1994 Holden Calais VR from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Needs a slight oil leak at the flywheel fixed.

Power Steering seems to make a dry noise sometimes when going really slow. If anybody knows what this is add a comment and let me know. I've got a feeling its the fluid pump.

OK, I purchased this car a few months ago when it had already done 249,000k's. I looked at many VR Commodores before I bought this one. Some with only 130,000k's and some with 170,000k's etc. I ended up choosing my one with 249,000k's for a couple of reasons that I will point out.

It is a one owner and has been serviced every 8 -10,000k's from the same dealer it was purchased at - Regular servicing is most important. These cars run so smooth that some people feel that they can skip services, but it will show with age. The car has not been in any accidents, and the auto has been reco'd around 200,000k's. The auto is the only problem the previous elderly owners had ever had on the car and they attended to it straight away as they weren't short of cash. The car has always been kept undercover all it's life and the paint is beautiful, there's no crap in all the small little nooks and crannies such as leaves etc... And last, but not least the lady owner was sad to see it go so I knew it had been loved.

Above all this I did get it thoroughly checked by my mechanic for peace of mind and it came out with flying colours.

My main point that brought me to write this is that you shouldn't necessarily be turned off by a car that has done more k's. ALL of the cars I drove before buying this had as low as 130'000k's and none of them came close to feeling as nice as my 255,000k calais to drive. Make sure you get a service history with your car and you're not buying it from some young idiot who's thrashed it coz its going to have problems. A one owner purchase from a more experienced driver who you know hasn't thrashed the car is definately a bonus.

My car is really nice and smooth, has plenty of power and is suprisingly economical if you don't give it too much stick.

I too own a 1994 VR Calais, though mine is Series II. I bought mine from a Dealer Named Mike Hunts in Coopersplains QLD. It had 220,000kms on it and was VERY Tight. No noises anywhere the ride was smooth, yet it handled exceptionally well. The whole car is stock with perfect paint. I waxed it the other day and it showed how good this car had been taken care of. Though there are 2 problems that I have noticed. When I jab the gas, there is a clunking in the rear end.. maybe my Drive shaft or LSD. and when I slowly release the brake (Very slowly) it makes a small creak sound. That's about all. But for 220,000kms that is pretty darn good. Anyway if someone was looking for a luxury/sports car then this is it. A+ for Holden-on.

I previously owned two VR Calais, since then I have had two Mercedes a C280 and an E430. I covered over 150,000 km in both VR's with no problems at all and I looked forward to any long trips as it was such a pleasure to drive. I wrote off my last VR and rolled it 4 times doing over 80kph and got out with only a few minor scratches. Both VR's cost me nothing in maintenance while my most recent Mercedes has cost be nearly $30,000 in maintenance including a New gearbox after 100,000km. I have decided to go back to Holden and buy a Statesman.