Monaro CV8 owner for 2.5 weeks
Discussion
Well, I've had my 05 CV8 for nearly 3 weeks now and am very impressed with the overall package.
I still can't believe that I traded in my Evo 7 for a Vauxhall, if anyone had told me I was going to do that a year ago I think I would have laughed until I died!!!
To be honest though, I am quite glad that it is sold by Vauxhall in this country as it will keep the M3 snob brigade away from the Monaro brand which has to be a good thing.
I love the comfort of the Monaro and the overall build quality is very good compared to all my previous cars (mostly Jap).
The power delivery is excellent and I love the fact that there is power throughout the range rather than just a small band as my Evo had.
The handling of the car is pretty good too for a RWD car. I was slightly concerned about moving from 4WD but there have been no problems so far.
Overall, am very glad to have got the car and would strongly advise anyone thinking of getting one to go and take a test drive, I am sure you will love it.
(Uh-oh, I have just seen a website selling the Ford Mustang V8 Premium @ £30k brand new, now they do look nice...)
I still can't believe that I traded in my Evo 7 for a Vauxhall, if anyone had told me I was going to do that a year ago I think I would have laughed until I died!!!
To be honest though, I am quite glad that it is sold by Vauxhall in this country as it will keep the M3 snob brigade away from the Monaro brand which has to be a good thing.
I love the comfort of the Monaro and the overall build quality is very good compared to all my previous cars (mostly Jap).
The power delivery is excellent and I love the fact that there is power throughout the range rather than just a small band as my Evo had.
The handling of the car is pretty good too for a RWD car. I was slightly concerned about moving from 4WD but there have been no problems so far.
Overall, am very glad to have got the car and would strongly advise anyone thinking of getting one to go and take a test drive, I am sure you will love it.
(Uh-oh, I have just seen a website selling the Ford Mustang V8 Premium @ £30k brand new, now they do look nice...)
Don't think Vauxhall.... think Holden, and all will be fine. Holden is a religion, and our church is the pub (Rob will be able to tell you what it is like to be part of the Holden Religion). I'm thinking of getting a sign saying... "No it isn't a Vauxhall".
As for "F$%d Mustang V8 Premium", it's a f£$d, so that's a dirty word.
As for "F$%d Mustang V8 Premium", it's a f£$d, so that's a dirty word.
[quote]How long will you able to resist tuning/moding your Monaro for?[/quote]
LOL, not long, have just bought a Carbon Fibre Intake pipe which I shall put on at the weekend and am already speaking to a few people about which modding route to take the car...
I can't help but think that they could have made the V8 sound a bit more erm V8'ey than it does.. if that makes sense!
LOL, not long, have just bought a Carbon Fibre Intake pipe which I shall put on at the weekend and am already speaking to a few people about which modding route to take the car...
I can't help but think that they could have made the V8 sound a bit more erm V8'ey than it does.. if that makes sense!
I tend towards the GM route if I'm in hurry, when asked "what is it", which is almost every time I fill it up!
Secretely have an urge to own a debadged unspoilered HSV Commodore with 600BHP, that I would badge up as a Vauxhall Omega Diesel. I'd dawdle in the fast lane waiting for the flashing lights of a fast German car!!!
Maybe I'll grow up one day.
Secretely have an urge to own a debadged unspoilered HSV Commodore with 600BHP, that I would badge up as a Vauxhall Omega Diesel. I'd dawdle in the fast lane waiting for the flashing lights of a fast German car!!!
Maybe I'll grow up one day.
Getting back to the Topic & Modifications, I did various bits to my first HSV (basically what amounts to the Linden stage 1 package + custom exhaust). I soon realised that I really wanted the most power I could get without compromising to much on economy & reliability.
Having moded several previous cars, I was keen not to go down the route of almost continual changes, to gain extra power. This can cost a fortune as you end up replacing parts that are no longer required.
As such I went down the AP brakes,Exhaust & Supercharging route on my current HSV.
This is a big initial cost, but cheaper in the long run.
The fuel economy is actually slightly better with the S/charger!
Having moded several previous cars, I was keen not to go down the route of almost continual changes, to gain extra power. This can cost a fortune as you end up replacing parts that are no longer required.
As such I went down the AP brakes,Exhaust & Supercharging route on my current HSV.
This is a big initial cost, but cheaper in the long run.
The fuel economy is actually slightly better with the S/charger!
"The fuel economy is actually slightly better with the S/charger!"
Yes I'll agree with that but I get such a bad ache from my right foot just touching the pedal that unless I use cruise control economy just goes out the window.
Track days as standard car = 8 mpg, blown 4 mpg
Cruising with standard car = 24, blown 22-24 mpg
Town driving was about 18, now 11 mpg
If I behave I expect 250+ miles per tank, if I forget to behave about 120 miles before I fill up
Yes I'll agree with that but I get such a bad ache from my right foot just touching the pedal that unless I use cruise control economy just goes out the window.
