Monaro what to look for?
Discussion
Hello
This is probably far too early to do this thread but thought I would post it up now whilst I way my option up and have something to aim for!
Anyway I currently drive a Mk4 Golf GTI a modified 998 mini and I am looking at potential upgrades for about 12 months time...
The reason I am looking now is due to the fact I will be back at Uni in September and without wheels so want to get an idea of what I want whilst I can still travel about to look at cars etc
My budget was going to be around £10k for the car and it would be replacing my GTI as I would never sell the mini. I have a decent job lined up as well after uni for my age (21 now will be 22 at time of purchase) to help fund running costs and fuel!
I had been looking at thing such as a BMW M3 and also a 996 carrera/boxter s but fear the running costs could kill me. What attracts me to the monaro is that it is to my knowledge a relatively unstressed lump and pretty reliable would I be correct in thinking this?
Also which is the best sort of model to get for my budget? I would ideally spend nearer 8k but could stretch to 10k for a nice example at the time. Personally I liked the idea of the 5.7 VXR as I believe the boot got smaller after this time?
What are the running costs like in terms of servicing etc? I plan to do circa 12k miles a year and was going to set aside 2k for costs over than fuel would this be enough?
Are they any essential modifications to look for when buying? And what sort of price is a decent 5.7 VXR going for in the current market?
Finally what are they like on fuel I currently get 27/28 in the golf on super only would to monaro be able to get close to 25 on a run if driven carefully as I could live with that 
Oh and if anyone in the south area has one I could take a look at this time this year it would be appreciated 
This is probably far too early to do this thread but thought I would post it up now whilst I way my option up and have something to aim for!
Anyway I currently drive a Mk4 Golf GTI a modified 998 mini and I am looking at potential upgrades for about 12 months time...
The reason I am looking now is due to the fact I will be back at Uni in September and without wheels so want to get an idea of what I want whilst I can still travel about to look at cars etc
My budget was going to be around £10k for the car and it would be replacing my GTI as I would never sell the mini. I have a decent job lined up as well after uni for my age (21 now will be 22 at time of purchase) to help fund running costs and fuel!
I had been looking at thing such as a BMW M3 and also a 996 carrera/boxter s but fear the running costs could kill me. What attracts me to the monaro is that it is to my knowledge a relatively unstressed lump and pretty reliable would I be correct in thinking this?
Also which is the best sort of model to get for my budget? I would ideally spend nearer 8k but could stretch to 10k for a nice example at the time. Personally I liked the idea of the 5.7 VXR as I believe the boot got smaller after this time?
What are the running costs like in terms of servicing etc? I plan to do circa 12k miles a year and was going to set aside 2k for costs over than fuel would this be enough?
Are they any essential modifications to look for when buying? And what sort of price is a decent 5.7 VXR going for in the current market?
Finally what are they like on fuel I currently get 27/28 in the golf on super only would to monaro be able to get close to 25 on a run if driven carefully as I could live with that 
Oh and if anyone in the south area has one I could take a look at this time this year it would be appreciated 
Welcome 
There's lots of people down South who'd be happy to show you around, definitely. I'm up in Aylesbury so a little far when there's people on your doorstep.
As for fuel, yes, it'll easily get 25mpg on a run, and doesn't need to run on super unleaded either. I drove down to Aldershot for Wheels Day, and including a little queueing on the M25 etc. I got 29.4mpg. Average on a run is normally more like 27.5 for me, average over a tank normally around 22-23, if all shorter journeys / fooling around, more like 18.
Running costs are low if you don't include modding. Once you've been bitten with that bug though the costs expand to match your wallet if you're not strict
Look for Monkfish history if possible, then either speak to them about the car, or just post a link to it on here and chances are we'll know of it. If it's far away someone nearby may well go and look at it for you, we're a nice lot like that.
There are plenty of us young lot in Monaros, the Vectras are for the old folk as they can get their zimmer in the boot. Come along to a meet and have a chat to people is probably your best bet, I'm sure you'll get a passenger ride or two as well
There's lots of people down South who'd be happy to show you around, definitely. I'm up in Aylesbury so a little far when there's people on your doorstep.
