Time to upgrade:

[FrangaFry]

Howdy lads, I think the time has come where I need a new ride.

The wags has hit 20 years and being my daily still, is costing me a bundle (in constant repairs) and giving me the shits as it still overheats on stupid hot days (in traffic) when the AC is on and blows fuses when it rains ........... Aaaarrrrrggggggh

As Ed said on here some time ago ........... I love it, I HATE it, I love it, I fark'n HATE it, I LOOOOOOOOOVE it, I really hate it ......... sigh ......

So, I have started the process of looking for a replacement ........ it might end in divorce but ........ it's gota be done

Criteria is: VFII SS-V Wagon, got have big brakes, gota have leather and gota have an LS3, gota have a good service history (under 100k on the clock too)............ would prefer another Silver jobbie, but I'll settle for Gun Metal Grey, Heron White or even Red ..........it's turning out to be harder than I thought ....

Folks still want drug money for these things ......... and I am learning that not everyone loves their cars like we do.

Thought I had nailed down a nice Heron White one the other day that ticked all the boxes (dealer on the other side of town) - Low'ish Km's (90k), good service history, pics looked great on line, dealer sang it's praises (well looked after, service history all good blah blah blah) - Before seeing it, I started the haggle process and got it down a couple of K as a starting point. He even agreed to bring it round to me on Wed for a test drive (I live in Belgrave) - Cool.

Round he comes and from 10 feet it looked nice as (I did noticed a couple of little cosmetic things off the bat that I noted for later discussion), small talk and off we go for a good drive. As I live in this hills, I asked him if it was cool for me to give it some beans (no problems he says' he's a petrol head too). Had a good 30 minute fling around the hills and put it through it's paces - it was no Blown and worked VY Wagon but it was 'nice' to drive. As we are hooting around, I'm asking all the questions, how many owners, good service history blah blah blah - yeah he says service history is all here and all good mate (flicks the book out and shows me all the service stubs), one owner blah blah blah.

It was nice to drive but not what I would call exciting ....... bet yeah yeah I know, it's a big step down from 500rwhp.

So, I have my fill and we start heading home .......... I notice a bit of vibration on the brakes and what looks like dust/smoke coming from the front end (I was using the brakes pretty hard and it was steep, so I'll have a poke around under the bonnet when I get back).

We get home and he's putting the hard word on me ........... Meh, my old man was life long sales man, so pffffft, what ever man....... I'm gunna take me time here.

I start poking around the car and start noticing 'things' ....... yeah lots of cosmetic stuff (stone chips and door chips where the door has been opened with little care, a small dent in the rear qtr, the front bumper looks like it's been whacked and repaired in a hurry etc) all these things I start pointing out to him ......... yeah all good mate, I can call my dealer principle and see if we can fix them for the same price .......... like no shit Sherlock, perhaps you should have done this before showing it to a prospective buyer ........ So, now I start really poking around and point out things like .......... a rear door bolt was loose (WTF), there is some slight surface rust on the tail gate bolts (Alarm, Danger Will Robinson...) By this stage I can see him thinking 'Oh Dear, not going well' ....... So now start poking around under the bonnet and under the car and I am seeing quite a bit more surface rust on lots of things ......... Bzzzzzzzzzzz NUP! I also note that the bonnet sound/heat/cover has a fair bit of heat damage on it in one spot ..... Bzzzzzz Nup and the control arms look suspiciously shiny and new compared to the rest of the underneath of the car ..... Bzzzzzzz NUP.

So I jump back in the car while he's on the phone and take a better look at the service manual/history (and oooh it has the original owners name and address .......... quick search and as suspected car came from a coastal town in NSW ..... hence the rust ........ Bzzz Nup ........ and there is the car on street view outside a housing commission flat ..... i'm not gunna judge but Bzzzz Nup!) I take a better look at all the service stubs and ...... 1,600km, 16,000km, 23,000km and then .............. 76,000km, and 90,000km .......... 50,000kms without a service ........ Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz Fark NUP).

I already knew it was not the one for me after driving it, but god damn ............ you would think honesty from a major dealer and doing 7 P's would be a must when trying to sell a 50k car (which he organically had listed for 62k).

So, thanks for the drive mate, on ya way sport ............

Onwards and Upwards ..........

[whitels1ss]

Lurve the way you write Carlton.

Something better will turn up mate!

[BLACK 346]

Sounds like you are certainly doing your due diligence mate, be patient and I am sure you will land what you are after. Don't forget that a PPSR might be worth the cost if you really get your heart set on one

PS...You off loading the VY or going to put it in the shed for non rainy days?

[VXSS346]

I guess the salesperson had a good day out anyway, so he probably didn't car either. Unless he was the owner.

