96 Holden Combo has 44kw? Kidding???

falconboy · 25-03-2009, 11:24 PM

I do mobile computer repairs for a crust and was looking for a small, cheap vehicle that can be a moving avertising billboard. The Holden Combo of around mid 90's is ideal. Yeah yeah, hold on guys, if Ford did a similar style of vehicle I'd consider it ok!

HOWEVER, the wifes 97 Honda civic has about 88kw apparently, which is ok as a second car/shopping trolley here in Sydney, which is its intended use (she bought it before we met!), but upon researching a 96 Holden Combo they have a whopping 44kw. You read correctly, 44kw - half the Honda. They have got to be kidding right?

Anyone owned one? Willing to admit to it? Are they as bad as the rated 44kw might indicate or are there 'mitigating circumstances' that make a Combo actually usable without wanting to drive over the closest cliff each time you use it?

Any other suggested alternatives? I can't think of any other than the Citroen Berlingo, but they are a bit newer, a bit pricey, still only 57kw (It looks like I won't get something similar with power) and I expect parts are typical imported european prices.

LethalLeigh · 25-03-2009, 11:28 PM

And the Combo wouldn't have silly parts prices? It is an Opel afterall.

Also, 44kW is vaguely reasonable for a 1.4L with a commercial theme to it.

It's a pretty limited market with the Combo and Berlingo only getting competition from Renault recently.

I say buy a Escort panel van ;)

falconboy · 25-03-2009, 11:35 PM

Thanks mate.

I thought the Combo parts would be reasonable as I thought they shared everything with the Barina, and I though they were reasonable too?

Can I get an Escort with air and power steering?

mik · 25-03-2009, 11:36 PM

my next door neighbor had inherited a combo.......he sold it almost immediatley, to say he was dissapointed with it was an under statement.

WILDB · 25-03-2009, 11:38 PM

I had a 2000 Combo (same I believe) as one of my company vehicles when I was doing computer repairs. It was the most gutless vehicle I have ever driven bar none. Barely moved at all with the air conditioning on. Yes it may say sound like I am being a bit harsh, but compared to other company cars I had (Proton Satria, Mitsubishi Mirage automatic

: ) it was a gutless p.o.s and the only good thing was the load area (but don't expect any performance with it loaded up

)

Yellow_Festiva · 25-03-2009, 11:39 PM

Correctamundo.

The 1.4L Combo of the era you mention is exactly 44kw.

Mum had a 96 Barina swing.. same car, diff rear body.

The Barina was speed limited to 156km... don't know why they chose that number over 155 or 160 however. (had no trouble getting to and holding that exact 156 BTW).

The barina prob weighs more than a combo, and although 44kw seems low, It was fine to get around.

You want to know whats worse.... that Barina came out in a 1.2L version... Was called a Barina 'Joy' I think... a whopping 37kw!!!

satria · 25-03-2009, 11:45 PM

wow i thought my first car (proton satria) was low @ 75 odd kw!!!

388cube_edxr8 · 25-03-2009, 11:52 PM

dont get a holden combo. my mate has one and its the ugliest, slowest, nastiest p.o.s. i have ever had the displeasure of being in. seriously. think about the image you would put across to your customers if you rock up in the cheapest 'van' available in australia, loaded with computer equipment, and you have to reverse up the driveway because the front wheels wont get traction with all the weight in the back, and then you have to stop halfway because the clutch is cooked and the engine is overheated because the car was built in korea by a trained chimpanzee working at daewoo.

honestly, who's idea was it to put a live rear axle in a front wheel drive car?

:

i reckon the best car for you would be an AU wagon. loads of space, and powerful and economical enough to be practical for a business car. a white one would look kind of classy to with a business logo on it.

WILDB · 25-03-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satria

wow i thought my first car (proton satria) was low @ 75 odd kw!!!

The one I had went quite well (for a 1.5) but the Combo was completely hopeless. Everyone else used to take the good cars and leave me with it - they are truly woeful in terms of performance and I'd like to reiterate that I would definately not recommend one if going anywhere is an important thing to you.

falconboy · 25-03-2009, 11:53 PM

Damn. I thought it was a good idea too.

First thing that springs to mind is CAI and bigger exhaust. Might get 2kw more? LOL Or just get one in red, they go faster.

Plenty of wagon type cars I could get, but its likely to become a sole business vehicle with signwriting etc to keep the BF wagon (when I get one) free of that stuff. And I don't want a second large car. It seemed to be the ideal solution until research blew my bubble.