As for fuel, yes, it'll easily get 25mpg on a run, and doesn't need to run on super unleaded either. I drove down to Aldershot for Wheels Day, and including a little queueing on the M25 etc. I got 29.4mpg. Average on a run is normally more like 27.5 for me, average over a tank normally around 22-23, if all shorter journeys / fooling around, more like 18.
Running costs are low if you don't include modding. Once you've been bitten with that bug though the costs expand to match your wallet if you're not strict
Look for Monkfish history if possible, then either speak to them about the car, or just post a link to it on here and chances are we'll know of it. If it's far away someone nearby may well go and look at it for you, we're a nice lot like that.
There are plenty of us young lot in Monaros, the Vectras are for the old folk as they can get their zimmer in the boot. Come along to a meet and have a chat to people is probably your best bet, I'm sure you'll get a passenger ride or two as well
SturdyHSV said:
Welcome
There's lots of people down South who'd be happy to show you around, definitely. I'm up in Aylesbury so a little far when there's people on your doorstep.
As for fuel, yes, it'll easily get 25mpg on a run, and doesn't need to run on super unleaded either. I drove down to Aldershot for Wheels Day, and including a little queueing on the M25 etc. I got 29.4mpg. Average on a run is normally more like 27.5 for me, average over a tank normally around 22-23, if all shorter journeys / fooling around, more like 18.
Running costs are low if you don't include modding. Once you've been bitten with that bug though the costs expand to match your wallet if you're not strict
Look for Monkfish history if possible, then either speak to them about the car, or just post a link to it on here and chances are we'll know of it. If it's far away someone nearby may well go and look at it for you, we're a nice lot like that.
There are plenty of us young lot in Monaros, the Vectras are for the old folk as they can get their zimmer in the boot. Come along to a meet and have a chat to people is probably your best bet, I'm sure you'll get a passenger ride or two as well
Okay thanks a lot for the help There's lots of people down South who'd be happy to show you around, definitely. I'm up in Aylesbury so a little far when there's people on your doorstep.
As for fuel, yes, it'll easily get 25mpg on a run, and doesn't need to run on super unleaded either. I drove down to Aldershot for Wheels Day, and including a little queueing on the M25 etc. I got 29.4mpg. Average on a run is normally more like 27.5 for me, average over a tank normally around 22-23, if all shorter journeys / fooling around, more like 18.
Running costs are low if you don't include modding. Once you've been bitten with that bug though the costs expand to match your wallet if you're not strict
Look for Monkfish history if possible, then either speak to them about the car, or just post a link to it on here and chances are we'll know of it. If it's far away someone nearby may well go and look at it for you, we're a nice lot like that.
There are plenty of us young lot in Monaros, the Vectras are for the old folk as they can get their zimmer in the boot. Come along to a meet and have a chat to people is probably your best bet, I'm sure you'll get a passenger ride or two as well
No real rush to see one just looking at the different options at the moment as I am still considering an M3 etc... just looking at the pro's and con's of each car so have something to aim for
In truth if I sold my mini and golf I could buy a monaro right now but as I am going back to Uni from September - end April don't really see the point as it will just be sat on my parents drive!
The fuel economy sounds a lot better than I expected my Golf is pretty similar and runs on super only so the fact a 5.7/6.0 is as economical as a 6.0 is pretty remarkable. I did read they where good on a run thanks to a very long 6th gear though before...
I will probably try and come to a meet sometime before the end of the summer as they is no real rush and just getting a feel for things at the moment
ARAF said:
I think you've got your hands full with the two cars you have already bought this month.
Prices change, so it may be better for you to come back with your budget when you are ready to buy, and see what is around.
Yes budget wise no prices will change just looking at the different running costs so I have something to aim for if that makes sense. Prices change, so it may be better for you to come back with your budget when you are ready to buy, and see what is around.
