Old(ish) Monaro......new Monaro...........

Old(ish) Monaro......new Monaro...........

Author
Discussion

simonb9

Original Poster:

12,630 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
Didn't want to steal somebodies elses thread concerning the differencies between old and new Monaro's so I thought I'd start my own.

It sound like there are various differences between the 04 CV8 and 04 VXR (brakes, diff, suspension, bodykit,etc).

But it doesn't sound like there is such a gulf between the 05 CV8 and 05 VXR, is this true ?? They look very similar with both having the same bonnets and bodykits seem the same, the brakes have been upgraded on the CV8 to near similar (thanks Mackie for starting the other thread !!) is the suspension and diff the same ??

Whereas it sounds like you would have to spend a bit on a 04 CV8 to get it to near 04 VXR spec, you might be better getting an 05 CV8 if they are a few grand cheaper than an 05 VXR if they are 'nearly' as good in specification ??

SB

Well_Fans

4,193 posts

225 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
only problem with 05 cv8 is they look damn ugly next to the sweeping curves of the front splitter on an 04 plate. And don't get me started on the cheap plastic insert at the rear and that cheap black lacquer finish in the interior instead of the much better carbon fibre effect....paperbag

wortec1

372 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
one big difference between 05CV8 and 05 VXR is the 05 VXR has a 6.0ltr engine......

simonb9

Original Poster:

12,630 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
Oh yeah...........forgot the obvious difference in that the VXR has the 6.0 litre engine.

Apart from the 6.0 litre engine that the VXR has and some plastic looking bits here and there, what has the 05 CV8 ever done to us ??

V8 EOL

2,781 posts

223 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
... and the boot. The best thing about a 04 Monaro IMHO is it goes almost like a supercar, carries 4 people in comfort and you get a huge boot.

Without the boot it the car becomes a compromise. Compromise is OK, but what do you get in return? A MX5 has a small boot but you accept it because it is a small sports roadster. The Monaro is a muscle car; big, comfortable, fast, good looking and practical. A 05 Monaro is longer than a A8 but has the boot the size of a handbag.

wortec1

372 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
I think the 05 CV8 is a good buy........has a lovely sound when the exhaust is changed and drives very sweet when the electronic throttle is sorted..... BUT it does not stop or handle so the VXR wins here again.

Order of preferance for me is..........

1. 05 VXR
2. 04 VXR
3. 05 CV8
4. 04 CV8

mackie1

8,153 posts

234 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
The later model boot is rediculous. Was the reason for it really US crash regs or was it just to allow for the twin exit exhaust?

I response to the above would you put the 04 CV8 higher if it had the VXR brakes? For me the lack of decent boot is killer in such a car.

As an aside... what's the best exhaust for the 04 CV8 if you want refined cruising but with a nice audible burble at low engine speeds and with a touch of NASCAR at high rpms? What kind of cost am I looking at?



Edited by mackie1 on Thursday 24th August 18:04

wortec1

372 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
The latter..............

mackie1

8,153 posts

234 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
wortec1 said:
The latter..............


Misguided if you ask me :/ Yes the twin pipes look cool but it's such a big sacrifice.

GSI_Daz

1,830 posts

221 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
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I have always been under the impression it was because of US regs that they changed it

caspy

1,791 posts

237 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
GSI_Daz said:
I have always been under the impression it was because of US regs that they changed it


There were a number of reasons that it was moved, re-engineering for the US market was one of them. If they hadn't it would probably have meant that production would have stopped in 2004 and we would never have had the 05 models including the 6.0. I know which i would prefer in an ideal world, but something was better than nothing.

Edited by caspy on Thursday 24th August 18:49

Ali_T

3,379 posts

258 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
Almost certain due to the US sales. Us crash regs meant that no fuel tank can be outwith the wheelbase so the only place left on the Monaro was above and slightly ahead of the rear axle. Once the Pontiac GTO cauight on, it was outselling all other market (UK and Aus) Monaros by 10:1 or more, so Pontiac got to call the shots. That's what the silly nostrils are for, to resemble the '67 GTO. Any excuse by GM that it's for cooling is nullified by the fact that they're no-cost delete options on the 2006 GTO.

caspy

1,791 posts

237 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
Ali_T said:
Almost certain due to the US sales. Us crash regs meant that no fuel tank can be outwith the wheelbase so the only place left on the Monaro was above and slightly ahead of the rear axle. Once the Pontiac GTO cauight on, it was outselling all other market (UK and Aus) Monaros by 10:1 or more, so Pontiac got to call the shots. That's what the silly nostrils are for, to resemble the '67 GTO. Any excuse by GM that it's for cooling is nullified by the fact that they're no-cost delete options on the 2006 GTO.


I would question the fuel tank crash reg statement as I think they still sell a derivitive of the Commodore rebadged as a GM product in the US with the rear mounted tank. I think!!!

Swordfishcoupe

503 posts

221 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
Hello,

In defence to the 05 CV8s, they have quite a few enhancements compared to the 04' inc exhaust (stock still too quiet), nicer gear change (compared to the bus shifter I drove on a new 04 testdrive), better stock brakes and for me visually a lot nicer.

Ok, the 04 has very clean lines (but not very exciting) but I just much preferred the 05 model which is why I bought one. Just a shame about the silly small boot, but it does not bother me.

Cheers
Steven



V6 JDT

1,275 posts

223 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
I'll swap if any of the 05 VXR owners want a Monaro with a bigger boot rofl

rocket

1,282 posts

285 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
Well Fans said:
only problem with 05 cv8 is they look damn ugly next to the sweeping curves of the front splitter on an 04 plate. And don't get me started on the cheap plastic insert at the rear and that cheap black lacquer finish in the interior instead of the much better carbon fibre effect....

Horses for courses really. In my opinion the front is better looking and the rear is much better looking on the 05 CV8 compared with the 04. Overall the 05 has a much more aggressive appearance. We were originally going to buy an 04, but missed out. We were most disapointed until we saw the new 05!

And ok the boot is smaller, but we've completed a 2 week driving holiday with luggage for 4 of us without a problem. It's a small price to pay for the pleasure of driving around in such a rare, beautiful, powerful machine.

End of the day...they're all fab

doleboy

747 posts

218 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
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Two weeks worth of clothes in an 05? Must have been hot where you were

Well_Fans

4,193 posts

225 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
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he's a naturist - only way a family of 4 are going to get 2 weeks worth of stuff into the boot of an 05 plate

rocket

1,282 posts

285 months

Thursday 24th August 2006
quotequote all
That's right...a coupe of thongs, a pair of sandals, and a biiiiig bottle of aftersun!

motomk

2,155 posts

245 months

Friday 25th August 2006
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It is the fuel tank, that is the only reason it was put int he boot for the US. We had the car since 2001 with the tank where the 2004 UK Monaro had it. When the US got on board, it had to go in front of the rear axle like the new VE has the tank over the rear axle.

motomk