Have managed to negotiate with 162.243.13.186, but that is only at height 119069, and does not appear to be advancing. This is the only peer that has replied to the version message... no such luck with 188.226.240.91, 128.199.191.230, 23.92.53.139, 77.131.6.113, 64.188.164.77, 82.9.77.178, 108.61.18.94
I should add that I started from scratch as per the OP. Empty db, only remnant file being the wallet.
I'm currently connected to:
23.92.53.139:17177
67.211.45.66:17177
188.226.155.94:17177
155.210.52.121:17177
82.9.77.178:17177
All are version: GrowthCoin:1.3.0
None of them shows height -1.
I hope it's helpful to you.