Virtual Mechanic

The EH Holden and now

I want to take you back in time when the EH Holden was born
This was a special time for the vehicle industry within Australia

In 1964 it was a mans dream to purchase a EH Holden, it was a choice between the Ford and the Holden. Of course the real choice was the EH Holden.

This was the era when you looked under the bonnet saw an engine, said wow as it idled like a finally tune machine.

The six cylinder inline red engine was a motor with a lot of power for its day, when you made a purchase you just wanted to learn as much as possible with pride, it was the car you parked out the front of your home to let people know you were a Holden man and you made time to wash your car even if it wasn’t dirty.

In 1964 a car owner was almost expected to learn a some basic mechanical knowledge about their car, and no Holden owner was no exception.

It was a given to learn that this vehicle required a special understanding when braking in the wet on ply tyres as radial tuned suspension was not invented yet.

A true Holden owner knew when the battery was on the way out by the cranking speed when starting up each morning, let me add the battery would normally last 5 years without any trouble.

Petrol in 1964 was more consistent than now as it would last months in the tank without loosing its octane values.

The EH Holden came with the following features

Choice of color
Station wagon, or sedan
Heaters were standard
Bench seats in the front or bucket seats
Column or floor shift
Manual or Auto
Now for the more pedantic owner there was an option to have rear Venetian blinds.
Of course you could get a tow bar.
Front and rear mud flaps
White wall tyres

The EH Holden was built with a chassis as opposed to mono construction

If anyone ever opened a door of a EH Holden it would burn that audible sound into your memory forever.

To the people of person to whom was responsible to the most unique design I say well done as it was a vehicle of fond history
MORE TO COME

VM Service maintenance analysis, Holden Cruze 2010
Make Holden
Model Cruze
Auto Petrol
Year 2010
Service schedule intervals up to 60,000kms
3,000km Free of charge by selling dealer
15,000Kms cost $306.00
30,000Kms cost $356.00
45,000Kms cost $396.00
60,000Kms cost $546.00
————————————————————————
Make Holden
Model Cruze
Auto Diesel
Year 2010
Service schedule intervals up to 60,000kms
3,000km Free of charge by selling dealer
15,000Kms cost $411.00
30,000Kms cost $461.00
45,000Kms cost $501.00
60,000Kms cost $741.00

New vehicle Warranty for period of 3 years or 100,000kms
Its worth noting, dealers set there own prices on the above service intervals.
The prices were quoted by Sam at Bay City Holden it this dealership a mobile service van that provides service to
their customers in the metropolitan area for just the cost of the service.
Whlist this dealer is not offering a fixed price service its worth pointing out that only one service maybe required each year.

VM Service maintenance analysis, Toyota Yaris 2010
Make Toyota
Model Yaris
Year 2010

The following vehicle is offered with a fixed priced service maintenance schedule
Toyota is offering a 4 year or 60,000km capped price service (whichever occurs First) conditions apply.

The following spreadsheet will indicate the total cost of the capped price service.

10000Km $130.00
20000Km $130.00
30000Km $130.00
40000Km $130.00
50000Km $130.00
60000Km $130.00

Total Cost $780.00 but consider the following items

But it will not include the following items and please read carefully

It seems the dealer standard is set at offering a capped price service up until 60,000Kms

The capped price service do not include

Replacement of worm wiper blades
Brake system inspections
Headlight realignments
Balance and rotation of wheels for even wear
Valve clearance adjustments
Testing and re-gassing air conditioning.

I’m not sure if belts are included in the capped price service either

The item that concerns me the most is the fact that the Automatic transmission is not indicating a service schedule, but only an inspection every 40,000kms.

The last time I looked on the parts catalogue, transmission fluid is cheaper than a transmission.
Toyota will need to consider a fast reply to my observation.

If the automatic transmission is never serviced then who is taken the risk here, I hope that I’m wrong or a typo
has occurred the transmission is serviced at some point within a 100,000km parameter.

If the transmission is never serviced or the fluid is never changed I will need to conduct a oil analysis to determine the condition of the oil, to ascertain if the transmission will indicate a metal percentage in the oil thus causing premature failure.

If this is the case then the product will only maintain a value inside the warranty period.
The cost task to service and maintain this vehicle may become costly if you need to repair or replace an automatic transmission.

