Educate me about Monaro's....
Discussion
So, the wife and I are planning a family and when the time comes I suspect my MX5 might be banished for lack of practicality.
RX8 - can't get over the power/mpg ratio
BMW 3 Series - too common round my neck of the woods
Mazda 6 MPS - fancy a change from Mazda.
So, a Vauxhall Monaro....
Expensive to run? Things to watch out for? Practical? Big? Image?
All I know is, they have 8 cylinders and sound fricking sweet.
RX8 - can't get over the power/mpg ratio
BMW 3 Series - too common round my neck of the woods
Mazda 6 MPS - fancy a change from Mazda.
So, a Vauxhall Monaro....
Expensive to run? Things to watch out for? Practical? Big? Image?
All I know is, they have 8 cylinders and sound fricking sweet.
Goochie said:
You've said no to the RX8 based on MPG figures...... and then started looking at a Monaro ???
Think it was more the power produced for the fuel burned. My mustang is bigger heavier and an auto and I get better fuel economy than one of the guys at work who had an RX-8!!Try and get a back issue of EVO they had a buyers guide in the back of one fairly recently. I'll have a ferret around and see if I can find the issue number for you.
Allow me;
http://www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?t=695895&f=69&...
The electric seats are a bit of a hindrance to access the large rear seats as they move slowly.
Some owners b
h about the size of the later VZ model's boot (the ones with the bonnet vents and dual exit exhausts), but it's still bigger than my previous car (Clio 172).
Earliest model CV8s (V2 SeriesIII) come with 328bhp, later model (VZ) with 354bhp.
Earliest model VXR (rarest) came with 382 bhp and later model 397bhp.
The CV8s have a ridiculous 6th gear equating to 1600ish RPM at 70mph. (Good for over 30mpg though)
Lots of toys as standard and very comfy seats/armchairs.
Servicing ranges from £110 to around £200 depending on type, and parts sourced independantly (not from Vauxhall) are quite cheap.
Most cars have been modded and as long as the work was done to a good standard, shouldn't be a problem. Standard exhausts are very quiet and of bad quality.
Make sure the car is clean underneath, or better still has been properly undersealed/waxoyled, as they came from Australia with virtually no underbody protection.
Most small niggles and gremlins will have been fixed by now as the last cars were built in 2005 and registered on 07 plates.
Expect 0-60 between 5-6 seconds and 160-170 top end, depending on model.
The VXR500 was a special edition with a 500ps supercharged LS2. Only 15 were officially made for Vauxhall.
HTH
http://www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?t=695895&f=69&...
The electric seats are a bit of a hindrance to access the large rear seats as they move slowly.
Some owners b
h about the size of the later VZ model's boot (the ones with the bonnet vents and dual exit exhausts), but it's still bigger than my previous car (Clio 172).Earliest model CV8s (V2 SeriesIII) come with 328bhp, later model (VZ) with 354bhp.
Earliest model VXR (rarest) came with 382 bhp and later model 397bhp.
The CV8s have a ridiculous 6th gear equating to 1600ish RPM at 70mph. (Good for over 30mpg though)
Lots of toys as standard and very comfy seats/armchairs.
Servicing ranges from £110 to around £200 depending on type, and parts sourced independantly (not from Vauxhall) are quite cheap.
Most cars have been modded and as long as the work was done to a good standard, shouldn't be a problem. Standard exhausts are very quiet and of bad quality.
Make sure the car is clean underneath, or better still has been properly undersealed/waxoyled, as they came from Australia with virtually no underbody protection.
Most small niggles and gremlins will have been fixed by now as the last cars were built in 2005 and registered on 07 plates.
Expect 0-60 between 5-6 seconds and 160-170 top end, depending on model.
The VXR500 was a special edition with a 500ps supercharged LS2. Only 15 were officially made for Vauxhall.
HTH
Edited by V88Dicky on Thursday 6th January 13:05
Edited by V88Dicky on Thursday 6th January 13:09
Thanks guys!
As BSR says, 20 MPG for me is bearable in a car that has a massive V8 with large output figures, not in a high-revving, low-torque 192HP car. I do like the RX8 but it just missing that "something".
My current supercharged MX5 gets me 30mpg and that has the same power output as the basic RX8.
Back to the Monaro:
- Any parts that are particularly chocolatey / expensive?
