Why did you get a Monaro?
Discussion
When i was 18 i bought a Plymouth Cuda with no engine
which i started to restore got most of the bodywork
done and a 440 big block up and running then sold it as an
unfinishied project when i bought a house,Promised myself
i would have another V8 one day just didn't think i would be 39
when i got it.
Just bought another house and the V8 is stopping this time
which i started to restore got most of the bodywork
done and a 440 big block up and running then sold it as an
unfinishied project when i bought a house,Promised myself
i would have another V8 one day just didn't think i would be 39
when i got it.
Just bought another house and the V8 is stopping this time
This is my first entry to this and in fact any forum as I will be picking up a Vz Monaro tommorrow. Let me begin. Untill 3 weeks ago other than a vague recollection of something on Top Gear years ago, I had no idea Monaros existed. Being more of an off road bike man i've had no particular interest in owning a fast car. That said, I've always loved my drag racing and have been mesmerised by the machinery from Mad Max since I was a ten year old kid. Things started happening when a work colleagues lexus soarer finaly bit the dust and required replacement. I suggested (since he was a V8 man and not scared of an import) that there may be some V8 holdens in the country. A quick look on ebay revealed the hidden truth. That weekend we had a look at one and then a test drive (a VZ). I can honestly say that I have never looked at a car or bike that turned out to be better in the flesh than in the photo. I mean it was unbelievable! it just made everything else on the Vauxhall forecourt look stupid. The test drive just made things even better. It drove like my 525 KTM rides. Quite happy to potter about at 30 all day but open it up and Jesus. Decision was made F*** it I've go to have one. I only went along to help a mate and £16,500 later i've ended up with a red 1 owner 20,000 mile vz minter with factory pipe, remap, ripshifter and ap brakes plus a years vauxhall warranty. And to think, I could have spent the money on a Mondeo diesel! Unbelievable value. Sorry to ramble on if your still reading but can I say how usefull this forum has been to me over the last few weeks and thank all the contributers, for ironing out all those "what am i doing" doubts and questions on what could have potentially have been a tricky purchase. Cheers all, cant wait till tommorrow.
I bought one because the 350Z only had 2 seats and I was fedup with saying 'I'll have one of those one day'. So, one loan and a mortgage increase later, I have a red 07 VXR ro. Now my wife tells me a baby is on the way, silly me, I should have had my b...s cut off when I had the lobotomy to increase the mortgage.
Saying that, in the few months I've been driving it, the grin factor is bigger than ever. The fact that it has 6ltr is the best grin amplifier as my previous biggest cars were 2.8i crapi and TVR 2.8i Tasmin. It does need a super charger and bigger tyres but only if I can keep it another 12 months.
In the meantime I need to look at swapping my wifes Puma for something with 4 doors. If I can keep her happy then maybe I can keep the Ro a bit longer.
Regards.
Saying that, in the few months I've been driving it, the grin factor is bigger than ever. The fact that it has 6ltr is the best grin amplifier as my previous biggest cars were 2.8i crapi and TVR 2.8i Tasmin. It does need a super charger and bigger tyres but only if I can keep it another 12 months.
In the meantime I need to look at swapping my wifes Puma for something with 4 doors. If I can keep her happy then maybe I can keep the Ro a bit longer.
Regards.
Bought mine for a number of reasons.
Firstly saw it on Top Gear and though I gotta have one of those at some point. I then saw my first one in the flesh driving past me as I left my work one night and it looked amazing. The 350z was great but the need for 4 seats was greater and I then started investigating buying one ... and here I am. Oh and it's a daily driver.
Firstly saw it on Top Gear and though I gotta have one of those at some point. I then saw my first one in the flesh driving past me as I left my work one night and it looked amazing. The 350z was great but the need for 4 seats was greater and I then started investigating buying one ... and here I am. Oh and it's a daily driver.
Yes, I think there are quite a few ex-TVRers amongst us. Previously we had a Cerb, but decided to change as it was costing a fortune to run and was getting a bit tight in the back for my 2 rapidly growing kids!
Why the Monaro....for it's rarity, good looks, practicality and off course thanks to TGs glowing report. Oh, and it had to be a V8 too. Over the last 2 years, the servicing cost of the Monaro has been about 1/10th that of the Cerb!!
Other considerations were....
New Mustang...but it's only LHD and won't fit in the garage.
Maser 4200...but running costs were likely to match that of the TVR.
M5...can't put up with the BMW image.
60s Yank muscle...Mrs rocket doesn't like them.
We don't drive ours every day, mainly because I commute via train. But otherwise we use it as much as possible, everything from European roadtrips to popping down the shops.
Why the Monaro....for it's rarity, good looks, practicality and off course thanks to TGs glowing report. Oh, and it had to be a V8 too. Over the last 2 years, the servicing cost of the Monaro has been about 1/10th that of the Cerb!!
Other considerations were....
New Mustang...but it's only LHD and won't fit in the garage.
Maser 4200...but running costs were likely to match that of the TVR.
M5...can't put up with the BMW image.
60s Yank muscle...Mrs rocket doesn't like them.
We don't drive ours every day, mainly because I commute via train. But otherwise we use it as much as possible, everything from European roadtrips to popping down the shops.
Top Gear seems to have had an effect - but then seeing it sliding across a beach does tend to do that 
I was a dedicated Calibra fan and owner and remember seeing the Monaro (Sans-badges) at the NEC back in 2003. I asked the lady why they had a Holden on the Vauxhall stand, to be told "It's not a Holden!" and apparantly was going to be a "new" model... yeah right. After that I kept an eye on it but figured it wasn't going to come over. So, I started drooling over the Corvette C6 (and I still do) but couldn't justify the £50k - nor could I afford it, actually!