By Darren Gow-Brown,   WWW.Virtualmechanic.com.au

What’s important when buying a new small car

Purchase cost
Its seems one could spend anything from $13,000 to $35,000 the higher end of the scale may not reflect anymore features than the mid range, the question is what can you efford on the day, and we are talking about a small car in the practical sense 
Warranty
Warranty is very important but there are many factors in the warranty, for example its no good if your vehicle is under warranty but you keep taking your vehicle back for the same problem, car makes almost factor this in so your question is how far is the service centre if you need to return your vehicle for service or warranty.
Its almost getting to the point where buyers should enter into a contract where if the vehicle is repeating a issue more than three times then the dealer should offer a free vehicle should be provided.
Most people just give up after a period of time never to purchase the same type of vehicle again

Service costs
When it comes to servicing this is something to research, but not from the sales person perhaps you want something in writing. You want to know how much will your new small car from 0 to 100,000kms over the next 5 years, you may also compare the service cost of an independent service centre, remember the warranty is not effected if genuine parts are used.

Features
Recently I have noticed that features are so fluffed up they tend to hide the real benefits. Features are the new way to confuse you when it comes to technology, never feel inadequate if you are told it has ABS, BA, EBD, CVT, VVT, no these are no degrees behind someone’s name they are becoming the standard in most small cars.
After going shopping for a new small car if you look at more then 4 vehicles at one time the changes are that you may forget some of the important items.
 
Safety Rating  
This factor has got so much invested interest, there are many ways to achieve a high safety rating but let me ask you the question.
Are you a good driver ?
Are you planning to smash your car into a pole and walk away?
Are you planning to drive in a dangerous manner ?
Are you planning to tailgate driving ?
If you think you are a poor or bad driver then perhaps the Safety rating is important for you

Road test
When shopping around its always a great idea to take two people with you so when you drive you will feel if the car has enough power with three people as opposed to one person, when driving you are looking for engine noise, response from the engine to get from 0 to 60kms

Insurance
Before you decide on a particular small car check with several insurance companies to make sure there are no hidden factors that might give reason for a high premium 

Trade-in value
In the trade its common knowledge that if you are able to dispose of your vehicle within 80,000kms with full service history stamped in your owners manual, within the three to 5 year mark then the chances are you should get a fair or good trade in this will depend upon the car make and model, this research important to understand should you consider turning cars over on a regular basis

Car looks
I have to add this item as I have sited some very ugly looking small cars of late and if you are planning to purchase an ugly looking car please consider other road users, family and neighbours, or build a garage to hide it away at night

Virtualmechanic checklist to buying a small vehicle

Make _____________

Model____________

Price_____________

Cost to service or is there fixed price service available

10,000 $___________

20,000 $___________

30,000 $___________

40,000 $___________

50,000 $___________

60,000 $___________

70,000 $___________

80,000 $___________

80,000 $___________

100,000 $___________

What is the total cost of an ignition key including programming to the vehicle
How many ignition keys come with the vehicle
Engine sizes________

Transmission Options_____Auto________Manual

Spare wheel___Full size_______Space Saver_________

Warranty period and what are the service conditions to maintain the warranty ?

ABS

Airbags
Traction control
More to come

By Darren Gow-Brown WWW.virtualmechanic.com.au

Fixed priced service, DEALER OR INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTRE ?
Some car manufactures are coming to the party to protect their brand, offering fixed price services.
This may appease the minds of motorists with the view that your dealer is now in competition with third party service centres. Most large corporations want your business at the least possible cost so if they are able to break your habit and get you away from your independent dealer.
Lets analyse this in greater detail, in the hope that you will be able to make an informed decision.
Lets compare two small cars on fixed price servicing
Toyota Yaris, using the TOYOTA SERVICE ADVANTAGE PLAN.
Mitsubishi Colt, using the MITSUBISHI DIAMOND ADVANTAGE CAPPED PRICE
Compare both vehicle using and independent service centre offering capped price servicing

Toyota will service your Yaris for $130  every 10,000 kms but only for the first 6 service intervals, or up to 60,000kms.
I need to understand why a car maker will not offer the capped price services up to 100,000Kms
 
