Holden Viva JF (Wagon) (2005-2009)

perfect low maintainance easy access parts.. just use common sense – could not say anything. i love my viva wagon. just dont abuse using it. look after with regular setvice and my viva wagon looks after me. easy to maintain. essy access with parts. cheap parts. parts can buy in ebay or find through goggle. quiet car. stereo is excellent even i have used this since 2008. body is best quality stainless steel/tin, harder than other new cars now.  Show details

drainage plug where is it on a holden viva 2007????????? – everyday for work it gets seviced every 2 years the macanic says theres no issues iam trying to give my car a flush out and place new in it so please just need to know where the drainage plug is cant find it can see anything on google showing me need help asap thanks  Show details

Love my Viva had it for years easy to maintain yourself with no mechanics – Holden Viva JF. Instead of taking this car to the Mechanics I decided to maintain the car myself. I bought all the tools i needed to do timing belt and waterpump changes every 60,000Kms. Oil and filter changes are easy as and done every 6,000 to 8,000 kms.. Replacement parts are very cheap and easy to get. This car just keeps going and going and I… Read more

have learned so much about cars. You just need to read a lot and use logic. a car service could cost you a whole day's or two days wage why not just get dirty and fix stuff yourself. When ever there is an Issue my OBDII reader tells me what is wrong that was cheap from Ebay. airbag light can be reset with the obdII reader it's just a maintenance thing. And a mechanics Manual is available online... all these bad reviews people wouldn't write a review when they have a car that isn't an issue . i have no issue with mine but I had to defend my little Viva's reputation.

The worst car I have ever bought – I bought a brand new one for my wife in 2006. From that day onwards it went back to the dealers for a new dash board. Then the drive shafts had to be replaced and front discs and brakes. It went Ok then until the three year warranty ran out, then all hell broke loose. The front shocks, The coil pack, Oil leaks and engine and airbag lights on. The… Read more

car had less than 40k on it, only used for the school run shopping and garaged every night. We got rid of it last year with only 109k. It had been nothing but trouble and expense. We traded it in with loads of faults on it still and bought a proper make of car.

Buy one if you enjoy "Limp Mode" – I've the 2006 model, 4 cyl, wagon and up until a few days ago I assumed it was a Holden because that's what the badge on the front says. I feel that is deceptive. It only comes up on the computer checker as Daewoo. Had I know that at the time of purchase, I'd not have bought it. I did have four years trouble free motoring then I had to use… Read more

premium fuel - and the warning light came up. No-one could find the cause, other than the non standard fuel, so we re-set and our troubles began. Every few weeks the warning light comes up and eventually she starts to flicker at me and limp up the hills. I can certainly see why Holden has discontinued this model. Pity that it was ever put on the road in the first place. From what I'm reading on the net there is no real cure and it's probably time to kiss her goodbye. I wonder if I can get the dealer who sold it to me to trade it in?

Crap all round! – I have the 2008 manual 5 speed, 4 cyl, wagon. Highly disappointing and a shame it has a Holden badge on it because it sure as hell is not! Fuel consumption is quite a lot for a small cylinder and used more than my 8 seater! The colour coded handles, paint coming off, The air con is poor at best and kids in the back receive no benefit! It is… Read more

sluggish and has no guts at all, gears do not change smoothly, like other cars it's age!

Car handles well but has many wheel noises that cannot be accounted for!

Car was well maintaned, all log books came with car and had regular servicing. 140,000on clock

Good serive history hemce purchase.

But after driving it further and for longer periods, realised all the issues,

Do not bother!

Massive disappointment!

