future new owner questions
Discussion
How do all
As a Car junkie, everyone needs to experience a V8 at somepoint.
Now seems to be that time for me.
I have looked at several options, M3 v8, M5 v8, RS4 etc, but it seems for reliability and running costs (repairs) monaro/vxr8 is the way to go
My daughters dream car is a challenger, i would love one but, auto and LHD puts me off, I will still have a look at one I think, this is also why the monaro/VXR8 falls into the bracket, much more American/Aussie muscle than a high revving euro
So now i am left which one to get. I have watched soo many videos, and read so many articles, here are my thoughts a questions if you do not mind entertaining me
My Ideal would be a red 6.0 VXR Monaro with the twin tail pipes.
Daisy my daughter is 15, and very tall, also we have a family friend who comes out with us often, she is not a fan of climbing in and out of a 2 door car, So i then look at the 6.2 VXR8, but then i wonder back to just an original 5.7 no kit and save a bunch of money
Is the early 5.7 the simplest to work on, easiest to repair, (but high change of rust) or are they all pretty simple inc the 6.2
Is there any big advantage having the 6.2 / 6.0 / 5.7
Nothing seems to jump out as something i really need to watch out for on any except rust
What are the monaros like in the back / ease of getting in and out of the back?
So undecided whether to just get a 5.7 early monaro, or go whole hog VXR8. It will not be my daily for work, but it would get used pretty much every day for other things, going to the gym, enjoyment and up to shops etc (and probably work once a week)
cheers
sorry for my ramblings just getting thoughts onto the screen
Pete
As a Car junkie, everyone needs to experience a V8 at somepoint.
Now seems to be that time for me.
I have looked at several options, M3 v8, M5 v8, RS4 etc, but it seems for reliability and running costs (repairs) monaro/vxr8 is the way to go
My daughters dream car is a challenger, i would love one but, auto and LHD puts me off, I will still have a look at one I think, this is also why the monaro/VXR8 falls into the bracket, much more American/Aussie muscle than a high revving euro
So now i am left which one to get. I have watched soo many videos, and read so many articles, here are my thoughts a questions if you do not mind entertaining me
My Ideal would be a red 6.0 VXR Monaro with the twin tail pipes.
Daisy my daughter is 15, and very tall, also we have a family friend who comes out with us often, she is not a fan of climbing in and out of a 2 door car, So i then look at the 6.2 VXR8, but then i wonder back to just an original 5.7 no kit and save a bunch of money
Is the early 5.7 the simplest to work on, easiest to repair, (but high change of rust) or are they all pretty simple inc the 6.2
Is there any big advantage having the 6.2 / 6.0 / 5.7
Nothing seems to jump out as something i really need to watch out for on any except rust
What are the monaros like in the back / ease of getting in and out of the back?
So undecided whether to just get a 5.7 early monaro, or go whole hog VXR8. It will not be my daily for work, but it would get used pretty much every day for other things, going to the gym, enjoyment and up to shops etc (and probably work once a week)
cheers
sorry for my ramblings just getting thoughts onto the screen
Pete
my choice is and was monaro-doesnt look like a vectra[but does look like a big calibra lol]
less electrical maladies than later cars
cable throttle body
cheaper tax[big difference if a 2nd/3rd car and not used much]
however if not charged or cammed /tuned its slow for a 5.7[ and was when they came out in 2004 for uk
and yes some are now prone to rust -as discussed on here,not pin sharp like an m3 e46 etc
less electrical maladies than later cars
cable throttle body
cheaper tax[big difference if a 2nd/3rd car and not used much]
however if not charged or cammed /tuned its slow for a 5.7[ and was when they came out in 2004 for uk
and yes some are now prone to rust -as discussed on here,not pin sharp like an m3 e46 etc
Welcome to this little Forum Pete.
Firstly, Monaros are plenty spacious in the back, remember there are strictly only 2 seats though.
As for access, its not bad, but the front seats are electric and are slow to move forward. If you regularly want to use the rear seats it can be a tad of a pain, but only a tad more so than your average 3 door. I rarely do, so no issue for me.
In terms of sheer practicality, the VXR8 is going to be easier, but remember its also bigger.
In terms of electrical equipment, ALL monaro versions are exactly the same barring the 2 pod gauges which only the early CV8 Monaro doesn't have. Remember all Vauxhall Monaros are built between 04 and 06 regardless of registration plate. Badge under bonnet.
