2006 Vauxhall Monaro V8 VXR

Guide price: £10,000 - £12,000

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

● 6.0-litre V8 producing 398bhp

● Manual gearbox and recent LS7 clutch

● Extensive history

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

One of the benefits of Vauxhall’s corporate parentage was the possibility of raiding the company store cupboard and, when the range needed a bit of sexing up in the mid-noughties, the allure of GM’s other right hand drive manufacturer proved irresistible.

Thus, the Holden Monaro was imported and reborn as a Vauxhall. What it lacked in some of the sophistication of the contemporary European competition, it more than made up for in its Aussie charm, with the throb of the sizeable V8 making it very much a modern muscle car.

Today, it’s one of the cheapest ways into a V8 with a manual gearbox and, as seen here in VXR specification, still a potent steer in its own right. That’s thanks to a 6.0-litre, 398bhp LS2 V8 which is almost worth the price of admission on its own.

This example comes with an extensive service history which includes the recent upgrade of an LS7 clutch and has been fitted with the almost-compulsory upgrade of a stainless steel performance exhaust to release the full aural potential of the monster engine.

Following the sad demise of Holden, they certainly won’t be making any more of these and with the appeal of a manual V8 coupe unlikely to diminish any time soon, it should be a sound investment as well as an absolute scream to drive.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

● Registered new 13 September 2006

● Original document wallet and owner’s manuals

● Two keys

● A generous sheaf of receipts included

● Treated by Rustmaster in 2010

● MOT valid to October 2024

● HPI clear

● V5 present in owner’s name. This car has had eight former keepers

● Extensive service history recorded in the book as follows:

08/2007 @8,530 miles

06/2008 @17,087 miles

05/2009 @25,191 miles

05/2010 @36,775 miles

03/2011 @46,577 miles

06/2012 @56,402 miles

01/2014 @62,934 miles

02/2015 @67,986 miles

02/2016 @76,667 miles

05/2017 @80,343 miles

08/2018 @85,082 miles

04/2019 @88,769 miles

08/2020 @91,542 miles

06/2021 @92,000 miles including LS7 clutch, performance air filter, gearbox mount (receipt present, book not stamped)

06/2022 @95,353 miles and the seller reports that this included the engine, gearbox and diff oil

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● Black leather electric memory seats with contrast white stitching and the VXR logo embossed on the seat backs

● Other refinements include rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, cruise control, air conditioning and a speed limiter

● A Bluetooth radio has been fitted but the original is also supplied with the car

● The driver’s seat has worn remarkably well while the passenger seat front squab could use a little TLC to bring it back to its best

● The stitching on the rear seats has come adrift at the top, which is a common problem with Monaros

● Clean boot with a fire extinguisher fitted to the side and a space saver spare under the floor

● In all, it’s generally very tidy and usable with a couple of areas for potential improvement but nothing that would get in the way of enjoying the drive

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● Aggressively styled with the full VXR treatment, it looks suitably menacing in black, with silver wheels and red brake callipers providing a nice contrast

● The paintwork is generally in good order with some stone chips, minor marks and scratches and a little lacquer peel around one of the V8 badges

● The wheels are all in good condition and wear a matching set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres with good tread

● Underneath there appears to be some surface corrosion but the rust proofing applied in 2010 has clearly done its job as there’s been no mention of any issues in the MOT history

● Overall, it’s very presentable for its age and mileage and, while there some areas that the next owner may choose to address, to our eyes it still looks great

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

● 6.0-litre LS2 V8 rated at 398bhp and good for 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 180mph

● Meets Euro 4 standards which means it is currently exempt from Low Emission Zone charges across the UK

● Six-speed manual gearbox and standard limited slip differential for when you want to disable the traction control

● Wortec cat back stainless steel exhaust to release more of the V8 woofle than the standard system; the owner reports that it sounds great but is still respectable in urban areas

● Last serviced in June 2022, two thousand miles ago, the next owner will probably want to give it a service and it’s thought to be in need of new rear discs and pads and brake hoses at the front

● Once refreshed, there should be many more years of enjoyment to be had

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

While it’s no slouch, if you prioritise character over outright performance then where better to get your performance fix than from a V8 coupe with a manual gearbox?

This is certainly amongst the most cost effective ways to do so at the moment and while there’s a few small items to attend to cosmetically and mechanically to make it perfect, the strong service history and mechanical simplicity mean that it shouldn’t be too much of a burden to run. We’ll certainly be a bit jealous of the next owner.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Ashwell, Leicestershire.