To keep this vehicle in warranty it must be serviced every 6 months even if it stays in your driveway surely this cant be right, or did I misunderstand the fine print.
What does the capped price service include?
As from what I can ascertain, only the following items to be replaced.
Oil.(Every 10,000)
Oil Filter, (Every 10,000)
Air cleaner (Every 40,00)
Sparkplugs (Every 40,000)
Brake Fluid Flush.(Every 40,000)
Fuel filter, including in-tank filter (Every 80,000)
According to the Service schedule the transmission fluid is never changed
Hopefully the dealer will access the engine management system to download any faults logged
The question remains, what is the cost on the following items
Front end alignment
Front disc Pads
Rear Drum Shoes
The cost of Spark plugs
Wiper blades
Valve adjustment what type of adjustment
Engine coolant
– — – — – — – — – — – — – — –
Mitsubishi will service your colt for $195.00 every 15,000 but only provide the capped servicing up to 60,000km
MORE TO COME
– — – — – — – — – — – — – — –
 
An independent service centre, is offering the following
fixed price servicing, on a 2008 Toyota Yaris
Out of 10 service centres to perform a 10,000Km fixed price service the prices range form $136.00 to $195.00, etc

  Toyota Yaris 
     10,000     20,000   30,000   40,000   60,000    
1 $136.00 $209.00 $136.00 $289.00 $166.00
2 $146.00 $184.00 $146.00 $322.00 $180.00
3 $148.00 $196.00 $148.00 $328.00 $184.00
4 $154.00 $235.00 $154.00 $339.00 $192.00
5 $159.00 $180.00 $159.00 $339.00 $195.00
6 $159.00 $166.00 $159.00 $343.00 $195.00
7 $160.00 $195.00 $160.00 $343.00 $195.00
8 $160.00 $192.00 $160.00 $346.00 $196.00
9 $174.00 $195.00 $174.00 $368.00 $209.00
10 $195.00 $195.00 $195.00 $407.00 $235.00

– — – — – — – — – — – — – — –
An independent service centre, is offering the following
fixed price servicing, on a 2009 Mitsubishi colt
Out of 10 service centres to perform a 15,000Km fixed price service the prices range form $168.00 to $241.00, etc
 Mitsu Colt 
    15,000    30,000   45,000   60,000  
$168.00 $357.00 $198.00 $357.00
$183.00 $403.00 $219.00 $403.00
$186.00 $407.00 $221.00 $407.00
$193.00 $418.00 $228.00 $418.00
$197.00 $418.00 $232.00 $418.00
$197.00 $421.00 $232.00 $421.00
$199.00 $426.00 $236.00 $426.00
$214.00 $456.00 $253.00 $456.00
$217.00 $469.00 $262.00 $469.00
$241.00 $512.00 $288.00 $512.00

To be fair we don’t know what parts are replaced or what additional work is performed, for example the price may include a car wash, drop off the customer, front end alignment etc.
NOT FINSHED AWAITING FOR MORE INFORMATION
Written by Darren Gow-Brown, WWW.Virtualmechanic.com.au

Apart from and ugly looking car it was lacking the bare essentials to entice a test drive
 If you are a tall person this is not the vehicle for you
It you are conscious of service interval costs then the gets gets up you as the price is between $330 and $700 ranging through the services at 10,000 km intervals
The driver seating was hard is it felt like a seat you sit on and sit into.
I would be concerned about the resale value of the gets given a bad track records of resale values as the interior seems to deteariate over time now of cause there is the now 8 year warranty and 200,000 km warranty to consider but let me ask how many people have the time to keep taking there car back under warranty and how many people give up only to accept faults as there occur.
There are many ways to achieve a high ancap rating for the people basing their decision on this factor.
A car maker can build a vehicle with enough airbags to achieve a high ancap rating or build a vehicle to a standard of quality this I may elaborate on later but for now
Without putting the salesman in I was not really impressed with the ability of the salesperson unable to even try to sell the features
If  Hyundia have such a fantastic product why is the cost of service intervals so high and the resale value so low.

