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I joined this forum over 20 years ago and purchased my new 2003 VY Commodore Wagon with Factory FE2 and still have it. My car has just clicked over 20 years old. It is still going strong and a very enjoyable car to drive. The only thing I have upgraded is the stereo and speakers.
Who else has their Holden? If you don't have it what did you replace it with?
I still have my white VT II SS but hardly ever drive it, it still looks very original & in excellent condition. (With a number of great modifications.)
I have 4 other cars which are an Audi TT, Pajero diesel, V8 Fairlane & an old Corvette C3 Stingray.
I still have my VTII GTS. Bought it new 22 years ago (23 years this year). I bet there aren't too many one owner examples left.
Our other cars are: V6 Amarok, Toyota FJ Cruiser and Skota Octavia.
smee.... had more than 30 of them and still have the last and best!Quote:
Originally Posted by Swordie
My missus had a few Holdens but after the Astra converible started getting a few things wrong
(windows would not shut, electrics for roof played up etc) we thought after 9 years it had to go
so ... she wanted a BMW she saw, liked it so we bought it... 1 series M coupe back in 2015.
and of course I have another one... a VK Grp A based race car (ike think we they ran around Bathurst in 1986)
the current HSV Tourer does duty as tow vehicle for this
Attachment 10178
Nice cars Smitty,Quote:
Originally Posted by Smitty
I am sure the tourer would be very capable but how close would that load be to it's legal towing limit?
(I thought they only had around 1600kg limit???) :confused:
I've still got my '07 VZ Thunder which has about 230k on the clock.
And my '86 VL Calais "project" which I'm still finishing off which has an LS3 and TH400
Still using my SV8 that I bought new on 23rd Jan 2003:as my daily.
Just had a new clutch and sump/heads/rear seals done and is now as tight as a drum.
Closing in on 170K kms.
Missus car is a 2010 MX5 which is a hoot but needs another 100 horses.
2003 VY Calais, bought in 2013.
268k on her & a few things starting to go wrong.
Don't know how much longer I can keep her going, sadly.
All Holdens here still.
Still have the VXSS, a one owner car since 2001. Just over 100,000kms.
In a bit under 3 years it will be going onto Club Rego. :cool:
There's also a VF and a VZ (for every day driving) as well as a VP, also to go on Club Rego soon. All 3 are V6's though. :hide:
Why change brands? :D
depends... Holden rated the Tourers two ways - Autos get 2200kg limit and manuals 1600kg (so says the owners manual)Quote:
Originally Posted by whitels1ss
I quizzed a Holden Field service engineer I know (knew) about that and he said the reason is, and I still don't believe this -
The VF chassis is rated at over 2500kg but the auto is set at 2200kg to protect its oil pump and the manual at 1600kg...
so we don't get field clutch warranty issues!
Back to mine, its a manual... the trailer is 440kg (so says the ID plate) and the car is ABOUT 1150kg... depends if the tank is full
and what wheel/tye combo it has. According to the scales in the scrutineering bay at PI (which I reckon would be pretty accurate)
the lightest it has been is 1140 something from memory (1142?) . The Holden manual says a SL sedan kerb weight is 1219kg
and mine is stripped out... no carpet, factory seats gone (replaced with 8kg race seat) no radio, heater air con and NO spare wheel
and an alloy radiator (not copper and brass) unwanted wiring removed and a very short race exhaust etc but it does have a 40 kg roll cage
(see pic, I based it on the FIA homologated one HDT and Roadways racing used). So yeah, lets say 1160kg :driving:
When going to the track, all the extra stuff (helmet, race suit, extinguishers, tools etc) go in the wagon so I reckon I am ok
Also, the ball weight limit is 120kg and mine is 110 so again ok
Attachment 10181
I still have my 2004 Monaro (V2 series 3) - which is the only brand new car I've ever purchased (I usually buy cars 1 or 2 years old). It's just about to hit 115,000 k's & runs like a dream.