Track days as standard car = 8 mpg, blown 4 mpg
Cruising with standard car = 24, blown 22-24 mpg
Town driving was about 18, now 11 mpg
If I behave I expect 250+ miles per tank, if I forget to behave about 120 miles before I fill up
I did 300 miles the other day, of fast A roads & motorway. Took it fairly steady on the motorway, but had 3 or 4 big blasts. Averaged just over 25mpg, which I think is great, not much less than I would have got from my 2.3 turbo estate.
Reckon on 17mpg around town. If you stick at 70mph on the motorway you could get approx. 30mpg.
Will, my car has less engine mods., which probably accounts for my better economy.
I always use Optimax, which gives slightly better mpg on my car.
Really happy with the supercharger, the car/chassis could easily handle more bhp, but for me I think I have the right mix for what I use the car for. Its a great all rounder.
Reckon on 17mpg around town. If you stick at 70mph on the motorway you could get approx. 30mpg.
Will, my car has less engine mods., which probably accounts for my better economy.
I always use Optimax, which gives slightly better mpg on my car.
Really happy with the supercharger, the car/chassis could easily handle more bhp, but for me I think I have the right mix for what I use the car for. Its a great all rounder.
Back off topic- sorry..
I'm afraid that I used to be one of those "german car" drivers!! Shame on me. Boo Hiss. I've driven all types of them too for many many '000's of miles. In terms of build quality, apart from the odd very small niggle, the Monaro is just as well made in my opinion. Interstingly the one thing that Monaro owners do seem to have a problem with (the speedo etc going weird) is exactly the same problem I had with my last 2 BMs. The Monaro is hands down the better drive and better car. I don't need to babble on about why....just one test drive is enough.
BUT the BIG difference as far as I am concerned is the shoddy level of customer service in a Vauxhall garage. It's so far removed from a BMW dealership it's a joke. Just try BMW North Oxon in Summertown for a glimpse of what you're missing. Have a coffee and crosissant from the patisserie bar and watch through the two way glass as you baby gets a true pampering. Even better if you can get into the maintenance bays and watch the mechanics at work....Say no more.
Awaiting a jolly good flaming from you lot. But at least I've come out now
>> Edited by booster on Thursday 31st March 18:36
I'm afraid that I used to be one of those "german car" drivers!! Shame on me. Boo Hiss. I've driven all types of them too for many many '000's of miles. In terms of build quality, apart from the odd very small niggle, the Monaro is just as well made in my opinion. Interstingly the one thing that Monaro owners do seem to have a problem with (the speedo etc going weird) is exactly the same problem I had with my last 2 BMs. The Monaro is hands down the better drive and better car. I don't need to babble on about why....just one test drive is enough.
BUT the BIG difference as far as I am concerned is the shoddy level of customer service in a Vauxhall garage. It's so far removed from a BMW dealership it's a joke. Just try BMW North Oxon in Summertown for a glimpse of what you're missing. Have a coffee and crosissant from the patisserie bar and watch through the two way glass as you baby gets a true pampering. Even better if you can get into the maintenance bays and watch the mechanics at work....Say no more.
Awaiting a jolly good flaming from you lot. But at least I've come out now
>> Edited by booster on Thursday 31st March 18:36
No flaming from me, just a huge "Here, Here".
I wonder if MG treat their MG X-Power SV customers the same way as Vauxhall treat their Monaro owners?? Would be interesting to find out. Afterall, it's "just another MG" isn't it?
I'd have loved a Monaro but got so p*^$%d off with the Vauxhall dealerships around me that I gave up and bought my Commodore instead through AutoTrader. A much more pleasant experience, even though the guy selling it didn't know what the hell it was.
C'mon Vauxhall, sort it out!! Let's see more enthusiasm & interest in these unique cars. Train your staff in the history of these beauties and why they are being sold in the UK. (Caveat - The obvious dealership exceptions apply)
I wonder if MG treat their MG X-Power SV customers the same way as Vauxhall treat their Monaro owners?? Would be interesting to find out. Afterall, it's "just another MG" isn't it?
I'd have loved a Monaro but got so p*^$%d off with the Vauxhall dealerships around me that I gave up and bought my Commodore instead through AutoTrader. A much more pleasant experience, even though the guy selling it didn't know what the hell it was.
C'mon Vauxhall, sort it out!! Let's see more enthusiasm & interest in these unique cars. Train your staff in the history of these beauties and why they are being sold in the UK. (Caveat - The obvious dealership exceptions apply)
I am wondering whether it is worth trying to track down an Australian holden mechanic somewhere and just get a garage somewhere with the right kit in it.
Not sure if the warranty conditions are the same here as at home, but basically at home you can take the car to an authorised garage and your still covered by warranty. It doesn't have to be taken to a dealership.
I do all my own maintenance on the car, it is pretty straight forward. Although it is going to get interesting in a few weeks when I do an oil change in the street. Wonder how many people are going to ask what I am doing....
Not sure if the warranty conditions are the same here as at home, but basically at home you can take the car to an authorised garage and your still covered by warranty. It doesn't have to be taken to a dealership.
I do all my own maintenance on the car, it is pretty straight forward. Although it is going to get interesting in a few weeks when I do an oil change in the street. Wonder how many people are going to ask what I am doing....
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