Buyers guide for Monaros

[Psyrg]

Hey guys, I've been lurking for a bit, and I'm after inspection advice for buying a CV8. In particular I'm looking at a 2004 V2 Series III.

After searching the board, this is what I've got so far.

-Check the struts (seems to be a problem with Pontiac GTOs)
-Check the power steering for leaks
-Check the door lock actuators
-Check for oil leaks, particularly in
-The bellhousing
-The sump gasket
-The rocker covers
-Check for water leaks into the cabin

Of course, I'll do the usual things you look into in most cars, but it would be great if anyone can point out any other particular issues I should look into.

[planetdavo]

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=65976&highlight=monaro+problems
Came up just a few days ago......

[Psyrg]

Yep, that is where I read about the majority of the problems. I was just wondering if I missed any. :)

[LTH-00L]

Try get your self a 2004 CV8-R...

They're rarer and maybe worth more in the future.. (Only 320 made in pulse red)
comes with a factory sun roof...

And they just look better!! :yup:

[dyno junkie]

Try get your self a 2004 CV8-R...

They're rarer and maybe worth more in the future.. (Only 320 made in pulse red)
comes with a factory sun roof...

And they just look better!! :yup:

I guess that's personal opinion. I much prefer the series 11 CV8R in Turbine mica with the light interior (is it shale?).

[warrick]

yep,have to agree.2003 cv8-r in turbine! as a matter of interest my son has one of these for sale with only 28,000 k's ,gen-t turbo,manual etc & only $50,000.
cheers
warrick

[Dacious]

Actually, my car is about the rarest combo. I spoke with the injection moulders who made all the Monaro bumpers and HSV stuff which were painted there - Barbados cars numbered less than 200, and given ~ 70% of Monaros were autos, a manual Barby CV8 has to be rare.:thumbsup:

Pity it's not the most popular colour, but I like it......:dance:

They did tell me there were meant to be 500 CV8-Rs the second year, but when they made the bumper covers they stacked them 20 high inside the plastic wrapping, then told Holden it was safe to stack them two pallets high. Someone stacked them four high at Elizabeth...... Result was about 200 buggered bumper covers, split and scratched. Holden of course discovered this once they started assembling them, and they work JIT at the factory.

So the mob in Seaford rushed another 70-odd through in by working through a weekend. But it meant the second year only numbered about 350.

[Pickles]

You've picked the right model-- a Series 111 is the way to go. Look out for worn leather on the right hand back bolster & base bolster on the driver's seat- a careful driver will get in & out carefully to avoid this sort of wear--look for a low K car, & you should be ok--I've seen cars in otherwise as new condition whose appearance has been marred by a worn driver's seat!
Cheers, Pickles.

[breakthelaw]

What sort of money do you think you will pay for a good 04 CV8? I have one so that's why I'm interested in a buyer's point of view on $.

[LTH-00L]

yep,have to agree.2003 cv8-r in turbine! as a matter of interest my son has one of these for sale with only 28,000 k's ,gen-t turbo,manual etc & only $50,000.
cheers
warrick

The 03 was nice too but the let down is there was no sunroof.

[Pickles]

What sort of money do you think you will pay for a good 04 CV8? I have one so that's why I'm interested in a buyer's point of view on $.

You'll get all sorts of opinions on that one!! You'll hear -"My mate got one for $30k", "I know a bloke who got one for $32k" -blah blah blah!. Yeah right, I've heard all of that before too!
Anyway, my opinion for a GOOD LOW K (under 30k, & they are about!), Series 111, in immaculate, original condition, is $40k. I've seen them for a lot more than that too-they seem to be holding their value pretty well--much better than new VZ GTOs, that's for sure!
Cheers, Pickles.

[Demon 8]

I wouldn't spend more than $30K on a Monaro..come on, the VE is newer and better built and stock standard the V8 will kill any stock V8 Monaro. As for future value?...well, I doubt they'll go UP in value.

I've seen a few Monaro's at the local Holden dealership, 1 for $39K and one for $35K. One of them has the bonnet sccops & looks good, but I'd rather the VE SS.

