Hi.
Thanks for looking at my calibra. It's a 93 2.0 8v, thats had a hard life, a previous 9 owners. I paid �550 for it around a year and a half ago, it was a bit shabby, damaged side skirts, smashed passenger wing mirror, gay colour coded wipers, tacky stick on petrol cap cover damaged front bumper and as usual missing tow eye cover. instantly replaced the wing mirror and wiper blades and ripped the fuel cap cover off. The interior was showing the miles on the clock were true (126 000) and with the added bonus of fag burns.
Didn't do much for a while just happy to be driving again.
The reason I went for the calibra (I was close to going for a probe, but couldn't hack the name) was it's classic shape and knowing that the handling is pretty good, most important. The boot is ample to deal with the day to day chores.
The 2.0 8v is a reasonably bullet proof lump and offered good insurance, has great mid range power which to be honest suits the roads I drive daily really well. Good mpg as-well.
At first i did buy it as a cheap car to run into the ground but I have taken a shine to this car as its really enjoyable & comfortable to drive especially over a long distance.

I do a lot of motorway miles and have taken the car from Norwich (where i used to live) to West Wales at least 4 times a year, and one big stint of driving to Wick in Scotland. Found so many fun roads on that journey. At 136 000 the engine let go and i decided its time to make it the car it should have been. The A23 is a fun road but harsh at the same time. The engine blew at around, well lets not say its best left that way, & I couldn't pull over for around two miles. The gasket between the dipstick and block had perished and all my oil vacated the engine rather quickly. Bollox.

In November 2005 I found a rather sweet full leather trim for a good price, �170 inc door cards & delivery. I also replaced the gear & hand-brake gaiters & the gear knob, pictures will be added soon. That cost me around �45 pounds, all new.

In January 2006 had the engine replaced at a cost of �750 fitted (could have bought another calibra for that). Not 100% with this engine so Iam going to be building a lump capable of running bio-fuel in the next few months.

In March 2006 I fitted new suspension all round, the handling was starting to diminish. I decided to do the job properly but couldn't afford coil-overs, maybe soon. I have replaced the wishbones, shocks, springs, fitted power-flex bushes all round. In total its been stiffened and dropped 40mm all round. The handling has been improved a lot as have the looks, its been given a much better stance. It has cost me around �350 - �400 to do this but it has been well worth it the grip is so much better and tyre ware has evened up. This has made the ride a bit bumpy but i can live with that, the pros far outweigh the cons, depends on how you drive I guess.

Next I want to fit a decent strut brace, makes sense to really, I've done the rest. Did get a cheap one from Germany but on instillation It looked good but didn't seem to offer any real strength. Decided to not fit and look for a good one.
Also got my hands on a K&N filter kit, this was also a worth while investment. Not only is the performance up a little on acceleration from idle but its given a nice throaty roar when you plant your foot. Hasn't affected the fuel consumption that much, only on long motorway journeys. Not too much though.

In May 2006 new brakes and clutch have been fitted. The brakes are still on the standard callipers but OMP road race pads and drilled and grooved disks. Again worth while, lowering the car did affect the standard breaking distance and put more ware on the pads & disks. The clutch was just the standard factory replacement.