Discussion
Hello all, just had a my first drive in a Monaro and I have to say I'm torn in different directions.
Firstly the cars an 04 model on a 55 plate with about 9000 miles, and although the car drives well, plenty of pace and it felt fine, I was left abit underwhelmed. I was expecting more from a car with that amount of power, it never realy felt that fast although the speedo said different. Personally I think my ST220 i'snt far of the pace. The engine noise was a real let down, I was expecting a V8 sound and all I got was the burble, and a little metalic rattle when revved at standstill (do they all do this or should I be worried?). The insides very nice, loads of space, equipment, and the seats are really comfrotable, but the clutch pedal is far to heavy for me to use with comfort, I broke my leg a while back and haven't got full strength back yet.(Does anyone know if it can be lightened in anyway?)
Are all the standard Monaro's like this with the sound and clutch pedal, or should I try elsewhere? I can't really afford a vxr and I need a decent size boot for all day to day duties the car will have to do.
Am I expecting too much just beacuse it has a V8? Possibly. But a car that does 60 in 6secs 100 in 13ish and 160mph+(I think these are about right) should atleast make your heart thump, and to be honest all it was to me was a quick car that looks nice.
Let me know what you think please.
Firstly the cars an 04 model on a 55 plate with about 9000 miles, and although the car drives well, plenty of pace and it felt fine, I was left abit underwhelmed. I was expecting more from a car with that amount of power, it never realy felt that fast although the speedo said different. Personally I think my ST220 i'snt far of the pace. The engine noise was a real let down, I was expecting a V8 sound and all I got was the burble, and a little metalic rattle when revved at standstill (do they all do this or should I be worried?). The insides very nice, loads of space, equipment, and the seats are really comfrotable, but the clutch pedal is far to heavy for me to use with comfort, I broke my leg a while back and haven't got full strength back yet.(Does anyone know if it can be lightened in anyway?)
Are all the standard Monaro's like this with the sound and clutch pedal, or should I try elsewhere? I can't really afford a vxr and I need a decent size boot for all day to day duties the car will have to do.
Am I expecting too much just beacuse it has a V8? Possibly. But a car that does 60 in 6secs 100 in 13ish and 160mph+(I think these are about right) should atleast make your heart thump, and to be honest all it was to me was a quick car that looks nice.
Let me know what you think please.
standard yes the sounds not there unless on the move and with whelly it has a nice muted rumble
your best bet is to get an 04 model CV8 they came on anything up to an 07 plate if you cannot go towards VXR. The boot is tiny on the later vxrs too. Most used are probably modded/remapped with an exhaust and you shouldnt pay any premium for the mods
your best bet is to get an 04 model CV8 they came on anything up to an 07 plate if you cannot go towards VXR. The boot is tiny on the later vxrs too. Most used are probably modded/remapped with an exhaust and you shouldnt pay any premium for the mods
I'll try and answer them in turn....
1) The power delivery on the standard Monaro is very smooth, you will not get the kick that you will get out of a turbo car. I think you worked it out but the only way you can appreciate the speed is to look how fast you are going. It is also a heavy car ~1700kgs and is much happier and higher speeds. The ST220 is also a relatively fast car, don't expect the Monaro to make it look like a milk float because it will not.
2) The sound! Yes, agreed, as standard it is not a particularly loud or good sound. Most people on here have added aftermarket exhausts which release that true V8 sound. You can blame the nanny state for not giving you the sound you want..... Without silencers mine is now ~118db which can literally be heard a mile or so away
3) The clutch - Yes, is a bit on the heavy side, not really sure on alternatives, a few people have had LS7 clutches fitted and I believe these are a little lighter but don't hold me to that.
4) Agreed, it is quick but it isn't lunatic quick, although you can strap a supercharger to it and it becomes a complete animal!
1) The power delivery on the standard Monaro is very smooth, you will not get the kick that you will get out of a turbo car. I think you worked it out but the only way you can appreciate the speed is to look how fast you are going. It is also a heavy car ~1700kgs and is much happier and higher speeds. The ST220 is also a relatively fast car, don't expect the Monaro to make it look like a milk float because it will not.
