Preloved Wheels Holden Commodore Vr, Vs 1993-97
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday October 17, 2001
HOLDEN is making hay while the sun shines right now.
Its Commodore is the best-selling car in Australia, has been for ages, and the company is selling into almost every available market sector.
Holden's plans to rise to the top actually started almost a decade ago with the introduction of the VR Commodore.
The VR started the ball rolling but in the four years of its model life actually went through four model changes, VR, VRII, VS and VSII.
BODY STYLES AND MODEL LEVELS: Not unexpectedly there were two bodystyles (four-door sedan and station wagon) but plenty of model levels, starting with Executive and heading on through Acclaim, the quasi-sporty `S', Berlina and the quite sporty SS.
The Calais is not included in this list because it was more a separate entity, a stepping stone from Berlina to Statesman. Nor is the utility included because it was also considered a separate model. No utility was actually badged as a Commodore.
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION OPTIONS: Not unexpectedly Holden sold the cars with two engine choices, a 3.8 litre, overhead valve V6 and a 5.0 litre overhead valve V8. In VR and VRII the six-cylinder developed 130kW and 295Nm of torque and the V8 made 165kW and 385Nm.
VS and VSII engines were a bit more powerful. The six made 147kW and 304Nm and the eight was good for 168kW and 385Nm. Transmissions were limited to a four-speed automatic and five-speed manual.
EXTERIOR: This was the typical Aussie big car and Holden did it well with a `twin nostril' radiator grille treatment, long nose, generous glass area courtesy of the `six window' styling, slim C-pillar and a longish rear quarter.
INTERIOR: All the Commodores offered a good, roomy interior with cloth-covered seats (buckets up front) and plenty of standard appointments. Remote central locking, power mirrors, a rev-counter, adjustable steering column and four-speaker audio were standard on the base model Executive.
Acclaim added cruise control, anti-lock brakes, independent rear suspension on the sedan, driver's airbag and a six-speaker audio, while the `S' went for a sporty bodykit, alloy wheels, recalibrated suspension, sports seats and a sports steering wheel.
The `SS' also went the bodykit route and added front fog lights, independent rear suspension, alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes and sports suspension.
Berlina? Almost everything. Alloy wheels, automatic air-con, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, a security system, velour trim and a trip computer.
CHASSIS: This was Formula Aussie Big Car with the engine mounted longitudinally up front to drive the rear wheels, independent front suspension, a live rear axle on the base cars but independent rear wishbones on upmarket cars (optional on the others but not on wagon) and four-wheel disc brakes.
DIMENSIONS: Sedans were 4861mm long, 1449mm high, 1794mm long and ran with a 2731mm wheelbase. The station wagons were bigger, measuring 4903mm long, 1478mm high, 1794mm wide and sat on a 2822mm wheelbase.
RUNNING CHANGES: In December 1993 the independent rear suspension was made available on Executive. VRII came out in September 1994 with a speed alert warning device and upgraded trim. VS replaced VR in March 1995 and in April of that year the more powerful engines went in along with a six-speaker audio on Executive. Acclaim got dual front airbags at the same time. In January 1996 the `SS' and Executive V8 got a driver's airbag. The VS line was discontinues in September 1997.
VERDICT: Good to drive, roomy, the V6 was not too thirsty and the V8 had plenty of power.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Reasonable servicing and spare parts prices. The V6 and V8 engines had some minor oil retention problems. IRS-equipped cars were prone to chew up rear tyres.
WHAT TO PAY:
Executive: 1993, $11,500; 1994, $12,000; VRII: 1994, $13,000; 1995, $13,800; VS: 1995, $14,000; 1996, $14,800; VSII: 1996, $15,500; 1997, $16,000
Acclaim: 1993, $13,800; 1994,$14,400; VRII: 1994, $15,600 1995, $16,400; VS: 1995, $17,000; 1996, $17,700; VSII: 1996, $18,700; 1997, $19,800
S: 1994, $14,500; VRII: 1994, $16,000; 1995, $16,500; VS: 1995, $18,000; 1996, $19,000; VSII: 1996, $20,500; 1997, $21,500
Berlina: 1993, $13,700; 1994, $14,400; VRII: 1994, $15,700; 1995, $16,400; VS: 1995, $17,500; 1996, $19,000; VSII: 1996, $20,500; 1997, $22,000
SS: 1993, $19,000; 1994, $20,000; VRII: 1994, $21,300; 1995, $22,000; VS: 1995, $23,800; 1996, $24,500; VSII: 1996, $25,000; 1997, $27,500
(All prices shown are for V6 engines. For V8-engined cars add about $700)
(Recommended retail prices courtesy of industry analyst Glass's Guide, vehicle specifications courtesy of Identicar)
© 2001 Newcastle Herald
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