Holden Sedan Range

If you look at the market for Holden’s long-wheelbase Statesman and Caprice models historically, it seems they do experience an uptick in value as they become older and rarer. But, then, that goes for a lot of makes and models, too.

The really collectible modern Holden models are more likely to be anything with a HSV badge or a Commodore SS with the V8 engine. The very last SS Commodores with the SS-V option (with better brakes) have already proved collectible, as has the super-rare HSV W427. That said, even these models have suffered the same value drop as many other cars post-Covid.

So will a late Caprice ever be collectible and valuable? Possibly, but you’ll be waiting a while. In reality, values of them could have a way to fall yet, before prices start heading upwards as collectability calls.

Let’s get something straight right from the off: The Holden Calais and Holden Captiva are not close family members. While the Calais was an Australian-engineered and built car, the Captiva is a rebadged Daewoo and not a very good one at that. So don’t be tricked into thinking that because they both have a Holden badge and a V6 engine, that they’re peas from a pod.

The reality is the Captiva has an absolutely dreadful reputation in the trade for poor build quality and sketchy reliability. Most mechanics wouldn’t travel 500 metres to look at one, let alone 500 kilometres. I’d take a 231,000km Calais over any Captiva, old or new, any day.

Holden actually sold a lot of Captivas back in the day, mainly on price alone. But many who bought them then stood and watched as they things fell apart and soon began to cost plenty in repair bills. Doubtless there will be some out there who own and love their Captiva, but the reality is that these cars are best left well alone.

I can only hope so. Trying to start an engine with an obvious and large fuel leak like the one you’ve described is really tempting fate. This leak needs to be fixed before attempting to start or drive the vehicle as it’s a major fire hazard.

Even turning on the ignition will have the pump spraying fuel everywhere from the leak, so I’d disconnect the battery until the hose is repaired and the leak stopped. There’s a chance the computer has detected the lack of fuel pressure, but whether that’s what is preventing the engine turning over is another thing. You may have multiple problems.