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Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-83
Hi all
I've just purchased a 99 series II it all seems to be good so far, but there is a slight clunk when the auto changes up, or down a gear, if any one has had, and repaired this problem could you please let me know, before it gets any worse.
Danielpickles24@hotmail.com.
This is my second holden, first was the VL 3.0L and
have recently bought a VX 2 SS 6 speed manual.
One month after purchase the steering wheel would tilt to the left and the car would also move with it, told the dealer they said that they will rectify the problem, but at a cost, I fought back saying that I just bought it and it should be under warranty. They said that that part is not covered by warranty, due to the reason that you could have went over a gutter, so I reply to them saying that I can't prove that and neither can you.
So to the final arrangements they said they will put it under warranty any way. Got the car back a day later and nothing had changed so I got it done else where and I was willing to pay for it, my reason is I could not be bothered arguing with stubborn people especially when they know the facts.
Travelled about 6000km had the pistons replaced once due to a rattle on cold start (under warranty), I am certain that they made a move into fixing it or trying to fix it because I inspected the car my self after 2 days of service.
However the fault is still evident. Holdens excuss was "because it is an aluminium engine" I'm certain I know the facts to that, but was humble about it.
After having the car back for a piston change the anti corrosion device seems to be on a different mode, the red L.E.D. light should be flashing (as to my common sense indicating that the device is active) instead the red L.E.D. is constantly on with a dull glow. (told the service people and they showed me the installation guide which describe that the light should be on) but it was flashing at the first place!!!, Book the car in for another check up in regards of the L.E.D. situation, they said they will get an electrician to check it and if faulty will replace for a new one. Got it back and the device was installed else where, found the device and could not veiw the front of the device which should have displayed the brand name and the number of the device (things that makes you go mmmm) as if I was born yesturday, if I'm treated like this they must think I'm a dumb idiot.
Clunky noise on the bottom left side of the car when braking moderately hard and also on a quick take off (not yet discuss the matter with the dealer).
And also it seems the window and/or doors are not air tight when travelling I can hear as if wind is forcing in the car (also yet to discuss with the service staffs)
I have learnt a few things while encountering this problem, sometimes its not always good to be nice or to be humble, next time I will be the opposite, I should sue them for taking away my sanity :P and this is defiantly my last holden defiantly i am certain.
That is all the problems I have with this car so far, if you want to discuss the issues, click on my address spyder77@iprimus.com.au.
Hi all
I paid $27000 for a second hand vr v8 on lpg gas I have driven the car for over 8 years and some 250000 klms and other than the normal bits like brakes tires etc the car has been extremley reliable. believe or not the thing still has the original exaust and uses no fluids except petrol and gas. it's a pig to drive wonders all over the place the brakes are absolutly woeful, but the seats are comfortable and the body has no rust. it tow-es the boat the caravan and will cruse at 130 all day I think I have had value for money. You have to have a win now and again, but I wiil probably go merk or lexus next time.
Eatone@wn.com.au.
Interesting...I have owned two commodores: a VS Acclaim Wagon - which was awesome, except for the passenger front door which sometimes refused to shut due to a faulty spring. I sold it then.
Latest commie bought brand new - Jan 2000 (actually a '99 build) VTII S Pack V6 manual, tiger mica. Now done 46,000 clicks. Several things have been replaced/fixed under warranty - all with NO FUSS I might add:
- Windscreen seal re-sealed (this problem occured above 100kmh).
- Entire engine belt replaced - it was squeaking. They tried to tell me it was the bearings (which they replaced as well) but it wasn't (new belt for me!).
- Horn went off at 7am Sunday morning (2nd week of ownership) the entire horn assembly was replaced.
- Engine switching off by itself - this happened ONCE ONLY.
- still on original tires and brakes
- dealer was quite good about everything, did not give me grief, except for the time when one of their mechanics damaged one of my wheels - they agreed to fix it.
- LOVES the freeway, I have down countless trips to the snow and one trip to Noosa (from NSW).
The car has it's quirks, but I love it and would most certainly buy another - SS this time!
Don't forget it IS a Holden.
When the VT came out it was in MASSIVE demand. I'm sure a few Monday and Friday cars came out worse than they normally would have. Quality control has improved. The first series of any model from any manufacturer is bound to have troubles.
I get a lot of looks - closely resembles an HSV to a lot of people.
GO HOLDEN.
Hi All.
Have read the reviews recently. Makes interesting reading to say the least.
I own a 2001 VX series I Equipe. Overall I have not had too much (touch wood!) go wrong with it. It is approaching two rears now (36Ks). So far the things I have had to get done (under warranty) are:
1. Replace the radio remotes. They just died and would not change the stations etc.
2. Replace the little black rubber trims on the rear window (a known problem). They kept lifting up when I opened the boot.
