Monaro VXR for new Dad?
Discussion
Hi PH'ers,
Just found out I'm gonna be a Dad - yay! I'm delighted with this news but it also means my Lotus Europa has to go..
After umm-ing and ahh-ing about Alfa 159's and 5 series' I'm thinking about scratching that V8 itch and going for a 6.0 Monaro VXR (the GF has approved)
Been doing some and reading up and will continue to do so but in the meantime can any owners comment on the more practical aspects of ownership i.e. ability to get a buggy in the boot etc. The boot doesn't look as big as I expected so any comments regarding this and other things I haven't considered would be appreciated.
Ta muchly,
Tom
Just found out I'm gonna be a Dad - yay! I'm delighted with this news but it also means my Lotus Europa has to go..
After umm-ing and ahh-ing about Alfa 159's and 5 series' I'm thinking about scratching that V8 itch and going for a 6.0 Monaro VXR (the GF has approved)
Been doing some and reading up and will continue to do so but in the meantime can any owners comment on the more practical aspects of ownership i.e. ability to get a buggy in the boot etc. The boot doesn't look as big as I expected so any comments regarding this and other things I haven't considered would be appreciated.
Ta muchly,
Tom
i did have to get a smaller buggy (older style) but this fits no probs
baby seat ..no issues ..electric seats are a bit slow ..plus it is a bit of a squeeze getting in and out of the back with child in your arms ...but over all no issues ...can live with the above issues , ownership is well worth it
p.s 003.5 is now almost 2 ..got the car about 1hr before GF found out she was pregnet
p.p.s G force makes your kid look chinese by the time there 18months
p.p.p.s conrats on your news
baby seat ..no issues ..electric seats are a bit slow ..plus it is a bit of a squeeze getting in and out of the back with child in your arms ...but over all no issues ...can live with the above issues , ownership is well worth it
p.s 003.5 is now almost 2 ..got the car about 1hr before GF found out she was pregnet
p.p.s G force makes your kid look chinese by the time there 18months
p.p.p.s conrats on your news
Edited by 007 VXR on Monday 5th October 19:27
Edited by 007 VXR on Monday 5th October 19:30
Edited by 007 VXR on Monday 5th October 19:31
Congratulations. You'll need a 2004 Monaro which has the bigger boot; the 2005-> (VZ) model is useless as it's full of fuel tank. The earlier VXR is my favourite anyway. Loads of rear passenger space for baby seats etc so don't worry about that.
Alternatively get a VXR8, which has 4 doors and a large boot. Owners will you a how practical it is but in truth it's a bit of a heavy old minga.
Alternatively get a VXR8, which has 4 doors and a large boot. Owners will you a how practical it is but in truth it's a bit of a heavy old minga.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 5th October 19:32
If it's any encouragement the car I used during the first few years of parenthood was a Triumph GT6. For outings with all three of us we used a Scimitar which was only marginally more practical.
If you get a Monaro I'd put the nipper in the front (in a rear-facing baby seat, if those are still legal) and the GF in the back.
If you get a Monaro I'd put the nipper in the front (in a rear-facing baby seat, if those are still legal) and the GF in the back.
Yes electric seats are a little slow, and it is a bit of a reach when they are young. Also you cant turn the front airbag off so you cant fit a rear facing (new baby) type seat in the front so difficult to see what the babe is doing until they can get into a forward facing seat.
The boot is not an issue with the basic stuff but when you get into everything else that goes with it then you need the back seat(cots, changing mats blah blah... the list goes on).
That said there is always a way .........., so I wouldn't let it put you off.
The boot is not an issue with the basic stuff but when you get into everything else that goes with it then you need the back seat(cots, changing mats blah blah... the list goes on).
That said there is always a way .........., so I wouldn't let it put you off.
Edited by mogv8 on Monday 5th October 19:39
Yertis said:
If it's any encouragement the car I used during the first few years of parenthood was a Triumph GT6. For outings with all three of us we used a Scimitar which was only marginally more practical.
If you get a Monaro I'd put the nipper in the front (in a rear-facing baby seat, if those are still legal) and the GF in the back.
Cheers for the advice all. GF laughed (sort of) about her being relegated to the back seat If you get a Monaro I'd put the nipper in the front (in a rear-facing baby seat, if those are still legal) and the GF in the back.