I still have my 2004 V2 Series 3 Monaro CV8-R too. Purchased new as the last Manual CV8-R left in the country after the VZ came out as I had been waiting for that model but then wasn't a fan of the cosmetic changes. So, bought the last of the V2, which was the September 2004 build Series 3 CV8-R. Still love the car, it's been a great vehicle in general. Other than needing a new radiator, only issues have been related to parts of the car I've modified.
Yep, I still own my 2004 S3 Monaro, 40k kms.
Fair enough Smitty, have not seen a car trailer that light, most light weight trailer I have seen have been up around the 700kg markQuote:
Originally Posted by Smitty
& the heavy duty one that a mate of mine owns which I use a bit
will carry a 2500kg car weighs around 950kg with its spare wheel, ramps, jockey wheel, manual winch & breakaway brakes.
(It is quite a light trailer for such a large capacity load.)
I have no idea how your trailer could have been so light.
As I said, I am sure your tourer would be up for the task easy though. :yup:
In 2019 I bought a fairly cheap 02 vyss in good condition as a project car. It's been an expensive few years but I'm enjoying it.
Have the E1 LS3 Senator I bought from SenatorMike (ex mod on here and still good mate). Just ticked over 72k, so I've added 60k and only thing that's failed is alternator, 2 batteries and years ago it had new brake pads all round.
Still in touch with the guy who bought my SSV sedan and also my SSV ute, though haven't heard from him for a while. While I had all 3 and did around 200k total they've been very reliable and cost me SFA except in mods. :burnout:
Still have my Series 3 CV8.
Was daily driven but retired a few years ago. Every other sunday type car now.
The young bloke loves it.
Near on 20 years and just shy of 300k now on my VY SS Wags .......... yeah she makes a few noises and have the odd gremlin, but good lord I LOVE driving it!! Looks great still, goes like a rocket, sounds SH1T HOT, handles pretty sweet and stops when you need it to. Still my daily and I'll probably get buried in it ...........
I was dead keen on a VF SSV Wagon when they came out but Minister told me "no way, wait until they are 2nd hand and get one then.... " ........... Pffffffffft the bloody things with 100k on them are more expensive than when they were new (God damn it) ...... Oh well, not the first boat I have missed in my life ....
Still got my VE Ute, recently clicked over 57k
14 years old in a few weeks
Yes. She will be 10 years old this year. Have the W310 pack and an aftermarket android auto kit.
Attachment 10192
We've owned a S111, & after that a VZ GTO, both very good cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by Souljah
But you've had yours for a long time, so just wondering, any servicing/spare parts issues etc, as I was thinking about maybe finding a nice CV8Z?
Pickles.
VE Calais 2010 with a few mods and VU SS 2002 which I have spent a tidy sum on getting it back to as nice a condition as possible. The Calais gets driven about once a month but has done Adelaide to Melbourne recently and will be doing Adelaide to Canberra and Nowra return shortly. The ute gets driven regularly including carting our bikes to Victor and dump runs etc. They are pretty reliable cars in my experience, but parts are getting scarce for some things as we all know.
heads up ... the roads from Canberra to Nowra are shite, absolute rubbishQuote:
Originally Posted by BLACK 346
potholes 80cm-100cm across x 30cm deep or more
my grandaughter (studying in Nowra) drove to Canberra (after Christmas on her way home here) to catch up with my nephew and partner there
and on arriving, asked me to check out the suspension and underneath of her car... it has major gouges in the subframes and cross members of her KIA
and a flattened engine exhaust (I replaced it) from going thru these. She said they are unavoidable as whole sections .. both sides have been torn
up by heavy transports.
Canberra to Braidwood is bad but not too bad... Braidwood to Nowra Hill/South Nowra is a shocker
def don't drive at night
2013 Gen-F GTS only 66,000km. Never put a foot wrong. The car that is, not me...:driving:
Geez, that is a shame, thanks for the heads up. Those roads were pretty good back in the day. We lived in Nowra for over 10 years early 90's to early 2000, was posted to NAS Nowra 5 times between sea posting's whilst in the Navy. Wife worked in Vincentia for years, we regularly traveled to Batemans Bay and other towns.Quote:
Originally Posted by Smitty
Stupidly went through half a dozen of them at the end and kept 3 of them. Magnum Ute, GEN F2 Senator 30th Anniversary and a VFII SSV (close to a Redline but not quite)
Old VTII SS Battlecruiser is owned by Execjims nephew.