I have seen one 5.7 VXR on here for sub 9k which pleases me. Personally I feel these cars can't drop much further value wise as they already seem a bargain to me and therefore it's another reason they appeal.
My hope is looking forward to the car etc... will encourage me to get through the last year of Uni as I need something to aim for whilst I am stuck writing my disseratation!
Oh and with regards to car's yes I agree the Golf was a mistake but only need it for a few months and it was a cheap well looked after car. The civic I got cheap through work and the profit from that will go into the car fund
not to throw a spannger in your works but there is very limited 5.7 vxr's in the country around 62 to be exact and thats not counting the ones that have been written off.
you are right the early models (04) have much bigger boots than the 05 cars but the 04 cars do not have such aggressive styling.
if you worried about costs then in a nice way these cars are not for you, yes you can get good MPG if you drive steady and do long runs but lets be honest fokes some of the parts are not what you would call cheap for example a pair of front brake discs for a vxr is cerca £400 for after market standard sized discs if the car has bigger AP brakes fitted that price is closer to 1k and body parts are not cheap either. but run of the mill servicing is good value.
you are right the early models (04) have much bigger boots than the 05 cars but the 04 cars do not have such aggressive styling.
if you worried about costs then in a nice way these cars are not for you, yes you can get good MPG if you drive steady and do long runs but lets be honest fokes some of the parts are not what you would call cheap for example a pair of front brake discs for a vxr is cerca £400 for after market standard sized discs if the car has bigger AP brakes fitted that price is closer to 1k and body parts are not cheap either. but run of the mill servicing is good value.
the_ferret82 said:
not to throw a spannger in your works but there is very limited 5.7 vxr's in the country around 62 to be exact and thats not counting the ones that have been written off.
you are right the early models (04) have much bigger boots than the 05 cars but the 04 cars do not have such aggressive styling.
if you worried about costs then in a nice way these cars are not for you, yes you can get good MPG if you drive steady and do long runs but lets be honest fokes some of the parts are not what you would call cheap for example a pair of front brake discs for a vxr is cerca £400 for after market standard sized discs if the car has bigger AP brakes fitted that price is closer to 1k and body parts are not cheap either. but run of the mill servicing is good value.
Only 62 you are right the early models (04) have much bigger boots than the 05 cars but the 04 cars do not have such aggressive styling.
if you worried about costs then in a nice way these cars are not for you, yes you can get good MPG if you drive steady and do long runs but lets be honest fokes some of the parts are not what you would call cheap for example a pair of front brake discs for a vxr is cerca £400 for after market standard sized discs if the car has bigger AP brakes fitted that price is closer to 1k and body parts are not cheap either. but run of the mill servicing is good value.
well if not I would go for a later 6.0 car and deal with the smaller boot I suppose...With regards to brakes £400 for disks doesn't seem that bad to me I had set aside 2k a year to run the car apart from fuel for 12k miles so don't see how that figure could be miles off?
greggy50 said:
the_ferret82 said:
not to throw a spannger in your works but there is very limited 5.7 vxr's in the country around 62 to be exact and thats not counting the ones that have been written off.
you are right the early models (04) have much bigger boots than the 05 cars but the 04 cars do not have such aggressive styling.
if you worried about costs then in a nice way these cars are not for you, yes you can get good MPG if you drive steady and do long runs but lets be honest fokes some of the parts are not what you would call cheap for example a pair of front brake discs for a vxr is cerca £400 for after market standard sized discs if the car has bigger AP brakes fitted that price is closer to 1k and body parts are not cheap either. but run of the mill servicing is good value.
