Maybe they have one of those questionnaires that you have to answer before they can join?
I can imagine the questions….
(a) how many times has your ‘upgraded’ transmission failed?
(b) how many times has your engine failed after the oil pump failed?
(c) how many times has your ‘upgraded and improved’ transmission failed?
My ex used to have a 380, the top spec model with leather interior. Wasnt too bad to drive around with the family in, I never took it for a spirited drive to see what it handled like but I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t have been brilliant being front wheel drive.
One thing that did surprise me though was the shift quality of the automatic transmission, if you weren’t paying attention to the tacho you wouldn’t really know when it shifted gears because it was that smooth. The engine had plenty of torque too being a 3.8 litre.
Having said that the build quality was pretty bad. The clear coat started peeling off not too soon after the ex bought it and within about 12 months it was basically all gone on the topside (roof, bonnet, boot). The car was only 9 years old at that point with about 180,000kms. That’s one thing I will give Holden, they actually painted the cars properly so the paint didn’t peel off in the Australian sun. The rear bumper was so thin on the rear quarters that you could flex it just touching it with your fingertip.
The engine was ok but somewhat expensive and time consuming to maintain. It had oil leaks from the rocker cover gaskets within a couple of years of the ex buying it and the whole inlet plenum has to come off to replace them. Then the rear coil packs went, and the whole inlet plenum has to come off to replace them! Not to mention the dreaded timing belt replacement.
