differences between vx calais & SS

[justcruzzinn]

hey guys
ill be gettin my opens soon so im gettin ready to sell up my v6 vt and get a v8 vx

im set on getting either a vx calais or vx ss (6 speed ofcorse)

what would be the major mechanical differences between the two?? like the running gear n such..

[MR_VX]

well the calais doesnt come with a 6 speed manaul if thats what ur asking!!!!!

[hwy747]

The running gear is the same except as MR VX said the Calais was available in auto only. The only differences performance wise will be the handling as the SS came with FE2 suspension and the Calais had a much softer, more "comfortable" suspension. Equiptment wise is where you will see a difference. The Calais had electric seats, climate control, 4 airbags standard (optional on SS with leather), 3 window trip computer dash, improved sound system etc.

But if it is manual you want, the SS is the go!! (Unless you have a few extra thousand for a Clubsport R8!!)

Hope this helps.

[feistl]

But if it is manual you want, the SS is the go!! (Unless you have a gew extra thousand for a Clubsport!!)

The Clubsport is actually based on the Executive, so actually has less features than the SS. A clubsport is essentially a V8 Exec with a body kit.

Clubsports vs SS vs Calais

If you want the best of both worlds, you want a manual senator. These are very rare, but are based on the calais with the SS drivetrain (EG manual).

The GTS is also an option, as it comes with most of the features of the senator but with the calaway V8 (300kw).

Senator vs GTS

However if your gonig to mod the cars (EG OTRCAI, Cam, Exhaust, Tune etc) then go the senator. It will make just as much power as the GTS, but has better features IMO.

However, what is your budget? The senator/GTS are going to be $25-30k, so might be way outside of your price range.

Make sure you get a series II VX, as the series I had serious camber issues (as you probably know).

Personally i would go the SS (and did) as the calais/berlina look like crap IMO.

You can easily upgrade the dash/tacho to a 3 window, which is awesome if you grab a senator 3 window tacho from holmart for about $500.

Depending on how much you want to mod your car, you can easily upgrade the seats to full electric leather, and if your lucky get an SS with 4 airbags.

You can install climate control etc at a later stage, however this is fairly complex and can be expensive, so unless its a project car i wouldnt bother.

Check out my ride... Its essentially a VX SS with Red Leather Interior, 4 Airbags, Sunroof and full GTS running gear. Its making around 450kw at the moment, but will hopefully be boosted above 600kw (flywheel) after the charger goes on

Im looking around for a wrecked caprice/statesman, as i want to upgrade my interior to climate control, auto headlights etc. Its a fairly big project, but not impossible.

Cheers,

[Vt_vic]

id go a clubby or something there getting dirrt cheap now ive seen heaps of manual clubbys going for just over 15k and senators too but there autos

[Drewie]

Insurance is the killer on HSV's though.

[justcruzzinn]

my budget will be around 15 grand. hence why i didnt evan begin to consider a senator or gts as they go for around 20 - 30 grand.

im not to fussed about all lil accesaries like climate control n such id prefer drivability

pretty sure il go the ss as im going to keep it fairly stock since it will be my daily drive apart from wheels, suspension, and zorst.

thanks alot guys been very helpful
cant wait till i get my opens only 3 months to go yewww