Only 62 you are right the early models (04) have much bigger boots than the 05 cars but the 04 cars do not have such aggressive styling.
if you worried about costs then in a nice way these cars are not for you, yes you can get good MPG if you drive steady and do long runs but lets be honest fokes some of the parts are not what you would call cheap for example a pair of front brake discs for a vxr is cerca £400 for after market standard sized discs if the car has bigger AP brakes fitted that price is closer to 1k and body parts are not cheap either. but run of the mill servicing is good value.
well if not I would go for a later 6.0 car and deal with the smaller boot I suppose...With regards to brakes £400 for disks doesn't seem that bad to me I had set aside 2k a year to run the car apart from fuel for 12k miles so don't see how that figure could be miles off?
if your keeping the car standard or lightly modded you should be able to run a car excluding fuel for 2k a yer some years will be tight others will not be. it will depend on wht needs repacing as it has worn out.
i just want to make sure people are aware of part costs.
FYI we have a FB page and a nice buyers guide on there
Don't let the doom mongers put you off
Like any car they can be crazy expensive if you go down the modified route. Left fairly standard apart from things like spigot bearings and top mounts these are very reliable cars and it's a fair bet that any car you buy if it has been looked after will have had these changed.
You seem to have your head screwed on (which is a good thing) but you buy a Monaro with your heart which is maybe why you're getting the advice you have thus far. I don't think any of us owners see our cars as "sensible" purchases, personally it wasn't a question of having to get a Monaro I NEEDED to have that V8 in my life. Given the issues I've had with my car during my ownership any sane person would have cut their loses long ago but my car is too ingrained into my soul to even contemplate doing something like that.
Like any car they can be crazy expensive if you go down the modified route. Left fairly standard apart from things like spigot bearings and top mounts these are very reliable cars and it's a fair bet that any car you buy if it has been looked after will have had these changed.
You seem to have your head screwed on (which is a good thing) but you buy a Monaro with your heart which is maybe why you're getting the advice you have thus far. I don't think any of us owners see our cars as "sensible" purchases, personally it wasn't a question of having to get a Monaro I NEEDED to have that V8 in my life. Given the issues I've had with my car during my ownership any sane person would have cut their loses long ago but my car is too ingrained into my soul to even contemplate doing something like that.
greggy50 said:
Only 62 well if not I would go for a later 6.0 car and deal with the smaller boot I suppose...
With regards to brakes £400 for disks doesn't seem that bad to me I had set aside 2k a year to run the car apart from fuel for 12k miles so don't see how that figure could be miles off?
That is front discs only for ~£400, about the same for the rears, then ~£200 for a full set of pads. Springs and dampers all round can be as little as ~£600 (more for uprated bits). Routine fluids are standard performance fluid prices, belts are cheap, and any good home DIYer or garage can work on the cars with a minimum of skinned knuckles. well if not I would go for a later 6.0 car and deal with the smaller boot I suppose...With regards to brakes £400 for disks doesn't seem that bad to me I had set aside 2k a year to run the car apart from fuel for 12k miles so don't see how that figure could be miles off?
the_ferret82 said:
you must be the first person to say that... normally people come in thinking the car is a vauxhall and parts will be super cheap. where thats not really the story.
if your keeping the car standard or lightly modded you should be able to run a car excluding fuel for 2k a yer some years will be tight others will not be. it will depend on wht needs repacing as it has worn out.
i just want to make sure people are aware of part costs.
FYI we have a FB page and a nice buyers guide on there
Yes I am aware it's a performance car and therefore has high prices for parts as it is basically a holden with a different badge if your keeping the car standard or lightly modded you should be able to run a car excluding fuel for 2k a yer some years will be tight others will not be. it will depend on wht needs repacing as it has worn out.
i just want to make sure people are aware of part costs.
FYI we have a FB page and a nice buyers guide on there
£400 is pricey but by no means riduculous really considering the performance but I am not sure I would want the AP brakes as 1k would be too much for me and I would probably just stick with some uprated pads as don't want something with huge power as it's my first rwd car and my golf only has about 210 and is the fastest car I have owned...
However compared to something like an E46 M3 looking they are a lot less to run comparatvely with relatively cheap servicing and no inspection 1/2 nonsence
The other thing that attracts me is to my knowledge doesn't seem to be any major borkage issues that can occur with these cars like vanos on an M3 with the engine and gearbox being pretty bulletproof meaning whilst expensive to run it shouldn't hit you with an unexpected bill of thousands...
