Newbie seeks advice

[aussienick]

Hey - kinda useless with cars, just the basics - been given a 1995 VS Executive and I want to pimp her a bit - shockies, wheels, body, maybe tune/upgrade engine - anyone know where I can get an all-in service, rough prices?

Thanks

[Brett_jjj]

If you are a little bit mechanically minded at all,then you should consider buying a gregorys workshop manual and doing it all yourself ,you will save a fortune,and the best part,you will learn a heap of stuff about your car.You will need to service the following items-
Engine oil and filter -20W-50 type engine oil and oil filter-Ryco brand,filter number Z154.
Fuel filter -Ryco brand Z200
Air filter -Ryco brand A360
(If its automatic) Auto trans filter and 5 litres Dexron 111(3) auto transmission fluid
Set of spark plugs -NGK brand BPR6EFS 15,or AC brand R42LTS6
Set of plug leads
A bottle of coolant to replace the coolant in the radiator.Also a new thermostat is worth fitting while your at it..They cost around $10 -$15,plus $1 for the new thermostat cover gasket..
You can also follow the workshop manual to bleed out the old brake fluid and replace it with new fluid.
The manual is step by step for servicing each of these things so its easy to follow..
If you go to a mechanics,you will be looking at $600 or more for all the parts plus fitting..When you do it yourself,you can save just buy calling a few different places and getting the best price on parts,so thats also a bonus,although you can supply your own parts to the mechanics and just get them to fit them,that sometimes saves you a bit depending on the part.
The above parts I have listed roughly cost $300.This gives you plenty left over for any extra tools or items you may need or maybe get a set of car ramps or chassis stands..
Theres a few other things that also need to be done in a service,like adjusting the handbrake etc,the manual lists them all and shows how to do it all.If you can do all this yourself,you will save yourself money that can be spent on other stuff for the car then..

[aussienick]

Thanks Brett - great advice, just gotta find the time now (back in Oz after 20 years, so throwing myself in work) - would love to get me hands dirty, bit hard with a new girlfriend...

[soop]

How far does the budget stretch mate?

V6 or V8? (V6 kinda pointless spending money onthe motor)

[aussienick]

Yeah - good point, dunno if she's worth doing up and keeping, but just spent $800 on radiator, heater, pumps and hoses so she runs proper but looks like a piece of §hit - V6, willing to go a couple a grand, say $2,500 tops to make her look and run good, but if she's just a 6 like you say, maybe not worth it?

[Kieran263]

If you want to go fairly fast then the ecotec isn't really your friend. That being said I have enough fun with my stock V6 (for now )

[aussienick]

Nah - not worried about a Mad Max car, just want her to run real good and look great - alloy wheels, paint job - more of a pimp than an upgrade