Newbie buying advice

[anonymous-user]

Hi

After years of boredom driving diesels I've decided to do the decent thing and buy a 2006-spec Monaro CV8. I've read the FAQs but would really appreciate any useful buyers tips. I'll be spending 20-22k through an approved Vauxhall dealer so what should I look out for and what should I expect in terms of the ownership experience? I'm under no illusion it will sip fuel but I want to make sure I'm going into this with my eyes wide open as I've never owned anything like it before, it will be my only car and I'm planning to keep it for a while. I'm already eyeing up the Wortec remap and exhausts!

Oh yeah, I also have 2 kids and a wife who I plan to carry occasionally, will they fit?

Thanks in advance.

[V8 EOL - Rich]

wormus said:

Oh yeah, I also have 2 kids and a wife who I plan to carry occasionally, will they fit?

If you want a boot, buy an 04, otherwise look at the boot as being a slightly bigger glove box at the rear. go and have a look, take a buggy and other paraphernalia and give it a whirl!

[Gas_Man]

IMO the 04 CV8 is the best option for a family man with a bit of a budget, more common than the VXR (hence cheaper) and 4 full size seats and a decent boot (so all can fit in comfortably). The downsides are primarily the brakes (upgrade to VXR if you can get them) and first on the list at least should be an exhaust and remap. That will unleash the beast and a little sound from the fantastic V8, after that... how deep is your wallet!

[anonymous-user]

Cheers guys. I'm a bit confused by the models - my Dad has an 04 plate with the vents in the bonet but I'm not sure if that means it has the smaller boot. Is it possible to get the face lifted model with the "nostrils" and the full size boot?

[Le Sarthe]

wormus. Some people who had 04 model year cars changed the bonnet to the 05 model year which had the vents.

Easy give aways....

04 cars have much bigger boot - try and get a campbed in a 05 year car and your family holiday suit case or try and fit in a golf bag or similar size lengthways inwards - if it fits its an 04.

05 cv8's have a shiny black 'piano' finish on the dash surround teh 04 has a type off fake carbon fibre style look.

I believe the most obviosu give away is that the 05 model year cars simply were not available until 05 plate issues started AFAIK.

[mackie1]

05 models also had twin exit exhausts whereas 04 models have a single exit on the left of the car like this:

[ringram]

05 cv8s have exahust running to both rear sides rather than passenger exit only as in the 04 too IIRC.

[mackie1]

ringram said:

05 cv8s have exahust running to both rear sides rather than passenger exit only as in the 04 too IIRC.

Is there an echo in here?

[crisisjez]

And don`t spend anywhere that much money.
22-23k would buy and 6.0 VXR if you looked hard enough.
Plan to spend about 17k or less if the miles are high.
Get one that`s already remapped and exhausted, it`ll save you a pot of money and these mods wont be reflected in the asking price.
Deffo go for the 04, I have an 06 VXR and can`t even get the weekly shop in the boot and there`s just the two of us.
USE THE SPARE CASH TO GET A SUPERCHARGER

[anonymous-user]

very useful info - cheers. I guess my Dad's is a very early 05 model then as he definitely didn't change the bonnet.

I need to buy through the Vauxhall network because the car is being sourced by a Vauxhall/Alfa Romeo dealer on my behalf (don't ask - it's complicated). I have identified a couple of late 06/56 plate cars for around 20k but will haggle hard and spend the saving on tuning goodies and fuel.

This is a fantastic idea, why didn't I think of it earlier ?

[marcevo1]

get a 4 door hsv instead? - i pondered over an early cv8 and ended up with a gts instead for practicality - then bought a charger with the change...

£15k buys you my hsv with a supercharger fitted already ;-)

check out the classifieds

marc

[anonymous-user]

bit late for that. As of tomorrow I will be the proud owner of a 2006 CV8 I paid a bit over the odds for it 21k but it's low mileage & one owner from a Vauxhall dealer and I don't care because it looks great in Odyssey blue. Thanks for all the advice & bring on the petrol stations!

Can anyone tell me what to pay for a cat-back exhaust and remap and will it run on 95 octain unleaded afterwards?

cheers.

[V8 EOL - Rich]

wormus said:

bit late for that. As of tomorrow I will be the proud owner of a 2006 CV8 I paid a bit over the odds for it 21k but it's low mileage & one owner from a Vauxhall dealer and I don't care because it looks great in Odyssey blue. Thanks for all the advice & bring on the petrol stations!

Congrats...

wormus said:

Can anyone tell me what to pay for a cat-back exhaust and remap and will it run on 95 octain unleaded afterwards?

Its menu pricing with Wortec stuff. Check out www.monkfishperformance.co.uk , I strongly recommend them. LSV I dont know.

Edited by V8 EOL - Rich on Wednesday 30th May 20:02

[crisisjez]

Welcome And enjoy.....

[MattCV8]

Iknow WRC Tech in Silverstone will do you an exhaust and a remap for 95 Ron, although if its affordability your after its a close call. I had mine mapped for 97 ron as you get a few more miles per gallon and a few more bhp but it costs a bit more.