Monaro VXR compared to VXR8
Discussion
petrolzed said:
How much better is a LS3 VXR8 than a Monaro VXR8? Both cars std.
assume you mean a Monaro VXR.....before anyone else picks you up on it
1. better brakes
2. better suspension
3. 4 doors instead of 2
4. huge boot
5. ls3 more powerful and in some ways has more potential for releasing even more power with mods than the ls2
on the negative side it does look more like a chavvy Vectra, has a list of niggly problems you can suffer from - water ingress, leaky washer bottles, wonky dashboards/stereos and so on.
If I had the choice now though I'd probably go for the chavvy Vectra, especially at current discounted prices
The Monaro is about 8% lighter than the VXR8. The VXR8 is shorter geared by about the same amount (3.7 diff instead of 3.46) so they "go" about the same. Later LS2 and LS3 have only have slightly more torque claimed (550 vs 530 NM)
We don't talk "stock" much on this forum so anything you can do to one you can do to the other. So the Monaro VXRs lightness is always going to win in the end.
We don't talk "stock" much on this forum so anything you can do to one you can do to the other. So the Monaro VXRs lightness is always going to win in the end.
It was the look of the car for me as well, much prefer the smoothness of a Monaro than the suped up square Vectra look of the VXR8, the Monaro having only 2 doors can sometimes be a hassle but it's only me and the missus so 2 doors not a problem, small boot not a problem either, it serves a need when used. As for the VXR8 having better brakes / suspension etc, if you don't like it you can always empty your wallet and get them changed on a Monaro but it sounds like there are a few who complain about the stock VXR8 brakes and get them lowered so it really is down to your own preference.
Yes just meant Monaro VXR in my case the 6L.
The question I am asking myself is do I keep mine and mod it or buy a LS3 VXR8.
The 4 doors and boot etc, not that relevant cos its usually only me in it.
Its the ride, handling, build etc that its important.
I have had most of the usual Monaro faults and had them put right, will I have to look forward to more faults to fix.
The question I am asking myself is do I keep mine and mod it or buy a LS3 VXR8.
The 4 doors and boot etc, not that relevant cos its usually only me in it.
Its the ride, handling, build etc that its important.
I have had most of the usual Monaro faults and had them put right, will I have to look forward to more faults to fix.
vxr8 has dual climate control. Bluetooth phone integration, 4 stack cd player all standard
It also has 9.5" wide rims rear standard, suitable for 285's easy and 295's at a push.
Monaro cant touch those specs
Oh plus superior handling
Best to drive both and make your mind up.
LS3 is basically a non supercharged LS9 as per latest ZR1 corvette
Plus heads are pre production LS7 prototypes, so are the latest technology.
Dont buy obsolete, buy technology
It also has 9.5" wide rims rear standard, suitable for 285's easy and 295's at a push.
Monaro cant touch those specs
Oh plus superior handling
Best to drive both and make your mind up.
LS3 is basically a non supercharged LS9 as per latest ZR1 corvette
Plus heads are pre production LS7 prototypes, so are the latest technology.
Dont buy obsolete, buy technology
painterman said:
hi
i have a VXR8 and around where i live it still turns the heads of all drivers when the sound of wortec comes flying past "POP BANG POP"...lol . i think that which ever one you make your mind up on you will not be disappointed with as they are both top cars
regards
sam
i have a VXR8 and around where i live it still turns the heads of all drivers when the sound of wortec comes flying past "POP BANG POP"...lol . i think that which ever one you make your mind up on you will not be disappointed with as they are both top cars
regards
sam
its true i hear him everytime he goes past my pub
and my 17month old points to the window when he hears it
Edited by 007 VXR on Wednesday 24th June 21:30
ringram said:
vxr8 has dual climate control. Bluetooth phone integration, 4 stack cd player all standard
It also has 9.5" wide rims rear standard, suitable for 285's easy and 295's at a push.
Monaro cant touch those specs
Oh plus superior handling
Best to drive both and make your mind up.
LS3 is basically a non supercharged LS9 as per latest ZR1 corvette
Plus heads are pre production LS7 prototypes, so are the latest technology.
Dont buy obsolete, buy technology
I have 10" rims and 285 easy, New stereo will have Nav and bluetooth and a multi change CD setup.It also has 9.5" wide rims rear standard, suitable for 285's easy and 295's at a push.
Monaro cant touch those specs
Oh plus superior handling
Best to drive both and make your mind up.
LS3 is basically a non supercharged LS9 as per latest ZR1 corvette
Plus heads are pre production LS7 prototypes, so are the latest technology.
Dont buy obsolete, buy technology
Not found anyone to outhandle me and that includes RS4's at the ring.
Depends what you want and like really.
LS3 may offer "latest" technology but in stock form it appears to achieve little:
"But its performance is not even a modest step up from the old car; 14bhp doesn’t count for that much in something weighing over 1800kg, after all." - Autocar.
So it has advantage for carrying extra people and stuff but at a penalty.
