Aeros for sale
Discussion
Chaps, looking for a Series 1 Aero but not liking the mark-ups on dealer cars. Even SGT want £37k for a 2002 flavour with no sports exhaust, short shift, armourfend or in fact anything special. Richard Thorne is a lovely bloke, but his cars seem pricey for what they are - and the same goes for Brands Hatch Morgan. No issues with dealers making profits - but I have seen better cars for significantly less money offered privately, and know that these vendors went to dealers first, so would have been offered quite a bit less than even this. As I have no desire to take massive depreciation when I have to sell it, I would rather wait for private examples to come up as and when they do.
So I'm in for a long wait - no problem.
However, there is a £33k car at Allon white. Nasty grey interior - but apart from this, relatively high miles at 30k, and lack of any tasty extras apart from a Mota Lita wheel, anyone know why it's relatively cheap? Has anyone actually viewed it and have an opinion?
So I'm in for a long wait - no problem.
However, there is a £33k car at Allon white. Nasty grey interior - but apart from this, relatively high miles at 30k, and lack of any tasty extras apart from a Mota Lita wheel, anyone know why it's relatively cheap? Has anyone actually viewed it and have an opinion?
Thanks for the help chaps - have considered the red one, but colour combo is a touch vintage and the interior looks a little tired (a problem with cream interiors, I grant you).
I suppose that these examples mean that actually, these cars will depreciate to below £35k - they are not depreciation proof as I had thought. Hmmm.
I suppose that these examples mean that actually, these cars will depreciate to below £35k - they are not depreciation proof as I had thought. Hmmm.
Cerealsurfer - hopefully you have got it right; I am researching Aeros heavily, and to be fair prices (from scouring PH and Talk Morgan) seem similar to 2 years ago for the most part, with a few exceptions). I am thinking perhaps that pressure from coming recession and downward prices on later series cars may push the series 1 down further of course. Richard Thorne (terribly nice man by the way - and really happy to talk at length about the cars) thinks that this is not the case as the Series 2 is so rare and the Series 3 is a different sort of car; but as a dealer trying to sell me a car, he would say that! 
One thing I do know - I have fallen in love with the S1; so very pure to drive and dear god - that engine! I have gone to liking the Aero despite the engine (pre test drive prejudice) to wanting it because of the engine. On my brief excursion in an S3 car (never tried an S2) I found it actually a better resolved package and just as quick, but somehow blunted; very much more a comparison to a Porsche or even Audi era Lamborghini than the S1, which felt somehow more British - like a solidly built and properly resolved TVR (response and pace actually reminded me of a Tamora on 16 inch wheels and without the hyperactive steering, or even a bigger version of an Elise - so very capable). So an S1 it is. Just have to find the right one, at the right price, which looks like taking some time.
Need to speak to Mr Tony - we are similar ages, live in London, and work in the city; would like to know what the car is like to live with/insure here.
I will have one. More desirable than any other £40k car I have considered - the Aero makes a Porsche 996 Turbo seem boring, a Ferrari 355 flaky and old, and a TVR Tuscan 2 poorly built and unpredictable.
The competition in my head is from far cheaper machinery, just on a value basis. The TVR Tamora is not as good, but is almost as special and literally half the price even factoring in an engine rebuild... and if I can find a good one, a Griffith LE is an appreciating classic at the £23k mark, and still one of the prettiest sports cars ever built.
Neither are as fun as the Morgan, though, or as well built or capable. But at half the price...as you can see, cold hearted sums about depreciation and running costs are coming into it!
I appreciate all your help, by the way, and any advive you or any other owners have on buying these cars over and above what you have already posted in both forums would be much appreciated. I'm 80% sure I'm going to get one. I am of course rather traitorously testing a Griff LE this weekend too...
Oh, and if anyone knows of any that are going to get sold and would consider a private buyer rather than a dealer, do let me know!
One thing I do know - I have fallen in love with the S1; so very pure to drive and dear god - that engine! I have gone to liking the Aero despite the engine (pre test drive prejudice) to wanting it because of the engine. On my brief excursion in an S3 car (never tried an S2) I found it actually a better resolved package and just as quick, but somehow blunted; very much more a comparison to a Porsche or even Audi era Lamborghini than the S1, which felt somehow more British - like a solidly built and properly resolved TVR (response and pace actually reminded me of a Tamora on 16 inch wheels and without the hyperactive steering, or even a bigger version of an Elise - so very capable). So an S1 it is. Just have to find the right one, at the right price, which looks like taking some time.
