gday guys. i'm looking to buy an NA VL commodore...i've done a search but couldnt find anything...i just want to know what to look for when buying a VL and what common problems they have...i see they tend to get rust around the windscreens, and i heard that the heads can get cracked from airlocks but thats all i know. cheers

Omg......please continue searching, there's quite a few threads on exactly this.

always look in the radiator for cream and underneath the oil cap that will tell if it has done the head or gasket. also make sure that its not leaking water from the water pump, or the welsh plugs. Check for rust underneath the back window along the boot sill for rust. Obviously check that its not burning oil, or leaking any and Check transmission fluid. Hope this helps, Mark.

Quote: Originally Posted by M&JTOWING always look in the radiator for cream and underneath the oil cap that will tell if it has done the head or gasket. also make sure that its not leaking water from the water pump, or the welsh plugs. Check for rust underneath the back window along the boot sill for rust. Obviously check that its not burning oil, or leaking any and Check transmission fluid. Hope this helps, Mark. thanks mate

always check the parcel shelf if its been cut

http://www.calaisturbo.com.au/showthread.php?t=99511 there ya go brother

Quote: Originally Posted by LUXJET http://www.calaisturbo.com.au/showthread.php?t=99511 there ya go brother great...thanks mate. hopefully gonna enter the realm of VL ownership soon, and wanna start it off with a good experience

yeah good to hear mate, i find the best thing when looking at a car is to take your time.. dont rush over it and hand over the cash.. also not mentioned in that thread and something of my opinion.. if you can find out as much about the owner as you can with out being a stalker.. for example i was going to buy a vl berlina v8 off a bloke and my old man come with me, any way my dad knew the owners next door neighbour and the owner had a reputation of selling 5 cars a month off his front lawn! most of which with dodgy body work, shonky rebuilds and stolen engines.. i went to vicroads b4 i took it for a test drive to check the engine number.. it was a 253 with 308 rocker covers.. we still took it for a test drive and went and done skids in it though haha.. good luck man, the vl is a really good car when the right mods have been made

i started my vl experience with wat i thort was an awsome car like (body wise it was mint as motor looks clean as then after owning it for 2months the sht started with basicly every coolent hose giving way + something stuffin up the thottle managemnt ect But after i fixed all that its finally been going very good for the passed 3 to 5 months only problem i have atm is the afm is on its way out lol also when u check the coolent n sht some times it may be a weird colour if theres this no leak **** init so if u see its a dirty/ brownish colour just ask if its eva had hoses replaced ect hope i helped a tiny bit

cheers guys...i'm on a real tight budget and need to get a car asap...so i'll just wait and see what i end up with...i got my heart set on a vl though. It doesnt worry me if the cars got faded paint...a little rust here and there...and needs some work... i just dont want any surprises or major breakages, i can do mechanical work to a point so i'm not scared of doing stuff myself. Also, I'm looking at pouring some time and money into It...but at the moment, just something cheap and moderately reliable will do. anyways...thanks again for the replies, I'll put some pics up if i end up with a VL (here's hoping)

atleast whatever you end up with. just make sure its got reg and rwc and you cant go to wrong i bought a vl sl 5spd one owner deceased estate. great car to drive. but paints a bit faded paid $2200 for it, so there are some decent ones out there

Quote: Originally Posted by LUXJET yeah good to hear mate, i find the best thing when looking at a car is to take your time.. dont rush over it and hand over the cash.. also not mentioned in that thread and something of my opinion.. if you can find out as much about the owner as you can with out being a stalker.. for example i was going to buy a vl berlina v8 off a bloke and my old man come with me, any way my dad knew the owners next door neighbour and the owner had a reputation of selling 5 cars a month off his front lawn! most of which with dodgy body work, shonky rebuilds and stolen engines.. i went to vicroads b4 i took it for a test drive to check the engine number.. it was a 253 with 308 rocker covers.. we still took it for a test drive and went and done skids in it though haha.. good luck man, the vl is a really good car when the right mods have been made i had similar situation, but I won't get into to much details

Quote: Originally Posted by LUXJET yeah good to hear mate, i find the best thing when looking at a car is to take your time.. dont rush over it and hand over the cash.. also not mentioned in that thread and something of my opinion.. if you can find out as much about the owner as you can with out being a stalker.. for example i was going to buy a vl berlina v8 off a bloke and my old man come with me, any way my dad knew the owners next door neighbour and the owner had a reputation of selling 5 cars a month off his front lawn! most of which with dodgy body work, shonky rebuilds and stolen engines.. i went to vicroads b4 i took it for a test drive to check the engine number.. it was a 253 with 308 rocker covers.. we still took it for a test drive and went and done skids in it though haha.. good luck man, the vl is a really good car when the right mods have been made Mate, I was sold mine under the pretext of it never have been in an accident. On closer inspection of the rear end its obvious that the boot doesn't sit straight, the lining has lifted and even one of the lights is significantly newer than the other. I was basically given the car so I guess I'm not complaining too much but you've gotta watch it hey. You are spot on about taking your time. I was so excited because the car basically had no muffler and covered in surface rust and I was too busy laughing to take the time to have a proper gander.

yeah just keep researching man you'll find everything you need yeah pretty much look how straight it is pushed in headlights are a giveaway that it may have been in a cafuffle windscreen rust is the main one and chose wisely when going paint and lift up the carpet in the boot to check for rust and while your there check if everything to jack up the car with it is there plus if you going to keep it NA go the 5spd but turbo go auto turn it on listen to the fuel pump and see if anything drips listen for lifters clicking the best i can recommend take someone who knows a little about cars doesnt have to know a lot but the seller will try to keep you busy so get the buddy of yours to look around it and point out anything he thinks is wrong.............two sets of eyes are better than one check the year better to buy late 87 to 88

Quote: Originally Posted by Xecutiv88 Mate, I was sold mine under the pretext of it never have been in an accident. On closer inspection of the rear end its obvious that the boot doesn't sit straight, the lining has lifted and even one of the lights is significantly newer than the other. I was basically given the car so I guess I'm not complaining too much but you've gotta watch it hey. You are spot on about taking your time. I was so excited because the car basically had no muffler and covered in surface rust and I was too busy laughing to take the time to have a proper gander. yeah when looking at the engine bay pretend to get under and check the front of the radiator and look around for welds, fresh or flakey paint and bent suspension.. i bought a wagon for 100bux the other day still got rego and need tyres for a rwc thats about it.. all depends how much there asking 100-250 i dont really worry as long as it goes, doesnt tick and straight panels.

Quote: Originally Posted by LUXJET yeah when looking at the engine bay pretend to get under and check the front of the radiator and look around for welds, fresh or flakey paint and bent suspension.. i bought a wagon for 100bux the other day still got rego and need tyres for a rwc thats about it.. all depends how much there asking 100-250 i dont really worry as long as it goes, doesnt tick and straight panels. This VL is absolutely perfect except for the rear end, paint/aesthetic rust and the fact that the old rims are reddy brown from rust. It's a hilarious looking car at the moment.