Is there such a difference between the '04 5.7 and the later 6.0 in terms of driving experience? As I said, I'm still reading up about all the variants but I've heard the 6.0 has better steering, gearbox, suspension etc and as such is a better overall proposition. Thoughts?
VXR8 would be ideal but slightly out of budget. Trying to stay under the £17k mark.
Thanks again
for a new dad it will be the worse car for your status. I loved my Ro but it was not a practical car. Huge rear seats but takes 20 minutes for the front seats to come forward enough to gain access, even then the seats do not fold forward enough.
You will not be able to safely sit a child seat in the bucket style rear or front seats, well not to what I would call a satisfactory level. Boot is pitiful on anything but the 04 cv8/vxr
For a new dad, move on or get a vxr8
You will not be able to safely sit a child seat in the bucket style rear or front seats, well not to what I would call a satisfactory level. Boot is pitiful on anything but the 04 cv8/vxr
For a new dad, move on or get a vxr8
mogv8 said:
Also you cant turn the front airbag off so you cant fit a rear facing (new baby) type seat in the front so difficult to see what the babe is doing until they can get into a forward facing seat.
I hadn't thought of that. Airbags hadn't really caught on when my two were small. We used to fasten the baby seat in the back of the Scimitar with load-straps, and even that was a significant advance on my own toddler-hood when I rode (or slid) around in the back of Dad's van, perched on a cushion on top of his tool box. Kids today, etc...
Edited by Yertis on Monday 5th October 20:08
Thanks for the honest appraisal all. Seems like the Monaro might not be quite right for my needs. Fam-damily must come first and all that...
Will look at Audi's although the idea doesn't really get me going....just seems too conservative a choice.
Meanwhile, back to the 159 classifieds. If anyone has another leftfield idea, then I'm all ears
Will look at Audi's although the idea doesn't really get me going....just seems too conservative a choice.
Meanwhile, back to the 159 classifieds. If anyone has another leftfield idea, then I'm all ears
Audis are nice but very dull and expensive to run. Here's a nice 04 VXR, higher than average mileage but you get the idea: www.pistonheads.com/sales/1281487.htm
I used to have a 159 and it had sod all leg room in the back. If you are tall, get used to being kicked in the back.
I used to have a 159 and it had sod all leg room in the back. If you are tall, get used to being kicked in the back.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 5th October 20:26
tom77 said:
Thanks for the honest appraisal all. Seems like the Monaro might not be quite right for my needs. Fam-damily must come first and all that...
Will look at Audi's although the idea doesn't really get me going....just seems too conservative a choice.
Meanwhile, back to the 159 classifieds. If anyone has another leftfield idea, then I'm all ears
go test drive one and take a baby seat with you ....i love mine and so dose GF and boy ..with no issues Will look at Audi's although the idea doesn't really get me going....just seems too conservative a choice.
Meanwhile, back to the 159 classifieds. If anyone has another leftfield idea, then I'm all ears
stigmundfreud said:
for a new dad it will be the worse car for your status.
You will not be able to safely sit a child seat in the bucket style rear or front seats, well not to what I would call a satisfactory level.
For a new dad, move on or get a vxr8
You will not be able to safely sit a child seat in the bucket style rear or front seats, well not to what I would call a satisfactory level.
For a new dad, move on or get a vxr8
Bullshit Stig. We had Cols Granddaughter in the baby seat in the Monaro. It was installed 100% safely a or we wouldn't have put her in there.
And what do you mean "not to what i would call a satisfactory level" Do you have children????
Bonnie and Clyde said:
stigmundfreud said:
for a new dad it will be the worse car for your status.
You will not be able to safely sit a child seat in the bucket style rear or front seats, well not to what I would call a satisfactory level.
For a new dad, move on or get a vxr8
BullsYou will not be able to safely sit a child seat in the bucket style rear or front seats, well not to what I would call a satisfactory level.
For a new dad, move on or get a vxr8
t Stig. We had Cols Granddaughter in the baby seat in the Monaro. It was installed 100% safely a or we wouldn't have put her in there. And what do you mean "not to what i would call a satisfactory level" Do you have children????
God forbid there was an accident, I'd hate to imagine the trouble you would have accesing a child in the back. No thaks.
VXR8 all day any day
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