Hi,
I have just swapped my N Reg Daewoo Espero for an F reg 1990 Jap import Townace 2.0 Turbo Diesel Auto.
It is most excellent and my kids and Missus love it.
We had a terrible shock when we came to insure it fully comp without a Cat 1 Thatcham alarm was £600.
Does anybody know of a good insurer cheaper who dosnt require a Cat 1 alarm ?
Also there is a red button next to the auto box with Jap writting on it, any ideas what this does ?
I also noticed a lot of MPG talk..mine is doing 35-40 mpg 40 on a run and 35 around town.
- (#8320) Pascoe, 5 May 03 5:58
Liverpool Victoria advertise that the don't require an alarm/immobiliser and they have been recommended on this forum. My fully comp insurance was renewed with L & V from the start of this month and I saved £160 on the premium. However, only recently, someone posted a comment about L & V not insuring imports with auto boxes. I find this a bit strange as my Masterace is auto and it was never queried. Their tel No is 0870 2422405. After treating imported vehicle owners with disdain over the past couple of years, many insurance companies now want our business so, it's worth looking around. If you live in Northern Ireland though, it seems that insurance rates are pretty steep.
- (#8321) John Davis, 5 May 03 7:47
If you've followed the old threads on insurance you know I've had several years of high premiums because I'm in NI. Last year was circa £900 fully comp with a local broker. Liverpool Victoria quoted me this year at £504. Nice to see them at last catering for us over here :-)
- (#8322) stephen judge, 5 May 03 15:13
I found Liverpool and Victoria abit unhelpful, So after trying numerous other companies that either would not touch Imports or came up with stupid quotes (£700 -£900) I tried Footman James who quoted me £452 for the 92 Royal Lounge that am getting (once the DVLA get their act together). They had Quoted me £372 for an 89 super extra but obviously went up going for the RL.
Both these quotes were with out thatcham requirement and me having 5 years NCD.
Footman James can be contacted on 0121 561 6250
Andy
- (#8323) Andrew Jebb, 5 May 03 15:51
The red button I am sure has been spoken of in other places, but it is quite simple.
It is a release button for the Auto select lever.
You may have notice that you can not move the selector lever without your foot on the brake.
Press the red button and you can!
I believe that it is a failsafe in case of a transmission problem, but the wharf workers love the button - it makes it easier for them to move the things!
There is probably a more in depth explanation - check the 'Ace Answers' it will be there.
Dave.
- (#8324) DaveW, 5 May 03 21:56
Thanks very much for all the helpfull info....I tried Liverpool and Victoria and they said they wont insure us as when they put the Reg. Number in it dosnt come up with the car details.
Any idea why this might be ? I have checked with last owner and they think the car was imported in 2000.
It is an F reg but 1990 on Docs.
- (#8391) Pascoe Porter, 6 May 03 8:21
Is your documentation from DVLA up to date? If so then all should be ok as I think insurance companies (and others) check against their database. Might be worth a check to DVLA to confirm.
- (#8392) Ian Dunse, 6 May 03 9:23
Got mine through Royal Bank of Scotland.
£466 fully comp c/w breakdown recovery + NCD Protection
32 Year Old Male, Parked on Drive with Cat 1 Immobiliser + 8 Years NCD.
12K p/a
2.0TD Super Extra
- (#8393) Russell Hounsome, 7 May 03 15:01
Don't know much about Townaces, came across your site when I was searching for something else, but I thought I'd tell you all about Frizell insurance. I have had an account with them for about five years, as has my father. In the past year, they don't seem to have been able to distinguish between us, even though we live in seperate areas of England and have completely different vehicles. The crunch came though, when I cancelled my insurance, as I had a new vehicle and a better quote. It took them three weeks from me cancelling my renewal to them informing their accounts department. Consequently, they charged me, I went overdrawn, and missed credit card payments, which affected my credit rating. The answer from the accounts department 'What would you like me to do about it!'. Don't touch them with a barge pole!!!!!!
- (#8477) Andy, 13 May 03 8:39
Ref L & V I rang them about my lite-ace petrol auto, again they said to me I was ok with everything but they did not recognise it because of the auto box and could not help me. It's seems its a matter of hit & miss with them.
I carry on using Warrior Insurance, its the military side of Norwich Union, used to run through NAAFI, & they had no probs with the vehicle, mind you they insure civilian vehicles all over the world for the military & families, it cost about £450 full comp with all the extras.
Dunno if NU will work generally though with these baby's
- (#8478) Kev, 13 May 03 12:00
just bought 89 4x4 towny rang liver&vic to insure had no probs £280 fully comp,recieved paperwork yesterday.....just a thourt try mentioning this site might help..
- (#8479) mark, 14 May 03 18:09