The major thing I have with the vehicle, and seriously it is really annoying, is a rattle from the area of the glove box. It is noticeable on highway driving. Almost as if the vehicle is moving in an up and down axis that there is something knocking inside that area "plastic on plastic".
I have had it at the dealer for the regular servicing and every time I mention it, it is still there. They put it down to "loose window shield" etc. But it is in the glove box area.
I have a theory, maybe someone else can confirm this, I DO NOT have a passenger side airbag. Do you guys think that the noise may be cause by an "unconnected" lead in the area where the airbag would go???
Any advice/opinion would be appreciated. Please reply here or email karl.varson@hotmail.com.
Cheers.
I have just purchased a 2000 VT SS manual with 75K on the clock and after reading this lot am now S'ing myself. Have already discovered the chronic brake shudder (Had booked it in for machine/pad change) and diff/drive-line clunk... I can't afford this!!
Purchased new Supercharged VT 9/98. Only major problem is the brake shudder. They machined it twice and it still returned. Dealer refused to replace the disc even though I argued with them. Otherwise the car is fine.
Go take a look at the Ford Falcon reviews. There is hardly any bad reviews on them! I think that says something!
I know there is a lot of Holden people out there, and they sway the decisions of other non-car people into buying them, that is why Holden sell so well and there is a lot of negativity towards then new Fords. I owned a 1996 EF Futura (which I only sold to get a 4WD) and it was a brilliant car. I honestly never had any problems with it. If people would just open their eyes up and get over their biases, they would find that the Falcons are a better car than the Commodore.
VT Series II Calais V8 Auto LSD SE II suspension 60K on the clock approaching warranty year 2.5... clock ticking.
Two new diffs due to grinding sound. Diff fluid change and 'additive' (banana skins more like it) appear to fix the fault, but it has just started clunking again.
Shh shh shh sound rear wheels. Need to "blow out" the brakes or " needs handbrake adjust" but sound re-appears soon after each service.
20+ wheel balances, one complimentary set of tires. Severe vibration still exists nearly 3 years after purchase. Known fault rim / tire combination. Everyone passes the buck, "its the tyre suppliers fault", "its the wheel manufacturers fault", its Holden's fault... yes anyone, but my fault. No joy there.
2 new wiper control arms as plastic cuts your fingers.
Air con button back-lights now not working.
Dashboard lifting at front corner. Refuse to replace under warranty.
Black paint terrible and scratches at the slightest touch.
Plastic trim falling off...again.
Sounds like water pump bearing is going as stating to squeal.
... that'll do for me.
Next car...mmmmm... probably a euro.
You do get what you pay for.
Bought a VT v6 auto wagon 9 months ago, tried towing with it and it nearly died. Only a single axle trailer with not much weight, the motor or the transmission has never been the same since.
The motor idles rough and miss fires when cold, I changed the spark plugs, the leads, the coils, and finally the injectors to try and fix the problem, the car ran fine for
a week, but now it is back to the drawing board.
The transmission sometimes makes clicking noises at high revs in 2nd gear, have had it serviced and problem still exists.
I just had to pay $1300 for a new diff centre as a lot of the internal gear spaces inside the differentials have been over tightened and crushed during assembly, which results in premature bearing collapse, and if not treated soon enough, irrepairable crown damage. The diff specialist who fixed my car has all the VT, VX, and VY diff parts kept in stock because of all the business these cars are giving him.
Hi,
I have a VX Series 2 Commodore Acclaim (V6, Auto, Me woman's car) and absolutely no problems. It's 1 year old 36,000 Kms. I also have a 2year old VX HSV R8 (Man, 5.7 GenIII, bluesheet'd) 112,000Kms which I regularly cane hard. The car eats heaps of oil and tyres. Recently I tried driving it gently as I drive my fathers 1993 Toyota Camry - with respect. Can't say anything about tyre wear, but most of the oil guzzling stopped. I think i'll be driving it more sensibly from now on... except when I need to do the 1, 2, 5 gear shift to slay some idiot P plater in a done up VK or VP.
One must realise that the only thing a commo shares with a V8 Supercar is the general styling of the body. Just about everything else is race spec and new for each race. If you cane your street car it will break in half - this is the same with just about any other car. If you want to cane a car - go hire one cos it'll be cheaper than the repair bills.
By the way my dad's Camry (bought new) has done 206,000+ Kms. I have personally serviced the car (sparks, timing, oil, brakes etc). It's never broken anything else. Auto tran is fine as is engine, still purrs just like new. I suspect my Commoz will follow suit if I take good care of them and drive it as it's designed to be driven.
Paul.
I own a 1998 VT Exec V6, since I have had it I have had to.