If reliability is a focus, I'll stick my neck out and say the Monaro seems to be less trouble than the newer VXR8. That's purely from years of being active on this forum though, not direct experience and not to say either is unreliable.
The much more sophisticated VXR8 has more to go wrong, the Monaro is a simple beast by comparison and IMO more robust.
Engines, lets start by saying the 5.7 can be mapped to roughly the same power o/p as the 6.0 and as such in the Monaro there is negligible difference. As a current 5.7 VXR owner who has owned a 6.0 VXR I can personally confirm this, but in fairness the 5.7 VXR is the model with the factory tweaks (shorter diff, headers, mapping to name a few). It is also the rarest here with only 62 officially imported back in 2004! I personally waited for this version the second time around and IMO it's the best variant.
I have no experience of the 6.2 in the VXR8, but nice to have I'd guess! I doubt the 6.0 in the VXR8 will offer any more performance than the Monaro. Having the auto as an option is nice.
All engines are relatively simple and highly adaptable, so bare in mind my opinions are based on standard cars because many have had modifications (generally for the better) over the years.
Back to the Monaro, note the boot space on the later VXR and 5.7 cars is literally half that of the 2004 versions due to the fuel tank being in the boot. It does make a difference! The fuel tank on the early cars in underneath hence the different exhaust arrangement.
If I was to start again, I might actually go for an early 2004 CV8, and one that's had some choice mods already installed.
Its more simple lines has really grown on me, it is handsome rather than brutish and once modded offers everything a VXR does and exceed.
Firstly, Monaros are plenty spacious in the back, remember there are strictly only 2 seats though.
As for access, its not bad, but the front seats are electric and are slow to move forward. If you regularly want to use the rear seats it can be a tad of a pain, but only a tad more so than your average 3 door. I rarely do, so no issue for me.
In terms of sheer practicality, the VXR8 is going to be easier, but remember its also bigger.
In terms of electrical equipment, ALL monaro versions are exactly the same barring the 2 pod gauges which only the early CV8 Monaro doesn't have. Remember all Vauxhall Monaros are built between 04 and 06 regardless of registration plate. Badge under bonnet.
If reliability is a focus, I'll stick my neck out and say the Monaro seems to be less trouble than the newer VXR8. That's purely from years of being active on this forum though, not direct experience and not to say either is unreliable.
The much more sophisticated VXR8 has more to go wrong, the Monaro is a simple beast by comparison and IMO more robust.
Engines, lets start by saying the 5.7 can be mapped to roughly the same power o/p as the 6.0 and as such in the Monaro there is negligible difference. As a current 5.7 VXR owner who has owned a 6.0 VXR I can personally confirm this, but in fairness the 5.7 VXR is the model with the factory tweaks (shorter diff, headers, mapping to name a few). It is also the rarest here with only 62 officially imported back in 2004! I personally waited for this version the second time around and IMO it's the best variant.
I have no experience of the 6.2 in the VXR8, but nice to have I'd guess! I doubt the 6.0 in the VXR8 will offer any more performance than the Monaro. Having the auto as an option is nice.
All engines are relatively simple and highly adaptable, so bare in mind my opinions are based on standard cars because many have had modifications (generally for the better) over the years.
Back to the Monaro, note the boot space on the later VXR and 5.7 cars is literally half that of the 2004 versions due to the fuel tank being in the boot. It does make a difference! The fuel tank on the early cars in underneath hence the different exhaust arrangement.
If I was to start again, I might actually go for an early 2004 CV8, and one that's had some choice mods already installed.
Its more simple lines has really grown on me, it is handsome rather than brutish and once modded offers everything a VXR does and exceed.
Welcome!
There is a black supercharged LS1 CV8 for sale in the facebook group for £14k. It has AP brakes on, VXR8 wheels, only done about 45k miles or so.
If you wanted the best value entry into the Aussie muscle world, that's a bargain place to start.
I have a Monaro VXR, a 2003 Ute, and a 2008 Commodore wagon, so VXR8 shape.
You can tell the later car is a whole new generation (this era is the VE, and it was a completely new platform, whereas the Monaros are VY / VZ, which traced its routes back at least 20 years when they were new
)
If you want the muscle car experience, personally the Monaro is the way to go, the VXR8 is a 'better' car, but then an RS4 is also a 'better' car, and you haven't ended up here because you're looking for 'better' by objective measures
Standard or with a basic remap and bolt ons (intake, exhaust) there won't be a huge amount between a 5.7 or 6.0, and even the 6.2 is in the heavier VXR8, so ultimate performance there isn't much in it.