Need to speak to Mr Tony - we are similar ages, live in London, and work in the city; would like to know what the car is like to live with/insure here.
I will have one. More desirable than any other £40k car I have considered - the Aero makes a Porsche 996 Turbo seem boring, a Ferrari 355 flaky and old, and a TVR Tuscan 2 poorly built and unpredictable.
The competition in my head is from far cheaper machinery, just on a value basis. The TVR Tamora is not as good, but is almost as special and literally half the price even factoring in an engine rebuild... and if I can find a good one, a Griffith LE is an appreciating classic at the £23k mark, and still one of the prettiest sports cars ever built.
Neither are as fun as the Morgan, though, or as well built or capable. But at half the price...as you can see, cold hearted sums about depreciation and running costs are coming into it!
I appreciate all your help, by the way, and any advive you or any other owners have on buying these cars over and above what you have already posted in both forums would be much appreciated. I'm 80% sure I'm going to get one. I am of course rather traitorously testing a Griff LE this weekend too...
Oh, and if anyone knows of any that are going to get sold and would consider a private buyer rather than a dealer, do let me know!
Edited by Harry Flashman on Friday 7th March 09:02
Thanks for the replies chaps - and Mr Tony, I will be in touch! Just joined Talk Morgan, and am posting thoghts on the olent Silver car I saw at BHM, for some views from you chaps: please see below...
First off, hats off to Keith at Brands Hatch Morgan. What a great chap - despite being horribly busy, gave me a 45 minute test drive in one of their cars, on a great route with every type of road surface imaginable including sped bumps, and had my friend drive the car so that they could get a second opinion.
Now I looked at an Aero there, and the car drove very well; frankly similar to all of the others I have tested. However, we came up with a list of things which need fixing or are not quite right, and your views as to whether these are common faults would be appreciated. This car was top money for an S1 at nearly #40k, and was a little rough round the edges, truth be told. However, after jotting the issues down, would like some opinions on whether any of these are seriously expensive fixes or problems.
1) Service history - patchy. Car had been serviced at correct mileage intervals, but due to low annual mileage, only 3 services in 5 years. To someone who services his cars every year regardless of mileage, this was a worry. Especially the 18 month gap between the pre-delivery service and the next one. To my mind, this is a resale and value problem.
2) all four wheels kerbed. Are the magnesium wheels expensive to refurb? Suspension fine - this is parkng rather than impact damage.
3) Knurled control knobs - these weren't solid, and moved around a bit on the dash. I assume these can be tightened from behind?
4) Hood - headlining coming away at front. Glue dried out - assue these can e reglued quite easily...
5) Hood seals perished in same place on each side (window trailing edge) - how expensive?
6) Left hand hood catch seized and button release not working; hoping some oiling will help...
7) Tyre pressure sensors intermittent - need diagnosing and fiing; don't know if problem is with sensor or with display
8) Indicator stalk self cancelling mechanism not working.
9) Brakes - dead feel at top of pedal: similar to the others I have driven, but a bit worse. Fluid change to racing fluid?
10) Tired interior for mileage. Light colours show wear worse - but this did not look like a 9000 miler (even thoughit was from the paperwork)!
To my mind, the more serious stuff is the service history, wheels, brakes, tyre pressure sensor (expensive electronics), and loose knobs. Car has been for sale for some time and is tattier than it looks in its photos, but mechanically excellent from what I can tell with strong drivetrain and excellent handling and feel - very tight, very responsive, utterly composed under hard braking, no pulling in any direction other than the straight and narrow, and very progressive when sliding/drifting - hats off to BHM for finding me a good, empty road on which to cautiously explore its wet weather handling characteristics, and then not panicking when I gently edged the tail out under power for the first time...
It comes with a 3 month warranty, which isn't as good as other dealers offer - but I am assuming that most of this stuff can then be fixed under the warranty.
I still think that with a service history that shows skimping on servicing, this car is not worth what they want for it. But would like to get a sense from you as to whether I am simply being too picky and "they all do that sir", and whether it would be reasonable to expect this list to be sorted within the price, which is, as said, at the top end. Car had nice spec inc Mota Lita and Librand exhaust, ad is in a good colour (silvery blue).