- Exhaust recommendations?
- tax brackets?
- handling?
- in-gear pace?
As BSR says, 20 MPG for me is bearable in a car that has a massive V8 with large output figures, not in a high-revving, low-torque 192HP car. I do like the RX8 but it just missing that "something".
My current supercharged MX5 gets me 30mpg and that has the same power output as the basic RX8.
Back to the Monaro:
- Any parts that are particularly chocolatey / expensive?
- Exhaust recommendations?
- tax brackets?
- handling?
- in-gear pace?
Legend83 said:
Thanks guys!
As BSR says, 20 MPG for me is bearable in a car that has a massive V8 with large output figures, not in a high-revving, low-torque 192HP car. I do like the RX8 but it just missing that "something".
My current supercharged MX5 gets me 30mpg and that has the same power output as the basic RX8.
Back to the Monaro:
- Any parts that are particularly chocolatey / expensive?
- Exhaust recommendations?
- tax brackets?
- handling?
- in-gear pace?
GEARBOX- essential you check it fully as they have a habit of being flaky. As BSR says, 20 MPG for me is bearable in a car that has a massive V8 with large output figures, not in a high-revving, low-torque 192HP car. I do like the RX8 but it just missing that "something".
My current supercharged MX5 gets me 30mpg and that has the same power output as the basic RX8.
Back to the Monaro:
- Any parts that are particularly chocolatey / expensive?
- Exhaust recommendations?
- tax brackets?
- handling?
- in-gear pace?
Check the dampers for any sign of leakage also, heavy car + crap roads= dampers can take a pummeling.
Mine had a Miltek exhaust on it which was quiet when cruising and LOUD when pushing, although to be honest, Wortec exhausts sound better and hence are preferable.
Tax- £400ish if registered after 23rd March 2006, £200ish if before.
Insurance- Much cheaper than other equivalents for me.
Handling- Not massively agile, but very fun, very gently/controllably breaks into oversteer.
In gear pace- good once above 2-2.5k rpm. In its element above 50-60mph.
Edited by -Z- on Thursday 6th January 13:30
Legend83 said:
Thanks guys!
As BSR says, 20 MPG for me is bearable in a car that has a massive V8 with large output figures, not in a high-revving, low-torque 192HP car. I do like the RX8 but it just missing that "something".
My current supercharged MX5 gets me 30mpg and that has the same power output as the basic RX8.
Back to the Monaro:
- Any parts that are particularly chocolatey / expensive? Brake discs from Vauxhall, see specialists below
- Exhaust recommendations? Monkfish/Wortec/A.A.S./LS V8Power
- tax brackets? £245 or £435 pre/post 31/3/06
- handling? Not in M3 territory stock, but easily improved. See specialists above
- in-gear pace? Hampered by the cars with the M12 (or is it the M6?) gearbox but having the same or more torque than a Gallardo helps
As BSR says, 20 MPG for me is bearable in a car that has a massive V8 with large output figures, not in a high-revving, low-torque 192HP car. I do like the RX8 but it just missing that "something".
My current supercharged MX5 gets me 30mpg and that has the same power output as the basic RX8.
Back to the Monaro:
- Any parts that are particularly chocolatey / expensive? Brake discs from Vauxhall, see specialists below
- Exhaust recommendations? Monkfish/Wortec/A.A.S./LS V8Power
- tax brackets? £245 or £435 pre/post 31/3/06
- handling? Not in M3 territory stock, but easily improved. See specialists above
- in-gear pace? Hampered by the cars with the M12 (or is it the M6?) gearbox but having the same or more torque than a Gallardo helps
Legend83 said:
Thanks guys!
As BSR says, 20 MPG for me is bearable in a car that has a massive V8 with large output figures, not in a high-revving, low-torque 192HP car. I do like the RX8 but it just missing that "something".
My current supercharged MX5 gets me 30mpg and that has the same power output as the basic RX8.
Back to the Monaro:
- Any parts that are particularly chocolatey / expensive?
- Exhaust recommendations?
- tax brackets?
- handling?
- in-gear pace?
Round town I'm getting around 17-18mpg consistently.As BSR says, 20 MPG for me is bearable in a car that has a massive V8 with large output figures, not in a high-revving, low-torque 192HP car. I do like the RX8 but it just missing that "something".
