(Not Very) Sensible Secondhand Classics: 2005 Vauxhall Monaro 5.7 V8 Coupé (Holden Monaro/HSV Coupé)

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Welcome to Sensible Secondhand Classics, the series where we usually take a sensible classic car worth between £1000 and £5000 and put it through its paces in a very straightforward manner! This time, however, we drive a 2005 Vauxhall Monaro 5.7 V8 Coupé, which is not very sensible at all. Prepare yourselves we we deal with a heavy clutch, get confused about tyre sizes, reveal a surprisingly practical interior, have problems with an indicator stalk on the "wrong" side and generally experience little of any consequence at all. Nothing untoward then!
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As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
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[@Dino_Dad.]

Yes sir, now obviously a big deal down here, but they're all locked away now for future gains. Any v8 after Holden and Ford closed down has just gone bananas in price. Those vauxhalls may find there way back home ala lada riva. Nice sir

[@Dino_Dad.]

Yes no fog lamps required, we don't get much fog

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We did like it, sir. Some revisions for UK market cars, I believe, but it must have been an older Australian car, as I kept putting on the wipers when I meant to indicate. Fortunately, this happened off camera!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

You looked to be enjoying yourself, MR. Lloyd, very handsome coupe with great space and decent equipment levels. For the price, you got incredible power and performance.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, apart from a very stiff clutch leg afterwards, we did find it most agreeable. It even gets above 30 mpg on the motorway with careful use...

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@Lloyd Vehicle Consulting For that very reason, I would prefer an automatic transmission. That's very impressive fuel economy too.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. , sir, an automatic gearbox would suit these quite well, actually.

[@focusrssteve]

Thank you Mr Lloyd for bringing this lovely car to your channel, i very much like this, and is it really possible to get one for so little? Well i may have to look into this! Again thank you and thanks to your friend for allowing you the opportunity.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I think if you found a rusty one which was not as clean as this, some of the worst ones may change hands for under £5,000. Something like this one would definitely not be anywhere near that, however. Last car from Arthur's collection for now, I hope you have enjoyed all four of them.

[@seancooke7332]

Actually surprisingly sensible Second hand vehicle. Relatively simple and under stressed engine . Practical and comfortable interior even in the rear. Attractive shape and good boot. Heavy clutch, which will not be a problem while cruising, and fuel consumption aside compromises are few. The connection to the Vauxhall/Opel Omega will explain the compliant ride, sharp steering and luxurious appointments. The Omega was also renowned for its seating and steering adjustment. Torque is King always. Chances are that a V6 Turbo would be just as thirsty in operation.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, we liked this one, although it isn't exactly usual channel fayre. I think that this car would probably suit an automatic best, but Arthur likes manuals (as Mr Richardson does), so heavy clutch it is!

[@teamJJontour]

Good Afternoon Sir, I do like a V8, especially one that’s not sensible. 😊

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, we aim to please, as you know! We did enjoy ourselves very much, although then we got stuck in traffic with a very heavy clutch.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Even brand new these were quite affordable for what you got and a V8! That cupholder action is a work of art. A excellent review as always Sir, Arthur has a incredible collection.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, we like a bit of cupholder magic in these older General Motors products. I think that this was one of the cheapest V8 engined cars in this country. We are finished with Arthur's collection for now, but there may be more to come in the future.

[@v88dicky32]

Enjoyed the review. The indicators are on the correct side for a RHD car. They’re only on the left in most cars as a cost saving measure, manufacturers then only need to produce a left sided one. I’m on my second Monaro, and it’s identical to this one, save for a few choice modifications. This version of the LS1 in its low state of tune is the easiest to gain more power from. A bigger MAF pipe, tubular headers and free flowing exhaust and cats (with a tune), will see a reliable 400bhp or so. Needless to say, mines not a daily driver 😊👍🏼

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching! I had quite a stiff left leg after driving this, as we got caught in traffic, but it is still a fantastic car.

