VN Calais questions

[al9]

Ey peoples
im looking to purchase a vn calais shortly just for winter use as riding in the rain on a litre bike isnt much fun.
What are some main issues to look out for on VN's?
Do the vn calais have keyless entry and central locking?
Do the series 1 and 2 have the digital odometer? what are the other functions of the 3 lil screens below the cluster? eg trip computer functions?
The series 2 have have the 147kw engine right?
How long do these engines and transmissions normally last on these cars?
can someone put a link up to a site that has specs and pics of vn calais.
thanks peeps

[sircruisealotVS]

ok...usual issues, leaking boot, rust (espacially around the rear window), power steering probs, and general non-functionality of some electrics (eg. rear elec windows).
vn calais come standard with central locking and an alarm.
all vn calais have the digital trip computer...which will tell you dist. till empty...km's travelled...odometer.etc.
series ll doesnt have a 147kw engine..thats the ecotec engine (vs-onwards).
with good maintenance and being well driven (not thrashed), the ol' buick will last well up to 300k+..the 'box will really depend on how well the car was driven and serviced, usually 250k (around that) you'd expect to overhaul the 'box.
redbook has specs for the vn calais.

[PaRaDoX]

vn calais come with remote entry / central locking... getting one with a working remote is doubtful,

electric windows are a pain in the ass lol.. replaced 3 motors so far...

series 1 has 127kw
seies 2 has 125kw
despite what most sites says and anyway, thats at the fly wheel.. a stocky vn on the dyno would pull 85-95rwkw if they're lucky

DFI moduels tend to brake, ive replaced the power steering pump/hoses
crank angle sensor, check for rust aswell, also check for a straight body (all panels fit together nicely)

overall the only real advantages it has over the vn exec is
power everything
nice seats
a 2 tone paint job
cruize control
and a funky grille with calais badges
also its around 70kg heavier

they're what? $500 more than a exec lol, i was lucky and scored mine with a mint interior for $2500, 265k on the clock now (250 when i got it)
engines going hard, had to replace the suspension

also vn tail lights are a pain in the ass, mine was fine... right up untill i backed into a magna and created a leak in the boot (metal shifted where it was tact welded) and the wiring loom got rooted,

over all its a reliable car if you treat it with respect, easy to find parts for which is a bonus!!!!!

[al9]

thanks for the info guys

i bought a eb fairmont 6 years ago and that had a decent interior for its age so i dont want to go backwards comfort wise
any other input would be great
thanks again

[daves8]

I have a 89 5 litre calais for sale if you are interested, i am in sydney....

[al9]

dave my budget is only $2500
plus i want it on gas aswell

[1991_Vn2nV]

electric windows are a pain in the ass lol.. replaced 3 motors so far...

series 1 has 127kw
seies 2 has 125kw

With the electric windows, I just gave the solenoids a bit of a whack and they worked....but i didnt use my rear windows for a weak and they stopped again...gave them another whack and ran them up and down like 50 times and they have worked since. I think alot of the time it is just the solenoid and unfortunately its a whole unit so u cant just replace the solenoid by itself.

Also its Series 1 has 125kw
Series 2 has 127kw. You got them confused.

[PaRaDoX]

i know in the books it says 125kw for the S1 engine, whacking the solonoid really work??? when i brought my car the drivers side worked perfectly, the rears didnt function, and the, passengers side front was getting jammed due to a loose seal, replaced 1 motor and it works perfectly, ive tested the last non working window, the wiring / switch is good, might give it a go, did u rip the motor out to whack it or just take the trim off??? my car was a family car before i owned it, a common problem with the power window switches were fiddled with lots lol, and sometimes wared with parents, i dont think motors like being told to go up and down at the same time... lol

back on the S1/S2 motor, i believe that statistic was wrong due to the restrictor to fix the S1 crap idle, anyway id like to see a vn pull 125-127rwkw on the dyno stock lol, thats the thing i dont like everything should be measured in Rear wheel kilowatts not at the fly wheel, as thats what matters!!!!

[mouce]

The trick is though, that it's not the power that's the really important part, the V6 produces massive amounts of torque, that's why it's so easy to loop them in the wet if you aren't used to driving them.

[1991_Vn2nV]

i know in the books it says 125kw for the S1 engine, whacking the solonoid really work??? when i brought my car the drivers side worked perfectly, the rears didnt function, and the, passengers side front was getting jammed due to a loose seal, replaced 1 motor and it works perfectly, ive tested the last non working window, the wiring / switch is good, might give it a go, did u rip the motor out to whack it or just take the trim off??? my car was a family car before i owned it, a common problem with the power window switches were fiddled with lots lol, and sometimes wared with parents, i dont think motors like being told to go up and down at the same time... lol

back on the S1/S2 motor, i believe that statistic was wrong due to the restrictor to fix the S1 crap idle, anyway id like to see a vn pull 125-127rwkw on the dyno stock lol, thats the thing i dont like everything should be measured in Rear wheel kilowatts not at the fly wheel, as thats what matters!!!!

There are many changes in the engines from the original S1 to that used in the 1990 models and then again in the 1991 models. From the crankshaft to the cam. And the VP is 127kw which is the same engine as the 1991 VN's. After 4000rpm, the series one engine drops off more rapidly in torque and also flattens out in power (although not severely).

As for the power window, it was my right rear window that didnt work as well. I just took the trim off. I think the fact that i used it like 50 times afterwards re-enacted the connection on the solenoid. My left rear window actually wont work now, im planning on doing the same thing when i get the time.

[PaRaDoX]

yeah i took the trim off today to test what blue vinal looks like, (fake leather)
anyway gave the solonoid a good whacking with no luck, its the motor thats blown or the solonoid is just rooted, anyway lol this is the 3rd door trims ive gone through, (stock calais... its ok but looks dirty, then bright blue, too bright for me, now vinal.. its a good material except the colours not as birght as i want, kinda looks dark blue/green. oh well...)

yeah thanks for hte tip anyway