are monaros now more hassle than they are worth ?
Discussion
I've not long had mine, but any issues I've had so far haven't been hard to get repaired or source bits for.
There are still a fair few here in the UK, and they do rust, and the engines are worth a fair few quid, so cars get broken for spares.
You can also get upgrade parts from Australia and replacement OE parts from the USA, as it was the same car with Pontiac badges (and the steering wheel on the wrong side) over there. Loads of parts still available new from RockAuto etc.
The worst of it here is probably body panels - bumpers particularly, not sure about glass - not least cos they're prohibitively expensive to ship in.
I would say if you want one, parts availability isn't a good reason not to. One proviso: it could be off the road a while if you need to get parts shipped. Not an ideal only car, although mine is a daily because I have a bike too (and can choose not to commute if it's icy like this).
There are still a fair few here in the UK, and they do rust, and the engines are worth a fair few quid, so cars get broken for spares.
You can also get upgrade parts from Australia and replacement OE parts from the USA, as it was the same car with Pontiac badges (and the steering wheel on the wrong side) over there. Loads of parts still available new from RockAuto etc.
The worst of it here is probably body panels - bumpers particularly, not sure about glass - not least cos they're prohibitively expensive to ship in.
I would say if you want one, parts availability isn't a good reason not to. One proviso: it could be off the road a while if you need to get parts shipped. Not an ideal only car, although mine is a daily because I have a bike too (and can choose not to commute if it's icy like this).
I think the level of hassle hasn't changed too much, as above there's a lot of them in Aus and a lot of parts in the USA, and a fair few spares over here.
Things that will get to be a hassle in the future are going to be things like rubber seals on doors, headlights are already hard to source, that sort of thing.
Unsurprisingly, the answer to your question depends on how much the person thinks they're worth
To me, I really like the Monaro, so even if it was a lot of hassle, to me it's worth it. If I wanted a really low fuss manual V8, I'd get a Mustang.
Things that will get to be a hassle in the future are going to be things like rubber seals on doors, headlights are already hard to source, that sort of thing.
Unsurprisingly, the answer to your question depends on how much the person thinks they're worth
To me, I really like the Monaro, so even if it was a lot of hassle, to me it's worth it. If I wanted a really low fuss manual V8, I'd get a Mustang.Had my harrop charged one getting on a year now-i dont tend to keep cars very long
after a load of audi rs cars,bmw m series and many others i find it a simple,easy car to work on-body on mine anyway is far better than any unrestored german barge of same era both underneath and on top
parts-cheaper,far cheaper-diagnostics-get a tech 2
dynamics-bit poorer,not scalpel like a tweaked e46 m3 can be,steering bus like
rear diff same agri clunky affair as e46 m3
ride comfort[am on std shocks/springs] great
sound-great
brakes great[ap kit] standards are like m3 e46-gash
performance charged-ok,standard bit ,lazy and lethargic
looks-subjective-hated mine at first,but big boot sleekness has really really grown on me
more hassle than they are worth-nope,rare sight now,sound great-fast enough to keep intrest in the car
certainly found mine cheaper to run than m3/rs4 etc and thats taking into account some recommisioning work on mine too as it had been sitting a few years so popped new injs,sensors,lambdas etc in it right away
Edited to add mine had been off road due to both the owners circumstances[covid] and prior to that various garages inability to diagnose an abs issue[module was fubar as well as rear abs sensor]
They put it down to scan tools failure to comm with the module-rather than realising the module was kaput
after a load of audi rs cars,bmw m series and many others i find it a simple,easy car to work on-body on mine anyway is far better than any unrestored german barge of same era both underneath and on top
parts-cheaper,far cheaper-diagnostics-get a tech 2
dynamics-bit poorer,not scalpel like a tweaked e46 m3 can be,steering bus like
rear diff same agri clunky affair as e46 m3
ride comfort[am on std shocks/springs] great
sound-great
brakes great[ap kit] standards are like m3 e46-gash
performance charged-ok,standard bit ,lazy and lethargic
looks-subjective-hated mine at first,but big boot sleekness has really really grown on me
more hassle than they are worth-nope,rare sight now,sound great-fast enough to keep intrest in the car
certainly found mine cheaper to run than m3/rs4 etc and thats taking into account some recommisioning work on mine too as it had been sitting a few years so popped new injs,sensors,lambdas etc in it right away
Edited to add mine had been off road due to both the owners circumstances[covid] and prior to that various garages inability to diagnose an abs issue[module was fubar as well as rear abs sensor]
They put it down to scan tools failure to comm with the module-rather than realising the module was kaput
Edited by tony1966 on Tuesday 13th December 13:12
I've had one for a year now, issues have so far been minor. Mostly due to the former owner doing the work himself and bodging jobs. No car is without, and certainly not older vehicles around the two decade mark. As other have mentioned, it's just old enough to not be too technologically advanced. I'm not aware of them being known for difficult electrical issues, for example. I'm also a lot more relaxed about it now it's not my daily any more.
