Holden Viva - reliability

[VYBerlinaV8]

Hi All,

Someone I know was saying the other day that the Holden Viva is not very reliable, particularly the gearbox. Obviously it's a car built to a price, but does anyone know anything specific about this? I figured it should be possible to get 5 years of general use out of such a vehicle without any major problems?

Thoughts?

Cheers.:)

[bsbozzy]

Well it is a Daewoo so....Some people might say it is a shitbox, on the other hands, mum has a 97 Daewoo and the only thing that has gone wrong was a blown head gasket, and that was a month ago

[SCOTTR8]

my wife brought one a month ago, so i will get back to you in 6

[VYBerlinaV8]

Cheers.

It's funny how people say Daewoos are shitboxes. I had one a while ago and did 107,000km on it without a single fault. Just change the oil and filters and periodically stick another couple of cheap tyres on. I was thinking the Viva would probably be the same.

[Danv8]

They shouldn't be worse than any other Korean built cars.
Cheap and cheerless really.

[clixanup]

Do they use the 4 cyl engines from Fisherman's Bend?

[Aussie V8]

Do they use the 4 cyl engines from Fisherman's Bend?

Yeah, the engines do come from OZ so that part of the Viva is probably the best part of them.

Good comment from Danv8, cheap and cheerless.

[planetdavo]

Our dealership has not discovered any major recurring issues.

[FunkyPig]

The problem with it being a recycled old Daewoo probably doesn't mean there's any reliability problems, it more so means its 'cheerless' as mentioned. Noisy, poorly built, unexciting. But that doesn't mean there will be any probs. Its a proven car really, been built for years now.

[onexi]

The old man had a Daewoo cielo and put 400,000 k's on it and it didn't have a thing wrong with it. For a cheaper car they are pretty good.

[vyss2ute]

Missus bought one back in Feb, No problems so far. Cheap to run with oil and filter changes at 15k intervals and its easy on the juice. Only thing that really shits me is that the engine has a terrible habit of holding revs during gear changes. For example, if im in 1st and push the clutch in to change into 2nd the revs will "stay" at what ever rpm you pushed the clutch in at. The revs don't drop until after a 2-3 seconds. Mightn't bother others but its just a pet hate for me.

Other than that its a good little car for the money! $17990 drive away with 3 year warranty sounded brilliant to me and the missus! I'd prefer it over the hyundai equiliant, getz or whatever it is.

In the end its your discision on what you buy and most motoring guides like NRMA and RACQ will be able to profide a better roadtest for you, with pros and cons.
Adam

[German Statesman]

I had bad experiences with the Daewoo product as a Holden service advisor, and I'm hearing the Viva and the new Barina are more of the same.

Cheap & cheerless is a great description, budget motoring is another and a HSV customer once told me Daewoos were bought by non-car people who trusted dealerships.

All of the Kalos/Barina/Lacetti/Viva things I drove were devoid of any charm, character, refinement, and were noisy thrashy heaps of crap that had dangerous OEM tyres and inspired zero confidence in the driver.

A mate of mine got one as a drive car not so long ago, and I asked him why he got demoted.

Cheers

JOHN

[planetdavo]

I had bad experiences with the Daewoo product as a Holden service advisor, and I'm hearing the Viva and the new Barina are more of the same.

Cheap & cheerless is a great description, budget motoring is another and a HSV customer once told me Daewoos were bought by non-car people who trusted dealerships.

All of the Kalos/Barina/Lacetti/Viva things I drove were devoid of any charm, character, refinement, and were noisy thrashy heaps of crap that had dangerous OEM tyres and inspired zero confidence in the driver.

A mate of mine got one as a drive car not so long ago, and I asked him why he got demoted.

Cheers

JOHN
You have to keep things in reality here.
Yes they aren't as refined as many newer models.
Yes they lack a healthy dose of charm (but so does Corolla, the No.1 seller!)
Yes Korean tyres are average.
BUT....
No, Daewoos are pretty reliable.
No, you do get a reasonable car for the money.

Taking the opinion of a $60000 HSV buyer as representative of the average small car buyer is being out of touch with reality.
Holden went to these because the "better" Opels were getting too expensive, so people weren't buying them like they used to. We actually have more issues with the Opel product than the Asian models (Daewoo's to all the ignorant people). These are MUCH better cars than the earlier Daewoo versions, since Holden added considerable input before local release.
Are there better new small cars out there?
Definitely yes.
But you actually get a pretty good car for the (lower priced) money, with the convenience of a 300 plus dealer network, and proven drivelines.
For many, that is enough.

