Why did you buy yours?
Discussion
mfp4073 said:
What is the overall opinion of Australians regarding the last Monaros and VXR8's now that they are getting on a bit and the factory has closed down?
I'm aware they can get a new HSV Camaro, but that seems a right arse on having to convert it to right hand drive, not to mention the price.
The modern Monaros are becoming much more sought after. The CV8 was the most popular when new purely due to being better value than the HSV version. People now see them as collectable. Same the equivalent VXR8s, although 2doors hold the value betterI'm aware they can get a new HSV Camaro, but that seems a right arse on having to convert it to right hand drive, not to mention the price.
Edited by mfp4073 on Friday 25th October 14:00
New camaros look good, but they are an American car, we just can’t get past that.
RipGMH said:
The modern Monaros are becoming much more sought after. The CV8 was the most popular when new purely due to being better value than the HSV version. People now see them as collectable. Same the equivalent VXR8s, although 2doors hold the value better
New camaros look good, but they are an American car, we just can’t get past that.
That's good news, I'm always curious to know what's happening in the Monaro's homeland, thanks for the info.New camaros look good, but they are an American car, we just can’t get past that.
John
jelevents said:
I'd seen them on Top Gear but in 2006 I went to the car show at London Excell centre called Mph06
sat in a brand new Monaro (in red obviously)
This was at the London motor show I think, but doubtless the same car. I sat in it too. It's funny because I was surprised that I 'fit'. I hadn't sat in a proper car before, and in my head I expected to be like a kid sat in my dad's car or something sat in a brand new Monaro (in red obviously)
Thought I'd dig the pics out for you
Ignore the tiny V8uk watermark, I wrote a tool years ago to watermark our pictures and that's the quickest thing I have to just instantly resize stuff so Thumbsnap lets you upload it!Photography was not my strong point
Back in Black said:
But really though, my old man kicked the bucket and one day I found a Lemans for sale in Birmingham very similar to what he drove. I thought about it for too long and then it was gone. Started looking at other muscle cars, but most of them were either out of reach or needed too much work.
Enjoy Monaro and blasting our ACDC
Great stories. And great idea for a topic.
Me? Two reasons: 1) I'd always wanted a 'proper' V8; and 2) I needed a bigger car for my growing family. Obviously, a Monaro was the only answer
Not entirely sure how Monaros first appeared on my radar. Haven't seen the Top Gear clips so wasn't that, so was probably evo's longtermer Monaros in 2005/06 that got my attention: proper engine, unusual, and realistically attainable - although still beyond my reach at that time.
My days of 2-seaters ended when kids arrived 7 years ago. Options for a v8-engined, family-friendly car I could use as a daily were limited and nothing within budget appealed, so I sensibly bought an e90 330i for family duties. But that was only after considering several V8s during my search. I got rid of the 330i after a few years as family life left no opportunity to enjoy it for fun (I get my thrills elsewhere on a mountainbike). I accepted my temporary fate and used the campervan as my sole vehicle. After another couple of years I'd had enough of that and bought a MINI as a cheap way into a fun car! But still I longed for a V8.
Fast-forward to 18 months ago and my 'hand was forced' by my kids outgrowing the MINI. I considered bigger, sensible(ish) replacements - the sort of thing a dad with a nod towards driving enjoyment typically drives. Looked at everything from a M135i or Golf GTI to more random things like a mk1 Focus RS (really nice on a test drive). But I still needed to scratch my V8 itch. Life's too short to drive a boring car. How many more times was I going to let the chance pass me by, especially with the way the future's looking for cars like ours? Brave pill swallowed, big boy pants pulled on, and I started looking. Within a few months I'd bought my Monaro.
It's been a long time coming but it's been worth the wait
Me? Two reasons: 1) I'd always wanted a 'proper' V8; and 2) I needed a bigger car for my growing family. Obviously, a Monaro was the only answer
Not entirely sure how Monaros first appeared on my radar. Haven't seen the Top Gear clips so wasn't that, so was probably evo's longtermer Monaros in 2005/06 that got my attention: proper engine, unusual, and realistically attainable - although still beyond my reach at that time.
My days of 2-seaters ended when kids arrived 7 years ago. Options for a v8-engined, family-friendly car I could use as a daily were limited and nothing within budget appealed, so I sensibly bought an e90 330i for family duties. But that was only after considering several V8s during my search. I got rid of the 330i after a few years as family life left no opportunity to enjoy it for fun (I get my thrills elsewhere on a mountainbike). I accepted my temporary fate and used the campervan as my sole vehicle. After another couple of years I'd had enough of that and bought a MINI as a cheap way into a fun car! But still I longed for a V8.