2) The sound! Yes, agreed, as standard it is not a particularly loud or good sound. Most people on here have added aftermarket exhausts which release that true V8 sound. You can blame the nanny state for not giving you the sound you want..... Without silencers mine is now ~118db which can literally be heard a mile or so away
3) The clutch - Yes, is a bit on the heavy side, not really sure on alternatives, a few people have had LS7 clutches fitted and I believe these are a little lighter but don't hold me to that.
4) Agreed, it is quick but it isn't lunatic quick, although you can strap a supercharger to it and it becomes a complete animal!
stigmundfreud said:
standard yes the sounds not there unless on the move and with whelly it has a nice muted rumble
your best bet is to get an 04 model CV8 they came on anything up to an 07 plate if you cannot go towards VXR. The boot is tiny on the later vxrs too. Most used are probably modded/remapped with an exhaust and you shouldnt pay any premium for the mods
I dis agree with the last bit, why not pay some premium for decent mods such as a supercharger, pipes, ripshift, brakes etc. Its cost the previous owner alot of money and whilst you never make money it should go for more with extras fitted.... your best bet is to get an 04 model CV8 they came on anything up to an 07 plate if you cannot go towards VXR. The boot is tiny on the later vxrs too. Most used are probably modded/remapped with an exhaust and you shouldnt pay any premium for the mods
S600VXR said:
stigmundfreud said:
standard yes the sounds not there unless on the move and with whelly it has a nice muted rumble
your best bet is to get an 04 model CV8 they came on anything up to an 07 plate if you cannot go towards VXR. The boot is tiny on the later vxrs too. Most used are probably modded/remapped with an exhaust and you shouldnt pay any premium for the mods
I dis agree with the last bit, why not pay some premium for decent mods such as a supercharger, pipes, ripshift, brakes etc. Its cost the previous owner alot of money and whilst you never make money it should go for more with extras fitted.... your best bet is to get an 04 model CV8 they came on anything up to an 07 plate if you cannot go towards VXR. The boot is tiny on the later vxrs too. Most used are probably modded/remapped with an exhaust and you shouldnt pay any premium for the mods
I can see your point though but side by side a modded car and a standard car of same age are the same value it just will probably be much easier to shift the modded car
I know if my car goes up for sale I wont be able to command on top of the resale value the cost of the mods. Perhaps a couple hundred over book but thats all
Why do you see cars that have had 50k's worth of mods being sold for 20k or less?
stigmundfreud said:
S600VXR said:
stigmundfreud said:
standard yes the sounds not there unless on the move and with whelly it has a nice muted rumble
your best bet is to get an 04 model CV8 they came on anything up to an 07 plate if you cannot go towards VXR. The boot is tiny on the later vxrs too. Most used are probably modded/remapped with an exhaust and you shouldnt pay any premium for the mods
your best bet is to get an 04 model CV8 they came on anything up to an 07 plate if you cannot go towards VXR. The boot is tiny on the later vxrs too. Most used are probably modded/remapped with an exhaust and you shouldnt pay any premium for the mods
I dis agree with the last bit, why not pay some premium for decent mods such as a supercharger, pipes, ripshift, brakes etc. Its cost the previous owner alot of money and whilst you never make money it should go for more with extras fitted....
because unfortunately if you invest in modifications to your car the reality is it doesnt tend to increase its value more often it can decrease it. I know if I was buying I wouldnt be looking to pay any premium for a modded car "unless" it was a factory supported modification
I can see your point though but side by side a modded car and a standard car of same age are the same value it just will probably be much easier to shift the modded car
I know if my car goes up for sale I wont be able to command on top of the resale value the cost of the mods. Perhaps a couple hundred over book but thats all
Why do you see cars that have had 50k's worth of mods being sold for 20k or less?