[German Statesman]

You get no argument from me when you say to many people they are good enough - also since the Vivas and Barinas are heavily 'Holdenized' to meet better standards and customer expectations, I'd also agree with you that they are better than the Euro origin Barinas. Having been through SB Barina dramas as well as the just superseded one, the last good Barina to me was the MH Suzuki-origin one, but I'll allow myself to be corrected :flip2: :lol:

Your assumption about the HSV customer is, however, incorrect. At the time he had a VN SV99 which I referred him to, paying the princely sum of $19K. My reference to his comment was made in the context of irony, from a car enthusiast who enjoyed rather than detested driving.

The overall tone of your reply suggests its wrong to make assumptions, and I wholeheartedly agree. Before Daewoo was run by Holden, we were warned by the Ford dealer up the road that Daewoo owners bought a warranty and free service plan, and as long as the car that came with it drove ok, that was all that mattered. Administering FreeCare was one of the biggest pains in the arse that anyone could wish upon a service advisor, and many harsh assumptions about Daewoos and their owners were made in these dark days.

I too had problems with the Opel product, and you'll be familiar with the cam belt, ignition module, dash rattle, overheating and oil consumption issues that the Euros had/have (to name a select few).

I honestly do hope Holden have come up with good products in the Viva/Barina, but my initial introductions to both before I got out of the motor game for good were poor.

Good to hear responses from people in the dealer group.

Cheers

JOHN

[Growler]

Had a good look over the new Daewoo Barina 3 door and sedan (my sister is looking at getting a new car) and must admit it is not a bad car for the price. There are clearly better cars out there but after looking at a lot of other new small cars the Barina offers a lot of car for very little money. The other small car that impressed me was the Getz, but again when you factor in price the Barina wins. I think that is the point the Daewoo Holdens may not be the best but the price does help compensate for being average.

[planetdavo]

Your assumption about the HSV customer is, however, incorrect. At the time he had a VN SV99 which I referred him to, paying the princely sum of $19K. My reference to his comment was made in the context of irony, from a car enthusiast who enjoyed rather than detested driving.

I'd suggest a VN would feel about 10 times floppier in the body than a used Daewoo these days!
But a VN SV99.....??????????????????????
No enthusiast will buy the Viva, but Holden is well aware of that. Why do you think we also have the more solid, more refined, but considerably more expensive Euro Astra, with the option of turbo petrol and diesel engines, with six speed manuals options, low roof three door models, 18 inch wheels etc etc (and a HSV VXR version)
They are covering all the bases.....



...we were warned by the Ford dealer up the road that Daewoo owners bought a warranty and free service plan, and as long as the car that came with it drove ok, that was all that mattered.

And this coming from a dealer that sold the disgracefully awful Kia made Korean Festiva sh!tbox.........
They might as well have been made out of alfoil they were so flimsy......

[Marco]

Cheers.

It's funny how people say Daewoos are shitboxes. I had one a while ago and did 107,000km on it without a single fault. Just change the oil and filters and periodically stick another couple of cheap tyres on. I was thinking the Viva would probably be the same.

Yeah, I often hear people bag Daewoos and yet two people I know own them and they've been fine. My brother in law knows nothing about cars and doesn't look after them properly, but his keeps on going just fine, and another mate of mine also isn't a car person, bought one that already had high km on it and hasn't had trouble with his either. For the money, I think that's pretty good.

They're not necessarily great to drive - although not too bad - but certainly not unreliable heaps like people make them out to be.

[VYBerlinaV8]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Someone was asking me about them and I thought I'd ask around, but my initial thoughts have pretty much been confirmed by the responses here:
1) Cheap to buy and include the basics
2) Fairly economical if driven sensibly
3) Reliable for probably 5 years / 100,000km without drama if serviced properly
4) Not exciting or fun to drive, but get the job done when transporting kids, pets and other family crap.

Thanks again. If there's other comments or thoughts then post 'em up.

[Dacious]

After a slow start they're not selling too bad - last month they sold 1200, about 2-300 shy of Astra sales. And I think that is about as many as they can get in at present. I'd rather see 1200 GMDATs sold than that many extra Mazda 3s or Corollas or Tiidas or simlar.

I've looked at a couple close up, don't seem badly put together. I got a drive in a 2003 SRi Barina last w/e. Fading, matt red paint, buckboard ride, pretty gloomy inside and boomy and buzzy engine. And that was a $23K on the road car. Not anything like as good as an Astra.

[German Statesman]

I'd suggest a VN would feel about 10 times floppier in the body than a used Daewoo these days!
But a VN SV99.....??????????????????????
No enthusiast will buy the Viva, but Holden is well aware of that. Why do you think we also have the more solid, more refined, but considerably more expensive Euro Astra, with the option of turbo petrol and diesel engines, with six speed manuals options, low roof three door models, 18 inch wheels etc etc (and a HSV VXR version)
They are covering all the bases.....