Are you still looking for another VFSS though, sounds a bit like it may not have convinced you enough? Interested in your thoughts on it. (besides the engine/power stuff)

They are certainly getting harder to find now and are approaching 10 years old.

Good luck with the searching.

[FrangaFry]

Sounds like you are certainly doing your due diligence mate, be patient and I am sure you will land what you are after. Don't forget that a PPSR might be worth the cost if you really get your heart set on one

PS...You off loading the VY or going to put it in the shed for non rainy days?

I'll definitely be doing my due diligence with a PPSR and a full independent mechanical check when and if I find the right one (I fear my bar may be set too high though ....) - You know, I drove my wags into work today and I had an .... I looooove it ...... day, bloody thing is so far under my skin I'm really struggling with the idea of letting it go ......... if you ask the wife though ....... It's Goooooooooooooooooone.

[FrangaFry]

I guess the salesperson had a good day out anyway, so he probably didn't car either. Unless he was the owner.

Are you still looking for another VFSS though, sounds a bit like it may not have convinced you enough? Interested in your thoughts on it. (besides the engine/power stuff)

They are certainly getting harder to find now and are approaching 10 years old.

Good luck with the searching.

Yeah, still looking for a VF SSV ........ (and your right, I was not overly impressed so far ..........) off to see a private sale this weekend. This one is Silver and already has some mods and a few more beans at the wheels .......... I'll see if that changes my mind about the excitement factor (hopefully it will be better looked after as well) ...... and I soooooo hear you about the nearly 10 years old thing. 50k (give or take) is a LOT of coin for a 10 year old car .......... I just can't see myself in something that comes out of Asia and only has 4 cylinders though .... and a Euro V8 jobby is just out of my league ........ end of the day I love wagons so the options are limited. I am struggling with the idea of dropping 50k on a second hand car .......... it's gunna have to be special .........

[duke5700]

If your wags had 500hp, a VF needs 700hp to feel the same way. Blessings of a modern chassis

I know you want a V8 and preferably a Holden... but what about a Skoda Superb? Golf R driveline, nice to drive etc plenty of aftermarket support and tuning options. Won't attract Holden tax.. (what a statement to say.. won't attract "Holden Tax")

[BLACK 346]

If your wags had 500hp, a VF needs 700hp to feel the same way. Blessings of a modern chassis

I know you want a V8 and preferably a Holden... but what about a Skoda Superb? Golf R driveline, nice to drive etc plenty of aftermarket support and tuning options. Won't attract Holden tax.. (what a statement to say.. won't attract "Holden Tax")

Probably the most spot on post I have ever read on here, you nailed it mate.

[FrangaFry]

Thanks for the comments lads, I'm pretty set on a Holden V8 ........ and to that affect, I am looking for advice on a PPI.

I took a drive out to Melton today and spent some time checking out one sweet Silver 2016 SS-V Wagon ......... it ticked ALL my boxes and the bloke selling it is 'one of us' ........ you could tell that he loves his car and has taken exceptional care of it.

Car has done just under 80,000km, and at 73,000km had a little bit of work done (4pot HSV brakes, mild cam package, OTR, Stainless 1 3/4 Headers and and exhaust) - all service history, all receipts, car presents exceptionally, ran like a dream and I am keen a mustard to move on it. The only issues that are stopping me is getting a PPI done and it also doesn't come with a roadworthy - in his words, "he works nights and just hasn't got the time" (so the hand shake agreement was - we agreed on a price pending PPI report and the roadworthy - which I will organize. If it fails (which I doubt), we will re negotiate. Car comes with all original parts (Rims, brakes, air intake etc) minus original extractors/headers and exhaust.

Thoughts on the PPI and Roadworthy assessment.

I've sent a request to https://safebuy.com.au/prepurchase-c...ion-melbourne/ as a starting point and will follow up tomorrow with a call.

[whitels1ss]

Sounds good but I am not sure how easy you will get a cammed, modified car a roadworthy in Victoria these days?

(I used to live in Victoria a long time ago.)

I thought that it was hard to get a cammed, modified car roadworthy unless you had connections with inspectors?

Do you know someone that can help getting it sorted?

[FrangaFry]

Sounds good but I am not sure how easy you will get a cammed, modified car a roadworthy in Victoria these days?

(I used to live in Victoria a long time ago.)

I thought that it was hard to get a cammed, modified car roadworthy unless you had connections with inspectors?

Do you know someone that can help getting it sorted?

Morning lads, nope, I don't know anyone, but ........ from what I have read a cam change should not affect the 'road worthiness' of a car in Vic. That is probably more a function of the EPA (emissions) brigade I rek'n? But, i'm a forever hopeful noomptie - I do note a couple of statements on the Vic Roads site about changes that increase a car's power beyond 20% would require additional VAAS certification.

