Trying to buy a Chevy Omega...but I want Holden badges in Brazil!!

[Chevy Omega Brazil]

Hi y'all,

In first place congrats for the great website and forum. I´ve been reading it for quite sometime and thought I'd join as soon as I got myself a Calais (Chevrolet Omega here in Brazil).

I'm still struggling to buy it (I'm 28 y.o. and cars in general are very expensive in this country and the Calais is considered an executive car and a gas guzzler) but the first thing I'd like to do when I get is is to change the chevrolet badges and place Holden ones instead.

I've never seen any cars with Holden badges (I believe they simply don´t exist here) so I believe the car would have a more striking presence if it bore some Aussie pride!

Besides, I'd like to keep the Chevy badges without damaging them in case I need to return the car to normal conditions.

I'm sending you pics of the model we get here: it's basically a VZ Calais V6 with Berlina interior and exterior looks (I believe they've done so to keep a more discreet look).

To turn it back into a real Calais, I've identified some differences and I'd appreciate if you guys could help me:

-Front lion badge (Would a new grill be necessary too?)
-Back lion badge
-Front and tail lights
-Engine cover lion (Do I have to replace the whole engine cover or just the badge)?
-Horn and Airbag steering wheel cover (Again can I just remove the badge or do I need the entire cover?)
-Interior, passenger side Calais inscription (Can it be removed and replaced?)
- 1 Rear and 2 sides "Calais" badges
- Two side V6 Alloytec 190 badges (missing in Brazil)

Now, the toughest part:

-Are the front and rear bumpers and side fascias (is this how you call them in Australia?) the same? I couldn´t figure out from the pictures. Could y'all help me?

-Mud guards (Would I need those?)
-Rims (not sure I could import those, must be expensive to ship due to weight)

In case I keep the "Berlina rims", I'd need:
-Five rim center lions (right?

Is that all? How much do you believe these parts would cost at a Holden dealership? I hope they're not too expensive because we are hit hard with taxes here (60 to 70% extra).

So that you have an example or our awful taxes, I'm trying to get a VZ but may settle for a VX in case I can´t make all that money....check it out....

2005 VZ Calais : 35,150 Australian Dollars in Brazil!
2006 VZ Calais : 44,750 AUD
2001 VX Calais: 19,180 AUD

How they expect a young fella to buy a nice ride with those prices?

Take care guys, sorry for the long post and thanks.






May be easier to spot the differences on silver.





WebMotors - Chevrolet Omega 2005
Small photos, but quite complete weblink, so you can see our Left Hand drive Calais.

[TVR-190]

with the grille, you have to buy the entire grill, not just the badge, we can buy the chevy grille through the holden spare parts here, so try going to a GM spare parts place and see if they can get the holden grille

[Fonzie]

Good to see some aussie pride
That rear bar on the silver one looks normal... But I don't own one, So don't quote me on that.

[Kal123]

I think that both bars are the same, all you need to do is replace the badges..

Basically everything you need can be found on the Australian Ebay...


-Front lion badge (Would a new grill be necessary too?)

Yep, new grill.


-Back lion badge

Easily found on Ebay.


-Front and tail lights

Not needed, they are the same.


-Engine cover lion (Do I have to replace the whole engine cover or just the badge)?

This will be tricky, the black plastic can't really be removed, you may have to get a whole new manifold.. or possible remove the black cover completely?


-Horn and Airbag steering wheel cover (Again can I just remove the badge or do I need the entire cover?)

Easily found on Ebay, will have to replace the entire cover.


-Interior, passenger side Calais inscription (Can it be removed and replaced?)

Not sure what you are referring to?


- 1 Rear and 2 sides "Calais" badges

Ebay..


- Two side V6 Alloytec 190 badges (missing in Brazil)

Ebay!


-Mud guards (Would I need those?)

Not really, most of us take them off.. But again found on our ebay.


-Rims (not sure I could import those, must be expensive to ship due to weight)

Just change the centre cap to Holden One's..Ebay again.

[TVR-190]

1 thing wrong mate, the Calais headlights are black while Berlina are silver

[Kal123]

Another thing, you could change the lights to these one's.. They look much better. Looking at $550 + Shipping.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2yjwmmf.jpg

EDIT: Haham you caught me out.

[HoldrodeoLT]

homem amável de carro, você fez bem

[excalibur]

there's one major problem the steering wheel is on the wrong side

[50LTRv8]

I am amazed that no one here is flaming you for this, after all, people hate cars with chevy badges on them in AUS.

[HoldrodeoLT]

I am amazed that no one here is flaming you for this, after all, people hate cars with chevy badges on them in AUS.

I got myself a Calais (Chevrolet Omega here in Brazil).

That's probably why it's got chevy badges.. bcause it is a chevy in Brazil.

[Kal123]

I am amazed that no one here is flaming you for this, after all, people hate cars with chevy badges on them in AUS.

