RE: Vauxhall Monaro CV8: You Know You Want To
Tuesday 15th July 2014
Remember a time about 10 years ago when there was a choice between both a big Vauxhall and an MG with V8s in them for about £30K? There was a frenzy about a V8 for 330Ci cash and great excitement about the tuning possibilities with such unstressed crate motors. Halcyon times when you look back on them.
Seemingly rust free, but it's worth checkingThen with MG's demise and a spike in conversion rates that pushed the Monaro and VXR8's price up, the £30K V8 was no more. Furthermore, the new VXR8 GTS has become a far more sophisticated beast than the early Monaros, with magnetic dampers, a Driver Preference Dial and electric power steering.
Time kind to the price, not the cabinThere's a lot to be encouraged by. The PH Monaro Buying Guide mentions a few weaknesses that have been addressed here. The brakes have been upgraded, a new clutch has been fitted and there's no mention of rust either. Hopefully some extra protection has been applied during its lifetime.
Vauxhall Monaro CV8: You Know You Want To
Surely the old V8 bruiser has to be worth a shot at £5K?
Seemingly rust free, but it's worth checking
But a low purchase price and a fondness for super unleaded that's not exactly en vogue means they're cheap. ZTs are down at £5K and the estates aren't a lot more, then there's this Monaro. For £5,450 it potentially offers a lot of muscle car charm for not much money.
It isn't perfect. The service history has gaps, reverse apparently crunches from time to time and there's a problem with the air-con that is more than a re-gas job. But that's why it's a YKYWT; it's a bit of a gamble, but it could pay off.
Time kind to the price, not the cabin
Both exterior and interior have endured 114,000 miles fairly well by the looks of it. A new intake/exhaust combo will probably displace a lot of objective concerns on a test drive as well, plus there's the fact that the advert is detailed and honest; there's a lot to be said for that.
Take a copy of the Buying Guide to be really thorough on your checks and ensure this Monaro is the bargain it seems. The next cheapest is an additional £2K, so the money you've saved can go towards the next raft of upgrades. Or fuel. Or tyres.
VAUXHALL MONARO CV8
Price: £5,450
Why you should: Useful mods, good ad, five thousand pounds
Why you shouldn't: Are bad points hiding a more sinister problem?
See the original advert here.
Discussion
Ignore him, he's just showing his childish ignorance.
I've had one from new and I absolutely love it, it's a keeper.
They are pretty much bullet proof. The only thing I would add is check the gearbox and clutch operation carefully. Clutch slave cylinder can go as can the spigot bearing in the flywheel which can wreck the box.
They are huge fun, just do it!
I've had one from new and I absolutely love it, it's a keeper.
They are pretty much bullet proof. The only thing I would add is check the gearbox and clutch operation carefully. Clutch slave cylinder can go as can the spigot bearing in the flywheel which can wreck the box.
They are huge fun, just do it!
Escort3500 said:
Love these. One of a dying breed of hairy-chested V8s with understated looks, phenomenal grunt and a great soundtrack.
One could argue the genre has never been stronger, with the new ford mustang going global and sales of the camaro, charger and challenger doing well.There's probably more V8 powered vehicles sold today than there were 10 years ago.
I've had my VZ CV8 (the later model with bonnet vents, dual exhausts, bigger brakes and more power), since April 2007 and it's definitely a keeper.
Being able to improve them is part of the fun of ownership, there's a massive aftermarket in tasty performance parts from the US and Oz available, as well as some very good engine tuners here in the UK. As original parts wear out, I replace them with better items.
It's a weekend and holiday car now, so running costs are negligible.
Being able to improve them is part of the fun of ownership, there's a massive aftermarket in tasty performance parts from the US and Oz available, as well as some very good engine tuners here in the UK. As original parts wear out, I replace them with better items.
It's a weekend and holiday car now, so running costs are negligible.
skyrover said:
theJT said:
I do want to, I really do... but... at that sort of money I'd need a really strong reason not to have a Jaguar XK instead.
