£12k... Z4 Coupe Vs Monaro VXR

[Pierscoe1]

Which would you have, as an only car, to use every day... commuting, trips to the supermarket, as well as the interesting stuff like euro roadtrips, maybe the odd Spa or Nurburgring trackday???

Z4C (3.0)
Pro's: small, nice looking car, build quality, smooth creamy engine, relatively cheap to run
Con's: no LSD, only 2 seats, not hugely special

Monaro VXR (6.0LS2)
Pro's: THAT engine, THAT noise, 4 useable seats
Con's: It's about 50ft long, expensive on fuel (and tyres/brakes?), not the prettiest thing (but does have some brutish charm)

What would you pick, and why!?

[andy43]

Pierscoe1 said:

Which would you have, as an only car, to use every day... commuting, trips to the supermarket, as well as the interesting stuff like euro roadtrips, maybe the odd Spa or Nurburgring trackday???

Z4C (3.0)
Pro's: small, nice looking car, build quality, smooth creamy engine, relatively cheap to run
Con's: no LSD, only 2 seats, not hugely special

Monaro VXR (6.0LS2)
Pro's: THAT engine, THAT noise, 4 useable seats
Con's: It's about 50ft long, expensive on fuel (and tyres/brakes?), not the prettiest thing (but does have some brutish charm)

What would you pick, and why!?

Monaro.

[Codswallop]

Another vote for the Monaro. Tyres and brakes will be no more expensive than for the BMW (unless you get a car with the APR big brake kit). It's a theatrical/ fun car to drive at any speed

[Killer2005]

Monaro

[greggy50]

Monaro I am seriously considering one next year to replace the GTI as long as I get a decent graduate job

This looks lovely for £9k

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Edited by greggy50 on Saturday 9th November 13:32

[EV11NED]

Another vote for the Monaro. Absolutely love them, and its not a BMW!

[0a]

Z4m - ignore the "3.0 is better banter" from those that couldn't afford the M, that engine is a masterpiece and a right laugh in that little car.

[MattyB_]

I looked at Z4M's (amongst others) before settling on a VXR8 (which has the same traits as the Monaro)

My biggest gripe with the car was the lack of specialists, even though in reality they are basic enough for any competant mechanic, it's sometimes better to go to a specialist who knows the cars inside out. I ended up with 4-hour round trip to Monkfish who, while good, weren't cheap so it was a bit of a pain when you wanted some diagnositics.

Some parts are also stupidly expensive (£400 to change a rear wheel bearing??) and although I didn't have this issue myself, some parts can be tricky to get hold of, even though MF seem to carry a good stock, and guys like 'Raving' on this forum are excellent for used parts.

Othewise, they're just huge fun. In comparison to Z4M which is better built, more refined and with a bit more class, the Monaro/VXR8 are far more hooligan, brash, brutish, single-minded cars with a bit of rough around the edges.

And seriously, you never get tired of waking up to this every morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgffxRs_B8

[well'Rd]

For another two-and-a-bit grand, I'd be tempted by something like this..

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...





Just my tuppence-worth..

[ManaghGB]

Exactly how bad is a Monaro on fuel? Is there much difference between the 5.7 and 6.0?

I know it's one of those "if you have to ask you can't afford it" but it would be good to know for the future...

[Terzo123]

From my far too short time with one (6.0 VXR LS2)

Town driving - 16 to 18 MPG
Out of town blast - 18 to 23 MPG
Boring motorway economy run - 28mpg or if really driving like a saint 30

[CHN]

well'Rd said:

For another two-and-a-bit grand, I'd be tempted by something like this..

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...





Just my tuppence-worth..

Feck me that's hideous.

Surely there's something nicer than this out there for the same money.

[Pierscoe1]

0a said:

Z4m - ignore the "3.0 is better banter" from those that couldn't afford the M, that engine is a masterpiece and a right laugh in that little car.

haha.. yeah, it would be tempting... but I think they're £15k for a good one... which is CaymanS territory, which is what I'd have if the budget stretched that far.

Seems the Monaro is winning hands-down so far!
It's only the boat-like dimensions that put me off really...

If only there was a V8 Z4C sized car... (for the similar money)

[0a]

£11.5k http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

The engine in the z4m is a nicer unit than most v8s in my personal opinion

[Terzo123]

Pierscoe1 said:

haha.. yeah, it would be tempting... but I think they're £15k for a good one... which is CaymanS territory, which is what I'd have if the budget stretched that far.

Seems the Monaro is winning hands-down so far!
It's only the boat-like dimensions that put me off really...

If only there was a V8 Z4C sized car... (for the similar money)

The Monaro is a big heavy car, with plenty of room inside, although access to the rear is a PITA as the electric seats take an age to move.

It doesn't feel as fast as it is, acceleration is very linear, but it's relentless. Someone else described it like an elastic band pulling you to the horison.

Every drive is an event, and you will get loads of positive attention, which isn't for everyone.

Whilst i've no doubt the Z4 is a far more polished finished product (Never been in one), it is fairly anonymous compared to the Monaro.

[scrubchub]

CHN said:

Feck me that's hideous.

Surely there's something nicer than this out there for the same money.

Depends what you mean by nicer? They aren't exactly subtle but you don't buy them for the looks do you? I love them personally, but if your main complaint is that it is "hideous", then there is any number of Alfa's you can buy for a fraction of the cost....

[rsv696]

Age-old head vs heart decision I guess! For me, the smart money's on the Zed
Both cars likely to be future classics IMO.

[Mannginger]

Z4 for me on British roads but there's no denying the pull of the big Vauxhall!

[CHN]

scrubchub said:

Depends what you mean by nicer? They aren't exactly subtle but you don't buy them for the looks do you? I love them personally, but if your main complaint is that it is "hideous", then there is any number of Alfa's you can buy for a fraction of the cost....

I can see you wouldn't buy one for the looks...

Horses for courses I suppose, but for that sort of cash you could have a pick of a large number of TVR's if big engined things are your thing.

The Monaro whilst I've no doubt it goes well, it just looks like a big Vauxhal Vectra to me. Seems an odd couple of cars to put together as a possible choice though?

[Terzo123]

CHN said:

I can see you wouldn't buy one for the looks...

Horses for courses I suppose, but for that sort of cash you could have a pick of a large number of TVR's if big engined things are your thing.

The Monaro whilst I've no doubt it goes well, it just looks like a big Vauxhal Vectra to me. Seems an odd couple of cars to put together as a possible choice though?

Monaro looks nothing like a Vectra, a Calibra on steroids maybe.

Were you not meaning VXR8?