V8 Family Wagon Aussie Style - VF2 Calais V
Discussion
Yesterday was service day, and I dropped it off with the instruction that anything that looked like it would need doing in the next 10,000km or 6 months should be done. Other than the usual service items, a couple of additional items were added...
There had been a light metallic squeal from the OSF when turning left. Inspection showed nothing obvious other than the front pads were probably 90-95% done and the discs would be close to their limit within a year or so, so new discs and pads on the front. It got rid of the squeal and also the light vibration that had just started to be felt when braking.
Also a nail was spotted in the NSF tyre, so that was repaired there and then. Those rear tyres are probably only going to last another couple of months, and I think I need to view these as general consumables.
At around $300/ea for PS4 they're not cheap consumables, but its a heavy V8 wagon, what did I expect? I think last time I put the new ones on the front and had the new'ish-looking fronts put on the rear. I'll get the new ones out on the rear this time and see how long they last. All four tyres seem to be wearing very evenly, so there's no geometry problems - its all right foot-related.
Finally, it was given a handwash and vacuum which is a nice touch for a back street garage.
Not necessarily a cheap service, AU$800 is about GBP450, all up, but not too bad for what it is, and not really any more than the Sube would cost for the same.
And there's always something to look at on the street as its next door to the 928 specialist I also use...
There had been a light metallic squeal from the OSF when turning left. Inspection showed nothing obvious other than the front pads were probably 90-95% done and the discs would be close to their limit within a year or so, so new discs and pads on the front. It got rid of the squeal and also the light vibration that had just started to be felt when braking.
Also a nail was spotted in the NSF tyre, so that was repaired there and then. Those rear tyres are probably only going to last another couple of months, and I think I need to view these as general consumables.
At around $300/ea for PS4 they're not cheap consumables, but its a heavy V8 wagon, what did I expect? I think last time I put the new ones on the front and had the new'ish-looking fronts put on the rear. I'll get the new ones out on the rear this time and see how long they last. All four tyres seem to be wearing very evenly, so there's no geometry problems - its all right foot-related.
Finally, it was given a handwash and vacuum which is a nice touch for a back street garage.
Not necessarily a cheap service, AU$800 is about GBP450, all up, but not too bad for what it is, and not really any more than the Sube would cost for the same.
And there's always something to look at on the street as its next door to the 928 specialist I also use...
The big silver bus hasn't been doing many kays over the past few months due mostly to the city being under Stay At Home Orders, aka Lockdown. I'm not going to dwell on that, but there has been less driving being done all-round.
Having landed heavily on my left ankle a week or so ago whilstplaying football homeschooling the youngest, I've not been able to cycle or run or drive the 928, so for s
ts and giggles I've given the Holden a workout on some local twisty roads.
OK, these are clearly not the roads for which it was designed, and the soft, Calais-spec set up doesn't really help. There's no mistaking the size of the car which does mean that going ten tenths is not an option, but there's still fun to be had at around seven tenths.
Holding the gears and using second and third with a delicate right foot can make for interesting progress, especially if the roads are wet. The rear Michelins are only 245-section, and the car weighs around 1,950kg with driver, so even on warm dry surfaces, grip is quite easily overcome. The LS1 does sound great, with the sports exhaust giving the right amount of noise and letting you know when its pulling hard in case you've not noticed the rate at which speed is increasing.
Brakes are up to a seven-tenths blast too - not so sure about too much more on tight roads. The soft set up means a great ride on bumpy roads though it gets bouncy easily which can be a bit disconcerting under braking. The steering is light and has some feel, but really not enough to encourage taking liberties without plenty of room. Which the roads in use really didn't have.
If all that sounds negative, its not meant to. It was in fact far more entertaining that it had any rights to be. Hard work, but fun too. The spoiler today was that the rain was heavy at times, and I'm conscious of the space required when the rear moves out of line.
