Holden Problems

In the US, more than 64,000 Chevrolet Volt electric cars are being recalled, which is expected to prompt a recall of more than 200 Holden versions next week.

Holden Suburban is a very large 4WD, good towing workhorse and spacious people mover. The Suburban can seat up to nine adults, though a more realistic use is seven adults and two children - nothing else comes close in this designed-for-the-USA giant. It can also carry their luggage, whereas other big 4WDs can seat eight people, but lose most of their luggage room when the rear seats are occupied.A rebadged Chevrolet, the Holden Suburban was only imported from February 1998 until January 2001, though the last of them weren't sold for several months after that.Though it appears gigantic, Holden Suburban is only half a metre longer and 150 mm wider than a Commodore station wagon. On suburban roads it fits comfortably into traffic lanes and is easy to place in traffic. When turning sharp corners at crossroads you need to make allowance for the extra length, otherwise the required driving technique is pretty much as usual.Off-road the big Suburban copes easilyParking? That can be the downfall of the Suburban in tight suburban areas. It has a reasonable turning circle of 13.7 metres, and a moderate height of 1.9 metres, so it can be slotted into most spots by an experienced driver.Off-road the big Suburban copes easily. Though its paintwork is likely to suffer in tighter situations as shrubs and tree branches drag down its flanks, so plan ahead if you want to do serious off-road driving.Suburban can tow 2.7 tonnes with the 5.7-litre petrol engine and 3.4 tonnes with the extra-heavy-duty 6.5-litre turbodiesel. All Australian Suburbans came as standard with a towbar.Suburban uses part time four-wheel drive with a high-low range transfer box. It can be shifted from two-high to four-high and back at speeds of up to 100km/h, but must be stopped for shifts from four-high to four-low and vice versa. The front hubs engage and disengage automatically.Fuel consumption isn't as bad as you might expect. Somewhere about 15.0-18.0L/100km in suburban driving, dropping to 'only' 12.0-14.0L/100km on the highway. Suburban has a huge 159-litre fuel tank.Build quality - the Suburban is screwed together in Mexico - is reasonable, though nowhere near the high standard of Japanese or Australian cars.Insurance charges are usually moderate but it's worth shopping aroundThe big underbonnet space means you can do a lot of your own work without doing any real damage to your knuckles or your temper. Pick up a workshop manual before you start, and stay away from safety related items unless you are a professional.Insurance charges are usually moderate but it's worth shopping around as there seems to be quite a difference between premiums from company to company. This policy range isn't unusual in relatively rare vehicles. As always, make sure you're comparing apples with apples, and be aware a longtime relationship with one company can be a valuable asset.Call to your local Holden dealer to check whether they stock parts, or get them in from elsewhere - or are no longer interesting in the vehicle.

When General Motors and Isuzu split, Holden relinquished the popular Rodeo badge. The revised replacement in 2008 was the Colorado.To meet the evolving role of utes as combined tradie-family transport, the Colorado had a flashy new look that would fit comfortably in suburbia and bush alike.Underneath it remained the same tough truck as the Rodeo predecessor and was just as capable of slogging through the rough stuff off-road.There were two and four-door Colorado utes, with rear or four-wheel drive and petrol or turbo diesel engines.Depending on your need for comfort you could choose between the LX and LT-R, the latter with all the fruit you could want. Even the LX had aircon and MP3 sound, the LT-R adding Bluetooth phone connectivity and reversing sensors.The petrol option was a punchy 3.6-litre V6 (157kW/313Nm) and the turbodiesel a more frugal 3.0-litre four-cylinder (120kW/360Nm). Backing them were a smooth-shifting five-speed manual or a four-speed auto.For lighter duty, the rear-wheel drive model sufficed.For going off-road there was also the option of dual-range four-wheel drive.On the road the Colorado was comfortable and quiet, the seats were supportive and the cabin well laid-out and welcoming.The price for the V6's ample performance potential was in fuel consumption when pushed.The well-proven mechanical package gives little troubleMeanwhile the turbo diesel was not only the thriftier engine when it came to fuel consumption, it also had greater low-down grunt to make it more drivable and more comfortable and competent off road.The Colorado is rated to tow up to 3000kg braked.The well-proven mechanical package gives little trouble, according to the trade and owners alike.Initially there were some complaints from owners about noisy front suspension bushes.Holden got on top of that relatively quickly with revised upper shock absorber bushes and retainers so there shouldn't be any out there still exhibiting the distracting noise.The Colorado is well equipped to handle the hard going and will do so competentlyIf you hear a creaking sound from the front when road-testing a Colorado, check to see whether the revised setup was fitted.Some owners complain of the fuel consumption of the V6, others moan about the turbo lag of the diesel.The Colorado is well equipped to handle the hard going and will do so competently if driven by someone knowing how to do it. Look for damage underneath, to the floorpan, chassis fittings, exhaust etc.It looks good, goes well, good for family or work use.Also check for a service record. It's most important on any vehicle but it's even more important on a car that's made to work hard for its keep, such as towing or off-roading.