The closure of the Holden plant in Australia last year is a blow for not only the workers but also fans of the bonkers muscle cars that, via Holden Special Vehicles, emerged from it.
In recent weeks, the last of the UK’s allocation of the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R saloon and VXR8 Maloo pick-up have been sold.
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So where now is a lover of HSV’s brand of back-to-basics, rear-drive brawn to get their kicks? A spankers 2009-reg VXR8 will set you back around £33,000 but you don’t have to spend that. For just £6500, you could be in its forebear, a 2005-reg Monaro 5.7i V8 coupé (also called the CV8).
Admittedly, it has done almost 145k miles but it has full service history and, at least in photos, looks tidy. Its simple, all-alloy, small-block Chevrolet engine (codenamed LS1) should still be producing close to 328bhp and a still more impressive 343lb ft. You want more? Consider the rarer and more powerful VXR version with 376bhp and 376lb ft. Assuming you can keep the back wheels under control, it does 0-62mph in 5.4sec compared with the CV8’s 6.0sec.
Both models were launched in 2004. With their six-speed manual transmissions, simple suspension and, apart from traction control, absence of driver aids, they were an antidote to more sophisticated fare such as the Mercedes CLK 55 AMG and BMW M5. Fourteen years on, this simplicity is serving them well as used motors, although sourcing body panels and major bits is becoming harder. Fortunately, Monkfish Performance and other specialists such as LSX V8 (it breaks Monaros for spares too) should be able to supply that elusive component.
In 2005, a facelifted version of the Monaro arrived with air scoops in the bonnet, a more aggressive nose and twin tailpipes. The CV8’s power rose to 344bhp and the VXR dumped the 5.7 in favour of a 6.0 V8 (codenamed LS2). It was related to the LS1 but produced 397bhp and 390lb ft and the 0-62mph sprint fell to 5.1sec.
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Drive one
You really need to drive one, Peter, and the bills are considerably less than a similar Audi or BMW. I've got a VXR500 with a sports exhaust; nailing it through a tunnel is the perfect antidote to a bad day!
Well.......
I’ve had an M3 (E46,considered the sweet spot model) and I’ve driven a Huracán and a McLaren and a Porsche GT3 too, all were easy to drive and not a handful to drive like the article alluded to, I like the look of the Monaco and the VXR, it’s just the thought of an unexpected big bill that bothered me, rust seems to be a big issue, but I guess if you want the thrills expect some big bills!!
Hmmmmmm.
You would have to love them if you have to fork out this amount of cash just to keep it a runner, I think what was listed above was good sound advice, but, it would make my jaw drop at all the potential problems you could be buying, and as mentioned it’s a bit of a brute if your heavy with the right boot, so, it’s a no from me, I’ll buy something from Europe which isn’t so hard on the Wallet and parts are plentiful.