Help please viva stationwagon 1.8 l – Great car just the one fault occasional stalls at lights etc , common fault I'm told however variations on the fix are vague , I've pulled the throttle body apart and thoroughly cleaned , replaced fuel and fuel filter , plugs , been told having the engine reflashed by computer can solve it plus most other common faults , just unsure which way to go , any specifics appreciated. Cheers  Show details

Found common fault – Hi my 08 viva wagon idle got alittle ruffer evey day and then today started to run on 2-3 cylinders traced it back to right hand side of thottle body pcl valve black siemens valve looked and behaved normal but the plastic holding the screw out plunger had like all holdens plastic craped out letting plunger to stay in air mixture hole causing bad then no idle hope this helps .  Show details

A good buy – 2008 viva wagon I have been the only owner. Have traveled much over Australia with it and it still runs well. It is serviced regularly and is economical to run. Have had no major mechanical problems with it however the paint work in the last couple of years is beginning to flake away particularly around the door handles. I still love it and will probably keep it for a few more years.  Show details

Transmission Prob, Warning Lights Behave Funny, Terrible And Noisy – Don't buy second hand. I bought a month ago. Transmission is terrible, warning lights like engine and airbag lights stay on and off by itself. Engine roared, looses transmission power while driving. I am so scared to drive this on highways. I have spend more than $500/on this. Terrible car.  Show details

Holden Viva - best car I've ever owned – Previously owned very expensive cars.. When I left work to have children looked at a car for space, that was economical, and great value. I found it in the Viva. I have a manual. Had it now for 8 years.. never any trouble, cost p.a. for service approx. $300 per year. Breaks fixed once in 9 years, new battery once in 9 years. Best car for me… Read more

ever! Admittedly I don't do a lot of long distance driving. So economical with E10 petrol. Couldn't be happier. It is getting old now and probably time for a new car which I am so sad about. I love my Viva. Sorry to hear others haven't had the experience I've had.

Still have my Viva and it is going very well. It isn't running as smooth as it was but hey, it's 10 years old so it is to be expected. I have definitely got my monies worth and it has been a great family car for us. I will be getting a new car in the next 12 months. Sadly won't be getting another Viva as with the kids getting older, and with 2 dogs, we need a bit more room than the Viva offers especially for trips away.

Well, 12 months has passed since I planned on getting new car and I have done nothing about it. My Viva is still going strong, heading on to 12 years old.. still looks new on the outside and runs beautifully considering it's age and soooo economical. To be honest I think the Viva is like everything else in life, if you look after it, use it as it was designed to be used, you can't go wrong. Still loving the Viva!

Update.... I have a new car (Isuzu - by the way also fantastic so far), my Viva still lives on, my brother was without a car for a few months so he used it, now my dad has it as a spare car - lives in the country. He drives it an hour each way into town every week and he and his partner love it. They say it is zippy and drives smoothly and economical. They did have to spend a couple of hundred dollars on a few minor parts but they say for the age, now 13yo car it is brilliant. Long live the manual Viva!!

Worst of the worst – Brought this car about two years ago and have had nothing but problems engine light is always on no matter how many times it goes to the mechanic, stalls at intersections regularly which has nearly caused accidents, leaks oil ( rocker cover gasket been replaced twice but still leaks), gutless engine power, don't even bother with a/c, chews through… Read more

fuel like a truck, headlights are very weak, paint wears of door handle I could go on for ever, this car is a unsafe disgrace stay away.

Seems to be a trend here – I bought my Holden Viva 2006 station wagon off the internet. My own fault I didn't get it checked pre purchase I know but after noticing a few problems I started searching for fixes and similarities. What I have noticed is that there is a VERY common problem with the transmission causing loss of power. Somewhere out there I found a thread that… Read more

suggested the inhibitor switch needed replacing. I had this done for around $300 at the local auto mechanics and have not had the same problem since.

Second issue everyone, including me is having is the airbag light. I took it to the auto electricians and they did some fancy flush through the cables. This cost $100 and worked for around a month before light stayed constantly on again. Thus far...no fix can be found so I'm left having it temporarily fixed every time I need a warrant of fitness just to get it to pass.

Other than that its a good car, have not had any other troubles....touch wood.

Disappointed with the Viva – There is an electrical part that Holden says has a 2year warranty. Without fail it has broken every 2 years. The car stalls and will not start again. The engine idle is rough and automatic gear changes are not smooth (unless it has been serviced in the last 2 weeks). Have only had trouble with the air conditioning once. I expected better from Holden. Affordable wagon with space It smells like a lemon Show details

Whats worse than a lemon? A Holden Viva – This is the worst car built, courtesy of Daewoo, slap a Holden badge on the front and you have instant brand recognition - BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, it screams, I am a mighty Holden. Wrong. I have had the misfortune of owning a Holden viva for 2 years and something has broken down, on average, every 4 months. Holden service keep saying its wear and… Read more

tear and I keep challenging, at 70,000km no self respecting car should need the front end of the engine replaced. 3 months out of my 6 year extended warranty (which you of course pay extra for) the problems started, and Holden couldn't care less, their reputation it seems, doesn't matter to them.

