My Monaro rebuild and improve thread
Discussion
I've thought exactly the same thing over and over.
In its current state, it is worth less than half what I paid for it in October. So selling as is doesn't make any sense.
But, to get the car in a condition I want I obviously need to rebuild or replace the engine, rebuild the diff, replace discs and pads and rebuild the calipers, replace the suspension, probably rebuild the box while it's out, lots of faffy bits, A/C to fix, interior etc, then finally sort the bodywork. Essentially it needs a full strip and respray.
I've a picture in my head of a 'modern muscle car' with a lairy paint job, making decent power, making great noise, on solid foundations.
Add that up though, and really, that doesn't make sense either.
But (lots of buts). This is my second Monaro. When I sold my first, I immediately regretted it. Emotion is playing a strong part in my decision making!
In its current state, it is worth less than half what I paid for it in October. So selling as is doesn't make any sense.
But, to get the car in a condition I want I obviously need to rebuild or replace the engine, rebuild the diff, replace discs and pads and rebuild the calipers, replace the suspension, probably rebuild the box while it's out, lots of faffy bits, A/C to fix, interior etc, then finally sort the bodywork. Essentially it needs a full strip and respray.
I've a picture in my head of a 'modern muscle car' with a lairy paint job, making decent power, making great noise, on solid foundations.
Add that up though, and really, that doesn't make sense either.
But (lots of buts). This is my second Monaro. When I sold my first, I immediately regretted it. Emotion is playing a strong part in my decision making!
About 6 or 7 years ago you could get a CV8 for about £6 or £7k. They were worth more as parts which is why good cars were being broken. Today, knackered, high mileage cars are selling and I believe good ones are still worth good money to the right person.
By comparison back in 2011 when I blew mine up for the second time, I spent £20k on a new engine and supercharger as I just couldn’t bear to part with it. Glad I did.
It doesn’t need to make sense financially, stick a new engine in it and enjoy it.
By comparison back in 2011 when I blew mine up for the second time, I spent £20k on a new engine and supercharger as I just couldn’t bear to part with it. Glad I did.
It doesn’t need to make sense financially, stick a new engine in it and enjoy it.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 2nd September 21:28
stu vxr said:
I have and continue to follow this thread with interest, but I have to ask the question is any Monaro given current values worth a engine rebuild or can justify the cost of a crate engine to put back on the road, as a fellow Monaro owner for the past 11 years for the first time ever I honestly don't know or can put a price on our cars.
With the above statement is it honestly worth the effort to rebuild a Monaro with a broken engine given current values?
I personally wouldn't consider a rebuild think my car would be worth more as spare parts.
I would so love to be proved wrong.
I don't think it should matter. There's nothing really sensible about owning a Monaro or VXR8, totally bonkers from a financial perspective. I own a Monaro (bonkers) and a cheap as chips super reliable Astra Estate diesel (very sensible).With the above statement is it honestly worth the effort to rebuild a Monaro with a broken engine given current values?
I personally wouldn't consider a rebuild think my car would be worth more as spare parts.
I would so love to be proved wrong.
These cars are justified with the heart, not head and if my engine failed I'd find a way of putting back on the road.
That said, for 13/14 year old Vauxhalls, the Monaro values are quite strong and supply is short, I think values will at least hold over the next few years. Who knows they may even climb.
marksx said:
I've thought exactly the same thing over and over.
In its current state, it is worth less than half what I paid for it in October. So selling as is doesn't make any sense.
But, to get the car in a condition I want I obviously need to rebuild or replace the engine, rebuild the diff, replace discs and pads and rebuild the calipers, replace the suspension, probably rebuild the box while it's out, lots of faffy bits, A/C to fix, interior etc, then finally sort the bodywork. Essentially it needs a full strip and respray.
I've a picture in my head of a 'modern muscle car' with a lairy paint job, making decent power, making great noise, on solid foundations.
Add that up though, and really, that doesn't make sense either.
But (lots of buts). This is my second Monaro. When I sold my first, I immediately regretted it. Emotion is playing a strong part in my decision making!
I'm glad I'm not the only one asking these questions.In its current state, it is worth less than half what I paid for it in October. So selling as is doesn't make any sense.
But, to get the car in a condition I want I obviously need to rebuild or replace the engine, rebuild the diff, replace discs and pads and rebuild the calipers, replace the suspension, probably rebuild the box while it's out, lots of faffy bits, A/C to fix, interior etc, then finally sort the bodywork. Essentially it needs a full strip and respray.
I've a picture in my head of a 'modern muscle car' with a lairy paint job, making decent power, making great noise, on solid foundations.
Add that up though, and really, that doesn't make sense either.
But (lots of buts). This is my second Monaro. When I sold my first, I immediately regretted it. Emotion is playing a strong part in my decision making!
Over the last two years I've spent around 8k (which I didn't really have) on a car that has a value of maybe 10 to 12k? Its financial madness to spend money on these cars other than servicing.