TheWidget said:
I've had one for a year now, issues have so far been minor. Mostly due to the former owner doing the work himself and bodging jobs. No car is without, and certainly not older vehicles around the two decade mark. As other have mentioned, it's just old enough to not be too technologically advanced. I'm not aware of them being known for difficult electrical issues, for example. I'm also a lot more relaxed about it now it's not my daily any more.
Looking at the forums the newer vxr8 models seem to have more electrical glitches than the early pre canbus monaro cv8-a fairly simple carIntresting thing about parts supply,company my wife works for bought 2 x kias for work-one had a failed adblue system in its first day[march this year] it is still in the dealers waiting for parts[i believe its tank with sensor but they did take ages to diagnose] it has resulted in a pretty big legal wrangle as you can imagine
so its not just older cars that can be tricky to obtain parts for-they had similar issues with skoda hybrids too for alternator and bracket parts but folk put that down to covid supply issues at the time
so its not just older cars that can be tricky to obtain parts for-they had similar issues with skoda hybrids too for alternator and bracket parts but folk put that down to covid supply issues at the time
tony1966 said:
dynamics-bit poorer,not scalpel like a tweaked e46 m3 can be,steering bus like
rear diff same agri clunky affair as e46 m3
Does yours not have the pedders rack ? Some caster and camber, and a smaller wheel with the quick rack will really improve things here. rear diff same agri clunky affair as e46 m3
and if the diff is clunky, perhaps a broken cone, or loose pinion.
Yes your local parts store wont have much spares for it, but Its not hard to find any parts really, its just a short wait and some import tax that is annoying.
Edited by fred bloggs on Tuesday 20th December 13:49
fred bloggs said:
Does yours not have the pedders rack ? Some caster and camber, and a smaller wheel with the quick rack will really improve things here.
and if the diff is clunky, perhaps a broken cone, or loose pinion.
Yes your local parts store wont have much spares for it, but Its not hard to find any parts really, its just a short wait and some import tax that is annoying.
I have driven a few-diffs fairly agricultural on them all[like the m3 e46 mentioned]even new they were a tad unrefined around the transand if the diff is clunky, perhaps a broken cone, or loose pinion.
Yes your local parts store wont have much spares for it, but Its not hard to find any parts really, its just a short wait and some import tax that is annoying.
