VE Calais on order!

[Timson]

Just placed an order for for a VE Calais V today, put just about every option I could think of, sunroof, sat-nav, 20's, tint, lsd(an option for a v8?), lowered suspension and so-on.

Just need to let the lease company know what colour to go for and all is good.
Looking at a 4-6 week wait. Has anyone that ordered theirs received the car sooner, or has it always been later?

Who on the forums has a Calais V? It may sound silly but I haven't driven one yet. I have driven an SSV and a Caprice, but not the Calais. I figured the Caprice and Calais would drive very similar. Who has 20's on their VE? What is the ride like? And the auto? Just wish you could option the Calais with the 6 speed manual.

Thought I might find out what the Calais is like before I get mine.

Cheers,

Tim.

[Janus]

I received mine earlier then expected....but that was after around 5 months of delays because of the crappy dealer screwing me over.

It then got wrecked about 3 weeks later so I am waiting for another one, which should be about 2 weeks away.

["V"]

Yeah I got a Calais V... Had it since December... Best car I have ever owned. V6 is really smooth and plenty of power too. I came from a VZ V8 Calais and quite surprised on the V6. The auto is really good and years ahead of the old 4 speed. The only thing I can say which would be considered a minus with the new Calais is the suspension. I think its too firm for a luxury car... But it does handle really well. Good for corners and loves hwy cruising!

Im sure you will love it when you get yours.

Names Tim also.. :)

[racketsports]

I love mine but the combination of Phantom and light urban interior is doing my head in when it comes to keeping it clean! The 6L and 6A is a smooth combination.............now just have to get a CAI and edit.

What colour are you leaning towards?

Racketsports

[KingClifton]

Calais V looks best in Phantom and Red Passion. I don't think the other colors do it justice. Phantom will be high-maintenance but it looks fantastic, particularly on the 20s.

[devsy]

I agree, Red Passion got my vote.

Was told 4-6 weeks for delivery as well, this is week 5 (not that I'm counting).
:cheers:

[Ray]

Picking mine up saturaday (black with 20" and sunroof) cant wait. In the mean time anyone want a 300KW VY II Calais? :deal:

[Timson]

Sounds like there are a few guys on here with or getting a new Calais. We drove the Caprice as that is what my wife wanted, but I didn't like the floating feeling of the suspension, it just didn't seem tied down to the road like the SS-V. I'm sure it had Fe-2 suspension on it as well. Not impressed with the LSD option on the Calais either, should not be an option for something that has been advertised as a luxury SPORTS sedan, should be standard.
Leaning towards Evoke or Silver in colors, not exactly sure as yet, would love to go phantom, but after 4 years maitenance with the previous black car, the wife said enough. Spent far too much time looking after the paint to keep it looking good, god damm swirl marks!!!!!
Devsy, never seen red passion in the flesh, only in the brochure. Is it like a burgandy color or does it have more red in it. Love the look of the one in the brochure with the 20's though.

Cheers,

Tim.

[Holden Man]

Has anyone seen the Gold colour on the Calais / it looks awesome. Suits the shape very well.

Red passion was my favourite but after seeing a few gold ones and how good it looks on VE, I have changed my mind and now like gold. (which is strange as usaully I think gold coloured cars look poxy!)

[devsy]

The look of the one in the brochure got me as well Timson, took the missus down to show her the car and it sort of went like this.
its going to be the colour of that car over there, this car's interior, that cars rims and this model. She was happy - she gets an awesome looking car to drive in during the week and I get to keep the VU and drive hers on the weekends

I'd describe the red passion as a dark metallic red more than a burgandy, but in the right light I think burgandy could come thru.

I went the Calais V with light urban interior - I thought long and hard about this in terms of it marking easily - the one we test drove had the onyx leather and that had marks in it as well so I thought, what the hell, ordered black floor mats though.
Also went the 20's, LSD, tint and tow bar, and i agree, on a car worth that much $ why is the LSD an option? :werd:

[CountryCalais_V]

Ordered my LSD,Sunroof equiped Calais V 2nd Jan and drove it home 1st March. Colour choice can dramatically change delivery date.
I Was originally going with Red Passion but after seeing a few in dealer yards in Sydney went off it. (It doesnt look like the brochure picture in real light!) I went for Evoke, which to my mind is a stunning colour with all the chrome trim on the V. And handles a little dust for us bush drivers.
As to the Auto v's Manual , the auto is a very friendly smooth drive.
cheers

[Timson]

Wow, a month and it was yours. It's been just over a month today and still no word from the dealer. The build date for the car was on the 24 of April and the dealer said to allow 2 weeks for the fitment of the sunroof, sat-nav and to give them time to ready the car. Probably need to be more patient.