:

WILDB · 25-03-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconboy

Damn. I thought it was a good idea too.

First thing that springs to mind is CAI and bigger exhaust. Might get 2kw more? LOL Or just get one in red, they go faster.

I'm pretty sure the old models only came in white

Windsor220 · 26-03-2009, 12:02 AM

At 1500rpm it probably only has around 2kw.

Of recent cars, the Diahatsu Copen only had a 660cc turbo engine with 40kw. It went alright but probably due to the weight.

Smoke Pursuit · 26-03-2009, 12:11 AM

44 kw... and people use them to cart around.. how do u get up a hill with 44 kw??

WILDB · 26-03-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

44 kw... and people use them to cart around.. how do u get up a hill with 44 kw??

I found with the one I drove that you had to row it even on the slightest incline. Going back to 3rd or 2nd on slight hills was common.

3vXT · 26-03-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satria

wow i thought my first car (proton satria) was low @ 75 odd kw!!!

Holden Camira - 85kw (eat it

)

Yellow_Festiva · 26-03-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 388cube_edxr8

and then you have to stop halfway because the clutch is cooked and the engine is overheated because the car was built in korea by a trained chimpanzee working at daewoo.

You seem to know so much about this car that you have the country or origin and the manufacturer wrong...

388cube_edxr8 · 26-03-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

You seem to know so much about this car that you have the country or origin and the manufacturer wrong...

i was fairly certain that the barinas were imported daewoos but i could be wrong. the point is no one should be allowed to put a lawnmower engine into a billycart and nail on some body panels and sell it as a car, much less a van.

you cant put a big rear end onto a small front end from an already underpowered city car and say its good for moving stuff because it just isnt.

this and the apollo just prove that holden have lost the plot a long time ago. and yet it continues with the epica and brand new commondores with motors built using the same technology thats in my 15 year old ED.

it just gives me the s***s how some products (cars in particular) are so appallingly terrible but because of a lack of public education people still buy them.

i put anything with a holden badge made since 1980ish (except for maybe the monaro) in the same catagory as anything ever allowed to escape korea - not worth the cost to replace the wiper blades. :evil3:

*flame suit on*

stang01 · 26-03-2009, 01:06 AM

are you serious the monaro, an ef falcon looks tougher from the front

barbarian · 26-03-2009, 01:09 AM

Opels are made in Made in Germany

Sis has a 99 barina.. lets just its okay for a chicks car that wants to cruise on 60km/h constant. Heavy body roll on slight corners, terrible.

Wouldn't recommend, period.

LethalLeigh · 26-03-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 388cube_edxr8

i was fairly certain that the barinas were imported daewoos but i could be wrong. the point is no one should be allowed to put a lawnmower engine into a billycart and nail on some body panels and sell it as a car, much less a van.

you cant put a big rear end onto a small front end from an already underpowered city car and say its good for moving stuff because it just isnt.

this and the apollo just prove that holden have lost the plot a long time ago. and yet it continues with the epica and brand new commondores with motors built using the same technology thats in my 15 year old ED.

it just gives me the s***s how some products (cars in particular) are so appallingly terrible but because of a lack of public education people still buy them.

i put anything with a holden badge made since 1980ish (except for maybe the monaro) in the same catagory as anything ever allowed to escape korea - not worth the cost to replace the wiper blades. :evil3:

*flame suit on*

Up until 05 the Barina and Combo were European built. Not necessarily German, I think some were Spanish and possibly Belgian.

As for the Epica, what part of it resembles your ED? The straight six? It's transverse mounting make it more reminiscent of an Austin Kimberley, but I digress.

I think in general the Combo is another case of a vehicle being suitable for a European market but inadequate for the Australian market. Curiously I struggle to think of something that could come close in terms of fuel efficiency or size. Throwing it out there but maybe a diesel Transit?

mustang70 · 26-03-2009, 02:11 AM

perhaps you could consider the skoda roomster.

nah just kidding, i just think they're so ugly they need a mention

flappist · 26-03-2009, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

44 kw... and people use them to cart around.. how do u get up a hill with 44 kw??

