VE Berlina Questions, Looking at buying.

I know the VE Berlina well as I helped my parents buy one earlier this year and I carry out all the maintenance and servicing on it along with the washing and vacuuming. I have not been in nor driven a VE Calais so I can't comment on them. I personally own a VZ Calais.

We picked our Aug 2008 VE Berlina V6 in white with 105,000kms in good condition for $15,000 in January this year from a Wholesaler being Westside Auto Wholesalers in Bentley WA. Its a very nice car to drive. Its drives very smoothly, has plenty of power for everyday driving and is great value considering just over 2 years ago when it was brand new it sold for approx $41,000 plus on road costs.

We have friends in the car industry and they too advised to steer clear (if possible) of the '06 models as they could develop and are known to have a few electrical issues. I doubt whether we would have steered clear of an '06 model if one had of come up at a great price though. I think that alot of VE's regardless of what year of manufacturer have had electrical issues of some nature.

In my times of driving the vehicle, I cannot say that I have noticed any display what so ever on the centre screen relating to reversing. This must only be a Calais or Calais V feature Im thinking. We obviously still have the reverse parking sensors that sound an audible warning though.

The 4sp auto is fine. Upon purchasing, we immediately changed the trans fluid and filter and refilled with Dexron VI. Gear changes are smooth, no flaring or any issues at all, when prompted by a stab of the accelerator, the gearbox kicks back nicely and does its intended job well.

I cannot give you any photos of the centre screen display as the car is in Perth with the parents for the week. Will get some pics for you when the car returns.

There are no lights in the external door mirrors. The internal lighting consists of front footwell globes, a roof sunglass holder light which incorporates map reading lights and a roof mounted light over the rear seat in the centre of roof. I have changed all these bulbs to white LEDs and it makes the car seem newer and fresher compared to the yellow factory spec globes. Also carried out a full LED conversion to every internal bulb in my VZ Calais. The VE Berlina from memory (as car not here at the moment) doesn't have a centre console light or a glove box light because I would have changed them to LED also if it did.

Hopefully I have given you a decent insight and answered all your questions. If you have any others, just post up and I will try to answer when I can.

I guess if you are in the market for a Berlina or Calais, it just comes down to what vehicles are for sale at the time of you wanting to buy and what is the best price/value, and also whether you want the extras that the Calais offers in terms of engine variant, transmission specs and various extra electrics.

Regards
Matt

 

Hey Johnboy, I wouldn't recommend buying an 06 Model, these are likely to have timing chain issues and a few other teething problems. Anything from Mid 07 onwards would be better - these are MY08 model and come with the silver dash stripe rather than the fake woodgrain.
They do have a light in the console. Mine also has a lense for a light in the glovebox but the light doesn't work, so i'm not sure if its just a blown globe or holden special fake light. I dont remember it having footwell lights !! I'm gonna go check those, might find something new !!
The four speed auto is not bad but labours a bit in slow areas when in Drive -4th. I just drive it in 3rd around the suburbs and its fine.
Be carefull of noisy wheel bearings and check the service history, and see how you like the pillars when you test drive one.
There is no display for reversing sensors, it works by a series of beeps as you get closer and works really well, be nice to have front sensors too though.

 

Hey johnboy, did you need anymore info/pics or any follow up from whats been discussed? How is your car hunting going?