Some advice please

[mr leeches]

Ok, so im seriously considering the big step to up to a HSV GTS.

Ive seen a few i like, but im not really sure what im looking for. Budget is an issue (when isnt it?).

Where is the best place to get insurance? I have got a quote from Adrian Flux but its a bit scary, weighing in at £1800!!

Also, realisticly, what is the fuel consumption like? i know it depends on how its driven, etc but i dont want to buy the thing to find out im crippled by running costs.

mucho thanks

leeches

[Well_Fans]

Most of the Monaro people on here have managed to get their insurance down to around the £500 a year mark but of course it all depends on your age, points, no claims discount, postcode, garaged, mods, annual miles etc. Usual suspects to try are Tesco, Admiral, Elephant for best deals.

Consumption on the cars found on here - there's one thing you can say for sure, none of us average over 30mpg I'd guess most average somewhere between 18 and 25mpg unless they absolutely hammer it, at that point you buy your own refinery.

[mr leeches]

thanks for the reply, i think i can stomach the 18-25mpg, i doubt i get much more than that on my current car as it is, and i dont do a huge amount of traveling.

As for the insurance, well im 25 in the next couple of weeks and i have 1 sp30 that is due to come off in under a years time, 4 years no claims. I thin k one of things damaging my quote is that i dont have a drive or a garage, so it would have to be kept on the road.

Interestingly i was also looking at getting a brand new Ford Mustang v8 and the insurance on that was half of what i have been qouted for the GTS.

Have any of the Holden owners here had any luck at some non-specialist insurers? Tesco are my current insurers, but i couldnt get a car to match on the website.

>> Edited by mr leeches on Thursday 4th May 18:17

[test123]

Try Norwich Union or Elephant.

[willisit]

I'm 27 and my quotes have been in the four figures. I'm in a quiet area but no garage... not really helpful I know, but it's something. Next renewal in September as I "upgraded" my insurance.

Longest journey I do is under 10 miles so my mileage is AWFUL.. 17.1mpg tops so far. 200 miles to a £60+ tank. Bit silly really - but why not? Might buy a push-bike or something with 3 cylinders later on just to try and justify it. Meh.

I found my insurance cheaper on my last 911 than on the VXR, but the CV8 came in £500 more than the VXR - which really confused me. <shrugs>

[sjc]

I owned a HSV GTS-R for four years. Tesco, ( but not online) always came out best for insurance, they had some policy with a strange name that grouped the HSV with other unusual cars like the Ford Falcon etc. I generally paid around £650/£750 PA for me and wife to drive. For mpg you can muster anything up to 28mpg on a run( I did several times) but if you assume an average of 16-20 in all driving you won't be far out.There is a couple of good ones out there at the mo'( the supercharged one looks nice as does Jagsys Tiger Gold car) and you may just grab yourself a real bargain if your lucky. You'll be buying a quick, comfy, entertaining,reliable very rare car with a lovely V8 and I'm pretty sure you'll have no regrets. Good luck.

[ringram]

Im paying large ££, but had a claim due to uninsured driver who was at fault. But nobody to pay, so I got hammered. Need to ring around this time.
I can get over 350miles to a tank, I do a lot of motorway travel. Mixed driving gets me around 300miles. £50 to fill. Thats in an HSV GTS (R8 Clubsport really). There are some good priced ones around now. Most seem fairly well looked after.
Well recommended.

[Paul-C]

www.lancasterinsurance.co.uk/

Try them.......I currently use Tesco but am going to try them on renewal as so far cheaper on all my other cars.

[Paul.H.]

Try A-Plan insurance - they have an ad on the front page of this forum. I can't fault them but as Well Fans points out, it's down to the individuals circumstances!

[uk hsv]

I got a quote from "A-Plan" just to make sure they know what a HSV GTS is or are they just clogging up the forum.................and to my delight they came back with a good quote!!! so worth a try........

[308mate]

speaking of GTS's's's. Does anyone know anything about the black supercharged one (LSV 500 badge on it) thats on PH? I dont understand why its hasnt sold if it is as its advertised. If I had 25k spare id have had it months ago. IF - what a big word....

PB

[sjc]

All I know is that it has been for sale on and off for a long time. Does look rather nice.

[Mr Leeches]

thanks for the responses guys.

so far ive seen the one for sale on here from monkfish performance and there is also one on e-bay and autotrader (its black and looks in great condition). im waiting to phone insurance companies on monday to get my final quote before i decide how much i can spend on the car itself.

This will be my first 'proper' car, so im sure ill be buggin you guys with servicing routines (which oil to use) how often should i check levels myself, what else do i nee to chech and when is it good to get a professional service.

[ringram]

The black 02 one may well be a VX model, rather than the VT2. The VT2 GTS-R had a better rear suspension as did the VX models. I think most of the VT2 GTS's have the older type.. which is what I have. Slightly less control for handling and they tend to chew inner tyre edges. Though these issues can be alieviated with minor changes.
4 Doors rules. Much more practical. Loads of boot space too.

[Paul-C]

Mr Leeches said:

thanks for the responses guys. so far ive seen the one for sale on here from monkfish performance and there is also one on e-bay and autotrader (its black and looks in great condition). im waiting to phone insurance companies on monday to get my final quote before i decide how much i can spend on the car itself. This will be my first 'proper' car, so im sure ill be buggin you guys with servicing routines (which oil to use) how often should i check levels myself, what else do i nee to chech and when is it good to get a professional service.

The best oil advise I was ever given was use Millers. I use CFS 5W40 in my HSV and it has been described (by Wortec and Monkfish) as 'the quietest LS1 they have heard' and was asked what oil I use. In cars over 500 BHP Millers recommend CFS 10W60 due to extra petrol dilution that happens with additional fuelling. I have used Millers for several years in a variety of ' serious performance cars' and have had zero problems to date.

>> Edited by Paul-C on Monday 8th May 21:27

[mr leeches]

whats the general week in week out checks you guys do to make sure they are running nice?

also where is good site to get some good info on detailing (i dont want to go nuts, my 2 1/2 year old son means i dont have loads of time on my hands) but i would like to know how to wash it properly, what stuff to use and how to wax it.

[Paul-C]

mr leeches said:

whats the general week in week out checks you guys do to make sure they are running nice?

Standard stuff........tyre pressures, fluid levels is all. They are quite basic stress-free engines / transmissions so no special treatment required.

[ringram]

.. tyre tread (check to see if there is any left)