Yep, totally agree, over £50k spent on mine over intial purchase costs & would struggle to get more than £15k for it, not that I am selling. There is a 540 BHP GTS in classified for less than £15k at the moment!
www.pistonheads.com/sales/178310.htm
£14k
Due to a new family member on the way :-) my beloved supercharged HSV is for sale.
the car is official uk import no 23 - a gts vt2 - with all alloy LS1 (dont confuse it with the inferior iron block!)
the car is used every day and runs fantastic (few problems have been sorted - leaky power steering rack, fuel pump, anti roll bar drop links, top mounts and coil packs)
was supercharged last year at LSV - producing 530bhp on the rollers - so its not slow! - 0-60 under 4.5 (apparently - i like my tyres and clutch too much) and 180mph - more like 165 i recon - it does 100mph on the 'autobahn' at 2.5k revs ;-)
on a motorway run it returns about 26mpg! sixth gear is MASSIVE!
other than a supercharger (£3000) stainless exhaust (£1000) uprated poly bushed front and uprated alpine amps / speakers with 10 disc sony multichanger its standard ;-)
Worth noting that the car has standard fit race logic switchable traction control fitted (much better than the monaro version) along with HSV premium brakes.
service history is mainly LSV but with the last few oil changes (gearbox and engine) done by a lancia / ferrari specialist up north.
great car and will be sadly missed. Its a daily driver with relatively high motorway mileage so no show car and as such is priced reasonably at £15k - yeah 530bhp for £15k! - cheap servicing and reasonable insurance
due to the type of car (and oversteer) i will be vetting 'idiots and tyre kickers' - if you want a test drive i'll need insurance up front! (yes it really is that quick and lairy)
email me for a pdf of the autocar m5/amg/hsv road test report.
UPDATE - MOT'd this week
new front pads, rear tyres (f1's) and polybushed front suspension
p/x possible
I wish I could buy it for spares alone but that would end with divorce proceedings LOL
£14k
Due to a new family member on the way :-) my beloved supercharged HSV is for sale.
the car is official uk import no 23 - a gts vt2 - with all alloy LS1 (dont confuse it with the inferior iron block!)
the car is used every day and runs fantastic (few problems have been sorted - leaky power steering rack, fuel pump, anti roll bar drop links, top mounts and coil packs)
was supercharged last year at LSV - producing 530bhp on the rollers - so its not slow! - 0-60 under 4.5 (apparently - i like my tyres and clutch too much) and 180mph - more like 165 i recon - it does 100mph on the 'autobahn' at 2.5k revs ;-)
on a motorway run it returns about 26mpg! sixth gear is MASSIVE!
other than a supercharger (£3000) stainless exhaust (£1000) uprated poly bushed front and uprated alpine amps / speakers with 10 disc sony multichanger its standard ;-)
Worth noting that the car has standard fit race logic switchable traction control fitted (much better than the monaro version) along with HSV premium brakes.
service history is mainly LSV but with the last few oil changes (gearbox and engine) done by a lancia / ferrari specialist up north.
great car and will be sadly missed. Its a daily driver with relatively high motorway mileage so no show car and as such is priced reasonably at £15k - yeah 530bhp for £15k! - cheap servicing and reasonable insurance
due to the type of car (and oversteer) i will be vetting 'idiots and tyre kickers' - if you want a test drive i'll need insurance up front! (yes it really is that quick and lairy)
email me for a pdf of the autocar m5/amg/hsv road test report.
UPDATE - MOT'd this week
new front pads, rear tyres (f1's) and polybushed front suspension
p/x possible
I wish I could buy it for spares alone but that would end with divorce proceedings LOL
Edited by V8HSV on Thursday 25th October 16:18
Arron, welcome mate.
The debate rages on.
Std the VXR of CV8 really don`t match expectation, but they are an amazing platform for future mod`s.
Or you could find an already modded for not a lot over stock car money.
My advice is to try and get a run in a car with some mods as this will give you a far better indication of the cars potential.
The debate rages on.
Std the VXR of CV8 really don`t match expectation, but they are an amazing platform for future mod`s.
Or you could find an already modded for not a lot over stock car money.
My advice is to try and get a run in a car with some mods as this will give you a far better indication of the cars potential.
Arron, don't be disappointed - the standard car is just a platform for modification and it can get as tame or terrifying as you like. If you want more noise, get a car with a sports (cat-back) exhaust. If you want oh-my-god-I've-just-pooed-myself acceleration get supercharger fitted. Some of the cars on here are producing 600 bhp (for example www.pistonheads.com/sales/213717.htm ) and more often it's the forced induction torque that gives you the thump in the back. Even a standard car will fly above 100mph, it just won't feel that exciting.
