Monaro as a family car?
Discussion
I need to replace my current car with something that I can have a little more fun with, can this really be a Monaro?
A few things to consider before you reply:
1. I dont actually do that many miles per year, maybe 6-7k, so fuel wouldn't be too bad.
2. Although insurance is a pain its not too bad, £680 best quote atm.
3. My family is me, GF (who doesnt drive, phew) and a rug rat of 4yrs, and all the junk that intails with raising a child.
4. We live in a apartment block and as a result we have no garage or off road parking. This isnt a problem with my insurance but could this fact give me problems with people walking by it all day/night I am concerned about damage from the brainless goons.
5. If I do buy one I have about 20-22k to spend. Is it worth raising the other 5k to buy a pre reg vxr?
6. Have any of you talked your GF's into beliving that such a car is really the way to go? If so please help, mine's giving me a little resistance.
7. Is there anything I need to look out for or ask when I'm at the dealers?
The cars im considering are these;
1/ A 55 plate 5.7 with 7kmile at £19500.
2/ A pre reg 56 6.0vxr at 26995.
3/ Subaru Impreza new at 18995.
I realise asking people here their choice between a subaru or monaro is like shouting for your home team in the away end, but you have lived with monaros and know their faults aswell as their praises.
Anyway hope I havent bored you with to many already answered questions, but im sure you can understand 20k is a lot cash, and any advice will be greatly received.
Many Thanks in advance.
A few things to consider before you reply:
1. I dont actually do that many miles per year, maybe 6-7k, so fuel wouldn't be too bad.
2. Although insurance is a pain its not too bad, £680 best quote atm.
3. My family is me, GF (who doesnt drive, phew) and a rug rat of 4yrs, and all the junk that intails with raising a child.
4. We live in a apartment block and as a result we have no garage or off road parking. This isnt a problem with my insurance but could this fact give me problems with people walking by it all day/night I am concerned about damage from the brainless goons.
5. If I do buy one I have about 20-22k to spend. Is it worth raising the other 5k to buy a pre reg vxr?
6. Have any of you talked your GF's into beliving that such a car is really the way to go? If so please help, mine's giving me a little resistance.
7. Is there anything I need to look out for or ask when I'm at the dealers?
The cars im considering are these;
1/ A 55 plate 5.7 with 7kmile at £19500.
2/ A pre reg 56 6.0vxr at 26995.
3/ Subaru Impreza new at 18995.
I realise asking people here their choice between a subaru or monaro is like shouting for your home team in the away end, but you have lived with monaros and know their faults aswell as their praises.
Anyway hope I havent bored you with to many already answered questions, but im sure you can understand 20k is a lot cash, and any advice will be greatly received.
Many Thanks in advance.
Go for the 6.0 VXR and you will not be disappointed. At around £27k it's bolody good value for money. Fuel consumption in the low twenties is a small price to pay for all the performance and grin factor. The vehicle will be equally at home when you drive it down to the shops with the family, or take it for a blast in the country. It's comfortable and has reasonable boot space although it should be noted that the 5.7 has by far the bigger boot.
As for leaving it on the street. If some arsehole want's to damage a car he will do so regardless of it's badge. Personally, I think to most of the population a Monaro is a pretty rare sight and therefore they won't know what it is - so hopefully they won't damage it.
Obviously most people on here will be bias towards the Monaro as it's a better all round car than the Scooby. I've owned severla Jags including a XKR and had a 911. The Monaro is better than all!
As for having to convince the girlfriend that's up to you.
Go for it!
As for leaving it on the street. If some arsehole want's to damage a car he will do so regardless of it's badge. Personally, I think to most of the population a Monaro is a pretty rare sight and therefore they won't know what it is - so hopefully they won't damage it.
Obviously most people on here will be bias towards the Monaro as it's a better all round car than the Scooby. I've owned severla Jags including a XKR and had a 911. The Monaro is better than all!
As for having to convince the girlfriend that's up to you.
Go for it!
The Monaro is an every day car for me. I cart adults, kids & crap around all the time.
There is a but... But I have an 04 VXR. Don't expect anything more than a handbag to fit in the boot of an 05 model. If you can go for a 04 VXR and you get the best of both worlds. There isn't much difference price wise between CV8 and a VXR these days anyway.
On your other points...
Brainless goons are IMHO more likely to vandalise/steel a Scuby than a Monaro. Every petrol head stranger I bump in to always comments on the car.
The only other thing I have to add is.. whilst 2 Monaros spent a 32 degree weekend thrashing around the Nurburgring without any problems, I saw 4 (yes four) Scubys broken down half way round at various points of the weekend.
Check out the FAQ for more info.
There is a but... But I have an 04 VXR. Don't expect anything more than a handbag to fit in the boot of an 05 model. If you can go for a 04 VXR and you get the best of both worlds. There isn't much difference price wise between CV8 and a VXR these days anyway.
On your other points...
Brainless goons are IMHO more likely to vandalise/steel a Scuby than a Monaro. Every petrol head stranger I bump in to always comments on the car.