While I would never try to put a potential buyer off I will say this.... go in with your eyes open.
I love my Ro but it hasn't been as cheap to run as I had initially thought it would. The cars are almost 10 years old now so inevitably things will fail.
Edit: I also notice you said "not bad considering the performance", have you actually driven one yet?
They are no slouch but not rapid either in my opinion. Don't forget it's a big old lump, with a lazy V8 and long gearing.
I love my Ro but it hasn't been as cheap to run as I had initially thought it would. The cars are almost 10 years old now so inevitably things will fail.
Edit: I also notice you said "not bad considering the performance", have you actually driven one yet?
They are no slouch but not rapid either in my opinion. Don't forget it's a big old lump, with a lazy V8 and long gearing.
Edited by throwyourbike on Tuesday 30th April 14:40
KMud said:
That is front discs only for ~£400, about the same for the rears, then ~£200 for a full set of pads. Springs and dampers all round can be as little as ~£600 (more for uprated bits). Routine fluids are standard performance fluid prices, belts are cheap, and any good home DIYer or garage can work on the cars with a minimum of skinned knuckles.
Yes I knew it would be front all round would be an utter bargain at that price!It all seems in budget of 2k ish a year expect for fuel (+ tax of course) as plan on keeping for 2/3 year so whilst I may have an expensive year the one after will even it out so to speak....
I am fairly mechanically competent having restored my mini with only a bit of help so have no problems fitting disks pads myself just leaving major servicing to specialists such as Monkfish. Its
It will be a year nearly before I get one so plenty of time to look just had a very quiet day at work so thought I would get a bit of ground work in whilst I am free. I have always been a monaro and remembered sitting in one at the motorshow when they had just come out at the motorshow aged around 15 and never would I have thought at the time that 6/7 years later I could realistically be sat behind the wheel
greggy50 said:
the_ferret82 said:
you must be the first person to say that... normally people come in thinking the car is a vauxhall and parts will be super cheap. where thats not really the story.
if your keeping the car standard or lightly modded you should be able to run a car excluding fuel for 2k a yer some years will be tight others will not be. it will depend on wht needs repacing as it has worn out.
i just want to make sure people are aware of part costs.
FYI we have a FB page and a nice buyers guide on there
Yes I am aware it's a performance car and therefore has high prices for parts as it is basically a holden with a different badge if your keeping the car standard or lightly modded you should be able to run a car excluding fuel for 2k a yer some years will be tight others will not be. it will depend on wht needs repacing as it has worn out.
i just want to make sure people are aware of part costs.
FYI we have a FB page and a nice buyers guide on there
£400 is pricey but by no means riduculous really considering the performance but I am not sure I would want the AP brakes as 1k would be too much for me and I would probably just stick with some uprated pads as don't want something with huge power as it's my first rwd car and my golf only has about 210 and is the fastest car I have owned...
However compared to something like an E46 M3 looking they are a lot less to run comparatvely with relatively cheap servicing and no inspection 1/2 nonsence
The other thing that attracts me is to my knowledge doesn't seem to be any major borkage issues that can occur with these cars like vanos on an M3 with the engine and gearbox being pretty bulletproof meaning whilst expensive to run it shouldn't hit you with an unexpected bill of thousands...
as for major failures the only one worth nothing with a car in farily standard trim is the spigbot baring in the gear box they can fail and if not caught soon enough can lead to a costly gearbox rebuild or a new box.
to spot a failing spigot look for cars that have difficulties getting in and out of gears saying that these cars are a big tough getting them in and out of gears anyway. and listen to any whines / crunching noises coming from the gearbox.
throwyourbike said:
While I would never try to put a potential buyer off I will say this.... go in with your eyes open.
I love my Ro but it hasn't been as cheap to run as I had initially thought it would. The cars are almost 10 years old now so inevitably things will fail.
