(Another) New Monaro owner
Discussion
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.
Welcome to the gang, I agree the Monaro is one lovely car to look at. You are correct regarding brake lines, and if changing use copper nickel ones that do not rust, The power steering pipe in front of rad I would change ASAP because it is well by its life at that milage and its not too hard to change. Look after the leather seats with plenty of conditioner especially the driver seat side bolster( if thats the correct word for it).
Any questions just ask away and someone will help you on this forum.
Enjoy
Ade
Any questions just ask away and someone will help you on this forum.
Enjoy
Ade
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
The LS series of engines are really very good on fuel for what they are. They might be made of alloy and have a plastic inlet manifold, not to mention fuel injection, but underneath the modern bits they engine layout is pure 1950's Chevrolet. Basically tried and trusted simple engineering.
On my car I use a quality 5/30 synthetic oil and filter, together with a fuel injector cleaner once a year, that keeps it running sweet. I don't thrash it from cold, and I like to let it tick over enough to cool down after a hot run.
As you can probably guess, some people think I'm fussy and I have issues ( possibly ) but on the plus side I can get an easy 26 mpg on a run out.
In reality you can get single figures or even sub 30's mpg, out of a Monaro. I suspect most other performance cars get that anyway, and that's with only four cylinders.
John
On my car I use a quality 5/30 synthetic oil and filter, together with a fuel injector cleaner once a year, that keeps it running sweet. I don't thrash it from cold, and I like to let it tick over enough to cool down after a hot run.
As you can probably guess, some people think I'm fussy and I have issues ( possibly ) but on the plus side I can get an easy 26 mpg on a run out.
In reality you can get single figures or even sub 30's mpg, out of a Monaro. I suspect most other performance cars get that anyway, and that's with only four cylinders.
John
Ronaro said:
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
You get used to the MPG, just forget how often you are at the pump.Ronaro
vxr2010 said:
On a tuned monaro with a 3.9 diff i got 35mpg , not that i always want to drive so carefully , but as above for what it is i don’t think it’s that bad on fuel , you look at similar cars bhp wise and they are often worse on fuel
I get north of 30 mpg on a run, as long as I stick the cruise control on. Small adjustments with the throttle seem to be what kills the MPG on these...as well as most other cars!Welcome 
It's quieter than it used to be but you'll still get plenty of help and advice on here, just maybe a little slower
Fuel wise they're really not that bad at all, the long legged gearing no doubt helps.
Whereabouts are you based? Be cautious of meeting up with other owners, the modding bug is highly contagious and we've all got it
It's quieter than it used to be but you'll still get plenty of help and advice on here, just maybe a little slower
Fuel wise they're really not that bad at all, the long legged gearing no doubt helps.
Whereabouts are you based? Be cautious of meeting up with other owners, the modding bug is highly contagious and we've all got it
Ronaro said:
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?!
I was reading up on this and it appears that the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 2.0 is a fit, but I'd probably just go to the local hydraulics place and have one made.
The carpet mats were retained by a single twist in plastic locking clip. They usually snap over time. I remember a solid metal one was available from the Pontiac GTO site which was much better than stock.
You could try Walkinshaw performance for an original one if they are still available. This may be one of those parts that are a bit tricky to get hold of now.
John
You could try Walkinshaw performance for an original one if they are still available. This may be one of those parts that are a bit tricky to get hold of now.
John
https://m.ebay.ca/itm/50-OFF-SALE-GTO-Floormat-Cli...
These are the type I have. The plastic ones are worse than crap.
These are the type I have. The plastic ones are worse than crap.
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