Holden Dumps 2.0L Six, But Introduces Diesel & Six-Speed Auto With Epica Upgrade

[TKR]

Originally Posted by Ssom

ZC's aren't that bad, hardly Honda-quality, but improved on the JS at least. Fords quality improvements (Reliability of the Focus and post '00 Mondeo has been more or less Japanese levels) that began with the Focus in 1999 have forced Opel/Vauxhall to lift their game, in the same way GM in the States had to.

The quality yardstick for the Insignia would be the AH Astra rather than the ZC Vectra. I recall you saying somewhere that you dealt with warranty claims for Holden, but I don't know of any serious ZC issues outside of dirty oil clogging the lubrication jet in 2.2's (And snapping cam-chain) and the infamous parking brake debacle on the manuals, perhaps you could enlighten me as to the rest.

Hmmm....how do I put this? Our techs usually do a quick paper / rock / scissors when one gets towed in (esp an import).
Do some checking on Auto gearbox issues and also troublesome modules / software updates. If I were offered a ZC for $15k and a Epica for $15k I would go for the Epica.
Don't get me wrong, the Vectra CDXi V6 Manual was a vey cool, fast car but to own one out of warranty could get quite expensive quickly
I find it hard to believe that the TS / AH Astra, which were /are very reliable, and the ZC Vectra could come from the same manufacturer.

[Ssom]

Originally Posted by TKR

Hmmm....how do I put this? Our techs usually do a quick paper / rock / scissors when one gets towed in (esp an import).
Do some checking on Auto gearbox issues and also troublesome modules / software updates. If I were offered a ZC for $15k and a Epica for $15k I would go for the Epica.
Don't get me wrong, the Vectra CDXi V6 Manual was a vey cool, fast car but to own one out of warranty could get quite expensive quickly
I find it hard to believe that the TS / AH Astra, which were /are very reliable, and the ZC Vectra could come from the same manufacturer.

Can't honestly say I've ever seen an Import ZC, plenty of JS Opel Vectras though, it goes without saying that I wouldn't touch a Euro that couldn't have the service history traced back to 0 Km. I've heard plenty about how all but the last of the JS ('96-'03) Vectras were terrible, I found it even more amusing when the Police bought a massive fleet of them in 2002.

Seriously considering a manual '03+ CDXI manual at the moment though, they're far cheaper than the Mondeo ST220 (Which is a better car if you can afford it, I suppose). All I can say is that I hope for GM that the Insignia can lift the quality game to Ford levels, because an Epica/Insignia strategy could stop the flow of Commodore drivers to Toyota.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by Ssom

Can't honestly say I've ever seen an Import ZC, plenty of JS Opel Vectras though, it goes without saying that I wouldn't touch a Euro that couldn't have the service history traced back to 0 Km. I've heard plenty about how all but the last of the JS ('96-'03) Vectras were terrible, I found it even more amusing when the Police bought a massive fleet of them in 2002.

Seriously considering a manual '03+ CDXI manual at the moment though, they're far cheaper than the Mondeo ST220 (Which is a better car if you can afford it, I suppose). All I can say is that I hope for GM that the Insignia can lift the quality game to Ford levels, because an Epica/Insignia strategy could stop the flow of Commodore drivers to Toyota.

Gee, I'd seriously like a 05 2.2 Hatch ZC with about 50k on it if i was looking for a car. They're running at around $18k in Sydney i think, that seems like value to me.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by TKR

Yeah, I don't think anyone will mourn the passing of the 'Viva'. It really is the low point in the current GM-DAT lineup.
While using Cruze could be slightly confusing, at least the previous Holden Cruze was a pretty good, if slightly expensive, motor car.

It will be interesting. Would i be totally off the track if i suggest one reason they may keep Viva would be to allow the possibility of a Chev branded Cruze in Australasia? Too many conspiracy theories running through my head? or just leaving options open?

[CaymanS]

GM's Australia division, Holden, unveiled the facelifted Epica mid-size sedan today. A rebadged version of the GM Daewoo Tosca, the revised Epica features minor exterior changes and introduces a new diesel model for the first time...

Revised exterior, new 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel

More information and images at link.

http://thecarblogger.blogspot.com/20...acelifted.html

[mikmak]

We know CaymanS. Why do you bother sticking your blog on the end of the story, when you got your story from the story?

[Baz]

Because Canadians know more about Holden products than Aussies do :p

[Black AH CDX]

Just got back from the drive day/launch for the Sportwagon, Epica Diesel and Colorado.

Must say the Epica diesel aint so bad.

But the V8 sportwagon.............WHERE DO I SIGN?!

[TKR]

Originally Posted by Ssom

Seriously considering a manual '03+ CDXI manual at the moment though, they're far cheaper than the Mondeo ST220 (Which is a better car if you can afford it, I suppose).

Hi Ssom. If you, or anyone else, is looking at buying a Vectra (and there are some very good qualities about them) PM me and I can let you know what to look for. I know I have been harsh on the Vectra but I let my parents buy one but did make sure that the car had all the reworks available and that the module programming was up to date. They had it for 18 months with no problems and then bought a brand new VVTi Astra 5 door for my mum .

BTW - I don't know why the yanks get so up tight about the 1.8 Astra. It goes plenty well enough for a run-about. The 2.0l T goes much better though .

[TKR]

Originally Posted by Black AH CDX

Just got back from the drive day/launch for the Sportwagon, Epica Diesel and Colorado.

Must say the Epica diesel aint so bad.

But the V8 sportwagon.............WHERE DO I SIGN?!

We still have to wait for the boat to get here from Adelaide

I am surprised at how much different the updated Barina is - in a good way.

[mikmak]

Finally