It started with a timing belt, then it was dust on the throttle body, then a spark plug, later the coil pack, something or other in the A/C, the coil pack and head gasket and oil pump and timing belt, then the oil pump again, and just most recently a sensor in the A/C. In between all these repairs the engine light comes on, several times, we take it to Holden they say it was "a bad bit of fuel" or "an anomaly, we can't reproduce it" - that is, until something else major breaks down. I'm now $6,500 into repairs in 2 years, and have reached the point where I am trading it in for $5,800 because I can't afford to keep fixing Holdens problem child. More importantly, I'll never EVER buy another Holden, and I'll make sure to dissuade anyone I hear being silly enough to consider it.

Shame on you Holden, shame on you. Good looking car The engine

Good One – I have 2008 manual wagon,working good as i purchased over an year ago..I drive lot without problem.Its a 4 cyl manual so power problem same like other but good cheap car.I run in all areas like hills, state highways, run with 100/120 km/hr speed without any problem.What u can expect in cheap car ? reliable,cheap,good looks power Show details

great little wagon! – I found my 07 wagon to be costly to service, but fantastic its comfortable owned it for over a year it runs beautifuly looks good easy to work on great on fuel and doesn't sm to miss a beat perfect cheap to run family wagon! Love the boot space, I love this little car! lota of room reliable everything! cost of servicing and holdens terrible attention to quality when servicing Show details

Total dissapointment – Our 2006 viva wagon only had 50,000 ks and only five years old completely died it had every service done, my mechanic said he couldn't believe that the over head cam and timing belt had gone, Holden couldn't care less we bought the car brand new from egars holden brisbane . I will never ever buy a Holden again and will strongly warn anyone who is… Read more

considering buying one to not waste any hard earned money , Holden Australia should b ashamed they really r now just a cheap rubbish company

The Viva is much maligned but I love my wagon, does everything and all I ask of it! – I wanted a car for my three dogs as I travel alot for obedience and agility trials and the Viva wagon filled all my requirements, except cruise control!! It has never let me down, I drive my car a lot and it's very reliable and good on fuel. For it's price it has a lot of features, and the air conditioner works well. It runs well on the highway… Read more ·  4

and can sit on a decent speed and overtake with no fuss even with a full load, three people and two dogs and with the air con on! I would have liked cruise control but none of my other cars have ever had it so I don't miss it much. It is a lovely, sparkly black colour and although the Viva is much maligned by nearly everyone, I am very happy with it. Reliable, runs on the smell on an oily rag, great space and storage. Good on fuel. Parts are slightly expensive, I've had problems with headlight globes going, but nothing too serious

Excellent – A great buy 2008 Model wagon with Auto, ABS etc. Good interior space, lots of nice storage and extra features, enough power if you are not a rev head and a competant and comfortable ride. Have fitted Bridgestone tyres which has made the car track better in both wet and dry and much quieter than the original factory tyres. Has over 50,000ks and… Read more ·  1

has not missed a beat.

Nothing has fallen off, nothing has broken and has only had regular services required from the local holden dealer. For the money not more that you can ask for. Lots of space in the wagon, excellent road holding (once you fit real tyres - Bridgestones) easy to park and well controlled ride. Auto - heavy on fuel especially around town. Long up hills runs also a challenge to sit on 110ks with more than 2 people on board as 3rd in the Auto gets noisy.