Bought a new toy before Christmas, VW T-ROC R. What a silly machine that is!
Nowra to batesmans Bay is pretty ok (some of it has been upgraded to dual lane divided road) as it should be for a major roadQuote:
Originally Posted by BLACK 346
The Nowra to Husskison stretch was new when we went to Nowra (to visit the grandie) early last year
Still got the E1 Senator and that's not going anywhere anytime soon. 246k on the clock now and enjoying a well-earned rest. It retired from daily duties when I discovered bikes about four years ago but, as committed as I am to scooter lyf, sometimes you need a car and the Senny doesn't go to the supermarket any more.
First purchase was a VYII V6 Tonner which was loved and pampered until it met with Skippy one night last year (everyone was ok, except Skippy. He sleeps with Timmy down the well). Has since been replaced with a VZ V6 Tonner that does everything I need it to do (yes Alloytech but the previous owner did the chains in 2021).
The rest of the driveway is taken up with my brother's VE Calais V and son's WM2 Caprice. He certainly caught the bug from me. Only 18 and this is his third GM after a VT Exec and WL Stato.
Mick
I have a 2017 VFSSV Redline. It's been off the road for almost 3 years getting some mods done. I have a separate thread on that.
I had a 2005 VE SS bought it new. Some mods including 407 stroker. Made 550 rwhp NA. Sold it to a great guy in Melbourne.
Still have mine. Added to them over the years. When I first joined here in 2004. I had a VL Commodore SL 5 speed manual, and a VL Executive auto. Both non turbo RB30 6 cylinders. And a 1999 V6 4x2 Holden Rodeo single cab trayback.
Since then I still have the VL's. The SL 5 speed I've had for 21 years (was my first car) has now morphed into a manual Calais Turbo replica with all factory standard parts. But I hardly drive it. Still have the Executive. But its been a dust collecting shed ornament since 2011. I got a VK Berlina in 2005 restored it and put it on the road in 2006. But I haven't driven it that much in that time. Got my first LS1 in 2010, my VY 2 SS ute, Still have that. I love it and could never part with it. Still going well but having A/C issues at the moment. Only real trouble with the car since I've had it, and its only just happened recently. Its still mainly stock, with only an exhaust high flow cats HSV Y2 extractors, HSV intake, short shifter and centre binnacle gauges. 129,000 km on it
Had a VL Berlina from 2004 till 2020 when I sold that.
VX Supercharged V6 S pack in 2014, still have.
Sold the Rodeo in 2016, and got my only non Holden. A 2014 3 litre TD Hilux single cab 4x4.
Got my 30/6/2017 built VF SSV Redline Ute in August 2017. Bought brand new. Apparently was the very last SS Ute sold from Ross Gray Holden in Bundaberg
VP Commodore ute 5 speed V6 which is my daily driver in 2019
So thats my History of Holdens since Ive been a member here
This post above made me think. I've owned heaps of different cars but when I looked back, quite a few Holden's. Including company cars, I've had 12. I really have a soft spot for the old VL Calais Turbo though. My first two cars were genuine Calais Turbo. I was very close to buying a VL Walkinshaw when I purchased my VP HSV Senator 5000i instead. 136/136.
I dropped a bundle sorting the HSV and then sold it to someone from here for peanuts. It would have been more sensible buying the Walkinshaw without doubt. :lol: Odd sentiment for the winged wonder vs a sensible Senator, I know. But it was one of the few HSVs still rising back in those days. Let alone now, of course. Pity my Girlfriend at the time told me she would dump me if I purchased such a hideous looking car. :lol:
Still, I was very sad to hear my Senator was apparently written off in Perth. I did love that car but I ended up unable to insure it as such a young fella, and had no where to store it. I would have held it otherwise. Not a car you can replace.
I don't own a Holden at the moment.
Holdens I've owned. '58 FC Special, EH 179 Auto, HR Premier 186m, A9X sedan, VK Group A, VL Group A P.P., VN Group A, '04 CV8 Monaro, HSV VZ GTO, and we've recently sold our VF GTSR.