The XL Falcon developed 67kw and it won Bathurst (I think there is a big there is a hill there somewhere)

Cortina GT won the next year, 59kw........

mrghia · 26-03-2009, 02:27 AM

Put a GTI twin cam motor in it that sould fix a bit to the problem, or get a 2003-04 XC SRI running gear for it. The SRI's are a bloody quick car they were quicker then the VY commodore up to 70kms

chevypower · 26-03-2009, 04:56 AM

Look at the Tata Nano... something like 24kw (33HP), no radio...etc etc... But it does have Rear Wheel Drive.... Australians will flock to it! :-)

greenfoam · 26-03-2009, 05:20 AM

Who ever drove a Suzuki mini van, They didn't have much power, I saw a guy do a comedy routine about driving one once, simulating engine sounds going up a hill and changing down about 10 gears then getting passed by a guy walking or something. One of the funniest things I ever saw

Jesk · 26-03-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenfoam

Who ever drove a Suzuki mini van, They didn't have much power, I saw a guy do a comedy routine about driving one once, simulating engine sounds going up a hill and changing down about 10 gears then getting passed by a guy walking or something. One of the funniest things I ever saw

but even so you cant kill those suzuki mini vans (we get one in at work with 490k and still goin strong), and on those combos its pretty much resusitation time once they hit 100k and theirs brakes are so sub standard that they need new rotors all round 25-30k (and if you get an XC2 model those rotors are very pricey). if you have the chance to buy a holden combo... run (in the other direction)

SVTVNM · 26-03-2009, 09:30 AM

Don't know what your budget is but my old man has had 2 Renault Kangoo's, first one manual second one auto, THey have both been very reliable and even the auto goes extremely well.

Pinch · 26-03-2009, 10:47 AM

Bit of a dissenting voice here it seems. I had an XC (2005) Combo - based on the XC Opel Barina. I took it over from my brother who bought it new and then changed jobs and didn't need it. I was renovating at the time so taking it over made sense.

Mine model had the 1.6 motor, but the last iteration went back to a 1.4 that had a bit more power than my 1.6. Not sure why. I think this was about the mid 50's kw's though.

My Combo was fine in terms of power. They are pretty light. Even with air con on wasn't too bad. Then manual moved it along quite well. Not a lot of trim in the things, unlike the Civic in your OP. Painted interior, unlined rear etc. 1.4l is a BIG engine in Europe though. Its not the size that matters????

Being based on the Opel it was quite a good drive. Moved a tonne of pavers once (in two trips) and went from the Shire to Mollymook (500km round trip) on an early morning mission to get a dishwasher. Was a pleasant drive and no problems with the big hills and highway/freeway speeds of that Princes Hwy trip.

Not sure about the earlier models. I thought those earlier rounder Barina's (still Opel though) are getting a bit long in the tooth and have pretty frequent engine issues.

I can recommend the later ones, not so sure about the late 90's ones though.

388cube_edxr8 · 26-03-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LethalLeigh

As for the Epica, what part of it resembles your ED? The straight six? It's transverse mounting make it more reminiscent of an Austin Kimberley, but I digress.

i was referring to the chev LS series of motors, built with a SOHC and 2 valves per cylinder. my 15 year old ED XR8 has that. and it does a better job.

all the commondores of late seem to be just a little bloated, more so with the VE.

i have seen some photos/renderings from holden on what the new commondore will look like on 2010, all they've done is put the front lights and grille from a falcon onto a VE.

the point is, every ford ever made has been better than the holden at the time. (some would argue that the EA is an exception)

back on point, dont buy a combo, for the simple rule that generally, if something is used for what it was never intended to be used for, it will break. barinas weren't meant pull weight, so loaded up it will run hot and have engine failure as my mate has experienced, and the brakes will wear faster as someone has said.

aviod the combo at all costs, unless you plan to put a V6 in and upgrade the brakes. and suspension. and tyres. after that cost, you may as well have just bought an au wagon, which would still be better anyway.

**Bundy** · 26-03-2009, 11:21 AM

I unfortanely had one for a company I once worked for, it was brand new when I got it too. It was GUTLESS, no torque whatsoever, couple with the tools and equipment I had to carry, I was continually having to rev the bejesus out of it to not be classed a hinderance on the road. 3 times a week from Cairns to Port Doulgas and back, I was so over that car in 2 minutes flat and worst of all the BIGGEST blind spot I've ever come across and in such a small car. Luckly enough the other techie I was working with got promoted within a couple of months and I scored his 7 year old ride, and XH panelvan WOOT!! left the gayraina to the new pleb that started!!