Terrible – My daughter's viva has been in and out of the dealership now for some 3 years. That latest was just last week for an entire week. The airbags keep releasing, the paintwork began flaking off, the gear box has had repair after repair. The car now has no resale value. Another woman at work also has the same issues with her car and she is giving… Read more

hers away. The car has brough nothing but misery, and is extremely dangerous to drive. So serious are the issues that they contacted Office of Fair Trading. My daughter was dudded. She thought she was buying a reliable Holden but instead bought a cheap Daewoo version. None whatsoever Disgraceful

Excellent – Will you people honestly stop bashing the Holden Viva for being made by Daewoo a.k.a Chevrolet. This is product review so don't review it unless you have driven it. Mine is a nice car and I am thoroughly happy with it because it is economical (mines a manual) and has tons of space. It has a 4 star ancap rating which is reasonable and it is the predecessor to the holden cruze. economy, room, value for money. people believing daewoo means rubbish Show details ·  1

Terrible – Sadly budget shoppers this is just a rebadged Daewoo...based on 90's technology and affording a complete lack of passive or active safety features. If you're even thinking of buying a family car would you really want to risk their lives in such an inglorious and woeful appliance. This is the kind of drab, 2nd class engineering and execution that… Read more

caused daewoo to go 'belly-up' financially a few years...only to have GMH purchase the company then rebrand these dismal vehicles and remarket them as Holdens, sadly they manage to match that brands lack of quality also, to similarly bland and ignorant Australian consumers. Cheap....and not so cheerful. Poor passive safety...think 2 to 3 stars when most comparable japanese wagons offer 4 to 5.

Woeful dynamics and a complete lack of aeshetic or driving appeal.

Good – Overall, I maintain what I have said in the previous 2 reviews. It is not a bad car by any stretch of the imagination. Nothing has broken and it appears to be getting more economical now that it has over 20000klm on it. I recently achieved 38mpg Canberra/Sydney return. It can be a little heavier on fuel in town, but then it is a 1.8ltr engine in a… Read more

heavy car with an automatic...I shouldn't expect miracles.

Overall, we are pleased with the car and even though we recently had the option of trading in, we didn't. Now that the engine has over 20000klm on it, it appears to be getting more economical and some more (slight) power It does need to be pulled back manually when loaded to get the best..but that isn't a challenge

Good – This is a great affordable car. If you are looking for a lot of room but are not looking to drive fast, this could be a good choice. The new stereo is great in the 2008 model, plays MP3s and also has ipod input. Two power outlets in the front and one in the rear is great if you want to charge your phone or ipod and you can even hook a 12 volt… Read more

fridge to the one in the rear. The standard luggage cover is also a bonus and there is nice storage under the rear floor. Lots of storage areas, lots of space, affordable. Engine could do with more power. no cruise control.

Terrible – I think that Holden has not done a good job in bring this daewoo car adn putting a Holden badge on it. The car is noisy and you don't feel safe as it has a late 80/ early 90's feel to it. I have driven older cars with more KM on it and have had a better drive. Bad call Holden, send it back The only thing that I found good about this car is the… Read more

price. I find that this car is heavy on fuel for a 1.8L motor. Low on power. You have to have the motor running to close the windows. The seat belt sound goes of even if you just put your key in without turning it.

Bad – Good car for price. Live in Vic would be cheaper to fly and hire a car to go to QLD Cheap look good for a small car great storage. Crap on fuel manual sits on 3000rpm on 100kmh in fifth gear. Gutless on hill needs more power. Lucky to get 550km out of a tank. No cruise control. Show details

OK – Generally I like the Viva station wagon. With a lot of highway travel it may be more economical to drive well within speed restrictions for fuel economy. It copes beautifully on country gravel roads and handles wet and dry conditions safely. I like the uncluttered, practical space in the Viva, it's technology is easily accessible and it doesn't… Read more

baffle the driver with unnecessary gadgetry. It's smooth to drive, although gear changes can be a bit 'revvy'. It glides well on the road and does all the right things when it comes to tight parking or turning.Safety features are well thought through, a good idea for the backseat to have three chest and lap seatbelts rather than just a lap sash for a middle passenger. It's a bit of a fuel guzzler if you need to use extra energy, eg hills, gradients, passing on a highway. Sluggish when you need some 'grunt', be prepared to have plenty of time when passing traffic on the open road. The driver's seat is designed for someone with a not so large derrier, be aware that if you're a little 'broad across the beam' the seatbelt catch will cause some slight discomfort on a long journey. Leg room is very good if you have lanky teenage passengers.