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[R0d]

Hello all.. first time posting on here. I am 16 turning 17 just got my log book which wont take long to complete. I was interested in buying a vn as my p plater car, the more basic the better (not interested in body kits as i reckon stock vns are awesome and stock cars are cheaper to insure). I was wondering what price a stock vn would be.

[xcop5l]

id say you could pick up a semi decent one for about $700-$1000
and a good one for about $1000-$3000
and you could get a fixer uper for about $200-700
good choice for a first car

[JD]

yep cheap and reliable power that looks good.

[Morton]

Bloody good choice mate First up, I'd rekon you should take a good look at the VP series, too. VN and VP are basically the same, although some bugs were ironed out on the series 2 VN, and the VPs. They also have a slightly more sensible radiator setup; and in terms of parts for repairs, they're all interchangable anyway. Take a look at the subtle differences in body style to decide which one you want too. (headlights, boot garnish, badges, window gutters, etc.)

When you inspect the car, have a close look at the little things. See if the roof lining is firm or coming loose, check ALL the door seals and rubbers (give them a good tug to see if they come loose), get a mate check that all the tail-lights illuminate properly, check for water leaks in the boot, and pop under the car and take a look at the sump, to see if it's badly warped. (common problem, but not always critical). something with less than 200,000ks on it is a good buy, but check for service records etc to see if this is the actual distance the car has travelled.

If you're after a car that's been treated well, take a quick look at the back-right tyre, and compare it to the back-left, just to get a quick idea if the last owner's been ripping skids, too ^^ This could mean problems with your tailshaft bearings, diff, and other things down the line.

Also, make sure you test-drive three or four different VN/VPs if you get the chance. They all drive a little differently - you may even find a freak that makes a little bit more power than the others. They're like that.

For a nice specimen, look to pay between 1000-3000 dollars, like xcop said. Be very weary about something cheaper, or unregistered, as it could end up costing you big bucks down the line to get it into roadworthy condition.

Out of interest:
I bought my 1992 VP Executive with 192,000 on the clock, for $2000, unregistered, without rwc. It cost me $1000 to get into roadworthy condition, and $700 for stamp-duty, registration, and plates. All up: $3,700 on the road. I would have gone for something cheaper, but this car came with full service records, was formerly owned by a middle-aged man as a fleet car, and had a reconditioned auto, new alternator, new tyres, new battery, and drove VERY smoothly compared to others I'd driven.

Here's some pics of the condition of the car for that price, as a comparison:

http://premium1.uploadit.org/Fargoth//daniels_car.jpg
http://premium1.uploadit.org/Fargoth//daniels_car2.jpg

[38VNIT]

lol i hate to disagree guys, but all the vn's i know of, both flogged and well looked after are not reliable, not cheap to run... id say buy a corolla or something now and then either later when u have more money or fuel prices go down then buy a vn...

[Morton]

lol, my mate John had a corolla. the last RWD version made. manual, too. Cost him $2500 to buy, and $2000 in repairs over the subsequent 12 months. Radiator, diff, clutch... you name it, it broke. Ended up giving it to his sister and buying a civic coupe for $13,000. hehe, I'm on your side though... generally. I tend to think the old corollas are a solid buy. The coronas were good too, if you can find someone who wants to sell one.

True, the VN/VPs are pretty average on fuel, but they're not as bad as a twin-turbo rx7

The best part about a vn/vp, for me anyway, is that parts are so bloody abundant, you can get just about anything you want for a steal. I've freshened up so many interior parts and garnishes etc that it's not funny, and wouldn't have spent more than $100 on the lot.

... what am I trying to say? ... i've been up all night. errr... oh yea. vn/p is a great car if you're going to dive in and do some repairs yourself, but if you're taking it to a mechanic for everything including oil changes, you'll probably end up spending the value of your car within two years

</rant>

[holden007]

lol i hate to disagree guys, but all the vn's i know of, both flogged and well looked after are not reliable, not cheap to run... id say buy a corolla or something now and then either later when u have more money or fuel prices go down then buy a vn...

Got a point, my dad 92 Camry 2.0L has done over 300k and still with original engine, trans, alternator, exhaust, all pumps, etc..its crazy for a 4 cylinder to last that long. And even the shocks are factory.

But the cars not interesting, very reliable though. If you want some fun, VN's are a good choice, prefer if you buy it with full service or maybe off a pensioner of something, they don't go over 2500 revs when they drive.

[R0d]

thanks for the info guys, i'll keep a eye out for old people selling there vn, they tend to sell them less and are always in good condition because they are never driven

[coolvxss]

MMM my VN has been sooo very reliable. i havnt have a single thing go wrong with it. But i have only had it for 1 n half years. but i flog it quite a bit. Its got 265000 on clock.

