Used Commodore up to $10K - What do ya reckon?

[woodwardmatt]

Hey guys!

I'm new to this forum but am looking to get a Holdon Commodore. Would love some of your input on what types etc. to go for and what to avoid.

Am living in Adelaide and have about $10K to spend. Any advice wqould be hugely helpful and appreciated!

[minux]

I know where there is quite a nice SV 5000 for sale for $11,000

Seriously though, spend a few extra k, 13k can see your arse in a Series 2 VT SS.

[STEALTHY™]

Or you could get a VS II Calais with the supercharged 6, put a smaller pulley on it, and bye bye minux....j/ks



VS SS would be my call, but thats what i want lol

[minux]

Or you could get a VS II Calais with the supercharged 6, put a smaller pulley on it, and bye bye minux....j/ks



VS SS would be my call, but thats what i want lol

But then your stuck in a car that costs too much to go any faster, at least with an LS1 and 4k you can have a low 12 car.

Besides, driving a VS is like a boat, seems liek your floating everywhere

Nice looking VS SS down the road for sale for 9k and a manual.

[Spaced]

What I would avoid:

Series II SS LS1's (Gen3's) these are the first run give them a miss
Series I VT V8's these are really heavy and the aussie 5L has a hard time with this extra weight.

What I would recommend:

VS Series II Calais supercharged 6
VS SS's are nice and lighter than the VT
Any v8 after the series II SS LS1's in the VX and later are nice cars. SS is luxury just depends what you can afford.

Think about what you want the car for if you want to go fast you'll need a super6 or a LS1. Everyone is welcome to disagree with me. VL turbo's are too old in my opinion. I really like the VL but if you get one you will need to spend a lot on fixing it.

Anthing 10 years or older you'll be looking to spend at least 1k fixing little things for the first year as I have with my VS

Also some good advice is to test drive a few models v8 and super sixes get to know what you do and don't like. It may go like the clappers but if you don't enjoy driving it what's the point.

[JD]

if you are lucky u may be able to get a ex-cop sII vt exec with gen 3 for about 10k

[minux]

What I would avoid:

Series II SS LS1's (Gen3's) these are the first run give them a miss
Series I VT V8's these are really heavy and the aussie 5L has a hard time with this extra weight.

What I would recommend:

VS Series II Calais supercharged 6
VS SS's are nice and lighter than the VT
Any v8 after the series II SS LS1's in the VX and later are nice cars. SS is luxury just depends what you can afford.

Think about what you want the car for if you want to go fast you'll need a super6 or a LS1. Everyone is welcome to disagree with me. VL turbo's are too old in my opinion. I really like the VL but if you get one you will need to spend a lot on fixing it.

Anthing 10 years or older you'll be looking to spend at least 1k fixing little things for the first year as I have with my VS

Also some good advice is to test drive a few models v8 and super sixes get to know what you do and don't like. It may go like the clappers but if you don't enjoy driving it what's the point.

Whats wrong with Series 2 VT SS? First run mean squat. If you are talking about engine issues then anything up to VY II you should give a miss.

[CALAIS 6]

mate it is ur lucky day im in adelaide too and for 10k id be willing too let my vn calais go LOL nah but seriously nice vs calais super 6 or 8 would be nice

[JSTPOZN]

There is a vs calais 5spd 5litre at a car yard for like 7 red one

[evil_monkey]

vs stato

[quiksilv3r]

vs stato

Is there any other choice?

Can find super 6 for 10g now if you look hard enough

[STEALTHY™]

SA prices are alot different to eastern states. I know a Caprice that sold for under 10 a few years ago with the 8, so you should be able to find a super6 or 8 caprice for well under 10 here now.


Personally they are too heavy for my driving, i like to be able to whip the car around on the spot, but if your after pimping looks, and every feature, go the caprice, even if id does have CapRICE in it

[Ripcell]

u should be able to at least get a VT2 acclaim or something, or for another few k u could get a VT SS

[Spaced]

yeah statos are hell nice for cruising if you want something a bit zippier then go the 8's or the super sixes. Minux no offence but from what I've gathered the LS1's in the VT S2 ran a lot thinner than required oil from the factory creating a lot of issues. Quoted stats were 1 in three didn't require a rebuild.

Also skip the stato's or super sixes in the stato way too heavy for the car it's in.