The only other thing I have to add is.. whilst 2 Monaros spent a 32 degree weekend thrashing around the Nurburgring without any problems, I saw 4 (yes four) Scubys broken down half way round at various points of the weekend.
Check out the FAQ for more info.
Torska said:
I need to replace my current car with something that I can have a little more fun with, can this really be a Monaro?
1. These cars can average 25mpg on a long run which is very good considering the size of the engine.
2. Is this any more than a Subaru?
3. The car will comfortably seat 4 adults, booster seats on the leather has been discussed here before. Think the general consensus is to have a foam pad under the seats to protect the leather. The boots on the later models might not fit a pushchair inside(can't be sure on this). The 04 version has a much larger boot than the later versions due to the fuel tank being relocated.
4. With any car you run this risk, I wouldn't think it would be any higher than a Impreza being parked there. If the car doesn't already have one get a Tracker, not only will they give you a extra piece of mind but you will also save a small wedge on the insurance.
5. If you can find a tidy one in your price range, I don't really see the added value of having a pre reg one, apart from maybe a longer warranty. The engines in these cars are very basic in comparision to a lot of the modern japanese 4 pots. And as a added benefit the mechanicals are cheap to maintain with a annual service costing around £150
You will probably find some of the other guys on here will be able to help you choose between them better as there is a number of them that have owned both.
Hope this helps some
Ollie
I have a child who is 4 and have no problems with the Ro.
When she was younger she complained about not seeing out of side window, but just turned 4 and is no longer a problem - at least she cann't open the door as we are going along/or me-get locked in with childlocks!
I have had my Ro nearly 2 years and have had too leave it in all sorts of places - no problems yet - would have thought to Impreza would have more!
Had an STi about 4 years ago and was bored/bored/bored! Only kept for 14 months!
I feel sleepy just thinking about it
When she was younger she complained about not seeing out of side window, but just turned 4 and is no longer a problem - at least she cann't open the door as we are going along/or me-get locked in with childlocks!
I have had my Ro nearly 2 years and have had too leave it in all sorts of places - no problems yet - would have thought to Impreza would have more!
Had an STi about 4 years ago and was bored/bored/bored! Only kept for 14 months!
I feel sleepy just thinking about it
My GF actually persuaded me to buy mine!
Have a 12 year old nipper and spend my life going from mine to her mums, then to my GF's for the weekend, and have never had a problem with space, and believe me, between my GF and my daughter, they carry a lot or crap!
If you can, go with the 6L. I took one for a test drive and it scared the daylights out of me, but sadly couldnt afford the extra. Boo.
Have a 12 year old nipper and spend my life going from mine to her mums, then to my GF's for the weekend, and have never had a problem with space, and believe me, between my GF and my daughter, they carry a lot or crap!
If you can, go with the 6L. I took one for a test drive and it scared the daylights out of me, but sadly couldnt afford the extra. Boo.
Def go for an 04 with the big boot, the only pain with kids seats in the back is reaching in to do up the belts, you will be very suprised by the respect you get from the 'hoodies'. I think less chance of vandalism than most other cars, by the time they have worked out what it is they're onto the next one.
A few of my thoughts about this - I've been driving an Impreza STi as the main family car for the last three years (and you could buy it from me if you want...)
- Fuel comsumption the same between the Monaro and the STi
- If you go for the Monaro go for the earlier one with the big boot. With a child it will be really difficult if you get the one with the small boot
- Mindless goons will prefer scraping their keys along the Impreza (and they also like to rip the rear spoiler off so that they can stick it on their Nova - words of bitter experience here... :-)
Final word - when your kids are little have a coupe like the Monaro. As the kids get older you will have less flexibility in this and will be forced into having a four door family saloon (this is where the Impreza comes in...)
- Fuel comsumption the same between the Monaro and the STi
- If you go for the Monaro go for the earlier one with the big boot. With a child it will be really difficult if you get the one with the small boot
- Mindless goons will prefer scraping their keys along the Impreza (and they also like to rip the rear spoiler off so that they can stick it on their Nova - words of bitter experience here... :-)
Final word - when your kids are little have a coupe like the Monaro. As the kids get older you will have less flexibility in this and will be forced into having a four door family saloon (this is where the Impreza comes in...)
Have you considered a HSV GTS? Much rarer, and harder to find in good nick these days (i know from personal experience....), but it has 4 doors, which is handy with kids, and a large boot. I also happen to think it looks cooler 
Going rate for a GTS these days is about £12kish for a good one, which is a lot less than you mention above. It also has the advantage that most of its depreciation is done, so you should get most of your money back on one as well.
Myself, wife and 4-month old went to Denmark on holiday in ours over Christmas, it didn't miss a beat and swallowed presents, endless clothes, and various bits of baby gear.
There are a couple for sale on the PH classifieds (avoid the silver one, again personal experience), and I know of at least one other for sale if you're interested.
Going rate for a GTS these days is about £12kish for a good one, which is a lot less than you mention above. It also has the advantage that most of its depreciation is done, so you should get most of your money back on one as well.
