Thinking of buying a Vixen or 2500M
Discussion
Dollyman1850 said:
This is on e-bay. I know which one I would buy when choosing between this and the alfa engined one…
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111589041807?ru=http%3A%...
I would certainly have this one if I could afford it.
N.
Nice one indeed, at least as far as it shows.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111589041807?ru=http%3A%...
I would certainly have this one if I could afford it.
N.
Bringing it back to point...
SHORT VERSION:
If you want one - get one and don't worry about the engine or mods - just make sure the chassis is sound, uprights are not visibly cracked, oil levels stay solid, the owner is happy to drive the car hard, comes with some history, Owner is sad to let it go.
TL;DR version below..
Vixen numbers built:
S1: 117
S2: 438
S3: 168
S4: 23
...in comparison 512,112 MGBs were built in it's production period.
If you get a Vixen, it's one of a very few ever made. For the average price of £10k-£20k you get to join a very exclusive club, and not be that guy with an E-Type, MGB or TR6
Modifications will always be a discussion point - don't worry about it - especially if its a weekend car - these things are supposed to be driven and enjoyed - are you buying it for the next owner or for yourself?
Have a look at the one on eBay as mentioned - spend the time to understand what to look for and what good ones look like. Go to Prescott Hill Climb and see them up close, watch all the videos on youtube do thorough homework.
RE motorway noise: Car is fine at 3.5k RPM (62mph) and you don't really want to go much faster for long periods in 4th - the noise is just silly and then you're fighting with the beamer and Audi people, too. Just cruise along and enjoy the attention.
Its a great car - always gets attention and kids taking photos and putting them up on instagram, women draping themselves over it etc... but in that same way its an old car with old habits - narrow tyres, no real refinement, lack of safety equipment etc; so not for everyone these days.
Modifications will always be a discussion point. These things are supposed to be driven and enjoyed - are you buying it for the next owner or for yourself?
Modifications are usually to make the car easier to live with at modern speeds and as a defence against modern drivers. only when I see a Vixen with non-classy modifications (there was a V8 Vixen a while ago in the US - looked terrible) then it's ruined.
If you're worried about originality then it pays to wait until the one you want comes up. If originality is not an issue then buy the first drivable (MOTed & good chassied) car you see.
best of luck
SHORT VERSION:
If you want one - get one and don't worry about the engine or mods - just make sure the chassis is sound, uprights are not visibly cracked, oil levels stay solid, the owner is happy to drive the car hard, comes with some history, Owner is sad to let it go.
TL;DR version below..
Vixen numbers built:
S1: 117
S2: 438
S3: 168
S4: 23
...in comparison 512,112 MGBs were built in it's production period.
If you get a Vixen, it's one of a very few ever made. For the average price of £10k-£20k you get to join a very exclusive club, and not be that guy with an E-Type, MGB or TR6
Modifications will always be a discussion point - don't worry about it - especially if its a weekend car - these things are supposed to be driven and enjoyed - are you buying it for the next owner or for yourself?
Gurmot said:
I was more concerned at the weight of the steering as she is used to power assisted modern things.
There are power steering kits available. People have put them on their Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole I don't think it would matter much on a Vixen; plus you can turn it off. As long as there is no dry steering it's very easy to drive the Crossflow powered cars.Gurmot said:
I'm way down in Somerset.
I'm in Oxford and went to Holland to test drive and back again buy mine - subsequently drove it home on day of purchase (600 miles). Remember they're exclusive and relatively cheap - you must act quickly and really want one.Have a look at the one on eBay as mentioned - spend the time to understand what to look for and what good ones look like. Go to Prescott Hill Climb and see them up close, watch all the videos on youtube do thorough homework.
RE motorway noise: Car is fine at 3.5k RPM (62mph) and you don't really want to go much faster for long periods in 4th - the noise is just silly and then you're fighting with the beamer and Audi people, too. Just cruise along and enjoy the attention.
Its a great car - always gets attention and kids taking photos and putting them up on instagram, women draping themselves over it etc... but in that same way its an old car with old habits - narrow tyres, no real refinement, lack of safety equipment etc; so not for everyone these days.
Modifications will always be a discussion point. These things are supposed to be driven and enjoyed - are you buying it for the next owner or for yourself?
Modifications are usually to make the car easier to live with at modern speeds and as a defence against modern drivers. only when I see a Vixen with non-classy modifications (there was a V8 Vixen a while ago in the US - looked terrible) then it's ruined.
