Monaro is here at last
Discussion
Interesting to hear your opinion of the M3 v. Monaro.
I've only driven an M3 for a short drive. Thought the engine was superb & obviously very hi-tech, although recently I have read about a few blowing up.
But my overall impression was that the car was sterile, this I have found with many new german cars. They are very capable, fast etc. etc. but because they are so "perfect" they are actually rather dull.
I had a longish test drive in the new Carrera S earlier this year. It was almost impossible to fault, with stunning traction, steering, great gearshift etc. But, getting back into the HSV it felt so much more fun & alive. That fact that it does have imperfections & does require "driving" makes it a more enjoyable experience.
Hope you enjoy your new Monaro.
I've only driven an M3 for a short drive. Thought the engine was superb & obviously very hi-tech, although recently I have read about a few blowing up.
But my overall impression was that the car was sterile, this I have found with many new german cars. They are very capable, fast etc. etc. but because they are so "perfect" they are actually rather dull.
I had a longish test drive in the new Carrera S earlier this year. It was almost impossible to fault, with stunning traction, steering, great gearshift etc. But, getting back into the HSV it felt so much more fun & alive. That fact that it does have imperfections & does require "driving" makes it a more enjoyable experience.
Hope you enjoy your new Monaro.
Cant really compare the two TBH. ( we do anyway, but only for fun) I've had both now (plus a 2 week shot in an E36 M3) and I can only speak of unmodified examples, but..
The M3 is very serious when pushed. You KNOW it'll grip, you KNOW it'll marmalise anything other than another M3 driven better than you, you KNOW it's the best drivers car for the money. You know it's capabilities are far in advance of your own. But it's very little fun unless you are a psyco axe murderer who really is going to die tomorrow anyway. The whole car champs at bit all the time and thats good (in an Evo/scooby kind of way) but not relaxing at all.
The Monaro, on the other hand, lacks the german "edge" and precision but replaces it with the lost "Fun" that is missing from the German marque. You can have a giggle here and NOT feel like a rapist when you're done. It's more comfortable too. Couple that with much more relaxed cruising effortless acceleration and a much lower pricetag and you have a car that is about as different from the M3 as you can get and still be worth driving.
If i'm honest, i'd have BOTH in the garage. Both are fantastic cars born of different idea's and to serve different market places. Actually they follow the perceptions of the countries that spwaned them.
The Bmw is very serious, it wont take a rise and ignores all mickey-taking right up to the point it says "enough", loses it's rag,and turns into a raving psycopath that can be ridden but you are close to disaster. Not unlike a lot of Germans. Good people. just dont wind them up.
The Monaro on the other hand, is pliable, laid back, fun and rarely looses it's temper at all. It gives ample gentle warning if you are going too far and keeps you in check without the need to issue a "brown trouser" warning. Lost of Aussie and Kiwi's i know have been good at this also.
To sum. Both are very heavy hitters. Monaro has a sense of humour and the M3 dosnt...
Unmodified. once you change the spec by bolting stuff on, it's no longer the manfacturers car. It's yours and that makes it unique.
The M3 is very serious when pushed. You KNOW it'll grip, you KNOW it'll marmalise anything other than another M3 driven better than you, you KNOW it's the best drivers car for the money. You know it's capabilities are far in advance of your own. But it's very little fun unless you are a psyco axe murderer who really is going to die tomorrow anyway. The whole car champs at bit all the time and thats good (in an Evo/scooby kind of way) but not relaxing at all.
The Monaro, on the other hand, lacks the german "edge" and precision but replaces it with the lost "Fun" that is missing from the German marque. You can have a giggle here and NOT feel like a rapist when you're done. It's more comfortable too. Couple that with much more relaxed cruising effortless acceleration and a much lower pricetag and you have a car that is about as different from the M3 as you can get and still be worth driving.
If i'm honest, i'd have BOTH in the garage. Both are fantastic cars born of different idea's and to serve different market places. Actually they follow the perceptions of the countries that spwaned them.
The Bmw is very serious, it wont take a rise and ignores all mickey-taking right up to the point it says "enough", loses it's rag,and turns into a raving psycopath that can be ridden but you are close to disaster. Not unlike a lot of Germans. Good people. just dont wind them up.
The Monaro on the other hand, is pliable, laid back, fun and rarely looses it's temper at all. It gives ample gentle warning if you are going too far and keeps you in check without the need to issue a "brown trouser" warning. Lost of Aussie and Kiwi's i know have been good at this also.
To sum. Both are very heavy hitters. Monaro has a sense of humour and the M3 dosnt...
Unmodified. once you change the spec by bolting stuff on, it's no longer the manfacturers car. It's yours and that makes it unique.
Agreed that the M3 is a serious car, but the straight six engine is that electronically dependent, needless to say the dealer had the car more than I had it in the 10 months that I owned it. I can honestly say that in ten months of owning the car from new, I have never had so much grief in owning a car. From ECU problems, to fuelling problems, to SMG failure to countless other electronic nightmares, the car was nothing but grief.
I know of other owners who face the same issues and have the same dealers issues that I experienced and personally I wouldnt recommend a M3 to anyone.
I know of other owners who face the same issues and have the same dealers issues that I experienced and personally I wouldnt recommend a M3 to anyone.
hi to all.
I had a little play in an evo m3 last year.
And it was very nice. But i still loved the monaro
more. At the time mine was standard and monaro was much more fun. And moor people had a cheeky little
look at the monaro than the m3.
But now mines had the odd mod they dont stay in front for long.
And i still have money for a beer with lads.
I had a little play in an evo m3 last year.
And it was very nice. But i still loved the monaro
more. At the time mine was standard and monaro was much more fun. And moor people had a cheeky little
look at the monaro than the m3.
But now mines had the odd mod they dont stay in front for long.
And i still have money for a beer with lads.
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