1996 Vauxhall Calibra 2.0i 16 valve from UK and Ireland

Faults:

I bought the car at 26k miles on 1st July 99. Within one week I had some problems but have experienced the following in the first month of purchase: Electric roof not working

Stereo not working

Temperature gauge not working

Oil leak

Airbag system breaks

Camshaft sensor fails

Altnerator fails

The car was obviously returned to the main dealer and they put right everything without fuss or hassle, as well as providing courtesy cars. As I am a woman - I was unsure of the car's reliability so they paid for an independent AA check. The AA report showed that the handbrake needed repair and listed about 7 desirable things to be done eg fixing the rear ashtray in the back!!!!!

The dealer has put right all the above as well as the AA reported essential and desirable defects, fitted a complimentary CD play, given me complimentary velour mats, touched up all the bodywork scratches and given me £400.00 cash back.

It went back to the Network Q dealer I bought it from and they fixed all the above problems.

General Comments:

I am now left with a fantastic looking purple Calibra without the usual writing on the back (it does not say Vauxhall Calibra - debadged I believe)

I love the performance and am sure it will be reliable in the future. It's a classic for sure and turns many heads - and not just women's - I see many men admiring it!!!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th August, 1999

1996 Vauxhall Calibra 16V 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Gearbox oil seals - fixed on warranty.

Very squeaky drivers seat (Leather).

Rust on front edge of bonnet - Vauxhall dealers not interested.

Rattles and squeaks starting to appear

Will I ever buy another Vauxhall, absolutely NOT !!!!

General Comments:

Generally a super looking car, HOWEVER, gearbox oil seals went after 19,000 miles, car felt a bit sloppy /loose at 23,000, (car had full Vauxhall service history - whatever THAT means) leather drivers seat squeaked over every bump (got on my nerves), performance OK, but not neck snapping, bit of a hairdressers car in my opinion.

This car was driven very carefully and was immaculate when I got rid of it. Dealers very average. Next car is BMW (see BMW 325 coupe) which is in a different league. Oh yes, rust on the front edge of the bonnet on passenger side is TOTALLY unacceptable on a 2.5 year old car. VAUXHALL NOTE THAT! Due to what appears to be a complete lack of build quality in Vauxhall's I will NEVER buy another one. Calibra's may be bird pullers possibly, but show them a BMW.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th July, 1999

10th Feb 2002, 12:47

What a car! I couldn't recommend a better car. Looks great, cheap to buy, and my 1990 Calibra 2.0 has just covered 180,000 miles on it's original engine! Isn't that a testament of build quality?

3rd Oct 2009, 07:17

Show them a BMW? Why, sure everyone has a BMW now. Such a common car even kids are driving them on their parents insurance. You see them everywhere, and they really aren't that exciting anymore.

4th Oct 2009, 06:54

The review was written 10 years ago...

9th Oct 2009, 15:57

And what, you don't see any 10 year old BMW's knocking about? Bet you'd take an even closer look at a Calibra now.

1996 Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 4x4 16v turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

1) Alarm needed re-adjusting, as it kept going off by itself.

2) Passenger side electric window needed regulating, as it sometimes did not close using 1 touch. Had to close it by pressing the switch a lot of times.

General Comments:

1) Very, very quick with 204 BHP. Leaves most cars standing still! BUT, also gives fantastic family car economy, considering the power.

2) Beautiful shape, refinement and the best coupe on the market. This car is a total all-rounder with 4 real adult passenger space, big boot, 4 wheel drive, 6 speed gearbox, twin airbags...etc ....I could go on forever !

3) Girls love them too !

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 1998

20th Jun 2002, 14:06

I too own a Calibra 4x4 Turbo... What a beast of a car goes like stink!!! And yes the girls love it. Mine is black with full leather,17"alloys, stainless steel exhaust and good sounds!!! But the downfall is they can be expensive to repair. But still love it too bits!!!

21st Mar 2004, 05:43

I have one of the last 51 Calibra Turbo's sold in the UK.

My LE51 has had it fair share of troubles.

I used to be a Vauxhall dealer until 2000, so repairs were never an issue, however for a car that I have owned from new and has only covered 63,000 miles, has had a new transfer gearbox @ £1,500 and now requires it's THIRD 4X4 switch unit (on bulkhead) @ £450 a go.

I can think of more reliable £28,000 cars!

1996 Vauxhall Calibra 16v 2.0 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Power steering pump replaced at about 10,000 miles by dealer under warranty.

General Comments:

Yes, it is a Cavalier in drag. The handling is nothing special and it is fairly noisy.

However, it is a real four seater and the fuel economy is quite good (about 36 mpg). It's a good motorway car.

One thing I really don't like--in very wet weather, spray from the road seems to get through the spokes on the alloy wheels and nothing happens for a second when you brake.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd October, 1997