And this coming from a dealer that sold the disgracefully awful Kia made Korean Festiva sh!tbox.........
They might as well have been made out of alfoil they were so flimsy......

If you continue you take me out of context, I'll respectfully abstain from posting to this thread to avoid it becoming a waste of my time.

And just to dump you on your head - the "sh!tbox Festiva" you refer to is known as the WB model of which my ex-wife clocked up 193,000 trouble free kms in her five door before trading it on an '04 Barina. Oh, and the disparaging comments about the Euro barina were from her, as an owner.

I think you should go and have a cold shower before posting next time - the majority of people in this world dislike being addressed in a condescending manner but having been and worked with service advisors in a former miserable life, I take pity on you and overlook it. I can only assume your fellow advisors make up for your poor SSS scores with an attitude like yours.

JOHN

[planetdavo]

If you continue you take me out of context, I'll respectfully abstain from posting to this thread to avoid it becoming a waste of my time.

And just to dump you on your head - the "sh!tbox Festiva" you refer to is known as the WB model of which my ex-wife clocked up 193,000 trouble free kms in her five door before trading it on an '04 Barina. Oh, and the disparaging comments about the Euro barina were from her, as an owner.

I think you should go and have a cold shower before posting next time - the majority of people in this world dislike being addressed in a condescending manner but having been and worked with service advisors in a former miserable life, I take pity on you and overlook it. I can only assume your fellow advisors make up for your poor SSS scores with an attitude like yours.

JOHN
Damn you have taken this WAY more personally than it was ever intended.
The VN comments are general, but true.
The VN "SV99" was a "poke stick" comment. Can you see why?
1994 on Festiva's are universally known as one of the weakest, most poorly refined models of that era. EVERY one on the road these days have about a thousand kinks and ripples in their panels from dents, even just flex! Read ANY test of that period, or ANY more recent used car test. I had an association with a Ford dealer through my job over that Festiva period, and they were canned from all within their own organisation! Trust a car salesmans comments at your own peril. (Sounds like maybe they sold you a car out of it...)
Get over yourself and accept some simple counterpoints. Sounds like you got out of the trade from the stress.....:argue:
OVER IT :sleep:

[German Statesman]

Damn you have taken this WAY more personally than it was ever intended.
The VN comments are general, but true.
The VN "SV99" was a "poke stick" comment. Can you see why?
1994 on Festiva's are universally known as one of the weakest, most poorly refined models of that era. EVERY one on the road these days have about a thousand kinks and ripples in their panels from dents, even just flex! Read ANY test of that period, or ANY more recent used car test. I had an association with a Ford dealer through my job over that Festiva period, and they were canned from all within their own organisation! Trust a car salesmans comments at your own peril. (Sounds like maybe they sold you a car out of it...)
Get over yourself and accept some simple counterpoints. Sounds like you got out of the trade from the stress.....:argue:
OVER IT :sleep:

You've hit the nail on the head, son - 18yrs of small-minded attitudes and playing the sport of ripping off customers royally, does make you defensive and argumentative; hell, an a#sehole even!

My ex's Festiva illustrates that there are exceptions to the rule, but the generalisation YOU have made about this car is exactly the one I made about the Daewoo/Holdens - yet you bagged me for that.....

With that, I wave you goodbye, and I'll return to talking to adults.

[planetdavo]

You've hit the nail on the head, son - 18yrs of small-minded attitudes and playing the sport of ripping off customers royally, does make you defensive and argumentative; hell, an a#sehole even!

My ex's Festiva illustrates that there are exceptions to the rule, but the generalisation YOU have made about this car is exactly the one I made about the Daewoo/Holdens - yet you bagged me for that.....

With that, I wave you goodbye, and I'll return to talking to adults.
Except that Ford mechanics back then knew it was a crapbox from new, whereas CURRENT Holden service people know that these "Daewoo" Holdens are generally decent cars maybe lacking a touch of final polish.
BIG DIFFERENCE.
Now back to your "adult" classes Dad where they don't talk back to you.....:shock:
PS: 18 years in this industry as well for me. Just I'm obviously not bitter about it.

[JNP304]

You guys crack me up. Is that a bolwing hat on the parcel shelf of that 7 series German Statesman?
Sounds like you need some Crackerjack action to lighten up and de-stress. Dont touch the wheel of cheese though...big trouble from nanna.

[German Statesman]

You guys crack me up. Is that a bolwing hat on the parcel shelf of that 7 series German Statesman?
Sounds like you need some Crackerjack action to lighten up and de-stress. Dont touch the wheel of cheese though...big trouble from nanna.

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

I'll pay that - I emailed the link to my boss and he loved it.

The motor industry was good to me, but I've gone onto bigger & better things and couldn't be happier.

Cheers

JOHN

[JNP304]

:) dont worry we probably will all get burnt out in the end by what goes on in the auto trade. Been in it for just six years now but already amazed at some of the things that go on.

