Considering jumping into Monaro ownership - what's it like?
Discussion
Morning all,
I am considering getting into Monaro ownership - ideally a facelift VXR but still researching and will obviously depend on what is available when I decide to go for it. I have an Aussie V8 itch that needs to be scratched!
I'd love to hear what they are like to live with these days. Aware they are starting to age and were rare to start with. I'm not far from Walkinshaw and Topcoat, so have access to a couple of service options that have been recommended. I typically service my own cars (but not sure how this would impact future value etc) but what is parts availability like? Are they robust or do they develop lots of issues/niggles? How do they cope with the winter salt?
Car would be my daily, probably doing ~12k per year, depending on when and how COVID changes work!
Would welcome any thoughts/insight/guidance etc.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
I am considering getting into Monaro ownership - ideally a facelift VXR but still researching and will obviously depend on what is available when I decide to go for it. I have an Aussie V8 itch that needs to be scratched!
I'd love to hear what they are like to live with these days. Aware they are starting to age and were rare to start with. I'm not far from Walkinshaw and Topcoat, so have access to a couple of service options that have been recommended. I typically service my own cars (but not sure how this would impact future value etc) but what is parts availability like? Are they robust or do they develop lots of issues/niggles? How do they cope with the winter salt?
Car would be my daily, probably doing ~12k per year, depending on when and how COVID changes work!
Would welcome any thoughts/insight/guidance etc.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
I’ve had my Monaro VXR for 10 years. The first 3-4 years it was used as my daily, then retired to weekend use.
It’s a great car to do motorway miles in. Very comfortable and because the engine turns over less than 2k rpm at 70mph it’s quite quiet and relaxing. Over 25mpg is easily achievable too.
Around town it’s a different story. The clutch, gear shift and steering are quite heavy (at least in standard form). They suit the personality of the car and I wouldn’t change them but it can become tiresome in stop-start traffic.
Also, the standard headlights are woeful. I haven’t driven mine in the dark for a number of years but the last time I did I remember getting out to check the lights were actually on!
If you are used to something more modern, the Monaro will probably feel very dated. As much as I love that aspect of it, it’s an experience and not something I’d want to go back to using daily again.
Engine components are becoming harder to find in the UK but still very much available from the US.
For body panels, bumpers etc. you’re probably going to have to talk to some breakers.
Rust isn’t a huge problem. The front chassis legs seem to be a weak point though and brake pipes are starting to need replaced.
The cars weren’t undersealed from the factory so would be best to get it done before you go driving around in the snow. On that note, I only ever tried to drive mine in the snow once out of necessity but had to abandon ship in a nearby carpark and pick it up again the next day when the snow had thawed. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Mine has never been fully undersealed and aside from some surface rust on the rear subframe and suspension components it looks pretty good. That said, it hasn’t seen rain in 6 years.
In summary, I love my Monaro and intend to keep it for many years to come.
Personally, i wouldn’t want to go back to using it every day again but the car is definitely capable of it.
I recommend you get a test drive, that will make or break it for you.
It’s a great car to do motorway miles in. Very comfortable and because the engine turns over less than 2k rpm at 70mph it’s quite quiet and relaxing. Over 25mpg is easily achievable too.
Around town it’s a different story. The clutch, gear shift and steering are quite heavy (at least in standard form). They suit the personality of the car and I wouldn’t change them but it can become tiresome in stop-start traffic.
Also, the standard headlights are woeful. I haven’t driven mine in the dark for a number of years but the last time I did I remember getting out to check the lights were actually on!
If you are used to something more modern, the Monaro will probably feel very dated. As much as I love that aspect of it, it’s an experience and not something I’d want to go back to using daily again.
Engine components are becoming harder to find in the UK but still very much available from the US.
For body panels, bumpers etc. you’re probably going to have to talk to some breakers.
Rust isn’t a huge problem. The front chassis legs seem to be a weak point though and brake pipes are starting to need replaced.
The cars weren’t undersealed from the factory so would be best to get it done before you go driving around in the snow. On that note, I only ever tried to drive mine in the snow once out of necessity but had to abandon ship in a nearby carpark and pick it up again the next day when the snow had thawed. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Mine has never been fully undersealed and aside from some surface rust on the rear subframe and suspension components it looks pretty good. That said, it hasn’t seen rain in 6 years.