I went for evoke in the end, was a good comprimise between silver and black. I found that silver contrasted too much with the black trim, and the wife would not allow black as she said I spent too much time cleaning and complaining about the black paint on the old car.

She prefers evoke anyway and since she let me talk her out of getting a caprice (turns out it was only $4000 cheaper to buy with same options) she could have the final say on color.

Countrycalais, how are you finding the color after nearly 2 months of ownership, does it look dirty really quick? The black car would look dirty after an afternoon of driving. What is your overall impression of the car?

Cheers,

Tim.

[CV860L]

Nice Choice, Calais V is the best looking Holden on the road (pity there's no manual option).
Lowered on 20's should look great :thumbsup: remember to put up some pics as soon as you get it.

["V"]

Evoke is a lovely colour and pick for the Calais... Me and my partner ended up going for the Phantom as my partner loves black cars and liked the look of it in the showroom under the lights.... But guess who cleans the car hardout?? Me hehehe... But when its clean it does look the treat. Its the best drivers car by far and love every moment behind the wheel. Our car has nearly 7000kms on it now and fells like its broken in good and feels so much better than the first 2000kms... Love the auto trans as its so smooth and the changes are quick and you hardly feel that its moved up or down gears.

Your really going to enjoy it Tim... I bet you just hate waiting for it now... Wont be long and you will be out cruising around town ;)

[Nickoff]

Has anyone seen the Gold colour on the Calais / it looks awesome. Suits the shape very well.

Red passion was my favourite but after seeing a few gold ones and how good it looks on VE, I have changed my mind and now like gold. (which is strange as usaully I think gold coloured cars look poxy!)

Yes I have a Sandstorm Calais V (V6). My missus chose the colour but it does grow on you. At first I thought it was a bit too "Camry" looking but it suits the Calais better than any of the other VE models. Would love to see a Senator in Sandstorm (that would be my dream car).

[boofhead]

Was about 8 weeks when I ordered the car last year. Also I wanted the Evoke but the wife wanted the Red Passion

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=67330


Great car - a big improvement over the VY Series II SS I had before this

[Timson]

I liked Sandstorm alot, but the wife thought it looked to much of an older persons car. Too plain, and I would have to wear a cardigan behind the wheel, were here thoughts i'm pretty sure. I thought with the 20's it would have a kind of understated muscle car look too it, apparently I was wrong!

Cheers,

Tim.

[CountryCalais_V]

Wow, a month and it was yours. It's been just over a month today and still no word from the dealer. The build date for the car was on the 24 of April and the dealer said to allow 2 weeks for the fitment of the sunroof, sat-nav and to give them time to ready the car. Probably need to be more patient.

I went for evoke in the end, was a good comprimise between silver and black. I found that silver contrasted too much with the black trim, and the wife would not allow black as she said I spent too much time cleaning and complaining about the black paint on the old car.

She prefers evoke anyway and since she let me talk her out of getting a caprice (turns out it was only $4000 cheaper to buy with same options) she could have the final say on color.

Countrycalais, how are you finding the color after nearly 2 months of ownership, does it look dirty really quick? The black car would look dirty after an afternoon of driving. What is your overall impression of the car?

Cheers,

Tim.



After 2 months i love it. It is a little better than back for showing dirt, but only just. And living in the country where its been very dusty lalely has made it hard but i would still go Evoke again.
I Love the look ride and feel of the car. Much fun has been had ,and to be had driving it. Fuel econmy is fantastic and it sounds ok for a stock car. Been threatening to put lowered springs and a zorst system into it. The sunroof is nice , sound system is excellent and plays mp3's
I will try and post a pic soon.
Hope yours turns up soon.
cheers James

[ve-ss-wa]

I had to wait 4 months for my ve ss to get built.

[Silver VESSV]

Yer I have been looking ordering a calais v

Black with tan looks best, even though i'm fussy as worried bout interior getting dirty.