Any advice welcome, including as to whether anyone knows anything about the car - it's the silver solent one on the website. My personal opinion is that at at 39k pounds, it should e pretty much pristine. What do you think? They are selling it for the owner, who originally wated a rather unrealistic 43,000 for it - so BHM may well be tied to some unrealistic expectations...in which case I shall simply keep looking!
I am in no hurry, and have cash waiting for the right one. I really liked the feel of this car; in factas much as of any one I have tried yet, but thought there was a disappointingly long list of things that had been neglected. Any views would be highly appreciated!
I hope to join your ranks soon and hopefully gettin to know a few fellow owners in time. These are fabulous cars, and I am a complete covert from my current marque!
Best regards,
Harry
First off, hats off to Keith at Brands Hatch Morgan. What a great chap - despite being horribly busy, gave me a 45 minute test drive in one of their cars, on a great route with every type of road surface imaginable including sped bumps, and had my friend drive the car so that they could get a second opinion.
Now I looked at an Aero there, and the car drove very well; frankly similar to all of the others I have tested. However, we came up with a list of things which need fixing or are not quite right, and your views as to whether these are common faults would be appreciated. This car was top money for an S1 at nearly #40k, and was a little rough round the edges, truth be told. However, after jotting the issues down, would like some opinions on whether any of these are seriously expensive fixes or problems.
1) Service history - patchy. Car had been serviced at correct mileage intervals, but due to low annual mileage, only 3 services in 5 years. To someone who services his cars every year regardless of mileage, this was a worry. Especially the 18 month gap between the pre-delivery service and the next one. To my mind, this is a resale and value problem.
2) all four wheels kerbed. Are the magnesium wheels expensive to refurb? Suspension fine - this is parkng rather than impact damage.
3) Knurled control knobs - these weren't solid, and moved around a bit on the dash. I assume these can be tightened from behind?
4) Hood - headlining coming away at front. Glue dried out - assue these can e reglued quite easily...
5) Hood seals perished in same place on each side (window trailing edge) - how expensive?
6) Left hand hood catch seized and button release not working; hoping some oiling will help...
7) Tyre pressure sensors intermittent - need diagnosing and fiing; don't know if problem is with sensor or with display
8) Indicator stalk self cancelling mechanism not working.
9) Brakes - dead feel at top of pedal: similar to the others I have driven, but a bit worse. Fluid change to racing fluid?
10) Tired interior for mileage. Light colours show wear worse - but this did not look like a 9000 miler (even thoughit was from the paperwork)!
To my mind, the more serious stuff is the service history, wheels, brakes, tyre pressure sensor (expensive electronics), and loose knobs. Car has been for sale for some time and is tattier than it looks in its photos, but mechanically excellent from what I can tell with strong drivetrain and excellent handling and feel - very tight, very responsive, utterly composed under hard braking, no pulling in any direction other than the straight and narrow, and very progressive when sliding/drifting - hats off to BHM for finding me a good, empty road on which to cautiously explore its wet weather handling characteristics, and then not panicking when I gently edged the tail out under power for the first time...
It comes with a 3 month warranty, which isn't as good as other dealers offer - but I am assuming that most of this stuff can then be fixed under the warranty.
I still think that with a service history that shows skimping on servicing, this car is not worth what they want for it. But would like to get a sense from you as to whether I am simply being too picky and "they all do that sir", and whether it would be reasonable to expect this list to be sorted within the price, which is, as said, at the top end. Car had nice spec inc Mota Lita and Librand exhaust, ad is in a good colour (silvery blue).
Any advice welcome, including as to whether anyone knows anything about the car - it's the silver solent one on the website. My personal opinion is that at at 39k pounds, it should e pretty much pristine. What do you think? They are selling it for the owner, who originally wated a rather unrealistic 43,000 for it - so BHM may well be tied to some unrealistic expectations...in which case I shall simply keep looking!
I am in no hurry, and have cash waiting for the right one. I really liked the feel of this car; in factas much as of any one I have tried yet, but thought there was a disappointingly long list of things that had been neglected. Any views would be highly appreciated!
I hope to join your ranks soon and hopefully gettin to know a few fellow owners in time. These are fabulous cars, and I am a complete covert from my current marque!
Best regards,
Harry
Edited by Harry Flashman on Saturday 8th March 18:26
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