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Buying a new Calais. Whats your opinion?

Started by VLforced · 9 Oct 2011 · 21 replies

Preserved from CalaisTurbo. Original authors and dates are shown; archived members are not current Holdcom accounts.

VLforcedArchived member
Hey guys, New to the forum. but I've been using it as a guest for years as ive been through around 4 - 5 VL's But anyway more to the point I'm about to buy my first VL calais as I'm about to get my licence back. Here are the pictures. Now first off I know its missing the calais glovebox and highrise fabric but it is a genuine article. What I'm wondering is should I swap the red interior or a grey? or even beige? also should I keep it original or paint it standard light blue over silver and put a 5 speed in it. as I have to be on my green P's for another 2 years now *facepalm* (should be on my fulls) so question is to modify and turbo when I get my fulls? or keep standard for good resale value and sell when I'm on my fulls to buy a Calais turbo or SL turbo? Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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CSL-FLYArchived member
thats mint keep the red interior. keep it auto
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VLforcedArchived member
Mintish, I'll definitely be giving it some TLC making it look just out of the factory, what about mods such as lowering and a catback, do you reckon that will put the value down.. I mean I've done it a million times before but should I have learnt my lesson by now?.. lol Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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CSL-FLYArchived member
lower it properly, dont chop the springs. king springs and shocks. 2.5inch cat back exhaust, even a standard vlt setup with a no holes cooler kit
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NASTY1Archived member
looks good. leave it as it is dont touch a thing except lower it what do you mean by missing the fabric from glove box and console lid? its a s1 it never came with fabric.
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VLforcedArchived member
Oh really? I didn't know it was only the series II ones that had the fabric.. You learn something new everyday I guess. Thanks for that. I suppose if I get a new catback I can always swap it back in around 15 mins, and yeah I'm pretty sure I will lower it, and yeah ive never cut springs. I'm not that cheap. haha ---------- Post added 09-10-11 at 13:53 ---------- and yeah as for turbo I wish, I'm an apprentice Mechanic ATM so hopefully by the time I'm on my fulls I will be qualified and ill be able to whip something up , but I definitely would never cut a hole for an intercooler.. no way. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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xAsh-Archived member
Im pretty sure that 'maderia' interior color was only ever on S1 VL's from '86. so yeah it wont have the extra padding, you'd have to get that made custom or dye some existing ones red. looks nice though, i'd get it p.s cut the cooler hole, so much easier to run a forward facing plenum and a hole imo, who cares about the body if it isnt a genuine turbro Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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NASTY1Archived member
i have seen s2 red trims. you can buy a can spray/dye. it makes the trim so much nicer. here's my old red trim before and after
Photo 1 shared by NASTY1
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VLforcedArchived member
maybe its just rarer in the s2?, but yeah ill definitely be dying the trims, I saw a guy use some stuff he got from spotlight in the tech area, Im just hoping the red grows on me . makes it look much nicer. and while I agree that the hole is easier. you cant change your mind once theres a hole there :s. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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NASTY1Archived member
i found ithard to get the dye
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aus880Archived member
there's been so many threads asking 'what should I do' do whatever you want to it, you make the decision, don't spend money based on what others say you should do
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LUXJETArchived member
yeah as nasty1 said its a s1 therefore no gbox and hirise padding.. iv never seen a s2 red interior now that i think about it?
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NASTY1Archived member
there about but just not many...
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MurphArchived member
There are a number of differances in the '86 Calais, not just the pads. Dash cluster is the same as Berlina, no buttons on the seats, different seat stiching, longer auto selector and hollow headreats(newer models have the solid VH SL/E solid style). My advice with the mods is to leave as stock as you can. I did a 5 speed into my '86 Calais a few years ago, thinking it would be worth more, but i had heaps of trouble trying to get rid of it after.
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SHIZNTArchived member
White VLC + Red Interior = Sex! Pic of my old one... Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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VLforcedArchived member
Quote: Originally Posted by SHIZNT [View Post] White VLC + Red Interior = Sex! Pic of my old one... wow that is a sexy car. I think you may have just convinced me to get a set of internationals too. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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NASTY1Archived member
Quote: Originally Posted by SHIZNT [View Post] White VLC + Red Interior = Sex! Pic of my old one... one of my old cars ---------- Post added 11-10-11 at 18:43 ---------- Quote: Originally Posted by Murph [View Post] There are a number of differances in the '86 Calais, not just the pads. Dash cluster is the same as Berlina, no buttons on the seats, different seat stiching, longer auto selector and hollow headreats(newer models have the solid VH SL/E solid style). My advice with the mods is to leave as stock as you can. I did a 5 speed into my '86 Calais a few years ago, thinking it would be worth more, but i had heaps of trouble trying to get rid of it after. 5 speed sells ten time faster then an auto. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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VLforcedArchived member
just bought it Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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jordyArchived member
congrats, looks nice
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VLforcedArchived member
Just added possibly the most important part of any calais, best $160 I've ever spent. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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