Calibra - Steer Clear?

jackoh

jackoh

jackoh

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I have a friend in the valeting business and have recently been looking for a car, as they deal with a lot of part ex's they often have an oppourtunity to pick up the odd bargain.

Anyway to the point; i was really looking for a car, 1600cc, medium sized. just a nice runner for around the £2500 mark.

Today they got in a 1997 Calibra 2.0 (Auto)

Initially i completely ruled it out. Its done 108k motorway miles, owned by an old bloke since it rolled out of the factory. every service box in the vauxhall manual has been stamped!

Still unsure about even getting in it i thought i'd go for a test drive, its a really nice drive. Having not driven a lot of cars in my time obviously i havent much to compare it to. But its very comfortable.

No one has ever sat in the back seats and it is literally immaculate other than a key mark on the bonnet. Every alloy is mint with new tyres. Cream leather interior with heated seats, electric everything.

Now they want £1600 for it, 12 months tax and MOT.

To be honest i have no clues about this car, so im looking for opinions basically!
 
It's basically a pretty cavalier. It doesn't drive as well as it looks but should be fundamentally reliable. £1600 sounds like a lot of money to me for a Calibra but if it's in really good condition, there are a lot of worse cars you could buy.

If you like it and you're sure it's not a lemon, go for it :).
 
Well, it would carry a fairly high insurance premium for me to be honest. My main concern is the auto box on 108k. Imagining a fairly hefty bill if that decides to kick the bucket.
 
Its a 90's dog that was behind the times back in its day never mind now.

That sort of money would buy you a lot better.

Steer well clear mate.
 
Isn't this also a bit much for a Calibra? Surely these are all banger money now, apart from clean turbo ones.

Anyway as said, avoid. Not only are they a bit duff, but their image is right down there with a Ford Probe.
 
R124/LA420 said:
Its a 90's dog that was behind the times back in its day never mind now.

That sort of money would buy you a lot better.

Steer well clear mate.
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Well, not exactly behind the times, the Calibra was the most aerodynamic mass production car when it was first produced.

But for £1600, steer clear, even a tidy Calibra is worth under £1k these days.
 
begbo said:
How are you going to get insured? Looking at your profile your only 19? :confused:
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People normally go to an insurance company ;)

I could get insured on a 2.0 Cavelier SRi for less than £900 FC at 19 :)
 
I see Parkers says the 0-60 is 10 seconds, 134bhp, group 14. The same group as the manual 150bhp redtop which is far quicker... hmm. Actually it could even be the 2.0 'SE5' model, whatever that is. 115bhp, group 13.

Suffice to say, insurance would be no problem. I agree that it is a car to steer clear of though, unless it's one of the performance models and is under a grand.
 
Glad i posted this up, as i'm desperate for a car i may have just settled for it, cheers ocuk! Audi would be nice but i think its safe to say that was a one off purchase. I would prefer something with less than average mileage, reliablity is the biggest factor influencing my descision.

Looked at mondeos, although ive seen some lovely examples on here, fox's, rg-toms, they are a rarity! Need something thats good value for money and readily available. Garages in swindon tend to be ridiculously overpriced aswell.

Any suggestions are welcomed!
 
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