If you plan to modify it, the differences grow a bit, but depend on your goals... By which I mean if you're want 500bhp, you can get there with a 5.7 but you're looking at supercharger or some driveability / mpg compromises to get there NA, whereas with a 6.2 you could get there with an MOT friendly cam, or supercharging could take you to 700+ whilst still being completely driveable...
I only bring up the modifying because if the car gets under your skin (and 60% of the time, it happens every time) then you're going to modify it and you're going to pick a nice big round number you want to achieve etc. and you could save yourself some money by considering that up front!
Both cars are enormous inside. Boot space as above is limited on the twin exhaust Monaros, the fuel tank going in the boot is what enables the twin exhaust, so an easy spot. Cars registered pre-March 06 are half the tax, so worth considering, each batch of models we got were all built and imported at the same time and then just registered as and when they were sold, I believe there is a 2008 plate Monaro somewhere here?!
The electric seats in the Monaro are SLOW to slide forward. This is a bit annoying, especially if it's raining. The seat backs are also thick, so even with it tilted forwards, you do have to wait a bit whilst they slide forward to get a human through the gap. Once in though, it is enormous and very comfy. You can fit a 6ft+ bloke in all 4 seats with plenty of room to spare. I've actually changed the seats in mine and with the thinner seat backs, you can just flop the seat forward and fall in the back instantly, so there are options...
They're all cheap and easy to service. Bumpers on the VXR models are expensive. The VXR8 is a bit more 'sophisticated' so would agree personally it just 'feels' a little more like something could go wrong, or that it can have quirkier issues. They should all have been undersealed / given some rust preventative treatment really so it's worth checking on whichever one you look at.
This is a small niggle, but my least favourite thing about the VE compared to the VY / VZ is the on board computer trip thingy. It is slower to respond to change between displays, it has extra useless displays you can't disable, and the 'Range' figure just goes to 'Range Low' once the fuel light comes on, which is s
te, whereas the older Ute / Monaro if will happily run down to 3 miles to empty and keep telling you (I haven't managed to get it lower than that ). The light comes on with ~2 gallons remaining, so you can be talking 40-50 miles left and given I have an 18 mile commute it is just irritating that it won't just tell me the damn range 
Happy New Year!
There is a black supercharged LS1 CV8 for sale in the facebook group for £14k. It has AP brakes on, VXR8 wheels, only done about 45k miles or so.
If you wanted the best value entry into the Aussie muscle world, that's a bargain place to start.
I have a Monaro VXR, a 2003 Ute, and a 2008 Commodore wagon, so VXR8 shape.
You can tell the later car is a whole new generation (this era is the VE, and it was a completely new platform, whereas the Monaros are VY / VZ, which traced its routes back at least 20 years when they were new
)If you want the muscle car experience, personally the Monaro is the way to go, the VXR8 is a 'better' car, but then an RS4 is also a 'better' car, and you haven't ended up here because you're looking for 'better' by objective measures
Standard or with a basic remap and bolt ons (intake, exhaust) there won't be a huge amount between a 5.7 or 6.0, and even the 6.2 is in the heavier VXR8, so ultimate performance there isn't much in it.
If you plan to modify it, the differences grow a bit, but depend on your goals... By which I mean if you're want 500bhp, you can get there with a 5.7 but you're looking at supercharger or some driveability / mpg compromises to get there NA, whereas with a 6.2 you could get there with an MOT friendly cam, or supercharging could take you to 700+ whilst still being completely driveable...
I only bring up the modifying because if the car gets under your skin (and 60% of the time, it happens every time
) then you're going to modify it and you're going to pick a nice big round number you want to achieve etc. and you could save yourself some money by considering that up front! Both cars are enormous inside. Boot space as above is limited on the twin exhaust Monaros, the fuel tank going in the boot is what enables the twin exhaust, so an easy spot. Cars registered pre-March 06 are half the tax, so worth considering, each batch of models we got were all built and imported at the same time and then just registered as and when they were sold, I believe there is a 2008 plate Monaro somewhere here?!
