future new owner questions

How fking good does this look? Probably the best looking CV8 over here, it just sits so right.

That's not good is it.. it's one of the things I would check first before viewing

Odd that it is on 76k not says 80 that's not exactly worth clocking it at that change

Some amazing advice already given above so not much to add really. Take your time, look at a few cars as it took me three different viewings before I found mine. Check for rust on the chassis rails at the front of the car as mine was immaculate and garaged but still had a rust hole starting. As I'm sure has been said, go for good maintenance over low miles and look for the AP (or similar) brake upgrade if you can.

They are great fun, be prepared to be stopped and asked about it a most fill ups

Welcome to this little Forum Pete.

Firstly, Monaros are plenty spacious in the back, remember there are strictly only 2 seats though.
As for access, its not bad, but the front seats are electric and are slow to move forward. If you regularly want to use the rear seats it can be a tad of a pain, but only a tad more so than your average 3 door. I rarely do, so no issue for me.
In terms of sheer practicality, the VXR8 is going to be easier, but remember its also bigger.

In terms of electrical equipment, ALL monaro versions are exactly the same barring the 2 pod gauges which only the early CV8 Monaro doesn't have. Remember all Vauxhall Monaros are built between 04 and 06 regardless of registration plate. Badge under bonnet.

If reliability is a focus, I'll stick my neck out and say the Monaro seems to be less trouble than the newer VXR8. That's purely from years of being active on this forum though, not direct experience and not to say either is unreliable.
The much more sophisticated VXR8 has more to go wrong, the Monaro is a simple beast by comparison and IMO more robust.

Engines, lets start by saying the 5.7 can be mapped to roughly the same power o/p as the 6.0 and as such in the Monaro there is negligible difference. As a current 5.7 VXR owner who has owned a 6.0 VXR I can personally confirm this, but in fairness the 5.7 VXR is the model with the factory tweaks (shorter diff, headers, mapping to name a few). It is also the rarest here with only 62 officially imported back in 2004! I personally waited for this version the second time around and IMO it's the best variant.
I have no experience of the 6.2 in the VXR8, but nice to have I'd guess! I doubt the 6.0 in the VXR8 will offer any more performance than the Monaro. Having the auto as an option is nice.
All engines are relatively simple and highly adaptable, so bare in mind my opinions are based on standard cars because many have had modifications (generally for the better) over the years.
Back to the Monaro, note the boot space on the later VXR and 5.7 cars is literally half that of the 2004 versions due to the fuel tank being in the boot. It does make a difference! The fuel tank on the early cars in underneath hence the different exhaust arrangement.
If I was to start again, I might actually go for an early 2004 CV8, and one that's had some choice mods already installed.
Its more simple lines has really grown on me, it is handsome rather than brutish and once modded offers everything a VXR does and exceed.

How fking good does this look? Probably the best looking CV8 over here, it just sits so right.

VXR8 back wheels on the back and a forged LSA up front. Spent way too much on it but it works.