Upgrading to Ve Calais V

[clock]

Hi everyone

Well ive got a pay rise and i want to have something to show for it, so im going to upgrade from my vy to a ve, and looking at most likely a v8 calais V, but with a budget of around 30k.

im on my 2nd holden now, and i dont think ill ever buy any other make

I just wanted to post on here see if anyone could give me some advice, tell me how awesome they are.. etc etc

im thinking black or evoke or karma with dark leather, in my price range can get anywhere from 06- even 09 at a squeeze!

some queries i have that people might be able to help with are:

should i avoid 09 as the stuff ive read about AFM doesnt sound like something i want, eg hearing it kick in and out etc. i will only be doing about 10k per year + 09 is a squeeze at my price range anyway - could get better k's with an 08

should I avoid 06/07 as they were the first try at this series of car? or is there really no risk in getting the 06 07 models?

I see SS V's with less K's a fair whack cheaper, anyone know or driven both and can give me an idea of the differences?

also im having trouble finding a good range of them for sale through the popular online websites, specially in the v8 colours and k's range im after, can anyone recommend any awesome undergrund places to source this kind of vehicle?

thanks heaps everyone, and cant wait till i join the VE CLUB

[HUX 90]

Hey the AFM is that great it'll save you about 1L per 100K so it's not realy worth it and it'll be easier to get an exhaust without the AFM because you don't have to worry about drone or getting the AFM disabled later on. My Grandparent have an 07 calais V international and they haven't had any problems with it, they also got 19" rims put on their calis which is well worth it. You definately wont be dissapointed buying a calis in my opinion i think black with light leather looks awesome.

[dredrum]

Good choice mate...but I'm a bit biased. I just picked up a 2007 Calais v in evoke with the shale leather. Paid $24990, but with 141xxx kms on it. Bit high but exterior and interior are immaculate.

Love the 6l, quiet, smooth and still powerful. Interior is well appointed with leather in most places and feature packed. Such a smooth ride too.

Absolutely in love with it. I've gone from an omega so the differences are very stark.

[unitdiplomacy]

I Recently upgraded from a '06 Omega to a 2010 Calais V Sportwagon (AFM) 12,000kms on clock, got a great deal, paid $32k /w trade in on omega .

We absolutely love it, the leather trim everywhere, overhead dvd player with 2x IR remote headphones & Remote control, front & rear park assist + reversing camera, tow bar, parcel shelf, personalized keys, i.e i have my key and my Mrs has hers, when i unlock it sets the electric seats how i have it, changes radio, dash display, side mirrors, air con, etc. and gotta love the big 6ltr v8. with the stock exhaust we didnt really notice the AFM enabling and disabling. we got it down to 7.8 L/100 on a trip to sydney. However now that i have put a exhaust on it we are considering disabling the AFM (when i get it tuned )

[clock]

wow ok cool thanks for all the replies guys thats seems like an awesome price very low k's dredrum.

i think then i will look at anything from like 06 -08 hoping to get something with under 50xxx k's

dredrum, does the 07 model have all the features that untidiplomacy has mentioned there with the 10 model cos wow unit that sounds AWESOME exactly the kind of stuff i would fall in love with

and has anyone driven an SS or caprice to give some comparisons because i am maybe considering them, although after unit explaining all the luxury features i think im starting to get really set on the calais V !!

[dredrum]

Mine dosent have reversing cameras or an LSD, I think the only two options it didn't come with from factory. Nothing to do with the year, just the original purchasers choice.

I've driven ssv, suspension is slightly stiffer for more sporty feel...but in saying that the Calais is marked improvement over the wallowing feeling the omega exhibited at high speeds. Also, no manual option on the Calais. But the 6spd auto is very nice with sports shift mode for when you want play with gears.
The interior on ssv is black leather, but not near as much as Calais. A small point, I can't stand the red backlighting of the ssv interior, much prefer my crisp white.

[TinSnips]

Evoke gets my vote for colour on a calais.

The SS is a bit edgier than the calais (stock for stock), in that most calais are fitted with a suspension tune called FE1.5 - which was released after people complained (god knows why) bout the FE2 suspension being too harsh (FE2 is fitted to SV6, SS, SSV). For me, both set ups are under-damped and under-performing, but the FE2 will give you a more precise ride, than the lounge-chair-like FE1.5. I went with the SS for two big reasons - ute & manual. There is no manual option on the Calais. Driveline-wise, the two models are identical, except for the fact that the V8 calais don't get an LSD as standard, whereas the V8 sport models do. It is an option though, so if you can find one with it fitted, you're winning.

I also prefer the seats in the SS to the calais, they're more heavily bolstered and supportive, though the Calais does score the extra thigh support of the SS - which is a good thing.

It all really comes down to what you're looking for in a car (again, assuming you intend to keep it stock - you can modify it into anything you want). Grab the SS if you want louder styling, and better driving dynamics (and the option of a manual gearbox) - grab the Calais if you want a more subtle look and luxury.

[TinSnips]

hahaha.. snap

[dredrum]

Bahaha great minds Aye tinny!?

Think we covered all the differences and quite a bit if overlap for good measure

[clock]

haha awesome thanks heaps for the advice guys, im now much more confident about looking at maybe 06 or 07 if the right offer comes along, and will test drive both but i think im leaning towards the calais any idea on some good places to look around for them online or in sydney?

thanks again much appreciated

[TinSnips]

where abouts in sydney?

[clock]

where abouts in sydney?

Baulkham hills near parramatta

[TinSnips]

Baulkham hills near parramatta

Easy.. 5 min from my place!

Barry Smith Holden on Pennant Hills road often has some good used cars.

Suttons at Waitara has a couple of gems in there at the moment (can't tell you the prices - but I do spend a lot of my time up there!) - just make sure the car you're buying is actually legal though (if that's important to you)... they have a few V8s at the moment on 22s with the wrong OTRs fitted.

Try Castle Hill Holden, but they tend to be better for new cars.

Incidentally, I'm only suggesting the holden dealerships as you can often get freebies thrown in, as opposed to, say, a ford dealership who just wants the cars gone.

Otherwise, just trawl through www.carsales.com.au

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awesome thanks man will keep my eyes out there

cant wait, im spending way too much time just looking around at them but its my motivation to keep working hard so its all good i guess

I was wondering if anyone knows what these rims are as these are the ones i want to get


im going to sell my VY privately most likely and use some of that to get these rims i think they look AWESOME with the evoke

edit: you can see the whole car including the pic above here http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...ords=&__N=1216

although its not a V series so not what im after but still looks very noice

[clock]

Hi all its ok I worked out that they are RJR Fate - Machined Black from bob jane.. so I rang them and they do not make these rims anymore, can anyone recommend some nice ones of a similar style to these that they have seen ? Cheers