Vauxhall Monaro VXR500: Spotted
There's no such thing as an undesirable Monaro, but a VXR500? Now we're talking!
For those who don't think of 2006 as being that long ago, consider the Vauxhall Monaro VXR500 as proof of how the world has changed. And not necessarily for the better, either. To bid farewell to the Monaro ahead of the VXR8's arrival, Vauxhall UK collaborated with Greens Vauxhall to create an officially backed supercharger package - because nothing says au revoir quite as effectively as a shedload of extra power.
It gets better, too: Greens said the Harrop supercharger package would be safe for 600hp, but for the sake of the name Vauxhall stuck with a nice, round 500. With a warranty, too. And then charged less money for it than standard. Yep, in 2006, a standard V8 Monaro cost £36,995 - a VXR500 like this one was £35,995. Marvellous.
It was even quite good. Press cars were fitted with optional suspension and brake upgrades that sent the price soaring to £40k (that's sarcasm, don't worry), but spoke of a car largely able to keep check on the BMW M6-rivalling power output. Equipped with a tweaked exhaust and a short-shift kit also, the Monaro was every inch the big hearted, broad chested muscle car, yet with some real ability to back it up.
It won't be a shock to anyone that the model is starting to appreciate as they creep closer to classic status; once upon a time sub-£10k cars seemed plentiful, but not any longer. Unsurprisingly the VXR500s are the most desirable, given their rarity (just 18 were sold), additional power and status as the very last model.
This one is absolutely immaculate. Fitted with all the extras recommended at the time - Wortec exhaust, uprated suspension, AP Racing brakes and the short shift kit - this VXR500 has somehow only covered 14,000 miles in 13 years. With services every year it hasn't been SORNd, this must be one of the best condition vehicles available from 2006 - leave alone Monaros in particular.
As a result it's for sale at £44,495, or near enough £10k more than its new price. You don't need us to tell you that's more than any other Monaro or VXR8 currently on PH by some margin (it's the same price as some Lotus Carltons, in fact), though none of those cars will be quite as significant or as rare as a 500. And yes, you could buy a cheaper car and overhaul it yourself to create something similar, but then it wouldn't be the car that marked the end of Monaros in the UK and had official backing. It would just be a modified Monaro.
So while it will look a lot to some for a 13 year-old Vauxhall - particularly with the wealth of newer V8 alternatives available - there are surely enough fans of the breed in the UK for this Monaro to find a buyer. Horrible cliche though it will sound, there isn't going to be a better one...
SPECIFICATION - VAUXHALL MONARO VXR500
Engine: 5,967cc, supercharged V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 500@6,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 500@3,200rpm
MPG: 19.5
CO2: Plenty
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 14,371
Price new: £35,995
Yours for: £44,495
But it was also great value (cheap to run apart from fuel) and this just isn't.
No need to pander to such a low mileage either as they will do very high miles without complaint. (Well the drivetrain will same can't be said for brakes)
Personally I'd happily get another warmed up VXR /Senator as a budget M5 that I don't have to care about.
Think a standard VXR is more than powerful enough, add a supercharger = serious fun
Didn’t realise there were only 18 VXR500s sold! Based on that it is probably worth it in today’s crazy market. Would be less worried about a standard one with a supercharger added, I mean you would want to be the one who turned that 18 to 17 on how many left
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if it has to have for seats:
ZL1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
VXR8 GTS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Everyone who’s into cars should give one a try.
Everyone who’s into cars should give one a try.
£10k more and you’d be doing the same with a C6.
Or if you want to go cheaper. £6-8k for a 4th Gen Camaro. Same engine and trans as the Monaro. And lighter too.
A nice supercharged S197 Mustang will be half the cost of this VXR.
Now don’t get me wrong. The Lotus Carlton shows there is a market for a fast big Vauxhall. And maybe in time the VXR will have a similar allure. But today in 2019 I think you’d have to be rather insane to consider spending £45k on a 15 year old Holden.
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