Talk to me about holdens

[007 Matt]

I'm thinking of buying a VN commodore but I know nothing about them.

What should I look for, what is good, what is bad?

I want a Manual V8 but are they any good?

Are the autos better than the manuals?

Are the V6s better/any good?

Is the A/C any good or is it crap like the Vauxhall Carlton/Senator system?

What models are base spec, what are top spec?

[001 Neville]

I'll have to pass on that one, Matt!

I know very little about the Holden model range except where it overlaps the Opels

I'm sure there are others who can help on here . . . or point you to an appropriate forum like http://www.brockcommodores.com/vbulletin/index.php

[014 Phil]

Matt, they made very few manual Calais, but they are the pick if you can find one.
The SS is the sports model, and is more basic than the Calais. A manual SS is more common.
Unless the car was owned by a vampire & only taken out under the cover of darkness, the paint WILL BE faded, unless resprayed. Similarly, expect sagged hoodlining unless repaired.
Cheap to fix if anything goes wrong.
If your not doing lots of kms, I'd definitely go V8. Gearbox is personal preference. Auto will give you a wider choice of cars, but less fun. I would stick to manual.
A/C should be cold.

[037 Craig]

I had a worked 5 litre VN Ss manual and it was a cack load of fun....didn't come with air con and come to think of it someone would have had to have ordered aircon as it wasn't standard on the ss. Calais it was.


I could drift around roundabouts simply on the throttle