The electric seats in the Monaro are SLOW to slide forward. This is a bit annoying, especially if it's raining. The seat backs are also thick, so even with it tilted forwards, you do have to wait a bit whilst they slide forward to get a human through the gap. Once in though, it is enormous and very comfy. You can fit a 6ft+ bloke in all 4 seats with plenty of room to spare. I've actually changed the seats in mine and with the thinner seat backs, you can just flop the seat forward and fall in the back instantly, so there are options...
They're all cheap and easy to service. Bumpers on the VXR models are expensive. The VXR8 is a bit more 'sophisticated' so would agree personally it just 'feels' a little more like something could go wrong, or that it can have quirkier issues. They should all have been undersealed / given some rust preventative treatment really so it's worth checking on whichever one you look at.
This is a small niggle, but my least favourite thing about the VE compared to the VY / VZ is the on board computer trip thingy. It is slower to respond to change between displays, it has extra useless displays you can't disable, and the 'Range' figure just goes to 'Range Low' once the fuel light comes on, which is s
te, whereas the older Ute / Monaro if will happily run down to 3 miles to empty and keep telling you (I haven't managed to get it lower than that ). The light comes on with ~2 gallons remaining, so you can be talking 40-50 miles left and given I have an 18 mile commute it is just irritating that it won't just tell me the damn range Happy New Year!
And there it is! An early CV8 with choice mods. The brakes. The charger! Oh yes.
I'd be looking there, and assuming its a solid car all round be looking to make a deal!
I would be asking how they got the VXR8 wheels to fit though, make sure there's no contact issues and that it's been done safely.
I'd be looking there, and assuming its a solid car all round be looking to make a deal!
I would be asking how they got the VXR8 wheels to fit though, make sure there's no contact issues and that it's been done safely.
No relation to the bloke or the car or the advert, just aware lots aren't on fb or part of the relevant group and it looks a bargain. I'd frankly get it if I had the money laying around
With regards to VXR8 wheels, the R8 front wheels fit up fine, so it'll have 4 vxr8 fronts on it, has been done a fair few times.
His most recent post about it said:
Harrop 112 charged monaro with all the required supporting mods,headers,exhaust,aps etc anybody? 43k on it,lots new bits and pieces fitted mot till march-only done around 700 miles in it this year as had other priorities...its a clean car low owners with fsh on miles looking for a very realistic 14k taking into account time of year etc etc
its in scotland so if thats an issue please bear that in mind
car is originally from bristol area
for the asking price i will leave the plate on it
Wow guys. Thank you. That's a lot of great information.
I really want the muscle car experience, and I've always prefered the monaro.
But I will check out the seats moving forwards as it does sound like a pain. But it's a 10k pain I can get over as the vxr8s are a lot more expensive.. but I'll try both and see.
Funny saying about an early 5.7 with choice mods
I have been looking at this as it's only up the road from me
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...
I like yellow. But definitely look like it needs tidying up a bit. Which I don't mind doing and it's pretty cheap
The black one looks good, has anyone got a link for it as it's not on Facebook marketplace, I don't know which page it'll be on .
I still prefer a 6.0 twin exhaust monaro is my first choice I do like the kit. Like this. But why is it silver!!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210231...
Many thanks again
Pete
I really want the muscle car experience, and I've always prefered the monaro.
But I will check out the seats moving forwards as it does sound like a pain. But it's a 10k pain I can get over as the vxr8s are a lot more expensive.. but I'll try both and see.
Funny saying about an early 5.7 with choice mods
I have been looking at this as it's only up the road from me
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...
I like yellow. But definitely look like it needs tidying up a bit. Which I don't mind doing and it's pretty cheap
The black one looks good, has anyone got a link for it as it's not on Facebook marketplace, I don't know which page it'll be on .
I still prefer a 6.0 twin exhaust monaro is my first choice I do like the kit. Like this. But why is it silver!!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210231...
Many thanks again
Pete
The range thing sounds odd on the vrx8 . Tbf I tend to keep my cars above half tank anyway. No idea why..
I didn't know they were different platforms that's interesting to know.
I am really looking forward to going out and trying both now. I have only ever sat in a vxr8, never been out in either. I have been out in a hellcat, and driven my mates E39 m5 (hi Ben) which is mega.
I will say I was more impressed with the m5 than the hellcat . But the hell cat was fast!
I will try a few options and see where I land. My favourite still is the monaro as it seems that much more of a fun car where as something like rs4 and m3 would be the best daily
I didn't know they were different platforms that's interesting to know.
