2001 Holden Commodore VX from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Nothing really serious, gone wrong after in all these three years of ownership.

2002

Radio remotes on steering wheel failed at 8.000

Drivers sun visor bracket broken inside, i. e would not stay to the side of window (driver side) at 12.000.

Rear electric windows stopped work at 16.000

Both problems were repaired, still under the warranty.

2003

The car developed a rattle, on the glove box area at 24.000 The dealer still seems to be unable how to fix it, but it can be lived with it.

Alarm failure at 33.000. The alarm, started to goes off at any time, which made the Battery gone flat about three times.

2004

The last problem happened in January of this year when the car reached 40.000.

Radio and CD had a persistent cracking noise, dealer denied fault, acknowledged and changed the equipment after the 4th visit only. A pain.

The reliability hasn't bee exactly spot on and neither the Dealer service, that could be much better. But at least, this car does presented any kind of serious problem, unlike my previous 1998 Mitsubishi Magna, that after three years of ownership was about to go to the scrap.

The Commodore is a far better car than the Magna.

This car, is a great value for money in its class, specially if you compare with the German Executive alternatives, like the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class or Audi A6.

Also compared to the other Europeans like the Volvo S80, Jaguar S-Type, SAAB 9-5 or Alfa-Romeo 166. Or the Japanese like the Lexus GS300.

Like most of these European rivals, the Holden is also Rear Wheel Drive, has splendid V6 or V8 Engines, is very comfortable, very Imposing and it is quite refined as well.

The Commodore is the best Aussie alternative, out there compared with these cars.

Forget the Ford Falcon!

But if Holden really wants to get the attention, of clients tat usually buy the Imported cars, they really need to improve, the build quality and the dealer service.

So, I'm not sure if I still would consider buying another Holden.

Pity...Because the Commodore is a great car.

P.S: I Will probably keep the Reader updated about my life with the car.

Correction on my review:

"But at least, this car does presented any kind of serious problem..."

It should be written:

"But at least, this car DOESN'T presented any kind of serious problem..."

You mentioned the VX is quite refined. Obviously you drive the car sedately and do not rev the 1950/60s Buick engine above 3000rpm!! All the V6 Commodores I have driven at work (less than 1-2 years old) are very smooth up until about 3000rpm, then they get all rough and uncouth. Once Holden put the HFV6 in the Commodore later this year (2004), they will have one hell of a car once they improve a bit more on exactly what you mentioned. Little niggling quality problems and, in my own experience of more than one dealer, serious customer service issues after sale. When I bought a Holden as a private car the other year, they were all peaches and cream until I handed over the money and drove out the driveway.

Yes I agree. Holden VX certainly leaves a lot to be desired.

LOOK!I'm a bloke who loves cars, but prefers fords. I recently drove the 5.7lt ss series 2 vx commadore and to my surprise was quite immpressed. While there was plenty of power, comfort and style, I feel there was a lack of great handling!The car in a straight line was fine, even across a very rough road surface at high speed as a experienced driver felt safe and in control. Pulling up no problem (not as great as the fords) but still good.However, cornering and overtaking it seems to become unstable (an old, but ongoing holden trait).What stood out to me the most was how quite it is for such a large motor, very heavy on the go peddle and the traction control would not let it spin!With the steer full lock I give it the boot, the tract control kicks in instantly and the peddle acutely lifted my foot off the floor like there was a hydraulic ram fighting my lead foot!Strange, but efective. Great car for the wife!Looks good goes good stops good just what she needs!In my personal opinion (being involved with fast cars for the past 20 years) i would buy a holden for my wife to go shopping run the kids around ect... but keep racing my fords old and new, after all the only holden to beat my cars was an xu1 torana (it beat us to 80klm p/h our car was a xc wagon that pulled 250klm p/h running a 302 cleveland its the only car to beat us still to this day!Buy Holden or Ford!!!

My (VX) was purchased new in 2001, a dual fuel "s" pack. it has run up 278000km, apart from a few issues with the factory gas vehicle has been 100% reliable, no body rattles and everything still works. Secret seems to be stick to the service schedule. Tyres have averaged 50+k. Having changed from Fords I have been impressed with the VX build quality, economy and reliability.

Hi, after some info if possible..

We have a VX 01 Acclaim that has travelled 132000k's. We were driving along and were going thru road works; hubbie sped up to get back up to the limit. All of a sudden it seemed to kick back weird (he wasn't flooring it or anything, he was just speeding up normally). Rhen it started making a real weird whirring noise, so we pulled over and someone came and got us. The boys went back and towed it back to the house (took the tail shaft off or something). While towing they said there wasn't any gears at all.. at first they thought a bearing (while it was still on side of the road), then maybe torque converter.. now maybe just the gear box packed up. We are pulling it apart on the weekend.. Just wondering has any body else had anything like this happen?!