Just bought a 94 VR Commodore 3.8L Manual

[mx_moose_04]

I purchased the car on Saturday 5/06/2010 its in good nik, so far it has 100% black tints on side and rear and 75% front, 17" machined alloys (similar to the stockies on a SV6 VZ, the typical crome led tail lights, sports exhaust, K&N pod filter, set of extractors, 5" diamator staino pipe connected to pod filter. And Yes its a genuine manual onnly 131,350 k's on the clock =].
Just wondering wat i should look out for in this model i know own ?

cheers johnno

[Rhin0o8]

Ive Heard the power steering is heavy in these older cars? Is it true ?

Id be checking Bushes and sway bars for wear.
Being a Manual maybe an young P plater had it and was a lead foot

[wortus]

As well as getting underneath it and checking all your sway bar bushes have a look at the rear suspension, the upper control arm bushes if it has a solid rear axle can be chewed out.
Check for oil leaks especially from the power steering if the pump or hoses leak the fluid can get onto the suspension bushes and over time this stuffs them so if they are not clean degrease the car and check for leaks.
Also if you don't know the service history replace all the fluids such as power steering fluid, brake fluid and maybe diff and gearbox oils if they need doing and of course the engine oil and filter.
Then check your spark plugs, leads and remove the serpentine belt and check the condition of the bearings in your pulleys, alternator and water pump. Lastly replace the air cleaner if it needs it and the fuel filter and check the general condition of the breather hoses from the tank tot he filler neck. If they are startign to go it's not a bad idea to drop the tank and replace them before they begin to leak when the tank is full.

Other than that check the interior and boot space for leaks, it's not uncommon for the windows behind the back doors to leak and the water gets into the boot and over time can cause rust.

[JGlinatsis]

i have one of these cars they are not bad, they don't go wrong but with the extractors they get a lot hotter so your power steering line from the reservoir will rot like mine did so i got a new hose and put a heat shield like the EF falcons did with there exhaust that is the only prop i have had and i have had the car 4 years
O and to change the extractors you need to drop the steering rack and that is a pain in the ass