Its still fun to surprise the usual suspects at the traffic light GP, including a 430i today, and to see who turns around looking for the car that's just started up with that noise! Really is hard to think of another car as quick as this that looks as unsuspecting.
Quite enjoying this ol' bus, still
Having landed heavily on my left ankle a week or so ago whilst
ts and giggles I've given the Holden a workout on some local twisty roads.OK, these are clearly not the roads for which it was designed, and the soft, Calais-spec set up doesn't really help. There's no mistaking the size of the car which does mean that going ten tenths is not an option, but there's still fun to be had at around seven tenths.
Holding the gears and using second and third with a delicate right foot can make for interesting progress, especially if the roads are wet. The rear Michelins are only 245-section, and the car weighs around 1,950kg with driver, so even on warm dry surfaces, grip is quite easily overcome. The LS1 does sound great, with the sports exhaust giving the right amount of noise and letting you know when its pulling hard in case you've not noticed the rate at which speed is increasing.
Brakes are up to a seven-tenths blast too - not so sure about too much more on tight roads. The soft set up means a great ride on bumpy roads though it gets bouncy easily which can be a bit disconcerting under braking. The steering is light and has some feel, but really not enough to encourage taking liberties without plenty of room. Which the roads in use really didn't have.
If all that sounds negative, its not meant to. It was in fact far more entertaining that it had any rights to be. Hard work, but fun too. The spoiler today was that the rain was heavy at times, and I'm conscious of the space required when the rear moves out of line.
Its still fun to surprise the usual suspects at the traffic light GP, including a 430i today, and to see who turns around looking for the car that's just started up with that noise! Really is hard to think of another car as quick as this that looks as unsuspecting.
Quite enjoying this ol' bus, still
Really enjoyed reading the whole thread, I had a VF SV6 Wagon as a hire car and loved it. A VE or VF wagon has been top or near top of my dream car list since, so annoyed to read in this thread that there are only two in the UK!
I guess I'll have to emigrate and get cashed up to keep up with that appreciation curve, well bought at the right time
I guess I'll have to emigrate and get cashed up to keep up with that appreciation curve, well bought at the right time
Thanks
These are pretty good wagons, and so much more discreet than the usual suspects. As for the depreciation, I got lucky, though if I'd bought one in late 2016 when I was looking at the Liberty, it would have been depreciation-proof motoring for 4/5 years. Not really something anyone was thinking they'd ever write regarding a Commodore wagon...
These are pretty good wagons, and so much more discreet than the usual suspects. As for the depreciation, I got lucky, though if I'd bought one in late 2016 when I was looking at the Liberty, it would have been depreciation-proof motoring for 4/5 years. Not really something anyone was thinking they'd ever write regarding a Commodore wagon...
New rear tyres time. Again. Not quite on the wear blocks but close enough with wet weather coming. We get a lot of rain here, about twice as much as London, and it usually all arrives in just a few soakings.
Anyway, got another pair of PS4 - I like the blend of comfort and grip which seems to suit the wagon well. Others might last a little longer but when it’s 1850kg and 405bhp through just the rears, it’s all relative.
Relatively relaxed 245/40R19 sizing means prices aren’t too bad and there’s a ready supply and/or choice.
And whilst mine were being fitted, this little beaut rolled in for a new set all round. Sounded ace and looked v cool…
Anyway, got another pair of PS4 - I like the blend of comfort and grip which seems to suit the wagon well. Others might last a little longer but when it’s 1850kg and 405bhp through just the rears, it’s all relative.
Relatively relaxed 245/40R19 sizing means prices aren’t too bad and there’s a ready supply and/or choice.
And whilst mine were being fitted, this little beaut rolled in for a new set all round. Sounded ace and looked v cool…
The key fob thingy for these has an extra button…
It’s the one in the middle, with a curved arrow. That’s the button for the remote start. Yep, start the car without opening the door, without even having to unlock it.
Bit of a gimmick, I reckon, but there so that on hot days you can cool the interior before you get in, and vice versa on cooler days.
