Holden Calais Problems

I'M NOT aware that it is a legal requirement the windows should operate, but it is a safety issue. Having windows that won't lower could mean getting stuck in a car and being unable to get out in a crash. Try another auto electrician. It sounds as if there is a deeper problem.

OUR aircon expert, Mark Lynch of Carcool Airconditioning, says your problem is caused by a faulty vacuum switching module, which is a common failure for a VT. Unfortunately, Mark says you will have trouble finding a new module and that fitting a module from a VX or later model requires lots of work because its a six-switch module that requires a modified vacuum loom, whereas the original was a five-switch module that is no longer available from GM. Mark says the best option is a second-hand one.

THE Australian LPG Warehouse has a kit available for your car, so give it a call on 9770 2287.

BY THE time you factor in the government rebate of $2000, you have to recoup only $980 before you are saving money, and you should do that within a year. I'm not sure what your friend means. The Ecotec V6 in your Calais has electronic ignition.

THE supercharged V6 should run on PULP as you were advised. Running it on regular unleaded could result in damage to the engine.

IT IS good to see you got the right result, but GM Holden has still not given us a satisfactory answer to why so many Commodores with fuel-gauge faults are outside the group it originally identified as troublesome. We will keep on it.

HOLDEN couldn't tell me how much improvement you get going from unleaded to premium, but they did tell me the fuel economy figure they quote is achieved on premium and is the best they could achieve from their testing. They didn't have the actual performance figures either, but their engineers say the improvement is in the order of a few per cent. From that you'd think it isn't a lot and would lead me to think it isn't worth the extra few cents premium costs.

MSV was a Melbourne company that set up in opposition to Holden Special Vehicles to enhance standard Commodores, but it didn't have the resources and didn't last the distance. Your car wouldn't be worth any more than a regular Calais of the same era.

NEITHER is the sort of car I would own, but that isn't important to you because it's your choice, not mine. It really comes down to what you want from the car. The Calais is a comfortable car that will be quite reliable and the 3.8-litre ECOTEC V6 is reasonably fuel efficient. The Magna is sportier, handles well with plenty of get up and go. It is also reliable and stands up well. But at the end of the day, it's your money.

THE Calais will be a popular car with young drivers in particular. The trade price runs from $3000 to a retail of $7000 for a V6 Calais, with a V8 getting $500 more on average. But your car seems a good one and should be worth a bit more. I would try for $10,000 if it is as good as you say. The VY and VZ are good, solid cars, but I would go for the newer model VZ because it will be worth more when you trade up next time.