Joe Punter thoughts on Monaro vs VXR8
Discussion
Greens have very kindly let me have a VXR8 as a loaner whilst my Monaro is in for a service and these are the thoughts of Nige, Joe Punter, non technical and by no means a demon driver.
Firstly, it's big. A lot bigger than I thought it would be. Makes our Merc E class look small and it by no means is.
It feels lighter to drive, I have no idea if it is or not but it feels it.
The steering is quicker than the Monaro and the steering wheel is smaller. Both these things are good.
It has more power but then this car has the Wortec switchable exhaust which is fun but doesn't actually make a huge difference to how the car sounds tbh...that said I'm a gadget geek and would probably enjoy having it.
I like the centre control, sat nav, radio centre thing. It's easy to use and pretty logical - there's no nav discs in this car so I've no idea if it works well or not.
I also like the Bluetooth phone facility.
The climate controls are better than the Monaro but do look a bit Early Learning Centre.
I don't much like the instruments, they look like scooter ones, much prefer the Monaro's.
This car is a manual and to me the gearbox is notchy but then the car only has 1500miles up.
The clutch is only a bit lighter than the Monaros so I'd choose the 6 speed auto I think.
The interior is a little on the cheap side.
The Monaro interior looks and feels classy by Vauxhall standards, the VXR8's feels like a Vauxhall.
That's not always a good thing.
Lots of bangy & boomy hard plastic again imbuing the interior with a cheap feel it doesn't deserve.
The seats are great.
At first they feel hard but they're very supportive and make a difference on a long run.
What's with the internal mirror not being auto dipping? That's just cheap lads, it really is...as is the non RDS radio. I can't beliveve VX don't retro fit something to make it RDS, that's inexcusable now.
Come on lads, sort this out eh?
The brakes are phenominal with loads of feel although they're grabby at low speed and squeek after a while in town.
The handling generally is very good and controlled for such a big car with compliant but firm suspension.
Economy is as expected really - actually about the same as my Monaro.
The looks have grown on me over time but it doesn't turn heads like the Monaro still does.
Would I have one?
Maybe.
The car is good value undoubtedly but I have some reservations about the overall quality of the car. It somehow seems more flimsy than the Monaro both inside & out.
I could be wrong of course.
Overall I like the car.
There you go, just the ramblings of an old fart.
Firstly, it's big. A lot bigger than I thought it would be. Makes our Merc E class look small and it by no means is.
It feels lighter to drive, I have no idea if it is or not but it feels it.
The steering is quicker than the Monaro and the steering wheel is smaller. Both these things are good.
It has more power but then this car has the Wortec switchable exhaust which is fun but doesn't actually make a huge difference to how the car sounds tbh...that said I'm a gadget geek and would probably enjoy having it.
I like the centre control, sat nav, radio centre thing. It's easy to use and pretty logical - there's no nav discs in this car so I've no idea if it works well or not.
I also like the Bluetooth phone facility.
The climate controls are better than the Monaro but do look a bit Early Learning Centre.
I don't much like the instruments, they look like scooter ones, much prefer the Monaro's.
This car is a manual and to me the gearbox is notchy but then the car only has 1500miles up.
The clutch is only a bit lighter than the Monaros so I'd choose the 6 speed auto I think.
The interior is a little on the cheap side.
The Monaro interior looks and feels classy by Vauxhall standards, the VXR8's feels like a Vauxhall.
That's not always a good thing.
Lots of bangy & boomy hard plastic again imbuing the interior with a cheap feel it doesn't deserve.
The seats are great.
At first they feel hard but they're very supportive and make a difference on a long run.
What's with the internal mirror not being auto dipping? That's just cheap lads, it really is...as is the non RDS radio. I can't beliveve VX don't retro fit something to make it RDS, that's inexcusable now.
Come on lads, sort this out eh?
The brakes are phenominal with loads of feel although they're grabby at low speed and squeek after a while in town.
The handling generally is very good and controlled for such a big car with compliant but firm suspension.
Economy is as expected really - actually about the same as my Monaro.
The looks have grown on me over time but it doesn't turn heads like the Monaro still does.
Would I have one?
Maybe.
The car is good value undoubtedly but I have some reservations about the overall quality of the car. It somehow seems more flimsy than the Monaro both inside & out.
I could be wrong of course.
Overall I like the car.
There you go, just the ramblings of an old fart.
Maybe it's because I've come from a Lotus with no interior but I don't think the VXR8 is all that bad? The use of hard plastics is mainly limited to the center console with squishy type stuff elsewhere. The hand brake can be a bit touchy sometimes but you get the knack soon enough.
You do have an auto dipping feature - its called "huge rear spoiler"
for me it sits exactly at headlight level in the rear view mirror.
The lack of RDS/EON is shocking. I didn't think it would bother me as it does but after a couple long journeys it's amazing just how much work EON is doing to keep the radio tuned in. Manually tweaking the frequency just isn't acceptable for a 35k car.