Myself, wife and 4-month old went to Denmark on holiday in ours over Christmas, it didn't miss a beat and swallowed presents, endless clothes, and various bits of baby gear.
There are a couple for sale on the PH classifieds (avoid the silver one, again personal experience), and I know of at least one other for sale if you're interested.
Totally agree with the comments re the boot. I've got an '04 with the larger boot and can manage quite happily with me, the wife, 4year old and 1year old. Not so sure we would get all the clobber in the newer Monaros with the smaller boot. We don't find any bother getting the 4year old in and out of the car and she can see out OK. The 1year old is a bit more difficult 'cos he has to be lifted in and out of his car seat. But thank goodness he's not in the infant seat any more - that really was a squeeze.
I have used mine as the family car for the last 2 and a half years and now my daughter is 5 and three months (very important at that age). Booster seat is fine and you can actually stand in the rear to apply the belt. Am luckily enough to have the 04 boot so have been able to cart round loads of stuff.
Only problem I had was said daughter getting car sick and leting go in the rear....not impressed.
Only problem I had was said daughter getting car sick and leting go in the rear....not impressed.
VXR is my main car. It's an 04 so has a much bigger boot than you'll get in the later cars. If you want to meet any sort of "management approval" about it being practical, that is the only year to go for. Got a 2 year old who rolls her eyes & giggles on the way to nursery, but I don't really do long hauls with her in the back - which isn't a bad thing 'cause the wortec system is too much fun to keep under wraps.
MPG anything between 14 - 28. It'll lap up long cruises as sixth gear is around 40pmh per 1000 rpm (on a standard diff)
Insurance is always a funny one - especially when you have to go through your car CV when getting mods covered. However, you may find a reasonable insurer who appreciates that the relative rarity of these cars corresponds to less "red mist" claims.
I've never had a Scooby so couldn't comment on their relative merits.
MPG anything between 14 - 28. It'll lap up long cruises as sixth gear is around 40pmh per 1000 rpm (on a standard diff)
Insurance is always a funny one - especially when you have to go through your car CV when getting mods covered. However, you may find a reasonable insurer who appreciates that the relative rarity of these cars corresponds to less "red mist" claims.
I've never had a Scooby so couldn't comment on their relative merits.
Having owned both an 05 CV8 and a pre-registered 6.0 litre VXR, I would go for the VXR if you can afford it. There is a huge difference between the two which is not immediately obvious unless you drive the two 'back to back'. As for the boot, I'm not convinced that it is such a drawback. The 04 versions have a huge boot, but whilst the 05 is indeed small by comparison, it holds it's own with many other cars like a Fiesta or 206 etc - many families cope with these types of car. You pay your money and take your choice, it depends on what your priorities are.
o.versteer said:
Have you considered a HSV GTS? Much rarer, and harder to find in good nick these days (i know from personal experience....), but it has 4 doors, which is handy with kids, and a large boot. I also happen to think it looks cooler
Going rate for a GTS these days is about £12kish for a good one, which is a lot less than you mention above. It also has the advantage that most of its depreciation is done, so you should get most of your money back on one as well.
Myself, wife and 4-month old went to Denmark on holiday in ours over Christmas, it didn't miss a beat and swallowed presents, endless clothes, and various bits of baby gear.
There are a couple for sale on the PH classifieds and I know of at least one other for sale if you're interested.
Going rate for a GTS these days is about £12kish for a good one, which is a lot less than you mention above. It also has the advantage that most of its depreciation is done, so you should get most of your money back on one as well.
Myself, wife and 4-month old went to Denmark on holiday in ours over Christmas, it didn't miss a beat and swallowed presents, endless clothes, and various bits of baby gear.
There are a couple for sale on the PH classifieds and I know of at least one other for sale if you're interested.
Similar sitation to me. I loved the look of the sporty two door Monaro or CV8 but knew that I couldn't live with it because I needed four doors. I decided to go for an earlier, cheaper car as I honestly didn't think I would keep it - it was originally going to be just a fun car.. boy how that perspective has changed
The best thing for me is that only a handful of people actually know what the car is all about. The rest of the 'uneducated' never give it a second look, and I presume they think its just a Vauxhall Omega
In comparison with a Scoob, I frequently used to borrow my mates. The Scooby feels more buzzy and sporty, and the ride is much hasher but also do you want abosuletely every Nova/maxpower boy racer launching it at every set of lights? Also the relatively tiny engine (by comparison) is a lot more stressed than the lazy V8, which produces massive torque from 2000 rpm without effort, wafting you away at warp pace but without all the dramatics. Because the big motor produces power in this way you don't need to rev the nuts off it but the ability is still there if you fancy some steering wheel gripping action. I have noticed that I can away with a lot more throttle because the missus doesn't realise just how fast we're going
Best advice: Go and get a test drive from a seller/dealer. The cheaper car will give you more spending power for all those tuning mods you will end up buying
I have had many different types of fast, but the Holden keeps me coming back for more everytime and makes even the most mundane journey fun and exciting. Shh don't tell everyone!
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