Advice Please - CV8 vs VXR
Discussion
Hello All!
I am interested in purchasing a monaro CV8 and wondered if you guys can provide me with some pro's and con's (other than the obvious fuel consumption!) I work as the Recruitment Manager for a national motor factor and as such do a fair amount of travelling but cannot bring myself to join the ranks of the boring and get a sensible mainstream car!
Also - some of the guys at work think I should go for the VXR rather than CV8, but I've seen a nice CV8 locally (West Midlands) and feel that this would be a good starting point, for nothing other that the £10k price difference that would stretch me too much at the moment. From this point of view how are CV8's viewed in comparison to VXR's - I don't want to feel like an outcast for not having a VXR but want to enjoy the CV8 without being made to feel inferior.
Having recently been introduced to these vehicles I am in no way, shape or form an expert and having read a lot of the threads on here am a total novice looking for some help which would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
I am interested in purchasing a monaro CV8 and wondered if you guys can provide me with some pro's and con's (other than the obvious fuel consumption!) I work as the Recruitment Manager for a national motor factor and as such do a fair amount of travelling but cannot bring myself to join the ranks of the boring and get a sensible mainstream car!
Also - some of the guys at work think I should go for the VXR rather than CV8, but I've seen a nice CV8 locally (West Midlands) and feel that this would be a good starting point, for nothing other that the £10k price difference that would stretch me too much at the moment. From this point of view how are CV8's viewed in comparison to VXR's - I don't want to feel like an outcast for not having a VXR but want to enjoy the CV8 without being made to feel inferior.
Having recently been introduced to these vehicles I am in no way, shape or form an expert and having read a lot of the threads on here am a total novice looking for some help which would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
04 CV8 is great with a big boot and a good model to start modding.
Was out at the weekend on a bit of a hoon and a CV8 with sports exhaust held its own with a Mustang Saleen and a Porsche Carerra S so no, you won't get laughed at or be in an inferior car.
VXR looks more sporty and if you don't want a large boot then the 6.0l is a great car, especially if you don't want to change it.
I run a heavily modded CV8 (now with a very quiet diff) which will mix it with most Monaro's.
Was out at the weekend on a bit of a hoon and a CV8 with sports exhaust held its own with a Mustang Saleen and a Porsche Carerra S so no, you won't get laughed at or be in an inferior car.
VXR looks more sporty and if you don't want a large boot then the 6.0l is a great car, especially if you don't want to change it.
I run a heavily modded CV8 (now with a very quiet diff) which will mix it with most Monaro's.
Hi
I took the CV8 as it was available at a great price but also the huge boot. If there was an 04 VXR I'd have snapped that up.
The CV8 comes with big savings over VXR but those savings are eaten up with modding the car up - which you will do. The net result is like for like both cars can get very similar power but with the 6.0ltr car you'll have a bigger foot print after mods.
If you get the cv8 you also will want at least VXR brakes and an exhaust upgrade - total will be in the £2500 range for the lot.
The VXR has upgraded suspension but I like the CV8 set up, the sloppy feel I hope to have fixed with a Monkfish handling pack soon - 400 quid to replace the bushes.
The VXR has the more aggressive body style but I personally love the look of the CV8. Saying that I sometimes would like the more aggressive stance of the VXR kit.
Like for like out of the box the differences of the VXR are worth the premium BUT you can acheive a better package than the VXR by using the CV8 and then applying those savings.
Neither car is slow, for ever and a day there will be arguments of 5.7 vs 6.0 but its all very academic.
I love my cv8, I've spent a few grand on it since but the result is fantastic. Once I've gotten those upgraded bushes I think job = done.
The net result is a car that will handle and go better than a standard vxr and for a good saving. The vxr can have the same mods but thats ontop of the extra price you've paid so ultimately the cv8 offers teh cheaper approach.
(btw for members this was talking of the 5.7 vs 5.7 and I appreciate the 6.0 does have a hp footprint advantage but in real world there isnt really much in it)
Put simply, either car you will love only one you will need to do a bit more work to it to get it there, but not much
I took the CV8 as it was available at a great price but also the huge boot. If there was an 04 VXR I'd have snapped that up.
The CV8 comes with big savings over VXR but those savings are eaten up with modding the car up - which you will do. The net result is like for like both cars can get very similar power but with the 6.0ltr car you'll have a bigger foot print after mods.
If you get the cv8 you also will want at least VXR brakes and an exhaust upgrade - total will be in the £2500 range for the lot.
The VXR has upgraded suspension but I like the CV8 set up, the sloppy feel I hope to have fixed with a Monkfish handling pack soon - 400 quid to replace the bushes.
The VXR has the more aggressive body style but I personally love the look of the CV8. Saying that I sometimes would like the more aggressive stance of the VXR kit.
Like for like out of the box the differences of the VXR are worth the premium BUT you can acheive a better package than the VXR by using the CV8 and then applying those savings.
Neither car is slow, for ever and a day there will be arguments of 5.7 vs 6.0 but its all very academic.
I love my cv8, I've spent a few grand on it since but the result is fantastic. Once I've gotten those upgraded bushes I think job = done.
The net result is a car that will handle and go better than a standard vxr and for a good saving. The vxr can have the same mods but thats ontop of the extra price you've paid so ultimately the cv8 offers teh cheaper approach.
(btw for members this was talking of the 5.7 vs 5.7 and I appreciate the 6.0 does have a hp footprint advantage but in real world there isnt really much in it)
Put simply, either car you will love only one you will need to do a bit more work to it to get it there, but not much
Firstly, if you have a CV8, you will not be made to feel inferior, not by this site anyway!
Outside of this site no-one really knows the difference anyway - most people don't even know what the car is, and can't believe that it is a Vauxhall with a V8 engine......
Secondly, having had one of each, unless you drive them back-to-back, you probably would struggle to tell the difference. The VXR handles noticably tighter than the CV8. The brakes are better, the ones on the 04 CV8 are notoriously poor, but are better on the 05 model. I personally don't brake very hard on a day to day basis anyway. 04 model has a big boot, in my opinion the 05 has the styling (I like the nostrils on the bonnet). I loved my CV8, but I do prefer the VXR, I think that it is the better car out of the two, its sum seems to be more than its parts, if that makes sense, but it really depends on how much you have to pay for either. Whichever you get, I'm sure that you will enjoy it. In respect of petrol consumption, many get 25mpg on motorway runs so its not too bad.
Ps, black ones go faster than the other colours (allegedly)!
Outside of this site no-one really knows the difference anyway - most people don't even know what the car is, and can't believe that it is a Vauxhall with a V8 engine......
Secondly, having had one of each, unless you drive them back-to-back, you probably would struggle to tell the difference. The VXR handles noticably tighter than the CV8. The brakes are better, the ones on the 04 CV8 are notoriously poor, but are better on the 05 model. I personally don't brake very hard on a day to day basis anyway. 04 model has a big boot, in my opinion the 05 has the styling (I like the nostrils on the bonnet). I loved my CV8, but I do prefer the VXR, I think that it is the better car out of the two, its sum seems to be more than its parts, if that makes sense, but it really depends on how much you have to pay for either. Whichever you get, I'm sure that you will enjoy it. In respect of petrol consumption, many get 25mpg on motorway runs so its not too bad.
Ps, black ones go faster than the other colours (allegedly)!
J. J. said:
Firstly, if you have a CV8, you will not be made to feel inferior, not by this site anyway!
Outside of this site no-one really knows the difference anyway - most people don't even know what the car is, and can't believe that it is a Vauxhall with a V8 engine......
Secondly, having had one of each, unless you drive them back-to-back, you probably would struggle to tell the difference. The VXR handles noticably tighter than the CV8. The brakes are better, the ones on the 04 CV8 are notoriously poor, but are better on the 05 model. I personally don't brake very hard on a day to day basis anyway. 04 model has a big boot, in my opinion the 05 has the styling (I like the nostrils on the bonnet). I loved my CV8, but I do prefer the VXR, I think that it is the better car out of the two, its sum seems to be more than its parts, if that makes sense, but it really depends on how much you have to pay for either. Whichever you get, I'm sure that you will enjoy it. In respect of petrol consumption, many get 25mpg on motorway runs so its not too bad.
Ps, black ones go faster than the other colours (allegedly)!
Outside of this site no-one really knows the difference anyway - most people don't even know what the car is, and can't believe that it is a Vauxhall with a V8 engine......
Secondly, having had one of each, unless you drive them back-to-back, you probably would struggle to tell the difference. The VXR handles noticably tighter than the CV8. The brakes are better, the ones on the 04 CV8 are notoriously poor, but are better on the 05 model. I personally don't brake very hard on a day to day basis anyway. 04 model has a big boot, in my opinion the 05 has the styling (I like the nostrils on the bonnet). I loved my CV8, but I do prefer the VXR, I think that it is the better car out of the two, its sum seems to be more than its parts, if that makes sense, but it really depends on how much you have to pay for either. Whichever you get, I'm sure that you will enjoy it. In respect of petrol consumption, many get 25mpg on motorway runs so its not too bad.
Ps, black ones go faster than the other colours (allegedly)!
The standard VXR is better than the standard CV9 I would agree. Once you start modding though the water between the two becomes very murky indeed.
Personally I think you can spend the difference between the two and make the CV8 a much better car than the VXR for less money. All down to personal opinion clearly, I choose to mod mine rather than go for a VXR with a smaller boot.
Save your money for now, get the CV8 and enjoy. Use the spare cash wisely as you feel the need and for the next year, after each mod,you`ll constantly be driving a better car=more smile factor.
I have a 06 vxr but I love the look of the CV8, its a sleeper.
Make sure that the insurance company you choose will insure you for mods (as a lot will only take on a standard car)
Popular mods are:
Brakes, either VXR or AP`s (AP`s give spare wheel probs on the CV8)
Exhaust and headers (do both or car will drone on the m`way)
Suspension
Remap (a must, prob already done, check who by as the chip may be locked preventing access by other tuning companies)
Supercharger (huge grin factor but 2500 more for the CV8 as you need an intercooler).
If the car has not been remapped your economy will be down by about 2-3 mpg on a run.
I have a 06 vxr but I love the look of the CV8, its a sleeper.
Make sure that the insurance company you choose will insure you for mods (as a lot will only take on a standard car)
Popular mods are:
Brakes, either VXR or AP`s (AP`s give spare wheel probs on the CV8)
Exhaust and headers (do both or car will drone on the m`way)
Suspension
Remap (a must, prob already done, check who by as the chip may be locked preventing access by other tuning companies)
Supercharger (huge grin factor but 2500 more for the CV8 as you need an intercooler).
If the car has not been remapped your economy will be down by about 2-3 mpg on a run.
Gassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff