I purchased current model Barina 3 door November 2001. Typical negotiations at purchase time involving suspect salesman tactics with price reducing over $2000 from first quoted on road price. Worst aspect - being stung additional $460 to get car in colour I wanted (only two in stock). This *charge* not sprung until I was ready to sign on dotted line.

Delivery - advised on a Wednesday car ready late Thursday said I would pick up on Friday. Phoned 9 am Friday for details for insurance - car did not arrive at dealer til 9 pm Thursday night some four hours after I was told I could pick it up and would not be ready until Monday. Told them it would be ready that day or the deal was off. Picked up car on Friday 2 pm. Took two weeks of phone calls to get my deposit refund (car financed in full). In the mail, sent last Tuesday etc. In the end had to go in to dealer and they drew *another* cheque as *the first* hadn't arrived (never sent IMHO).

First two weeks car was very difficult to drive. Coordinating clutch and throttle impossible. Either stalling or revving guts out of the motor. Took back to Suttons - mechanic didn't drive the car and said they were all like that and tried to send me away. I pushed harder and said no way, there is something wrong. Eventually spoke to a gentleman named Geoff who was a roving tech for Holden (not Suttons) who spent an hour with me. Engine management code not updated from version 7 to 9.

Wrote to Holden (cc to Suttons and Wheels mag). Have never received a reply from Holden or Wheels. Suttons investigated. Have said they have corrected their sales process to inform customers of extra charges from the start. Could not explain the stuff up on delivery as salesman couldn't remember (yeah right). Meeting with Holden revealed engine management code should have been updated on the cars arrival in Australia when aussie cat converters and heat shields are fitted. Holden cannot explain why this was not done - in fact the despatch sheet from the contractors said it had been done. End result an offer of two years free servicing.

3 months down the track and the car develops a knocking noise when turning corners. A single knock turning left or right about the time of the weight transfer in the middle of the corner. Took back to Suttons and offered to take mechanic for a drive to point out noise. Not interested - advised mechanic would find it. Two days off road and steering rack replaced. Told problem fixed. First corner on leaving dealer the knock is still there.......

2 weeks later the dealer replaces steering column but knock persists. Dealer wants to keep car so arranges for a rental. I am grateful for this but rental turns out to be a Commodore - what a gas guzzler. After two weeks off road dealer has absolutely no idea what the problem is - I am getting annoyed by this so I call Holden in NSW and deal with the area manager. He goes to dealership and it takes another 3 days before they isolate the problem. Supposedly a faulty panel in the drivers side front wheel arch causing two parts of the sandwiched panel to flex and contact each other. Dealer takes car to a body shop to have panel fixed and re rust-proofed. The noise appears to have gone although I have no confidence left in the car and hear noises all the time that I am unsure of whether they are the same problem or road noise or some other problem.

Four weeks later and the noise has definitely returned.......Seems to be getting louder though not as loud as before. Have called the NSW area manager for Holden and they want to inspect the car to see if it is the same problem or something else. Have suggested that if it is the same problem that something will have to be done either replacing the car or come to an arrangement re the dealer buying back the car.....

It turns out that the second noise was due to incompetence of the dealer. When trying to find the original noise they had loosened and retightened four sub-frame bolts many times. These bolts are called stretch bolts and are not meant to be retightened. You undo them and then you must replace them with new ones.........they didn't know that.......

Now I am happy with the car although there are some aspects of it's design that are annoying. The gutter rails in the roof are leaf traps along with the fresh air inlet in front of the windscreen. Don't park this car under a deciduous tree with small leaves!

Addendum

Since I wrote this missive the car has suffered several other problems including a failed EGR valve, a faulty O2 sensor and sticking valves that required a complete recondition of the heads. The car has only done 20,000 km in 3 years.........the dealer was not able to provide a definitive reason why the heads needed reconditioning. In addition the dealer managed to break a wheel cover while the heads were being reconditioned and of course the style of cover sold with the car is no longer available so they were replaced with the current style which IMHO are pretty awful.

Just out of warranty and the block fuse for the aircon/ventilation system has blown. Fortunately it didn't melt the fuse box housing (which apparently can happen) - Holden refuse to come to the party regarding replacement so I take it elsewhere.

4 1/2 years into ownership and manual gearbox linkages need replacing at a cost of $692 AUD. The car has done 28000 kms. Have placed a call to Holden customer care regarding compensation as I don't believe they should fail at such low mileage. I have suggested they pay half. Don't like my chances though.

Would I buy another? NO WAY!