Holden Commodore Problems

If it ain't broke, don't fix it is a maxim Holden followed when it kept facelifting the runaway success Commodore for eight years.  The present VZ is the third major facelift of the VT. There were three minor updates as well.The VY launched in 2002 was the second major update of the VT and brought refinements to the body, powertrain and chassis that gave improved performance, ride, handling and safety.Model watchHolden served up the familiar model range with the VY.  The Executive was aimed at the fleet buyer, the Acclaim more at the private purchaser. The Berlina and Calais appealed to user-choosers who wanted more.There were the sporty models in the S and SS. A new sports sedan in the SV8 offered many of the SS features at less cost.  The proven 3.8-litre overhead valve Ecotec V6 engine carried over unchanged, while the power of the 5.7-litre overhead valve Gen III V8 jumped to 235kW.In the shopGenerally the Commodore is quite reliable. But debate continues over oil consumption and piston rattle in the Gen III V8.  New teflon-coated pistons and higher-tension rings appear to have fixed most problem engines.  The problem engines were rebuilt so it's unlikely you'll find one now, but check the history of any V8 with the owner.The auto transmissions are reliable, but need regular servicing, so check service records. Check the trans oil in any car with a tow bar, and look for signs it has been used for heavy towing.  Be warned, tyre wear is high. If you get 40,000km from a set of tyres you're doing well.Crunch timeFurther stiffening of the body shell aided primary crash protection with reduced risk of lower limb injury, while dual airbags were standard on all models, along with load-limiting seat belt retractors.Owner's views ROD KIDD says he is happy with his 2003 VY S pack Commodore which has done 38,000km without problems.  Rod chooses Aussie-built six-cylinder cars because of their perceived value for money.Margaret and John Rowe have had four Commodores, and their VY has done 41,000km of mostly country running.  They like the drivability, but don't like the LCD dash display, the boot hinges which eat into the boot space and lack of a boot key.  They say fuel consumption of 9 litres/100km in town is good.The bottom line16/20 EX-LEASE cars flooding on to the market now make the VY Commodore a good buy.Look forSHARP aggressive stylingRELIABLE and fuel-efficient V6POSSIBLE oil consumption of V8IMPROVED steering precisionCOMFORTABLE seats

When Peter Brock started his special vehicles operation in 1980 he could not have envisaged its impact on the local car business 25 years later.  Brock admits he used the Shelby Mustang operation in the US and AMG in Germany as models for his HDT Special Vehicles, which in turn provided the model for Holden Special Vehicles and Ford Performance Vehicles that have followed and flourished.The first special was the VC HDT Commodore, released in 1980 to much fanfare. As the first of the genre it's now a classic appreciating in value.Model watchAs with the operations he emulated, Brock's brief was simple. He'd take a stock VC Commodore and modify it to enhance its performance and road-holding without compromising ADR compliance.He chose the top of the range VC Commodore SL/E which already came with plenty of fruit, the perfect base for Brock to build a European-style high-performance sports sedan that was comfortable, but handled well and looked sexy.It came already fitted with Holden's 308 cubic inch (5.05 litres) V8, but Brock and his team blueprinted it and fitted big valves which bettered standard V8 performance.  They also fitted a heavy-duty air-cleaner taken from a Chevy and added a fresh air intake to improve its breathing. It was fitted with the Holden factory dual exhaust system.With Brock's mods on board the Holden V8 put out 160kW at 4500 revs and 450Nm at 2800 revs which had it racing to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds and through the standing 400m sprint in 16.1 secs.  Brock offered the choice of Holden's four-speed manual gearbox or the three-speed auto, and a limited-slip diff was standard.Underneath Brock really worked his magic, fitting uprated and lowered springs and Bilstein gas shock absorbers for a lower stance and much-improved handling.  German Irmscher 15-inch alloy wheels and Uniroyal 60-series tyres completed the grip-and-go picture.A sporting car needs a sporty image and Brock gave it a major cosmetic makeover in the form of a fibreglass body kit with wheel arch flares, front bib spoiler and a rear wing.  Colours were white, back and red, and the package was finished off with some wild red, black and white race stripes down the side.Inside Brock enhanced the SL/E interior with a signed Momo steering wheel, a special gearshift knob, and a driver's foot rest.  Doesn't sound so special today, but in 1980 there was nothing like it.He built 500 VC HDT Commodores. He probably didn't feel it would last but his HDT specials were a sensation, continuing until 1987.  Today HSV builds special Holdens, FPV does Fords. It's unlikely either would exist if Brock hadn't needed funding for his race team.In the shopWhen considering a VC HDT Commodore it's important to remember that the foundations are strictly Holden so the main mechanical components are relatively easy to find to replace, and easy to repair or service.  Check that the special Brock components are there, the signed steering wheel, Irmscher alloys, high-flow air-cleaner.When Brock built those VCs, body kits were rough and ready. Unlike today's body kits, made of durable material to take a knock and fit well, the old kits were fibreglass, didn't stand up well when hit, and didn't fit well.  Check body kit components, such as the wheel arch flares, for cracking around attachment points and distortion between the mounting points.Crunch timeDon't expect airbags in a VC Commodore, they weren't fitted. ABS wasn't an option, but it did have four-wheel discs and rack-and-pinion steering, and the road-holding of the Brock-tuned suspension.VC HDT BROCK COMMODORE 1980Rumbling V8 exhaust notePresence of special Brock partsHigh fuel consumptionSolid performanceComfortable rideReassuring handlingPotential to increase in valueRating15/20 Good looking classic Australian sports sedan with Brock branding that has the potential to increase in value.