Red growing on me

Pop down to Dandenong Holden they have a gold colour 1 in showroom with 20 inch Boss rims on it, looks hot.

[devsy]

Timson - Have you got yours yet?

:cheers:

Devsy

[Timson]

SilverVESSV, had a look at the Sandstorm Calais in Dandenong the other day, wife didn't like the wheels or the color! I thought it looked pretty good myself, very Euro look to the Calais I think, understated muscle at it's best.

Devsy, I haven't got it yet, it is at HSVi having a few bits fitted, should have it by the end of next week! Would make a nice birhtday present as my birthday is next friday.

I am driving around in a Mazda 323 with a whopping 86kw of gut wrenching power, so yeah, would love to have the new car already as I am missing the V8.

Cheers,

Tim.

[boeing737]

Have had my Sandstorm Calais V V6 since December. 11,000 on the clock with a mixture of interstate and local driving. Best Holden I've ever driven. I had only driven the VE SS version before my Calais was built, four weeks after ordering. I peronally prefer the ride of the Calais. I know many others who prefer the SS V.

The colour has had a lot of good comments over the past 4 months and I believe it suits the car. I've always had white Commodores (VC, VP, VS, VY SS) but I don't think it suits the new shape. When I picked up the car the Detailer had a Phantom Calais next to mine. It did look outstanding, but he said it was a bugger to keep clean, and he said he'd prefer the Sandstorm over any other colour in the range for a Calais. He had re-done the Phantom twice to keep it looking pristine. I can get away with washing the car every second weekend. I think the Phantom would need it more frequently. I picked the dark interior as I have a mate who had the full light interior in a VZ Calais and regretted it. I think I prefer the old VY's light ceiling and dark lower interior than the all dark.

Congratulations on ordering yours.

[Timson]

Got a call from the dealer yesterday, car turned up! Has to go to Walkinshaw performance for lowering, and the tint still has to be done, so I will not get it by the end of the week. Dealer still has to fit the towbar and some other stuff, so I should have it early next week.

A couple of pics at the dealers:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb125/allpaw/DealerSideV.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb125/allpaw/DealerFrontV.jpg

The near side on shot the car looks almost black, but in full sun you can really see the brown come through, it is a really nice color in the flesh. Should look heaps better with lower suspension and tint, but looks pretty nice so far. Oh sat-nav still has to be loaded, so I could not have a play.

Cheers,

Tim.

["V"]

Looks very nice :) You will have to post up some pics when you get your mods done.
Welcome to the VE owners experience :)

[racketsports]

:love: and :drool: but of course I'm biased!

[holdengirl01]

The calais v is the pick of the VE range .. it rides a little firmer than the caprice does and drives a little harder... you will have to wait to have all the extras fitted by HSVi that would be why it takes a few weeks... these are items aren't fitted from factory as such.. the car goes to hsvi used to be HBD for fitment.. as for colour the phantom looks awesome..Provence is my second choice .. it is quite different..crema isn't to bad either.... Good choice, one i'm sure you will be happy with...

[Timson]

Holdengirl, the color is actually Evoke, but in overcast conditions it almost looks black. The car has been to HSVi already, had pedals and sat-nav done, just have to get the suspension done at Walkinshaw performance and the tint done as well. The suspension will be the biggest delay, 1 day to ship down, 1 day to do the work, and another day to ship back.:( Should be worth the wait tho..

Cheers,

Tim.

[cncman]

I have had my Calais V V8 in phantom Black for 6 weeks now and I Enjoy it more every day. I was told 6 weeks which turned into 9 weeks delivery.
I get better fuel economy than in my V6 Prado. The dealer tried to sell me the paint protection package and started saying they could give it to me at the show price of $1800. I decided to do a little research and decided on the product from paintprotectiondirect.com.au. I had the paint protection and the leather done for $705.00 and I think its a whole lot better than the Ming treatment I had on my Prado.I will post some pictures of my mirror finish Calais in nine more posts!
there are a few on the top row of the gallery here ducoscratch.com.au but it was overcast that day.

[Silver VESSV]

Got a call from the dealer yesterday, car turned up! Has to go to Walkinshaw performance for lowering, and the tint still has to be done, so I will not get it by the end of the week. Dealer still has to fit the towbar and some other stuff, so I should have it early next week.

