We say Hard to dislike, the Monaro has brutal looks and performance on its side for not much cash. Not great to drive though, and running costs will be horrible.Performance Choose between a 340bhp 5.7 V8 and 400bhp 6-litre VXR model. Both will knock your socks off, with a 62mph sprint taking five seconds and topping at an excess of 180mph.Emissions You’re going to get less than 20mpg with the Monaro and CO2 emissions are going to be eye-watering as well.Driving Superb handling for such a big car and a curiously comfortable ride, all things considered.Feel Engines can be boomy, but that's what you want, isn't it?Space Good space inside, especially for passengers. Bootspace is eaten up by the rear-engine in VXR spec models.Equipment Very little in the way of kit. You'll get a CD player and there’s some body-kit on the VXR.Price Running costs will be significant and if you’re worried about them then it’s probably not the car for you. Pricing ranges from around £29,000 to almost £37,000.Quality Everything should work the way it's supposed to with little in the way of complex mechanicals to go wrong. Interior looks durable, but it's fairly basic.Safety Four airbags and ABS. Traction control limits power so you can't oversteer straight through a wall, which is reassuring.Pros The Monaro is incredibly fast and it handles well for such a brute of a car.Cons Not a well-thought out buy due to enormous costs. Arguably not the most practical car about.Alternatives Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru Impreza
