HOLDEN VL COMMODORE
1986-1988
BODY & CHASSIS
Crash damage is the major risk when buying these cars. Check the front rails from above and below for kinks, twisting or non-original repainting. Inconsistent door gaps can indicate a car that’s been twisted and may handle poorly. Rust attacks in several areas including mudguards, lower doors, boot floors and window surrounds. Replacement floors, guards and outer sills are inexpensive but the cost of rectifying and repainting a rusty car will outweigh the cost of a good one. Headlight covers cost $40 and complete units around $90. Metallic finishes from this era are prone to fading, so look for areas of mismatched paint to detect repairs.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Overheating can generate a variety of costly problems, so avoid cars that hiss or moan from under the bonnet once the engine is warm. Cylinder heads are prone to cracks and warping so look at the coolant and oil for signs of contamination. These were the most computerised of all the First-Gen. Commodores and the various sensors and actuators will by now be feeling their age, Lack of performance or stuttering under acceleration can be symptoms of expensive system failures. Automatic transmission should engage gears when stationary in less than two seconds and accelerate without surging or vibration. Clutch shudder due to high-rpm take-offs and synchromesh failure are common issues in manual cars but repairs are also easy and relatively cheap.
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
Finding a car with its original components and suspension settings is difficult and changes to spring rates, ride height and wheel diameters will have varying effects on driveability. Extreme lowering allied to ultra lowprofile tyres will deliver shock loadings that can affect suspension components. Look for uneven tyre wear and rubbed inner-mudguard areas. Float over bumps indicates the gas shock absorbers are past their prime. Disc/disc brakes will be found on the vast majority of Turbos and when new were rated as an excellent system. Mushy pedals, pulsing from the pedal and instability are likely symptoms of worn rotors or pads. Quality replacement rotors are relatively cheap, as is conversion to all-discs.
INTERIOR & ELECTRICS
Cars with sundamaged plastics are best avoided as tracking down viable replacements is a challenge. Commodore seats weren’t enticing when new and once the foam has fallen to bits and the straps break the only solution is a costly trip to the trimmer or finding some better-quality replacements. The hood-lining will sag with age but new trim is available, along with carpet sets for $250300 each. Ensure that the electric windows (which can bind and shudder), cruise control and air-conditioning all work immediately and effectively. New switch pads for the fast-glass are available but the door internals which fall to bits are not.