In reality it has two uses:
The first is so you can hear what everyone else hears on start up - namely the throaty rumble of that engine. Which I like.
The second is so that when you’ve left your teenage daughter in the car whilst going to the shop you can frighten her silly by starting the engine without being there. And I like that bit too
It’s the one in the middle, with a curved arrow. That’s the button for the remote start. Yep, start the car without opening the door, without even having to unlock it.
Bit of a gimmick, I reckon, but there so that on hot days you can cool the interior before you get in, and vice versa on cooler days.
In reality it has two uses:
The first is so you can hear what everyone else hears on start up - namely the throaty rumble of that engine. Which I like.
The second is so that when you’ve left your teenage daughter in the car whilst going to the shop you can frighten her silly by starting the engine without being there. And I like that bit too
PomBstard said:
The key fob thingy for these has an extra button…
It’s the one in the middle, with a curved arrow. That’s the button for the remote start. Yep, start the car without opening the door, without even having to unlock it.
I think the car has to be locked for it to work though.It’s the one in the middle, with a curved arrow. That’s the button for the remote start. Yep, start the car without opening the door, without even having to unlock it.
motomk said:
PomBstard said:
The key fob thingy for these has an extra button…
It’s the one in the middle, with a curved arrow. That’s the button for the remote start. Yep, start the car without opening the door, without even having to unlock it.
I think the car has to be locked for it to work though.It’s the one in the middle, with a curved arrow. That’s the button for the remote start. Yep, start the car without opening the door, without even having to unlock it.
We’ve had the car for about 14 months now, and have managed around 15,000km in that time, now approaching 122,000km. It’s getting close to needing a service so will book it in for sometime in the next couple of weeks and they can do the annual rego check too.
There’s really nothing to look out for at the mo. It’s still doing what it was doing when I bought it. The interior shows signs of having kids using the back seat, but otherwise is holding up well.
Fuel use is still horrific by UK standards, and just plain ridiculous by local standards at around 18mpg for gentle local trundling, though that can get down to 14/15mpg pretty readily if I pull up alongside something interesting at the lights..
I’ve noticed that the new breed of hyper hatch doesn’t respond too well if the driver decides to have a little fun without having first set up the requisite launch sequence. If I moved off sharpish and the other driver decides to join in, it’s a much more even sprint than the headline figures suggest. No replacement for displacement, I guess…
I did manage to fit in a day trip to Stromlo in Canberra for some mtb’ing. It’s a 630km, 7-hr return trip with around 6 hours of biking in the middle. But it’s such a good circuit that I consider it worth it every time. However, this time it was also 37C in the car park…
The car is an exceptionally good cruiser, comfy suspension and supportive seats, and predictably great AC, that the return trip was really no bother. Now, that was also the case with my previous Subarus, and even the MX5. But now I’m nearly 50, I’ll take that bit of extra help from the car every time!
The gentle cruise with just me and the bike in the car also meant I managed 30mpg average for the trip, and managed to get the range to show 700km for the first time
Otherwise, nothing else doing. I still find I’m enjoying the car far more than I thought I would, especially the engine, and even with recent secondhand price rises meaning I could now sell for a 30% profit. it’s fantastic value for money.
Couple of pics from a very hot and very dusty Stromlo…
There’s really nothing to look out for at the mo. It’s still doing what it was doing when I bought it. The interior shows signs of having kids using the back seat, but otherwise is holding up well.
Fuel use is still horrific by UK standards, and just plain ridiculous by local standards at around 18mpg for gentle local trundling, though that can get down to 14/15mpg pretty readily if I pull up alongside something interesting at the lights..
I’ve noticed that the new breed of hyper hatch doesn’t respond too well if the driver decides to have a little fun without having first set up the requisite launch sequence. If I moved off sharpish and the other driver decides to join in, it’s a much more even sprint than the headline figures suggest. No replacement for displacement, I guess…
I did manage to fit in a day trip to Stromlo in Canberra for some mtb’ing. It’s a 630km, 7-hr return trip with around 6 hours of biking in the middle. But it’s such a good circuit that I consider it worth it every time. However, this time it was also 37C in the car park…
The car is an exceptionally good cruiser, comfy suspension and supportive seats, and predictably great AC, that the return trip was really no bother. Now, that was also the case with my previous Subarus, and even the MX5. But now I’m nearly 50, I’ll take that bit of extra help from the car every time!
The gentle cruise with just me and the bike in the car also meant I managed 30mpg average for the trip, and managed to get the range to show 700km for the first time
Otherwise, nothing else doing. I still find I’m enjoying the car far more than I thought I would, especially the engine, and even with recent secondhand price rises meaning I could now sell for a 30% profit. it’s fantastic value for money.
Couple of pics from a very hot and very dusty Stromlo…
About a year ago...
We're now about 19 months into ownership, coming up on 19,000km covered, and showing a smidge under 125,000km, and I've looked at how much it'll cost for the first two years, assuming 1000km/month.
Annual rego, compulsory third party insurance, and comprehensive insurance on top cost about $2,500 a year together. So, $5k for two years, to be on the road and insured.
Servicing - its been serviced 3 times, and also needed a new radiator, top strut mounts, and water pump. I can't fin all the costs, but the services are around $400 each and the water pump was $700 fitted, so lets call it $2,500 in total.
Tyres - can't forget about these on this car. The rears don't last long for some reason... Anyway, its had four fitted so far and the rears will prob need replacing later this year. PS4 are about $350 each, so six of those are $2,100
And the biggie - fuel. There's no getting away from the fact this is a thirsty beast. It'll do around 27-29mpg on a run, but day-to-day is closer to 16/17mpg. The trip computer was reset by the previous owner as it notched up 100,000km and I've not reset it, so the average is for 25,000km. It says 11.9 l/100km which is 23.7mpg, also known as scarcely believable. The range is usually around 420-430 on a full tank, which would be about 17mpg, so I'm going with that.
I only put in 98RON, and fuel prices have been all over the shop recently. For simplicity, I assume $2/litre.
For two years that'll be just over $15k in fuel. Gulp!
OK, adding that up comes to around $25k for two years. So it looks like my initial estimate of $50k over 4 years is about right.
But, hang on. Where's depreciation in all this? That $50k is supposed to include depreciation.
Ah, yes. That.
Well, fortunately, the car market has gone bonkers. Recent V8 Holdens have shot up in value, such that I could probably get about $55-58k for mine now. Which ain't too bad considering I paid just over $40k for it.
So, including depreication, I reckon its cost about $10k to run over two years/24,000km/15,000miles.
Assuming AU$1.77 to GBP1 makes it about GBP5700, or 38p/mile, which ain't too bad
Man maths FTW
PomBstard said:
I've done the back-of-fag-packet calc on how much it'll cost to run, and reckon about AU$50k over 4 years including fuel, servicing, insurance, rego/CTP, and depreciation. Fuel and depreciation are the two biggest culprits, though I'm not sure I've included enough for rear tyres... That's a reasonably big number for a daily driver, but still cheap for what it is, I reckon. How many other 4-5 year-old big fast wagons could you budget to run for 4 years for less than GBP25k?
...so I thought I'd give the costs a bit of an update.We're now about 19 months into ownership, coming up on 19,000km covered, and showing a smidge under 125,000km, and I've looked at how much it'll cost for the first two years, assuming 1000km/month.
Annual rego, compulsory third party insurance, and comprehensive insurance on top cost about $2,500 a year together. So, $5k for two years, to be on the road and insured.
Servicing - its been serviced 3 times, and also needed a new radiator, top strut mounts, and water pump. I can't fin all the costs, but the services are around $400 each and the water pump was $700 fitted, so lets call it $2,500 in total.
