Vx Calais s/c V6 opinions?

[nstg8a]

Yes I realise its a ford forum, but there's some on here that know a bit about the holdens, so I thought I'd ask the question.

Basically I'm looking for a daily to tide me over for the next three or four years, and I'm only looking at spending 6k. Can go to 8k but I'd really prefer not to.

So, I've eyeballed heaps of cars in the last few weeks ( probably a candidate for the 'time waster' thread according to some) and I'm not finding much that really interests me.

But the local cheapie yard has a pretty tidy vx II Calais, with the s/c v6.
Condition wise, its hard to fault, probably a 9/10 considering its age.
It's done 240000 ish Kay's iirc, and they want 5k driveaway.

Il admit, I loved the interior of it, seems like a much classier interior than the equivalent au, exterior wise, its pretty, well. Meh. Inoffensive I guess. Front looks better than the rear.

Il admit I know nothing about the s/c v6s, what are they like? Reliable? I don't need a powerhouse, and it would no doubt stay stock mechanically.

Any obvious flaws in the vx range? Is 240 Kay's a lot for one f these?

[AU Mont]

the 6's ive heard have their fair share of problems

the only calais' id ever consider are VXII onwards 8's

[Muzzle]

A mate had a S/C v6 in a VT he did'nt like it gave all sorts of trouble and he was a H@#%den man thru and thru, he ended up buying a BA 11 XR6 lol.
My advice buy a XR6T

[stevz]

Originally Posted by Muzzle

A mate had a S/C v6 in a VT he did'nt like it gave all sorts of trouble and he was a H@#%den man thru and thru, he ended up buying a BA 11 XR6 lol.
My advice buy a XR6T

Yeah he's going to find an xr6t for the amount he's looking to spend, or didn't you read that bit?

[Muzzle]

Originally Posted by stevz

Yeah he's going to find an xr6t for the amount he's looking to spend, or didn't you read that bit?

lol all I saw was I going to buy a holden my bad.

[AU Mont]

your in brissie? Hard to go past this AUIII Fairmont Ghia as a daily

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de...13695286/?Cr=0

[burnz]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Yes I realise its a ford forum, but there's some on here that know a bit about the holdens, so I thought I'd ask the question.

Basically I'm looking for a daily to tide me over for the next three or four years, and I'm only looking at spending 6k. Can go to 8k but I'd really prefer not to.

So, I've eyeballed heaps of cars in the last few weeks ( probably a candidate for the 'time waster' thread according to some) and I'm not finding much that really interests me.

But the local cheapie yard has a pretty tidy vx II Calais, with the s/c v6.
Condition wise, its hard to fault, probably a 9/10 considering its age.
It's done 240000 ish Kay's iirc, and they want 5k driveaway.

Il admit, I loved the interior of it, seems like a much classier interior than the equivalent au, exterior wise, its pretty, well. Meh. Inoffensive I guess. Front looks better than the rear.

Il admit I know nothing about the s/c v6s, what are they like? Reliable? I don't need a powerhouse, and it would no doubt stay stock mechanically.

Any obvious flaws in the vx range? Is 240 Kay's a lot for one f these?

owning a VXII berlina iv never has a problem, cant comment on the super six as I had the eight.
haven't heard a bad word on the eco sixes blown or N/A.
gearbox is strong, diff might be tired at 200,000.
take for a test drive and hard turn left and right (at low speed) listen for clutch chatter from the diff..

[nstg8a]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Au mont, I'm not a big au fan, and I'd only consider another one if it was dirt cheap or a ute, certainly couldn't pay 7k for a stock 6 sedan

[ChRiDDa]

provided they have been looked after, the ecotec 6's will go for almost ever and a day! Things to look for - Open the oil cap - This will show straight away if the car has been given regular oil changes

Other things to look for as has been mentioned is the diff - They tend to whine a bit, especially if it's been subject to burnouts

Swaybar link bushes (almost equivalent to falcon rose bushes) can sometimes get a little noisy - No biggie though

IRS rear end - Cradle can sometimes crack (super 6's and 8's, especially the lowered variety) - Also on the rear end, if it's lowered, it will chop the insides of tyres out quicksmart - They suffer from negative camber & toe in

Fuel gauge sender units can be a problem - Shows more juice in the tank than what you actually have

Electrical gremlins in the dash - Blown globes, fan speed resistor etc

Overall, not a bad car - Even better if it's been looked after and for 5K!

[nstg8a]

This is it

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Au mont, I'm not a big au fan, and I'd only consider another one if it was dirt cheap or a ute, certainly couldn't pay 7k for a stock 6 sedan

youd pay 5k for a high km commodore, but not try to bargain for a low km Au Ghia.? The purpose was a daily or ??

Plus the 'supercharged' commodore has less power & torque than the 'stock 6' of the ghia. Not that performance was an issue according to you?.

Seems like your super keen on this particular car, so i'll tell you what you want to hear...... Yes, buy the supercharged calais, they are a great car, really reliable, and at that price its a steal.

[T4ME]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

youd pay 5k for a high km commodore, but not try to bargain for a low km Au Ghia.? The purpose was a daily or ??

Plus the 'supercharged' commodore has less power & torque than the 'stock 6' of the ghia. Not that performance was an issue according to you?.

Seems like your super keen on this particular car, so i'll tell you what you want to hear...... Yes, buy the supercharged calais, they are a great car, really reliable, and at that price its a steal.

LOL the V series S/C Commodores when in good standard form will hose a BA never lone a AU mate.

The torque spread of the V6 is great.

Sounds like you have an agenda

[FGX-351]

Originally Posted by T4ME

LOL the V series S/C Commodores when in good standard form will hose a BA never lone a AU mate.

The torque spread of the V6 is great.

Having driven and raced against quite a few L67 powered commodores over the years i'd have to disagree with this.

Anything from E series onwards with a 5 speed, red rocker cover & not to mention a capable driver will leave these things in the stone age.

I'd think of it this way, its 240,000kms at $5K.
Given the extensive use of this car over the years(good or bad), you'd really want to give it a good check over and make sure everything is in good working order.

Doesn't take much for any nasties to appear & end up costing you a few extra grand in repairs.

Either way have fun, there's nothing like having a new car to play with!

[Dilzzyy]

Hey mate i got vy calais with the same engine . Never had a problem with it since ive owned it .mines only done 120k though.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Given the option to go for an LS1 in the same car, I'd go for it.

I nearly bought a S/C VT years back but the potential of the LS motor (even with small mods) swayed me given the extra fuel, rego and insurance costs (not that much extra).

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by grandpa_spec_F6

Given the option to go for an LS1 in the same car, I'd go for it.

I nearly bought a S/C VT years back but the potential of the LS motor (even with small mods) swayed me given the extra fuel, rego and insurance costs (not that much extra).

Ls1 commo's in my price range aren't the tidiest, plus the added costs of a v8 (1k a year in rego plus my love of hearing a v8) means for once my head needs to rule. At least a little. 6 or 4 cylinder for this daily.

[atmoxr6]

s/c 3.8 ecotech pwr/torque, 171kw/375nm, when new

[RAPID_BA]

Ive owned a vx s/c 6 in the past. Great car. Only issue i had was supercharger snout needed replacing at around 100000km due to bearing noise. Very quick cars off the line and unbeatable traffic light to traffic light grand prix. I think at 240000km it would be a little tired though. Spend a bit more and go lower km. The $1000 you save now might cost $3000 tomorrow with repairs.

i currently have a ls1 and love it. If you can stretch to get one, they are awesome. Mine has minimal mods, 230rwkw and flat 13s all day. Be difficult to get that from super6 with minimal mods.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by RAPID_BA

Ive owned a vx s/c 6 in the past. Great car. Only issue i had was supercharger snout needed replacing at around 100000km due to bearing noise. Very quick cars off the line and unbeatable traffic light to traffic light grand prix. I think at 240000km it would be a little tired though. Spend a bit more and go lower km. The $1000 you save now might cost $3000 tomorrow with repairs.

i currently have a ls1 and love it. If you can stretch to get one, they are awesome. Mine has minimal mods, 230rwkw and flat 13s all day. Be difficult to get that from super6 with minimal mods.

What was the economy like?

Performance isn't a concern, and if I get it then it would be left largely stock.

As I mentioned earlier, ls1 isn't an option, rego costs and lack of self control means I'd be filling the sucker up every few days.
At one point I was averaging 250km from a full tank in my old fg.

[Smoke Pursuit]

They are thirsty and aren't that quick. I'd go an ecotec, better on fuel and less to go wrong.

[dallasv8]

my AU VCT XR6 manual could pull over 900km from a tank on the highway,650 in town. brilliant car.i personally couldnt go past a Falcon.

[Dilzzyy]

I get 480km out of a full tank on mine soo they do use more fuel than the ecotec . Mine has a few bolt on mods ,smaller pulley ,roller rockers, hsv exhaust. There quick off the mark and pack a decent punch. but if fuel is a concern for you id say go the ecotec. I do give mine the odd squirt fairly often though

[nstg8a]

Economy is only a concern in that if im paying for v8 fuel consumption then I might as well get a v8

[RobVee]

from my own personal experience i would say avoid anything before VY and after VZ.

[FalconXV]

Good luck. Those supercharged ectoecs are expensive to replace when they lunch. $4K for a second hand one, I knew someone who went through it. Sole reason I bought my AUII Forte over a VT Calais S/C.

[xisled]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

Good luck. Those supercharged ectoecs are expensive to replace when they lunch. $4K for a second hand one, I knew someone who went through it. Sole reason I bought my AUII Forte over a VT Calais S/C.

You can pick a whole motor up with everything between $750 to $1000.

My mates dad has one, done 320000ks. Whines in teh charger, but the thing does not get looked after.

[OLDFORDNUT]

not cheap to run but a bit of fun ,you can get a good ba and even bf's for that price though,au would not be worth more than $2000 nowadays unless xr6 or 8,

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by OLDFORDNUT

you can get a good ba and even bf's for that price though,au would not be worth more than $2000 nowadays unless xr6 or 8,

quite a hilarious post

[AU Mont]

here this one's even cheaper with some more km's

$3500 with standard wheels
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...-2134826/?Cr=0

[Alan D Segal]

If you want a cheap daily for around $5k drive away there's plenty better around than a 240,000km SC Calais, IMHO.