[German Statesman]

:) dont worry we probably will all get burnt out in the end by what goes on in the auto trade. Been in it for just six years now but already amazed at some of the things that go on.

Overpaid and under qualified little egomaniacs running departments full of underpaid and overworked staff - but don't start me...:D

Cheers

JOHN

[planetdavo]

...Overpaid and under qualified little egomaniacs running departments full of underpaid and overworked staff

Didn't YOU say earlier that YOU were a service MANAGER, which I now take as being one of the "overpaid and under qualified little egomaniacs running departments..." ?
:hmmm:
Sorry everyone, couldn't help that little...:whip: !

[German Statesman]

Sorry - never been a service manager, never want to be one....

Wires crossed again...:rolleyes:

JOHN

[planetdavo]

Sorry - never been a service manager, never want to be one....

Wires crossed again...:rolleyes:

JOHN
My apologies my wise old friend. I'll have to take more notice of the dribble being written...
That's right. You were "just" a service adviser that couldn't take the heat so got out of the kitchen.....
:sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :sleep:
Thought you said you weren't continuing this direction with "school kids"....
Back to the topic, I hope the thread creator has found the answers that he was after. The Viva is proving to be quite reliable.

[HSVMAN]

Vivas, personally I cant stand the things and I sell dozens of them to large corporates. Guess I should like them? Why do they sell? Most reliable car Holden has I'm afraid -that goes for any Daewoo bred car. Not that Holden is unreliable at all. Its just that the Service dept only see GMDAT cars for servicing and thats it. Fleet manager's dream. Viva le car!

[casabonka]

Im still not convinced they are as good as they should be.

I have a 08 viva wagon - company car, which has just hit 5000kms. Reliability wise it seems ok, but seems really bad on fuel. Driving sensible I struggle to get 500kms out of a tank - and to get to the 500kms I will be driving with the fuel light on.

Is this an issue of the engine still running in? My drive is mostly city/congested roads and freeway.

For Sydney people, M4 and Parramatta road in peak hours!

[redvxr8clubby]

500km out of a tank isn't bad in Sydney peak traffic, I've had Commodore wagons - VN VS VT and VY wagons for years in the same traffic, I was lucky to get 400 km - usually a bit under, and the VT - VZ wagons are a 75 litre tank (VN, VS wagons 68 litres) , the Viva wagon is a 60 litre tank. I would say if especially if your wagon is an auto, that the consumption is about right. My wagons were carrying a fair load.

[casabonka]

the car is manual, and never have any load (other than my arse).

My car is a 2001 Lancer, with 150,000kms on the clock, also a 4cyl, 1.5L - with a 45L tank and I easily get 450-490kms per tank, so Im still not sure why the Viva chews so much...

I understand what your saying about the commo's, but being a v6 would make it chew more wouldnt it?

[cdxi]

Got 2 auto Vivas in the extended family.

Both are coming up for 2 1/2 yrs old and 50K ish.

No reliability issues....2 very satisfied owners - both would happily buy another Viva.

[toddstar_au]

our house has a viva wagon, had it for 3 years about 34K on the clock, havent had any issues with it apart from the paint peeling off the door handles and fixed under warranty. Sure the auto gearbox isnt a world beater but for poking around town its suitable.

[brycieboy]

my work has 2 vivas... had them for about 2-3 years... one has 90,000k's and the other about 70,000. havnt had a problem with either of them mechanically wise. one of the guys peel;ed the back open on his in the first year on a ute tray, but fixed up good..

i do agree they the manuals hold there revs while changing gears, which is also a dislike of mine...

but ours have been threw a pretty hard time, including rallying around a paddock, carting building materials around, tools ect.. and they still go good... i still love my s alot more tho...

[VW Golf R32]

A Daewoo with a Holden badge is still a Daewoo.

[VYBerlinaV8]

Thanks for the comments. The guy didn't end up buying one - figured he'd keep his old beast he owned outright instead.

By the sound of things, our first thoughts were probably right.

[Carby]

I bet you the Viva and Korean Barina have less problems than Holdens Commodores..............

[701let]

There are alot better cars there youd buy for the money... come to think about it... unless your a one eyed holden lover that can only drive holdens i cant see why you would buy one...

[casabonka]

Well the work viva has now hit 23k, and its just gone back to holden for a quick check up. I could smell oil burning, but levels were fine. Apparently they have a tendency for the oil filter to come lose and leak oil from there.

After waiting there for 3 hours for them to fix, I asked if they at least changed the oil and they of course didnt, they just changed the filter and topped up the levels...

As Im now ONLY driving this car in the city I am now lucky to get 350kms on a tank... Has to be the least fuel economical car built... Most V8's would perform better...