A couple of pics at the dealers:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb125/allpaw/DealerSideV.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb125/allpaw/DealerFrontV.jpg

The near side on shot the car looks almost black, but in full sun you can really see the brown come through, it is a really nice color in the flesh. Should look heaps better with lower suspension and tint, but looks pretty nice so far. Oh sat-nav still has to be loaded, so I could not have a play.

Cheers,

Tim.

Man car looks awesome exactly same as what I'm about to order but in black and I will get lower mine on day of delivery, cant wait

[Timson]

SiverVESSV,

So a Calais is your final choice? It's a very hard choice, took me about 2 weeks after getting quotes back from the dealer, and all I can think now is that if I had decided sooner I would have the car by now.

I went the Calais over the SS-V mainly because it had a bit more fruit (front park assist, puddle lamps, rear mirror dip and so-on). Pricing was about the same and I love the look of a clean shape car with big wheels, so the Calais won in the end.

Cheers,

Tim.

P.S you might have to change your nick though!

[Silver VESSV]

SiverVESSV,

So a Calais is your final choice? It's a very hard choice, took me about 2 weeks after getting quotes back from the dealer, and all I can think now is that if I had decided sooner I would have the car by now.

I went the Calais over the SS-V mainly because it had a bit more fruit (front park assist, puddle lamps, rear mirror dip and so-on). Pricing was about the same and I love the look of a clean shape car with big wheels, so the Calais won in the end.

Cheers,

Tim.

P.S you might have to change your nick though!

yer might have to

Ordered a

Calais V V8
Urban interior
20 inch Supersport Rims
Tinted Windows

Will lower it and exhust within first week then just look after it like gold.

Dealer placed a dummy order last week just to get it in the system and will be here first week June, dealer has told me if delivery date gets pushed back he will loan me a exact same car till it gets here.

[Timson]

yer might have to

Ordered a

Calais V V8
Urban interior
20 inch Supersport Rims
Tinted Windows

Will lower it and exhust within first week then just look after it like gold.

Dealer placed a dummy order last week just to get it in the system and will be here first week June, dealer has told me if delivery date gets pushed back he will loan me a exact same car till it gets here.

I wish my dealer would do that for me, was told it would be ready monady just gone, then this friday, but after going down to the dealer on tuesday he said he forgot about the lowering and tint so it will have to be next week.

It seems that once the car has been ordered you are forgotten about. For example, went to look at the car on tuesday, it was out the back so went and had a look, dealer came with me but without the keys. At the same time another couple came to look at a Calais as well and he left me too keep looking at my car. After about 5 mins I look around for the dealer and they have gone inside to a sales booth, pop my head in and ask for the keys and he says just a minute, well after 15mins I leave just a little pissed. Seems once I signed up for the car it's onto the next sale. Not too worried about after sales service me thinks.

Cheers,

Tim.

[Silver VESSV]

I wish my dealer would do that for me, was told it would be ready monady just gone, then this friday, but after going down to the dealer on tuesday he said he forgot about the lowering and tint so it will have to be next week.

It seems that once the car has been ordered you are forgotten about. For example, went to look at the car on tuesday, it was out the back so went and had a look, dealer came with me but without the keys. At the same time another couple came to look at a Calais as well and he left me too keep looking at my car. After about 5 mins I look around for the dealer and they have gone inside to a sales booth, pop my head in and ask for the keys and he says just a minute, well after 15mins I leave just a little pissed. Seems once I signed up for the car it's onto the next sale. Not too worried about after sales service me thinks.

Cheers,

Tim.


yer after sales service not many people's strong point, my dealer has been fantastic so far so i have no complaints, bet ur hanging just to drive it.

[goofafidamedes]

Is this from the "local" dealer Timson? ;)

[Timson]

Nah, went with Barry Bourke of Warrigul due to issues with the owner of Colin Watson Holden. The owner didn't like the idea of me getting government discounting on the car so made it hard to go through him. The service department in Traralgon on the other hand is second to none.

Cheers,

Tim.

[darrenblake]

Hi all,

I have had a V6 Calais V with sunroof and SAT NAV on order since March 20.
Was told delivery date would be May 17th, but found out yesterday there is a problem with the SAT NAV, and car wont roll off the production line till June 3rd.
A little pissed but....

[Silver VESSV]

Seen quite a few posts where Sat Nav seems to hold up a lot of deliveries