I've spent £7k on an exhaust and supercharger for my car and I now have a exhaust popping, tyre-shedding lunatic machine. If you can try and get one already modified as it will save you a fortune. Also, if you want to see what's possible speak to Roger at Monkfish and ask him for a spin in his supercharged demo car
I've spent £7k on an exhaust and supercharger for my car and I now have a exhaust popping, tyre-shedding lunatic machine. If you can try and get one already modified as it will save you a fortune. Also, if you want to see what's possible speak to Roger at Monkfish and ask him for a spin in his supercharged demo car
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 25th October 19:22
When I test drove mine, have to admit, it seemed lazy (coming from a lighter Calibra V6), but it's a quality that you get quickly fall in love with and that's only a teeny part of this cars appeal.It's Rear Drive,pretty rare, a head turner and it gets alot of respect on the road. It's no Euro-box techno wonder but more old school grunt which can be completely un-ruly when required as the others above can no doubt testify.
It's just a terrific all rounder and possibly the best car purchase I've ever made and no regrets at all even the wife has now started to drive it (she refused for a while thinking it would be too heavy etc. but she's now a convert).
I just wonder in the grand scheme of things what the percentage of modified versus un-modified Monaro's there are knocking around is?
I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was estimated that perhaps 75% of Monaro's were modified in some way and, if that's the case then you came across a rare example of an unmodified 'ro.
It's just a terrific all rounder and possibly the best car purchase I've ever made and no regrets at all even the wife has now started to drive it (she refused for a while thinking it would be too heavy etc. but she's now a convert).
I just wonder in the grand scheme of things what the percentage of modified versus un-modified Monaro's there are knocking around is?
I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was estimated that perhaps 75% of Monaro's were modified in some way and, if that's the case then you came across a rare example of an unmodified 'ro.
Edited by DevilYellowCV8 on Thursday 25th October 20:35
DevilYellowCV8 said:
When I test drove mine, have to admit, it seemed lazy (coming from a lighter Calibra V6), but it's a quality that you get quickly fall in love with and that's only a teeny part of this cars appeal.It's Rear Drive,pretty rare, a head turner and it gets alot of respect on the road. It's no Euro-box techno wonder but more old school grunt which can be completely un-ruly when required as the others above can no doubt testify.
Spot on +1
I think if people who modify cars start out thinking "I've spent an extra 10k so it must be worth more" always end up dissappointed. Much better to assume the money is gone, enjoy the car and if you make any money back it's a bonus.
The problem is with modified cars is that to the average person they are not worth any premium. However if you find an enthusiast who understands the cars and the mods then you'll probably achieve some premium over a standard car.
It's not just limited to Monaros - quite a few people in the Lotus community are replacing the Rover K series engines with either a turbo VAG 1.8 or a Honda type R engine (sometimes supercharged to 300bhp). These install have warranties, good service backup and cost in the region 10k-15k (which on a car generally worth 15k at the time is a huge investment). Effect on resale? Lucky to get a 5k premium.
Consider factory fit options (esp on German marques) - people spend thousands on the extra goodies and appart from sat nav and air con all the others are lost in a sale
The problem is with modified cars is that to the average person they are not worth any premium. However if you find an enthusiast who understands the cars and the mods then you'll probably achieve some premium over a standard car.
It's not just limited to Monaros - quite a few people in the Lotus community are replacing the Rover K series engines with either a turbo VAG 1.8 or a Honda type R engine (sometimes supercharged to 300bhp). These install have warranties, good service backup and cost in the region 10k-15k (which on a car generally worth 15k at the time is a huge investment). Effect on resale? Lucky to get a 5k premium.
Consider factory fit options (esp on German marques) - people spend thousands on the extra goodies and appart from sat nav and air con all the others are lost in a sale
I have two cars on my forecourt at the moment. Both silver 05 CV8's a 56 plate done 9k and a 06 plate done 40k. The 56 is completely std and the 06 has ap's exhaust, remap, repshift etc etc. Both were up for 19995. The 40k one sold yesterday, not opened the door on the std car yet. The more money spent and the more extreme the mods, the law of diminishing returns kicks in, however at least half of all monaro's built for the uk have been enhanced and as susch, used buyers either expect it or will look to do it soon after purchase. Therefore a modded car, with the right mods, will always command a premium. exhaust and remap and brakes being the ideals.
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