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    Is my 2001 Holden Calais a good swap for a Captiva?

    Holden Holden Advice Holden Calais Holden Calais Advice Holden Calais 2001 Holden Captiva Holden Captiva Advice Holden Captiva 2015
    ...

    I paid $7000 10 years ago for my 2001 Holden Calais 3.8-litre V6, which now has 231,000km on the odometer and runs like a dream. I’m thinking of trading for a 2015 Holden Captiva with a V6 petrol motor with 155,000 on the odo.

    Apparently the motor runs fine, however I have to travel 500km just to see it! Apparently it's been in the one family since new. Do you think I'm making a mistake?

    Answered by CarsGuide
    7 April 2025
    David Morley

    Let’s get something straight right from the off: The Holden Calais and Holden Captiva are not close family members. While the Calais was an Australian-engineered and built car, the Captiva is a rebadged Daewoo and not a very good one at that. So don’t be tricked into thinking that because they both have a Holden badge and a V6 engine, that they’re peas from a pod.

    The reality is the Captiva has an absolutely dreadful reputation in the trade for poor build quality and sketchy reliability. Most mechanics wouldn’t travel 500 metres to look at one, let alone 500 kilometres. I’d take a 231,000km Calais over any Captiva, old or new, any day.

    Holden actually sold a lot of Captivas back in the day, mainly on price alone. But many who bought them then stood and watched as they things fell apart and soon began to cost plenty in repair bills. Doubtless there will be some out there who own and love their Captiva, but the reality is that these cars are best left well alone.

    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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