Hey Guys, Just wondering what your thoughts are on buying a Calais and using it as a daily driver? As far as reliability ect.. Im new to Vls and dont know too much about them, any thoughts also as to what to look for when buying? Cheers Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

If you do buy a vl it's handy to always keep a spare working air flow meter and distributor with a 13mm spanner in your boot. Because these are incredibly common electrical items that stuff up. When you are looking to buy one things to look for are; - previous history (of course) - rust, especially in the boot and around window seals - mileage (any VL under 225,000 these days I would consider low kays for age) - electrical instruments and power options ( things like power windows, cruise, power mirrors, nearing 30 years you would expect some of these to not work) Just a starting point for a new vl driver, Happy Calais hunting.

Cheers turbo head ill keep that in mind Ill be getting one hopefully in the near future, just gotta get rid of the car i have now.. haha THanks a heap Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

They are notorious for dying due to CAS faults. Get good at changing them, and always carry a spare.

Thanks alot 5spdvl What do you guys think: 250,000km - no reg - good exterior no (minimal rust) and good interior $3500?? http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/lalor...dan/1023703134 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/lalor/cars-vans-utes/1987-holden-calais-sedan/1023703134) Ill be looking for something around this price and condition, just not sure if thats a good price or not just let me know what you guys think and ill keep an eye out Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Thanks 5spdvl, ill keep that in mind for sure Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Inspect the car for rust everywhere! Especially in the boot well. Make sure all the tags match up (engine, vin and etc).

Thanks alot guys!! keep the info coming in, i want to learn as much as i can haha Rust... just annoying ... Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

dont bother they are buckets

haha i see a few good examples getting around haha Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

http://www.calaisturbo.com.au/showthread.php?t=99511 VL buyers guide, this should help you out

Highly recommend that you know someone with a tow truck because it will definitely spend some time on one.

There not to bad as a daily! Just be careful and take take your chrome strips off of the bumpers ect because mine kept getting stolen from shopping centre car parks thats the only drama I've had hahaha. I kept club lock on and an oklock that goes around my shifter plus handbrake haha I was driving my Calais turbo on LPG for just over a year straight as a daily before i took it off the road for a bigger setup and i had 0 dramas! There strong cars if treated well.

My car hasn't given me a single major problem in 18 months ownership or so. Depends on how well it's been maintained to be honest.

Thanks guys!! Much appreciated information!!! BigM22 - exactly what im after thanks heaps! TRELL4 - makes you wonder why people have to steal things, i just dont understand it, but i will keep that in mind, a few calais getting around here in Wagga now, good to see a few about What set up are you running now?? CYNICL - haha thats wat i want to hear haha, still at the point where in deciding newer or whatnot but i like VLs so.. haha Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Buy what makes you happy mate. Whether its a fully sick calais turbo or a homo erotica civic Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by chief355 [View Post] Highly recommend that you know someone with a tow truck because it will definitely spend some time on one. BS I've been around and owned vls for nearly 10 years and have only had a break down once. It was caused by an auto cooler fault

^ agreed I'm baffled at the amount of people talkin about the unreliability of VLs Yes ok they're old and things die sometimes, but its not like they break down due to poor design etc (except a cracked head)

Quote: Originally Posted by BigM22 [View Post] ^ agreed I'm baffled at the amount of people talkin about the unreliability of VLs Yes ok they're old and things die sometimes, but its not like they break down due to poor design etc (except a cracked head) Hey bud, have you read the quote attached by mus. I had a v8 as a daiily for nearly 15 yrs and in that time it went through starter motors, power steering racks / alternators / radiators and the usual leaking rear main / power steering rack / engine sump / gearbox sump. Modifying opens the doors to more problems as the car senses you have lots of money. Never owned a six till my recent purchase but found it had the same common leaking sumps etc. All the jap cars I have owned have clocked up much more ks and still have same starter / alternators from original purchase and are very reliable. At the end of the day it would be plain boring to own a VL that is reliable.

It's like any car, spend the right money to start with and buy a good example, and it wont bite you in the ass later. Find a nice, tidy example that hasn't been thrashed/wrecked/or played with by any of Roger Cordia's friends and you'll be fine.