Death To The Monaro

my gt · 26-03-2005, 08:30 AM

holden are still not clear of the future of the monaro plans, production is on a definate hold.
GM in the U.S. will not aprove its on going support for the, model because of its very slow sales in the U.S.

sbutler · 26-03-2005, 09:09 AM

I read that too. A pitty really, the monro was a very fine looking car.

HOON69 · 26-03-2005, 09:44 AM

dunno if i'll miss the competition as such but they werent to bad to look at..

MrSparkle · 26-03-2005, 10:40 AM

Agreed. Best looking Commodore variant Holden has made in recent times, even the latest be-nostriled one. Isn't the official word that it will be produced in SeppoLand from the next model onwards? That's sure to screw up some of the formula... especially the visuals... and the Seppos have as much idea on building a great interior as the Koreans do...

Dodge · 26-03-2005, 10:52 AM

the monaro is 7 K more than the mustang + the monaro was badged a GTO which was never a popular car anyway, they should have left the monaro badging and then it would have been a beter selling point to the yanks.

**Polyal** · 26-03-2005, 12:04 PM

yeah without the US the monaro is screwed here IMO, they have so many cars in niche markets its amazing its still going if you ask me. Alot of cash for a car that sells bugger all in relative terms.

It is a nice car, but dated now and I would like to see them but the VZ slant on what is a car with ncie curves.

ilsautomotive · 26-03-2005, 12:34 PM

It would be sad to see it go, but for what is a mildly restyled 1998 VT Coupe it has done better than anyone could have predicted.

rob_o · 26-03-2005, 02:04 PM

Doesnt the monaro sell pretty good over here compared to other cars in its class? Anyone got any figures?

crYnOid · 26-03-2005, 02:09 PM

My understanding of this whole thing is that the next Monaro/Pontiac GTO has been designed, signed off, but just needs engineering testing to be carried out. The problem is that the GTO was to be built in NA and the Monaro was to be made next to it. But GM NA have now canceled Zeta (VE commy based cars) so there is nowhere for it to be built. Maybe it could be produced here once again, but that is something that will come out in the future.

BTW, people who had seen it have said it was 'hot'. oh well.

outside · 26-03-2005, 02:17 PM

i drove a mate's monaro (super charged) from Vic to Qld ,and found my xr6 a far better car to drive .

XRQTOR · 26-03-2005, 02:34 PM

Those new HSV monaro's with the 6.oL just sound down right nasty at idol. A chick occasionally drives one past work, silver grey colour with Blue nsw plates couped.

rodderz · 26-03-2005, 09:01 PM

There has been a few whispers going around the traps about Holden losing quite a bit of money lately, and the yanks having the last say on all the decisions which could be detrimental to GM in Australia. Also a fair few employees losing employment

Dunno if it's ridgy didge but would be a shame for it to go downhill, competetion is a high benefit for the consumer and as much as most here love Fords better, Holden bring out some darn fine grunty beasts. Having said that though Ford Oz was in the poo not that long ago!

Franky · 26-03-2005, 11:44 PM

It constantly wins the sport car segment here in Australia each month doesn't it? With that said I don't think it's dead, just dead overseas. China would probably import it

**M&Ms** · 27-03-2005, 01:27 AM

Monaro's a damn nice car if you ask me... including the VZ variant... It'd be a real shame if we never saw it again.

darkfang888 · 27-03-2005, 01:30 AM

I read that too. Shame really, coz we just got the old rivalry going again (GT vs Monaro) with brand-new models.

loxxr6 · 27-03-2005, 02:03 AM

I thought that Simcoe dude (the guy who recently went o/s and designed the damn car) mentioned that a US redesign was on the cards and that they hoped to go from there.

There was mention that coz cars aren't as big sellers as the SUV's that in the US market in order to succeed the design has to be a standout. It was mentioned that that's why the new BMW series with the flame pannelling(or whatever) sold well. It was different and stood out.

jabba · 27-03-2005, 08:00 AM

I tell you what, If GM cans the Monaro, I believe we will see the price tag of a used Monaro rise. and become a collectors item

Dodge · 27-03-2005, 08:48 AM

not in this decade, we will see lots more of the here trust me. all we need now is them yanks to send us some hemi stuff like the magnum .

