So long and thanks guys

[StephenL]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for making the 260 ownership such a pleasant and simple experience. I'm not at all mechanically minded and owning such a rare beast would have been a terrifying (and potentially expensive) experience if it were not for this forum and a whole bunch of clever people who know how to fix any problem and gladly offer advice/information. Thanks to everyone who has invested their time recording such a wealth of information on this site, particularly the Index section managed by VMax1000 & Nich.

Not only that, but all the social events on offer (a number of which I attended) make you feel part of a family - thanks especially to colintf for those.

And last but not least, all the great characters who make this forum what it is... :hug

So after such a gushing farewell, why am I ending my 260 ownership? Well, after 2 years & 11,000 miles, I got an itch to change cars. However, I've enjoyed the 260 so I replaced it with something that is quite similar: 5 seater family saloon, big american V8, less than 1,000 cars in the UK... a VXR8!

A picture of the two while I was swapping number plates:
("R10" for Rio Red - it doesn't make sense anymore on a grey car, but it's the first number plate my wife has ever been able to remember, so we're keeping it :))
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-27D-kV7VJvg/T75m_VNj13I/AAAAAAAACQE/nKLW8oYiM74/s640/R10SGD.JPG

[Malcolmr]

Nice purchase Stephen. We will expect you back in a year or so with a comparison, please. I've often thought I should get with the strength and give up these arcane MGs of mine and buy a GM Monaro! Lots of them around downunder...

[Merl]

Doesn't seem that long ago you were thinking about xpowers....

A comparison would be great! looks a lovely car! A lot beefier than the 260...

Always welcome to say hello and pop to any of the meets and let us have a gander at the new car in person ;)

[Big Dave]

The VXR8 is on my list of cars own - looks lovely ;)

[Herman]

At least it has an big V8 in the front and rear wheel drive.

Hope you enjoy it as much as you did the ZT.......................(and people are known to come back to the collective you know :))

[Terry]

Looks a very menacing car, hope you enjoy it as much as it sounds like you did with the 260.

[barry monk]

Hope you enjoy your VXR Stephen.Nice Aussie Beast.

[colintf]

So long :cool:

[gaz the gas]

Saw them on the vauxhall stand at Oulton park,very nice.....

[StephenL]

Doesn't seem that long ago you were thinking about xpowers....
The one regret of my 260 ownership was that I never managed to get hold of any xpowers. Although funnily enough, I noticed that the 260 even on standard exhausts sounds much meatier (V8 rumble) than the VXR8 with standards. So I'm now looking to get an upgraded exhaust, the cost of which makes xpowers look like an incredible bargain:
Over £2,000 for a switchable exhaust (http://www.monkfishperformance.co.uk/2007vxr8catbackexhaust.html) :jaw

Anyway, I'll keep an eye on the meets and bring it along one day...

[AndyG]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-27D-kV7VJvg/T75m_VNj13I/AAAAAAAACQE/nKLW8oYiM74/s640/R10SGD.JPG

It is very nice. :toast

It makes the ZT look small. :duck

[NOCTURNAL]

It is very nice. :toast

It makes the ZT look small. :duck

That was my first thoughts... as someone who considered a Monaro before the 260 but couldn't make the sums add-up, the 4 doors of the VXR8 do appeal...

and a buddy's Uprated 6L Exhaust sounded awsome.... as do those switchable Electric exhaust cut out set-ups...

Hope you enjoy your ownership :)

[stevenw]

How does the VXR8 compare with the 260 so far?
Does it have character and soul like the 260?

[scooter]

We look after two VXR8's. One red and one grey they go very well and make a good alternative to the ZT they do get through a lot of front suspension joints but the engine is very good as are the brakes. Claire prefers the Monaro I am not so sure but its a good car.

[StephenL]

How does the VXR8 compare with the 260 so far?

I've already done over 1,000 miles in the VXR8 and am loving it. In my opinion, it's a worthy (dare I say it?) "successor" to the 260. It's sort of what you imagine/hope a 2nd generation 260 might have been like, if MG had continued.

There are a lot of similarities apart from the American V8+RWD: the uniqueness; a set of well understood problems (just different ones); a supportive internet forum (although not as cohesive or well run as this one); the specialist garage who people go to (Monkfish Performance = Austin Garages / Dreadnought); my wife hates driving both of them and of course the economy (slightly worse!)

Then the differences: a more modern cabin; the suspension is quite a bit softer, but still without any significant body roll in corners; it's a lot faster than a standard 260 (presumably not so different to a 260+S/C); the car with standard exhausts sounds much more muted without any real V8 rumble.


Does it have character and soul like the 260?
No, not really. The 260 is the enthusiast's car for those in the know and has a great character.
While it's certainly not a BMW/Audi clone, the VXR8 is more clinical and modern. And it's definitely not a Q-car: you will be stared at by the occupants of every Corsa that you meet and I've already had a chap in a Passat, who I refused to let push in at roadworks, reasoning that the car meant I had small man parts and he wanted a fight to resolve the situation.

For me (someone who loves driving, but has no interest or ability to fettle the car myself), the VXR8 is probably the better choice. You want a mod - you take it to Monkfish. With the 260, there is such a huge amount of knowledge in the club, that a lot of owners will want to do it themselves and actually see that as part of the fun!

I'll keep an eye out for nearby meets and hopefully bring it along sometime (if that's allowed!)

Stephen

[Big Dave]

^

That's a perfect write up and one that I was looking for.

I'm seriously contemplating one of these but no sure whether I could part with the 260 in reality.

Decisions decisions :mad:

[re-tread]

5th Gear did a comparison on track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTP8QHCThKA

Enjoy

[StephenL]

5th Gear did a comparison on track

That's the Monaro, which is quite a different car to the VXR8, despite some shared mechanicals. I was initially thinking of getting a Monaro, but I test drove one and it's surprisingly small inside (cabin and the boot). It's not really a proper family car in the way that the 260 & VXR8 are. The Monaro & VXR8 are often referred to jokingly as the Calibra & Vectra.

VBH did a review of the VXR8 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiW8QHq0yUI

[Blue Flash]

Good luck Stephen,...a natural successor to the Zed I think,and would certainly be my choice over any other sports saloon should I change.

[stevenw]

Good luck Stephen,...a natural successor to the Zed I think,and would certainly be my choice over any other sports saloon should I change.

Well if you should wish to change at some point, please let me know as my first choice would be a supercharged Mk1 ZT or ZTT in blue!

[slydog]

well if you do ever decide to go back to a 260 stephen i can tell you now you defo aint having mine lol :love

[re-tread]

That's the Monaro, which is quite a different car to the VXR8, despite some shared mechanicals.
That will teach me and just shows how little I know about them. I thought they were the same car.