[@markonmotoring]

These cars looked very subtle considering what's under the bonnet even in period and compared to cars today with aggressive bumpers, vents and big wheels it looks very ordinary indeed. I think that the decision to only sell the V8 was the right one, it's not like you ever see a Mustang with the eco boost engine that was intended for our market. Strange how we like our muscle cars with a muscular engine.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes sir, I quite like the subtlety of this effectively base model Monaro. You are right about the sort of people who bought these and who still buy Mustangs, very few people would ever want to go for anything other than a V8. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching once again!

[@joeyslats31]

Grew up in the mid 2000s and a guy around the corner from my family had a Yellow Monaro Coupé. Every ride home I would hope the garage door would be open so I could have a peek at it! (even though it was just like my family commodore and but with two less doors)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh, one of these would look great in yellow, I am sure. I imagine if your family owned a Commodore, then you are from Australia or New Zealand, so thank you for watching from the other side of the world!

[@PhysicsAirline]

I still remember looking at these when it was released at the Sydney Motor Show in about 2001 or 2002, it caused quite a stir. And indeed, rear fog lights aren't mandatory in Australia.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you for confirming about the foglights! Clearly, I managed not to make too many mistakes in the video for a change.

[@johnedwards3198]

I personally like the facelift 6.0 Monaro and VXR8's with the bonnet vents and more aggressive appearance befitting the brutality under the bonnet but this initial version is more subtle and classy.... As Australian/American muscle goes anyway 😅

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, we enjoyed ourselves very much... This is certainly more along the lines of what I would like, but I can see why the later VXR version would appeal to certain people.

[@davegreg]

Great review, i currently have a Monaro LS1.....it's the fourth one i've owned, they've become my default performance car! (I've also had an MG ZT 260) The 5.7 LS1 is a real sweet engine and i actually prefer it to the LS2 as it offers ample performance in 354bhp form for driving in todays traffic - it'll happily do 70mph in second gear no problem, and thats good enough for me!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I mean, the amount of torque is so massive, that it doesn't particularly matter if you keep the engine in the normal rev band or not, does it? Thank you ever so much indeed for watching, this is an absolutely extraordinary car.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thanks for this video. This was a popular car in New Zealand in Holden form. Interesting to hear a UK perspective on this vehicle. Weird question but would you consider it the Lotus Carlton of its age?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The Vauxhall VXR8 was really the equivalent of the Lotus Carlton, which came a bit after the Monaro from memory.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting From memory that was a repurposed HSV Clubsport or similar V8 Commodore variant.

[@mattsbeamer]

What a beast! Great video as usual. I would love to have a drive in one of these too. cheers

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Mr Woollard, sir, this was a bit of a privilege, I must say! I am sure that you would enjoy it too...

[@mattsbeamer]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I’m sure I will. I really do love big Vauxhalls in general. Take care, and enjoy your week ))

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, Mr Woollard, I hope that you have a super weekend too!

[@themoviehobbit355]

Very interesting because I was just saying on a different page that my 2005 limited edition Monaro is going for $80,000.00 in Australia

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well, prices of Monaros in this country are increasing, but not to that sort of extent! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@themoviehobbit355]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting there were only 1600 made and I think if I remember 200 went over to the uk also When holden in australia closed down a lot of the most rare holdens went threw the roof

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I remember when Holden shut down, and I made a video about it at the time. It was a sad day!

[@themoviehobbit355]

@@lloydvehicleconsultingvery sad day for Australians that’s for sure

[@johnmusk7007]

Great review

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, John, it was most enjoyable.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Yes, the high spec versions where rather confusingly just called Coupes. From memory some of them had a weird Darth Vader-snow plough grill, came in Silver, although red was usually the most popular HSV color.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

If you watch Part Two of the Slightly Shambolic Shuffle from the Departure Lounge at Alton, you will see an HSV Coupé, I think.

[@alaricbragg7843]

If you hosted Top Gear would you do a segment where you are extolling a Diesel Passat while it is parked on a railway crossing and an express train comes along at 80mph?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

No sir, we don't go in for such japery on the channel....

[@xowaspxowasp5772]

I've owned a 56 reg in Phantom Black VXR for around 12 years. Over 45mpg can be achieved if you cruise at 50mph. Unfortunately I haven't driven it for many years & she sits in my garage covered over. I cannot justify the VED & insurance for a play thing 😒

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

My goodness me, that sounds frustrating! Yes, with that big lazy V8 and a six speed manual, I have no doubt that cruising economy would be excellent. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@MonaroTravels]

That cubby lid is broken, that's why it's wobbling.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I am sure that you are right! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@alaricbragg7843]

A much better review than Top Gear...The interior looks very tidy! Was this car from a collector?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

He has had it from new, sir.

[@paulsz6194]

This car is worth more on Australian shores, compared to Great Britain....

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I think so, even if it is an absolutely lovely example. Thank you for watching!

[@paulsz6194]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting just look up the HSV GTSR-W1 and see how much they sell for…you may be surprised !😮

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I understand that they are quite expensive at the moment.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Yes production - In Australia anyway - ended mid-2006, around the time the particular generation of Commodore the Monaro was based on ended its run. By the way Monaro is supposed to mean 'High Plain' in one Aboriginal dialect but take that with a grain of salt.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's right, they weren't sold anywhere beyond 2006-7 from memory, as production had ended in the middle of 2006.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Apparently a decline in coupe sales lead to the cancellation. Around the same time as other highly rated coupes like the Integra and Celica ended production too.

[@alaricbragg7843]

I remember the ads for them in '02 where the Monaro was featured in a Gran Turismo-type video game beating Porsches and Ferraris. Holden did early on promote this car as a genuine supercar, strange given its sedan roots.

[@michaelpedro4283]

Four Aussie blokes decided to race the Monaro and won two 24 hour Bathurst races in 2002 and in 2003 Brock entered two Monaco's, and both finish first and second, lapped team Ferrari and team Porsche and all other world branded racing teams FIA, Group N-GT and Grand -AM GT like Lambogini by more than 12 laps from memory. The Monaro is based on the Commodore, but with 3 inch lower roof line, and the chassis is much more stiff than the Commodore from the factory.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@michaelpedro4283 Problem was the rules were bent to allow the Monaros a non-production engine that gave them a speed advantage over a lot of foreign sports cars. Brock's team did not enter the cars, they were built by Garry Rogers Motorsport, who were commissioned by Holden to build the racing Monaros.

[@christineayres7199]

The VXR one is crazy 186 mph top speed but here in the UK who can afford to fill up one of these and insure it ?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well, apparently Arthur can, as he has had this car from new, but I don't think most people would be able to, as you say.

[@christineayres7199]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yeah I can understand if someone is say middle aged and has saved up a lot of cash over the years but youngsters like me in our 20s and 30s can’t afford to drive nice cars and obviously the current price gouging isn’t helping as when I first passed my test in 2007 I was driving an E36 M3 which I only paid £2500 for , the insurance was like £190 a month though but if I tried buying an M3 today it would cost like £8grand for an old one and I forgot to mention petrol in 2007 was like 90p a litre so now we paying 55p more a litre that also don’t help.

[@v88dicky32]

I don’t think many are used as daily drivers these days, mine certainly isn’t. I use a small economical hatchback as a runaround and save the Monaro for dry days. Insurance is surprisingly cheap, and I SORN it every winter. 😊

[@christineayres7199]

@@v88dicky32 Is a shame but makes sense as petrol still way too expensive 🫰 50p a litre overpriced it is , in Australia 🦘 🌏 or USA they paying like half what we pay a litre lol 🤣

[@joanneburford6364]

That's not a 2005 Monaro, that year had bonnet scoops and a different motor. That is a Series 3 (2003). I owned one since new for 17 years. It is a Holden not a Vauxhall.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They didn't sell them in this country until 2004. It has Vauxhall badges on it, and it came from a Vauxhall dealer, which is correct. As I explained in the video, it was made in 2004, but not sold until 2005.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

The 2005 Holden Monaro was an update modified to meet US standards as sold in US as Pontiac GTO shared bonnet...