2005 Holden Calais VZ review from Australia and New Zealand

The fuel gauge shows empty with more than 20L still in the tank, this throws out the distance to empty as well. So I have to reset the trip meter every time I fill up, and remember to refill it before it has used the whole 75L, because this car is driven a lot in rural areas with no 24 hour servos. I often need to use beyond what the gauge say is empty. Was quoted $200-300 to fit a new fuel level sender with no guaranties that the problem will go away!!!

The front part of base of the drivers electric seat sometimes gets jammed up high and can take up to 10 minutes of playing around with the adjusters to get it to move all the way down..

The paint over the whole car is very thin!!! Only have to sneeze and you can chip it.

The body skin is very thin and very easy to dint!!! Just normal hand washing or polishing can put dints in it.

Overall I am very happy with my VZ Calais..

I find it fairly good on fuel, apart from around town where in my point of view, the auto is not tuned for economy..

Highway I get from 6.7-7.5L/100km and city 9-10.5L/100km.

Before buying, I borrowed about 7 VZ Holdens and did about 15,000 between them, and I can say apart from the HSV, the alloytech 190kw and 5 speed auto is the best pick...

Don't buy a 175kw and 4 speed auto as they feel and drive like an old car, and use more fuel!!

ESP is a godsend!!! It can save your life and you can shock your mates just how much faster you can corner in the wet!!! But if your tyres are cheap and nasty or under inflated, the ESP will kick in very early, even when the tyres are not sliding!!