Handling, power, running costs, reliability
I couldn't speak to handling, I've never driven a Monaro, but I also can't help but feel I'd rather take the smoother ride and an auto in something like this. By the time you're dealing with something that age and mileage I have a suspicion that running costs and reliability are going to be largely out the window either way as well. Perhaps I'm just being all nostalgic, and I guess it is more practical than the Jag? There look to be real back seats in there... but... but... Jaaaaaag
As a second car with probably greater reliability than a German sports saloon I think it's not bad for £5k. It could be depreciation free at that price because they are so rare here, and it's old. Only problem is why take a chance on a car that's a bit cheaper than average when it could have a serious gearbox problem?
Edited by iloveboost on Tuesday 15th July 11:10
theJT said:
But for that money it could quite comfortably be an XKR, and power's back on my side
The LS outclasses the Jag motor in just about every way. It is very cheap and easy to get more power, with a huge aftermarket theJT said:
I couldn't speak to handling, I've never driven a Monaro, but I also can't help but feel I'd rather take the smoother ride and an auto in something like this.
Ride comfort is really up to you, there are a myriad of suspension kits available to suit every taste. theJT said:
By the time you're dealing with something that age and mileage I have a suspicion that running costs and reliability are going to be largely out the window either way as well.
Your going to have the inevitable rubber parts to replace, suspension components etc, but the GM car has economies of scale and a vast GM parts catalogue which keep costs down compared to the JagtheJT said:
Perhaps I'm just being all nostalgic, and I guess it is more practical than the Jag? There look to be real back seats in there... but... but... Jaaaaaag
I wouldn't say it's really more practical than the jag, but probably more liveable in terms of use and abuse.theJT said:
But for that money it could quite comfortably be an XKR, and power's back on my side I couldn't speak to handling, I've never driven a Monaro, but I also can't help but feel I'd rather take the smoother ride and an auto in something like this. By the time you're dealing with something that age and mileage I have a suspicion that running costs and reliability are going to be largely out the window either way as well.
Perhaps I'm just being all nostalgic, and I guess it is more practical than the Jag? There look to be real back seats in there... but... but... Jaaaaaag
My Monaro is now nudging 130,000 miles, nearly all of them by me. Although simple to the point of crudity, its an extremely comfortable and relaxing car, very very hard to justify swapping it for anything else. By comparison my similar vintage A6 has cost a fortune to run. There are real seats in the back, and it's not a Jag. I couldn't speak to handling, I've never driven a Monaro, but I also can't help but feel I'd rather take the smoother ride and an auto in something like this. By the time you're dealing with something that age and mileage I have a suspicion that running costs and reliability are going to be largely out the window either way as well. Perhaps I'm just being all nostalgic, and I guess it is more practical than the Jag? There look to be real back seats in there... but... but... Jaaaaaag
I certainly don't mean to belittle the Monaro - This is a genuine debate for me. I'm back on two wheels for the summer, but by the end of this year I want a new car, preferably a coupe, preferably a V8, and in the 5 to 6k area.
I tried a 330ci which felt surprisingly slow and an Alpina 3.3 which wasn't, but in the end I couldn't afford. A Jag XK8 - which was gorgeous, but is a little bit on the huge side. I got surprised by an ST220 which I borrowed for a weekend just to move some stuff, and was none of the things I was looking for but was so much nicer to drive than a Mondeo estate has any right to be. I'm yet to have a go in a CLK500 but it's on the list... A Monaro _wasn't_ on the list just because I really didn't think I could afford one, but it certainly checks a lot of the right boxes.
There's a lot of nice things out there just hovering around that magic 5 grand mark, and every one of them is just waiting for an excuse to ruin me. Now I have to think about Monaro's as well, thanks PH
I tried a 330ci which felt surprisingly slow and an Alpina 3.3 which wasn't, but in the end I couldn't afford. A Jag XK8 - which was gorgeous, but is a little bit on the huge side. I got surprised by an ST220 which I borrowed for a weekend just to move some stuff, and was none of the things I was looking for but was so much nicer to drive than a Mondeo estate has any right to be. I'm yet to have a go in a CLK500 but it's on the list... A Monaro _wasn't_ on the list just because I really didn't think I could afford one, but it certainly checks a lot of the right boxes.
There's a lot of nice things out there just hovering around that magic 5 grand mark, and every one of them is just waiting for an excuse to ruin me. Now I have to think about Monaro's as well, thanks PH
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