Comments on: Holden Epica Vectra

By: Brian McInerney

Brian McInerney — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:48:30 +0000

Well after reading most of the above I hm bemused. I have a book that has pictures of early (XU1) era Toranas & six cylinder Cortinas that where built at the Daewoo factory in South Korea. I also know that they like Subaru, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Audi etc etc have come a very long way since first manufacture. Daewoo have been manufacturing tough cars, trucks & buses for 50 years. They also operate in conditions a fair bit worse than ours, whats more with Asian drivers???

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:14:20 +0000

I don’t kno why everyone is praising the vectra so much. It was the shittiest car I’ve owned. Constantly having problems and very unreliable, and you know why, because it was a euro shit heap. European cars are shit and most people know it, especially those who have had the displeasure of owning one. I have a Daewoo Lacetti at the moment, those of u may know it as the Holden Viva, and it is absolutely fantastic. Not a single complaint. So I would suggest drive the Epica first, then make a judgement.

By: Duck

Duck — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:57 +0000

Chris, Yes pretty much!

By: Ezzy

Ezzy — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:44:18 +0000

Just got my own 2003 Vectra CDXi manual a month ago and its a very classy car. I was hoping to see an upgrade model of this car from Holden. Well I guess this is the only Holden luxury car that has reputation to be compared to BMW series and other similar car in its class.

Saddened by the news holden replaced it by Epica which is a mile away behind compared to Vectra I had.

I guess 2003 Vectra CDXi will be remembered as the best car that came from Holden for now.

By: chris

chris — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:38:08 +0000

it the epica a daewoo

By: Marvin McConoughey

Marvin McConoughey — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:02:42 +0000

A view from rainy Oregon. We bought our 2004 Suzuki Verona (Read: Daewoo with inline six engine, immediate design predecessor to current Holden Epica) in December 2003. We now have 44,500 miles on it and have made several long trips to California, Georgia, etc.

The car is very pleasant. Reliability has been excellent: one update on the engine computer and one reset to the radio. Not all early Verona’s were that reliable, but Daewoo has continually improved reliability.

Amenities: Ours came with red lights on the lower door edges to show what one is stepping into–or out of. It has separate daylight running lights. Steering wheel radio controls. Alloy wheels. The Four speed automatic transmission has a separate economy setting. The rear seat folds down in two sections. Upholstery is leather, the fenders have rubber splash guards to keep road mud off the lower paint (quite useful in Oregon). The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope. Windows are electric. The power driver’s seat adjusts six ways.The usual dashboard lites warn of open doors, trunk, side door, etc. No tinny rod for the hood (bonnet?). It has a hydraulic stay-open strut.

My favorite features include the styling which is personal. Our version was styled with help from Italy. I like it very much. The engine is smooth, very smooth. It is even smoother than my wife’s elderly Cadillac. Engine refinement is a personal high point for me. It is notably smoother and quieter at idle than the Kia Amanti, and is smoother than our neighbors 2005 Toyota Camry. I can’t speak for BMW’s, Lexus’, etc., which are in a much higher class.

My pet peeve is the four speed auto. It should be a five speed, which I see the Epica now has to the tune of lower highway RPM and even less noise. Our car is quiet and good riding even at very high speeds (80-90 MPH) on long Western superhighways. The steeing is excellent and we enjoy it in the mountains.

The overall technology is not state-of-the art, but the engine has superior inherent balance to any V6 design. Suspension is strictly generic design but works well for all of that.

I don’t want to make this moderately priced car sound like a luxury brand, but it has served us very well, is a pleasure to drive, has a short turning circle, and merits respect even if you prefer another make. I would like to buy the new version now that ours is nearly four years old, but it is no longer imported here. Nothing else available here in its price range looks as good.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:50:20 +0000

I don’t know why you’re all bagging Daewoo.I have one and it is a very reliable,economical,comfortable car with more than enough power. In 348,000 kms it has only broken down once and that was a blocked filter on the end of the fuel pump.I did however fit new CV joints at 200,000kms as a precaution and I’ve changed the timing belt every 100,000kms.I have no complaints and if the new Epica is anything like my Espero then it will be a winner.

By: watto_cobra

watto_cobra — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:41:53 +0000

Micheal, you must have been very lucky with your Camira. I had a 2.0L Camira which cost me more in repairs than I paid for the car. Either I got a dud, or you got a ripper, or both.

QUOTE=”We will be trading in our trusty 2.0l Camira (has over 500000 klms on the original engine and still going fine)on a new Epica with the optional body kit.”

I consider myself patriotic, I’ll always try to buy Australian made whenever possible (hence my cars are usually Falcons).

If I were to buy an imported small/mid-sized car I would choose one from Fords new range (European sourced) over Holdens re-badged Daewoo (Korean sourced) range anytime. They may cost more but I think the power, driveability, reliability, looks, interior quality (pretty much everything) will more than make up for it.

Let’s not forget the Focus is to be made in Oz in a few years. If fuel prices keep going north I know what I’ll be getting for my next car.

By: woz

woz — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:39:07 +0000

LOOK BELOW THIS IS WHAT HOLDENWOO CRAPICA STANDS FOR

E very
P iece
I s
C oming
A part

MAN.. WHAT A JOKE OF A CAR, IMAGINE THE RESALE VALUE 5 YEARS FROM NOW, MAYBE $4000 IF YOUR LUCKY HAHAHAHAHA…. 7-10 YEAR OLD TECHNOLOGY, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT I SUPPOSE WITH THAT CORRECTED, MAKES THE CRAPICA 15 FUKING YEARS OLD OH MY GOD………….

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 16:12:12 +0000

Holden made Vectras at their Elizabeth assembly plant for a few years in the late 90’s but stopped because they were not selling enough.

By: ukcar

ukcar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:42:16 +0000

Matthew, Ford got rid of Kia years ago – it’s now owned by Hyundai. That’s why the Festiva was dropped.

The new Ford Mondeo is based on the same platform as the Mazda6, the Focus on the same one as the Mazda3 – heck, they should build them side by side in Japan, like they did with the Telstar/626 and Laser/323.

Similarly, Daewoo should go back to building Opel designs.

European product, Asian price tag.

By: Bruce Gow

Bruce Gow — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:12:02 +0000

I ended up having a test drive of the 2007 Holden Epica after having a chat with Nickola Smith from Sundell Holden in Gordon.

I was very impressed with the torque of a mid-size range Holden and the handling was great too. I’d recommend this car to anyone looking for new Holden cars in this price range.

Tip: Ask for the “online” gift if you purchase one

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 29 May 2007 10:22:14 +0000

Have any of you so called motoring experts actually gotten out of your armchairs and had a look at the Epica. My wife and I have taken an Epica for a drive and found this to be a very good car. Porche have done a fantastic job with the engine, it is really smooth and quite flexible. And yes it looks good in the flesh. We will be trading in our trusty 2.0l Camira (has over 500000 klms on the original engine and still going fine)on a new Epica with the optional body kit. Can’t wait to get it. I also have friends who have bought the Daewoo Barina and Viva and they are very happy with them. So don’t knock it till you try it.

By: Sam™

Sam™ — Mon, 28 May 2007 08:58:40 +0000

hmmm, why didnt you take it for a test drive before you purchased it?

By: kim

kim — Mon, 28 May 2007 08:53:32 +0000

I took delivery of my company car ‘Epica CDXi’ today. Most disapointing!!!! Downsized from a Berlina to try to save on fuel economy and I was having difficulty parking the large car in tight modern carparking spaces. Epica feels really cheap inside, missing all of the features that I was used to such as electronic speedo, bluetooth, electric seat ajustment, automatic head lights etc. Had to have basic options such as reverse sensors added as a modification and as a company car I am not eligible for the 30 day satisfaction guarantee. Really disapointing car, only 14,850ks until I can turn it over again and go back to a Berlina. Definately would not recommend this car to anyone who is expecting the standard conveniences of modern cars. A very ‘basic’ car and not worth the $$.

By: Bruce Gow

Bruce Gow — Sat, 26 May 2007 07:35:16 +0000

I had a look at the Holden Epica when I was at Sundell Holden in Chatswood last week. I thought it was good value for money and looked ok.

I grabbed a brochure and will have a test drive next week and let you know how it went

By: Sam™

Sam™ — Fri, 25 May 2007 13:10:27 +0000

everything you said except lincoln navigators bro, theyre terrible

By: luan iguano

luan iguano — Fri, 25 May 2007 13:08:55 +0000

meh.. just buy a new merc! haha.. just rob a bank and buy a bmw! datz my advice… bloody nutless daewoo! we need REAL cars like ford mustangs & dodge vipers n cadillac escalades n lincoln navigators!! YEA!!

By: Franz Chong

Franz Chong — Tue, 22 May 2007 15:21:39 +0000

The Vectra was one of the few European Cars in it’s class that actually came from Europe.I can think of anything you can buy for similar money to the Epica that has much better resale value than this:

Mazda3/Honda Civic
Volkswagen Golf/Polo
Good Quality Used Mercedes C Class
Good Quality Late Model 3 Series BMW
Renault Megane

Used Army Tank:Peter Griffin did that on Family Guy

By: azgreen

azgreen — Mon, 21 May 2007 05:32:15 +0000

Not Impressed with the Epica… Sat in it at the Adelaide Motor show, and it’s doesn’t come close to my Vectra CDXI… I purchased my Vectra last year (05 reg) with 14k on the clock for $32K! (ex-holden manager’s car) Electric leather memory seats, ESP, auto dipping mirrors, auto wipers, wonderful V6 with stacks of torque (alloytech’s don’t come close), 6 airbags (including curtains)… the list goes on. It honestly feels like an Audi to drive, but with far more responsive steering at that! I’ve had a couple of Holden employee’s from the service department saying this is the best car in their line-up by a mile. The Epica on the other hand feels like a spec’d up Viva… I know Holden are in the game to make profit (as all businesses are), but they need to be moving ahead with their products while doing so… The Epica isn’t even a step sideways.