Hello From Kent (UK)

[Rob_78]

Hello people,

I'm so glad I found this site.

I loved the Monaro since I see it on Top Gear.
I've only seen 2 & both of those were at Santa Pod, One going up the strip & one parked up in the car park.

I have a Fiat Punto GT at the moment & its up for sale as I really want a Monaro (5.7), I can insure it so Im looking to pay about 24k for one as i will need 1k for insurance.

Now the problem I'm having is...... There seems to be nowhere in Kent that selles the Monaro & the Vauxhall dealer down here don't seem to want to help as when I ask them "Have you any Monaro's on site ?" they look me up & down & say "sorry NO".
I ask them where the nearest dealers are & they tell me they don't know.

So do any of you know where a helpful dealer is around the Kent/London area as I want to drive one first before I then look for either a Red or Black Monaro in the 24k price bracket.

Or I know Im being cheeky but do any of you live near me & would be willing to show me your car ? & maybe drive it ?

Thanks in advance

Rob

Just to add, I'm 26 & have owned the Punto for the past 6 years.

[V8HSV]

Hi Rob 78

One of the members, dan the man has a blue one for sale, worth investigating as it has a few xtras too.

Don't know any Kent owners though

[Rob_78]

Thanks V8HSV

The problem that I'm having is that I want to drive a Monaro before I the GT goes so that I will have the money ready to buy one.

I worried that if I get shot of my current & don't like Monaro I've then got to find a car I like & want to own.

Think I might give a couple of dealers a ring around the london area & see what they say.....

Rob

[uk hsv]

Archie Moss, Loughborough - Tel: [phone]
Belmont Vauxhall, Edinburgh - Tel: [phone]
Bellingers, Wantage, Oxfordshire - Tel: [phone]
Browns of Loughton Ltd, Loughton -Tel: [phone]
CD Bramall, Middlesbrough - Tel: [phone]
City, London - Tel: [phone]
Crownhill Vauxhall, Milton Keynes - Tel: [phone]
Drive Aldershot, Aldershot - Tel: [phone]
Drive Bristol Central, Bristol - Tel: [phone]
Gurneys of Newbury, Newbury - Tel: [phone]
Inchcape Exeter, Exeter - Tel: [phone]
Lance Owen, Addlestone - Tel: [phone]
Lance Owen Heathrow, Bedfont - Tel: [phone]
Lookers Birmingham, Birmingham - Tel: [phone]
Motorbodies, Luton - Tel: [phone]
Pentagon Derby, Derby - Tel: [phone]
Phoenix, Wimbledon, London - Tel: [phone]
Picador Southampton, Sholing, Southampton - Tel: [phone]
Seward Christchurch, Christchurch, Dorset - Tel: [phone]
Slaters of Colwyn Bay, Colwyn Bay - Tel: [phone]
Thurlow Nunn, Kings Lynn - Tel: [phone]
Underwoods of Colchester, Colchester - Tel: [phone]
W Grose, Kingsthorpe, Northampton - Tel: [phone]

[Rob_78]

uk hsv Thank you very very much.

I appreciate your help.

Rob

[Yorkkie]

I bought mine new from Archie Moss in Loughborough,a good team. for a little over your budget

[Rob_78]

Am I being daft or do I stand a chance of test driving a Monaro from one of the dealers listed above, even though I won't be buying that vehicle ?

Ie I want to go to test drive a Monaro, like it, get shot of the Punto then look for the right (colour & price) Monaro for me

Rob

[qldmick]

Hi Rob
Closest one to you is at Browns of Loughton Essex. That's Epping way. It's on Auto Trader site. OK so it's blue but if you just want to crawl all over one and try one the colour's not important.
Might be worth a trip. From where you are take M25 thro'the tunnel to J26 Waltham Abbey. Follow signs for Theydon Bois and Loughton. Loughton is J5 M11 but i don't think you can get off it southbound from the M25. If you do go phone and ask them.
Crown Motors at Dagenham had a black one 'til a week or two ago. It was the MDs car and was for sale quite a few weeks. May still have it.
That would be nearer to you. If they have,I can direct you to the door,I lived in that area.
Good hunting.

[rob_78]

qldmick

Thanks for the info

I will give them a ring & see what they say...

Once I've driven one & liked it ( I Hope ) all I will need to do is wait for the Punto to sell & then I go Monaro hunting

Rob

>> Edited by rob_78 on Saturday 9th April 15:45

[dan_the_man]

Any dealer should let you test drive a Monaro, otherwise how would you know if you liked the car or not.

Anyway like the guys said, I have an 04 Monaro thats just a fraction out of your price bracket however it's got the LSV stage2 upgrade and definately worth a thought, see:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=37888&s=424

I'm open to a bit of negotiating, my baby's not due till July and if you wanted to pop over for a look and a test drive then that would be fine providing you are insured on it and show me your certificate. I'm only in Woking, Surrey

>> Edited by dan_the_man on Saturday 9th April 19:33

[rob_78]

dan_the_man

Thanks for your kind offer, but currently I'm not insured to drive any other vehicle on my current insurance policy.

I will try the dealers 1st as I will be covered under their policy.

I've seen your car on Ebay & Auto trader, tis very nice but sadly im after Red, Black Or Silver.

My current car is Blue as was the one before & i want a change in colour aswell as car

Cheers

Rob

[caspy]

Not sure which dealer u have been to in Kent. I have a dealership in kent, and have a Monaro VXR. Many people come and talk to us about monaro's even though we are not dealers for them.

I dont understand why u dont look for a used Monaro at a dealer in the colour u want, test drive it and trade the Punto in.

Why should a salesman take the time to let u drive his car when u are not going to buy from him? The cars and his time have a value. You have stated that u will not buy from a dealer just want to use their car to satisfy your curiosity and then maybe buy a car privately.

>> Edited by caspy on Saturday 9th April 21:14

[rob_78]

caspy said:

Not sure which dealer u have been to in Kent. i have a dealership in kent, and have a Monaro VXR. Many people come and talk to us about monaro's even though we are not dealers for them. I dont understand why u dont look for a use Monaro at a dealer in the colour u want, test drive it and trade the Punto in. Why should a salesman take the time to let u drive his car when u are not going to buy from him? The cars and his time have a value. You have stated that u will not buy from a dealer just want to use their car to satisfy your curiosity and then maybe buy a car privately.

caspy

I can see what your saying in that the car & dealers time cost money.
The dealer was Greens of rainham, they don't have a monaro & didn't really help when I asked if they knew of a dealer which may have.

I can't trade the punto in as its modded & the dealers won't want it as it will be hard to sell, plus I'm looking for 5k for the Punto & I won't get that from a dealer, its worth nothing to them

If/when I buy a Monaro it will be a cash deal on a second hand car, would idealy buy from a dealer.

Its just that i want to drive a monaro before i commite myself & take out the extra money in the form of a loan

Where is your dealership ?

would i be able to come down & talk to you in person so you could show me around the car etc ?

Rob

[caspy]

I would be delighted to talk to you around the car etc.

Just out of interest, when did u visit Greens and who did u speak to ?

It is my garage, and the fact that u received that reception is inexcusable. If u want to email me the details off forum please do [e-mail].

[rob_78]

caspy

Thanks for your reply.

I've sent you an E-mail

Cheers

Rob

[caspy]

Thanks for the clarification rob78, was dismayed to think that we had not helped to the degree we could, glad it is resolved and the misunderstanding sorted.

:wink:

[rob_78]

caspy

Thanks for the imformative chat we had.

I will be down to see this week.

Cheers

Rob