You ever been tempted by the Vauxhall Monaro?
Discussion
I think you'll find it pretty souless coming from a TVR,their still good cars that won't give any trouble for mega miles.
I bought the ute version for towing and collecting bits and pieces and don't find it very rewarding,besides in the wet,could be something to do with no weight over the rear wheels
How about a older M5 or S6?
I bought the ute version for towing and collecting bits and pieces and don't find it very rewarding,besides in the wet,could be something to do with no weight over the rear wheels
How about a older M5 or S6?
v8sag said:
I think you'll find it pretty souless coming from a TVR,their still good cars that won't give any trouble for mega miles.
I bought the ute version for towing and collecting bits and pieces and don't find it very rewarding,besides in the wet,could be something to do with no weight over the rear wheels
How about a older M5 or S6?
I bought the ute version for towing and collecting bits and pieces and don't find it very rewarding,besides in the wet,could be something to do with no weight over the rear wheels
How about a older M5 or S6?
I'd love an M5. But, our family car is 5 series sports touring - and I just can't get comfortable. :-( One day someone will design and develop a car that does everything :-)
I've toyed with various jack of all trades cars over the years, but have come to find as the saying goes they are master of none.
Better, if you can do it, to have a few different cars that are best suited to the jobs they have to do. I've got a hot hatch for blasting around town and visiting clients, an MPV for family stuff and the Cerb for putting a grin on my face - all do their job well and there isn't much cross-over between them.
Alas, the government doesn't think the same way with their new idea of car tax being a four number for anything slightly larger than a Smart Car
Better, if you can do it, to have a few different cars that are best suited to the jobs they have to do. I've got a hot hatch for blasting around town and visiting clients, an MPV for family stuff and the Cerb for putting a grin on my face - all do their job well and there isn't much cross-over between them.
Alas, the government doesn't think the same way with their new idea of car tax being a four number for anything slightly larger than a Smart Car
I really like the Monaro, but it's a shame that in the later 400bhp car, they put the fuel tank in the boot which seriously reduces the practicality.
It appeals to me as a sort of RHD Corvette, with rear seats.
But if they actually made an official RHD 'Vette, that would be even more tempting...
It appeals to me as a sort of RHD Corvette, with rear seats.
But if they actually made an official RHD 'Vette, that would be even more tempting...
I test drove both the variants whilst waiting for my Tuscan to be built hoping that it would be a good compromise. The cheaper one is the one to get as the difference between the 2 hardly justifies the price. However neither is a patch on any TVR for Driving thrills. Too heavy really and just too big.
Never tempted with the Monaro - perhaps the RS4 for rainy days though??
Back in 2001 I drove a Vectra as a company car - and don't think I will ever recover from the Vauxhall badge... sorry! Monaro may be a different thing - but the badge will forever haunt me...
Go for the RS4 instead. If you've got the cash...
Back in 2001 I drove a Vectra as a company car - and don't think I will ever recover from the Vauxhall badge... sorry! Monaro may be a different thing - but the badge will forever haunt me...
Go for the RS4 instead. If you've got the cash...
mrbongo said:
Never tempted with the Monaro - perhaps the RS4 for rainy days though??
Back in 2001 I drove a Vectra as a company car - and don't think I will ever recover from the Vauxhall badge... sorry! Monaro may be a different thing - but the badge will forever haunt me...
Go for the RS4 instead. If you've got the cash...
Back in 2001 I drove a Vectra as a company car - and don't think I will ever recover from the Vauxhall badge... sorry! Monaro may be a different thing - but the badge will forever haunt me...
Go for the RS4 instead. If you've got the cash...
I know what you mean about the badge - had a Vectra as a company car one.
RS4? If I did have the cash - I think - RS6 - looks the business and sounds lovely.
Dav
RS6 - brilliant to drive, and sounds great, but pretty pricey still, S6 nowhere near the same feel. Older M5, great choice (at least, I hope so) 
Not giving up my TVR, though!
Looked at the Monaro at the Motorshow and it did look good, but not having driven one can't comment further, except to say I think for image the model may transcend the badge (think Holden, think Aussie racing, and it sounds better).
Not giving up my TVR, though! Looked at the Monaro at the Motorshow and it did look good, but not having driven one can't comment further, except to say I think for image the model may transcend the badge (think Holden, think Aussie racing, and it sounds better).
I get a strange level of enjoyment, actually, out of owning my Monaro when people go "but it's a Vauxhall" it makes me laugh, smacks somewhat of badge snobbery/lack of knowledge IMHO (but dont get me wrong, I know there have been some AWFUL Vauxhalls). Those in the know (like most of your good selves) know that, in fact it is a HSV, an Australian car and sold here by GM under the Vauxhall name.
