Chevy SS Ownership Experience (Holden Commodore for the Aussies) 

How nice is to see an American appreciating a car from down under.

Man this guy would have a heart attack coming to Australia and seeing them everywhere

It's like an alternate universe. Here in Aus, people rip their Holden badges off and put Chev badges on lol.

I love that you put the Holden badges on. Respect bro

Love the Holdens, sad the brand is gone, but they’ll live on in present and future ownership!

As an Aussie,i can tell you the value of theses are rising here, i do believe they will become a sought after car in the US in a few years.

The guy who set up Holden Parts US is a very,very clever bloke. R.I.P Holden..... R I.P Commodore....

It made me smile watching this. You guys enjoying our Holden Commodore whilst I love every minute I drive my 2SS Camaro! I have owned a few Commodores over the years but the Camaro is a true 2 door, which Holden did provide from time to time with the 2 door Monaro. Don't get me wrong, I still own a 1977 Holden Torana SLR5000 replica which comes out for club runs on nice days only! Holden was and always will be a big part of Australia's history.

You have got to play AC/DC when driving these Holdens.

"You could be an airport taxi car with this." Well yeah, the V6 (Buick based engine) version was one of the two most common Aussie cabs along with the Falcon.

Just finished my holden conversion. I did everything and I mean everything. Even down to the infotainment and cluster and HUD all done to holden and even my keys are holden. Better jump in the cluster and infotainment soon its being discontinued by the one guy that does it. Now off too Koza for a built and forged LS3 and a custom turbo kit. And everything from the triple pump fore innovation and circle d convertor I mean the best to the best to make mine the ultimate street and sleeper.. I love this car to death and I will never and I mean never sell mine. Just like my 1st car. Was a brand new off the lot 06 Acura Rsx Type-S. Got it brand new in 06. Was my dream car. Own it and drove it for awhile. Had a baby at a young age and parked it till today. Park it since 2011. Luckily I it's at my parents house and I have my dad starting it up every week to keep it all good. But I'm proud to say it only had 28k original miles on it. I'm just waiting to build an extra garage to the house or in the backyard then I'm bringing it down to me. I miss it dearly. I use to own 4 to 5 manual cars at a time. But now slowly upgrading to newer cars and manuals are just more rare everyday. So she is my last manual for now. Hopefully soon I can get my hands on a CT5V Blackwing manual. Keep up the work love the channel

This is what I drive in Sydney Australia. I got mine new in 2016. They are quite common in Sydney, but prices have been going up, since they stopped making them & there is no direct competition in the new car market. Having said that, I will be getting a C8 Corvette, within the next couple of years, to park next to my Commodore.

Got a 15 manual. Had an auto. Traded right before they went up in value. Love it. Only 35k miles on it. Probably will keep it forever.

If the owner wants a blower, I would recommend he looks at a Harrop blower. In my opinion they are the best quality. Also can do cam packages to suit. Enjoy it

I own a 2001 VT Holden SS. 🇦🇺💪 it's my baby. We love our Holden's in Australia.

To me, it sounds like your infotainment system is resetting itself every time you shut it down, and it's resetting to defaults. That could mean the back-up power to the system isn't working. There's supposed to be a part of the wiring system that supplies power to the system to keep all the programmed-in settings for when the car is shut down. Maybe get the on-board fuses checked as well as the power through that system.

The reason you love this car is precisely the reason why General Motors USA shut down manufacturing in Australia. Your Corvette and Camaro were engineered in Australia, as no place in the GM world did rear wheel drive better! Our domestic market was simply too small!!

Good to see Tom Arnold working again. Good review Tom.

So sad that GM killed off Holden!

If only Chevy promoted the Chevy SS more, Holden might've still be here today. Still was good (but very weird) to see Australia's car in nascar

Nice to see this VF SS Commodore being so well apreciated in the US, at least by those who know them. I have the earlier model, the VE Series 2 SS, it runs the 6 litre V8, it's had a bit of a work over with a cam, new headers, a good dyno tune and cold air induction system and is good for around 500bhp on the move. I've had it since 2013, and will not part with it. Never given me any trouble, but it is coming up to it's first clutch replacement, yes it's a 6 speed manual, and I think at about 150,000km it will need a new clutch. Quite amazing how long the factory original parts last. My Toranas always need a new clutch every 60,000km.