Tyres - can't forget about these on this car. The rears don't last long for some reason... Anyway, its had four fitted so far and the rears will prob need replacing later this year. PS4 are about $350 each, so six of those are $2,100
And the biggie - fuel. There's no getting away from the fact this is a thirsty beast. It'll do around 27-29mpg on a run, but day-to-day is closer to 16/17mpg. The trip computer was reset by the previous owner as it notched up 100,000km and I've not reset it, so the average is for 25,000km. It says 11.9 l/100km which is 23.7mpg, also known as scarcely believable. The range is usually around 420-430 on a full tank, which would be about 17mpg, so I'm going with that.
I only put in 98RON, and fuel prices have been all over the shop recently. For simplicity, I assume $2/litre.
For two years that'll be just over $15k in fuel. Gulp!
OK, adding that up comes to around $25k for two years. So it looks like my initial estimate of $50k over 4 years is about right.
But, hang on. Where's depreciation in all this? That $50k is supposed to include depreciation.
Ah, yes. That.
Well, fortunately, the car market has gone bonkers. Recent V8 Holdens have shot up in value, such that I could probably get about $55-58k for mine now. Which ain't too bad considering I paid just over $40k for it.
So, including depreication, I reckon its cost about $10k to run over two years/24,000km/15,000miles.
Assuming AU$1.77 to GBP1 makes it about GBP5700, or 38p/mile, which ain't too bad
Man maths FTW
whytheory said:
Good update
How long 'till UK Holdens start getting exported back with the way prices are over there.
Not sure there are too many VF/VF2 wagons in Blighty to send back.How long 'till UK Holdens start getting exported back with the way prices are over there.
Having lived with this one for a while I would love to bring it to the UK and tootle around in it. The combination of ability and anonymity would probably be even more fun than it is here
RC1807 said:
Thanks to the increased value of the car, nicely done, sir. 
Would love to say I planned it…One of the cars I looked at in late 2020 is up for sale again - same photos give it away. It’s identical to mine with almost the same mileage. Back then it was for sale for about $42k, so around the same price as mine too.
Now asking $70k.
The last Holden Calais V V8 wagon ever sold is up for sale for $150k. There’s nothing special about it other than being the last.
I think prices for late V8 Holden will stay buoyant, even if they take a dip or come down, the fact that there will never be any more seems to be the deciding factor here.
At least for now.
Besides, if I sold I genuinely wouldn’t know what to replace it with for the money. And it is kinda fun.
lb3nson said:
PomBstard said:
For two years that'll be just over $15k in fuel. Gulp!
Really cool car and great thread, wagons/estates that go fast in an understated way are the coolest things ever.
Except for the fuel bit - that is
But, if it really is averaging the 23mpg the computer says it has been for the last 25000km, then that kinda feels OK, in fact for the car it is many would probably accept that as pretty damn good.
In which case the fuel cost is still $12k for two years.
A $3k saving is not to be sniffed at but the fuel cost is still a fairly hefty number on its own.
Which is why I don’t do this sort of analysis very often…
SturdyHSV said:
The easiest way to justify it is even if you had some misery box that was doing 46mpg, you'd still be paying $6000 in fuel, but for something dull.
So the extra $6000 is surely a small price to pay to actually enjoy your car
Agreed. But to do that properly it should be noted that it’s only $3k pa, which is only $8 a day. C’mon, that’s a coffee and a muffin, that’s all… For my own happiness - jeez, I’m cheap So the extra $6000 is surely a small price to pay to actually enjoy your car
PomBstard said:
Agreed. But to do that properly it should be noted that it’s only $3k pa, which is only $8 a day. C’mon, that’s a coffee and a muffin, that’s all… For my own happiness - jeez, I’m cheap
That is similar to my logic when I was leasing an 8 instead of a 6 from work:About $20 per week more in lease costs
About 4 litres a day more in fuel (so about $6 a day back then)
So really only the equivalent of 2 coffees a day
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff