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Drove a VS for the first time yesterday

Discussion in 'VR - VS Holden Commodore (1993 - 1997)' started by Chairman, Mar 18, 2012.

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  1. Mar 18, 2012 #1
    Chairman

    Chairman New Member

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    Hiya

    I'm looking around for a car to take on trips, one of the ones that popped up in the search trawl was a 97 VS Calais and I had a test drive yesterday. First time I've driven a Commodore of any sort !

    I only got to drive it around town - where it was is too small to have motorways but too big to easily get to country roads. It was lovely and comfy around town, a bit like driving a lounge suite, but I'm a little concerned that it would still feel like a lounge suite on the open road - at the very least I'd want the power steering to back off a bit and let me actually feel which way the wheels were pointed.

    What are VS Calais like to drive on twisty country roads ? I'll head over to the library later and try to track down a couple of road tests, they came out just before the net really took off :-/

    Cheers
     
    Chairman, Mar 18, 2012
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  2. Mar 18, 2012 #2
    accentstencil

    accentstencil Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure the Calais has speed sensitive steering which means that when you are going slow or are stationery the steering wheel will be very easy to turn. The faster you go the harder the steering becomes.
     
    accentstencil, Mar 18, 2012
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  3. Mar 18, 2012 #3
    greenacc

    greenacc Searching for the billion

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    Given that its 15 years old it needs a set of new shocks. Throw some firm shocks in it and it will drive much better - fix that boaty lounge chair feeling.
     
    greenacc, Mar 18, 2012
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  4. Mar 18, 2012 #4
    VRV694

    VRV694 Banned

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    lower it,an strut brace it.
     
    VRV694, Mar 18, 2012
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  5. Mar 18, 2012 #5
    m1lky

    m1lky New Member

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    My acclaim had nice firm steering. Could defiantly feel the road. Maybe a Calais isn't right for you?

    Don't Calais have softer suspension too?
     
    m1lky, Mar 18, 2012
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  6. Mar 18, 2012 #6
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

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    ive had my vr acclaim for roughly 4 years now and i love it. its got enough power to overtake anything on the highway with ease, and handles perfectly on windy roads. reasonably economical out on the highway. the road i drive down every day to get home and to town is a pretty windy road. long sweeping curves and all. i never feel like im going to lose control. i recently travelled 165 kms north of my town for work. i was able to leave my cruise control on 115 and i was taking corners with a recomended speed of 80kmh with ease.

    i think it would be a great investmebt for you if you want a reliable long distance car. with a commodore you cant go wrong
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 18, 2012
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  7. Mar 18, 2012 #7
    Chairman

    Chairman New Member

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    I drove a 96 VS Calais this morning which felt a lot more solid on the road. It didn't have driving (fog) lights which the 97 did but otherwise I couldn't see any difference, were the driving lights optional even on the Calais or were they not there yet in the 96 cars ? Also had almost new Michelin tyres, 2 keys, brand new brakes (which it needed to get the brand new WoF). Everything worked as far as I could see, everything felt dry, engine bay was spotless, no stereo but apart from that quite tempting.
     
    Chairman, Mar 18, 2012
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  8. Mar 18, 2012 #8
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

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    it would cost you maybe 200 to 300 for a reasonable stereo. did you check under the car at the trans? and whats the asking price
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 18, 2012
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  9. Mar 18, 2012 #9
    VRV694

    VRV694 Banned

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    one is a series 2 the other without foggies is a series 1.
     
    VRV694, Mar 18, 2012
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  10. Mar 18, 2012 #10
    Chairman

    Chairman New Member

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    It's this one Holden Calais VS 1996 | Trade Me The price is about right for those cars over here at the moment. I never thought to look whether it still had speakers, the stereo has been replaced by a couple of slightly ill fitting din sized trays so I presume it had a flash one in it which got taken out when it was traded and the speakers may have gone too. Never looked at the trans because I don't know what to look for when checking these cars out:whistling (spot the noob lol)
     
    Chairman, Mar 18, 2012
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  11. Mar 18, 2012 #11
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

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    look for any signs of leaking trans fluid.
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 18, 2012
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  12. Mar 18, 2012 #12
    Chairman

    Chairman New Member

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    Would that drip out while the car was parked or only while / soon after driving ?
     
    Chairman, Mar 18, 2012
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  13. Mar 18, 2012 #13
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

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    could just be moist underneith. most often tho it drips while stationary
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 18, 2012
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  14. Mar 18, 2012 #14
    Chairman

    Chairman New Member

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    Hmm, might go for a drive, it's only 15 mins away ...
     
    Chairman, Mar 18, 2012
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  15. Mar 18, 2012 #15
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

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    what are u driving now? the other thing i would look at is the gear changes. and how fast it engauges when you change from say p to d or r to d
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 18, 2012
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  16. Mar 18, 2012 #16
    Chairman

    Chairman New Member

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    Driving a corolla at the moment, and will continue to do so for running around town. Whatever larger car I get won't be facing the fuel sucking daily grind, it'll be for getting out of town on weekends :)
     
    Chairman, Mar 18, 2012
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  17. Mar 18, 2012 #17
    Chairman

    Chairman New Member

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    I never tried changing fast from D to R. So that and check tht the trans is dry, I think I'll have another quick look tomorrow. Anything else I should be looking for ?
    I still haven't found any road tests, do you know of any online ?
     
    Chairman, Mar 18, 2012
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  18. Mar 18, 2012 #18
    RX25SE

    RX25SE Real cars are steel cars.

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    Not good.

    Buy a Subaru.
     
    RX25SE, Mar 18, 2012
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  19. Mar 18, 2012 #19
    aussie4life11

    aussie4life11 Keep It Simple Stupid

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    isnt their another forum you could post that stuff on? this is a commodore forum. tell the shubaru to piss off
     
    aussie4life11, Mar 18, 2012
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  20. Mar 18, 2012 #20
    RX25SE

    RX25SE Real cars are steel cars.

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    The OP asked what a VS is like on twisty road so I offered my opinion which, given I own one of each, I think is valid.
     
    RX25SE, Mar 18, 2012
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