Wanted: Calibra.

[cort1977]

Just love this line from the bodykit fleabay one:

 

"Body modified fully by myself to give it exquisite sports features"

 

Exquisite.

[hairnet]

get the white one bought

 

ferry is 150 quid tho

[CortinaDave]

Silver one WATCHED

[John F]

KruJoe, on 13 Jan 2014 - 02:45 AM, said:KruJoe, on 13 Jan 2014 - 02:45 AM, said:

This thread requires some (positive) input from JohnF.

 

OK then, Joe.

 

Tidy early Calibras are rare (and getting expensive) but there are still plenty of facelift models around for less than £800. Prices of tidy later examples are rising though, as even the youngest Calibras are now 15 years old.

 

Pre-1994 models can rot, notably in the floor pan, bulkhead and rear chassis rails. All models from '94 onwards are much better in this respect.

 

Notchy f18 and f25 gearboxes are not uncommon. X20XEV-engined models are OK but cast exhaust manifolds can crack on top (symptom is a loud metallic ticking), also OMGHGF can occur around 100,000 miles (budget about 100 quid for DIY repair, add 25-50 quid for head skimming / pressure check). Ecotec sensor problems less of an issue nowadays but can still occur.

 

Usual porous head / core plug problems with C20XE models.

 

20NE 8v engines are tough but can suffer OMGHGF if radiator top hose mount cracks (weak design) and you carry on driving like my cousin did, the bell end.

 

V6 models are good but the f25 gearbox fitted to them has stupidly long ratios, making them more of a cruiser than a 'sports' car. The close-ratio 6-speed f28 from the turbo can be made to fit but not without a fair amount of work - including moving the entire engine 30 mm towards the n/s and fabricating engine mounts to suit. I've got one waiting to go in mine at some point, will post a "how to" thread when I get round to it. Don't hold your breath, I've got lots of other stuff to do first.

 

V6 alternators can fail as they're located in a hot area behind the rear bank of cylinders. Offside front wheel & drive shaft have to be removed to gain access. Vibration under load can be caused by failure of *inboard* CV joints in V6 drive shafts (Vectra V6 drive shafts are identical, so no problem with spares).

 

Driver's seat bolster wear is very common.

 

Aluminium window glass carriers can come unbonded, special glue is required to reattach them to the window. Electric window motor regulators can fail, necessitates drilling out the scissor mechanism rivets to replace failed units.

 

That's just off the top of my head... all in all, they're quite tough cars though. 

 

 

[Lacquer Peel]

GM SHITE.

[nacho man]

Some better pictures and a more realistic starting price on that J reg Proton.. I mean Calibra on the ebay advert.

it does look mega clean

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-CALIBRA-2-0-8V-MOT-07-14-ONLY-91K-MILES-2-OWNERS-NOT-CAVALIER-GSI-/291055345388?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43c4401eec

 

 

That is LUSH!! apart from the wheeltrims obviously. I wonder what the autoboxes are like on these and if its pretty sluggish??

[Cavcraft]

I'd imagine they're the same as the Cavalaier ones in which case they go fairly well, though needed to be encouraged a bit.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-VAUXHALL-ASTRA-COUPE-2-2i-16v-BERTONE-PX-WELCOME-995-ono-/321277808677

 

I'm gonna put my arse on the nutmeg grater and say that i think I'd prefer one of these to a Calibra, in my eyes the calibra styling is almost right but not quite (the 406 koop being 'right') and i think these are a better compromise. However I see you can only get them in 1.8 or 2.2 flavour and there seems to be a lot of 2.2's on the bay needing a new engine! Agree with the excellence of the 2.0's fitted to the Calibra.

 

These defo have high level shite potential, the very idea of an Astra with a low swoopy roof shouts SHITE to me. Plus i know what a great car the Mk4 astra is to live with. WOULD.

[CortinaDave]

I had a 2.0 cav auto and it shifted pretty well.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Vauxhall-Astra-1-8i-16v-Coupe-Edition-1-8-495-/200996321587

 

Heres a cheap one, 03plate with a misfire (!) for £500ono. Looks a bit ass in bright red mind.

[Pillock]

Those Astra coops have got a bit of an image problem - they seem to have dropped in price to the point where people with no intention of any maintenance have bought them and you just see them being ragged around housing estates full of baseball caps.

 

Christ I sound old.

