Vauxhall calibra???
Discussion
To be honest, I'd be looking for the straightest, least modified one going (Ideally still with rear wheel arches attached). If you can find a looked after original spec one for a reasonable price, I'd go with that - regardless of model. Given the choice, I'd chose the original 2wd C20XE (16v redtop) for purists, or a late Turbo, or a possibly the SE9 model with the BBS cross spokes.
You'll find out (especially with the strident anti-Vauxhall bias on these boards) that they're not the most dynamically adept cars, but they're also attractive and (4wd trans box durability issues noted) reasonably mechanically robust. Never were a good sports coupe, but a good looking tourer. If I had space, I'd mothball an original for the future.
You'll find out (especially with the strident anti-Vauxhall bias on these boards) that they're not the most dynamically adept cars, but they're also attractive and (4wd trans box durability issues noted) reasonably mechanically robust. Never were a good sports coupe, but a good looking tourer. If I had space, I'd mothball an original for the future.
Edited by Spookedmoose on Friday 3rd April 12:15
As above really.
Later cars have ecotec engines which had naff siemens management - nasty.
Turbo engine is very capable with modifications and 6 speed box good but expect to have transfer box issues - they are ways of fixing the problem permanently though.
V6 isn't as good as the turbo.
XE engine car the best compromise and are solid.
What I would say is that they never drove as well as the cavalier gsi/turbo, due to the big floppy body I guess.
Remember that even the newest cars will be 20 years old, so you'll need to treat the car accordingly and look for typical 20 year old car issues.
Later cars have ecotec engines which had naff siemens management - nasty.
Turbo engine is very capable with modifications and 6 speed box good but expect to have transfer box issues - they are ways of fixing the problem permanently though.
V6 isn't as good as the turbo.
XE engine car the best compromise and are solid.
What I would say is that they never drove as well as the cavalier gsi/turbo, due to the big floppy body I guess.
Remember that even the newest cars will be 20 years old, so you'll need to treat the car accordingly and look for typical 20 year old car issues.
loose cannon said:
The most bullet proof version would be the 2.0 8v 130 bhp
My choice would be a c20xe 16v correctly set up throttle and a re map
I'd agree with the 8v being the most bulletproof engine (and it really is), but it only had 115bhp in the Calibra - same as the Cav Li and GLi. Not exactly a roadburner, especially in that big ol' body.My choice would be a c20xe 16v correctly set up throttle and a re map
A Calibra is something I'd quite like at some point, they seem to be getting better looking as the years pass by IMO.
My Cavalier SRi has the same Ecotec engine as the later ones, it's now on nearly 150k and still runs perfect and pulls great (being from the time before cars became fat probably helps!), the only engine related bill was when the timing belt went at 122k but it was fixed cheaply enough. The main problem with the XE engines is that they attracted a certain type of driver, plus many engines left to find new homes in kitcars/Corsas/rally cars/etc, so good ones are few and far between.
However, this one; http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C542845# looks like it could have potential. I'm quite tempted myself at that price!
My Cavalier SRi has the same Ecotec engine as the later ones, it's now on nearly 150k and still runs perfect and pulls great (being from the time before cars became fat probably helps!), the only engine related bill was when the timing belt went at 122k but it was fixed cheaply enough. The main problem with the XE engines is that they attracted a certain type of driver, plus many engines left to find new homes in kitcars/Corsas/rally cars/etc, so good ones are few and far between.
However, this one; http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C542845# looks like it could have potential. I'm quite tempted myself at that price!
Spookedmoose said:
I'd agree with the 8v being the most bulletproof engine (and it really is), but it only had 115bhp in the Calibra - same as the Cav Li and GLi. Not exactly a roadburner, especially in that big ol' body.
My best m8 had a 130 bhp calibra 8 v on a h registration the very late 2.0 I 8v was 115 bhp I had one from new as a company car and it lasted two weeks before I swapped it for a 1.9 Diesel Passat Estate which was a better drive!
The Calibra was a nice surprise when it turned up at the office in Manchester but driving home its shortcomings became clear.
It didn't handle well, the engine was underpowered and too much of the interior was from the Cavalier I'd just left behind.
Quite close to home there is a challenging bend that was a kind of benchmark for me and new cars and the Calibra remains the worst performer, nearly 20 years later.
The Calibra was a nice surprise when it turned up at the office in Manchester but driving home its shortcomings became clear.
It didn't handle well, the engine was underpowered and too much of the interior was from the Cavalier I'd just left behind.
Quite close to home there is a challenging bend that was a kind of benchmark for me and new cars and the Calibra remains the worst performer, nearly 20 years later.
t driving position, weak engines and worst of all that badge and image..They are great looking cars, I loved them at the time and an unmolested one is still a very striking car. The comments about them driving like crap are right - the Cavalier was very wooden and the Calibra took out a load of stiffness which made things worse.
With that in mind I'd go for a V6 and enjoy the sound and smoothness and take it easy, rather than maintain any pretence that it is a sports car.
I assume the OP wants to live out childhood dreams of owning one? If so you'll want to manage your expectations before you drive one.
With that in mind I'd go for a V6 and enjoy the sound and smoothness and take it easy, rather than maintain any pretence that it is a sports car.
I assume the OP wants to live out childhood dreams of owning one? If so you'll want to manage your expectations before you drive one.
KungFuPanda said:
daveofedinburgh said:
Calibra thread with several posts and no mention of drag coefficient?
What is going on here PH?
0.27???What is going on here PH?
I remember seeing the billboard ads as a kid. Then the first car I bought myself was a 1996 SE5. Black with cream leather and champagne coloured BBS wheels.
The calibra really was an awful car, and thats from someone who liked Vauxhalls. I owned a silver J plate GSI2000 fav which had polished and ported head with a full stainless exhaust with decat. It wasn't fast by any shout but for the time and what my mates had as competition it was.
The handling was a bit wallowy and didn't inspire my confidence but you learnt that and managed to deal with it.
If i had the choice i would probably still have the Cav, other than that the Turbo
The handling was a bit wallowy and didn't inspire my confidence but you learnt that and managed to deal with it.
If i had the choice i would probably still have the Cav, other than that the Turbo
Salesy said:
The calibra really was an awful car, and thats from someone who liked Vauxhalls. I owned a silver J plate GSI2000 fav which had polished and ported head with a full stainless exhaust with decat. It wasn't fast by any shout but for the time and what my mates had as competition it was.
The handling was a bit wallowy and didn't inspire my confidence but you learnt that and managed to deal with it.
If i had the choice i would probably still have the Cav, other than that the Turbo
Thing is, by modern standards they all drive like a shopping trolley full of cans of beans so why not have the Calibra and you can at least enjoy looking at it.The handling was a bit wallowy and didn't inspire my confidence but you learnt that and managed to deal with it.
If i had the choice i would probably still have the Cav, other than that the Turbo
My favourite was the V6. Somehow lazier and more suited to the grand tourer feel of the rest of the car. I remember being a passenger in one at 100 leptons and being able to hold a conversation without any raising of voice.
But looks-wise it had to be the very early (pre V-grille) models.
I can't remember the last time I saw a Calibra on the road at all, and for years before that they were increasingly knackered looking or barried beyond redemption. I think you will have fun finding one now.
But looks-wise it had to be the very early (pre V-grille) models.
I can't remember the last time I saw a Calibra on the road at all, and for years before that they were increasingly knackered looking or barried beyond redemption. I think you will have fun finding one now.
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