[stocky]

The best part about a vn/vp, for me anyway, is that parts are so bloody abundant, you can get just about anything you want for a steal. I've freshened up so many interior parts and garnishes etc that it's not funny, and wouldn't have spent more than $100 on the lot.

quite literally for a steal. a trip to the wreckers with deep pockets can end with lots of little parts that cost nothing

[padrickz88]

lol i hate to disagree guys, but all the vn's i know of, both flogged and well looked after are not reliable, not cheap to run... id say buy a corolla or something now and then either later when u have more money or fuel prices go down then buy a vn...

i dont want to argue but not all are unreliable, to be honest i find them a very reliable car (well the one's my family have had) and yeah and for reliability my mum had a vn s2 and was an xcompany car, man i luved that car.... nearly 400k and still never let us down and was in the family for 10 years and only thing that stuffed up was the harmonic balancer and the alternator (typical vn problems) and as for economy wellll we filled up the gas tank and we got 1 and half - 2 weeks out of driving from it(and im not exactly easy on the foot), was sad to see that someone smashed it ... but you do get good and bad cars..... like my sister's vn that thing was freaky.... beautiful engine but wasnt on gas and lets just say catch the bus in the economy part of the conversation with that car *rolls eyes*.... maybe thats why ive got a vn now because all of them that my family has had have been reliable and 1 of them was real economic and 1 wasnt hahaha
any ways good luck with your car when you get it and hope it last u a long time

[xcop5l]

thats soo true.stocky
its even better when you used to work there and your given almost everything at 80%off hehe.

[PaRaDoX]

nice choice for a first car, good to work on, awesome for a project car, abundant parts (no single item costs over $100 excluding labour) and baggy clothes help at the wreckers *cough* and people wonder why i have 18 memcals :P

ok everything will break BUT THE ENGINE, but thats to be expected from a 15-17 year old car, but nothing a few trips to teh wreckers cant fix, awesome car to learn to fix your self

and if the engine gives way u can get one for $50-100....
mine was trustworthy, when i got her she was a dinged up peice of crap, after many garage hours she was finally nice... till some IDIOT in a ford smashed her

dont let anyone tell you do this or do that, im not telling u to get one but they do break so be prepared to fix it yourself or it will cost you more than its worth, dont be afraid to rip her apart

[VNV6VENGEANCE]

anyone who says vn's aren't reliable has either driven a thrashed one or thrashed their own. If you give it shit obviously its gunna die in the ass. I have driven some f#cked up vn's but when you look after them they are dream rides. My radiator is original same with most of my engine. Look after your beast and it will look after you money wise...

[haynze]

[QUOTE=holden007;418149]Got a point, my dad 92 Camry 2.0L has done over 300k and still with original engine, trans, alternator, exhaust, all pumps, etc..its crazy for a 4 cylinder to last that long. And even the shocks are factory.

[R0d]

we have a 3 cylinder thats done about 250,000

[Morton]

dude, that's only half a car

[AlpineRaven]

Bought VN Commodore S - Series 2 Wagon automatic transmission was cracked and was no longer driven, lady owner 45ish 2nd owner, previous owner was one of the managers at GMH Holden in Port Melbourne. Replaced transmission bought one for $125. It was un-registered, paid $250 for stuff to get it rwc enough, got rego for $600. So it was cheap VN. Oh problem with it, the roof lining was saggy so replaced it with VS lining. Added Cruise & Pwr antenna radio, speakers etc. Came out like nice VN wagon below $1000!
Cheers
AP

[R0d]

its half a car because its a car that is used to get to work... cheap on fuel something like 5l/100km

[PaRaDoX]

exactly, my brother owns a VN Executive, i drove it today 250km...
my brother HASNT looked after it, shes got 190,000km on the clock and is falling apart,

when drive mine... drives like brand FKN new shes done 275,000km.. spent soo much time maintaing it... if you do the same it'll be good to you.. altho i give mine a good workout reguarly and as expected it breaks, but nothing serious stupid things like over heating due to dead sensors ect... gone thru 3 starter motors due to a few hard knocks... but over all a VERY reliable car... but to be honost if u want something that wont ever break, get a toyota corrolla

[churbz89vn]

Bought VN Commodore S - Series 2 Wagon automatic transmission was cracked and was no longer driven, lady owner 45ish 2nd owner, previous owner was one of the managers at GMH Holden in Port Melbourne. Replaced transmission bought one for $125. It was un-registered, paid $250 for stuff to get it rwc enough, got rego for $600. So it was cheap VN. Oh problem with it, the roof lining was saggy so replaced it with VS lining. Added Cruise & Pwr antenna radio, speakers etc. Came out like nice VN wagon below $1000!
Cheers
AP

hey mate where did u find a gear box for $125? how much to fit? cna u e-mial me s_t_e_v_e_o_@hotmail.com

[AlpineRaven]

hey mate where did u find a gear box for $125? how much to fit? cna u e-mial me s_t_e_v_e_o_@hotmail.com

Jolly Rogers Wreckers - Greens Road, Dandenong South, and or Pick - a - Part in campbellfield does the same price, took it out myself and fitted in myself - I had the engine out to fit transmission anyway.
Cheers
AP