Devil Yellow Vauxhall Monaro, this is a good idea right?
Discussion
We all have to right? We all at somepoint have to own a v8.
Now is my time. I found myself in a very fortunate to be able to spend some money on a car.
My brain went mad with choices, normally I only spend a couple of grand.
It started off with thinking lets a get me a perfect daily. The wife(Kel) and me started a list as
Golf R
Civic FK2
I30n
Focus ST/RS
These all seemed like really good ideas, but never actually ever really having issues with any of my cheap fun cars i've had, i was struggling to get get my head around spending that sort of money on a hot hatch.
After chatting to my devil on my shoulder/best mate/Ben/Seiben. He said why don't you just get something you really want, "you should definitely get a v8." (He has a E39 M5) That's pretty much how that conversion went. So not needing much convincing I started browsing at other cars.
Monaro
VXR8
Audi RS4
Etc
I always remember (wish I could say i was a kid, but I was well into my driving years) when the Monaro came out and Clarkson going sideways everywhere. I always wanted one since. Spoke about them many times with Ben, and drooling over them at shows whenever i actually managed to see one. they were always out of my price budget
Now they were firmly in budget, but so were the VXR8's, and the B7 RS4 which i very much like.
I kept contemplating what to go for, asking many questions in the holden/HSV section of pistonheads, which was very helpful, i decided it was definitely going to be a Monaro or VXR8. It is only going to be a toy, but used quite a bit.
I have managed to acquire/purchase a Scirocco TSi as my daily from a friend, not far off my normal buy a car budget
One i had already used to do a road trip around Scotland in, and lots of work/jobs on it
So that allowed me to get a silly v8
Discussions again with Ben and Kel, led me to decided get the Monaro i wanted. There was one for sale in Maidstone 20 miles from me, which was nice.
Went and had a look, early 2004 5.7 LS1 CV8 in bright yellow, but with all the bits done that you'd want.
Test drive went well, first time i had driven one. this is the test drive pics
It had terrible tyres on it and needed a service
I left there thinking lots, it was exactly what i was looking for, but very different to anything i had ever had, Would i like it???
It was the cheapest in the UK bar 1 which is blue, i can't have a blue car. I also fell in love with the yellow.
I considered getting a silver VXR, but it was £6k more.. In the end, after more discussions, remembering Ben basically had the cheapest M5 in the UK when he got his, and he just uses and has fun, i decided to go for it.
Haggled a little, and got a new Holden hoodie thrown in.
I collected it Thursday morning at 9am So traffic was hell, I went straight down and got some new Michelin pilot sport 5s fitted.
This took 4 hours!!!!! but it was done
The Dash, only 85K miles
Picked up the daughter from school She loves a V8 and did not know i was getting it, needless to say she loves it.
Nice evening drive out. As going in to the petrol station the wife said "I am so glad you got this over a golf/focus etc, this is so you and its awesome." That made my night
Potato cam pics
So the car itself what it has
LS7 Clutch
Headers, 100 cell cats, wortec exhaust system
Ripshifter
CV8 suspension upgrades (yet to find out what these are)
mapped to suit
Lovely set of AP brakes
Its awesome, loving it, it feels very old school, very muscle car, the gearbox is very "strong" is the only way i can describe it
Jobs to do
Drive it
Check for undersealing it
Find out the knocking under front suspension
water in passenger footwell, think that's an easy fix by looks of it
Clean, polish, wax
repair the rear seat stitching (common problem)
right size number plate on the front
change wheel colour to grey or silver
Service it (parts already here)
I am sure there will be many more jobs to do
I took a Pic in work car park today, I need to get some decent pictures of it
I always send vids to my mates of my cars, I uploaded these to You tube
My random excited walk round of the car
https://youtu.be/x8InYAKwLP0
The funny traction control
https://youtube.com/shorts/ax9Bebsc7sE
cold start on terrible phone camera
https://youtube.com/shorts/Oj8jJ3HqbEU
The noise
https://youtube.com/shorts/rJFlI3890mE
I have written this as things come to my head, so sorry about that, Ill try make future posts make more sense, but this is me so I doubt it sorry
Now is my time. I found myself in a very fortunate to be able to spend some money on a car.
My brain went mad with choices, normally I only spend a couple of grand.
It started off with thinking lets a get me a perfect daily. The wife(Kel) and me started a list as
Golf R
Civic FK2
I30n
Focus ST/RS
These all seemed like really good ideas, but never actually ever really having issues with any of my cheap fun cars i've had, i was struggling to get get my head around spending that sort of money on a hot hatch.
After chatting to my devil on my shoulder/best mate/Ben/Seiben. He said why don't you just get something you really want, "you should definitely get a v8." (He has a E39 M5) That's pretty much how that conversion went. So not needing much convincing I started browsing at other cars.