In summary, I love my Monaro and intend to keep it for many years to come.
Personally, i wouldn’t want to go back to using it every day again but the car is definitely capable of it.
I recommend you get a test drive, that will make or break it for you.
Edited by throwyourbike on Monday 30th November 12:09
Edited by throwyourbike on Monday 30th November 12:14
Thanks, some interesting points to consider. The headlights is a good shout - years ago I had a Volvo S40 and the headlights were rubbish... It was something that really frustrated me so definitely worth thinking about. Also good shout on the clutch. Also had a S14a 200sx with a heavy clutch in it; that wasn't fun around town!
My commute is 30 odd miles of A road.
My commute is 30 odd miles of A road.
Watch out for rust - even low mileage cars can suffer badly, get it up on a ramp and use a torch.
You can also check DVLA for a cars mot history/info - which is sure to highlight any rust issues, if the springs are rusty, then other parts DEFINITELY will be.
Mechanicals are cheep as chips if you can do it yourself
Hope this helps
You can also check DVLA for a cars mot history/info - which is sure to highlight any rust issues, if the springs are rusty, then other parts DEFINITELY will be.
Mechanicals are cheep as chips if you can do it yourself
Hope this helps
rene7 said:
Watch out for rust - even low mileage cars can suffer badly, get it up on a ramp and use a torch.
You can also check DVLA for a cars mot history/info - which is sure to highlight any rust issues, if the springs are rusty, then other parts DEFINITELY will be.
Mechanicals are cheep as chips if you can do it yourself
Hope this helps
Of course, I would highly recommend checking the underside out, as I would with any car of that age. It's no MX5 though. You can also check DVLA for a cars mot history/info - which is sure to highlight any rust issues, if the springs are rusty, then other parts DEFINITELY will be.
Mechanicals are cheep as chips if you can do it yourself
Hope this helps
Apart from brake pipes and the odd front chassis leg, I haven't heard of many major fails.
It all depends on what you want and what you are prepared to put up with.
A Monaro is pretty crude by modern car standards a clunky blunt instrument it you like.
These cars can be classed as either a long distance GT car or with a few mods a latter day muscle car.
Around town I've found mine to be a pain, especially in stop start traffic, Also at low speeds on our typical crap roads my car gives me a bit of a work out, and as for winter driving I don't even bother .
However, on the open road things change, the reason for owing one becomes blantently obvious, these cars are just relentless, I just want to keep on driving it.
I always find a nice quiet road, power down the windows, hit the gas pedal and listen to that wonderful V8.
For me the car is throwback, a working class hero car, I love the sleek style, it's a large two door coupe, it has a six speed manual gearbox and rear wheel drive ....what's not to like.
Good luck,
John
A Monaro is pretty crude by modern car standards a clunky blunt instrument it you like.
These cars can be classed as either a long distance GT car or with a few mods a latter day muscle car.
Around town I've found mine to be a pain, especially in stop start traffic, Also at low speeds on our typical crap roads my car gives me a bit of a work out, and as for winter driving I don't even bother .
However, on the open road things change, the reason for owing one becomes blantently obvious, these cars are just relentless, I just want to keep on driving it.
I always find a nice quiet road, power down the windows, hit the gas pedal and listen to that wonderful V8.
For me the car is throwback, a working class hero car, I love the sleek style, it's a large two door coupe, it has a six speed manual gearbox and rear wheel drive ....what's not to like.
Good luck,
John
I pretty much echo the above.
The Monaro can do the daily duties with reasonable ease, but IMO is best kept as a hobby, enthusiast, 2nd car.
Heavy controls, especially the gear change and clutch pedal would make daily town/city traffic a chore.
Kept as a weekend warrior, every journey is an event full of smiles!
The Monaro can do the daily duties with reasonable ease, but IMO is best kept as a hobby, enthusiast, 2nd car.
Heavy controls, especially the gear change and clutch pedal would make daily town/city traffic a chore.
Kept as a weekend warrior, every journey is an event full of smiles!
Lincsls1 said:
I pretty much echo the above.