[czerwonyVN]

i'd honestly go for a well kept VN SS manual, possibly with cash to spare.

but if it needs to be more practical, VX exec autos go for less than 10k at auction. if you're lucky you could pick up an ex-fleet/gov VY for a touch over that. if you're ok with driving an auto, obviously, auction commodore manuals are non-existant and if one does pop up it sells at near dealer cost. it might also have done a few more km than the average VY.

[minux]

yeah statos are hell nice for cruising if you want something a bit zippier then go the 8's or the super sixes. Minux no offence but from what I've gathered the LS1's in the VT S2 ran a lot thinner than required oil from the factory creating a lot of issues. Quoted stats were 1 in three didn't require a rebuild.

Also skip the stato's or super sixes in the stato way too heavy for the car it's in.

Right...they all ran 10-30 from VT through to VZ. The issues had nothing to do with oil. I think perhaps you should research the topic a little further before guessing what the problem was.

[Spaced]

I'll take your comments on board and do some more research

[quiksilv3r]

Also skip the stato's or super sixes in the stato way too heavy for the car it's in.

14.9@91mph. Totally standard. Single Spinner. VS L67 Statesman.

Find me a VT+ commo that has produced a lower time down the quarter with the L67.

Remember just because they are long, doesn't always make em heavy.

[Spaced]

14.9@91mph. Totally standard. Single Spinner. VS L67 Statesman.

Find me a VT+ commo that has produced a lower time down the quarter with the L67.

Remember just because they are long, doesn't always make em heavy.

fcuk me that is damn quick for stock. My bad didn't realise they were that quick.

[sixshooter]

If it's your first car then something around $5000 and leaving some $$$ to spare to do it up (ie. mags, stereo, etc) would be the way to go. Look for something around the 100,000km to 150,000 mark. We are now into the 4th era of Commodores so I'll just recap the earlier ones for you.

The 1st era are the VB, VC, VH, VK, and VL. They are getting on now and it will be really hard to find one with a good paintjob, without any rust, and mechanically perfect... The VL was the only early bodyshape commo that ran on unleaded petrol so conversions will be nessesary to run unleaded on any of the older cars if you can find a good one still running in stock form.

The 2nd era VN, VP, VR, VS were the next bodystyle change, but the VN and VP are heading the same way now in wear and tear as the earlier models with high kms (200,000+) the norm.... VR's had a major impovement on previous models in suspension and handling and with better paint and body finishes as Holden upgraded their paint factory at the time this model went into production...A few good ones can still be found now if you look hard and long enough. Then came the VS which would be my pick... the last of the 2nd era commo bodystyle before the newer 3rd era VT, VX, VY, VZ.

The last of of a series is generally the best of them as they've had all corrections to the design from all the recalls and problems fixed from previous models... The 3rd era VT's which brought in a new bodystyle change were notorious for rear tyre wear issues and are heavier and thirstier than previous models. Anthing other 3rd era, VX, VY, VZ is getting up out of your price range... unless you go to auction and hope you dont get outbid.

Hope that helps !

[holden#1]

I've seen 2005 VZ Executives going for $9,000 at public auction.
Thats a fair bit of car for your money...
You can also buy a very nice 1997 VS SS for $9,000

Its the big decision - Later model - Less Luxury, Less Performance (i.e V6)
Earlier Model - More Luxury, More Performance (i.e V8)

[Ripcell]

Whats wrong with Series 2 VT SS? First run mean squat. If you are talking about engine issues then anything up to VY II you should give a miss.

apart from the piston slap? i THINK it was the same in VX1 i think they fixed it for VXII

[drewins]

I would recomend something that holds its value. Getting a 10k excecutive isnt the smartest thing to do because when you got to sell it in a couple of years it will be worth like 6 grand. A calais, stato or something along the lines of them hold their value alot better but you would have to settle for an older car for 10k. Just my opinion though.

[Trei]

Go for a VX s pac with the 152 KW ecotec, or a VS calais/stato/ss.

10 k isn't going to get you a low km, high spec VX...

but it will get you a high spec, low km VS (if you can find them). I'd stay away from VT's... I think the VS is a better car.

[minux]

apart from the piston slap? i THINK it was the same in VX1 i think they fixed it for VXII

This was a problem right up to VY II. Just remember this, it isnt always slap, alloy engines make any smaller sound sound alot worse. The VT i currently have has a perfect engine never had an issue, as the same with many others i know, i will admit that our other VT SS had 3 diff engines before they got it right