However, if you want a Monaro, the chances of finding a good one get smaller every year. The cost of fixing or uprating a Monaro never reflects the market value.
In the next 5 years or so it will be difficult to find one in really good condition for the prices they go for today.
The bottom line is if you want any kind of old car, it's going to cost you a packet to restore, maintain or upgrade, it could be a Mini, an Escort, or a Monaro......they all cost money.
For me a Monaro is a tribute to the old muscle cars of the 60s and 70s, and that's enough to want to own one, its all rose tinted glasses really.
You have to pay to play!!!!!!!
John
Its also financial madness to buy a flash new car as well, loosing several thousands over the first few years! Many just doing it to keep up with the Jones's, genuinely convincing themselves that their current 3 year old car with 30,000 on the clock NEEDS to be changed before it starts to cost. All b
ks! So either way is hard to win!
Cars, I'm learning are totally over-rated bits of tin that cost most of us far more than they need to over the years because we want bigger/newer/better.
I've decided this Monaro is my last play thing. I only had it since June and already spent a couple of £k on it and its far from over, but I've started so I'll finish and hopefully keep it long enough to make (some) sense. I love it, but know its a silly car to own really. Then I'll stick to cars like my boring old Astra that cost nothing so lose nothing, cost bugger all to tax, insure, service and repair. Then spend the rest on my mortgage, the house, good food and decent holidays! And have minimal debt.
ks! So either way is hard to win!Cars, I'm learning are totally over-rated bits of tin that cost most of us far more than they need to over the years because we want bigger/newer/better.
I've decided this Monaro is my last play thing. I only had it since June and already spent a couple of £k on it and its far from over, but I've started so I'll finish and hopefully keep it long enough to make (some) sense. I love it, but know its a silly car to own really. Then I'll stick to cars like my boring old Astra that cost nothing so lose nothing, cost bugger all to tax, insure, service and repair. Then spend the rest on my mortgage, the house, good food and decent holidays! And have minimal debt.
I've had my Monaro for a year now and have shelled out £1200 for a load of paintwork and a rust bubble removing from a rear arch, rad, water pump, and I now have an electrical issue AND the clutch slave cylinder has gone, rendering the car immoveable. I've also bought an OTR intake.
Given all the above, I still love it and the money I've spent is gone ...never to be seen again.
Headers next!
Given all the above, I still love it and the money I've spent is gone ...never to be seen again.
Headers next!
I've had mine for 7 and a half years, when the engine blows up, I'll put a bigger one in it 
I say 'when' because I don't plan to ever get rid of the car, and so expect it will blow up one day given it's modified, such is the game!
It fills my 'muscle car' needs, and for the fun I've had it'll eventually work out quite cheap (spread over enough years...)
I say 'when' because I don't plan to ever get rid of the car, and so expect it will blow up one day given it's modified, such is the game!
It fills my 'muscle car' needs, and for the fun I've had it'll eventually work out quite cheap (spread over enough years...)
selym said:
I've had my Monaro for a year now and have shelled out £1200 for a load of paintwork and a rust bubble removing from a rear arch, rad, water pump, and I now have an electrical issue AND the clutch slave cylinder has gone, rendering the car immoveable. I've also bought an OTR intake.
Given all the above, I still love it and the money I've spent is gone ...never to be seen again.
Headers next!
£1200 for a that amount of work over a year is good going I think especially with paint involved.Given all the above, I still love it and the money I've spent is gone ...never to be seen again.
Headers next!
On my wish list I've got the AP brakes (£2200), 4 proper tyres (£800), full re-spray (£3500), possibly new alloys (£1600) and a new head unit (£200-250). Oh and since I've had the AAS cat-back I'd like their headers and high-flow cats, for a complete stainless system. Then just look after it and enjoy.
Bonkers! Totally bonkers!!
SturdyHSV said:
I've had mine for 7 and a half years, when the engine blows up, I'll put a bigger one in it
I say 'when' because I don't plan to ever get rid of the car, and so expect it will blow up one day given it's modified, such is the game!
It fills my 'muscle car' needs, and for the fun I've had it'll eventually work out quite cheap (spread over enough years...)
Liking this a lot! I say 'when' because I don't plan to ever get rid of the car, and so expect it will blow up one day given it's modified, such is the game!
It fills my 'muscle car' needs, and for the fun I've had it'll eventually work out quite cheap (spread over enough years...)
Well it doesn't look like you're afraid of a bit of hard work, following with interest! I reckon sort the engine out and replace what absolutely must be replaced when rebuilding but if the diff and suspension work, slap them back on and get the car mobile, then the list of jobs will be more manageable and you'll have a working car to enjoy in the meantime. Threads like this expose the full range of approaches to ownership: there's loads I could do to mine right now but I use it most days and my only plans for now are to fix stuff in order of urgency, so tomorrow I'm sticking my propshaft back on and making a start on the underbelly scrubbing and de-rusting then back on the road and regroup for the next job. I suppose owners with grander plans are happier to keep the car off the road for longer, but people sometimes hold out for perfection and end up missing out on months or years of just having a decent example that works.
