Thursday 29th August 2013

Vauxhall Monaro: PH Buying Guide

An Australian muscle car built for Britain and yours for a song!

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The Vauxhall Monaro offered the British firm a readymade solution to some much-needed glamour for its range at the start of 2004. Not since the Lotus Carlton had Vauxhall offered a car with so much power and performance, so the Australian-built Monaro was a welcome addition.

Early cars now available from as little as £6K

Not everyone quite understood the Monaro - with its big V8 engine and spacious four-seat cabin it is definitely more muscle car than sports car. Its only obvious competition in 2004 was the Mercedes CLK55 AMG and perhaps the previous generation E39 BMW M5. The likes of the Audi RS4 and BMW M3 were more sophisticated cars in design and execution, but the simplicity of the Monaro has proved to be one of its most enduring strengths.

Search for Vauxhall Monaros here

A total of 800 Monaros of all types were sold in the UK and, at the time of writing, 665 of those are still registered. This makes it a rare sight on the roads over here, but one worth seeking out as even in it mildest state of tune the Monaro offers 333hp, 160mph and 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds. Go for the later VXR model with its 403hp 6.0-litre motor and 180mph and 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds are yours for not a lot of cash.

Bonnet vents for 2005-on facelifted car

Vauxhall revamped the Monaro in 2005, adding prominent bonnet vents to mark out these new more powerful models. Another quick way to spot the difference between earlier and later Monaros is the earlier 2004 cars have an exhaust that exits on the left, while the later 2005 cars have twin rear exhausts. However, as many owners modify their cars, this is very much a guide rather than a hard and fast identifier.

More important is to look at the VIN (vehicle identification number) plate on the engine's bay's bonnet closing panel. All Monaros were built in 2004 and 2005, so a late registered 2007 car could have been sitting idle for two years. The car's actual build date will be shown on the bonnet closing panel.

There are always a few Monaros for sale and prices start at around £6,000 for lower powered cars that need a bit of loving care. At the other end of the spectrum, an immaculate limited edition supercharged VXR500 could make £20,000.

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PHer's view:
"The Monaro is a left-field choice and it will be a love/hate relationship. Therefore, all owners are passionate petrolheads. I think this is an important attribute of owners, and therefore sets the tone of ownership."
Mike Blenkharn

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Buying guide contents:
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling Chassis
Body
Interior

Search for Vauxhall Monaros here

[seefarr]

PH said:

based on a Pontiac

Nah mate, it's from Straia. The bloody yanks stuck some badges and a dodgy grill on our car and called it a Pontiac.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_GTO#2004

[Cotic]

So, for the same money, this or an overrated (but historically important) underpowered German hatchback from the late 70's?

[Dan Trent]

seefarr said:

Nah mate, it's from Straia. The bloody yanks stuck some badges and a dodgy grill on our car and called it a Pontiac.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_GTO#2004

Every day a school day, etc...

Standfirst amended accordingly and thanks!

Dan

[richb77]

seefarr said:

PH said:

based on a Pontiac

Nah mate, it's from Straia. The bloody yanks stuck some badges and a dodgy grill on our car and called it a Pontiac.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_GTO#2004

Spot on. A glaring mistake.

[richb77]

Where these ever offered on the continent?

I ask as i am off to live there and fancied something silly (and left hand drive).

[Magic919]

Don't read the bit about 19" wheels being standard on all Monaros then.

[soda]

Magic919 said:

Don't read the bit about 19" wheels being standard on all Monaros then.

Right enough, 18's on the early CV8 models

[willisit]

richb77 said:

Where these ever offered on the continent?

I ask as i am off to live there and fancied something silly (and left hand drive).

Not to my knowledge - the only LHD cars were the Pontiacs. I have seen and heard of various RHD models (SA for instance) but never seen one in Europe. Could be wrong of course but I suspect they'd be imported Pontiacs.

I've had mine for nearly 8 years - love it. It's a bit of a garage queen these days but it's a lot of fun and cheap to own. In fact, every time I go to change it, I think about it for 5 minutes and decide not to.

[J4CKO]

I get the impression these dont actually feel all that fast unless you have a supercharged one, even if they are ?

A mate of mine, a commited Vauxhall nutter at the time went through various fast Astras and harped on for three years or so about getting a Monaro, drove one and was completely nonplussed and went and got an Impreza instead. Does the size, gearchange and power delivery make them feel a bit truck like ?

[willisit]

J4CKO said:

I get the impression these dont actually feel all that fast unless you have a supercharged one, even if they are ?

A mate of mine, a commited Vauxhall nutter at the time went through various fast Astras and harped on for three years or so about getting a Monaro, drove one and was completely nonplussed and went and got an Impreza instead. Does the size, gearchange and power delivery make them feel a bit truck like ?

Standard, yes. They are quick - but they are big and tall so feel slower. It's not a bad thing. That big lazy engine doesn't help as it's not a high rev machine.

That said, get the suspension sorted and it feel like a much smaller car.

[MycroftWard]

I find the styling a bit bland and '90's and the badge doesn't do much for the snobs, but I like the idea of these, looking fairly cheap now.

[JoyCV8]

soda said:

Right enough, 18's on the early CV8 models

18`s came on all CV8`s.

[mikeyb1987]

I didn't think I would get quoted!!

[peatmoor]

All this chat about the gearchange...pah theres so much torque you only need to change gear once or twice a journey whats the problem?

[Chapppers]

MycroftWard said:

I find the styling a bit bland and '90's

You mean that whole "Omega Coupe" look it's got going on?

[MycroftWard]

Chapppers said:

MycroftWard said:

I find the styling a bit bland and '90's

You mean that whole "Omega Coupe" look it's got going on?

Yes, that's the one.

[herbie147]

I had 2007 Monaro VXR, bought after lusting for one for ages. Only kept it 5 months. Steering and gear change was horrible, soft suspension - handled like a boat. Didnt feel particularly fast either.

[MycroftWard]

Yeah but the fact it was rocking a 5.7L V8 must have counted for quite a lot in the pub boasting stakes though right?

[Contigo]

Love people picking holes in every story on here. Amazing!

[sparks_E39]

Want one.