Dodge · 27-03-2005, 08:55 AM

pic of the magnum, one of the meanist station wagons on the street, i bet every sales rep would trade their magna for one of these

strife · 27-03-2005, 10:16 AM

Did Holden say that monaro wasnt going to be a long term deal anyway, its probably only gto deal that has kept it going

even now the monaro holds its value pretty well compared to the rest of the models

XA-Coupe · 27-03-2005, 10:19 AM

It would be a shame to see it go but I get the feeling that future models of the commodore won't lend themslves to being changed to a coupe like the VT did.

27-03-2005, 10:33 AM

Even through all the critisisms such as "two door Commodore" etc it will be a big loss for this country.

AUIII XR8 MAN · 27-03-2005, 02:20 PM

I work with a few Holden fan & their not worry if they don't keep the Monaro. Two of them went to trade in their SS for a new Monaro & both of them stay with the SS because they both felt the SS handle better than Monaro. Plus one relly didn't like the small Monaro boot space because the fuel tank sat up into the boot & stop him getting hes golf club into the boot let alone the buggy, that he can in the SS plus then their was the trying to getinto the rear seat, hes a young both & he had trouble getting in & out. The problem with the Monaro is the only a small selcted group of people will buy these as the are not a practical car for the average family to use unlike the GT or Clubsport. It is shame to see it drop the Monaro

ozzyjim · 27-03-2005, 02:33 PM

Massively overpriced imo, still a shame though.

Cheers
Jim

XR_Strider_GuY · 27-03-2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RATT

Even through all the critisisms such as "two door Commodore" etc it will be a big loss for this country.

I agree mate. I've said from day one when the Series 1 CV6/8 rolled out that its one of the purest and gorgeous shaped car styling around. I really loved how Simcoe designed the rear 1/4. I'm not as keen on the current Series with the nostrals as i think it upset the profile, but still a great car and one Holden i wouldn't mind buying.

RPO83 · 27-03-2005, 10:20 PM

I must be the only one out there who finds the Monaro totally ordinary styling wise for a sports car, the design may have impressed me if it was released back in the early 90's but it sure as hell looks dated now.

There are some very ****ed of GM-Pontiac dealerships in the states who have lost out from this car so it makes sense for them to kill the program. Lutz stuffed up by looking for a cheap way to deliver a GTO to the market.

rodderz · 27-03-2005, 10:28 PM

Might be a good time to go buy a Munro and keep it in the shed for 30 years!

(if i had the dough...and if i restrained from taking it to the track)

buickman · 27-03-2005, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodge

pic of the magnum, one of the meanist station wagons on the street, i bet every sales rep would trade their magna for one of these

I saw a few of them on the roads plus the Chrysler version last year. The Chrysler and Dodges have nicer looking passenger cars than Ford or GM in the States. The meanest sounding car passed me in Sth Carolina a V10 ST Ram pick up with huge twin pipes behind the rear wheels

I love the look of the Monaro but its to costly especially the AWD version and you can buy a SS much cheaper. Plus the fact Aussies in general prefer 4 door cars.

I read were the US was thinking of manufacturing the Monaro and Statesman's over in the US as world export cars the Monaro's as Pontiacs & the Statesman's as Buicks execpt for the Australian & New Zealand were they will be still called the Holden brand names

buickman

lukey · 27-03-2005, 10:59 PM

I reacon Manaros are gay (except the GTO/GTS). Glad to see it go..

montyv8 · 28-03-2005, 03:16 AM

the drawings of the next model monaro look f*cking sexy... and the ute.
As for the VE, well i'm undecided on that one. I've seen a VE sedan shell, and i think the HSV models will look hell-sexy, base models dont look that good.
theres always talk of the third shift at holdens elizabeth plant (where i work) being canned, won't happen for a while tho. we've lost a few ppl recently, but not many, and most of them were casuals.
we have been building a lot of monaros tho, so they must be going somewhere.......