holden vn calais 1988-91

ROUGH, BUT VALUED
First Published:
Friday October 3, 1997
The Sydney Morning Herald

Holden's VN Calais combines luxury, space, performance and affordability. But don't expect much refinement, reports JOHN WRIGHT.

One of the best value used prestige cars on offer is the Holden Calais that sold between August 1988 and October 1991. This is the VN model and the closer to October 1991, the better the car is likely to be.

The VN Calais is a big, spacious and powerful car. Initially, it was offered only with the 3.8-litre V6 engine but from March 1989, you could specify a 5.0-litre V8 instead. In many respects, the V8 is the better choice, particularly in what was always supposed to be a luxury car. Automatic transmission was standard.

Although the 3.8-litre engine gave strong performance with remarkable fuel economy, it was coarse and unrefined - okay for a taxi but out of place in a luxury car. By mid-1991, a significantly revised version slated for the VP Commodore/Calais was fitted as a running change.

Much emphasis was being given to quality with running changes being incorporated through the life of the VN, which is why the later cars represent better buying. Ideally, go for one of the last examples with the VP engine.

Handling and ride were about average, although the car was prone to skipping its tail out over bumpy roads. Later model Calais (VP/VR/VS/VT) have independent rear suspension as standard equipment.

The optional FE2 sports suspension provided flatter handling but this was at the expense of ride comfort. Few VN Calais were thus equipped. Fitting better shock absorbers is the single easiest way of improving the car's manners.

The Calais was all about size and luxury for your dollars. Like cheaper Commodores, it was equipped with power steering and four-wheel disc brakes but bonus items included airconditioning, power windows and mirrors, central locking, an excellent sound system, alloy wheels, velour trim (with leather an option), extra sound insulation, trip computer and an electronic boot release operated by a button inside the glovebox.

If the Commodore was bread-and-butter motoring, the Calais was the red gum honey on top. Unfortunately, despite the generous additional goodies, the build quality of the Calais was no better than that of a base model Commodore. The paintwork was poor and assorted mechanical maladies emerged early in the car's life.

Occasionally, there were problems with the V6 engine or the automatic transmission and generally these were fixed under warranty. Engine and transmission oil leaks are common.

The non-adjustable front end often caused premature front tyre wear. If one tyre was wearing, you had to adjust the other side (via a three-stage top mount) by the same amount to keep the car going straight. Then you'd get tyre wear on that side, too.

An aftermarket kit to make the front end fully adjustable is the best solution, costing about $350 fitted.

Curiously, the upper arm bushes in the rear suspension of V6 cars are prone to premature wear if the car is used hard - the jackrabbit standing start acceleration from the engine being the cause. Some owners even lost control of their cars in the wet and hit kerbs, other cars or immovable objects. Holden engineers tamed the throttle response on subsequent models to minimise this risk.

Brake pedal feel was never good on the VN and hard drivers also found the standard of retardation less than mediocre. Fitting better brake pads can provide some improvement.

The standard issue shock absorbers were fairly poor quality and in the throwaway category after 50,000 kms. At the same mileage, the link rubbers on the front anti-sway bar will probably need replacing, at a cost of about $60.

The shocks will be dearer, especially if you wisely choose a higher quality aftermarket brand, which will buy you dramatically longer shock absorber life, more secure handling and braking, and a smoother ride. The steering rack may need replacing by about 130,000 km but the slight vibration in the wheel at low speeds was standard and no cause for concern. Ditto the shudder (driveline vibration) through the car during brisk acceleration from rest.

Cooling system leaks are quite common and the welch plugs should be checked for seepage. Repairs are cheap but the bill as a consequence of engine over-heating will not be. Other common VN problems include the ignition coils and faulty power windows. The differential can fail on high mileage cars but the repair should cost no more than $1,400.

If all this sounds like a catalogue of woes, remember that the purchase price of a good used Calais is now fairly low and that parts are among the cheapest on the market. The basic car has been built to last for many years under the most arduous conditions and it has also been designed to make service and repairs easy.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Shock absorbers: Can be worn, particularly at the front
Differential: Can be noisy
Airconditioning: Can leak water into cabin. Also check power windows
Engine and transmission: Oil leaks. Also check worn steering rack


Prices correct at date of publication