They've all had their good & bad points.
I'm really missing having "something" in the garage, spare parts for some are a bit of a worry, so maybe I'll buy another Holden, maybe I won't, I don't know at the moment, the stratospheric prices for some is a little "off putting" as well. Several of the cars I've owned, I simply couldn't afford now.
Karen's had a series of Audis (what's that got to do with this thread you may say!), and recently took delivery of a new RSQ3, which is a small SUV/S.W. sort of vehicle, but it's a rocket with a 2.5L 5 cyl turbo 400hp engine with Quattro (A.W.D.) & it's a great little machine, it would easily outperform most of the cars I've owned, so riding in this has eased the pain (of not having a Holden V8 in the garage) somewhat, but OF COURSE, it does not have the "magic" driving experience of a Holden V8.
Anyway, I just have to say, I really miss the "Holden Brand".
Pickles.
Very impressive list there Martin. :thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Pickles
Sorry to hear you sold the GTSR. :bawl:
What are you going to get to fill in it's space in the garage? :cheers:
Some pretty desirable Lions have passed through your shed Pickles. There is a small article on the VN Grouip A in the latest Unique Cars mag. One in showroom condition went forQuote:
Originally Posted by Pickles
a record $266,000 and one that was described as in unremarkable condition went for what they said is a disappointing but realistic $126,000. As you say, a lot of money when you see what you can get new for half of that money or less. Only reason I got a second Holden (my VU SS Ute) was that I was able to find one in pretty good nick a couple of years back for what I considered was reasonable money. Even saying that though , I had to pour quite a bit into it to get it where I was happy.
I understand where Pickles is at. I have to be honest, despite my history of Holden's, if I had not owned mine since new, I doubt I would have one. Parts availability being my biggest concern (let's be clear, that doesn't just affect Holden's either), plus I would have to consider what else the same dollars could buy me.
Classic, performance Holden's and HSV cars are a lot of money for what they are. Supply and demand though. Group A cars in particular. I couldn't justify the prices these cars pull when I could own some exotic cars for the same dollars. I feel you either need to be an investor, collector or for these particular cars to be your ultimate dream to pay these sorts of dollars. Then, they usually get hidden away and not used at all. I would rather own a Porsche and get to drive it how I want.
It would have been nice to have owned a VL Walkinshaw or VN Group A Holden, (R32 GTR as well actually), but the reality is that I would not have purchased my Monaro if I had if purchased any of these back in the day.
I only had space for 2 cars and insurance was bad enough on the Monaro (not $21k per year in 2002 that was the best offer on my VP Senator though). To me, my warmed over Monaro is my ultimate Holden. I would not trade it for any other HSV or Holden. I love it! So, no regrets!
Yes, I see that I have some "common ground" with you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Red CV8 R
I'm glad that you mentioned spare parts, that is a concern that I have should I ever buy another Holden product.
Which model Monaro do you have, & how do you find spare parts, servicing etc?
Regards, Pickles.
nice list Martin....Quote:
Originally Posted by Pickles
I won't do all mine .. coz I had a habit of buying my GMH company cars (kept for a while, handed to the missus and sold off mainly within the family)
some are notable in that they are are... HZ Prem wagon, full electrics with 308 4speed, one of the first VB SL/e 308 4 speed '308' sports packs built
VC L wagon, special build (coz 308s did not go in wagons) 308 4 speed.. country suspension, HD axle, drove it the gates at Salmon St and 10 days later
it was in Katherine (NT) via Quilpie and Birdsville. pity the GMH car rules got me... you buy them or hand them back at 6 months or 10,000
(Had 17 Holdens in my time there)
the L wagon? I drove in the gates the first day back from holidays with 12,000km on it ( I came home via Mt ISa and Townsville)
Other notables I had.... HD Special sedan, manual X2 version.. white over green, manual big tank HT GTS350 Monaro (loved that car but fuel costs killed me)
so it went as a trade-on on a LJ XU1.
