Revolver

Sorry, but I'll take an M3 straight 6 over a big dumb pushrod V8 any day! :D

I've found the ride in the RX8 very forgiving for such a great handling package. Nothing's fallen off it yet either, despite thumping it over some pretty awful roads on occasion. I also query your claim that the Monaro is better than the RX8 in many conditions. While there are some foreign cars that are out of their depth on Aussie roads the RX8 isn't one of them. Don't swallow too much of the marketing drivel that only Aussie-made cars can handle Aussie conditions.


It's the very versatility of the RX8 that creams the Monaro. It handles better, looks better and goes nearly as hard as the standard Monaro yet still seats 4 in comfort and can be taken from the track to peak hour to the country without any problems whatsoever. So I agree with your essential point but count it as a point more in favour of the RX8 than the Monaro.

Revolver

Then why were you comparing the Coupe 4 and HSV GTO to the RX8 - both are significantly more expensive.

You seemed to like comparing HSV to AMG and M previously yet not when the flaws in your argument are pointed out.

Revolver

Umm, what can the Monaro do that the 8 can't??? Back it up with some examples if you want this argument to wash.

As for suggesting that the RX8 is not a daily driver - bullshit. There are many daily driven and I find the car very easy to live with.

Revolver

Confusing to a dyed in the wool fan of the Monaro I know but not all of us think it is a good looking car.

takahashi

Monaro cannot take a bicycle in the boot right?

I think then the Integra is a more versatile car. It is a hatch back and can take my bike when the rear seat is folded down :o

If you looking for an all purpose road car, buy a STi or an EVO with a roofrack.

Revolver

In fact, since they moved the fuel tank to make the yanks happy the Monaro has about the same carrying capacity as the RX8. Granted the boot opening is bigger, which makes getting stuff in easier.

Obviously, if carrying capacity is as much a priority as performance, it would be hard to go past an RS4 Wagon (assuming the budget stretched that far ) or in the realms of affordabilty the WRX wagon is great bang for your buck.

RXP33D

MC just broke Guiness Book records with 10 posts in page 5 of this thread :O

timbo

Nup! If carrying capacity is a priority, and you get off on torque then nothing beats the V10 diesel Tourag

Revolver

Well if we're gonna get all silly about it and include shockingly ugly 4WD brick-like thingies, make mine a Porsche Cayenne Turbo thanks!! :D :D :D

BTW, should have mentioned I'll take an RS6 if there's no RS4s to be had! :D

AMG

and after reading page 5 I had thought i accidently joined the monaro forum....eek!

give me the refinement of the 8 anyday

AMG

[QUOTE=monaroCountry]Both AMG and M are expensive as hell, starting price is in the region of 200K here in australia.

[QUOTE]


give or take $40k (or a monaro)...pocket change

AMG

err....then expalin why the 200sx and WRX/STI have high regard in bang for buck categories.

monaroCountry

Tow a boat ...........

AMG

the yacht's too big though

timbo

Oh crikey...and in the same breath you're trying to tell me this POS is a sports car :p (j/k )

Gomez

Boat?

No worries matey.....A'hoy there, me 'ardies!!

timbo

yours is bigger than his

AMG

Depends which version you get, add two doors and it's a commondore, then add a long tray and it's a crewman, put a long flat tray at the back of the monaro and it's a ute, stretch it a bit and its a statesman.

Hey it's a versatile car, custom made to be everything under the sun

timbo

...and then there's the 4WD thing...now I get it!

AMG

just like a swiss army pocket knife

Revolver

I'd suggest Mez has delivered the final knockout punch to whatever flimsy arguments MC was still peddling.

And anyway, the yacht I race on is not trailerable behind anything smaller than a large truck... :D :D

Revolver

hehe - having enjoyed our little Monaro v RX8 spat all week, what do I read in my Sept issue of Wheels today but the editorial, which is all about Holden's decision to cease production of the Munro.

I was prompted to pen the following to the editor:

The only really astounding thing about the Monaro is that someone, somewhere in the modern Australian car industry actually had the ***** to make a bold decision. Two-door versions of volume-production Australian sedans released in the 70s (e.g. Monaro, XA-XC Coupe, Charger) were cause for appreciation but hardly prompted the kind of euphoric pandemonium that erupted when Holden magnanimously announced that it would appease the mob and produce the modern Monaro. Goes to show how hidebound the local industry became in the 80s and 90s and consequently how excitement starved the average punter was. Of course, now everything is about niche marketing and we have more Commodore variants than the market knows what to do with (Adventra anyone?).

Monaro was never going to be a long-term domestic model though. Although baby boomer nostalgia ensured strong early sales (a la VW beetle), once all that just wanted one got one (apologies to HSV) the ongoing demand plainly wasn't there. If it was you can bet your life Holden would have found room for it somewhere. Fact is, in contrast with the 70s, the market is awash with quality performance coupes these days (together with other bang for your buck sedans like WRX) and one-eyed Holden fans aside, most buyers too young to have yearned for a Monaro in the 60s and 70s see it as simply a two-door Commodore with a hottish motor and (now) really gauche bonnet scoops. They then walk down the road and buy a 350Z or RX8 and discover that for similar money they also get a decent transmission and something that goes around corners much better.

Mercedes Benz proved that pandering to an ageing market (remember the whale S class) only leaves you with dead ex-customers. The fact that M-B is now madly trying to look hip and groovy might suggest to Holden that the car it really should have produced as a hero special is the more recent Torana concept (albeit called anything but).

Seeing as how Holden has paid big bucks to flog the last of the Monaros on the sought after opening pages of the mag, whats the bet my little dig doesn't get published. :D

takahashi

Did this lawyer said he was very busy at work?

BTW "letter of the month"

timbo

send it!

Revolver

Taka, the advantage of stringing words together for a living is that I tend to do it much quicker than the average bear. :p :D

And yes I am busy, so stop bothering me! :D :D