1: Rebuild the power steering pump, due to leaks, and the reservoir dropping into the thermo fan.
2: Replace rear wheel bearing in the right hand side.
3: Replace the right hand front window regulator due to is clunking and stiffness.
4: Replace the idler pulleys due to bearing noises.
5: Clock spring in the steering column for the airbags.
6: Key reader on the ignition, (update to a vx one)
7: Diff oil regularly due to clunking (grabbing)
8: What is the rattle in the back window area.? I cannot find it and it is driving me nuts.
9: This is a new one.. leaking heater core. have you seen where they put it.?
People who complain about tire wear I recommend getting a camber kit fitted to the rear end. cost is about $300 fitted, but well worth it if you run 17 inches or more.
Tire wear, I get around 35000KM out of a set of gt ultra 17's not bad hey.
What can I say I the car has cost me money, but hey I've had worse.
Mick (pordoski@hotmail.com)
I have a 2001 VX S 5 speed V6. Has traveled 38,000km with a few problems to date. Had the disks re machined @ 12,000km (i don't drive the car hard at all so not sure why this happened, but has been fine since). The Getrag 5 speed is very whiny especially in 1st gear. I have trouble selecting 1st or reverse (when it's stone cold). If the car is left for 2 or 3 days without driving I have to double de clutch a few times to select 1st or reverse. The diff clunks when you power on / power off and if it's in neutral sitting at the lights when you go to select 1st gear the diff makes a thud sound. The engine makes a knock, knock, knock sound every now and then whilst idleing??? I use 10w-50 100% synthetic engine oil might try a 5w-30 instead. I'm thinking of putting full synthetic ATF into the trans as I think it has Mobil ATF now. Holden dealer said they use Mobil ATF, but Mobil web site says to use Mobil Gear 80w??? What is in their now then?? I had a Ford AU 2 before the commodore and the falcon was a peice of crap (back to the dealers 8 times in 6 months) In reality the noisy box and diff thud shouldn't happen, but hey I can live with it. I tell you the V6 works much better with the manual trans as you can really use the torque of the engine. The Auto seems to want to make the engine drop down gears (whilst overtaking) and rev the engine like hell. We all know the good old V6 don't like to rev at all so with the 5 speed I just drop her back to 4th right into the mid range power and it just goes (quiet impressive for a V6) Does anyone know the 0-100 and 400mtr times for the manual V6?? I think holden won't release these deatils because they sell very few manuals and the times might be a bit too close to the supercharged auto V6???
I have a 2001 VX S 5 speed V6. Has traveled 38,000km with a few problems to date. Had the disks re machined @ 12,000km (i don't drive the car hard at all so not sure why this happened, but has been fine since). The Getrag 5 speed is very whiny especially in 1st gear. I have trouble selecting 1st or reverse (when it's stone cold). If the car is left for 2 or 3 days without driving I have to double de clutch a few times to select 1st or reverse. The diff clunks when you power on / power off and if it's in neutral sitting at the lights when you go to select 1st gear the diff makes a thud sound. The engine makes a knock, knock, knock sound every now and then whilst idling??? I use 10w-50 100% synthetic engine oil might try a 5w-30 instead. I'm thinking of putting full synthetic ATF into the trans as I think it has Mobil ATF now. Holden dealer said they use Mobil ATF, but Mobil web site says to use Mobil Gear 80w??? What is in their now then?? I had a Ford AU 2 before the commodore and the falcon was a piece of crap (back to the dealers 8 times in 6 months) In reality the noisy box and diff thud shouldn't happen, but hey I can live with it. I tell you the V6 works much better with the manual trans as you can really use the torque of the engine. The Auto seems to want to make the engine drop down gears (whilst overtaking) and rev the engine like hell. We all know the good old V6 don't like to rev at all so with the 5 speed I just drop her back to 4th right into the mid range power and it just goes (quiet impressive for a V6) Does anyone know the 0-100 and 400mtr times for the manual V6?? I think holden won't release these details because they sell very few manuals and the times might be a bit too close to the supercharged auto V6???
Recently hired a VY with 8000k. While traveling Tassie in the middle of nowhere this grinding noise appeared from the left rear.
For what you get for your money, it is not so good.
The hire company treated us like they actually were Holden from the look of some comments.
I think I will just fix up the VP because with the basic mods already done it drives, brakes and sticks to the road better than a brand new VY.
It will be cheaper considering they have much the same features and basic layout/ positioning of those features.
(electrics, engine power (considerably more in my VP V6),speedo/tacho position, A/C, cruise, sound system)
Spend $20k restoring an older one or $45 on a new one?
That's an easy answer.
We also hired a Falcon and found the interior to be very 80's orientated with its digital displays. But it drove better. (Firmer on the road) The gearing was usless in it as well.