Hey mate not sure if you ended up getting that issue sorted out but I can assure you that infotainment glitch is not right and is easily rectified with the right technician and equipment. I can seldom believe that you've put up with it for nearly 45,000 miles 😆 more patience than I'll ever have

Car sounds awesome! 👍 Love my 14. Interestingly my iPhone connects automatically via Bluetooth to the head unit every time I get in. Not sure if it is a model year difference or maybe a settings thing but you may want to take another look at your setup there. Good luck.

Great to see you guys love the SS Commodore, I have a 2009 VE SSV manual which is by far the best car I have owned. Ticks every box.

Crazy to see this car being referred to as “rare”, when here in NZ they’re all over the place. Cool.

🤣🤣🤣🤣 the way he holds the shifter like its not an automatic...

I daily drive the same car in Sydney Australia and love it. It’s the perfect balance of comfort and power. I am a big Holden guy. I previously owned the Ve (g8) and vy (gto platform). The vf is the clear winner. I have no issue with the Holden stereo, it always connects my phone and goes back to the last used audio. Maybe it is just your head unit has issues. Great video guys.

As a owner of many Commodores and my current SSV Redline, I'll never part with it, and good to see you have the right badge on the front

4:51 "You could be an airport taxi car with this." Err that's what the Commodore is - they were used as taxis in Aussie and New Zealand. Until the pandemic of hybrid Camrys and Prius, both the Commodore and the Ford Falcon were the standard Taxi.

Drove my ssv commodore around Australia for 1 and a half months straight with the family. This car is wonderful and tough as nuts 🔩.

Here we are in Sydney taking this for granted, not a big fan of Holden but the SS Commodore is the one I would consider buying

Hang on to her, i bought a 2017 ssv 6 speed manual for $60,000 here in Australia and its now worth $87,000. They are fun cars to drive and yes I give a boot full when I can. Enjoy the car

Can confirm here in New Zealand v8 commodore prices are flying especially the late 70s to mid 90s models and vt-vz have started and the ve-vf aren’t far behind

t's funny to see in the US you guys have Holden badges on your chevys while over here in Australia people put the Chevy logo on their Holdens.

I have a 2011 previous model..... Just did a road trip home and back (South Africa to Zimbabwe though Botswana and back), everywhere you go people just love this V8 beast....

Sir, great video. The GMH Commodore/Chevy SS is not just rare in the USA but it is also rare in Australia because most of the vehicles were exported to the Middle East and Europe but not sold in Australia. I was in Australia a year ago and I only saw a handful on the road. The Australians now all drive Ford Mustangs, Toyota Camry's, Dodge, RAM and Ford pick-ups plus SUV's etc.., identical to the ones sold in the USA but all right hand drive. Take Care, David Matherson

Check out the Australian direct competitor to this ... Ford Falcon FGX . Either the V8 or the mind blowing straight 6 Turbo versions . The V8 was supercharged from the factory . The six is the all Australian inline 3984 cc DOHC full VCT that is an absolute gem of an engine . The transmissions were the German ZF 6 speed sports shift or the Tremec 6060 6 speed manual that featured mostly in the supercharged 5.0 litre Miami V8 ...Equally good cars to the Commodore /Chevy SS..

I live in Australia, and highly recommend he keeps that car, for the SS commodores even here hold a high resale prize and people buy them knowing there price will only increase.

That exhaust under acceleration at the end sounded heavenly with my ear pods on

Love them, here in Australia they are still sort after and highly desirable. They also put out more power down under as we don’t have the very restrictive systems that they have in America.

GM America, being Holden's patent company, killed Holden in Australia, they made a decision to can right hand vehicle production. So you won't see these being built anymore. The last Holden Commodore, was based on the Opel Insignia, that was a design decision made by GM, that Decision seen sales plummet dramatically, and GM went off those sales figures when they decided to Axe the Holden brand all together, Aussies just were not keen on alot of the new GM designs. I'm glad you decided to change the badges back to Holden, we Aussies appreciate that acknowledgement of this vehicle origins.

They sold these Holden Commodores in South Africa as the Chevrolet Lumina and I so wanted one, but my garage is full, and having seen how my Australian Ford Falcon EL Futura was going to rack and ruin baking in the sun having to stand outside, it meant anything newer would have to wait until I can get it under cover.

Fun fact: Holden made the final design for the 5th-gen Chevrolet Camaro. The 5th-gen Camaro ran on the Zeta platform, the same platform that the Holden Commodore VE/VF used.

