4th Dec 2006, 16:09
Sorry, but there's no way a Calibra 16v Red Top will keep up with a well driven Civic Type-R! Neither will they do 0-60 in 7 seconds - even the factory's claim of 7.5 seconds was slightly optimistic for these cars. To get a realistic 0-60 time forget using the speedo and a stopwatch as this is highly inaccurate. The only was to do it is to invest in some proper timing gear.
5th Dec 2006, 14:23
I can't understand how something which is effectively a Vauxhall Cavalier Coupe could possibly be the most aerodynamic car ever made. Could someone please enlighten the readers of this?
5th Dec 2006, 16:48
The Calibra was the most aerodynamic production car in the world for a number of years:
13th Dec 2006, 10:05
Having recently aquired a Calibra 1992, 120,000 miles, 6 months mot and tax. I am more than pleased to say I only spent £225 for the little beast. I think the car is more than fast enough for something this age, and depending on the skill of the driver, 0-60 times can vary several seconds. My advice is get yourselves to Santa Pod and stop the arguing!! Peace out!!
15th Dec 2006, 08:42
Achieving a 0-60 time close to the manufacturers really isn't THAT hard though - just put it in first gear, foot on the clutch, dial up a few revs, release the clutch and at the same time push down the accelerator, hit the red line in 1st, 2nd and maybe 3rd gear with quick gear changes... and that's about all there is to it ;-)
Timing it is the issue here, as many people think they can record an accurate time using a stopwatch and a speedo for some reason.
20th Dec 2006, 15:22
To be honest, it's an Old car, and its WAY past its time. Why would you possibly want to spend money on such an old car?
I'm sticking withI've always bought New cars, and I'm happy with my 206 GTi 180.
I've wasted 2 Calibra's I've come up against.
23rd Dec 2006, 18:04
Keeping old cars running isn't always a bad thing - think of the depreciation on a 206 GTi 180 (for example)... and then compare it with the depreciation on something like a Calibra.
24th Dec 2006, 19:15
20th Dec comment - "I've wasted 2 Calibra's I've come up against"
Don't be a muppet mate, most Calibra's would out accelerate and out handle a Pug 206. No offence, but I get the impression here that theres a guy that thinks he's cool just cause he's got a new car, and can beat just about anything. Sure, don't get me wrong, I hate it when people talk about old cars beating new cars too, you just have to understand that old cars need work and money to bring them back to their original condition, and yes they can give most new cars a run for their money.
Also, why even compare a Calibra to a small hatchback? Coupe's like the Calibra should be compared to other Coupe's, just as small hatchback's like the Pug 206 and so on should be compared to other small cars. Saloons compared to other saloons etc. You wouldn't compare a Ford Mondeo to a van would you? No, both have their own strengths and that's another thing you need to appreciate - cars old and new, different types, etc all have thier own qualities, you shouldn't compare anything really, at the end of the day, who cares about the whole childish "My cars better than yours" thing. Chances are it will be an unfair comparison. Next you'll all be saying "Oh look at me I'm rich I've bought a Ferrari and I wasted 2 Calibras and a Ford Fiesta XR2 the other day"
Take it easy guys and enjoy whatever car you have, just don't tell me its better than the next guys...
2nd Jan 2007, 11:27
Oh dear, it seems I sparked a debate/row on Calibra's here. Probably as I was the one backing up the author of the seven second 0-60 claim. I agree that the spiteful 'my car is better/faster than your car' tom foolery is stupid. All I was trying to say is that the 16v Redtop engine models are renowned for there spritefulness, and yes you are right, you can't claim accuracy of 0-60 using speedo and stopwatch, but you get an idea of what your car can do.
Nowhere did I say I was faster or as fast as a type R, I said my friend had a 190+ BHP civic and that I can keep up with it.
Agreed faster cars have beaten the old girl (Integra Type R, Tuned RS turbo's, and the odd skyline, unsurprisingly!) but please don't disrespect peoples claims until you have either sat in the car in question and witnessed it yourself, or been the one laughing at more powerful cars driven badly, and thus possibly bringing rise to Clio 172's and the like being totally obliterated by the old Vauxhall.
To close, I am not a boy racer, I am in my late 20's, have had numerous and far more expensive cars in the past and can honestly say that this is the most enjoyable car I have owned. It puts the fun into driving and if it breaks it costs little to fix..
Mind you, it did just fail its MOT today on emissions ha ha!
Time for a trip to the local Vaux specialists.
13th Feb 2007, 14:44
Can somebody help me please... I have a 1993 16v SE2 Calibra. It failed it's MOT on emissions so I had a new CAT and lambda sensor and it sailed through after that. At the time I was running it on V Power fuel and would average 33 mpg. Now, last time I filled up I switched to normal unleaded (cos its cheaper and I've racked up some miles recently).
Since then it seems to be absolutely drinking fuel! Is this pure coincidence that I've switched fuel and this has started to happen or have a I got a bigger problem? At a steady 75 mph the in dash MPG would average about 37, since the last fill up its more like 27. I did 150 mile to £30 of normal unleaded which to me seems very excessive :- (
I read somewhere that the ECU advances/retards the ignition to account for different octane fuel, have I confused the ECU by mixing fuels and it just throws fuel and air in and hopes for the best?
Can anybody shed some light on this for me, or I fear i'll have to get rid of the old girl :- (
Oh, the ECU light has been coming on a lot at low speed, but goes out when you speed back up... Help, please, I beg of somebody to please help me..
Cheers.
4th Dec 2006, 07:23
I must agree with the gent/lady that made the last comment here. Clio 172's are a very nippy car indeed, but their aerodynamics resemble a house brick, thus why the old Vauxhall can still outshine many cars with 30-40 more horse power. They were, and still are the most aerodynamic production coupe ever built. Before you ask, I am a woman and must agree that a 7 second 0-60 is very possible in dry conditions. Try 4000 rpm and let the clutch go, a little screech and spin, but its the best way to kick the engine into its post 4000rpm power band and where the Calibra shines. Remember also, a Calibra will do more than 65mph in 2nd gear, so where most cars are reaching for 3rd gear, and an average of a conservative 1 second gear change, you can understand why a 7 seconds is more than a reasonable claim.