Manual V8 - Monaro or M5 or ?

[redgriff500]

I've recently been driving a Soarer V8 and I love the noise (the exhaust has had the 4 rear boxes deleted) and the instant power delivery.

But I hate Autos and they were all autos.

There don't seem to be many manual V8's made these days the Monaro and M5 being the exception.

Around £10 - 15k is there anything else worth considering and has anyone owned both ?

I want something that will be fun really.

I expect the M5 is the 'better' car but I also suspect it could attract some horrific bills which presumably the more basic Monaro won't.

I won't cover many miles but fitting 3 kids in the back would be helpful which I don't think the Monaro can do but its not essential.

[useyourdellusion]

It may be a bit cramped in the back, but what about a Cerbera?

[LuS1fer]

4th gen Mustangs 1993-2002 are available with a 6 speed manual and of course mustangs have 5 speed boxes.

[dvs_dave]

V8, 4 seats, manual, in your budget, Audi S4, A6 4.2, BMW 535/540i, last gen Maserati Quattroporte (think it had a V8?), TVR Cerbera (left field choice)

[CraigyMc]

redgriff500 said:

I expect the M5 is the 'better' car but I also suspect it could attract some horrific bills which presumably the more basic Monaro won't.

I've not driven an M5, but I have driven a couple of recent monaros (well - VXRs but much the same thing).

The steering was as slack as a slack thing - Nice v8 though. From what I know of passenger rides in M5's, the steering will be hugely different in feel: precise.

C

[300bhp/ton]

redgriff500 said:

I've recently been driving a Soarer V8 and I love the noise (the exhaust has had the 4 rear boxes deleted) and the instant power delivery.

But I hate Autos and they were all autos.

There don't seem to be many manual V8's made these days the Monaro and M5 being the exception.

Around £10 - 15k is there anything else worth considering and has anyone owned both ?

I want something that will be fun really.

I expect the M5 is the 'better' car but I also suspect it could attract some horrific bills which presumably the more basic Monaro won't.

I won't cover many miles but fitting 3 kids in the back would be helpful which I don't think the Monaro can do but its not essential.

Others I'd say would be TVR's (Chim, Griff, Cerb), Corvettes, (ZR-1, C5) and Mustang's (sn95 Mach 1, Cobra or s197 GT).

[eztiger]

vxr8? with some patience and haggling you *might* get into one of them for 15k or not much more.

Three seats in the back.

[crusty]

Having exactly the same criteria, I managed to find a 645ci with a manual box.

Seems like a bargain compared to the other choices

[anonymous-user]

redgriff500 said:

There don't seem to be many manual V8's made these days the Monaro and M5 being the exception.

Around £10 - 15k is there anything else worth considering

C5 Corvette is missing from your list! A properly engineered V8 with minimal running costs.

Unless you're in search of a saloon car. The kids won't want to be thrown around in the back of a cramped vehicle anyway. Better to have another car for that job and avoid the impossible compromise.

[redgriff500]

Thanks for the replies

TBH I started looking for a Z06 Corvette but they were a bit much for the use it'll get. Also I don't really like their looks nor LHD - I've driven loads and don't mind it in a truck but I don't like changing gear with my right hand.

As I wanted fun I immediately discounted 4wd and Audi.

[redgriff500]

eztiger said:

vxr8? with some patience and haggling you *might* get into one of them for 15k or not much more.

Three seats in the back.

I didn't realise they had different rear seats.

I've seen them from £13k and prefer the looks but the reviews seemed to think the older cars were 'harder edged'

[rex]

Masserati 4200. Cracking engine and very quick steering. Adults can fit in the back.

If feeling brave then a 3200GT Manual.

[eztiger]

redgriff500 said:

I didn't realise they had different rear seats.

I've seen them from £13k and prefer the looks but the reviews seemed to think the older cars were 'harder edged'

I have a monaro, so I'm not 100% definitive on the VXR8 but my understanding is 3 full size seats in the back as opposed to two for the monaro.

You'd be doing well at 13k!? Older cars (2007..) have popped up occasionally for ~16-17. AFAIK the only differences between older vxr8's and newer is engine (and warranty status..)

LS2 6.0 versus the newer LS3 6.2

I don't think there's much else different, though if this is a path you'd be interested in join us over in the HSV forum and folk will happily set you straight

Or you can go cheaper and 'older' in terms of platform and go for a monaro. Though you'll lose the extra seat.