Couple of beginners questions

[Raggyman]

The reliablity of the Holden is generally pretty awesome. My last holden before the one I have now was awesome, and nothing really went wrong with it. Plus it is pretty easy to do your own work on it as well.

[Well_Fans]

if you want a closer look at a monaro I can probably arrange to meet up with you some evening/weekend. Based in Motherwell so cant be that far away from you. If you want to see a "modified" version though Dave52 from Edinburgh is probably the closest. You could perhaps come along next time we're getting together.

[jagsy]

V8HSV said:

or buy a second hand 4 dr HSV GTS, around £17k currently

A HSV GTS is a hell of a buy and you will have hours of fun - no dis respect to the scooby, but all my scobby mates love the HSV....

[V8D]

The Monaro engine (LSx) was pinched from the Corvette, and was designed by GM to power the C5 5th generation Vette. It contains some very sound and clever engineering to make it very strong and light compared to the older SBC (itself, very strong) It is very understressed, bhp/liter is low compared to revvy 4 bangers. The std PCM is packed with "anti-abuse" strategies to stop you breaking it. It Is now used in many applications including the Mon, Chevy GMC trucks, camaros etc, and has proven to be extremely reliable. I have a 04 CV8 (Wortec'd) and a 2000 C5 Vette, (Stock at the mo)- different beasts but a shared DNA, and both pretty damned bullet-proof in the engine/trans dept.
Plenty of spare strength to cope with even quite radical mods from what I've seen the Vette guys do. They commute during the week and drag race at the weekend! If only I had the time!!!!
Just be sure and change the oil twice as often as required.

[fat-tam]

Thanks again for all the replys/info....

you guys seem to be saying what I wanna hear :-)

Well Fans... I work in EK so not to far from yourself... I think I would prefer to see a standard one as I don't see myself doing any real mods... a chip and exhaust at the most probably... I do 70 miles a day commute at the moment and this could go up (the life of an IT contractor....) I have resisted the temptation to modify the impreza apart from melting various pistons etc and would like to keep the monaros running costs down....

I wouldn't mind seeing a monaro as I have only ever seen them on the road as I pass them by..... ;-) and have never had a chance to check out the boring things like interior etc...

Ok so it was only the once and I was late for work....

due to budget constraints I will be looking at an earlier (2004) monaro... This I beleive is about 333bhp? the newer ones appear to be 354 is there much of a difference? (don't say 21..) anyone any experience with the basic wortec chip upgrade? should take it up to ~375 according to there literature which I think I will need to have a significant performance hike over the scooby...

is the 2004 car ok or is it worth trying to find the extra pennies?

cheers

Fat Tam

>> Edited by fat-tam on Tuesday 18th April 21:08

[V8D]

The std 04 is a fantastic car, right out of the box. I chose the CV8 over the VXR cos it is a much nicer ride when you do alot of miles like I do. The VXR seems very harsh if you go far in it. CV8 handles v well for what it is. Big problem is the brakes. They aint good if you like to have fun. The money I saved not going for the VXR has allowed me to buy the big APs which are just awesome. I have also done the Wortec stuff, headers, decat, straight through centres with no rear box at all. Larger MAF and CAI, I'm told its around 440bhp at the moment. And I still have cash in hand. Depends what you want it for I guess, and whether you want the new styling etc on the new model. To me, the more understated the better, I'd sooner pay for bhp than looks.
Just my thoughts, whatever you get I'm sure you'll love it!!!!

[ringram]

Just saw an 04 vxr on autotrader for £22. Not bad for the uprated exhaust, breaks, suspension and power.

[Dan_S V8]

If you want to go for serious HP get the CV8, the £10,000 you save buys a lot of Hp (Turbo kit, Brakes, Suspension) but I just love the looks of the VXR, best looking car on the road short of Ferrari and other exotica IMO (we currently have a CV8 with 420bhp, same mods as V8D but we are getting a 6.0l VXR shortly) but it's really your choice. IF you have enough cash go for the VXR, that extra 300cc and the LS6 style heads and LS6 cam make a lot of difference to potential power if/when you upgrade with headers, exhaust and re-map etc. and the better suspension and brakes also make a difference, but some still upgrade to Ap's and a fully adjustable set-up to make a track animal!

[booster]

Shame it's sold now but you would have got yourself a real bargain with mine.

[oe_cosgrove]

Good thread.....I would have replied go for an HSV GTS or GTSR if you want serious performance and handling compared to the 'softer' Monaros. Even a VXR will need upgrading to handle and stop anything like an HSV and I stand to be corrected but doesnt the higher fuel tank in the later model Monaros, (the ones with the twin exhausts either side), compromise the handling compared to the earlier cars? No problem unless you are a dedicated Track Day enthusiast I guess though.

I have had zero problems with a standard HSV GTS and a seriously tuned GTS 'R' spec car and would recommend either of them. Not a lot of money will allow you to more than match even a fire-breathing EVO and on a circuit they really are as good. The fastest Subarus I've so far encountered are not in the same league as either the HSVs or the EVOs come to that! Nothing has as much road presence as a VXR IMHO, although the lesser model Monaros and HSVs come close.

Very best of luck whatever you choose, if you get a Holden you will share the biggest grin in automotive history with those 'in the know'

[barking]

my lesser model '04 cv8 has twice the boot space, necessay for family use, and i do not feel the need for fake air scoops to make my presence knowm on the road

[v8d]

well said, mr barking!

[oe_cosgrove]

barking said:

my lesser model '04 cv8 has twice the boot space, necessay for family use, and i do not feel the need for fake air scoops to make my presence knowm on the road

Apologies........was only trying to differentiate between the models not put anything down. I dont consider the HSVs or CV8s to be 'lesser' models in the sense you and the last poster read it either, in fact I rate the 4 door above the 2 door but irrelevant in this thread I thought, and aware it would have prompted inappropriate responses. Like yours

[caspy]

oe_cosgrove said:

Good thread.....I would have replied go for an HSV GTS or GTSR if you want serious performance and handling compared to the 'softer' Monaros. Even a VXR will need upgrading to handle and stop anything like an HSV and I stand to be corrected but doesnt the higher fuel tank in the later model Monaros, (the ones with the twin exhausts either side), compromise the handling compared to the earlier cars? No problem unless you are a dedicated Track Day enthusiast I guess though. I have had zero problems with a standard HSV GTS and a seriously tuned GTS 'R' spec car and would recommend either of them. Not a lot of money will allow you to more than match even a fire-breathing EVO and on a circuit they really are as good. The fastest Subarus I've so far encountered are not in the same league as either the HSVs or the EVOs come to that! Nothing has as much road presence as a VXR IMHO, although the lesser model Monaros and HSVs come close. Very best of luck whatever you choose, if you get a Holden you will share the biggest grin in automotive history with those 'in the know'

The VXR is a HSV. Same spec as HSV GTO for sale in OZ.

[oe_cosgrove]

caspy said:

The VXR is a HSV. Same spec as HSV GTO for sale in OZ.

Oops...........apologies again, you are of course correct, the VXR is an HSV and has an under-bonnet plate to prove it. Note to self...'DO NOT POST EARLY HOURS WHEN KERNACKERED'! Sorry