Newbie considerate
Discussion
Morning People, how are we all? Probably the millionth person to write for advice but any given would be gratefully received. I'm currently running a 1998 Jag XK8. Lovely piece of machinery but getting a bit impracticle as far as rear seating space and general headroom is concerned, so what's a great looking car, with plenty of grunt and space in the back for 2 adults? Monaro.
My call for advice is regarding subjects such as reliabilty (5.7 Corvette engine should be fairly tried and trusted by now yes?), and parts. Are all parts quite easily obtained from a Vauxhall dealer here in the UK? I mean, can you just wander into a Network Q and grab a set of brake pads off the shelf? Are they extortionate on the price (as well as any other standard parts?).
It's a boringly standard question which kind of all boils down to me basically asking "are they really any good?".
Opinions, advice, all welcome.
Thanks for your time.
Simon.
My call for advice is regarding subjects such as reliabilty (5.7 Corvette engine should be fairly tried and trusted by now yes?), and parts. Are all parts quite easily obtained from a Vauxhall dealer here in the UK? I mean, can you just wander into a Network Q and grab a set of brake pads off the shelf? Are they extortionate on the price (as well as any other standard parts?).
It's a boringly standard question which kind of all boils down to me basically asking "are they really any good?".
Opinions, advice, all welcome.
Thanks for your time.
Simon.
WhoreLex said:
prices are high for parts, same for body panels and expect a long lead time (most have to be shipped from Aus.
Not strictly correct. Yes, some (not all) parts prices are high, but they don't all have to come via Australia. Someone will be along in a minute to clarify more specifically, but the above statement is not 100% correct. Parts are expensive, but find that it isn't a car that needs alot of maintenance anyhow. There isn't much that goes wrong with them.
They are a brilliant car for rear passengers. Have looked around at other cars that have a rear seat, and most of the time you go... "you have got to be joking", i ain't gonna fit in there... and often call shot gun.
Anyhow, they are an awesome car, and very reliable.
They are a brilliant car for rear passengers. Have looked around at other cars that have a rear seat, and most of the time you go... "you have got to be joking", i ain't gonna fit in there... and often call shot gun.
Anyhow, they are an awesome car, and very reliable.
Sorry I should have clarified, I meant stuff like body panels.
Going on threads in this forum brakes tend to be pricy, although serciving (as already said) is cheaper comparitively.
The only common issue really is the door seals something leaking (check the rear passenger footwell for damp - its a simple fix tho.
The question is, which engine do you want to go for Cv8, ls1 or ls2?
Going on threads in this forum brakes tend to be pricy, although serciving (as already said) is cheaper comparitively.
The only common issue really is the door seals something leaking (check the rear passenger footwell for damp - its a simple fix tho.
The question is, which engine do you want to go for Cv8, ls1 or ls2?
Edited by WhoreLex on Monday 6th August 13:48
Yo Simon! like the man say's,if you can then you must! Check out the boot space when your looking, may be an issue cos it,s not as big as you'd expect (bringing daughter's home from uni is a real challenge!) My experience of network Q is that parts only come fron Monaro authorised dealers and there's not too many of those about. I'm in Wakefield and the nearest for me is Darlington or Derby.Fairly new owner myself and only ever found nice, helpful people on this forum. Good luck and let us all know how you get on.
Chris
Chris
Morning (again) people. Replies have been excellent, thank-you. Amazing how you can view some threads and the car turns out to be fantastic, dig a bit deeper and you find forumers saying how charging £600? for a set of front disks which need replacing every 20K to be a bit of a kick in the groin, and if your engine blows (which seems to have happened to at least two on here) then forget having a replacement as you won't get one (or the one you want at the very least). Worrying.
Having ran a Jag for a while, you do know that costs like these come with the territory of owning such a beast but it's a bit disconcerting that even if you can or have to pay for parts, getting them is not easy. Such a shame that Vauxhall have marketed the car over here but just not completed the job and given it a bit more backing.
I'll do some more research.
Thanks once again.
Simon.
Having ran a Jag for a while, you do know that costs like these come with the territory of owning such a beast but it's a bit disconcerting that even if you can or have to pay for parts, getting them is not easy. Such a shame that Vauxhall have marketed the car over here but just not completed the job and given it a bit more backing.
I'll do some more research.
Thanks once again.
Simon.
nestofotters said:
Morning (again) people. Replies have been excellent, thank-you. Amazing how you can view some threads and the car turns out to be fantastic, dig a bit deeper and you find forumers saying how charging £600? for a set of front disks which need replacing every 20K to be a bit of a kick in the groin, and if your engine blows (which seems to have happened to at least two on here) then forget having a replacement as you won't get one (or the one you want at the very least). Worrying.
Having ran a Jag for a while, you do know that costs like these come with the territory of owning such a beast but it's a bit disconcerting that even if you can or have to pay for parts, getting them is not easy. Such a shame that Vauxhall have marketed the car over here but just not completed the job and given it a bit more backing.
I'll do some more research.
Thanks once again.
Simon.
Having ran a Jag for a while, you do know that costs like these come with the territory of owning such a beast but it's a bit disconcerting that even if you can or have to pay for parts, getting them is not easy. Such a shame that Vauxhall have marketed the car over here but just not completed the job and given it a bit more backing.
I'll do some more research.
Thanks once again.
Simon.
For the record, 97% of all the Monaro parts that we have ordered, have been delivered in 24 hours from Vauxhall. My first time supply of Zafira parts isnt that high. Dont let the occassional hiccup put you off.
I used to own a 98 XJ8, for rear passengers I would recommend the 4 door over the coupe. The electric seat which needs moving to allow access is painfully slow. If you have the funds take a look at the new VXR8 it runs the 6L engine and more power than the old 6L VXR. Plus it has 4 doors! Or there are a few earlier model 4 doors about for just over £10k
greens vauxhall said:
For the record, 97% of all the Monaro parts that we have ordered, have been delivered in 24 hours from Vauxhall. My first time supply of Zafira parts isnt that high. Dont let the occassional hiccup put you off.
I have to say mine has been in numerous times for warranty claims all fixed without fuss within a couple of days. They even sourced a new gearbox within 24 hours!Keep the replies coming, this is very interesting. Did they actually do a 4 door version? All adverts on Auto Trader etc have 2 doors? Shame about the electric seats moving so slowly to let people in the rear (had the same problem on a Volvo C70 - what a pain that was!) as personally a 2 door looks much better.
F.A.O. Greens Vauxhall. I assume you're in the trade, possibly the Vauxhall trade? How's the best way to find out if a Vauxhall dealer in my area is able to keep me on the road as I've heard not all Network Q chaps are willing to take this on?
Cheers, Simon.
F.A.O. Greens Vauxhall. I assume you're in the trade, possibly the Vauxhall trade? How's the best way to find out if a Vauxhall dealer in my area is able to keep me on the road as I've heard not all Network Q chaps are willing to take this on?
Cheers, Simon.
If you go on www.vauxhall.co.uk, and go to the Monaro/VXR8 info there is a list of dealers who specialise in the V8 cars.
nestofotters said:
Did they actually do a 4 door version?
Not badged as a Vauxhall Monaro, no. However, the Monaro is based on the Aus market Holden Commodore (which is a 4-door), and a few HSV versions of these were sold in the UK in 1999-2002, badged as HSV GTS or GTS-R. A few of the members on here have them - ringram, V8 HSV, and myself, to name a few.Probably not for you if you prefer coupes, and you will have a much bigger choice in Monaros, but there you go anyway.
OK, well, seem to be getting a clearer picture. Thanks for the info on the Vauxhall website, although can't find the section you refer to about dealers specialising in the V8's but I'm sure I'll get there.
So, I think I'm after a standard 5.7 Monaro, don't want any upgraded specimens, just a nice, up together example, with as low a mileage as I can (obviously), making sure everything works (air-con - electrics etc etc), and be prepared to throw some cash at the fuel pumps, cash at the dealers (if I can find one to look after it) and generally have some fun. Should be good. Can I find what I want for approx £15-£16k?
Anyway, will let you all know how I get on, thanks for all your help, speak soon.
Simon.
So, I think I'm after a standard 5.7 Monaro, don't want any upgraded specimens, just a nice, up together example, with as low a mileage as I can (obviously), making sure everything works (air-con - electrics etc etc), and be prepared to throw some cash at the fuel pumps, cash at the dealers (if I can find one to look after it) and generally have some fun. Should be good. Can I find what I want for approx £15-£16k?
Anyway, will let you all know how I get on, thanks for all your help, speak soon.
Simon.
Hello all, I'm new to both PH and also the world of Monaros. I picked up mine 2 weekends ago and just keep having to find excuses to go out, to the shops, to chichester, wherever, just to hear that engine.
Any, I got mine through a company called quickars.co.uk. The chap was helpful and the deal was done. They seem to have what few Monaros that are around, in stock. Some of the older 5.7 models and the newer 6 litre models. The ones with the moved fuel tank to comply with US specs. Although god knows what specs they are!
Have a look through their site and see if they can help you out.
I'm selling my old Subaru to pay off the Monaro, if anyone knows of someone who might be interested in possibly the best example of a 96 UK PRodrive Turbo for peanuts. My ad link is http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/217222.htm.
Since I've had my Monaro, I've never had quite this much road attention! Good hunting, it's worth the search.
Any, I got mine through a company called quickars.co.uk. The chap was helpful and the deal was done. They seem to have what few Monaros that are around, in stock. Some of the older 5.7 models and the newer 6 litre models. The ones with the moved fuel tank to comply with US specs. Although god knows what specs they are!
Have a look through their site and see if they can help you out.
I'm selling my old Subaru to pay off the Monaro, if anyone knows of someone who might be interested in possibly the best example of a 96 UK PRodrive Turbo for peanuts. My ad link is http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/217222.htm.
Since I've had my Monaro, I've never had quite this much road attention! Good hunting, it's worth the search.
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