If you're worried about originality then it pays to wait until the one you want comes up. If originality is not an issue then buy the first drivable (MOTed & good chassied) car you see.
best of luck
An update and a note of thanks for the continued advice.
I went to view one yesterday with money in hand and a strong intent to buy but I came away without it.
There were a few things I didn't expect and which (for me) would need to be addressed and I wanted to go away and do more research into cost, availability and complexity. I understand that it's a 44 year old car and I am not looking for showroom perfection but the last thing I want is an expensive hobby sat in pieces in my garage so I had to let my head rule my heart (for a change!).
I have been really impressed by the offers of support and advice by members of this fine forum. Two owners/members have taken the time to call, text and email me with advice and insight and I am very grateful for this.
I'm brand new to TVRs and I'm learning what a tightly-knit and (mostly!) friendly bunch you are.
Still thinking...........still looking.
I went to view one yesterday with money in hand and a strong intent to buy but I came away without it.
There were a few things I didn't expect and which (for me) would need to be addressed and I wanted to go away and do more research into cost, availability and complexity. I understand that it's a 44 year old car and I am not looking for showroom perfection but the last thing I want is an expensive hobby sat in pieces in my garage so I had to let my head rule my heart (for a change!).
I have been really impressed by the offers of support and advice by members of this fine forum. Two owners/members have taken the time to call, text and email me with advice and insight and I am very grateful for this.
I'm brand new to TVRs and I'm learning what a tightly-knit and (mostly!) friendly bunch you are.
Still thinking...........still looking.
tobsam said:
The silver Vixen that you went to view yesterday looked to be a nice car but did not have a lot of information about it in the description.
What was it that put you off of buying it and what, in your opinion, needed doing on the car?
Keep looking and you will find one eventually that you will be happy with.
I specifically didn't mention the things as they would only be my very unqualified opinion and I wouldn't want to cause any harm to the seller (who is a very genuine person). I am aware that more than one Vixen is for sale at the moment and wouldn't want to do anything to advantage or disadvantage any of the sellers.What was it that put you off of buying it and what, in your opinion, needed doing on the car?
Keep looking and you will find one eventually that you will be happy with.
I have not decided that I wouldn't buy it, I simply wanted more time to do my research. Although I accept I may miss out as a result of my hesitation.
I hope this makes sense.
[quote=octanetorque]Bringing it back to point...
SHORT VERSION:
If you want one - get one and don't worry about the engine or mods - just make sure the chassis is sound, uprights are not visibly cracked, oil levels stay solid, the owner is happy to drive the car hard, comes with some history, Owner is sad to let it go.
[quote=octanetorque]
Love the short version!
SHORT VERSION:
If you want one - get one and don't worry about the engine or mods - just make sure the chassis is sound, uprights are not visibly cracked, oil levels stay solid, the owner is happy to drive the car hard, comes with some history, Owner is sad to let it go.
[quote=octanetorque]
Love the short version!
Gurmot said:
Evening all.
Does anyone know the cost and availability of a chassis replacement for a Vixen please? Just to help me build this in to my budget in case I see one that has an original chassis.
Thanks
Simon
Simon, don't right a car off just because it hasn't had a new chassis. I'm sure there are original chassis' out there in very good condition because they've been looked after. I'm equally sure there are replacement chassis'd cars out there that haven't been looked after and are knackered. Does anyone know the cost and availability of a chassis replacement for a Vixen please? Just to help me build this in to my budget in case I see one that has an original chassis.
Thanks
Simon
Agreed!
I've just started a restoration of a '71 car.
The chassis needed 2 new side rails, but the rest was/is really solid - not much pitting at all.
I think having a crossflow helped - they spew oil everywhere from new
It's being painted now. I will post some pics when it's back.
Cheers - Simon
I've just started a restoration of a '71 car.
The chassis needed 2 new side rails, but the rest was/is really solid - not much pitting at all.
I think having a crossflow helped - they spew oil everywhere from new
It's being painted now. I will post some pics when it's back.
Cheers - Simon
Just to round off this thread with a note that I bought the car here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It was not the first car I looked at but it was the one most suited to me.Very glad I joined this excellent forum and very grateful to those who've offered advice, encouragement and counselled me to be patient (you know who you are. )
Be seeing you around.
It was not the first car I looked at but it was the one most suited to me.Very glad I joined this excellent forum and very grateful to those who've offered advice, encouragement and counselled me to be patient (you know who you are
. ) Be seeing you around.
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