Holden Statesman Reviews

The five speed, sequential auto features Active Select which allows the driver to change gears manually via steering wheel mounted paddles.It's a handy feature, giving the driver greater control of the car.The extra cog delivers excellent fuel economy.Statesman V6 is priced from $55,990 before on-road costs.Alloytec 190 3.6-litre V6 replaces both the V6 and supercharged V6 engines of the previous model. It produces 190kW of power at 6500rpm and 340Nm of torque at 3200rpm. That's significantly more stick than the old 3.8-litre Ecotec, but much less torque than the supercharged V6.The supercharged six which ran on premium unleaded produced 375Nm, also at 3200rpm. The reduction in torque shows, because the car lacks punch off the line.However the V6 scores top marks for economy. After a very heavy weekend of travelling up and down the coast, during which we clocked up several hundred kilometres, the trip meter showed average fuel consumption of just 10.1L/100km.With Active Select there is a paddle on the right for changing up and a paddle on the left for changing down. It's a relatively simple system in theory but can become confusing, particularly if you forget you're in manual.Can also be confusing when trying to change gear and operate the high beam switch at the same time. Also, if it is necessary to switch the position of your hands on the wheel, say when negotiating a series of hair-pin turns, it is easy to lose track of the paddles.The steering itself feels a little vague at times times and the car tends to wander in three-lane city driving.Trip computer had a mind of its own. One night the fuel gauge showed just under half a tank and 280km to empty. The next morning we were almost dead empty with about 33km to go?Statesman is renowned for its rear leg room and the current model is no exception. Even with the front seats set right back, you won't get any complaints from rear seat passengers.Excellent lights, especially the high beam. Turns night into day on dark, tree shrouded country roads.Statesman lacks some of the luxury features of the more highly specified Caprice. There's leather and a splash of wood, but you get an excellent in-dash, six- stack CD sound system. Hit the load button and keep feeding it discs until you reach the limit. The system includes equaliser pre-sets for different styles of music.Standard features include driver and front passenger front and side airbags, climate airconditioning, ABS brakes, electronic stability control and rear park assist.

Basically a long-wheel-based Commodore with loads of extras, it has proven a winning formula for Holden, easily outselling Ford's equivalent model, the Fairlane.Available as a sedan only, the series ll VS Statesman range was offered in a choice of two equipment levels the Statesman or the more up-market Caprice which included a lot more standard equipment.There was also a limited edition version called the International that included leather trim, power sunroof and self-levelling suspension.Mechanically, the big news with the series ll was the availability of a supercharger for the 3.8L V6 engine, producing 22 per cent more power and 12 per cent more torque than the standard V6.As well as the naturally aspirated V6 and supercharged V6, buyers also had the option of a 5L V8. All were mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.In normally aspirated form, the 3.8L V6 is an impressively smooth, responsive performer, and the supercharger boosts this to deliver even stronger performance. In NRMA's tests the supercharged version outperformed the V8 from a standing start to 80km/h and 100km/h.Behind the wheel the Statesman impresses with its combination of strong, effortless performance, excel- lent space and comfort, and high levels of luxury.There's ample stretch-out space, both front and rear even with the front seats all the way back and the boot is equally large with a porthole to poke long items through.Equipment levels are high with standard equipment including an eight-speaker sound system with 10-stack CD player, climate control airconditioning, cruise control, trip computer, adjustable steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, and remote central- locking.Safety features included driver and passenger airbags and anti-lock brakes.Unexpectedly, fuel consumption by the super- charged V6 was only slightly heavier than from the standard model and buyers can expect a well- maintained supercharged V6 to use about 16.1L/100km in the city and 12.2L/100km in the country. The supercharged V6 requires the higher- octane premium unleaded fuel.You can expect to pay around $11,000 privately for a Series I, 1996 standard V6 and $17,750 from a dealer for a Series III, 1998 V8 or supercharged V6.This is a good choice for those buyers wanting a big vehicle and possibly planning to make a lot of long journeys. As the vehicle is locally manufactured, parts are relatively easy to get hold of and reasonably priced.Pay attention to oil leaks from the engine, transmission and power steering.Check that the transmission changes properly with no delay and that all the electrical equipment operates satisfactorily.Recalls included problems with battery vapour, transmission fluid overheating when towing, and transmission cooler hoses.

If the battle between Falcon and Commodore is the main title bout in the local market, then the battle between the Fairlane and Statesman is the main support.  Today, Fairlane and Statesman have to contend with a large number of prestige and luxury cars from Europe and Japan. But while they might have lost some of their gloss they still offer more sheetmetal for the dollar, so if size matters there's little to compare with the local long-wheelbase sedans.Model watchIn 1995 the Commodore was going from strength to strength and the Statesman was tagging along, picking up the same improvements in design and build quality that were making such an improvement to the VR and VS Commodores.Most notably the 3.8-litre V6 engine was improved. Not only did it put out 13 per cent more power, 147kW at 5200rpm, and better fuel economy, it was also significantly smoother than the previous V6.The ECOTEC V6 came in for a major overhaul with a new, stiffer cylinder block, lightweight high compression pistons, new lighter cylinder heads, a new throttle body and sequential fuel-injection.The four-speed auto was also revised. It had greater computing power and a revised shift pattern to improve throttle response and fuel consumption. The Statesman also had Holden's well-developed 5.0-litre pushrod V8 as an option. With fuel-injection the V8 was putting out 168kW at 4400rpm.  To achieve much desired rear seat room in the Statesman, Holden added 95mm to the Commodore wheelbase and 128mm to the overall length.The VS II update in 1996 brought oval-shaped side indicator lamps, a restyled grille, while cup holders appeared inside along with chrome door handles. Underneath, the VS II got self-levelling suspension.The other big news in the VS II was the introduction of the supercharged 3.8-litre V6 engine which promised the punch of the V8 and an economy more in line with the V6. A further minor update, the VS III, was launched in 1998, and that included fog lamps and new alloys.In the shopThe VS Statesman was generally reliable, but now up to 10 years old it's really reaching the age when increasing problems could reasonably be expected.  Little goes wrong with the ECOTEC V6 engine, but while inspecting the engine for oil leaks, look carefully around the power steering pump for oil leaks, and take a look underneath at the rack and pinion as these are prone to oil leaks as well.The Statesman's auto transmission stands up quite well, but can need a rebuild at about the 200,000km mark. Observe carefully for a reluctance to shift up and a bumpiness when shifting, during a road test. Also, listen for any diff or rear axle bearing noise, both of which are increasingly likely to develop as the odometer climbs into the 200,000km range.Holden's electrical systems are generally reliable, but fuel pumps can be troublesome, and heater core failures are becoming more common (replacements cost $250 to $600).  As with all cars, servicing is crucial to keep them in good running order, so check for a verifiable service record.Owner's viewPeter Enzinger bought his 1996 VS II supercharged Statesman in 1999 with 30,000km on the odometer. It has now done 112,000km and he rates it the most comfortable and best handling car he's ever driven. Apart from servicing, fan belts and brake pads, he has had no problems.  Robert Leach's 1995 VS V6 Statesman has travelled just under 160,000km. After some early teething problems, he's now very happy with the car.Look forBe careful of high-mileage carsDistinctive panoramic rear windowLarge bootLots of rear-seat room for back seat driversRobust Holden mechanicalsSmooth, refined transportRating: 14/20 Smartly styled and affordable prestige car that won't break the bank, but be careful of cars with high mileage.