250s advice please

[Ulphie]

Evening all
I am looking to get back into the classic scene I have in the past been a triumph man and could only dream of owning a tvr now the kids have nearly flown the nest I have a large barrage that needs fillling I have seen a 280s on eBay at around my budget and thought I would ask the experts if this is a good deal and anything I should look out forhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-TVR-280-S-CONVERTIBLE-FULL-MOT-RUNS-DRIVES-SOUNDS-GREAT-/371525169845?hash=item5680a032b5:g:wVoAAOSweuxWSHGb
Any advice would be really appreciated and I look forward to becoming a tvr owner

[v8s4me]

That engine bay is a bit off putting. Any owner who routes an air intake pipe like that, either doesn't know much about his car, or doesn't care. Or maybe both. Also it's Cat D, so that might be another load of issues. Unless you can get it very cheap, and you are capable of doing a lot of the work your self, I'd say steer well clear and consider spending a bit more on a well sorted example. This one went last week.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tvr-s3c-/172066110783?ha...

That might seem quite a bit more than your budget, but you could end up spending a dam sight more than the £5k difference getting your eBay "bargain" to the standard of that car.

Plus, anyonne who speils and punctates that wrongley in a advert in this age of speill-chackers, clearle couldn't giv a toss.

[phillpot]

seller said:

just needs a good going over

Caveat Emptor!


Sounds like it needs some serious TLC, are you a hands on "spanner man"?


the flooding issue could be nothing but could be a problem, that 2.8 engine is great when it's working but can be a little bit of a headache when it does play up with fuel issues.

values do seem to be rallying of late but I wouldn't be braking my neck to buy that one.



ETA. Don't take the MOT mans word for it on the chassis condition, over the years we've seen plenty of "horror stories" that have a current MOT.

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 27th January 20:59

[Ulphie]

Guys that is really useful advice and it goes to prove what they say about this forum so thanks again. Whilst I can wield a wrench I am no expert, I will certainly keep my eyes open. There is a super looking 420 on the classified s here so I have definitely got the bug

[Barry S1]

That phone number is local to me, but the car looks
to be 40miles away, it doesn't look good to be honest
But be happy to go and look for you, after having an S1
got a S2 now, I would recommend S2 or S3 if you can, the
2.9 is a lot better engine.
Barry

[v8s4me]

Ulphie said:

... I will certainly keep my eyes open.....

Have you seen this one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Might be worth a look, if it's within budget and reasonable travelling distance. At least it will give you a better feel for what an 'S' is. You can have a test drive as well and see if they really are for you. This one does seem to be riding a bit high. It's probably got after-market dampers turned up to increase the ride height.

It's also got, aparantly, some incredably rare ".. refurbished original pattern 'OZ' 10-spoke alloy wheels,.." I've never seen those before

Ulphie said:

.... There is a super looking 420 on the classifieds.......

This one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

That's a lot of car for the money. Shame the add is so light on description. Definitely worth a look. It's not an 'S' but it's 4.5 V8! I'd be tempted. Oh yes !

Edited by v8s4me on Wednesday 27th January 21:53

[AutoAndy]

Ulphie said:

Evening all
I am looking to get back into the classic scene I have in the past been a triumph man and could only dream of owning a tvr now the kids have nearly flown the nest I have a large barrage that needs fillling I have seen a 280s on eBay at around my budget and thought I would ask the experts if this is a good deal and anything I should look out forhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-TVR-280-S-CONVERTIBLE-FULL-MOT-RUNS-DRIVES-SOUNDS-GREAT-/371525169845?hash=item5680a032b5:g:wVoAAOSweuxWSHGb
Any advice would be really appreciated and I look forward to becoming a tvr owner

I'd say go for it, which ever you find. I used to be a TSSC man, where my ambition was to upgrade to a 2 litre, (or even a 2.5 litre) Spitfire conversion....Then I got a TVR S, and now I have the equivalent of a 3 litre Spitfire with the added bonus that the body work doesnt go rusty...

[Ulphie]

I have to say I think I am sold on this TVR ownership thing and as I said I think the seed has definately been sown. The 280 is only 10 minute drive from me so I may go and take a look but will obviously have to do my homework before doing so. We bought the house we are in two years ago it has a huge garage with a pit!!!! and I have just been biding my time garage is cleared out waiting it's new occupant.:-)

[v8s4me]

Ulphie said:

................We bought the house we are in two years ago it has a huge garage with a pit!!!!

There we were, all thinking what a nice guy, lets help him out and then he comes out with this, just to get us all envious

Definitely try the 280S if it's that close, and if you can get a drive in the V8 Wedge, it would be worth the experience. You'd have to change those front lights though!

[Griffinr]

Ulphie said:

I have to say I think I am sold on this TVR ownership thing and as I said I think the seed has definately been sown. The 280 is only 10 minute drive from me so I may go and take a look but will obviously have to do my homework before doing so. We bought the house we are in two years ago it has a huge garage with a pit!!!! and I have just been biding my time garage is cleared out waiting it's new occupant.:-)

What ever you do, give it a thorough inspection before you start or drive it. Once you hear them running that's it, all reason goes out the window!

[drak ula]

i agre with some of what has been said above, particularly that you are better off getting an s2 or 3 than an s1. improved chassis/suspension and much better engine. i have an s2 which i got for next to nothing from a friend and neighbour and rebuilt myself and now i am very fond of it but if i was starting in your position without getting one more or less put in my lap almost for free, i would probably go for an old wedge v8, though not nearly as pretty as an s, i think it makes more sense as a cheap doer-upper, rover v8 makes plenty of power and you have endless parts and back up availability for everything engine clutch and gearbox wise as they were used in everything from the old rovers to relatively recent land rovers like discovery and range rover. there are much more readily available tuning options and upgrades, so even if you bought a tired 350i wedge, as long as you get one with a sound chassis, you could pick up a 3.9 discovery engine any day for under £500 and have endless readily available tuning options including junking the whole efi and putting on a nice big 4 barrel carb etc etc....
i don't think it is helpful to point at an £8k s3 as a more sensible alternative to a £3k scruffy s1. that's hardly in the same ball park, you ought to be able to find a scuffy but sound s2 for £3 and you'll certainly find a scruffy but sound 350i for that. i recently calculated my total spend on my s2 which is not mint by any stretch but very well sorted with sensible upgrades and while not an expert mechanic, just an amateur enthusiast, having done all the work myself my total spend so far including the car to start with is £3200. i would also avoid a dealer and look for an s2 or s3 on ebay that may need some tidying up that you can do yourself but chassis is critical, take a torch and look down from the engine bay at the chassis tubes that run down under the car and tranny tunnel, seats, hoods, wheels, engines can easily be swapped but a rotten chassis will be a MAJOR headache. good luck.
here's an s2 that looked like a much better buy than the one you are looking at.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-S2-/201488399980?has...
and an s3
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-S3-290S-S-series-/26...
you really don't need to spend £8k!
this one tempted me but i just can't justify 2 tvrs!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-TVR-350I-/141834214...

[Ulphie]

Thanks again
I have seen another on "Classic Cars and made an enquiry there are a few about at the moment so I may have to sit on my hands until the right one comes up. Tough one though. Thanks again for all the great advice lets hope I can join the adventure.

[mk1fan]

v8s4me said:

This one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

That's a lot of car for the money. Shame the add is so light on description. Definitely worth a look. It's not an 'S' but it's 4.5 V8! I'd be tempted. Oh yes !

Edited by v8s4me on Wednesday 27th January 21:53

I think he means this one;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

There's another one in the the Classic section too along with an S.

[drak ula]

oooh that red wedge 390/420 is lovely! looks well sorted too. the white one looks like someone's rough and ready road weapon, kind of thing might have put together on a tiny budget, no doubt those lights are quick way to sort busted original pop ups, exhaust fumes look a bit smokey to me, for same money i'd have the red one, but if the white 450 was 3k instead of 6k i'd go for it

mk1fan said:

I think he means this one;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

There's another one in the the Classic section too along with an S.

[Ulphie]

I have to say my head was turned a bit with that pristine engine bay on the wedge but I do love the classic style of the s series and the wedge is certainly over budget well....... I may just see what I can do.

[TVRees]

Certainly take a look at a few cars before you decide.

For approx. 3k+ you should be able to find an S2/3 which will need some TLC and if you're willing to do this (after all you already have the space) DIY-style, it will save you some £££s.

I did the same (£3k for an S2) and now find myself in the middle of a complete body-off restoration and (fortunately ) I'm still enjoying every minute.

The guys on here are great and there's always plenty of help on hand if you have any problems.

[v8s4me]

mk1fan said:

....I think he means this one; http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

On the face of it, that would be worth a look. It looks good in red.

[ATS3]

I bought my S3 in February 2015 having started looking for my first TVR in July 2014. I remember seeing the white wedge with the aftermarket lights up for sale then!

Don't go rushing in to just buying anything. I wasn't sure what I wanted - I just wanted a TVR and It started to feel like I was never going to find a car just before I found mine. I ended up with a car in good condition with a brand new chassis and loads of other new bits with bills for more than the asking price, so well worth the wait.

For what it's worth and just going off the photos, I'd be careful about rushing in to buying the green one. Like others have already suggested - it could end up a money pit.

Good luck in your search.

Andy

[mk1fan]

v8s4me said:

mk1fan said:

....I think he means this one; http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

On the face of it, that would be worth a look. It looks good in red.

It's not far from me. It's a V8. It's the revised dash which I prefer. Came close last year to buying a Wedge but reasoned the thoughts away. Not had a V8 yet. ...........................

[v8s4me]

Ulphie - See the post at 17.43 from jim290S here...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

This is a nice one.