I've never had the brakes squeak under any conditions - maybe they need some bedding in?
The gearbox on mine is loosening up (2k miles) slowly but surely. Most gearboxes need at least 5k on them for the polishing effect to be complete. The auto is stunning - I don't like auto's (discounted the Merc C65 AMG for this) and didn't think I'd like it but after a long test drive of one I can honestly see alot of people choosing it. The auto suits the nature of the LS2 6l perfectly.
You do have an auto dipping feature - its called "huge rear spoiler"
for me it sits exactly at headlight level in the rear view mirror.
The lack of RDS/EON is shocking. I didn't think it would bother me as it does but after a couple long journeys it's amazing just how much work EON is doing to keep the radio tuned in. Manually tweaking the frequency just isn't acceptable for a 35k car.
I've never had the brakes squeak under any conditions - maybe they need some bedding in?
The gearbox on mine is loosening up (2k miles) slowly but surely. Most gearboxes need at least 5k on them for the polishing effect to be complete. The auto is stunning - I don't like auto's (discounted the Merc C65 AMG for this) and didn't think I'd like it but after a long test drive of one I can honestly see alot of people choosing it. The auto suits the nature of the LS2 6l perfectly.
I think the Monaro got the calias interior while the R8 aka VXR8 gets the Berlina spec which is one notch down. The GTS in Oz would get the Calais level too.
At least thats how the previous model worked.
FWIW I test drove a couple of x350 XJR's recently.. I drove one a few years ago pre my VT2 R8, sadly the HSV has soiled my mind, now the XJR jag is too wobbly on its feet, too small inside and too slow. This now means I need a new VXR8 at some point. Aiming at Q2 08 as I think they will be down around/under £25k by then.
At least thats how the previous model worked.
FWIW I test drove a couple of x350 XJR's recently.. I drove one a few years ago pre my VT2 R8, sadly the HSV has soiled my mind, now the XJR jag is too wobbly on its feet, too small inside and too slow. This now means I need a new VXR8 at some point. Aiming at Q2 08 as I think they will be down around/under £25k by then.
I had a Monaro and have now got a VXR8, I think the VXR8 is a far better car.
The interior is better than the ro and the driving experience a lot better though I did have an unmodified '04 ro so this comparison is a little unfair.
I never got that many looks in the ro but nearly every driver notices the VXR8.
Love both cars but the VXR8 wins it for me.
The interior is better than the ro and the driving experience a lot better though I did have an unmodified '04 ro so this comparison is a little unfair.
I never got that many looks in the ro but nearly every driver notices the VXR8.
Love both cars but the VXR8 wins it for me.
Raggyman said:
The only think about the VXR8 I don't like is the small side mirrors, think they are quiet small. Don't know if you can get after market ones that are bigger.
They may be small but they dont half stick out. Cant get through the standard size garage doors without scraping both mirrors on the rubber door seals. Wheelarches aint that far off either. Not a prob with the Monaro though. Edited by V2RAC on Wednesday 21st November 18:37
Good points which I agree with.
I felt the rear spoiler looked great from outside but inside was a real pain to see out the back.
I thought the interior was better than the 'ro and more German which is no ba dthing.
Drive wise I thought it was too high.
Best example I can give is during the week now I drive a vectra, when I get in the 'ro it feels like it closes around me and is oh so tight to drive (fairly tweaked I admit). Going from the 'ro to the VXR8 it fel a bit more loose so am almost saying it more similar to a vectra.
I felt the rear spoiler looked great from outside but inside was a real pain to see out the back.
I thought the interior was better than the 'ro and more German which is no ba dthing.
Drive wise I thought it was too high.
Best example I can give is during the week now I drive a vectra, when I get in the 'ro it feels like it closes around me and is oh so tight to drive (fairly tweaked I admit). Going from the 'ro to the VXR8 it fel a bit more loose so am almost saying it more similar to a vectra.
AM04ARO said:
I thought the interior was better than the 'ro and more German which is no ba dthing.
Drive wise I thought it was too high.
Best example I can give is during the week now I drive a vectra, when I get in the 'ro it feels like it closes around me and is oh so tight to drive (fairly tweaked I admit). Going from the 'ro to the VXR8 it fel a bit more loose so am almost saying it more similar to a vectra.
That's a good point as it goes, yes the VXR8 does feel higher up.
It may be due to a lower waist line perhaps?
I didn't mind it as it goes but you're right, I hadn't twigged what it was before.
rocket said:
Nige, any tips on how to secure the VXR8 as a courtesy car for a few hours? The 'ro is due it's service soon and I wouldn't mind trying the R8 for size.
Cheers, Neil.
Cheers, Neil.
I arranged my service by talking to Kevin Walsh at Greens Holborough.
He actually volunteered it for me so I would just ask.
He's a great guy and if he can sort it for you, he will.
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