Special Notes
The Hyundia Gets requires about 4 glasses of good wine if you are planning to park this car in your driveway as it may start to look better after this time.
This vehicle was not given a road test due to the fact that the head room test failed upon the initial inspection, not to mention the lack of interest displayed by the salesman on the day failing to sell the features if any, on the day

Written By Darren Gow-Brown, WWW.Virtualmechanic.com.au

The Mitsu colt is at least a vehicle with the mitsu badge now to me this means a lot as Mitsubishi is a strong brand for many reasons
Sorry Mr. Mitsubishi but the contour design has something to be desired but step into the colt is where you need an open mind to realize the colt has the most comfortable seats for a vehicle in this price range, my client was shopping for a manual but we were given an auto to test drive, wow the Constant variable transmission was something to experience this 1.5 litre engine was giving me enough power to be satisfied. It was a wet day at the time but I never had to fight we the tyres spinning on take off
I was very impressed with the power produced from a 1.5 litre variable cam-timing engine
Basically this means that the ECU or electronic control unit is maximizing fuel and power efficiency in many more ways than just fuel injection.
The Mitsu colt is giving you a lot of value for you money
Note Mitsu is offering buyers fixed price servicing, at 15,000 intervals at a fixed cost of $195.00 per service.
Fixed priced servicing does not include sparkplugs, wiper blades, fan belts, globes, wheel alignment..
So why even offer a product if it does not cover all these hidden extras.
In my opinion the Mitsu Colt is a strong contender to the small car market.

Special Notes
The Mitsu Colt has the most comfortable seats out of all the small cars reviewed
This vehicle has plenty of power due to two factors
The CVT and the VVT however I would like to know if the transmission is reliable over the next 250,000 kms
Written By Darren Gow-Brown, WWW.Virtualmechanic.com.au

Virtualmechanic overall rating 4.0 out of 5.0 
Toyota Yaris 2010
Date or Review
July 2010
PRICE
 $19,788 Drive away (using the online Pricing calculator)
FEATURES
VSC ,ABS, EBD, BA, Safe-T-Cell, EPS
Full Size spare wheel.
Driver and passenger SRS airbags.
Digital speedo.

MODEL
5 Door Hatch

ENGINE OPTIONS
1.3 litre Engine
1.5 litre Engine

IN MY OPINION
The Toyota Yaris ticks most the boxes
The diver seat is height adjustable the rear seats are able to slide forward and backwards, the spare tyre is a full size wheel meaning it is not sacrificed by an emergency wheel to which we will touch on later.
We had the opportunity to road test the 1.3 litre on my opinion if your planning to travel with anymore than 3 people I suggest considering a 1.5 litre engine as the 1.3 was lacking in power with 3 people in the vehicle, let me further explain here. If you are planning to drive the vehicle with one passenger then the 1.3 Yaris is suitable
If you plan to have some weight in the rear and drive around with extra passengers then you may want to consider the 1.5 litre engine.
Digress for one moment whilst shopping for a small vehicle I naturally ask as many questions as I can to be informed about my decision, and yes I’m critical about any level of service, and willing to observe good or poor service with feedback given.
When we were at the Toyota dealership at Frankston it was Joel’s positive and enthusiastic attitude that made it easier the make the decision to buy the Toyota Yarris
In my opinion the reasons why the Toyota Yarris rates 4.0, in the small car value for money are as follows.
Low service interval costs at $130 per fixed priced service every 10,000Kms but only up to 60,000 Kms or 36 months, what ever is first.
Good resale value history
Low engine noise whilst driving from 0 to 60
Adjustable driver seat height
Same size spare wheel, no funny wheel
Appealing exterior design, yes this car you feel ok to park in your driveway when you get home, you don’t need to hide it away as it wont win the ugly car competition
Plenty of room inside the rear if you need to rear passengers
Don’t stop there whilst we were looking at the Yarris the salesmen Joel, used this time extremely well as he added that apart from the fixed price servicing Toyota have a procedure where two mechanics are given the task to perform the service thus reducing the down time of your vehicle at the service center. It gets better it takes just ONE HOUR to service the Yarris this means anyone time poor would almost considering buying a vehicle just because they no longer need to leave their car at the service center all day.
SPECIAL NOTES
Take a close look at the terms and conditions when it comes to servicing.
What lets Toyota down is the BELOW AVERAGE customer service when ringing the head office, I was placed on hold for 28 minutes only to be told someone will return my call…..Oh what a feeling 
Written By Darren Gow-Brown, WWW.Virtualmechanic.com.au