Trying to maintain FSH

[willisit]

Hi all,

Not much of a poster these days but it's MOT and Service time on my 2005 Monaro VXR. It's been to Picador's in Sholing/Southampton for the past 10+ years and after calling yesterday I'm a bit baffled as to the value they're now offering.

As a bit of background, I've owned the car since it was a few months old, and she's covered only 11,500 miles. So, with that in mind, I was a bit taken aback by a £300 service cost, plus an additional £380 for plugs. £700+ including MOT for an oil change and plugs. Hmm.

The service book is full; but I'd hoped to keep her FSH for when I do sell up; she's in dry, warm, storage and she's out now and then but never for big miles. She's a very original, very very clean car. Value... is slowly increasing, but in reality I just love owning it (yeah yeah I get it, sell blah blah) but for now I just want her to show the care on paper. Should I just do the work myself and keep the receipts? Is anyone going to care about FSH now? I would...

Rant over. There's very few local (or non) places that specialise in these, so finding a Walkinshaw like is proving impossible.

Any ideas? Recommendations on the South Coast?

[Greg VXR]

I like you don't run up big miles (albeit more ~20k in 10yrs of ownership) and love it as a weekend car.

Since MF closed I buy the parts online and get my local garage to do the service. I have used them for 20yrs for the cavaliers, (I should probably start doing it myself tbh).

When you come to sell the car will speak for itself by the sounds of things and the MOTs will back up the mileage so wouldn't worry too much about FSH (IMHO).

[willisit]

Thanks Greg. I don't use it enough; not nearly! But I bought her with a real love of coupes and V8s and I can't let her go. So, in reality, someone else should be enjoying her... but values are rock bottom, so I prefer to hold on (for dear life!).

I can call my local place; just wasn't sure on the stamps. I guess you said it best; the history speaks for itself.

[rich24v]

Look up Carl Herkes, Southampton [e-mail]

[anonymous-user]

Its 13 years old. No one will care. Keep the receipts if it matters to you, but no one will decide to buy a 13 year old performance car and then decide not because you missed a service stamp at that age.

[lincsls2]

There's no rule I'm aware of that stops you signing/stamping your own service book, ticking off what you have done. Keeping all the receipts, writing date of work and mileage on them to back up your own stamp if you like would be essential if you did this. I would except this as a buyer, but only with plenty of receipts!
Otherwise, just let a good local garage do a basic service - oil, air filter and inspection for your official stamp and then should you choose to do other service work, keep the receipts again writing the appropriate information on them.
This is what I plan to do...

[mfp4073]

lincsls2 said:

There's no rule I'm aware of that stops you signing/stamping your own service book, ticking off what you have done. Keeping all the receipts, writing date of work and mileage on them to back up your own stamp if you like would be essential if you did this. I would except this as a buyer, but only with plenty of receipts!
Otherwise, just let a good local garage do a basic service - oil, air filter and inspection for your official stamp and then should you choose to do other service work, keep the receipts again writing the appropriate information on them.
This is what I plan to do...

I've only got a couple of dealer service stamps in my service book and that was only because the car was still under warranty at the time. Since then I have kept my own service records together with all the recipes of work carried out.( I don't have balls to add that lot up )
As already stated these are old cars now, and sadly still cheaper than the equivalent Mustang.
But, as with all old cars a good one will speak for itself. I would not even think about selling mine unless I got offered above the top a top dollar value. I guess I'm keeping it!!!!!

[bigwheel]

I'm not selling.
June 2006 CV8 29K miles. Odyssey. Top condition.
I was passing through the Carwow website and put the Monaro on their valuation calculator.
£10k+
I don't remember if I entered FSH.
Carwow describe that as a dealer's Trade in figure.
Nice one. Looking good for Monaro values.

[vxr2010]

I will use Topcats for every second service , i do the services inbeteen myself i bought a rubber ink stamp off ebay , detail what i have done and keep all paperwork

[Greg VXR]

willisit said:

Thanks Greg

No problem

The other thing worth mentioning, these cars attract a petrol headed nut who will want to have a good chat on the history etc. If you obviously have a passion for it, I'm sure that this will come through at PoS. As others have said, service history is not the be all and end all when cars get older.

[willisit]

Thanks all; all good advice. I'd quite handy with a spanner so I've no issue with the work and being a niche(ish) car, I hope that is actually a positive. I'll do it myself and keep the receipts.

Cheers!