somewhat of a fan of the Aussie muscle cars (more towards the Blue Oval than the other one, but all to their own I reckon). But due to recent reasons to save money, I was looking for a decent second-hand car that was reliable and cheap to run after owning an Aussie designed car. I ended up buying a 1993 Mazda 626 for A$6500 which now has nearly 204,000 k's on it. It does not leak, smoke, rattle or creak. The motor is faultless, as is the transmission & steering. Of course the performance is nothing like a V8 or even a good V6 but hey, I don't spend megabucks on it every time it gets serviced (I don't need to). I never thought I'd say this, but the Japs build far better cars than the Aussies do.
True not just one bad car, but as I did say, I've heard of plenty with problems. Probably not as many crap VX's on the road as AU Falcon's, but that's another story. I know where you're coming from with the purchase of the Mazda 626. My wife drives an 89 Camry which I'm forced to use once or twice a week, in the interests of matrimonial harmony because even she knows when she's in the presence of something special. The said Camry is a great car, doesn't leak oil, rattle, or cost heaps to run either, but I know what I'd rather be driving..."mate"!!
Yeah hi there guys, I just purchased a used Vx II S pack and I'm really loving it, it is a great car. Is there much of an advantage with the supercharged model and if so how could I modify my Vx a little? Any suggestions would surely be appreciated.
I have a VX 'S' Pack and have lots of mates with VX 'S' or 'SS' sedans and none of us have had any problems.
They are great cars! Its amazing that you are experiencing those problems. I recommend to look over the cars history and check that it hasn't been modified at all. It is more than likely that it has been modified or overworked from the previous owner.
Just brought a VX SS at auctions yesterday with 20000kms.So far (1day) I am extremely happy with the mighty beast. Most of my day to day driving is express way driving, could anyone give me a rough idea of what my fuel consumption should be.
G'Day guys.
Just in response to the person with the fuel consumption query. Honestly mate you will be pleasantly surprised when you do work out your fuel use results. I have a Series 1 SS and its done about 73k. I do a 60k round trip to work 6 days a week plus other driving and can consistently get 12L/100km no sweat. As long as you don't flog her. Do that (which we all do from time to time) and you will see the juice evaporate at a rapid rate. I'd say if you're freeway driving mostly you'll even squeeze into the 11L range. Pretty damn good for an engine of that size. Hope you get as much enjoyment out of your "beast" as I continue to do.
Yeah hi, I am currently in the process of buying a new holden, I have at present a 98 VT with a V X R8 club sport kit with all the gear. As it is only a V 6, I want to purchase a 5.7 either V X or V Y SS. Can anyone help me in my decision making if so that would be great. thank you holden lover New South Wales.
I'm sorry you had to find out the expensive way about the American reject engines like I did. Holden's pursuit in Power over its rivals have let it down when it comes to making a sports car too last. The Gen3 engine is a total piece of crap with piston slap and oil consumption exceeding my two-stroke lawn mower. I kick myself for selling my VS 5.0 (last of the Aussie engines) it may have not had the same power, but was bullet proof and reliable..
Mick.
Yeah g'day lads,
i bought a vt ss 5ltr and it was the best car I had ever driven. sold it for a quick power upgrade to the 5.7ltr gen3. what a mistake that was. after 3 rebuilds the dealer still wouldn't replace it. the car is currently sitting in the garage gathering dust. my beast at the moment is an old datsun. atleast it goes.
Darren.
Guys have you ever thought it might be the way you are driving the damn thing? 95% of drivers have not one clue how to drive a car thus the driver is the problem, don't go dissing holden and American engines otherwise join the other try hard no hopers and go buy a Japanese "good for one thrashing" rice burner. Hope everyone has learnd something now go build them v8's and whoop Japanese craps on the streets!
Great to read everyone's personal comments, but to the people who say we need to know how to drive a VX gen 111 SS so not to have any problems "you are wrong". I am a 35 year old women who purchased my SS new, I have no tow bar on car and I got over 30,000km's from my 17" rims tires. I have had a new engine rebuild, I have had limited slip diff problems, I have had window problems, now at 55,000km's I have done a diff (needs rebuild at at cost of around $800 - $1000) Holden doesn't want to know me. I am worried that this will just be the beginning on my problems. Great car to drive, but at the expense of around $50,000 is it worth it?? Regards Lindy.