Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 4x4 Review

Good Points
Good looks, very good performance and great handling. I am well past children so two doors and enough room for my golf clubs is fine.

Bad Points
Hellish cost of parts in Australia. Simple things like filters and belts are ridiculously expensive. I am told that I will need a second mortgage should I have to replace the clutch. A new gearbox has been quoted at $17000 here which you should roughly divide by 3 to get a price in sterling. Rear wheel alignment was not adjustable without modification and consequently it eats tyres.

General Comments
This 4x4 turbo is my second Vauxhall Calibra, the first being an auto non turbo. I found it second hand on the internet with 17000km on the clock. It has been reliable as clockwork with now 99000km on the clock. I have had the back end modified with eccentric bushes to allow adjustment of wheel alignment. This has worked wonders with all tyres now showing even wear across the tread. The car is regularly serviced by the local Holden dealer (in Australia, Calibras are marketed as Holdens even though they are really Opels). I believe this meticulous servicing has been the secret to my Calibra being fault free over its life so far. Beside the modified back end, I have installed a Blaupunct CD player and I run Toyo Proxes tyres which I am also very happy with. There aren't many in Australia so most people do not know what it is and certainly do not know how fast it can go. I love it.