At MPH 2005.. I sat in both the Vette and the 'Ro (sat next to each other actually) and would have had either - so given my wages, savings and recently sale of my old 911, went a bought the VXR. I DO love the car - but don't see me being able to justify it much longer
And I reckon I'll hold value better than folk think too.
I was a dedicated Calibra fan and owner and remember seeing the Monaro (Sans-badges) at the NEC back in 2003. I asked the lady why they had a Holden on the Vauxhall stand, to be told "It's not a Holden!" and apparantly was going to be a "new" model... yeah right. After that I kept an eye on it but figured it wasn't going to come over. So, I started drooling over the Corvette C6 (and I still do) but couldn't justify the £50k - nor could I afford it, actually!
At MPH 2005.. I sat in both the Vette and the 'Ro (sat next to each other actually) and would have had either - so given my wages, savings and recently sale of my old 911, went a bought the VXR. I DO love the car - but don't see me being able to justify it much longer
And I reckon I'll hold value better than folk think too.
willisit said:
I was a dedicated Calibra fan and owner and remember seeing the Monaro (Sans-badges) at the NEC back in 2003. I asked the lady why they had a Holden on the Vauxhall stand, to be told "It's not a Holden!" and apparantly was going to be a "new" model... yeah right. After that I kept an eye on it but figured it wasn't going to come over.
Very similar to will's story, I've grown up with every model of Astra ever available and got my biggest batch of penalty points at the helm of a modded Calibra Turbo at silly speeds (I loved that car but the dude in the funny wig didn't like it)...I too asked more questions than I think I was allowed to at the NEC back then and didn't believe that it would come to our shores, so much so that I went and spent TOO much on my old Astra Coupe Turbo which ended up making a visit to the pages of Total Vauxhall and soon afterwards was sold along with my tuned Mk5 Astra CDTI150 in favour of my snouted beastie...fast approaching 18 months with it in the family and when it's not sub-zero and snowy out in Germany it's the daily driver - and for the rest of the time there's the wee 1.2 gokart Corsa...Edited by baz7175 on Monday 31st December 14:54
I've always driven Vauxhalls, but I wasn't a great fan of the Monaro when it was first introduced. In October '06, however, I began to think they offered good value for a V8 'muscle car', and re-read the Autocar road test which confirmed it, so I decided to try one.
I purposely went for a 2004 CV8 to get decent boot space, and I prefer the more understated appearance compared with the VXR.
I have had the Essential Pac and Road Response Pac from Monkfish, but have no great desire for any other mods. I just don't need or desire any more horsepower, and I dislike noisy exhausts! I like the lazy, flexible and untemperamental nature of the car, and find it comfortable and easy to drive. The car is quick enough for my requirements, and the existing purposeful growl under acceleration is pleasant without being intrusive.
The most disappointing aspects of ownership have been the 'quality' of the dealers and the wait for parts through the dealer network, but I doubt that will be news to anybody reading this....
I purposely went for a 2004 CV8 to get decent boot space, and I prefer the more understated appearance compared with the VXR.
I have had the Essential Pac and Road Response Pac from Monkfish, but have no great desire for any other mods. I just don't need or desire any more horsepower, and I dislike noisy exhausts! I like the lazy, flexible and untemperamental nature of the car, and find it comfortable and easy to drive. The car is quick enough for my requirements, and the existing purposeful growl under acceleration is pleasant without being intrusive.
The most disappointing aspects of ownership have been the 'quality' of the dealers and the wait for parts through the dealer network, but I doubt that will be news to anybody reading this....
At first I considered a hot hatch to replace my aging Puma but I'd seen the Monaro on TG and read the press it got when it first came out in the UK and had always fancied one. Then one appeared in the classifieds on here for £15k and it was too tempting not too.
I love it. It's not perfect and I'm scared of having to buy new brake disks for it but it ticks all the right boxes for me.
I love it. It's not perfect and I'm scared of having to buy new brake disks for it but it ticks all the right boxes for me.
This following statement (direct quote) sums it all up really.
Dear All,
Have any of our politicians got the back bone to stand up and say something similar? I doubt it we seem to be saddled with a bunch of invertebrates!
Of course, they've recently had a change of government in Australia so perhaps this view point did not have as much support as first assumed!
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you", he said on National Television.
"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia: one the Australian law and another Islamic law that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option", Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off. Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who don't want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off", he said.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."
"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia." "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"
"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society. Learn the language!"
"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."
"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."
"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.
"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."
"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."
_______________________________________________________________________________-
and all I was worried about was upsetting everyone that I had a 6l fuel guzzeling V8 with a carbon foot print the size of the uk!
Dear All,
Have any of our politicians got the back bone to stand up and say something similar? I doubt it we seem to be saddled with a bunch of invertebrates!
Of course, they've recently had a change of government in Australia so perhaps this view point did not have as much support as first assumed!
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you", he said on National Television.
"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia: one the Australian law and another Islamic law that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option", Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off. Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who don't want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off", he said.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."
"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia." "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"
"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society. Learn the language!"
"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."
"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."
"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.
"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."
"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."
_______________________________________________________________________________-
and all I was worried about was upsetting everyone that I had a 6l fuel guzzeling V8 with a carbon foot print the size of the uk!
Gassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff