(Another) New Monaro owner

[Ronaro]

Evening all, I very recently joined the merry band of Monaro owners by buying a Quick Silver ‘04 big boot CV8. Ever since I first saw one I’ve been a huge fan of the big Aussie coupe and everytime I saw one of them on the roads I would point and say out loud in an over excited voice “Monaro” (much to my family’s amusement) as they are quite distinctive from anything else.
Sooo, having done much research and reading up on them beforehand including on here (thanks guys) and having been to look at it and drive it twice (second Monaro I’ve driven) finally I decided to take the plunge and hand over my hard earned reddies as to me the Monaro is one of the most beautiful looking cars ever made. This one was built in February 2004 and registered in the UK in June of the same year. It comes with a full service history - mostly done by Monkfish with just over 87k on the clock and twelve months ticket, and appears to have an aftermarket exhaust (possibly Wortec) but otherwise it seems to be original.
My impressions of driving it so far are; superb and comfortable driving position and a great cruiser, it sounds utterly amazing and pulls like a train with oodles of torque, quite simply puts a smile on my face everytime I get in it and turn the key, love driving something so different - oh and the standard brakes are shocking (at least compared to my newer daily drive). But as I’m still learning the car and not pushing it hard it just makes me think and plan ahead a bit more which is no bad thing really. One other thing that makes me smile is that when people see it coming towards them they often look straight at the badge at the front as if to say “what the heck is it” 😆.
Looking around it’s very clean and straight but with the usual suspects that are going to need attention soon i.e. possible brake pipe replacements, petrol tank straps plus the first thing I noticed when looking over her was a rather shabby looking thin metal pipe near the base of the radiator running from one side of the engine bay to the other just in front of the engine (power steering maybe?!). It doesn’t appear to be leaking at the moment. No doubt there’ll be more when I can get properly underneath.

Now if I can work out how to post piccies on here I’ll add a couple of her.
Anyway thanks for reading.

[Ronaro]

Thanks guys, Your advice and support is appreciated. I also have to say that the mpg is not as frightening as I first imagined. I went for a blast yesterday and despite giving it some welly several times in between the obligatory 20 and 30 speed limits i still got around 21 to the gallon. Not bad for a V8


Ronaro

[Ronaro]

Thanks for the replies. A few pics, hope they come out ok. It’s only the drain I parked on that makes it look nose heavy,

[Ronaro]

Thanks guys. Is that lower power steering pipe a stock item at Vauxhall’s or is there a better way to go about getting one?!

[Ronaro]

Cheers. Looking at the front mats it appears I’m missing a couple of fixers / studs. Any idea what was originally used or where I can get some?

[Ronaro]

Thanks John

[Ronaro]

I like those - is that a good price?

[Ronaro]

selym said:

I think it's a bit steep for what they are but I bought some so go figure!

I think it’s a bit steep too - but I’ve just ordered some anyway

[Ronaro]

THUNDER STORM said:

I fitted a Cav Mk3 pipe as it as a plastic coating on the metal. A bit of moding but mine as been on for years no probs. When I had a MK3 Cav I sold it with around 132,000 miles on it and that pipe was like new.

Ade

Interesting idea Ade. When you say “a bit of modding” can you give me an idea of what needed modding?

[Ronaro]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Now I don’t want to change too much to the Ro but if anyone has a nice nostrils bonnet preferably in silver that they’d like to dispose of then please let me know

[Ronaro]

SturdyHSV said:

You'll get used to this sensation, bits from Australia / USA always feel like a bit of a kick in the plums

The floor mat retainers arrived today and I’m well pleased with them. Thanks for the tip-off.

[Ronaro]

Just looked in the back and noticed I’m missing a small cover from the rear of the centre console. Any ideas where I could find a replacement at a reasonable price?

[Ronaro]

I thought that too but it has a very neat little mat sitting inside.

[Ronaro]

Many thanks

[Ronaro]

Evening all, so I’ve noticed that there seems to be movement from the gearbox under the floor over cirtain size bumps - which I think means a new bolt on gearbox mount is required.
I’ve seen a supplier in the US but are there any good definately suppliers in the UK for these - part from maybe Vx dealerships?

I’m based near Cambridge.

[Ronaro]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

[Ronaro]

Thanks for that. I did read that on your blog so will bear it in mind.

[Ronaro]

Ok a couple of things I’ve noticed as I learn about this beast of a car.

Firstly the ride. On A roads it’s a beauty, but on uneven B roads it’s not very settled and the suspension seems to have very little give in it. Is this normal or are my shocks due for replacement?

Secondly, when I accelerate there is a slight vibration through the gear-lever when I keep my hand on it which has got a little worse over the past few weeks, but not when cruising or slowing down. The gearbox mount is due for replacement, but could this be something like propsheft centre bearing or something more sinister?

Cheers.

[Ronaro]

That’ll be me . I could hear the engine of that little 500 over the top of mine lol. But I’m yet to see another Ro on the road so I’ll keep my eyes peeled.

[Ronaro]

Thanks for the replies.

Looking through the service history, Monkfish suggested a few years ago that both front shock absorbers were worn out, and I can’t find any invoices to suggest that they were replaced. Sooo that could be why she feels a bit ‘solid’ and ‘bangy’ on the front end. I’m pretty certain the suspension is still standard. It certainly isn’t low.