[ShanghaiVZ]

Pity it's not the most popular colour, but I like it......:dance:

I agree I like the colour too, If I had the dosh I would of scourced one in Barbados, bloody nice colour :D

[planetdavo]

I wouldn't spend more than $30K on a Monaro..come on, the VE is newer and better built and stock standard the V8 will kill any stock V8 Monaro. As for future value?...well, I doubt they'll go UP in value.

So, you're explaination of the pricing of a HK-HG Monaro compared to the newer, better HQ Prem sedan would be......? Monaro is worth ten times more now!
Low volume great looking two door versus slightly newer but a million around four door sedan. Sounds awfully familiar to your argument!!!!!!!

[gollum]

So, you're explaination of the pricing of a HK-HG Monaro compared to the newer, better HQ Prem sedan would be......? Monaro is worth ten times more now!
Low volume great looking two door versus slightly newer but a million around four door sedan. Sounds awfully familiar to your argument!!!!!!!

:bravo: :bravo: :bravo: ...... can't argue with that !!! :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Psyrg]

I go to work for just _one_ day, and a huge pile of replies turn up. :)

Cheers Pickles on the front seat point, I always check the leather these days as it gives you an idea about how the car was driven but I hadn't considered the seat in particular. A worn steering wheel or gear stick is sually a bad sign, so is when they've obviously been replaced.

Anyway, I'm looking in the $35k to $40k range so the price range . I've got my eye on a really nice example of one over here in Brisbane, if it all works out this weekend I may just buy it.

Those CV8R's are amazing looking cars too... The Odyssey Grey with white interior... Damn. ;)

[warrick]

thats actually turbine & the interior is shale.
cheers
warrick

[Dacious]

I wouldn't spend more than $30K on a Monaro..come on, the VE is newer and better built and stock standard the V8 will kill any stock V8 Monaro. As for future value?...well, I doubt they'll go UP in value.



Maybe not better built - SIIIs-on had 30% stiffer shells than the equivalent sedans and scored 4 out of 5 for NCAP, like the VE. Doesn't have curtains, does have side airbags.

And I don't know that the interior of the VE is quite up to materials in a Monaro. V8s should be quicker, yes. But a Monaro is ~ 200kg ligher than a VE SS.

Resale? No contest.

2004 HOLDEN MONARO
V2 Series III CV8 Coupe 2dr Man 6sp 5.7i
Prices based on km 20,000 - 35,000
Trade in price guide* $34,100 - $37,200
National average price - private sale* $39,300 - $44,800
Price when new (RRP) $59,950

2004 HOLDEN COMMODORE
VY II SS Sedan 4dr Man 6sp 5.7i
Prices based on km 30,000 - 50,000
Trade in price guide* $18,800 - $20,900
National average price - private sale* $22,500 - $26,300
Price when new (RRP) $50,490

Cost 20% more to buy, worth about 80% more trade-in or private sale.

[Tez82]

Not only they hold their value better ;) they are more of a head turner and better looking car imo :D

Tez

[breakthelaw]

Redbook says average price $39,500-$44,000. I reckon that values have fallen recently and redbook will not reflect this for some time. Mine has 79,000 klms on the clock (yes, high klms), 04 series iii in perfect condition, and I do mean absolutely perfect inside and out- just had any markes, chips etc touched up professionally and detailed, all highway klms, no city driving at all (this does make a big difference to wear and tear), stock standard, factory warranty to May 06 or 100,000 klms and I reckon I would be lucky to get $37,000 for it private sale, if that, so I( reckon you are on the money at $35,000-39,000.

[Pickles]

Redbook says average price $39,500-$44,000. I reckon that values have fallen recently and redbook will not reflect this for some time. Mine has 79,000 klms on the clock (yes, high klms), 04 series iii in perfect condition, and I do mean absolutely perfect inside and out- just had any markes, chips etc touched up professionally and detailed, all highway klms, no city driving at all (this does make a big difference to wear and tear), stock standard, factory warranty to May 06 or 100,000 klms and I reckon I would be lucky to get $37,000 for it private sale, if that, so I( reckon you are on the money at $35,000-39,000.
Yep, but that's because your car's done relatively high ks--nothing wrong with that either--at least you've been enjoying the car!! But higher ks does affect values quite considerably, especially with a Monaro--if your car had only done say 25-30k, you'd get $40K+ for it.
Cheers, Pickles.

[kryten2001]

Yep, but that's because your car's done relatively high ks--nothing wrong with that either--at least you've been enjoying the car!! But higher ks does affect values quite considerably, especially with a Monaro--if your car had only done say 25-30k, you'd get $40K+ for it.
Cheers, Pickles.

Well I've got a VZ Monaro (red/manual) sitting in a shed on blocks with 280kms on it.... Going to bring it out one day when everybody else is driving around smart cars and electic powered hybrids.

[Demon 8]

The older Monaro's may have gone up (Why????) but it will be interesting to see if the 'newer' ones will to in 5-10 years time. With technology moving as it is and petrol going north of $1, I can't see why they would.....and I'm not a Monaro hater at all.

[Dacious]

Easy reasons - same for any car, Ferrari, Alfa, Capri to Mini Cooper S:

1. 13,000 total made over 4 years compared to maybe 20-30,000 SS per year during the same period
2. Swoopy 2-door, less practical but more beautiful (why an E-type is worth more then any other old Jag)
3. Inside and outside they have more 'fruit'
4. The average 'Naro does less K's lives in the garage and carries less dirt magnets and shopping, probbly because the owners are more old-fartlike than the family men who might own a SS for the practicality.
5. Dearer to start with, so tending to be midlife-crisis-mobiles. See 4.

Main reason is 1. and 2. Doesn't mean SS isn't as good - as it's about 80% the same car. Life's not fair, like if you were the smarter but not as pretty schoolmate of Jennifer Hawkins at High School.

[Pulse 8]

Easy reasons - same for any car, Ferrari, Alfa, Capri to Mini Cooper S:

1. 13,000 total made over 4 years compared to maybe 20-30,000 SS per year during the same period
2. Swoopy 2-door, less practical but more beautiful (why an E-type is worth more then any other old Jag)
3. Inside and outside they have more 'fruit'
4. The average 'Naro does less K's lives in the garage and carries less dirt magnets and shopping, probbly because the owners are more old-fartlike than the family men who might own a SS for the practicality.
5. Dearer to start with, so tending to be midlife-crisis-mobiles. See 4.

Main reason is 1. and 2. Doesn't mean SS isn't as good - as it's about 80% the same car. Life's not fair, like if you were the smarter but not as pretty schoolmate of Jennifer Hawkins at High School.

Couldnt have put it any better myself.... GO THE COUPES !!!:yahoo:

[Demon 8]

Easy reasons - same for any car, Ferrari, Alfa, Capri to Mini Cooper S:

1. 13,000 total made over 4 years compared to maybe 20-30,000 SS per year during the same period
2. Swoopy 2-door, less practical but more beautiful (why an E-type is worth more then any other old Jag)
3. Inside and outside they have more 'fruit'
4. The average 'Naro does less K's lives in the garage and carries less dirt magnets and shopping, probbly because the owners are more old-fartlike than the family men who might own a SS for the practicality.
5. Dearer to start with, so tending to be midlife-crisis-mobiles. See 4.

Main reason is 1. and 2. Doesn't mean SS isn't as good - as it's about 80% the same car. Life's not fair, like if you were the smarter but not as pretty schoolmate of Jennifer Hawkins at High School.

Fair enough...enjoy your ride!

[Road Warrior]

This thread is timely - I too am thinking about getting a Monaro :D

But more than likely an '02 model as it is all I would be able to afford. It seems like there are a number of Monaros of that vintage on the market now for between $30-35K. I would imagine that it would have the same model gripes as the Commodore of the equivalent year? I'm not too worried about them as I had a '99 VT, first of the LS1's and that was still a good car, but it's rattles and shitty trans and diff was annoying. Would the Monaro be any better?

Ideally I am looking to spend about $35,000 and would prefer something with under 100,000klm, manual trans and no modifications.