Buying used VR-VS

[rpm]

I on the market for a used commodore wagon, VR-VS spending around $6-8 grand. But as never owned a commodre before im not sure what are/are not good buys.

I would prefer a mannual but they are scarce, and with auto ive heard that the biggest problem is with the transmission seal breaking and ****ing the tranny.

I was wondering if anyone could assist with my decesion in what to look for?
Is there any way to test the tranny out for problems?

cheershttp://forums.justcommodores.com.au/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=55#
Ohyeah

 

[Scooter79]

My opinion would be to go for a series 2 VS. The series 1 VS which i have has a habit of using up oil. My understanding is that in the series 1 Ecotech engines they used softer seals for better fuel economy but at the cost of using oil. The series 2 VS they got it right. Dont know about any transmission problems though. Mine has over 355,000k's without a problem. You can easily get a late model series 2 (97 model) for $8,000 or less if you look around. Thats just my opinion.

 

[clinker1212]

I own a 95 VS 1 v6 and have 150k on the clock--- had to replace:

water pump, power steering pump, alternator, muffler/ ehaust. I have heard that the rear main seal, O2 sensors and a few other things can cause minor problems. But I haven't experienced that yet. Tranny still going strong-- will last if I treat it ok. And it don't use any oil. Just gets replaced from service to service.

Great car. Really economic- BE prepared to spend a bit of money on it as you would with just about any second handy.

Another thing to watch out for is the air con-- some poeple havent serviced it since day dot--

G'luck and happy hunting

 

[xander]

I bought a VSII Exec about 18 months ago. It had about 180,000 on the clock at that stage (which was a bit more then I wanted) but at the time, the price was RIGHT. It now has over 233,000 on the clock.

I have since put a new radiator in it and I'm currently having the transmission reco'ed right now. In hindsight I know now that I would have had the transmission tested, as i now know that VRII and up have issues with transmission (the introduction of the PVM?). Anyway I suggest you check out the transmission well before committing (best advice I can give is take it to a transmission specialist and have it tested, $70 is money well spent when you thinking of _investing_ $6k ~ $8k in a car).

Apart from this its been the best car I’ve owned, and heaps of fun to drive.

 

[EGG]

Does the VR/VS have a 2-part driveshaft? And which seal is it that usually breaks?