Looking for a Ute/Maloo

[Fatboy]

Hi Everyone,

I've had a hankering for a V8 pickup for a few years now, and really like the look of the Commodore Ute/Maloo (since I first saw one on Pistonheads news page years and years ago). I am finally in a position to be able to buy one, and have a few questions I hope you can help with - I've had a good read through the FAQs and the forum, apologies if I've missed something that's always getting asked!!!

These are pretty rare - I normally prefer Manual over Automatic, but there not being many up for sale I'm wondering if I should consider a good auto (Elite Car Co have a very nice looking auot one at the moment!) - what's the auto box like, is it pretty quick to change and smooth? (I had a BMW 750 that had a cracking auto box, and had a hire chevy impala with a bloody awful auto box, just wondering where the HSV one lies)...

What's the payload? I've found a few places with the towing capacity listed as 1600kg, but not the payload (found some forum posts on Aussie forums saying about 500kg) I wouldn't be using it primarily as a load lugger, but I move stuff around from time to time as I'm doing my house up so wondering what the capacity is...

Are there any known problems unique to the Ute version, or is it just a case of the same mechanicals as the Monaro/Commodore/VXR8?

Finally, anyone know where to look for them other than Pistonheads, Autotrader and Ebay?

Cheers,

Fatboy

[Fatboy]

Thanks Guys,

Am I right in thinking that the manual will be a Tremec T56?

I'm up in Cumbria, so will have to travel quite a bit to try out a few - I tried a manual VS ute (with the Holden V8) a couple of months ago, and really quite liked it, just needed a bit of work I didn't have time for.

I'll keep searching Autotrader/Pistonheads/ebay and see what comes up - is there a big difference between the earlier third generation (like this one) and the later 4th generation ones ( like this)

Cheers,

Fatboy

[Fatboy]

raving said:

That is absolutely gorgeous - love it

[Fatboy]

I definitely prefer manual gearboxes to autos, but with rare cars you can't always be that picky

What are they like on fuel? - can't be any worse than my old BMW 750

[Fatboy]

mikeyb1987 said:

Fatboy said:

Thanks Guys,

Am I right in thinking that the manual will be a Tremec T56?

I'm up in Cumbria, so will have to travel quite a bit to try out a few - I tried a manual VS ute (with the Holden V8) a couple of months ago, and really quite liked it, just needed a bit of work I didn't have time for.

I'll keep searching Autotrader/Pistonheads/ebay and see what comes up - is there a big difference between the earlier third generation (like this one) and the later 4th generation ones ( like this)

Cheers,

Fatboy

I'm based in Penrith, so if you wanted to try the same gearbox (albeit in a slightly different platform), you're more than welcome to.

That would be really great - I live just outside Ulverston and work in Barrow, I'll PM you my number.

[Fatboy]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say that after looking at a couple of really nice Utes, I bought one - the 2002 Monkfish tuned one

Very happy indeed - love it, just starting her up is an occasion Here's a few pictures, sorry they're crappy phopne pics, been too busy arsing about to take any decent pictures, will try and get some up in the lakes ...

[Fatboy]

Cheers Dudes

jameshsv said:

Fatboy said:

I definitely prefer manual gearboxes to autos, but with rare cars you can't always be that picky

What are they like on fuel? - can't be any worse than my old BMW 750

Wich model 750 did you have

E38 750iL - thread here, great fun, but decided to sell it on and keep the Porsche 944 instead.

[Fatboy]

Cheers Dude, the exhaust is brilliant, I love it