Discussion
Evening all,
This is my first post having joined PH, which I've specifically joined to learn more from those on the the S Series forum.
I'll be completely up front and say I'm looking to buy an S3 or S3C as soon as the right one comes along; I recently missed out on a nice S3 due to poor timing which was my fault having viewed it earlier that week. So if anyone knows of an S3(C) that's on the market or about to go on the market, I'd be hugely grateful of any info.
Thanks in anticipation of any assistance provided.
Cheers
Rob
This is my first post having joined PH, which I've specifically joined to learn more from those on the the S Series forum.
I'll be completely up front and say I'm looking to buy an S3 or S3C as soon as the right one comes along; I recently missed out on a nice S3 due to poor timing which was my fault having viewed it earlier that week. So if anyone knows of an S3(C) that's on the market or about to go on the market, I'd be hugely grateful of any info.
Thanks in anticipation of any assistance provided.
Cheers
Rob
The best advice that was given to me was don't buy the first one that you go and see... It is very easy to be enticed by the gorgeous sound of a Cologne V6 and the feel of freedom in your hair, but you need to have an idea of what you are getting yourself into. Unfortunately this means you will likely pass on a few S that you wish you had picked up and there is no easy answer for regret.
So, in complete contradiction to what I said above, feel free to buy the first one you see (like I did) but keep a good eye out on the market for a bit, get to know what is out there, how much you pay for an original with low mileage versus one that has been up and down the country a few hundred times but may have been given a good work over from bottom to top (and is therefore as good as a new car).
Personally, I kind of still regret the S4C I didn't buy last year, but prices seem to be moving up surprisingly quickly and I'm still more than happy with my first S3 I bought only last week!!
So, in complete contradiction to what I said above, feel free to buy the first one you see (like I did) but keep a good eye out on the market for a bit, get to know what is out there, how much you pay for an original with low mileage versus one that has been up and down the country a few hundred times but may have been given a good work over from bottom to top (and is therefore as good as a new car).
Personally, I kind of still regret the S4C I didn't buy last year, but prices seem to be moving up surprisingly quickly and I'm still more than happy with my first S3 I bought only last week!!
Edited by ukflyboy on Saturday 18th April 10:00
Thanks, you're absolutely right about being potentially overcome in the moment, even if it's the first one!!!
For me getting an S3 or S4 would be fulfilling a desire I've had to have one of these for over 20 years, so whilst it's nice that they may be appreciating in value that isn't of concern to me as I want a decent example that I can enjoy.
Did you buy the ash green S3 that had the non-standard alloys? Looks like a lovely colour? Apart from the cutting out, how's it been? What's the chassis and outriggers like?
Cheers
Rob
For me getting an S3 or S4 would be fulfilling a desire I've had to have one of these for over 20 years, so whilst it's nice that they may be appreciating in value that isn't of concern to me as I want a decent example that I can enjoy.
Did you buy the ash green S3 that had the non-standard alloys? Looks like a lovely colour? Apart from the cutting out, how's it been? What's the chassis and outriggers like?
Cheers
Rob
I've just recently bought an S3 and also did what everyone tells you not to and bought the first one I went to see. Thankfully it seems to have worked out well. Mine has a brand new chassis right through including a new tank and cradle. It also has a full stainless exhaust which sounds fab
Overall it's a nice car and I am very pleased with it.
What part of the country are you from? Have you been to your local club meet yet? The people there usually know where the hidden gems are!
Good luck with your search
Andy
Overall it's a nice car and I am very pleased with it.
What part of the country are you from? Have you been to your local club meet yet? The people there usually know where the hidden gems are!
Good luck with your search
Andy
Hi Rob,
If you come to S Club Heaven at Stoneleigh on Bank Holiday Monday May 4th, you will be more than welcome to chat to a large gathering of us S fanatics to find out all you need to search for a good one.
Hope to see you there!
ATS3 Tony, According to his profile page, Rob's in Carmathenshire,
but we don't know where you are
Are you coming along to show off your P & J ?
If you come to S Club Heaven at Stoneleigh on Bank Holiday Monday May 4th, you will be more than welcome to chat to a large gathering of us S fanatics to find out all you need to search for a good one.
Hope to see you there!
ATS3 Tony, According to his profile page, Rob's in Carmathenshire,
but we don't know where you are
Are you coming along to show off your P & J ?
Kitchski said:
ukflyboy said:
It is very easy to be enticed by the gorgeous sound of a Cologne V6
Now that's something I never thought I'd read!
You gotta love the sound of an old Granada !
However, after TVR fiddled with those Colognes, they transformed them into something special to hear
A bunch of Jaguar enthusiasts we met at Reims said they loved the sound of our V8's. When we left them, we had to turn round at the next roundabout to get back on our route, and as we approached them standing in the pits, they were cupping their ears in expectation.
It would have been rude not to drop a cog and floor the throttle to blast past them.
The resulting echo of our little Colognes bouncing off the pit buildings was quite intoxicating
Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 18th April 10:18
Yip, I picked up the ash green one. The drive back from picking it up in Plymouth was great and the alternator is currently in getting repaired so I should be back up and running net week (I hope!). I actually set out to buy one that was more 'original' but I felt that all the work Mark had done (and documented on line) sorting out the engine, chassis, transmission interior etc that it was a smart buy. I also got sick of holding out for the 'perfect' S3 that didn't sell by the time I managed to get to whatever part of the country it was! I'd thoroughly recommend one that has had the chassis sorted but then you may be more mechanically minded and happy to take on jobs like that yourself?
Going to SCH is definitely a good idea; I went last year and it gave me a much better idea of what I was after.
Kitchski, mine has an after market exhaust so I don't know if that is it, but I think it sounds awesome!
Going to SCH is definitely a good idea; I went last year and it gave me a much better idea of what I was after.
Kitchski, mine has an after market exhaust so I don't know if that is it, but I think it sounds awesome!
Pete,
I am glad you are still pleased, I was feeling really guilty all week in case the issue was something I could have predicted. So when the alternator was identified I breathed a sigh of relief, although I am sure you're still not that happy with a breakdown and expense so soon. Rest assured other than for flat battery due to lack of use the car only broke down on me once and that was when I decided to rebuild the engine.
For the OP, I bought the first I'd looked at, loved the colour, sound and drive. As an engineer I thought I'd checked it well but when I did a body lift and could access the chassis properly was stunned at the mess and regretted being seduced into that one. However after 8 years all the regrets are gone, the only one now is that it made sense to sell. A lot of the fun with these cars is doing the work to make them better.
Good luck in the search
Mark
I am glad you are still pleased, I was feeling really guilty all week in case the issue was something I could have predicted. So when the alternator was identified I breathed a sigh of relief, although I am sure you're still not that happy with a breakdown and expense so soon. Rest assured other than for flat battery due to lack of use the car only broke down on me once and that was when I decided to rebuild the engine.
For the OP, I bought the first I'd looked at, loved the colour, sound and drive. As an engineer I thought I'd checked it well but when I did a body lift and could access the chassis properly was stunned at the mess and regretted being seduced into that one. However after 8 years all the regrets are gone, the only one now is that it made sense to sell. A lot of the fun with these cars is doing the work to make them better.
Good luck in the search
Mark
Mark, I figure it's a 25 year old car so have put it in the sh!t happens category! Provided the alternator sorts things it will be less than a 100 quid and only a week to sort, so hardly a massive drama! And whilst I would clearly have preferred to have gone for a drive during the week, there is a certain satisfaction in identifying a problem and (hopefully) fixing it!
Pete,
I know what you mean and know you have just put it down to one of those things, but it's the way I am, I always hate selling privately for these reasons that's why for my everyday car I tend to trade in and work on the premise that the company takes these risks into account, for example on my Mondeo I knew of at least 3 faults but worked on the basis that the trade in/sale price was set to allow for such things.
Hopefully you'll still have the weather when the alternator comes back
I know what you mean and know you have just put it down to one of those things, but it's the way I am, I always hate selling privately for these reasons that's why for my everyday car I tend to trade in and work on the premise that the company takes these risks into account, for example on my Mondeo I knew of at least 3 faults but worked on the basis that the trade in/sale price was set to allow for such things.
Hopefully you'll still have the weather when the alternator comes back
I've updated my profile - based in the North East of England.
Unfortunately I'm not able to make SCH this year - shame because I really fancied it.
Hope to get to some other meets this year..
Rob - is it definitely an S3 you are looking for? The only reason I ask is that there is an S2 for sale on the TVRCC web site that looks a really nice car.
Andy
Unfortunately I'm not able to make SCH this year - shame because I really fancied it.
Hope to get to some other meets this year..
Rob - is it definitely an S3 you are looking for? The only reason I ask is that there is an S2 for sale on the TVRCC web site that looks a really nice car.
Andy
Edited by ATS3 on Saturday 18th April 20:22
I'm also in the market for an S3. I'm based in south Yorkshire, so if anyone knows of any cars that are for sale or coming up for sale in the north then please let me know.
I'd like a sorted car but willing to take on a project if the price is right. I have my eye on one at the minute that requires a body off resto for the chassis, new trailing arms and probably new fuel tank but not sure if I'll be able to get it for the right money to make it viable (if it hasn't already sold).
I'd like a sorted car but willing to take on a project if the price is right. I have my eye on one at the minute that requires a body off resto for the chassis, new trailing arms and probably new fuel tank but not sure if I'll be able to get it for the right money to make it viable (if it hasn't already sold).
glenrobbo said:
Kitchski said:
ukflyboy said:
It is very easy to be enticed by the gorgeous sound of a Cologne V6
Now that's something I never thought I'd read!You gotta love the sound of an old Granada !
However, after TVR fiddled with those Colognes, they transformed them into something special to hear
A bunch of Jaguar enthusiasts we met at Reims said they loved the sound of our V8's. When we left them, we had to turn round at the next roundabout to get back on our route, and as we approached them standing in the pits, they were cupping their ears in expectation.
It would have been rude not to drop a cog and floor the throttle to blast past them.
The resulting echo of our little Colognes bouncing off the pit buildings was quite intoxicating
Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 18th April 10:18
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