Edited by fred bloggs on Tuesday 20th December 13:49
never driven one with modded rack or tweaked suspension-i like the softness of mine-even on 19" rims its supple and i dont drive like a tube on the roads[not generally anyway now-too old]
I would like a smaller wheel and keep the airbag and controls for stereo if possible,quick rack would be my go to if i couldnt re-seal my own in the event of a failure
out of the box though e46 m3 and its like steer and handle lots better-which for some would be a culture shock stepping into a Ro -all depends what you want-monaro suits my needs/wants as it is-i use an a4 b8.5 avamt as a daily to compliment it -i came from a golf r and b7 rs4 avant a year or so ago with a f3 saloon 335d[steering ruined that car imho] inbetween
The wait for parts-i try to buy in advance-when i can -Rock autos generally good .i have also bought bits via uk suppliers,brake lines,fuel filter and some oils
you may have picked me up wrongly as in i am not knocking the cars,but being very realistic about them and their ownership-i like them but they wont be for everybody
They are very old school in truth and yes not for everyone.
You have to actually 'drive' one of these, getting the best from them requires thought and some skill. They do nothing to assist you and are quite heavy on the controls.
Quite refreshing as we approach an age of cars that are now practically wiping our arses for us, but I wouldn't want one as a daily.
You have to actually 'drive' one of these, getting the best from them requires thought and some skill. They do nothing to assist you and are quite heavy on the controls.
Quite refreshing as we approach an age of cars that are now practically wiping our arses for us, but I wouldn't want one as a daily.
Lincsls1 said:
They are very old school in truth and yes not for everyone.
You have to actually 'drive' one of these, getting the best from them requires thought and some skill. They do nothing to assist you and are quite heavy on the controls.
Quite refreshing as we approach an age of cars that are now practically wiping our arses for us, but I wouldn't want one as a daily.
I had one for 15 years, sold this year, loved the experience, but got tired in the end with as said the heavy and cumbersome controls, wasn't ever a daily, mine was supercharged loved the pin in the back on acceleration but if I am honest terrible driver's car.You have to actually 'drive' one of these, getting the best from them requires thought and some skill. They do nothing to assist you and are quite heavy on the controls.
Quite refreshing as we approach an age of cars that are now practically wiping our arses for us, but I wouldn't want one as a daily.
I absolutely loved the sound, totally reliable in every sense, the Monaro is and always will be special to me.
Meanwhile I have discovered something completely different and I have no regrets, everyone has to scratch the V8 itch.
wormus said:
I’ve had mine for 16 years and am still fond of it. Goes like clappers and sounds like thunder in a way that modern cars don’t and if I’m honest, it scares me a bit. I don’t drive it much but it’s there in the garage when I want it, which keeps it special.
Would have loved to experienced yours Wormus for the sheer power, but the OP won't have a chance to buy anywhere similar.Meanwhile if you ever did sell I could be persuaded to come back 😎
stu vxr said:
wormus said:
I’ve had mine for 16 years and am still fond of it. Goes like clappers and sounds like thunder in a way that modern cars don’t and if I’m honest, it scares me a bit. I don’t drive it much but it’s there in the garage when I want it, which keeps it special.
Would have loved to experienced yours Wormus for the sheer power, but the OP won't have a chance to buy anywhere similar.Meanwhile if you ever did sell I could be persuaded to come back ??
I wouldn't, personally, daily one now; though that's just me as I've had mine for nigh-on 17 years now. I've never had huge trouble getting parts, but it's never needed a front bumper or windscreen... I do, now and then, get an itch to buy a CV8 to do just that but in the end I know there are too many niggles that'd annoy me such as the stereo and non-heated seats (that's a back-problem problem, not a Monaro problem).
Running-gear-wise, there's nothing you can't get easily.
Running-gear-wise, there's nothing you can't get easily.
willisit said:
I wouldn't, personally, daily one now; though that's just me as I've had mine for nigh-on 17 years now. I've never had huge trouble getting parts, but it's never needed a front bumper or windscreen... I do, now and then, get an itch to buy a CV8 to do just that but in the end I know there are too many niggles that'd annoy me such as the stereo and non-heated seats (that's a back-problem problem, not a Monaro problem).
Running-gear-wise, there's nothing you can't get easily.
i diy fitted heated seats . less than 1 day start to finish total spend 50 quid Running-gear-wise, there's nothing you can't get easily.
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