Likes
- Affordable to buy, but no if you’re after an S or SS model.
- Solid drivetrain
- Good ones are holding their value very well
- Lazy V6 power
Used Holden VT Commodore review
1997 - 2000
Dislikes
- Many will have abused within an inch of their life
- Good ones are becoming rare, so aren’t cheap for what they are
- They’re getting old, so not the safest car on the road
Stuff you should know
The 1997-2000 Holden VT Commodore was a mid-size family sedan produced by Holden. It was the seventh generation of the popular Commodore series and was a significant step forward in terms of design, technology, and performance.
The VT Commodore featured a sleek and aerodynamic exterior design, with a more rounded shape compared to its predecessor. It offered a spacious and comfortable interior with improved quality materials and finishes. The cabin was well-equipped (for the time), featuring amenities such as power windows and air conditioning.
Under the hood, the VT Commodore offered a range of engine options. The base model was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering okay power and fuel efficiency. There were also higher-performance variants available, including the SS and HSV models, which featured a more powerful V8 engine, offering much better performance and a sportier driving experience.
In terms of safety, it featured standard dual front airbags and optional side airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) were also available, providing improved braking performance and control.
Overall, the 1997-2000 Holden VT Commodore was a significant model in the Commodore lineup, representing a notable advancement in terms of design, technology, and performance. It remains a beloved and iconic Australian car, embodying the qualities that made the Commodore series so successful.
Obviously, the VT Commodore launched over 25 years ago, so don’t buy expecting the safest or most feature-soaked car on the road. The major issue with the VT Commodore is that good ones are increasing in value as they’re entering into a phase of collectability, especially S, SS and HSV models. This review will focus on the standard Commodore VT models only, not the HSV models.
What goes wrong
Exterior:
Being close to 25 years old, the exterior of the VT Commodore should be checked for dodgy repairs and any evidence of poorly fitted mods. Many drove the VT Commodore with next to no mechanical sympathy, so trips into other cars, gutters, and bushes may have been frequent.
Go over the exterior of the Commodore with a fine-toothed comb and make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection done if you’re in the market for one.
Interior:
The ABS warning light would stay on due to a sensor lead contacting the sway bar link. This was remedied in 199 with the addition of a retaining clip.
Mechanically:
- The chassis rails are prone to rust. In fact with the age of some examples, rust can be a huge issue.
- There are reports of excessive tyre wear as well as knocking and grinding noises from the suspension.
- Worn bearings in the steering column can cause play in the steering.
- The V6 engine can have oil leaks thanks to dodgy seals.
- V6s can have a ringing noise at idle because the drive belt may be slapping against the aircon pulley.
- The V8s have been reported to use excessive oil as well as have some coolant leaks.
- On early versions of the V8s, they could leak power steering fluid. From 1999, this issue was rectified.
Exterior:
Being close to 25 years old, the exterior of the VT Commodore should be checked for dodgy repairs and any evidence of poorly fitted mods. Many drove the VT Commodore with next to no mechanical sympathy, so trips into other cars, gutters, and bushes may have been frequent.
Go over the exterior of the Commodore with a fine-toothed comb and make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection done if you’re in the market for one.
Interior:
The ABS warning light would stay on due to a sensor lead contacting the sway bar link. This was remedied in 199 with the addition of a retaining clip.
Mechanically:
- The chassis rails are prone to rust. In fact with the age of some examples, rust can be a huge issue.
- There are reports of excessive tyre wear as well as knocking and grinding noises from the suspension.
- Worn bearings in the steering column can cause play in the steering.
- The V6 engine can have oil leaks thanks to dodgy seals.
- V6s can have a ringing noise at idle because the drive belt may be slapping against the aircon pulley.
- The V8s have been reported to use excessive oil as well as have some coolant leaks.
- On early versions of the V8s, they could leak power steering fluid. From 1999, this issue was rectified.
Exterior:
Being close to 25 years old, the exterior of the VT Commodore should be checked for dodgy repairs and any evidence of poorly fitted mods. Many drove the VT Commodore with next to no mechanical sympathy, so trips into other cars, gutters, and bushes may have been frequent.
Go over the exterior of the Commodore with a fine-toothed comb and make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection done if you’re in the market for one.
Interior:
The ABS warning light would stay on due to a sensor lead contacting the sway bar link. This was remedied in 199 with the addition of a retaining clip.
Mechanically:
- The chassis rails are prone to rust. In fact with the age of some examples, rust can be a huge issue.
- There are reports of excessive tyre wear as well as knocking and grinding noises from the suspension.
- Worn bearings in the steering column can cause play in the steering.
- The V6 engine can have oil leaks thanks to dodgy seals.
- V6s can have a ringing noise at idle because the drive belt may be slapping against the aircon pulley.
- The V8s have been reported to use excessive oil as well as have some coolant leaks.
- On early versions of the V8s, they could leak power steering fluid. From 1999, this issue was rectified.
Should you buy it?
If you’re looking buying a Holden VT Commodore, it’s likely you fall into one of two camps. You’re either looking for one of the ‘normal’ models as a dependable family car, for not too much money, or you’re looking for a mint condition example of one of the more special VT Commodores like an SS or HSV model.
The issue is that any of the normal variants, even the decent ones are increasing in value, to the point where you’re better off buying a slightly newer Toyota Camry for similar of less money. The VT Commodores that are affordable, probably have a load of kilometres and are falling apart, so should be avoided.
If you’re the special ones, you’re probably looking at it from a collector’s point of view, so you’re probably not looking at it as a daily family car.
At least on paper, the VT Commodore is a no-nonsense, solid family car, with many owners still praising its longevity. If you do buy one, just know you’re buying a car pushing 25 years old, where many examples have been abused and driven to within an inch of their lives. It will have basically no modern safety aids and no mod-cons.
If you’re looking buying a Holden VT Commodore, it’s likely you fall into one of two camps. You’re either looking for one of the ‘normal’ models as a dependable family car, for not too much money, or you’re looking for a mint condition example of one of the more special VT Commodores like an SS or HSV model.
The issue is that any of the normal variants, even the decent ones are increasing in value, to the point where you’re better off buying a slightly newer Toyota Camry for similar of less money. The VT Commodores that are affordable, probably have a load of kilometres and are falling apart, so should be avoided.
If you’re the special ones, you’re probably looking at it from a collector’s point of view, so you’re probably not looking at it as a daily family car.
At least on paper, the VT Commodore is a no-nonsense, solid family car, with many owners still praising its longevity. If you do buy one, just know you’re buying a car pushing 25 years old, where many examples have been abused and driven to within an inch of their lives. It will have basically no modern safety aids and no mod-cons.
Should you buy it?
If you’re looking buying a Holden VT Commodore, it’s likely you fall into one of two camps. You’re either looking for one of the ‘normal’ models as a dependable family car, for not too much money, or you’re looking for a mint condition example of one of the more special VT Commodores like an SS or HSV model.
The issue is that any of the normal variants, even the decent ones are increasing in value, to the point where you’re better off buying a slightly newer Toyota Camry for similar of less money. The VT Commodores that are affordable, probably have a load of kilometres and are falling apart, so should be avoided.
If you’re the special ones, you’re probably looking at it from a collector’s point of view, so you’re probably not looking at it as a daily family car.
At least on paper, the VT Commodore is a no-nonsense, solid family car, with many owners still praising its longevity. If you do buy one, just know you’re buying a car pushing 25 years old, where many examples have been abused and driven to within an inch of their lives. It will have basically no modern safety aids and no mod-cons.
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Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of June 27, 2023.
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