Cheap(ish) muscle

[cort16]

The options become a bit more limited if you want a manual gearbox. Big engine manual box cars are rare and desirable especially if you want rwd.

I like the Monaros the LS engine is bomb proof and really well supported in the states. They do seem to rust a bit though.

 

The real bargain stuff is the big engined Mercs and Jags. 

[SiC]

I regard the jag same as German offerings - very nice but guaranteed to shit itself and leave everybody saying "told you so."

 

There is a monaro up for £5.9 k but history has been misplaced and it has suffered a bump at the front - bumper has been repaired but headlight brackets have been broken. On the plus side seller claims it has only done 42k.

Maybe but plenty of specialists to fix them for reasonable amounts. Unlike big engine Vx, French, etc the specialists are used to fixing big engine Jag and German metal. What's the parts situation like on the Monaro and is there anywhere that will touch it?

 

Peering into a Monaro and looking at its GM derived cockpit put me off completely. Shame as they're supposed to be stonking cars.

[cort16]

There's a massive after market support for that LS engine. They also sold it in the states as the Pontiac GTO. I think they're a relatively simple car in comparison to some of the german stuff.

[DodgeRover]

Holden were selling them in the Gulf States as well, weren't they sold officially over here at one point??

 

Can only go up in value long term now the Australian motor industry is no more.

[Guest]

MGZTv8?

[omegod]

Had an early LS400 at my work today in a copper colour, big but tasteful wheels and a rorty exhaust that got my juices flowing, twas LPG converted too 

[DVee8]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Vauxhall-Monaro-5-7-V8-42K-miles-/232496623412?hash=item3621e0ef34:g:YlcAAOSwnB1ZtniS

 

[SiC]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Vauxhall-Monaro-5-7-V8-42K-miles-/232496623412?hash=item3621e0ef34:g:YlcAAOSwnB1ZtniS

 

There is a monaro up for £5.9 k but history has been misplaced and it has suffered a bump at the front - bumper has been repaired but headlight brackets have been broken. On the plus side seller claims it has only done 42k.

[Schaefft]

If I had to pick between the 3 ('05 Mustang, Monaro, 300C), I'd probably take the Monaro (and slap a GTO front on it, just looks so much better), followed by the 300 (even with the cheap interior), followed by the Mustang (would need to be a decent color to not look like a rental). I think all of them a fairly reliable (definitely more than any V8 Audi or BMW, and I say that as fan of both), and there still is something very special about an American V8 you cannot find in most other alternatives. I have the DOHC version of the Mustang's Modular in my Mark VIII and it sounds absolutely glorious. So does any LS V8, and a Hemi is still a Hemi. I think it'll really be personal preference in the end. The Mustang is the boring choice imo, the 300C looks great on the outside, but you might not like spending time in it. The Monaro most likely is the sportiest of them all, but without some work, it does look a bit generic.

[Hertz]

That Monaro above looks like a pup. I would be all over a VXR but they look to be £10k plus.

 

I'm going to have a look at a 645 later this week, fuck it. Owned by an 84 year old so hopefully it should have been well kept.

[Bren]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Vauxhall-Monaro-5-7-V8-42K-miles-/232496623412?hash=item3621e0ef34:g:YlcAAOSwnB1ZtniS

 

Might not be so bad if car has been serviced at Vauxhall as they will have records but not sure what two headlights will cost.

 

They look a bit meh without the nostrils in the bonnet.

[Brodders]

2012, 355 BHP, 6.0 V8 for less than $10k.

 

 

These Caprices are pretty much a Holden Commodore/Vauxhall VXR8, but with all the luxury* ripped out. I know some people wouldn't go near one with a barge pole, but I would be shipping one over if I wanted a reasonably new car with a big engine for a decent price.

 

https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/28219356

[twosmoke300]

Jag S type R ?

[Schaefft]

That Monaro above looks like a pup. I would be all over a VXR but they look to be £10k plus.

 

I'm going to have a look at a 645 later this week, fuck it. Owned by an 84 year old so hopefully it should have been well kept.

There are many things wrong with them, search for oil burning and "water pipe" problems, even the timing chains STILL seems to be a problem. So are the SMG transmissions. I'd like to own a 745i at one point, but even I begin to doubt if that is a good idea.

[Yoss]

MGZTv8?

 

Rover 75 V8 more like. Same car, more exclusive, more class, less likely to have been abused.

[anonymous user]

Rover 75 V8 more like. Same car, more exclusive, more class, less likely to have been abused.

But an automatic gearbox

[Guest Hooli]

Either of the above MG/Rovers with a blower on top, as they were designed to take. 400bhp & it's all designed for along with stupid torques.

[AMC Rebel]

Isn't the 300c an E-class in drag anyway?

[AMC Rebel]

I agree about Jags btw - but there are some bargains to be had

[Yoss]

But an automatic gearbox

Still would.

[barrett]

A8 4.2 all the way. I don't like Audis particularly, but they look great, do insane speeds, are comfortable (I'm very fussy about comfort, too) and they're probably the most technologically interesting car of the last 25 years. In future people will have them in their collections of Important Vehicles alongside RO80s, DSs etc. Did I mention how quick they are?

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Isn't the 300c an E-class in drag anyway?

Yes, in theory....

The floorpan is W210 E Class but the suspension and steering are more SClass but without the air suspension, basically nothing Merc fits, apart from Diesel engine bits. I speak from bitter experience.

[lovejoy]

Why not play it safe and buy a Corvette?

would this do ?

 

(and I can keep a Charade in the trunk for local town trips     )

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

I know the ZT V8 has been mentioned - but the only decent one I saw was an estate - and over 13K!

 

As a left field entry - there was a W engined Passat estate on the blue forum for 3K ....... family duties, decent power and a fantastic engine tune to play with..... pity it was in a Passat really. W10 Phaetons can be had for not so much now too........

[Aston Martin]

[CreepingJesus]

Having experienced Dome's S4 and 320T's LS400 one pleasant evening, I can only agree. V8 ftw. The Audi I can't afford, but the Lexus...affordable, wafty grunt for the discerning. Sounds nice when you find the secondary kickdown too.

Personally though, I'm wondering about the LS1 into something jobs. Volvo, RX8...?

[John F]

Aston Martin, on 27 Sept 2017 - 3:39 PM, said:

https://youtu.be/0TcLgTLg_kU

 

Yick! Nasty vulgar noise. An extra four cylinders are needed for true auricular pleasure

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmpnU6-rP_o

[Hertz]

That Monaro above looks like a pup. I would be all over a VXR but they look to be £10k plus.

 

I'm going to have a look at a 645 later this week, fuck it. Owned by an 84 year old so hopefully it should have been well kept.

 

Went to see this and it's a cracking car. The burble and the way it drives are impressive, the spec was as big as you can get and he had the original bill of sale for £60k. However I'm a bit apprehensive about all the toys and engine. This one had a rough idle from cold (fine when warm) and a slight tapping noise on the left hand bank. It's had some eye watering bills over the last few years including a new timing chain and head gasket one for £4800 (done 10k miles ago). On one hand a good thing as it's done but on the other is it a sign of things to come...

 

I ran and then opened a can of Galahad lager to celebrate my near miss (I think).

[Bren]

Insurance for a monaro comes in at under £300 a year - less than I am paying for a 13 year old A6.

 

While it is'nt the most practical I think there is less chance of being bitten on the arse financially by one of these than a comparable S4 or 6 series.

[D Spares & Tyres]

What about a BMW 840/850? They are gorgeous.