And they really have gone as far as they can with a NA 2V push rod V8. So Bathurst S needs its super charger.
"But its performance is not even a modest step up from the old car; 14bhp doesn’t count for that much in something weighing over 1800kg, after all." - Autocar.
So it has advantage for carrying extra people and stuff but at a penalty.
And they really have gone as far as they can with a NA 2V push rod V8. So Bathurst S needs its super charger.
granada203028 said:
LS3 may offer "latest" technology but in stock form it appears to achieve little:
"But its performance is not even a modest step up from the old car; 14bhp doesn’t count for that much in something weighing over 1800kg, after all." - Autocar.
So it has advantage for carrying extra people and stuff but at a penalty.
And they really have gone as far as they can with a NA 2V push rod V8. So Bathurst S needs its super charger.
In stock form only dude. Those engines kick arse. Id bet a cam only setup would beat the Bathurst SC heap. The LS3 is heavily detuned."But its performance is not even a modest step up from the old car; 14bhp doesn’t count for that much in something weighing over 1800kg, after all." - Autocar.
So it has advantage for carrying extra people and stuff but at a penalty.
And they really have gone as far as they can with a NA 2V push rod V8. So Bathurst S needs its super charger.
Afterall the LS1 came out in 98 or so with 220kw, it ended up in 2005 with 285kw pretty much all the power came from a tune.
The LS3 is a similar kettle of fish.
ringram said:
vxr8 has dual climate control. Bluetooth phone integration, 4 stack cd player all standard
It also has 9.5" wide rims rear standard, suitable for 285's easy and 295's at a push.
Monaro cant touch those specs
It also has 9.5" wide rims rear standard, suitable for 285's easy and 295's at a push.
Monaro cant touch those specs
Monaro CV8 and VXR both have Dual Climate control and have 6 stack CD player - standard.
granada203028 said:
And they really have gone as far as they can with a NA 2V push rod V8. So Bathurst S needs its super charger.
ah, a journalist who does not know what they are talking about. Plenty more developments of the basic engine on their way. DOD, variable cam timing etc.
Edited by monkfish1 on Thursday 25th June 08:34
hsv_rulz said:
ringram said:
vxr8 has dual climate control. Bluetooth phone integration, 4 stack cd player all standard
It also has 9.5" wide rims rear standard, suitable for 285's easy and 295's at a push.
Monaro cant touch those specs
It also has 9.5" wide rims rear standard, suitable for 285's easy and 295's at a push.
Monaro cant touch those specs
Monaro CV8 and VXR both have Dual Climate control and have 6 stack CD player - standard.
Indeed they do; even the 'poverty spec' CV8s
Don't know what that little statement was based upon. In fact, if everyone changed their cars each time technology moved on, no-one would have any of these cars, or any old musclecar classics. They would have been scrapped a long time ago 
Missing the point by a country mile.Where is the bluetooth, larger brakes and wide rear tyres?
Anyway if you havnt got either, then it would make more sense to me to buy the later model.
They are all under warranty still too.
That being said it probably comes down to a coupe vs sedan choice. Oh the traction control is better in the later model too, as is the ECU.
Also seats 3 across the back. Dash switches between MPH and KMPH as required too for all stats and speedo.
The glove box sucks though, not much space in it for anything but sheets of paper and the door feels like it will fall off at any time.
Anyway if you havnt got either, then it would make more sense to me to buy the later model.
They are all under warranty still too.
That being said it probably comes down to a coupe vs sedan choice. Oh the traction control is better in the later model too, as is the ECU.
Also seats 3 across the back. Dash switches between MPH and KMPH as required too for all stats and speedo.
The glove box sucks though, not much space in it for anything but sheets of paper and the door feels like it will fall off at any time.
I'm fairly confident that the VXR8 will ultimately depreciate more quickly and further than the Monaro. The Monaro is stylish, practical, comfortable, reliable, rare and fast GT – an unusual combination of qualities. The VXR8 will always, regardless of its undoubted dynamic strengths and technical advantages, be a big thirsty saloon.
ringram said:
Where is the bluetooth, larger brakes and wide rear tyres?
Anyway if you havnt got either, then it would make more sense to me to buy the later model.
They are all under warranty still too.
That being said it probably comes down to a coupe vs sedan choice. Oh the traction control is better in the later model too, as is the ECU.
Also seats 3 across the back. Dash switches between MPH and KMPH as required too for all stats and speedo.
The glove box sucks though, not much space in it for anything but sheets of paper and the door feels like it will fall off at any time.
Anyway if you havnt got either, then it would make more sense to me to buy the later model.
They are all under warranty still too.
That being said it probably comes down to a coupe vs sedan choice. Oh the traction control is better in the later model too, as is the ECU.
Also seats 3 across the back. Dash switches between MPH and KMPH as required too for all stats and speedo.
The glove box sucks though, not much space in it for anything but sheets of paper and the door feels like it will fall off at any time.
So does the Monaro. And if its any compensation, it feels like the Monaro glovebox lid is hewn from solid granite!
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