I am really looking forward to going out and trying both now. I have only ever sat in a vxr8, never been out in either. I have been out in a hellcat, and driven my mates E39 m5 (hi Ben) which is mega.
I will say I was more impressed with the m5 than the hellcat . But the hell cat was fast!
I will try a few options and see where I land. My favourite still is the monaro as it seems that much more of a fun car where as something like rs4 and m3 would be the best daily
Edited by pistolpete12 on Thursday 5th January 14:09
fred bloggs said:
Good spot, but may mean some more rust elsewhere.
There is a 2003 chevrolet lumina (four door ) with 466 bhp on ebay, Its an auto though.
This car has also had its brake pipes replaced. Some get done more neatly than others.There is a 2003 chevrolet lumina (four door ) with 466 bhp on ebay, Its an auto though.
Many Monaros have had them done now, the engine bay is an easy spot. Mine has, and its not a rust bucket, but I get your point.
Here mine, a neat one! No need for them to look like a dogs dinner.
pistolpete12 said:
Funny saying about an early 5.7 with choice mods
I have been looking at this as it's only up the road from me
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...
I like yellow. But definitely look like it needs tidying up a bit. Which I don't mind doing and it's pretty cheap.
Pete
Yep, I'm liking the yellow one. Mileage good, priced well enough and has good mods so is already 'better' than a standard VXR. The brakes, new diff, LS7 clutch and Focus pac are all huge plus points. I have been looking at this as it's only up the road from me
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...
I like yellow. But definitely look like it needs tidying up a bit. Which I don't mind doing and it's pretty cheap.
Pete
The VXR you've highlighted, standard brakes, standard exhaust, small boot, possibly broken cubby holder and £5k more!
The AP brakes is a £2500+ upgrade, the exhaust will cost ~ £1k.
Trust me when I tell you, the AP brakes are MUCH better brakes than the standard VXR offering. Best mod IMO.
Edited by Lincsls1 on Thursday 5th January 14:49
Lincsls1 said:
This car has also had its brake pipes replaced. Some get done more neatly than others.
Many Monaros have had them done now, the engine bay is an easy spot. Mine has, and its not a rust bucket, but I get your point.
Here mine, a neat one! No need for them to look like a dogs dinner.
You call that neat? Pah Many Monaros have had them done now, the engine bay is an easy spot. Mine has, and its not a rust bucket, but I get your point.
Here mine, a neat one! No need for them to look like a dogs dinner.
The yellow one looks a very good buy, the yellow is great, and the CV8 looks a lot better in person, especially from behind, they also take a little chin spoiler very well which helps lower the overall stance of the nose.
The VXR has a standard exhaust, you do not want a standard exhaust so you're knocking £1,000+ off straight away to get that fixed!
As for the VXR brakes, yes they're nothing like the APs (not that I've tried one with APs on!) but for road use they're "alright", mine's now 50% more power and still on the VXR brakes
Apparently the stock CV8 brakes are very poor though.Yeah to me that yellow one seems a good buy at the mileage and cost
It ticks all the boxes as well with the bits already on it..
Also only 20miles from me
The ap brakes worth it then.
I'm guessing I could fit a spoiler. You say chin spoiler. Is that something easy to get?
Yellow is a great colour. I like to stand out
It ticks all the boxes as well with the bits already on it..
Also only 20miles from me
The ap brakes worth it then.
I'm guessing I could fit a spoiler. You say chin spoiler. Is that something easy to get?
Yellow is a great colour. I like to stand out
pistolpete12 said:
I've asked the guy with yellow one a few questions, engine bay pics and videos etc .
I'll let you know what he comes back with. The extra stuff it's has on it does make it an interesting prospect
The more I look at the yellow one, the better it seems I'll let you know what he comes back with. The extra stuff it's has on it does make it an interesting prospect
The colour is great.I agree that the 418 bhp is not very likely, not that it matters, more likely just shy of 400.
The AP brakes are fantastic, but check them well because replacement parts are expensive.
Regarding the seat stitching, this is super common on cars without rear tints, removing the rear seats to get sorted is dead easy.
Regards the lip spoiler, people have just used those generic flexible ones and fixed them to the underside following the line of the chin, I'll try and find a picture.
Haha, I couldn't handle the stress of worrying it'd go bang or something, it's bad enough with my own
Lincsls1 said:
SturdyHSV said:
You call that neat? Pah
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