Reliability

I bought the car off a HSV collector in Collie in 2020 during COVID. I was working in Canberra, my wife got ill in Perth and I came home to look after her, therefore having to leave my VFII SSV Redline in Canberra. So, why not buy a nice Iron Lion?

The car was originally owned by a Holden factory worker, so despite being a humble Executive, he optioned it with a 5.0-litre V8, 5-speed manual, ABS, dual front airbags, A/C, LSD, a long-range fuel tank, and kept the live rear axle.

It was in very good condition, but every ‘consumable’ component, from tyres, clutch, suspension, hoses, belts, gaskets, seals, radiator, a/c compressor and power steering rack needed to be replaced or overhauled. I did this over a few years, as once I got my VF back home in 2021, I put the VS on club rego (via the Holden Car Club of WA) and got everything done.

Last year I had it detailed inside and out and ceramic coated the original paint with a view to preserving it. I recently had the brake system fully overhauled, new rotors, hoses, calipers overhauled with new pistons and seals, and it brakes very nicely now. Over the time I have owned the car, it has never let me down. I bought it with 199,000km on the clock.

How it drives

Back in 1994 I bought my first new car, a VR SS manual, and owned it for 10 years. The VS drives exactly the same as it did, the only major mechanical difference being the VR had IRS (which required a camber and castor kit to stop it eating the rear tyres).

The engine is stock standard and runs beautifully. The previous owners obviously cared for it, as the oil stays clear and clean in between services. The gearbox is a typical T5 and engages nicely. The car is still on its 15x7jj factory steel wheels with 215/60/15 rubber, and handles as you would expect a base model car to handle.

One thing really noticeable is the visibility the driver has. The windows are large and low, so no parking sensors etc. are required – you can see everything easily. Unlike most modern cars.

Ownership experience

The car is now 31 years old, so you would expect it to be challenging to maintain. It is not. Basic servicing can be done at home, but as I am a retired veteran with multiple spinal injuries plus arthritis, I am happy to pay a mechanic to do it.

The former Holden dealership in town still has Holden technicians on its staff, and they actually look forward to seeing it. Sometimes I’ve had to chase parts myself, but it hasn’t been difficult.

Features and practicality

The car is reasonably well equipped even by today’s terms. Central locking, power mirrors, ‘handraulic’ windows (lol), ABS, dual airbags, air conditioning, and the original stereo replaced with a Kenwood head unit that allows Bluetooth connection for the phone, etc.

The original owner replaced the Executive interior with an SS interior once the car was delivered – those seats are more comfortable and supportive than the Executive seats. The car remains very practical; my two little daughters love going in the ‘big red car’, and it loves a nice country drive.

Anything else?

When I bought it, it was a stopgap measure for me to have a car in WA until I got my actual car back that was stuck in Canberra. I intended to use it as a work car (I am retired now) and sell it once the VF came home.

But I became emotionally attached to it (as you do), as it reminds me of the good ol’ days in the 90s when I was in my 20s and the VS was dominating V8 Supercars. Despite being offered some good money for it (how rare are genuine VS V8 manual Executives non-BT1 cars these days?), I have no intention of letting it go, well, not for a while anyway.

MORE: Check out our other owner reviews here