Potential Monaro owner.......

[skinnyman]

That's a really nice colour. I guess as well as being super rare it's also only available on the later small boot models too?

[steve2568]

skinnyman said:

Is it my monitor, or does the first one look like a gunmetal grey, and the second one has a greenish tint?

Lol, I think its the lighting to be fair, mine looks the same in dull lighting. The colour is only a CV8 colour I think and I'm fairly certain ive only seen the facelift CV8 model in this colour. happy to be corrected though

Dull day shot with original wheels

[Greg VXR]

skinnyman said:

So that's an 05 VXR, with the wortec, uprated suspension, AP brakes & a rip shift kit, and it doesn't get used enough, next question, when are you selling......

I don't plan to sell but things can change. I will let you know if that happens do (but don't hold your breath).

[JAMESHSV1]

Greg VXR said:

I don't plan to sell but things can change. I will let you know if that happens do (but don't hold your breath).

05 cv8

[skinnyman]

Why am I finding small boot 05 plates and big boot 06 plates? Were the Australians just not very consistent with things?

[H5V VE]

I would imagine that they were built in the right order - but it just depends on when they were actually sold and registered here in the UK.

Would be quite easy for an older model to be sitting in a less frequented dealership and only registered onto an 06 plate - while a "newer" model was sold and registered from a higher volume dealership on an 05 plate?

[skinnyman]

Well I think, purely based from online research, I want a small boot (CV8z is correct?) One. I much prefer the look over the earlier models, and I'll just have to live with the smaller boot, but then is use the wife's car for the heavy lifting tasks anyway. Shame that 90% of the cars for sale are the earlier models. I've also noticed that alot of the VXR models for sale seem to have front bumper alignment issues.

[mfp4073]

skinnyman said:

Well I think, purely based from online research, I want a small boot (CV8z is correct?) One. I much prefer the look over the earlier models, and I'll just have to live with the smaller boot, but then is use the wife's car for the heavy lifting tasks anyway. Shame that 90% of the cars for sale are the earlier models. I've also noticed that alot of the VXR models for sale seem to have front bumper alignment issues.

Vauxhall imported only 300 of the big boot CV8 Monaro's, and approximately 142 of the smaller booted version.
when you factor in how many cars have been thrashed and crashed over the years, then you can see how difficult it is to try and find a decent car today.
I doubt that there is anything wrong with VXR bumpers, it may well have been removed for repair and not aligned correctly or had a minor bump? Don't forget Monaro body panel fit was never up to euro standards anyway.

[mfp4073]

As previously mentioned, other than for road tax purposes don't take any notice of when a Monaro was registered in the UK. Just be aware that any car registered after march 2006 is in the high tax threshold.
My car is a CV8 small boot model. It was built in December 04 and sold new in the UK in August 06. It is also in the high tax bracket.
Somethings are never straight forward!

[steve2568]

Don't get hung up on the boot, even the smaller ones are big enough for most of your needs, never had any cause to complain or compromise. Good luck in the hunt and hope to see you in one real soon

[Greg VXR]

mfp4073 said:

As previously mentioned, other than for road tax purposes don't take any notice of when a Monaro was registered in the UK. Just be aware that any car registered after march 2006 is in the high tax threshold.
My car is a CV8 small boot model. It was built in December 04 and sold new in the UK in August 06. It is also in the high tax bracket.
Somethings are never straight forward!

Agreed, which is why I got a late 2005 model......that decision has save me around £2k in tax thus far. Also agree with your comments on the bumper alignment.

[MedwayMonaro]

VXR bumper alignment isn't great ime. Not sure why to be honest. I'm sure they left the factory like that.

Facelift CV8 is a great looking car, there is a nice looking yellow one in the PH classifieds at the moment (not my car). With the number of decent cars so small, you're better off looking for condition history and mods, rather than mileage and version.

[mfp4073]

If you do end up with a Monaro in the high tax bracket, just stick it in the garage and sorn it over the winter. That's what I do, and it makes the cost seem a little more bearable. ( I use my wife's car in the winter)

[skinnyman]

Final few questions guys, I promise, just trying to get as much information as possible before I venture out for viewings as I don't want to go to any until I'm 100% happy in what I'm looking for, don't like wasting people's time.

