I'm confused VXR8 or monaro - manual or auto!!

[Pontiac_Formula]

Hi all,

I'm confusing myself had my heart set on a vxr monaro - manual, went to see a couple incl a cv8 and was surprised at what one dealer described as stunning!

Then I started to increase my budget and thought a vxr8 will better suit my needs, using it for work and transporting wife and kids etc.

I'm thinking a manual will be better for my needs (and wishes!) than auto.

I know it's all down to preference, some say auto for daily drive, manual for weekend rocket.

I'll use it every day, work and pleasure. The money I hope to save on depreciation from a German barge I want to use to keep upgrading.

12-15k miles per year and may be a trip to Spain once a year. Dependent on how I get on with it may look to lpg convert??

Thoughts, opinions and abuse welcome!!

Thanks

Ed
Derby

[ArnieVXR]

Spend good money on a low miles Monaro

[snowwolf]

I would say, have a drive of all the variants and then make your mind up

[throwyourbike]

Having used a manual Monaro as my daily for two years I can confirm that in stop/start traffic it can be a bit labour intensive.

That said, I wouldn't want an auto. Personal preference.

[ARAF]

This^^^

They are very different.

[SteveMJ]

I've an auto VXR8 with LPG. My only car and is therefore a daily drive. Coming up to 80k miles of trouble free smiles.

Steve

[eliot]

The vxr8 auto (6L80e) can be remapped easily and makes a big difference. Would avoid an auto monaro if such a thing exists though - the 4L60 box that isn't sophisticated or very strong in unmodified form.

[H5V VE]

As said, all depends on preference but for practicality, its the VXR8 every time - especially if you go to Spain. Your usage sounds about the same as mine as does the one European trip per year.

Boot is huge and you can get a roof box on the top as well. Although if you LPG it, it will be the ferry for you - not allowed in the Tunnel.

[TonyTwoTribes]

Manual with a ripshifter every time. Aren't Autos what old people drive?

[Richard300z]

I have a monaro vxr on lpg. I use it every day and it does not miss a beat going to work or if I'm playing with my mates 911. Great savings on the fuel bill to at 46p a litre.

[MatrixXXx]

I have used my VXR8 as a daily driver for many years, and found the auto box to be good and never once wished I had a manual. on long drives it is a fantastic car, perfect for cruising down the french motorways or even off the toll roads. as mentioned above the only way to know would be to drive a few.

[eliot]

TonyTwoTribes said:

Manual with a ripshifter every time. Aren't Autos what old people drive?

Dont confuse old school slush boxes with modern autos - 6L80 has some interesting features like pas/pal mode where it blips the throttle to rev match on the downshift.

[DRC72]

TonyTwoTribes said:

Manual with a ripshifter every time. Aren't Autos what old people drive?

F1 drivers must all be old men then lol

[TonyTwoTribes]

DRC72 said:

F1 drivers must all be old men then lol

Yep if the crews had their way it would be remote control from the pits and no drivers at all (Is F1 still going, sorry watch BTCC ) Now Senna flat out doing manual gear changes, That's an F1 driver. Oh I do miss the good old days. Mind you I believe Porsche only do a manual on the new 911 R as its more a Drivers car!!

[SteveMJ]

eliot said:

The vxr8 auto (6L80e) can be remapped easily and makes a big difference. Would avoid an auto monaro if such a thing exists though - the 4L60 box that isn't sophisticated or very strong in unmodified form.

I understood the mapping was ~£560 :-(

Steve

[jameshsv]

Manual vxr8 ls3 with some mods already fitted.Full exhaust cam suspension job done

[ARAF]

Not sure if you're part of this group on Facebook, but there's a VXR Monaro on there for £10k at the moment.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1649633231971734/

[eliot]

SteveMJ said:

I understood the mapping was ~£560 :-(

Steve

Indeed - but you can buy hptuners or efilive and learn how to do it yourself for less. There is a website documenting how it can be done if you were to search for 'hptuners remap 6l80e'
Plus the forums for both boxes have plenty of info too - assuming you have the patience to learn it.

[leigh1050]

SteveMJ said:

eliot said:

The vxr8 auto (6L80e) can be remapped easily and makes a big difference. Would avoid an auto monaro if such a thing exists though - the 4L60 box that isn't sophisticated or very strong in unmodified form.

I understood the mapping was ~£560 :-(

Steve

Pretty sure I never paid that much. But then again mine was done when I had the Monkfish cam-pac fitted.

[monkfish1]

leigh1050 said:

Pretty sure I never paid that much. But then again mine was done when I had the Monkfish cam-pac fitted.

You didn't. Because it doesn't cost that much