Yes why I am gathering as much information as I can so that when I do eventually buy one I know excatly what to expect! BTW yours appears to be a 5.7 VXR so if you fancy selling it to me next year just let me know nearer the time I love my Ro but it hasn't been as cheap to run as I had initially thought it would. The cars are almost 10 years old now so inevitably things will fail.
the_ferret82 said:
nice to see you have your head screwed on... we can fix that for you
as for major failures the only one worth nothing with a car in farily standard trim is the spigbot baring in the gear box they can fail and if not caught soon enough can lead to a costly gearbox rebuild or a new box.
to spot a failing spigot look for cars that have difficulties getting in and out of gears saying that these cars are a big tough getting them in and out of gears anyway. and listen to any whines / crunching noises coming from the gearbox.
Okay thanks a lotas for major failures the only one worth nothing with a car in farily standard trim is the spigbot baring in the gear box they can fail and if not caught soon enough can lead to a costly gearbox rebuild or a new box.
to spot a failing spigot look for cars that have difficulties getting in and out of gears saying that these cars are a big tough getting them in and out of gears anyway. and listen to any whines / crunching noises coming from the gearbox.
When the time does come next year to start looking at cars I will post here to see if people know the car so to speak. Also will hopefully be able to get someone who owns one to check it over for me in return for beer money...
greggy50 said:
I have always been a monaro and remembered sitting in one at the motorshow when they had just come out at the motorshow aged around 15 and never would I have thought at the time that 6/7 years later I could realistically be sat behind the wheel
Sounds a lot like me and also in a 5.7 
Personally have spent a lot in the first 12 months of owning the car on maintenance alone but think only the brakes will really need looking at in the second/third year. Touch wood! dsmith1990 said:
Sounds a lot like me and also in a 5.7 Personally have spent a lot in the first 12 months of owning the car on maintenance alone but think only the brakes will really need looking at in the second/third year. Touch wood!
Yes you even have my ideal spec! Personally have spent a lot in the first 12 months of owning the car on maintenance alone but think only the brakes will really need looking at in the second/third year. Touch wood! I have only just turned 21 did a quick insurance quote and next year aged 22 it was around 1k for a year which was not as bad as I expected as I am carrying 6 points and a knock for knock crash on a roundabout which got rid of beloved clio 172
the_ferret82 said:
greggy50 said:
the_ferret82 said:
you must be the first person to say that... normally people come in thinking the car is a vauxhall and parts will be super cheap. where thats not really the story.
if your keeping the car standard or lightly modded you should be able to run a car excluding fuel for 2k a yer some years will be tight others will not be. it will depend on wht needs repacing as it has worn out.
i just want to make sure people are aware of part costs.
FYI we have a FB page and a nice buyers guide on there
Yes I am aware it's a performance car and therefore has high prices for parts as it is basically a holden with a different badge
£400 is pricey but by no means riduculous really considering the performance but I am not sure I would want the AP brakes as 1k would be too much for me and I would probably just stick with some uprated pads as don't want something with huge power as it's my first rwd car and my golf only has about 210 and is the fastest car I have owned...
However compared to something like an E46 M3 looking they are a lot less to run comparatvely with relatively cheap servicing and no inspection 1/2 nonsence
The other thing that attracts me is to my knowledge doesn't seem to be any major borkage issues that can occur with these cars like vanos on an M3 with the engine and gearbox being pretty bulletproof meaning whilst expensive to run it shouldn't hit you with an unexpected bill of thousands...
nice to see you have your head screwed on... we can fix that for you
as for major failures the only one worth nothing with a car in farily standard trim is the spigbot baring in the gear box they can fail and if not caught soon enough can lead to a costly gearbox rebuild or a new box.
to spot a failing spigot look for cars that have difficulties getting in and out of gears saying that these cars are a big tough getting them in and out of gears anyway. and listen to any whines / crunching noises coming from the gearbox.
Failing spigot bearings resulting in gearbox rebuilds or even worse a new gearbox....surely not?
Edited by The Seer on Tuesday 30th April 16:27
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