 

Explains where there's so many with knackered bottom ends though. They've aged well in the most but dark colours suit them better.

[cort16]

I had one of those coupes in 1.8 form. It drove nice but was a bit Zzzzz. They also have the standard Astra interior I.e sticky back vinyl and yoghurt pots. Frameless windows though.

[Cavcraft]

Yeah, they're ok like but I still prefer the Calibra.

[phil_lihp]

I had one of those coupes in 1.8 form. It drove nice but was a bit Zzzzz. They also have the standard Astra interior I.e sticky back vinyl and yoghurt pots. Frameless windows though.

 

^^ This.  I had an 05 1.6 Coupe, nice car and Sunburst Orange is an amazing colour but it was no sports car.  The interiors are a bit grim, centre consoles are painted a horrible matt grey which rubs off and collects marks very easily.  I resprayed mine silver, much better.  Frameless windows make up for a lot.

[cort16]

My centre console had been hammerited brown and it was still better than the original finish.

[dugong]

Have we had the psychotic outburst \ useful info post from John F yet?

I can't think of anything offensive to say about Calibras, sorry. 

[trigger]

I drove a black Turbo 4x4 with the 6 speed box once, weapon springs to mind.

[Cavcraft]

In true Autoshite style I might have found a car. Obviously it's not even close to my suggestion but actually more unloved. More news later, if it hasn't already sold. C U L8R

[Hertz]

Does it have to be a calibra? I always loved and quite fancy a Mk3 Cavalier V6, it fealt very well planted and well, "sporty". The GLS one was the best with fantastic wheel trims (not alloys) and velour 

[John F]

Hertz, on 14 Jan 2014 - 09:57 AM, said:Hertz, on 14 Jan 2014 - 09:57 AM, said:

Does it have to be a calibra? I always loved and quite fancy a Mk3 Cavalier V6, it fealt very well planted and well, "sporty". The GLS one was the best with fantastic wheel trims (not alloys) and velour 

 

Again, the V6 Cav has the same lazy f25 gearbox and mahoosive flywheel as the V6 Calibra - it would need an f20 or f28 conversion plus lightened flywheel to be sporty.

[skattrd]

In true Autoshite style I might have found a car. Obviously it's not even close to my suggestion but actually more unloved. More news later, if it hasn't already sold. C U L8R

 

So, you wanted an Calibra but you're buying ....  an Allegro?

[Hertz]

Well when I meant "sporty" I meant in comparison to my 2.0 GLi Chevalier I was driving at the time.

 

Hopefully Cavette has found something even more shite than that though.

[Station]

Mot, tax, 8v, manual - £400 'or nearest offer'

 

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/vauxhall-calibra-20-8v/1042650235

[Rusty_Rocket]

That one looks like a right deal, Station.

[Cavcraft]

I went to see a 97/98-ish Astra Mk3 1.4. It had loads of MOT and was taxed until the end of the month, for £200.The temp gauge hadn't budged yet as soon as I took off the expansion cap it was literally FIZZING AT THE BUNGHOLE and the water looked suspiciously clean. Two mile test drive saw the temp climbing rapidly and the seller turning the heaters on, which I promptly turned off again. Anyhow the EML of doom lit up so I jibbed it, fearing early signs of HF. 

Oddly enough the engine said 'Ecotec' but I always thought this would be the proper 8V job, though I suspect it might well have been and just sported a later engine cover, or was on the cusp of the changeover. Anyhow to cheer myself up I went to look at some mountain bikes instead and had to virtually prise myself out of the showroom before I lobbed £2,500 at a weekend toy. 

[cort16]

I'm going to put that down as a fail. Looking for a Calibra and ending up test driving a 1.4 Mk3 Astra deserves a number 2 out of 10 must try harder.

[AnthonyG]

I suspect you could buy the best Calibra in the world for £2.5k! (Except the very overpriced one on Autotrader). Like Capris about 15 years ago, are these now getting into the hands of those who appreciate them?

[CortinaDave]

I reckon in 20 years calibras will be changing hands for strong money, possibly sooner

[AnthonyG]

I reckon probably closer to 10 years. But when will Ford Probes/Cougars? When will OSF tax kick in? Or maybe it never will....

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I reckon Calibras have probably bottomed out already and can only go up. Cougars will never be worth owt even when there's only 2 left.