VASS Approval Certificate:
A VASS Approval Certificate is a certificate issued by a
VASS Signatory accepted as evidence that a vehicle meets
the standards for registration, that any modifications
comply with relevant published guidelines and that any
modifications have not adversely affected the vehicle’s
structural integrity or handling characteristics. As such a
VASS Approval Certificate forms part of the documentation
required to unconditionally register a modified vehicle

You never know until you ask my old man used to say. So, I'll do the rounds and speak to a few Roadworthy joints.

I also note this hopeful bit of AI magical jiggery .......

Yes, a cam modified car can get a roadworthy certificate in Victoria if it meets certain requirements:

Complies with registration standards
The vehicle must continue to meet the registration standards set out in the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009.

Doesn't affect structural integrity or handling
The modification can't make the vehicle unsafe to drive or affect its structural integrity or handling.
Notifies VicRoads
You must notify VicRoads of the modification within 14 days.
Obtains VASS approval certificate
Some modifications may require a VASS approval certificate from a VicRoads VASS signatory. This includes modifications that increase the vehicle's power by more than 20%.
Passes a roadworthy inspection
The vehicle must pass a roadworthy inspection that checks things like:

Wheels, tires, steering, suspension, and braking systems

Seats, seatbelts, lights, reflectors, and windscreen
Vehicle structure and other safety-related items
Absence of conditions that could cause structural failure or affect safe operation
Sound floor free of obstructions
Functioning mechanisms like doors, boots, bonnets, and hatches


I'm taking my wags in for some work tomorrow to do the front pads and get this electrical issues looked at (I'm hoping it's a shoddy O2 sensor/loom issue) and the bloke who runs the joint is in the modified car scene, so he may be able to give me some advice.

So, I live in hope ........ I'll find out one way or the other

[whitels1ss]

I hope you are right but I thought that with an aftermarket cam changing the emissions you would have problems.

I know it makes it very hard in SA and a lot other places. (Here we have to go to a special "EPA Approved" dyno testing place to get it certified.)

All the very best of luck with it.

What are you going to do with the VY? I would be inclined to keep it

as I honestly think that it's value might go through the roof especially after it hits the magical 25 years for historic registration.

[FrangaFry]

I hope you are right but I thought that with an aftermarket cam changing the emissions you would have problems.

I know it makes it very hard in SA and a lot other places. (Here we have to go to a special "EPA Approved" dyno testing place to get it certified.)

All the very best of luck with it.

What are you going to do with the VY? I would be inclined to keep it

as I honestly think that it's value might go through the roof especially after it hits the magical 25 years for historic registration.

Had a good Chat to IJ about it earlier and he thinks the OTR will be the only sticking point (fingers crossed).

I'm gunna start by organizing the PPI first and take it from there .....

Re the VY ......... sigh, wife wants it gone ......... but yeah I hear you, I would love to keep it ...... unfortunately I don't really have a place to store it either (maybe the brother in laws in his shed but not sure he will be keen LOL)

I'll cross that bridge once I know what the go is with the VF. Got a lot to get through first .....

Not really sure how to get it all sorted ...... but every journey starts with the first step eh ........ In my mind I have told myself I want it and I will make it happen .......... so, when I do that I usually get what I want ... WINK

[FrangaFry]

PPI is booked in for this Wednesday - tick.

Have organized to get the original airbox reinstalled before the Roadworthy.

Spoke with a few mechanics this morning who do road worthies and they all said the same thing - OTR will fail but as long as muffler and cats are still part of zorst and it's not too loud, then it's up to the discretion of the tester to pass/fail.

It's got a nice note but is nothing like mine (mine frik'n roars LOL) ......... so I have no doubt it will pass. Roadworthy is booked in for the 20th at a place in Melton (had good chat to the head mechanic so he knows whats coming and was also one of the blokes who said as long as OTR is gone and it's not too loud, then should be no issue.

Dice are rolled now ....... time will tell

[VXSS346]

PPI is booked in for this Wednesday - tick.

Have organized to get the original airbox reinstalled before the Roadworthy.

Spoke with a few mechanics this morning who do road worthies and they all said the same thing - OTR will fail but as long as muffler and cats are still part of zorst and it's not too loud, then it's up to the discretion of the tester to pass/fail.

It's got a nice note but is nothing like mine (mine frik'n roars LOL) ......... so I have no doubt it will pass. Roadworthy is booked in for the 20th at a place in Melton (had good chat to the head mechanic so he knows whats coming and was also one of the blokes who said as long as OTR is gone and it's not too loud, then should be no issue.

Dice are rolled now ....... time will tell

Hope it all goes well, I'd be very interested to hear how you go.

Just be aware, because you're going for a roady just before Christmas, if it fails and needs some work you may have trouble getting stuff fixed within the 2 weeks.

Good luck though, can tell you're keen.