SE9 for sale on Auto Trader

[greyblue]

I noticed a very nice-looking R-reg Calibra SE9 automatic (81k miles) for sale on Auto Trader today. It has a sunroof, but I thought that all SE9s were produced without a sunroof. Is this SE9 a rare exception? It has the bronze coloured BBS alloys that all SE9s were supplied with.

I was tempted by a similar SE9 automatic with a sunroof (75k miles) which was on sale on eBay in 2011. The owner lived in the Isle of Wight. The car eventually sold for £500. I wonder if the two cars are one and the same?

[Teejay]

Hmmm, AFAIK all SE9's were sunroof less

[DanSE4]

It was probably a factory option to have a sunroof when purchased new.

[marianv]

i fought if you have air con fitted you don't have a sun roof .

[rich30mex]

i fought if you have air con fitted you don't have a sun roof .

Mine has both A/V needs gassing up tho

[KERR_SE9]

You can't see a sunroof so most likely a typo

[v6 steve]

both my calibra's had air con and sunroof's im with john it will be a typo

[CallySpencer]

I have an SE9 with sunroof and AC another SE9 with no SR with AC

[KERR_SE9]

It won't be an se9, they didn't have or have the option,it'll be a red v6 on an r reg

[BrianH]

it should say on the registration certificate, (model) CALIBRA SE9 V6 24V, that,s mine and no sunroof,

[greyblue]

I phoned the dealer on Thursday and he is adamant that the car is a genuine SE9, because he has the registration document which clearly states that it is an SE9. He further insists that the sunroof is factory fitted - not an aftermarket add-on. Could this be the rarest of finds, an automatic SE9 (rare in itself) but with a factory fitted sunroof?

I pointed out that the lettering on the rear of the tailgate is unusual. It should read 'Vauxhall' on the nearside, and 'Calibra V6' on the offside - even on an SE9. Instead, his car reads "Vauxhall V6" on the nearside, and "SE9" on the offside. The "SE9" lettering is in a slightly different typestyle or font to the "Vauxhall V6" lettering.

Despite the dealer's assurances, I'm still not satisfied. Has anyone else seen a genuine SE9 with that lettering arrangement on the tailgate? I tend to the opinion that it is a normal V6 Calibra with a sunroof, that somebody decided to 'convert' to an SE9 by adding BBS alloys and sticking 'SE9' lettering on the tailgate. This still doesn't explain the SE9 designation in the registration document, though. Is it possible that someone was able to change that designation sometime in the past?

Incidentally it has been established that the car is the same one that was sold for £500 via eBay in 2011 from a seller in the Isle of Wight. At that time the mileage was 75K. At present it is 82K, so the car has only been driven 7000 miles in the three years since.

I note the comment about the steering wheel seeming to be rather worn for the recorded mileage. The handbrake gaiter seems to be threadbare too, which surprises me in an otherwise good-looking car. After all, handbrake gaiters are cheap enough to buy and easy to fit.

[rich30mex]

Just run it through http://www.webuyanycar.co.uk and that are saying it's a se9 auto too

[KERR_SE9]

Either way it is what it is, the lettering will have been added on,as for the sunroof I guarantee it will be glass and it'll be a Webasto/dhollandia after market, call and ask if it's glass as the story behind the se9 would guarantee a sunroof isn't possible

[KERR_SE9]

It's deffo an se9 no doubt about that and your quite right, as someone who's in the trade it's all too easy to list a car as something it's not , too add a few extra quid on I.e in glass's guide the se9s will be worth more than a standard v6, so most traders pick that even if they're green/silver or whatever!

Please call about the sunroof or I might as it's bugging me now

[greyblue]

Hello Kerr,

Thank you for your interest in this topic.

According to the dealer the car has a sunroof which was factory fitted. He further informed me that when the ignition is switched off, the sunroof closes automatically.

Just out of interest, the dealer seemed fully genned up in advance, to answer my questions about his SE9 having a sunroof. Apparently the trader he bought it from in December 2013 told him that he'd also had many queries on the matter.

So, this enquiry is nothing new to the dealer. If you do give him a call, I'd be interested to know anything else you might find out about the car.