Holden Problems

Take it to a mechanic or an auto electrician, who will be able to sort it out for you.

Holden does have a responsibility to support its products with parts and service for a reasonable time, particularly for a car like the VE, which is relatively new. Consult the people at Consumer Affairs about your concern and ask them to approach Holden on your behalf.

It won't be a leak of visible damage; it does sound like an internal gearbox problem. It could be a worn bearing. Get another mechanic to check it for you.

Those early Barinas were prone to oil leaks. I guess that you have had it repaired before, but without success. If it's fixed properly it shouldn't leak, but it could be that it needs a better sealant, or the surface of the rocker cover might need machining flat.

No, I wouldn't, the kilometres are too high for comfort. The car is nearing the end of the road, and you're likely to have problems with it going forward.

The used Captiva does appear to be great value, but their shaky reputation for reliability would lead me to consider other options. The Territory would be a better bet, but they are known to have electrical and front suspension issues in the long-term.  If you're after an SUV, a seven-seat 2006-12 Mitsubishi Outlander is smart buying at the moment, but if you're just after the seven seats, I highly recommend taking a look at a 2008-13 Kia Rondo. These represent excellent value at the moment. Hope that helps, and keep us posted with your progress.

If only we had a crystal ball. Unfortunately it's impossible to say with any certainty if the foreign variants of the Monaro will become classics. If any do I would guess it would be the Pontiac with its connections to the GTO, Vauxhall's image in Australia is one of a cardigan wearing, pipe-puffing old timer, and the Chevrolet Lumina doesn't get the pulse racing.

Go back to the dealer and ask to see the results of the test, so you know what they are, and whether or not they reflect the results you get. The average you are measuring is crazily high if it's correct. It's not at all normal, which suggests there is a problem, possibly with the engine management system, which needs further investigation.

By your description it's a ute or a van rather than a Statesman or Caprice, but you don't tell us anything about its condition. Is it a good original jigger, an old clunker, or a fully restored beauty? The value would vary enormously on the condition, anything from $2000 to $10,000. You're best to contact an insurance company for a valuation.

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