I've read that they're very comfy on longer journeys, but what are they like around town? On rubbish 30mph potted roads? Also, what are the comfort levels like once you start fitting coilovers/suspension kits? And does anyone have a photo of the smaller boot? Trying to gauge if our unnecessarily large 'travel system' will fit, as that will determine what I buy (so says the wife).

[throwyourbike]

The bumper misalignment is pretty common. Mine was fine until it was removed to replace the power steering cooler (most of them will have been replaced by now). Since then the driver side has never sat properly, you get over it after a while.
As has already been mentioned, the panel gaps/build quality isn't great to begin with.

Comfort around town is acceptable but far from fantastic . Mine is on 59k and the original suspension is a bit crashy. Also it's now a 12 year old GM product, so the interior has a fair few rattles. Is what it is though.

You have one hell of a charismatic engine and soon forgive all the shortcomings.

Google "monaro vxr boot" and its the first result.

[skinnyman]

Cheers, ah yeah I see what people mean about the smaller boot now, thats pants for the size of the car, but won't put me off.

The nicely modded yellow one in the classifieds has sold now, me & my bloody dithering!! It had every mod I'd wanted and more! Guess it's a waiting game now.

[Lil'RedGTO]

I have a face-lift CV8 (small boot) and just popped out with a tape measure. The boot dimensions are 135 x 50 x 50 cm (roughly, as the boot is a slightly irregular shape). You need a pram that is long and thin when folded.

The boot is rubbish for the size of the car, but then the car is pretty huge so it's not that bad. It just means squeezing stuff into the cabin on trips away with the kids.

[ossiesmonaro]

skinnyman said:

Cheers, ah yeah I see what people mean about the smaller boot now, thats pants for the size of the car, but won't put me off.

The nicely modded yellow one in the classifieds has sold now, me & my bloody dithering!! It had every mod I'd wanted and more! Guess it's a waiting game now.

Sold yesterday to Peter from Chelmsfords. Very sad day. Why the fk did I sell it. ( just did have time to drive it, probably done 1500 miles in the last 3 years in it) Awesome car. But must move on. Look forward Told him to get on here. Even found a LS7 clutch kit with clutch slave cylinder in the back of the garage I forgot about as well. If you snooze you lose

Edited by ossiesmonaro on Sunday 14th May 08:51

[mfp4073]

skinnyman said:

Final few questions guys, I promise, just trying to get as much information as possible before I venture out for viewings as I don't want to go to any until I'm 100% happy in what I'm looking for, don't like wasting people's time.

I've read that they're very comfy on longer journeys, but what are they like around town? On rubbish 30mph potted roads? Also, what are the comfort levels like once you start fitting coilovers/suspension kits? And does anyone have a photo of the smaller boot? Trying to gauge if our unnecessarily large 'travel system' will fit, as that will determine what I buy (so says the wife).

My Monaro had around 59,000 miles on it original suspension. It was rubbish on badly maintained roads, and it crashed and jiggled at low speed. Strangely if was fine at high speed.
Last October I had Monkfish fit a Pedders low suspension kit, together with new drop links and a quick rack. The car was very much improved to say the least.
Last week I driving the back roads of Northumberland, and believe me I don't think the roads have been fixed since the 1950's. The car coped very well on all road surfaces, and i'm glad that I didn't fit coilovers as I think the ride would have been too harsh.
It all depends on what you want from a Monaro. My car was standard when I bought it. I think I had it for a couple of years before I started to improve it. Ten years later I still have plans for it, but as ever it depends on the finance's....Sometime I want it to be a comfy GT car, and sometimes It's a Mad Max Interceptor!
If you really want a Monaro just wait for the right car. If it turns out you don't really like it or it's not suitable for your need's, then sell it on. At least you will know.
These cars are old school, almost 1970's technology, you have to accept their short comings. The bottom line is you either get the Australian muscle car thing or you don't.

[monaro55]

where in East midlands are you profile a little short on info.