Fast-forward to 18 months ago and my 'hand was forced' by my kids outgrowing the MINI. I considered bigger, sensible(ish) replacements - the sort of thing a dad with a nod towards driving enjoyment typically drives. Looked at everything from a M135i or Golf GTI to more random things like a mk1 Focus RS (really nice on a test drive). But I still needed to scratch my V8 itch. Life's too short to drive a boring car. How many more times was I going to let the chance pass me by, especially with the way the future's looking for cars like ours? Brave pill swallowed, big boy pants pulled on, and I started looking. Within a few months I'd bought my Monaro.
It's been a long time coming but it's been worth the wait
I bought the Monaro because I've always liked big coupes and a V8 was on the bucket list. Growing up the big engine Capris were something to aspire to. The original Mad Max film probably had something to do with it too.
The Monaro passed me by when it first went on sale in the UK as I wasn't looking at buying a new car at the time and couldn't have afforded to run one anyway. Several year later I was searching for 3L+ coupes on auto trader and these big Vauxhalls started popping up. A bit of research and a debate as to whether an Alfa GT with the Busso V6 would be better and I was convinced the Holden was going to be my next car.
I still hadn't seen a Monaro on the road before I went to look at my first potential purchase and then it was a year before I actually bought one. I decided I preferred the understated looks of the 2004 CV8 and the big boot was a must as I occasionally need to lug quite a bit of kit about. It's my daily driver and only car so it needs to be something resembling practical.
I've kept the Vauxhall badging, mainly because it confuses people. No one knows what it is. My favourite comments have been "What kind of Vauxhall is that then?", "Is that a Calibra?" and "That's not a normal Vauxhall is it?".
I love the car for its looks and the LS1 engine but after 14 months and 15K miles it has not been all smiles. Despite doing my homework, looking at several cars and buying a 1 owner FSH car with a great MOT record I've had a number of issues. All fixable and largely age related but irritating and often expensive to get sorted. Due to this I would be cautious recommending one as a daily driver to anyone looking into it.
The Monaro has been the most problematic car I've owned but also the most unique and most fun. I'm not planning to move on anytime soon.
The Monaro passed me by when it first went on sale in the UK as I wasn't looking at buying a new car at the time and couldn't have afforded to run one anyway. Several year later I was searching for 3L+ coupes on auto trader and these big Vauxhalls started popping up. A bit of research and a debate as to whether an Alfa GT with the Busso V6 would be better and I was convinced the Holden was going to be my next car.
I still hadn't seen a Monaro on the road before I went to look at my first potential purchase and then it was a year before I actually bought one. I decided I preferred the understated looks of the 2004 CV8 and the big boot was a must as I occasionally need to lug quite a bit of kit about. It's my daily driver and only car so it needs to be something resembling practical.
I've kept the Vauxhall badging, mainly because it confuses people. No one knows what it is. My favourite comments have been "What kind of Vauxhall is that then?", "Is that a Calibra?" and "That's not a normal Vauxhall is it?".
I love the car for its looks and the LS1 engine but after 14 months and 15K miles it has not been all smiles. Despite doing my homework, looking at several cars and buying a 1 owner FSH car with a great MOT record I've had a number of issues. All fixable and largely age related but irritating and often expensive to get sorted. Due to this I would be cautious recommending one as a daily driver to anyone looking into it.
The Monaro has been the most problematic car I've owned but also the most unique and most fun. I'm not planning to move on anytime soon.
SturdyHSV said:
Glad you finally made the plunge, although I think having a standard exhaust is possibly a bannable offence? 
(directed at Ally of course!)
As you can see by how long it took me to get a Monaro, I don't do things quickly (directed at Ally of course!) 
. But yes, I'm slightly embarrassed by the standard pipes - aurally and visually. All in good time!
Where are these 'prolife' exhausts of which you speak? I get no results on a web search.
There's a receipt in the history of my car for a Wortec performance pack for £1990 including VAT and fitting.
It was a few years ago I admit, but unless Monaro exhaust systems are available off the shelf, I doubt there's a big saving to be made.
There's a receipt in the history of my car for a Wortec performance pack for £1990 including VAT and fitting.
It was a few years ago I admit, but unless Monaro exhaust systems are available off the shelf, I doubt there's a big saving to be made.
I first saw a Monaro when I was at Millbrook on a works trip. I was luck enough to get a passenger ride in one and taken around the bowl and on the handling circuit. Doing 170 at the top of the banking, four up, aircon on, in a comfortable seat followed by a mainly sideways lap around the handling circuit. The driver said it was one of the most entertaining cars he had driven. Said I would get one when they were about 4 or 5 years old and could afford one.
I found a 2004 VXR eleven years ago, a few mods at Monkfish and 80k miles later it is still used as a daily in the summer months and has completed a few trackdays and roadtrips around europe.
I found a 2004 VXR eleven years ago, a few mods at Monkfish and 80k miles later it is still used as a daily in the summer months and has completed a few trackdays and roadtrips around europe.
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