I live in Australia and here we have sedans, utilities and wagon versions. I have one of the last examples of the Holden Commodore VF Series 2 SS Sportwagon auto. I luv it, the 6.2L LS3 is the best. I previously had a 2004 Holden Commodore VY Series 2 SS Wagon with the LS1 and manual (stick shift for you guys in the U.S.), it was OK but hard work to drive. This car with 6.2 and auto is mind blowing stuff straight off the showroom floor. You guys missed out on a great car.

Awesome i got a g8gt and was thinking of getting a ss in the future...

If you like that car which the SS commodores are a good thing, l reckon you would also like our Aussie FG Ford Falcon XR8’s with the coyote and the XR6 Turbo’s with the legendary “Barra” in it, but l have to say it’s good to see an American that sees a “four door sedan” as a performance car and the practicalities that go with it than what a lot of your American brothers say that you can’t have a muscle car unless it has two doors! It’s good to see you really like the car and hope you continue to enjoy driving it as you obviously can see how good these cars are, l hope keep it

Our Holdens over here in Australia had the option of being upgraded at a factory named Holden Special Vehicles, (HSV), which people love. An auction just today, the UTE version of the HSV got $1.150 million and the sedan similar to yours only much upgraded engine, $600000.. Check Lloyds auctions for a few more results.

Why holding on to the shifter?? Its an automatic...

I had a Monaro Ls1.. badges as a Vauxhall Monaro as I’m in England . Great cars , loved mine .. basically a GTO with a different front bumper

The early 80`s 90`s were european designed Vauxhall / Opel styling but with decent engines that were on steroids ! Seen a few over in the UK but not many ,would love to have one !

Hi from OZ. Glad you love it, I have the SV6, 6 speed manual. Just got the Alcantara steering wheel and shifter upgrade, can recommend. Wished GM had have sold it better, like..... Wife wants a Malibu Husband wants a Corvette We both got what we wanted! Chevy SS

Brought my HSV GTS 30th anniversary in 2017 they only made 13 in sting red .This car is a rare and it wil be hard to find in the future.

A white one rolls up on my morning work commute from time to time. Makes for a great start to my day. Sounds and looks great. This driver's seat to steering wheel distance is horrendous. I hope he will rise to level of the SS's competency.

Got the predecessor to this car, a 2010 Holden Commodore VE SS Wagon in manual. In the US it was sold as a Pontiac G8 but the US didnt get the wagon or the ute. One day i hope to bring my VE SS to the USA for a road trip.

Good to see the Holden badges.

Might need to check and see if there is a software update for the radio....comes as a usb thumb drive

Hahah if i was in the states again mate i would for sure yell out if i saw u, "Love your Commie mate". You would probably not understand a word i was saying. In Australia what you are driving is the Holden SS Commodore. I have had the chance to drive a couple times now the last HSV Maloo ever made here. It currently has the 507 wakinshaw upgrade on it, is so much fun to drive. I just picked up my brand new Stinger GT a month ago smile has not left my face yet. Glad you love your car mate, we cannot buy 1 here brand new anymore. Our car manufacturing was destroyed and GM has a lot of blame to shoulder. Especially after what GM just did to us with the new C8 Corvette i will never buy another product of theirs ever again.

This is so cool, I always had this weird dream that if I was to move to America I’d buy a Chevy ss and convert everything over to Holden, and I’d just drive around doing burnouts in America like a true aussie bogan 😂

It is a really good idea to have both hands on the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 o clock position as you can never know what is around the next corner.

I have a 2014 SS/Holden! Stage 3 cam, full kook exhaust, Rick Crawford throttle body/manifold and long tube headers! Badass ride!!!!!!

Isn't it wonderful? I've got a 2016. I will keep this car till I'm dead (I'm 65). It's my last car. Got all Holden badges except the damn airbag. 600 bucks?! Hell no. Great video.

Hey mate love her and look after her don't let her go. Us Holden mad Aussies love them and cherish them, I read someone's comment about GM promoting out utes and sedans we were a good mine for GM

just a heads up the VF ss commodore doesnt have the ls3 engine, its an ls2. The ls3 was reserved for hsv and vf series 2 cars.

This is a rather good video. You can see the car moving around which indicates how well the suspension is coping with irregularites in the road surface - suspension tuning - particularly with a car with low profile tyres - fascinates me. The choice of road - a winding mountain road - was also very good indicating from the interior how well the car is handling the corners (notice the drive has one hand on the steering wheel). The other consideration is that the video doesn't obsess - whilst mentioning the subject - on how much power the car produces as many US videos tend to do. Good to see the owner is very happy with the car and chose well. Pity about the incompetance of the Australian government Ministers who failed to convince Ford and Holden to stay with their short term thinking ,resulting in the loss of cars like this.

The VF Commodores biggest customer complaint was the infotainment system. However, it shouldn't just reset like that, it's most likely some sort of wiring or fuse problem (probably fuse). The screen should remember where you left off. If you're in the market for a VF Commodore (Chevy SS for the yanks) it's best to get a Series 2 (MY16-MY17) Holden ironed out most of the bugs in the final couple of years, including the timing chain issue for the V6 models.

Nice video man.. I have the 2014. Trunk won't open. Was working fine then all of sudden it stopped. I've already replaced the actuator and checked fuses and still no luck..

I love my 2008 Pontiac G8 have had it ever since I drove it out of the dealer lot. Lol it’s funny people in the US are Holdenizing their cars and in Australia they’re converting them to Pontiacs.

Hi mate you can upgrade your infotainment system with a Kayhan audio. You should check it out by the holden vf rule

I got my SSV Redline manual Commodore new in 2014, best car I've ever owned and she won't be going anywhere esp with just 70k km's on her. Never had any issues with blutooth with mine, sounds like an issue with your specific unit as mine connects to the phone as soon as it turns on.

Good on ya for the Holden badges 👍🇭🇲

I've watched another Holden Commodore video from the USA and he converted the infotainment system to the Holden system.

I flew to Miami Florida from dallas texas for mine. Fell in love with it immediately

I had an android and it connected when it wanted to. I bought and iPhone and I haven’t had an issue with connecting to the infotainment system.

@shouldigetitreviews did you install that front bumper guard? If so does it protect the bottom lip?

SS Sport wagon is a good shopping basket too.

Own the ute SSV here in Australia and I've never seen anyone use a Whipple blower, always seen the Magnuson or Harrop blowers

You really want the HSV Walkinshaw go faster kit. A mate has it in his SSV Redline . Improves the car immensely.

Congrats. That’s a beast 😊

It's a shame you guys didn't get our Ford FG Falcons as well, in particular the GT and F6...

Absolute crime that Holden have shut down in Australia. If this vehicle had proper support in the US by GM, it would have done really well.

As an aside you could order a new SS commodore from a Holden dealer and have the Chevrolet badges fitted from new

This is awesome!

Sounds like the sound system has an issue with power retention when the ignition is off, or a brownout at engine start, or if it has an internal battery its dead.

Very nice car I live in salisbury downs near the former Holden factory

I own a 2011 VE commodore, but would love to own a VF like yours. 👍👍🤗

2:20 holdin the auto shifter like he shiftin.

As a Aussie Ford fan. Seeing someone love a Commodore over in the states brings a smile to my Face. Holden sure made some Stunning cars. Even as a ford man im happy to admit it.

My only regret as an Aussie is that I didn't buy one of these iconic cars before they were discontinued. They punch way above their price tag.

I have the ute model down under they are loved awsome cars

It's got that Opel look, do you get those in America?

fair dinkum , a Seppo loving the General. Brilliant .. these blokes should watch the ‘Bathurst’ race on Dec 5th to see his car & Micheal Andretti race his ZB Commodore team there. Best Car Race in the World.

v8 Commodores have doubled in value this year. There is AWD SUV available as well even that is holding up in value. The SSV has leather trim and suspension.

Yo dude from australia we love the holden VF ss try walkishaw wheels for the beast

Love the car , we have a SS 2015 storm in Australia, look after it ❤️

It's a shame that Holden is no more. I drive a 2006 SV6 190 KW, just over 100000 KM on the clock, not a thing wrong with it, it's just as good as when I bought it new.

we love them in OZ, stick a set of 1 7/8 headers and a full 3" on it you got get it tunned will wake it up, there great cars ive had mine to 155mph and still some left

If you want more holden like badgine you should change the exterior "SS" badges, just have a look for some.

She is a beauty mate!! Enjoy.

Welcome to Australian ingenuity 👍👍👍

Looks like it's well loved , prices are starting to go through the roof here since they shut up shop so hang onto it.