Monaro CV8........possibly too new.

Happy to read about this .👍

I'm still hoping these might come down in value enough for me to be able to buy one so try not to make it sound too good !
I got to drive a brand new 3.0L Omega estate when I worked at a Vauxhall dealers so can only imagine how much fun these must be.
Just off to browse ebay.

To give you a little more info to understand this choice of car. My two favorite cars I’ve owned since 1998 ( and I’ve had lots!) were the E36 M3 and a 1990 Trans-am GTA. In my opinion this Monaro is the perfect compromise between these two cars. And for me makes the exact mix of what I look for in a weekend toy.
There aren’t many about! This was the first problem I faced. I think around 600 coupes came to the uk from Oz, of those a bit under 400 are left. At any one time there is usually about ten for sale. Most are low owner cars! This I think goes some way to explain just how unique they are, if you decide to buy one there aren’t many other options of this type of car to move on to, most other v8 powered stuff in the uk is German with flappy paddle gearboxes and many many driver aids. The Monaro is heavy, raw and feels andry with the world.
I found mine advertised on Pistonheads in Manchester. so one sunny day in June last year I got the train from Norwich and the owner agreed to pick me up from the station. It was a great day out and a drive back in this car was fantastic, it eats the miles. As it was new to me I took it easy and averaged 29mpg (at 90mph in top it’s doing just over 2000rpm!)
My car has had two owners having six ish years each, the first owner modified it a bit almost from new. It was treated to AP six pot brakes (the discs for these are extortionately expensive, mine needed replacing and will explain how I got round this another time) tubular headers, high flow cats, Borla exhaust, cold air induction and a re-map to put out 386bhp. The next owner used it regularly but doing very few miles so it’s now only on 51k miles and is in pretty good condition.
It does sound rather nice, I will put up a vid soon as I’ve got a set of remote cutouts on order to do in the next couple of weeks so will do a vid of open/closed if all goes to plan.
Couple more pics

That is a nice looking car
Please keep the updates coming !!

Love these but gutted you can't get one with a slush box.

There are different benefits each bring IME. But all aproaches require an open mind when it comes to transmissions.

Anyway, I do love a Monaro! They are a great old thing! Their prices probably aren't helped by what else has a V8 TBH! Only the W210 E55s are cheaper IME and they have their share of problems!

Quite a few of the later 4 door VXR8 are auto but are a bit of a different style. A few Maloo (pickups) are imported to U.K. and are often Auto.
With the final drive being so tall on the early ones you don’t need many changes though. You can pull away in second which will take it to well over 60mph.
They are a lot of money for what they are I guess but they should hold value now....I hope! It’s the main argument that I use with the wife to excuse have a car of this value doing nothing 99% of the time

^^^^ what he said.

In other news, big fan of the thread on your man cave build. Very nicely done and for a sensible sum too - very jealous!

One day...

Hopefully I will have one in the near future. A lot of bang for your buck. Not as complicated as audi/merc/BMW. I had looked at audi S4's but for similar money the monaro will have less miles. S4's have timing chain issues so a £7k car could cost you £10k.

I think the model with nostrils in the bonnet look better but I would just be happy with a monaro.