The Monaro can do the daily duties with reasonable ease, but IMO is best kept as a hobby, enthusiast, 2nd car.
Heavy controls, especially the gear change and clutch pedal would make daily town/city traffic a chore.
Kept as a weekend warrior, every journey is an event full of smiles!
Agreed.The Monaro can do the daily duties with reasonable ease, but IMO is best kept as a hobby, enthusiast, 2nd car.
Heavy controls, especially the gear change and clutch pedal would make daily town/city traffic a chore.
Kept as a weekend warrior, every journey is an event full of smiles!
In my (very) humble opinion, they're just too rare now, and dare I say special, to be carrying out the daily duties.
They should be cherished and lovingly cared for. Let a little hatchback do the dog's work.
Maybe I'm just a soft arse?
They are crude but that’s the appeal and if you have the itch, I’d say scratch it whilst you still can. They are still reliable enough to get you anywhere you want to go and I think the more you use them, the better they get. I’d still use mine daily if I needed to but like the rest of you, I’m too old and soft. That’s not the car’s fault though!
Buy on condition though as there are a few rough ones out there now, luckily you can fix most things with a hammer or a new battery.
Oh and TopCats are brilliant.
Buy on condition though as there are a few rough ones out there now, luckily you can fix most things with a hammer or a new battery.
Oh and TopCats are brilliant.
Do it, I began my ownership in June this year, did a couple of thousand miles before the weather turned. In my opinion they are a great owners car if you're handy with the spanners etc. If I had to have a garage look after it for me I'd reconsider as no one knows what it is near me
, but if you're near walkinshaws and top cats that shouldn't be an issue.
Earlier cars are cheaper road tax, if that bothers you, plus a bigger boot too.
, but if you're near walkinshaws and top cats that shouldn't be an issue. Earlier cars are cheaper road tax, if that bothers you, plus a bigger boot too.
I’ve had my monaro for a bit over 8 years now , yes could be a daily drive but it’s too nice for that , mines the cv8 on an 04 plate so tax is about 330 per year , lots of mods done coilovers 3.9 diff, big brakes , tuning , steering rack , rear spoiler, full exhaust system and intake , for a na car it’s quick and running at around 430 bhp , yes there will always be some thing quicker out there , the lights can be upgraded with better bulbs which is a cheap mod , it is the next brightest build in the same design and you break the tab off in the bulb to make it fit , the vxr you pay a bit more for , you can buy a modded cv8 for a lot less , one recently went fir 7k£ which will save you a lot of money as mods done already , brakes on a standard cv8 are crap , mpg on a very long run was just under 35 mpg , a great car to drive , lots of character , very comfy , and personally the single exit big boot cars sound better than the twin exit plus the benefits of a big boot , as a newer shape monaro you would struggle with a set of golf bats in it lol , try a few cars out so you know what you want , they are easy to work on , the parts are cheap , the only more expensive bits can be pads and discs based on you having uprated brakes , i did the ap brake route 7 years ago and have not gone through a set of pads or discs yet and there is still a lot of life in then probably done 30k miles in that time , gearboxes can be a bit £ if they go , i can’t think of a mechanical issue since i’ve had it , just paid out on service items and i got the brake and fuel lines done recently as they are prone to rusting out ££ , other area to check is general rust inside the front lip of the bonnet plus a think front and rear chassis legs can be an issue , good luck with your choice
Will have had mine 10 years in February.
Not much to add to the above. although on a scale from Citroen C1 to old Defender, I'd put the clutch weight somewhere in the middle
I'd say if you're also considering a BMW M3 and your dream car is a 911 Turbo, then although it'll scratch the itch you might not love it, but it won't lose any money (bought my 6.0 VXR for £11,250 I think it was) so it's fairly safe to get one now and sell it in 6 months or so if it's not for you
Not much to add to the above. although on a scale from Citroen C1 to old Defender, I'd put the clutch weight somewhere in the middle
I'd say if you're also considering a BMW M3 and your dream car is a 911 Turbo, then although it'll scratch the itch you might not love it, but it won't lose any money (bought my 6.0 VXR for £11,250 I think it was) so it's fairly safe to get one now and sell it in 6 months or so if it's not for you
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