Holden Commodore Problems

The reason for distance and time on services is that short trips put just as much strain, sometimes more, on a car. If you go outside the recommendations, or do it yourself, you risk voiding the warranty and that could be expensive if something big goes wrong.

The SS-V Redline sportwagon is rated to tow 2100 kg (braked), so it would be very close to its maximum limit. While it should handle the mass I would be looking to something with a higher towing rating for what you want to do. That could be a 4WD SUV or a one-tonne ute.

Towing is all about torque, not power, as you want bottom-end grunt for the extra weight on the back. It's often the same with overtaking, so performance is not just about kilowatts. A turbodiesel will always beat a petrol engine for that pulling power.

The Commodore is more refined and a better drive than the Chrysler but don't forget the excellent Falcon XR8. It's now effectively a GT and, apart from the high seating position, has very few flaws at a great price.

Overall the Commodore is a decent car, but the V6 does have a few problems that can show up over the longer term. The cam timing chain does stretch, which affects the valve timing, and the engine can run roughly as a result. Replacing the chain is quite expensive. It can also use oil, so check to see if there have been any oil consumption issues with the car you are looking to buy.

There will be another minor tickle but a new gearbox is extremely unlikely as it's a very costly change.

The Holden is more refined so, although both cars get The Tick, I'd go for the Calais.

The Commodore is still a top car that gets The Tick, and will be in production until 2016 with service back-up long after that. So, no reason to panic.

The biggest issue you're fighting with the VT is age. No matter what way you look at it, it's an old car and every car has problems with age. So the first thing to say is that you should shop around, and take your time to find the best car you can for the money you have to spend. Basically the VT is quite durable and standing up well over the long term. With the VT the 3.8-litre V6 engine is a pretty tough old nail and won't give you much trouble if it has been serviced properly with regular oil changes. Listen for rattling on start-up or smoke on acceleration. Inspect it for oil leaks, they can be expensive to repair. The auto transmission is generally ok, but might need a service if it's done a lot of kays. They can have trouble with fuel pumps and the suspension bushes wear-out, but they're relatively minor things that won't cost a lot to fix.

It's unlikely. It could simply be the doors moving on the seals and rubbing against the body. Put some lubricant on the door seals and see if the noise goes away. If you think it might be coming from inside the door you could also take off the door trim and lubricate the window runners.