Monaro
VXR8
Audi RS4
Etc
I always remember (wish I could say i was a kid, but I was well into my driving years) when the Monaro came out and Clarkson going sideways everywhere. I always wanted one since. Spoke about them many times with Ben, and drooling over them at shows whenever i actually managed to see one. they were always out of my price budget
Now they were firmly in budget, but so were the VXR8's, and the B7 RS4 which i very much like.
I kept contemplating what to go for, asking many questions in the holden/HSV section of pistonheads, which was very helpful, i decided it was definitely going to be a Monaro or VXR8. It is only going to be a toy, but used quite a bit.
I have managed to acquire/purchase a Scirocco TSi as my daily from a friend, not far off my normal buy a car budget
One i had already used to do a road trip around Scotland in, and lots of work/jobs on it
So that allowed me to get a silly v8
Discussions again with Ben and Kel, led me to decided get the Monaro i wanted. There was one for sale in Maidstone 20 miles from me, which was nice.
Went and had a look, early 2004 5.7 LS1 CV8 in bright yellow, but with all the bits done that you'd want.
Test drive went well, first time i had driven one. this is the test drive pics
It had terrible tyres on it and needed a service
I left there thinking lots, it was exactly what i was looking for, but very different to anything i had ever had, Would i like it???
It was the cheapest in the UK bar 1 which is blue, i can't have a blue car. I also fell in love with the yellow.
I considered getting a silver VXR, but it was £6k more.. In the end, after more discussions, remembering Ben basically had the cheapest M5 in the UK when he got his, and he just uses and has fun, i decided to go for it.
Haggled a little, and got a new Holden hoodie thrown in.
I collected it Thursday morning at 9am So traffic was hell, I went straight down and got some new Michelin pilot sport 5s fitted.
This took 4 hours!!!!! but it was done
The Dash, only 85K miles
Picked up the daughter from school She loves a V8 and did not know i was getting it, needless to say she loves it.
Nice evening drive out. As going in to the petrol station the wife said "I am so glad you got this over a golf/focus etc, this is so you and its awesome." That made my night
Potato cam pics
So the car itself what it has
LS7 Clutch
Headers, 100 cell cats, wortec exhaust system
Ripshifter
CV8 suspension upgrades (yet to find out what these are)
mapped to suit
Lovely set of AP brakes
Its awesome, loving it, it feels very old school, very muscle car, the gearbox is very "strong" is the only way i can describe it
Jobs to do
Drive it
Check for undersealing it
Find out the knocking under front suspension
water in passenger footwell, think that's an easy fix by looks of it
Clean, polish, wax
repair the rear seat stitching (common problem)
right size number plate on the front
change wheel colour to grey or silver
Service it (parts already here)
I am sure there will be many more jobs to do
I took a Pic in work car park today, I need to get some decent pictures of it
I always send vids to my mates of my cars, I uploaded these to You tube
My random excited walk round of the car
https://youtu.be/x8InYAKwLP0
The funny traction control
https://youtube.com/shorts/ax9Bebsc7sE
cold start on terrible phone camera
https://youtube.com/shorts/Oj8jJ3HqbEU
The noise
https://youtube.com/shorts/rJFlI3890mE
I have written this as things come to my head, so sorry about that, Ill try make future posts make more sense, but this is me so I doubt it sorry
jonamv8 said:
Congrats V8s rule
My cavalier killed Vauxhall's for me but these are special. New set of rears in 4000 miles ??
I had a Purple calibra v6 before, and enjoyed that, and for the tyres.....Probably My cavalier killed Vauxhall's for me but these are special. New set of rears in 4000 miles ??
Lincsls1 said:
Really looking good in that yellow!
I think silver wheels IMO.
Yeah i am thinking silver tooI think silver wheels IMO.
jimmytheone said:
Fantastic 
You've actually bought one (i also want one but dont have a good enough use/reason)
Will be interested to hear how you get on.
4 hours to get tyres? Were they growing the rubber on site?
Yep i actually bought one You've actually bought one (i also want one but dont have a good enough use/reason)
Will be interested to hear how you get on.
4 hours to get tyres? Were they growing the rubber on site?
The tyre shop was terrible, I ordered through black circles, It was booked in for AM, i got there are 10am, they said oh its just booked in for AM you have to wait (i don't think they like black circles) then all the reception did was complain their tyre fitters were slow and didn't hurry.
I wont use them again
also thye had trouble with the balancing of the wheel as the brakes are so big, there is no gap, so wheel weights wouldn't fit
I think BC must really squeeze the prices so the garage are getting a pittance.
I'm interested how you get on with the driving experience - you said you'd not had anything like it before?
I've driven mostly FWD hatches (+ mx5 and a subaru) and one of my concerns is that something like a Monaro would just feel huge and barge like with heavy controls. Things like parallel/ street parking must be a swine?
I'm interested how you get on with the driving experience - you said you'd not had anything like it before?
I've driven mostly FWD hatches (+ mx5 and a subaru) and one of my concerns is that something like a Monaro would just feel huge and barge like with heavy controls. Things like parallel/ street parking must be a swine?
pistolpete12 said:
also thye had trouble with the balancing of the wheel as the brakes are so big, there is no gap, so wheel weights wouldn't fit
Yes. In case you don't know this, if you have a flat on the front, you will need to take off a wheel from the rear and then fit the space saving spare. The wheel you removed then replaces your flat.Basically the spare will not fit over the front AP calipers.
jimmytheone said:
I've driven mostly FWD hatches (+ mx5 and a subaru) and one of my concerns is that something like a Monaro would just feel huge and barge like with heavy controls. Things like parallel/ street parking must be a swine?
As a long term owner of a Monaro, I can tell you they are big and barge like. And yes the controls are....manly. 
This is part of their appeal to many owners. They actually require some skill to get their best from them. Not like all these new cars that have multiple driver aids and only 2 pedals to operate.
Regarding parking, they are no bigger than any modern family saloon for example and aren't particularly challenging to park, but of course not as easy as a Corsa!
Lincsls1 said:
As a long term owner of a Monaro, I can tell you they are big and barge like. And yes the controls are....manly.
This is part of their appeal to many owners. They actually require some skill to get their best from them. Not like all these new cars that have multiple driver aids and only 2 pedals to operate.
Regarding parking, they are no bigger than any modern family saloon for example and aren't particularly challenging to park, but of course not as easy as a Corsa!
Ha ha, thanks, that helped, kinda.This is part of their appeal to many owners. They actually require some skill to get their best from them. Not like all these new cars that have multiple driver aids and only 2 pedals to operate.
Regarding parking, they are no bigger than any modern family saloon for example and aren't particularly challenging to park, but of course not as easy as a Corsa!
I guess once you're up and running, heading off to Cornwall, Scotland or Europe it must be great but my use-case is a bit more suburban / M25
Clearly i need to do more driving holidays!
jimmytheone said:
Ha ha, thanks, that helped, kinda.
I guess once you're up and running, heading off to Cornwall, Scotland or Europe it must be great but my use-case is a bit more suburban / M25
Clearly i need to do more driving holidays!
Don't get me wrong, a well sorted one drives really well and they can perform down a country back road with ease.I guess once you're up and running, heading off to Cornwall, Scotland or Europe it must be great but my use-case is a bit more suburban / M25
Clearly i need to do more driving holidays!
They aren't really a town car though, but short bouts of town driving aren't an issue.
Lincsls1 said:
Yes. In case you don't know this, if you have a flat on the front, you will need to take off a wheel from the rear and then fit the space saving spare. The wheel you removed then replaces your flat.
Basically the spare will not fit over the front AP calipers.
Ahh thanks for that, same as my old EP3 civic, took me a while to work that outBasically the spare will not fit over the front AP calipers.
jimmytheone said:
I think BC must really squeeze the prices so the garage are getting a pittance.
I'm interested how you get on with the driving experience - you said you'd not had anything like it before?
I've driven mostly FWD hatches (+ mx5 and a subaru) and one of my concerns is that something like a Monaro would just feel huge and barge like with heavy controls. Things like parallel/ street parking must be a swine?
Oh its very agricultural, I wasn't sure how I would find it, but as soon as you drive it, you just do not care. I haven't tried street parking yet, but parking sensors on it sure will helpI'm interested how you get on with the driving experience - you said you'd not had anything like it before?
I've driven mostly FWD hatches (+ mx5 and a subaru) and one of my concerns is that something like a Monaro would just feel huge and barge like with heavy controls. Things like parallel/ street parking must be a swine?
You won't know till you try one....
Dingu said:
What a lovely car, really like the yellow, suits it
Thank you, seems yellow is pretty rare, I am a yob and I like my car to stand out , but I am a fairly quiet personseiben said:
Let's be honest, I was pushing at an open door with this one 
Can't wait to see it. Uh, people will probably hear us coming.
I didn't take much convincing I admit, but a gentle push was required....Oh they will hear us..Can't wait to see it. Uh, people will probably hear us coming.
Jester86 said:
Is that Ashford Orbital Tyreweb I see there.....
If so I may see this around in the future!
Yes it certainly is, I work in Ashford, live down on the marsh, keep an eye out of my mr2 as well then If so I may see this around in the future!
although keep away from orbital and those traffic lights at the moment!!!
first little job done while i was at work this eve
Sorting out the service history from several bundles of paperwork into a nice folder. In date order of course
I feel little things like this add value to the car
from the folder unloaded starting to pile
to this
Notice the original hand over sheet from when it was new!!
tomorrow will see a service (if i get time and its not raining)
clean, wax
look at the water coming in
Remove the Holden badges, it has half Holden half Vauxhall, I am not hung up its a Vauxhall, its what it was when sold in this country, people who know, know what it is.
People who don't.. well it doesn't bother me when they say "oh you got a Vauxhall"... and your point is?????
Edited by pistolpete12 on Friday 13th January 21:31
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