I get a lot more pleasure when people come up and say "that's a nice HSV" etc etc.. They know what the car is and what it is capable of..
And before I get a TVR backlash
I have owned 2 TVR's a Chimaera as well as a T350c. I was just as passionate (and still am!) about standing up for my Tiv's when I got the endless "doesnt it always break down", "whens the rebuild" etc etc etc comment.
All IMHO, of course
Cheers
MikeGF
I get a lot more pleasure when people come up and say "that's a nice HSV" etc etc.. They know what the car is and what it is capable of..
And before I get a TVR backlash
I have owned 2 TVR's a Chimaera as well as a T350c. I was just as passionate (and still am!) about standing up for my Tiv's when I got the endless "doesnt it always break down", "whens the rebuild" etc etc etc comment.
All IMHO, of course
Cheers
MikeGF
Yes, I have. But I havent tried one.
I have however tried an MGZT 4.6 and it is a LOVELY drive. Really nice sound, lots of torque, very rapid and firm ride, with all the toys and protection with air con for the hot weather.
But it aint a Griff and I'd rather have Bluey plus Vera back on the road for alternative driving.
Must try a Monaro one day.
I have however tried an MGZT 4.6 and it is a LOVELY drive. Really nice sound, lots of torque, very rapid and firm ride, with all the toys and protection with air con for the hot weather.
But it aint a Griff and I'd rather have Bluey plus Vera back on the road for alternative driving.
Must try a Monaro one day.
Yes ! , had a test drive in one and thought it was good , especially as i hate badge snobs , and engineering marketing of a lot of the German bands like Audi VAG group who are to complicated (over priced over rated and resting on previous efforts ) and much more unreliable than most of the more lesser thought of cars ie. Ford and Vauxhall.
Anyway its a tough basic old school motor , very tune-able engine and how many do you see !!.
I live in a seaside area which is where the Cheshire set own holiday homes the yacht club / come beach
car park is full of Rs4, RS6 , Porkers , Bentley GT's , DB9 Volante , Vanquish , God knows how many Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports, ML's , X5 . But you know ,no Monaro's.
Best thing is prices are starting to really take a dive on the base models , so they could be a good buy in the near future .
Anyway its a tough basic old school motor , very tune-able engine and how many do you see !!.
I live in a seaside area which is where the Cheshire set own holiday homes the yacht club / come beach
car park is full of Rs4, RS6 , Porkers , Bentley GT's , DB9 Volante , Vanquish , God knows how many Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports, ML's , X5 . But you know ,no Monaro's.
Best thing is prices are starting to really take a dive on the base models , so they could be a good buy in the near future .
Edited by Rum Runner on Friday 11th August 20:52
Yes, im on my second and they are superb.
I hate vauxhalls but the fact its badged as one just makes me chuckle. I have owned TVR, Porsche, AMG, M, Ferrari and its possibly the best value performance car I have had. Once you get used to the car you realise its just got loads of grunt and throttle adjustability.
When you can buy a Monaro for 16k I have to question why people would bother spending twice this on an older M5 or M3, or for that matter why I spent £67k on my last Porsche or so much maintaining my TVR every 6k miles.
What led me to it was the thought that what I really wanted was a 4 seater corvette with a bellowing 5.7 litre engine. When I realised a nearly new Monaro could be bought for the same price as an 8 year old Vette, plus it handled better with independent rear suspension it was a done deal.
There are only 50 2004 VXR's about so that makes it one of the most exclusive cars on the road, which should hold its value and proove relatively bomb proof to run.
Bennno
A Monaro is one of the only cars I really would swap the Griff for. On a trip to Aus 2 years ago I got hooked. Aussies are either Ford or Holden fans - there doesn't seem to be any middle ground! The Monaro is like a modern day Capri (in its day) over there. It's an everyday sight and yet people still stop and stare. I popped into a Holden dealer after a cheeky brochure and was expecting to be given short shrift (imagine trying the same for a VX220 in the UK if it's obvious you've absolutely no intention of buying). The sales people fell over themselves to help me - I had a brochure and a special edition brochure, they opened up a forecourt car for me, let me take pictures etc.
Anyway back to the car - YES. But - sorry - it'd have to be a Holden! Badge snobbery aside, it IS a Holden - not a Vauxhall. Aussies are rightly proud that their domestic GM arm conceived and built the Monaro, then got it exported to the UK and the US.
For me it'd be a last of the original shape cars.
Anyway back to the car - YES. But - sorry - it'd have to be a Holden! Badge snobbery aside, it IS a Holden - not a Vauxhall. Aussies are rightly proud that their domestic GM arm conceived and built the Monaro, then got it exported to the UK and the US.
For me it'd be a last of the original shape cars.
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