I've been waiting for someone to bring this up lol.

[HoldrodeoLT]

But there factory badged a chevy.. he cant do anything about that.. the only flaming he would get is people from his country saying "Why do you want to put lion badges on, thats australian" like we say "Thats american to the bowtie".

[Kal123]

Exactly, and you couldn't really flame him over that.. because the car IS Australian after all lol.

[Chevy Omega Brazil]

Thanks for the replies so far!

[Chevy Omega Brazil]

I've responded most comments here, but there seems to be a delay:

Chevy Omega Brazil
Thank you for posting! Your post will not be visible until a moderator has approved it for posting.

As for the "flaming" thing, well, I realize it may sound funny to you guys, but I believe it's an Australian car and I'd like to "return it to its origins". Besides, I like the Holden lion better and I believe it'd make an impression here: no one has seem those.

[BXHD]

too right i think its awesome that he wants to show off some holden badges over there, it is a holden after all!
good luck with it bud

[minux]

I am amazed that no one here is flaming you for this, after all, people hate cars with chevy badges on them in AUS.

Theres always 1...did you actually read the first post?

OP, best bet is ebay.com.au could always ask the sellers to quote a cheaper price on the package so that way you pay less tax. many aussies are happy to help out evading tax


Good luck with it.

[minux]

I've responded most comments here, but there seems to be a delay:

Chevy Omega Brazil
Thank you for posting! Your post will not be visible until a moderator has approved it for posting.

As for the "flaming" thing, well, I realize it may sound funny to you guys, but I believe it's an Australian car and I'd like to "return it to its origins". Besides, I like the Holden lion better and I believe it'd make an impression here: no one has seem those.

We have some things in place that try to prevent spammers. After a few posts this approval process will stop

Edit: just changed your user profile, you shouldn't have an issue now.

[mainpath]

Another thing, you could change the lights to these one's.. They look much better. Looking at $550 + Shipping.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2yjwmmf.jpg

EDIT: Haham you caught me out.

Wow they look really good, where can you get them from?

[Chevy Omega Brazil]

I did post a reply that didn´t show up, so I'm trying to re-write it.

TVR, GM Brasil does a terrible job assisting their Import Line customers. It's truly awful but most dealerships doen´t even know what Holden means!:

Fonzie, Thanks! When and if I get my car, I'll be proud to carry some Aussie pride on it. No one knows Commodores have such a great on and off track history around here, and it's a shame! The local craze nowadays are Honda Civics - Brazilians's idea of a great car.


Kal123, Thanks for the e-bay tip. I did check it and found many of the items, but not all of them. I was hoping to get them all from one supplier to save on the shipping. Please let me know if you have any ideas. Btw, that headlight you've showed, isn´t it the original from the Aussie Calais? Remember our Omega here comes with the "Berlina" visual...

excalibur, Well there's some controversy regarding the side of the steering wheel. I couldn´t help but notice the forum's Aussie smilie might be a "traitor". Look how he drives a LHD car. >>> He's shifting gears with his right hand!!! Personally, I think you guys should deport him.

HoldrodeoLT, I didn´t know Portuguese language was fashionable down under...LOL Nicely done! And thanks for the support! I believe people in Brazil wouldn´t flame me because the car is actually known popularly as "Omega Australiano".

BXHD, Thanks, glad you appreciate the effort...it's surely going to cost me...prices aren´t as low as I imagined.

minux, Thanks for unblocking me. And regarding tax evasion, I believe it's natural to colonnials...remember, we were once a colony too....and I'm personally very "colonnial" regarding taxes LOL

Thanks guys, please don´t stop. I really need your suggestions.

[Kal123]

Wow they look really good, where can you get them from?

$585 on ebay! And they will fit any VZ.

[Troy711]

Sell your old Chev stuff on eBay cos someone here will buy them

[ashbox]

good on ya for wanting the holden stuff, by the looks of the pics holden ripped you guys off.

it looks like they just added the high output motor and 5spd auto into a berlina going by the pics you've posted.

[50LTRv8]

Theres always 1...did you actually read the first post?

OP, best bet is ebay.com.au could always ask the sellers to quote a cheaper price on the package so that way you pay less tax. many aussies are happy to help out evading tax


Good luck with it.

Yep i read it all mate, you should turn your sarcasm meter down so your not offended

Hey man nice car, just joking with ya

[Chevy Omega Brazil]

Troy, I might as well do it, but I'm afraid if I ever need to sell the car, the buyer will request the original Chevy stuff.

ashbox, You're right, we're used to getting ripped off by the factories here. I don´t know the equipment differences between the Calais and Berlina but I believe our Omega here has all Calais equipment, except for the exterior looks. I suspect they may have done it because this is mostly a company car here. I believe the sporty looks of the Calais would drive them off.

50LTRv8, I appreciate it. No worries, mate!