What's the best all round Nineties Commodore?

[Immortality]

There was a user on here who recently towed a boat many thousands of km's with an ecotec powered ute purchased specifically for the task. He liked it so much after it performed flawlessly he decided to keep it.

 

[Brettly-2008]

If you mean the Alloytec, however, that's a much more complicated beast, and is filled with heretical items like multiple overhead cams and variable timing and the block is made from recycled beer cans instead of recycled boat anchors.

This made me chuckle

To the OP, go as new as you can and get a VT Exec with 200,000kms and call it good.

 

[VS 5.0]

My wife's grandad towed his large van up and down the Qld cost for years with his VS executive and never had a problem.

 

[NeilsCommodore]

G'day Hertz Donut, what you have said sounds encouraging as I'm good with hammers (in fact that was my nickname when young) and I can swear like a trooper but you scared me a bit mentioning Alloytec as I have no idea what that is! Unfortunately for me the last Holden I had was an HT which had none of these new fangly electronic devices but died of old age hence my ventures into the new and frightening age of electronics in vehicles. The main problem is when looking at the wiring loom there seem to be a few loose wires just hanging there or a socket and nearby plug disconnected. I must hasten to add that I have a VN series 1 engine in a Ford Transit so maybe that's why

 

[Wozza]

Wozza: So you're not a fan of ECOTEC then? Do you feel the technology is complicated and prone to malfunctions? I certainly want to keep things simple in the tech area so in principle I'm in your camp but I suppose I'm wondering what advantages would there be in going for a VS onwards compared to the downsides

Ive worked on both the ecotec isn't any more complicated just a few more of those annoying engineering up yours that holdens throw at us home mechanics ....prior to the VS the airbag and safety features were optional
I get more pleasure at driving things that have a bigger potential to kill you and anything that starts with eco gota be bad

 

[Hertz Donut]

Engines are...
VN-VR = Known as "Buick 3800". You've got one in your Transit, but bear in mind there's Series I and series II engines, which differ.
VS-VY = Ecotec, a Buick 3800 pretending to be refined. I reckon you want one of these.
VZ-onwards = Alloytec. You probably don't want one of these.

 

[Reaper]

FFS - why not ask which is the best colour or footy team :bang:.

 

[cruelass]

I like my 95 VS Exec, ecotec (now l67) and live axle. Also doesnt have airbags or ABS. Would have to be close to the last without all the extra baggage and IRS.

 

[greenacc]

Has anyone crashed or even seen a crashed VS recently? Do those old airbags still work..?

 

[VS 5.0]

Do those old airbags still work..?

Hope I never have to find out !