ge4998135644162720713
ge5263252163752977096
ge4665913410646300113
ge5535852079307893965
ge5167865049104022573
Cliff Chambers12 Jun 2014
ADVICE

Buying a used Holden WL-WM Statesman (2004-2012)

The days of Australia's longest-surviving prestige model are numbered, but is the Statesman too big and thirsty to remain relevant in the used market?

Not too far into the future will come a day when our nation's leaders no longer ride in an Australian-built car. The decision to end car-making in this country has been made and will not be reversed and Holden's long-serving Statesman/Caprice may be among the first victims of the shut-down process.
Recent versions of Holden's prestige models still typify the traditional large Australian car. They also gave us an export presence in markets from Korea to Kuwait. Sadly for people who enjoy owning large, rear-wheel drive cars, demand has slowed to the point where building them became uneconomic. However, the impending end of production should help sustain values.

HISTORY
The WL Statesman/Caprice range was launched in August 2004, bringing with it a 'High Feature' version of the Alloytec V6 engine and improvements to the 5.7-litre V8. The US-developed V6 had 24 valves and twin camshafts with a narrower 60 degree angle between the heads to address harshness and vibration that had long plagued the 3.8-litre version.

A year earlier, the styling of Holden's luxury models had been significantly altered to ensure they stood more obviously apart from the Commodore range.

A 94mm wheelbase extension delivered luxurious legroom for back-seat occupants, with access via longer rear doors. The roof was reshaped and windows enlarged. The Statesman nose was plain and a little severe when viewed alongside the Caprice with its blacked-out grille centre and smarter lighting arrangement.

The differences were further magnified upon opening the driver's door. The base car had leather seat trim – with velour at no cost if you wanted it – and sufficient gadgets to keep most people occupied, but overall ambience was a little drab.

Now walk across the caryard to a Caprice, which in WL V6 trim cost $70,000 new, and you find a cabin packed with more opulence than was available in some European models with price-tags above $100,000.  

Most obvious was a dash brimming with controls for a huge range of devices and dominated by a large multi-function screen. For entertainment, a six-stack CD system was supplemented by video screens set into the front head restraints.

Early V8s didn't get the same kind of traction control as V6 cars but the firmer Caprice suspension and beefier tyres still did a very decent job of keeping the 260kW in touch with the road. New to the WL was a tyre-pressure sensor, ball-joint mounting of the anti-roll bar and revamped power steering.

WM models appeared in August 2006, bringing 6.0 litres and 270kW to V8-powered cars. These also debuted a new US-sourced six-speed transmission. The V6 was fettled a little more to release five extra kilowatts but it was forced to wait until 2009 for its transmission upgrade.

Inside all Statesman/Caprice models is a plethora of air-bags and other devices to protect occupants in major impacts. Buyers who ignored the fallacy that tall, unstable 4WDs would protect their family in a crash found in the Holden a big vehicle that genuinely delivered a high degree of secondary safety and the responsiveness to perhaps avoid a crash in the first place.

For those bothered by the long WL/WM overhangs and possibility of low-speed parking bumps, Caprice versions come with front and rear proximity sensors.

Joining the WM range in 2011, the Caprice V delivered a $6000 price reduction which pushed the V8 back below $70,000. Features of the Caprice included Xenon headlights, SatNav and Bluetooth with 18 inch wheels standard.

ON THE ROAD
Australians have taken a stance against big cars for a range of reasons, not all of them valid. Used to ferry one person in stop-start traffic, cars like this are manifestly inefficient, however if you load it on a regular basis or make longer journeys at relatively constant speeds the Statesman/Caprice becomes viable.

The vast majority of owners will not drive these cars like they are stolen – or rented – but it was nice during a test-drive to find some unoccupied sections of twisty bitumen, flick the transmission between second and third slots and let the V6 unleash its 190kW (195kW in the WM) very effectively. Who needs a V8?

Torque from either engine is available from low down in the rev range and there seems little point to revving them past the point where they start to sound thrashy or stressed.  

Sizing up the stock wheel and tyre packages you might wonder how relatively skimpy 225 section tyres on 16 inch rims (17s on the Caprice) might deal with tight going and 1700kg. Surprisingly perhaps, the basic car's response was neither sloppy nor scary and anyone using the right foot with common sense will make their way through bends securely and at very decent pace.

Power seat adjustment should, with some fiddling, provide a comfortable perch for drivers of almost any shape. Those with a long torso and short legs might find their head too close to the roof or feet too far from the pedals but even with the front seat all the way back, rear leg-room is still excellent. The centre position provides decent comfort and those not enthralled by the video displays can see easily out of large windows.

Boot space, even allowing for a full-sized spare wheel and 73-litre fuel tank is generously long and comes with a ski-port. Grizzles include insufficient height for tall bags and some types of golf buggy.

Fuel consumption is an issue that deters some people from enjoying the benefits of a bigger car. If you plan on a lot of commuter kilometres, the V8 that in traffic uses over 15L/100km won't recommend itself but the V6 does better and only requires 91RON. On the highway, 9L/100km is available and the daily-use average is slightly above 12L/100km.

CHECK POINTS
>> Big Holdens, especially those painted in white, may have spent their early lives as executive or Government cars. Some might have run huge kilometres in hire fleets but these are fairly easy to spot. Clues include tatty boot carpet and rubber seals, pock-marks on the centre pillar from carelessly-released seat belts and a collapsed or recently re-trimmed driver's seat bolster.
>> Various electrical issues have been reported including sticky or inoperative seat electrics, flickering or simply blank dash displays, non-functioning cruise control and tyre pressure monitors that give ridiculous readings or don't work at all. Spend pre-purchase time checking it all works.
>> Rattling at start-up or tapping noises when idling indicate stretched timing chains or camshaft wear. Fixing either involves significant time in the workshop, so find another, quieter car.
>> Cars that show high or fluctuating engine temperatures may need a replacement radiator cap or thermostat. Have the system pressure tested if suspicious of a problem.
>> Interior plastics weren't any better than those used in other Holden products and become brittle or simply break with age and use. The handbrake cover is especially vulnerable. Avoid any car that is suffering serious cosmetic problems or faded, sun-bleached interior components.
>> Overloading and heavy towing can hammer the independent rear end into early submission. If the springs are sagging and differential cradle bushes either chopped out or brand new, avoid that car.  

USED VEHICLE GRADING
Design and Function: 14/20
Safety: 14/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for Money: 16/20
Wow Factor: 12/20
TOTAL SCORE: 70/100

ALSO CONSIDER: Ford Fairlane, Chrysler 300C, Nissan Maxima 350

Share this article
Written byCliff Chambers
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Looking for a family car?Get the latest advice and reviews on family car that's right for you.
Explore the Family Hub
Family
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.