Hi Guys,
The Acclaim is definatly a good starting point. Not only do you get the cruise, aircon, driver, passenger and side airbags and power windows as standard you also get Traction control and ABS breaks, a must in my opinion.
As will all cars they all have their fault listings, some have good results and others poor. For a VX berlina you can expect to pay around 8 to 10K extra for one with low klms. Most of the V6 range commodores have less problems than the V8 range as there are less stresses on the car.(this is just a generalisation and results may vary).
The things I have found to look for with the VT II, VX and VX II range are how well the auto shifts (Up and Down), clunking comming from the diff when auto shift down to a stop or slow speed. Driveline vibration on accelleration and decelleration. If the car is fitted with a towbar check the rear wheels for excessive inside tyre wear, I think alot of those issues were addressed in the VX II model and have improved rear end tyre wear.
Most of if not all the above issues can be rectified and with a VX mybe still covered under new car warrenty. The auto shift should be ok but the revised shift data for the PCM can help, holden service will tell you what program code your using and weather there is an updated one, rear end diff clunk was most common in the LSD diffs and a diff chatter kit was used to rectify some of the issues the chatter kit comprises of special new diff seals and a different grade of diff oil, the diff has some backlash as holden call it to prevent CV joints from breaking.
Some of the driveline vibrations have been caused by Centre Bearing failing, alot of Holden dealers wont pick this up as a cause because they only conduct a site inspection, its not until you remove it that you can tell. The kit for the Centre Bearing is about $35 + fitting and can make a difference. The part that houses the bearing is made of rubber, which breaks down over time depending on your location.
And the inside tyre wear can be rectified by a camber/caster kit. Most of the new model commodores has the IRS upgraded to rectify the issue.
Hope I have helped
Feel free to contact me for further info. If I dont know it I have a contact at holden who provides me with some mechanical support from time to time.
Phil