This will make you feel better: I own a Saab 9-5 (same clever cup holders as the Monaro by the way). I bought it as a shed to run into the ground but it’s done a low mileage so have been gradually improving it over the past 3 years I’ve owned it. Car is worth probably less than a grand but so far I’ve spent £3.5k fixing defects (clutch, driveshafts, servicing, suspension refresh etc...) . Last service alone was £1500.
If only I could find a way to make a TVS 2650 fit under the bonnet of my Monaro!. Could prove a welcome distraction!
If only I could find a way to make a TVS 2650 fit under the bonnet of my Monaro!. Could prove a welcome distraction!
wormus said:
This will make you feel better: I own a Saab 9-5 (same clever cup holders as the Monaro by the way). I bought it as a shed to run into the ground but it’s done a low mileage so have been gradually improving it over the past 3 years I’ve owned it. Car is worth probably less than a grand but so far I’ve spent £3.5k fixing defects (clutch, driveshafts, servicing, suspension refresh etc...) . Last service alone was £1500.
I have a BMW Compact which is treated the same. I think I've spent 3x the purchase price, since I've had it.As for the cost effectiveness of fixing the big V8s, when I blew ours it was only 3 years old and then the most cost effective solution would have been to sell the salvage and start again. Instead we put a new engine and gearbox in it. Still, as has already been said, when have these cars ever warranted sensible or logical reasoning?
lincsls2 said:
selym said:
I've had my Monaro for a year now and have shelled out £1200 for a load of paintwork and a rust bubble removing from a rear arch, rad, water pump, and I now have an electrical issue AND the clutch slave cylinder has gone, rendering the car immoveable. I've also bought an OTR intake.
Given all the above, I still love it and the money I've spent is gone ...never to be seen again.
Headers next!
£1200 for a that amount of work over a year is good going I think especially with paint involved.Given all the above, I still love it and the money I've spent is gone ...never to be seen again.
Headers next!
On my wish list I've got the AP brakes (£2200), 4 proper tyres (£800), full re-spray (£3500), possibly new alloys (£1600) and a new head unit (£200-250). Oh and since I've had the AAS cat-back I'd like their headers and high-flow cats, for a complete stainless system. Then just look after it and enjoy.
Bonkers! Totally bonkers!!
Not bothered though, I don't smoke - but I suppose I make up for it by drinking myself to oblivion. It makes me forget the cash bleeding out of my wallet!
I'm glad i'm with likeminded people on here.Since buying mine about 4yrs ago the power steering high and low have let go at different times.One calliper
seized warping a very good disc so new discs callipers and pads done. Various serpentine pulleys changed, thanks Rock auto.
Still love it and just driving it when it's going is a blast. Glad I can do my own repairs.
seized warping a very good disc so new discs callipers and pads done. Various serpentine pulleys changed, thanks Rock auto.
Still love it and just driving it when it's going is a blast. Glad I can do my own repairs.
Good luck fella. I love reading build threads. I spent 4 years fully restoring my last car. I spent stupid money on it and it was I can honestly say, the best one of it's kind anywhere. Was it worth it? Yes. Did it cost me more money than I ever budgeted for...hell yes. Was it fun...absolutely. Was it worth t? It's only money. Life is too bloody short to drive boring sensible cars. All cars are money pits...period. A car is what it mean to you. I have had my Monaro since April and it's certainly not perfect. It has had every conceivable option and mod there is (paid for by other people i'm pleased to say) but it will need a few ££ spending on it but that is a prerequisite.
I always wanted a V8 and to me the Monaro is a real Q car. Mine is fully badged up as a HSV and even has an AUS badge on it...no-one has a clue what it is in the main which I love..but when I start it, it's an event. The noise the occasion makes me smile and I love the fact that it's not like everyone else has. It's not the prettiest car but I just love the fact that it looks angry...Mine's supercharged so it sounds unbelievably angry !! As it will do about 1500-2k miles a year and get used in spring and summer I will spend the money (starting next month at Walkinshaws) within reason because its what I spend my spare cash on but not planning on going mental.
The very best of luck to you and I will look forward to reading your updates.
I always wanted a V8 and to me the Monaro is a real Q car. Mine is fully badged up as a HSV and even has an AUS badge on it...no-one has a clue what it is in the main which I love..but when I start it, it's an event. The noise the occasion makes me smile and I love the fact that it's not like everyone else has. It's not the prettiest car but I just love the fact that it looks angry...Mine's supercharged so it sounds unbelievably angry !! As it will do about 1500-2k miles a year and get used in spring and summer I will spend the money (starting next month at Walkinshaws) within reason because its what I spend my spare cash on but not planning on going mental.
The very best of luck to you and I will look forward to reading your updates.
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