Are parts easy to come by?
Discussion
Are parts for the Holden and HSV cars easy to find? Vauxhall still stocks them or do you find yourselves having to order a lot from Australia?
I'm mainly interested in the third generation, which includes the Monaro.
I heard they share a few bits with the Omega? Like suspension, brakes, steering etc? So you can just fit Omega parts?
What about body parts such as bumpers, sills and even wings? Can you find them new or are you dependent on luck to find one at a scrapyard?
I really would like to get into one of these cars. But I'm not sure how much support is there for them, as they are quite rare.
I'm mainly interested in the third generation, which includes the Monaro.
I heard they share a few bits with the Omega? Like suspension, brakes, steering etc? So you can just fit Omega parts?
What about body parts such as bumpers, sills and even wings? Can you find them new or are you dependent on luck to find one at a scrapyard?
I really would like to get into one of these cars. But I'm not sure how much support is there for them, as they are quite rare.
maccavvy said:
Very few parts are shared with omega.
That's an old wives tale..
Mechanical stuff got generally be gotten easy. Though UK specialists and places like rock auto.
Body panels and odd bits of trim and clips are the hard to source and expensive things
So no suspensions parts at all from the Omega? I'm surprised as I have read it from several different sources.That's an old wives tale..
Mechanical stuff got generally be gotten easy. Though UK specialists and places like rock auto.
Body panels and odd bits of trim and clips are the hard to source and expensive things
Did any of the 4 doors from the Monaro platform ever made it across? VT, VX, VY etc.
The ony things I'm aware of that are interchangeable with the Omega are door mirror switches and door handles (the Omega ones are an upgrade for Monaro owners because they're metal). And you wouldn't want the Omega's front camber characteristics on a wider heavier car, the inner front tyres would last about 10 seconds! My habit has been to get all the substantial stuff from Rock Auto and to get oil and filters from Vauxhall. Since PSA took over, my Vauxhall dealer can't even find the LS1 oil filters on their system, so if that's replicated across the country the dealer parts situation is even more dire than it used to be, it might stabilise though.
For a laugh, the parts guy at my dealer once looked up driver's side wiper blade for a Monaro. £172!
On Rock Auto you can pretty much get AC Delco everything for these, including iridium plugs for £4ish each. Fuel filters not so because the GTO never had the fuel tank in the same position as our 04 CV8 so it never had an external filter. Same story with the fuel pump, so if you wanted one for a pre-05 car you'd have to go to Aussie Ebay but they have Delphi ones and they're oe I think.
In short,there's not much you could order in the middle of a job and have delivered in an hour but in 18 months of ownership and a lot of maintenance I've always been able to find what I need.
For a laugh, the parts guy at my dealer once looked up driver's side wiper blade for a Monaro. £172!
On Rock Auto you can pretty much get AC Delco everything for these, including iridium plugs for £4ish each. Fuel filters not so because the GTO never had the fuel tank in the same position as our 04 CV8 so it never had an external filter. Same story with the fuel pump, so if you wanted one for a pre-05 car you'd have to go to Aussie Ebay but they have Delphi ones and they're oe I think.
In short,there's not much you could order in the middle of a job and have delivered in an hour but in 18 months of ownership and a lot of maintenance I've always been able to find what I need.
There is no point in trying to order any parts from Vauxhall, in fact there wasn't much point when the cars were new.
Back in the day only certain dealers were allowed to sell Monaro parts, and in most cases they had to be ordered in.
I know what your thinking about the similarities between an Omega and a Monaro. You can see the family resemblance and the underside of the cars are very similar, but in most cases parts are not interchangeable.
Think of a Monaro as a bigger scaled up version of the Omega were parts only look like they will fit and you'll get the idea.
Back in the day only certain dealers were allowed to sell Monaro parts, and in most cases they had to be ordered in.
I know what your thinking about the similarities between an Omega and a Monaro. You can see the family resemblance and the underside of the cars are very similar, but in most cases parts are not interchangeable.
Think of a Monaro as a bigger scaled up version of the Omega were parts only look like they will fit and you'll get the idea.
Well, not very encouraging. 
Although isn't the same thing true for parts for the Omega? About the same age or older and specially after the PSA takeover, can you still get parts for the Omega from Vauxhall?
I know that because they sold a lot of them it will be way easier to find Omega parts in scrapyards than for Monaros. But with new parts the situation can't be that much different actually?
Although isn't the same thing true for parts for the Omega? About the same age or older and specially after the PSA takeover, can you still get parts for the Omega from Vauxhall?
I know that because they sold a lot of them it will be way easier to find Omega parts in scrapyards than for Monaros. But with new parts the situation can't be that much different actually?
There is no issue getting the majority of mechanical parts, but as stated interior and exterior trim along with body panels are scarce however there is a breakers market for these cars whether it be from the UK, Australia or the US.
Remember the Pontiac GTO 04-06 shares many parts with the Monaro and even though it be LHD you'd be surprised to known that some of the interior trim still fits the RHD Monaro.
Remember the Pontiac GTO 04-06 shares many parts with the Monaro and even though it be LHD you'd be surprised to known that some of the interior trim still fits the RHD Monaro.
I bought my 2006 CV8 Monaro in November 2019 after a looong search to find the right one. What I have learned so far when it comes to parts is:
Engine / Drivetrain (LS1, Tremec T56): Fairly easy. It is a very common engine / gear box combo used in a few GM muscle cars and the Corvette. You can get almost everything pretty easily from the US (RockAuto, ebay etc) and there's even a few specialists in Europe.
Suspension: Pedders UK
Brakes: Pedders UK, AP Racing, EBC
Body Panels / Bumpers: Most parts are hard to come by even in Australia
Interior: most parts are hard to come by even in Australia
Some companies in the UK that 'specialize' in these cars: Pedders UK, Walkinshaw Performance, TopCats Racing
Engine / Drivetrain (LS1, Tremec T56): Fairly easy. It is a very common engine / gear box combo used in a few GM muscle cars and the Corvette. You can get almost everything pretty easily from the US (RockAuto, ebay etc) and there's even a few specialists in Europe.
Suspension: Pedders UK
Brakes: Pedders UK, AP Racing, EBC
Body Panels / Bumpers: Most parts are hard to come by even in Australia
Interior: most parts are hard to come by even in Australia
Some companies in the UK that 'specialize' in these cars: Pedders UK, Walkinshaw Performance, TopCats Racing
But having to order even mechanical bits from Australia or US might add up soon in shipping and importing taxes?
God forbid if you bust a bumper. If you are not lucky to find one from a breaker, I don't even want to ask how much just to ship a bumper from Australia.
By the way, any of you daily drive your Monaro? Or is it a weekend car only? My interest was to get one as a daily driver. Instead of an A5 or C coupe.
God forbid if you bust a bumper. If you are not lucky to find one from a breaker, I don't even want to ask how much just to ship a bumper from Australia.
By the way, any of you daily drive your Monaro? Or is it a weekend car only? My interest was to get one as a daily driver. Instead of an A5 or C coupe.
Edited by Mickeym on Monday 30th March 20:02
Weekend car for me!
If I bust a bumper, I guess I'd just have to pay thru the nose for a 2nd one from a breaker. Obviously being a weekender the chances of me busting it are much less than that of a daily.
I've accepted that if I have an accident and its anything slightly more than just a bump the car would just be written off. Its just one of those things. I could hunt for another decent Monaro, I believe there are a few to choose from now, but they come at a premium or and most likely I'd choose to try something different. Not that I want rid of it, its a keeper.
If I bust a bumper, I guess I'd just have to pay thru the nose for a 2nd one from a breaker. Obviously being a weekender the chances of me busting it are much less than that of a daily.
I've accepted that if I have an accident and its anything slightly more than just a bump the car would just be written off. Its just one of those things. I could hunt for another decent Monaro, I believe there are a few to choose from now, but they come at a premium or and most likely I'd choose to try something different. Not that I want rid of it, its a keeper.
I guess this is the only way to look at ownership at this point. Probably a good way too.
Has anybody priced a bumper shipped from Australia, just for reference? How much breakers here ask for one?
I would also like to ask this again:
Has anybody priced a bumper shipped from Australia, just for reference? How much breakers here ask for one?
I would also like to ask this again:
Mickeym said:
Did any of the 4 doors from the Monaro platform ever make it across? VT, VX, VY etc.
I guess as a daily a 4 door could be more practical. Mickeym said:
I guess as a daily a 4 door could be more practical.
Yes, but not sure they were ever official imports.Check this recent thread out...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My experience is with a VXR8, it has been a daily driver for over 4 years and one or two things have gone wrong, but nothing that has stopped me driving it.
First problem was alternator sourced from Walkinshaw. Second problem was brakes all round sourced from Australia. Next issue starter motor sourced from RockAuto.
One or two small items from various places including Vauxhall themselves. Last problem was front wheel bearing ABS problem which needed ordering from from Australia.
Not one of these faults kept me from using the car on a daily basis. I have just learnt to listen to the car and be ready for what is going to break.
This is not a cheap car to run, but it is reliable really, I know the above list may seem a lot to some but I find it ok. Also compare it to other makes that have similar performance and the costs are similar.
Parts are not as easy to get as they are for a eurobox, but the satisfaction of sourcing them with help from the guys on here is great. I suppose it depends on your need to fix it or get someone else to fix it, or a combination like I do.
First problem was alternator sourced from Walkinshaw. Second problem was brakes all round sourced from Australia. Next issue starter motor sourced from RockAuto.
One or two small items from various places including Vauxhall themselves. Last problem was front wheel bearing ABS problem which needed ordering from from Australia.
Not one of these faults kept me from using the car on a daily basis. I have just learnt to listen to the car and be ready for what is going to break.
This is not a cheap car to run, but it is reliable really, I know the above list may seem a lot to some but I find it ok. Also compare it to other makes that have similar performance and the costs are similar.
Parts are not as easy to get as they are for a eurobox, but the satisfaction of sourcing them with help from the guys on here is great. I suppose it depends on your need to fix it or get someone else to fix it, or a combination like I do.
Personally for me, I wouldn't use my Monaro daily. Its a muscle car and driving it is an event. Using it all the time would taint the experience. Also keeping it (or at least getting it) into top shape and condition is all part of the enjoyment for me, much harder to do if its being used in all weathers and conditions.
I think in truth it would annoy me as a daily, they're not the easiest cars to drive.
I think in truth it would annoy me as a daily, they're not the easiest cars to drive.
Lincsls1 said:
Yes, but not sure they were ever official imports.
Check this recent thread out...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I thought they were, because I saw 2 different videos with Hammond reviewing them on Men&Motors from back in the day. Also one from Fifth Gear. I also remember seeing one on Ebay a while back.Check this recent thread out...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I guess the best chance to find one would be ebay then?
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