See the Best Hatchbacks in 2022 as rated by Australians on ieatwords.com.au.
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Reviews

  • Build Quality
    1.0 (1)
  • Value for Money
    2.0 (1)
  • Cleaning & Maintenance
    2.0 (1)
  • Noise Level
    2.0 (1)
  • Braking
    4.0 (1)
  • Acceleration / Power
    3.0 (1)
  • Gear Shifting
    3.0 (1)
  • Suspension
    3.0 (1)
  • Fuel Efficiency
    2.0 (1)
  • Handling
    3.0 (1)
  • Interior Design
    4.0 (1)
  • Boot Size
    4.0 (1)
  • Comfort
    3.0 (1)
  • Features
    3.0 (1)
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Shaxpier
ShaxpierSydney, NSW
  • 48 reviews
  • 12 likes

Deservedly Did Holden's Name No Favours In The Long Run

published

I needed a small car quickly and thought anything with a Holden Badge would not be all that bad. Hardly expensive upfront but things that last years just kept needing doing way soon. The engine was harsh and just something that generally Holden should never have associated themselves with, Had a few Holden people thoroughly agree on that last bit, so not just my opinion. I was pleased to see the back of it.

Purchased in November 2005 at Holden Dealers.

Build Quality
1/5
Value for Money
2/5
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Hi I have problem my holden viva 2008 automatic its hard to put into reverse can you help??

published

I brought a car 3days ago its Hard to put into reverse I have to put my foot on the break its a automatic holden viva 2008 and a engine light was on the gears jerk abit I didn't no what to do and manifold needs doing on it was it worth buying

BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedApr 2018
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Alfio
AlfioBrisbane
  • 6 reviews
  • 3 likes

Holden Viva are not good cars

published

Not a reliable car. Constant issues with car. Cost a fortune to run and maintenance. I would never recommend this car to anyone as I feel it is not safe or a sturdy vehicle. Transmission and engine problems has been the most issues that have arrised over the past 2 years.



BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedFeb 2016
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Sam
Sam
  • 5 reviews

Good size, uses alot of petrol

published

It is a good size car for one person.. It is reliable and easy to park. It drives really well. The interior is great. I wouldn't mind cruise control or heated seats! Recommend for a first car. Would be easy to learn to drive in. I would definitely shop around.

BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedJuly 2009
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Never again

published

This is actually the worst car I have ever had.

Constant stalling, low idle, shuttering. Taken to 3 different mechanic and they haven’t been able to fix. All them like to steer clear to be honest.
I finally got to give t back to the car yard I got it from thank god



BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedAug 2016
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Blown head gasket

published

Bought second hand with around 80.000 km on the clock. I bought it because it was a cheap car but you do get what you pay for in this case. I have been left stranded 3 times, each time with a different hose blowing and subsequently the car overheating. Problem = blown head gasket.

Airbag light came on and off multiple times on its own and I had 2 total electrical failures that also fixed themselves.

Happy to see the back of it and part ways with the definition of a lemon...

BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedJune 2013
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Death trap on wheels

published

Terrible car, money pit of issues that Holden can't diagnose the fault. Shuts down when driving leaving no lights, no brakes or anything. Have to try and restart car whilst free wheeling. Despite sinking $2k in repairs and diagnosis to Holden and mechanic no-one could fix the issue. As too unsafe to drive due to random engine switch off got rid of it. Contacted Holden and they didn't really care. Don't buy one of these. 2006 low kms.

BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedJune 2013
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Scamp56
Scamp56Melbourne

Biggest piece of crap!

published
BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedJune 2011
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Its crap!!!! Don't buy one!!

published

This car has given me nothing but trouble!
The engine light came on with in the first few months of owning it, it would lose power or even stall making driving an hour to uni most days extremely dangerous and scary! it has had 2 oil leaks in the last year at one point the oil leaks were in 3 different places. The airbag light comes on and off as it pleases and to top the cake it the transitimation has completely died and is in the process of being fixed this is costing me $2500 not including labour hours and the other problems that are being fixed as well.

Worst car I have ever owned!

BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedFeb 2015
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Hatchbacks

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MaddM
MaddM
  • 2 reviews

Nothing but trouble and expense

published

I bought this car for my university student run around. It had about 100k on it. For the first few months it was running fine, then the issues started- airbag light on. Suddenly losing power whilst driving or when first go to turn it on. Also a fuel guzzler. This model should absolutely be recalled. No mechanic has been able to find out what the issue is. It is dangerous and a piece of crap.

BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionManual
Date PurchasedMar 2012
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Mata
MataAuckland

Issues

published

2007 Holden Viva - worst decision ever. I was looking for a car that was affordable, follow-up on servicing plus my son was learning to drive and easier for him to learn on an auto. Issues with the engine light and climbing hills. I should have stuck to my first decision instead of the Holden Viva.

BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedSept 2009
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Problems

published

A 2006 viva hatch was my first car, still on my Red P's. bought it at 96,000 kms for $4k and have already had to fix the oil it was leaking. The engine light comes on randomly and it fails to accelerate, being very sluggish (think it might be a problem with the fuel injectors)
The car seemed very nice on the exterior and the features inside, but practically the car is already failing, don't be fooled by its nice looks because you will be disappointed. When the car works it's very nice, but the problems keep progressing and it just means more money to fix it - Viva is over all unreliable from my personal expierance and from what I've heard from others, quite dissapointed.

BodyHatch
BadgeEquipe
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedSept 2016
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Hatchbacks

Find out how Holden Viva JF (Hatchback) compares to other Hatchbacks

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Sonja
SonjaBrisbane

My first car but few problems

published

My 2007 viva hatch has had engine light come on then it will drive very sluggish and slow for a while mayb 20mins in drive them pretty much normal again. This is problem ive had aince buying car from car yard over a year ago. Dpes anyone know what this is?. I think its a transmission problem. Also at first a fault showed ..saying was inhibitor switch so put new one in $300!!!still have this problem . Then fault showed brake switch so put new one in $100!! Still have problem. But then again may just be fail safe mode...and i probly have another fault.. bot a good car . Also wasnt starting first turn of ignition a while back so put new fule filter in and that fixed that. Wouldn't recommend this car at all.

BodyHatch
BadgeHolden viva
TransmissionAutomatic
Date PurchasedAug 2015
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Great car

published

I think i am like the 4th owner ive only needed to get the crank sensor cable replaced because it was having problems with idling. So reliable !!! I love it !! I even named it vivian its such a great car. I think i got lucky with it though i have seen some complaints about the 2006 model. But i recommend buying a car like this of a person you can trust :)

BodyHatch
Badge(No Badge)
TransmissionManual
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worst car ever

published

Bought my Holden Viva 2006 from a car yard about 9months ago.. since then have had nothing but problems. Engine light has been on since ive taken it to car shops to get it checked and they dont even know what the problem is!! It stalls on me when my revs are to low so have to pretty much keep reving it when i come to a stop so it dont cut out on me. Stalls at round a bouts. Because i have to slow down. Pretend much a lemon. Would not recommend this car for anyone to buy! Sad thing is i used all my savings to buy this dam car. Worst thing ever terrible on fuel as well

BodyHatch
BadgeEquipe
TransmissionManual
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
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Questions & Answers

Alex S
Alex Sasked
JF (Hatchback) (2005-2009)

Where is the fuse located for the cigarette lighter and what is it marked as ??

No answers
Robert S.
Robert S.asked
JF (Hatchback) (2005-2009)

Where is the starter motor located 2007 viva

No answers
Kyson F.
Kyson F.asked
JF (Hatchback) (2005-2009)

Stereo wiring colours for Holden viva 2005

No answers
See all Holden Viva JF (Hatchback) (2005-2009) questions

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Holden Viva JF (Hatchback) (2005-2009)

Details

Compare all 3 Holden Viva JF
CategoryCars and Hatchbacks
Starting Price $20,790.00
TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD)
Fuel TypePetrol
Wheels15" Alloy
Fuel Consumption7.4 L/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity 60 L
Engine4 Cylinder 1.8L
Max Power89kW @ 5800rpm
Max Torque169Nm @ 3600rpm
Country of ManufactureSouth Korea
Manufacturer Warranty3 year(s)
Release dateJan 2005
Discontinuation dateDec 2009
Compare all 3 Holden Viva JF

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