Febs
26-08-2004, 01:55 AM
Hi guys.
Been a member for a month or two but have only started reading the forums regularly in the past week.
A while ago I decided I wanted to get rid of my VS Acclaim, and get myself an LS1. Didn't want an Exec (lack of equipment) or SS (insurance, plus I wanted a sleeper), which pretty much left Berlinas in my pricerange.
I found a few nice Berlinas for around $25k (my max budget), but none had warranty (actually, one had 1000km of warranty left :rolleyes: ). Then I saw an ad for a Calais - 2001 model, $27k neg. Rang up the guy, who said it still had factory warranty until December this year. Checked it out, and it looked pretty good. No major problems that I could see (though I'll still get it all checked before warranty expires). Umm...there was a small incident with it rolling backwards down the owner's driveway, but quick thinking on another forum member's part stopped any damage. :D
Did the usual checks - REVS, warranty etc.. All came up fine. Went back two days later, bargained him down to $25,250, and that was that. Picked it up this arvo. :)
It drives very nicely. Took me about 30 seconds to feel right at home in the cabin - it's just like my VS, except quicker, quieter, smoother, more comfortable, less rattley, etc... :D
It's got all the usual Calais appointments - 16" wheels, 10 CD stacker in the boot (which I'm not a big fan of), 8 speakers, dual-zone climate control, velour trim, lights EVERYWHERE (I've counted 14 interior lights so far), power everything etc... It's Tungsten Mica, which is that light gold you see on a lot of Statesmans. It actually looks pretty good (suits the car IMO), and looks silver at night. I like it.
I've done about 100km so far, and used 15L. Considering that 100km has been entirely comprised of a) stop-start peakhour traffic and b) WOT runs by a few mates, 15L isn't too bad. When I settle down, and start doing my usual 360km/week of highway driving, fuel economy should be pretty reasonable.
Anyhoo...pics. Apologies for the crap photos. I won't get a chance to take some good daytime photos until the weekend:
"Not one, but TWO Holdens in every garage." :D
http://users.bigpond.net.au/febs/ocau/images/motoring/2-holdens.jpg
Interior with Fakegrain™-brand Woodgrain
http://users.bigpond.net.au/febs/ocau/images/motoring/calais-interior.jpg
So...what about insurance? $1,581, fully comprehensively insured in my name for $25,000, with unlimited mods (yeah, with JustCar). I'm 20.
I've got a few mods planned for it, but not until after the warranty runs out (and I've had a chance to earn some more money).
I'll go the usual route:
- Extractors (Pacemaker Tri-Ys)
- Exhaust (probably a twin 2.5" or similar)
- Intake (Monaro CAI - cheap and effective)
- LS1Edit or Dick's Tune
Then I'm planning on ditching the double-DIN headunit and stacker (saw them fetch $500 on eBay recently), and replace it with:
- Single-DIN Mp3 headunit (not sure what model yet. Something nice)
- In-dash LCD, maybe motorised (just a cheapy from eBay).
Then a carputer (got most of the components already), maybe under the passenger's seat, maybe in the stacker location.
...and then I'll be one happy (and broke) man! :D
I'll try to get some better photos this weekend. Will post them up when I do.
Cheers,
- Febs.
Been a member for a month or two but have only started reading the forums regularly in the past week.
A while ago I decided I wanted to get rid of my VS Acclaim, and get myself an LS1. Didn't want an Exec (lack of equipment) or SS (insurance, plus I wanted a sleeper), which pretty much left Berlinas in my pricerange.
I found a few nice Berlinas for around $25k (my max budget), but none had warranty (actually, one had 1000km of warranty left :rolleyes: ). Then I saw an ad for a Calais - 2001 model, $27k neg. Rang up the guy, who said it still had factory warranty until December this year. Checked it out, and it looked pretty good. No major problems that I could see (though I'll still get it all checked before warranty expires). Umm...there was a small incident with it rolling backwards down the owner's driveway, but quick thinking on another forum member's part stopped any damage. :D
Did the usual checks - REVS, warranty etc.. All came up fine. Went back two days later, bargained him down to $25,250, and that was that. Picked it up this arvo. :)
It drives very nicely. Took me about 30 seconds to feel right at home in the cabin - it's just like my VS, except quicker, quieter, smoother, more comfortable, less rattley, etc... :D
It's got all the usual Calais appointments - 16" wheels, 10 CD stacker in the boot (which I'm not a big fan of), 8 speakers, dual-zone climate control, velour trim, lights EVERYWHERE (I've counted 14 interior lights so far), power everything etc... It's Tungsten Mica, which is that light gold you see on a lot of Statesmans. It actually looks pretty good (suits the car IMO), and looks silver at night. I like it.
I've done about 100km so far, and used 15L. Considering that 100km has been entirely comprised of a) stop-start peakhour traffic and b) WOT runs by a few mates, 15L isn't too bad. When I settle down, and start doing my usual 360km/week of highway driving, fuel economy should be pretty reasonable.
Anyhoo...pics. Apologies for the crap photos. I won't get a chance to take some good daytime photos until the weekend:
"Not one, but TWO Holdens in every garage." :D
http://users.bigpond.net.au/febs/ocau/images/motoring/2-holdens.jpg
Interior with Fakegrain™-brand Woodgrain
http://users.bigpond.net.au/febs/ocau/images/motoring/calais-interior.jpg
So...what about insurance? $1,581, fully comprehensively insured in my name for $25,000, with unlimited mods (yeah, with JustCar). I'm 20.
I've got a few mods planned for it, but not until after the warranty runs out (and I've had a chance to earn some more money).
I'll go the usual route:
- Extractors (Pacemaker Tri-Ys)
- Exhaust (probably a twin 2.5" or similar)
- Intake (Monaro CAI - cheap and effective)
- LS1Edit or Dick's Tune
Then I'm planning on ditching the double-DIN headunit and stacker (saw them fetch $500 on eBay recently), and replace it with:
- Single-DIN Mp3 headunit (not sure what model yet. Something nice)
- In-dash LCD, maybe motorised (just a cheapy from eBay).
Then a carputer (got most of the components already), maybe under the passenger's seat, maybe in the stacker location.
...and then I'll be one happy (and broke) man! :D
I'll try to get some better photos this weekend. Will post them up when I do.
Cheers,
- Febs.