Thinking about a change of cars as my wife is over due for a newbie. Not moving the HZ Sandman van or the VE wagon (work car) but thinking about upgrading the wife's 03 VY V6 Berlina wagon (about 260,000kms from memory) to a VZ Cv8 Monaro. I'm thinking a VZ monaro with about 100,000kms which go for <$25k but it would have to come at a cost.... We have a HK Brougham in the shed which we had soda blastered and panel and paint done but needs reassembly. We can't really afford to upgrade wife's car and keep the Brougham. My problem with the Brougham is that it's too nice and will be impractical. I bought it about 5 years ago as a deceased estate one owner from the son (in his 60's) of the original owner. It came with original purchase records and factory 307 chev/powerglide. It had bubbles under the vinyl roof and rust in lower front guards and that was it. Sodablaster told me it was the best h series body he had seen when bear metalled. My original thoughts were to put a create motor in it and keep the body as original but then swayed back to doing up the 307 (factory number matching). But truth is that I reckon the body is too nice and I'm going to be be too paranoid to enjoy it (if that makes sense). Unlike the Sandman, which is really good, but not immaculate which I drive and use regularly. I'm thinking about the vZ monaro as they're a beautiful thing, fun to drive and shouldn't depreciate at the rate of other newer cars while having the comforts. Missus does about 30,000 highway km per year so I reckon get something she would enjoy being behind the wheel of - knowing that big Km's will devalue VZ monaro but hey, that's life!

The brougham is beautiful, Inca gold and the best original stripped body I have seen on similar models. It has been professionally panelled and painted by a friend who does a lot of rods, still cost me $13k after sodablast and was exceptional to begin with. Probably controversially it has been sprayed in 2k, but finished smooth - it is show finish, no doubt and I'm a fussy bastard! Needs reassembly, vinyl roof, front and rear screens fitted, and front seat reupholstered. Motor and box is out - so option to tweak or go stock standard. Starting point for the Brougham would be $20k, owes me more and you would struggle to find better. I reckon I'll try to sell as is, rather than reassemble as you can see how good it is.