My current supercharged MX5 gets me 30mpg and that has the same power output as the basic RX8.
Back to the Monaro:
- Any parts that are particularly chocolatey / expensive?
- Exhaust recommendations?
- tax brackets?
- handling?
- in-gear pace?
On a steady motorway run I get near 30mpg.
As for parts, only thing I have had to change so for is clutch slave cylinder so can't really comment.
I have a 54 plate car, tax is £235, if it was registered after march 06 you'd be looking at £400+
There is a huge difference in boot size between the older and newer cars.
It handles well for the big old bus that it is, very stable, and nowhere near as twitchy as people make out.
In gear pace is good, it doesn't feel as fast as it is though. You don't realise your speed until you glance at the dash.
Try the HSV and Monaro section lower down for more info, from people with much more knowledge than me.
Had mine since August, never been as happy in a car as I have this, can never see me selling it.
Its not lightning quick off the line, but its not supposed to be, its a big bruising v8 muscle car with aggressive looks and a soundtrack to die for. Very very comfortable on long journeys and I usually see about 28 - 30 mpg on the motorway, helps by doing 1800 rpm at 70mph in 6th.
In gear punch is fantastic.
Without doubt the best car I have ever owned.
Its not lightning quick off the line, but its not supposed to be, its a big bruising v8 muscle car with aggressive looks and a soundtrack to die for. Very very comfortable on long journeys and I usually see about 28 - 30 mpg on the motorway, helps by doing 1800 rpm at 70mph in 6th.
In gear punch is fantastic.
Without doubt the best car I have ever owned.
Steameh said:
Had mine since August, never been as happy in a car as I have this, can never see me selling it.
Its not lightning quick off the line, but its not supposed to be, its a big bruising v8 muscle car with aggressive looks and a soundtrack to die for. Very very comfortable on long journeys and I usually see about 28 - 30 mpg on the motorway, helps by doing 1800 rpm at 70mph in 6th.
In gear punch is fantastic.
Without doubt the best car I have ever owned.
Nice write up Steameh!Its not lightning quick off the line, but its not supposed to be, its a big bruising v8 muscle car with aggressive looks and a soundtrack to die for. Very very comfortable on long journeys and I usually see about 28 - 30 mpg on the motorway, helps by doing 1800 rpm at 70mph in 6th.
In gear punch is fantastic.
Without doubt the best car I have ever owned.
Can you give me an example of some of the more expensive consumables you have had to endure?
Taita said:
Kjmac on here has one (used to?) which he LPGed and did some other things to.
He ran it as his daily so worth dropping him a PM.
Howdy, it's still going (2006 6.0 VXR) - 46000 miles on the clock now, 38000 of which are mine. Used every day and a has had a couple of bits done:He ran it as his daily so worth dropping him a PM.
- LPG
- Wortec Exhaust as standard ones rot and sound cr*p
- Powder coated wheels - The shadow chrome finish on the wheels flakes off in huge chunks quite quickly, so get 'em blasted.
- Recently Waxoyled - Really worth doing as some parts of the underside aren't even painted. There's very little weather protection.
Fuel-wise on petrol I get 19MPG in mixed driving, rising to 26MPG on a cruise. VXR 6.0 has shorter gearing than the CV8. LPG probably works out as cutting the fuel cost to 2/3. Don't believe the nonsense of people claiming it'll halve your fuel bill as 1) the fuel isn't 1/2 the price and 2) you'll need more of it compared to petrol (less energy density).
Tyres and brakes can be expensive. Over £200 a pop for the original tyres. I've found the cheapter Kumho KU-31s offer superior grip to the OEM tyres and work fine for me. They also worked at 160MPH at VMAX.
Brake discs are ~£200 EACH, so beware of discs on their way out. I've gone through one set.
Servicing is cheap, just don't use Vaux. Use an independent.
On the plus side. It's comfortable, looks ace, goes like stink and sounds like a NASCAR.
The Beast:
Edited by kjmac on Thursday 6th January 13:41
Edited by kjmac on Thursday 6th January 13:52
we have had 5 including a vxr and a vxr8 ,they were all the mrs company cars and to quote her "it's the only car in our range i would spend my own money on " we never saw the mpg qouted on here but all the cars were new and went at approx 10k miles so not loosened up fully. loved them !
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