Then more recent... VR 5.0 manual Berlina 'HSV Improved', VT SS sedan with the last of the Holden 5.0 engines .. traded for a VX SS for the new 'LS' engine
(TOTAL disaster that car... engine rebuilds, new diffs (2) and gearboxes (2) plus... electrics, power windows kept dying) then VZ SS wagon (nice...)
a couple of VE SSV wagons (painful having to wait for manual versions to be built) then a E3 manual Clubbie wagon
and of course my current ride... a manual (dealer and HSV said it was the last built) GenF Clubbie R8 wagon (I ordered it with the SV engine too)
spares....? I have been quietly talking to dealers, on Fleabay and Gumtree, FB market places picking up the odd spare part.. not the usual
rad hose or PCV valve but body parts (B pillar covers) and trim.. console and seat parts and the like
Ownership will be harder in the future, that is certain
I own an 04 Monaro CV8-R.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pickles
Unlike most, my goal has been to make it a factory style performance car, a GTS + if that makes sense. It has the usual bolt on plus a baby cam and heads. I've made a lot of "reliability" mods with the engine changes. In tandem with the 04 LS being the best of the breed (basically an LS6 without the 243 heads), I hope it will be reliable for the life of the car. Especially as I don't do big KMs. The car ran mid 12s in 100% street trim, so it's not slow compared to the new stuff.
I've spent decent coin on suspension, brakes and tyres, plus stuff like 3.9 diff gears, True-Trac, short shifter etc. This all keeps the car feeling modern but it looks like a standard CV8-R. I would not have been happy with the standard Monaro performance wise, this car now feels amazing on the street.
Maintenance / modifications was hit and miss for me. I had two shops I happily used for over a decade, one for maintenance and one for performance work. I didn't ever take this car to a Holden dealer. The car has been extremely reliable. The performance shop got too popular, uncontactable due to work load. The general mechanic shut down. I then had a lot of "interesting" experiences through various shops. I've now got a good mechanic for maintenance and had all the engine stuff redone by a former forum sponsor who got my combo humming again with my chosen cam. It's where I will go from now on.
The downside is without doubt parts. I'm lucky as far as I have not needed much at all so far. However, replacement of Monaro specific parts is difficult. CV8-R parts, nearly impossible as there was only 300 odd 04 cars made. Probably worse than most HSVs. I'm hoping I don't need any of these parts any time soon. However, I have been trying to get those simple door strikers mentioned in the other thread. A few years ago, easy and cheap to get. Now, impossible to buy new. That's the parts future we face. Not alone there, common for performance heroes of the 2000s now, think WRX, EVO etc. We can only hope the aftermarket will step up.
I think if I were looking for a new toy now, unless I was buying something with ultra low KMs, new condition and a known history, I would skip the probable pain with a used Holden/ HSV and buy something else. I particularly like Porsche not only the performance and style, but for the robustness of their cars, and the way they keep up the supply of parts for most older cars. You pay though, and Covid made that worse.
Some VERY special cars there my friend, Obviously you had some very special times with Holden,.....maybe you could start a thread, "My times with Holden"?....I'm absolutely positive it would be very well received & create a lot of interest on this forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by Smitty
My favorite of "Your" cars,....DEFINITELY the 308 HZ Premier Wagon,....haven't seen an original 5L one of those for many years,...must be the scarcest of the scarce.
Regards, Martin.
Yes, we definitely have "common ground".Quote:
Originally Posted by Red CV8 R
I'm hopeless mechanically, so would definitely require someone to look after it for me. Most of the cars I've bought have been new & serviced by the dealer, which of course isn't the same these days.
And yes, "spare parts",...definitely an issue, & a worry too. Surely with such low ks your door strikers would be ok, and wouldn't they be the same for all VZ variants?....but for sure, Yes, I share the same concerns,....I've been considering a CV8Z & those two issues, service & spare parts are the main issues for me.
The other aspect of my driving, is as I've said, & that as I am of "advancing years", & as Karen's RSQ3 is such a great all round vehicle, and it does go pretty well, (Karen rarely if ever gets beaten at the lights if she's trying), I might just be happy with that, because I know, that being as particular as I am, I would be REALLY stressed if I couldn't get any part necessary to keep the CV8Z in "as new" condition!
Regards, Pickles.