What to look for in a second hand sagaris?
Discussion
Hello there, in a few months time my father may be in the market for a second hand sagaris to treat himself after retirement before he gets to old and sensible. The car would be used weekly just for runs out and maybe trips to Scotland or Europe once a year.
He's looked at a range of cars with the most appropriate being a 996 turbo but after seeing the lazer blue sagaris for sale at peter smith (sold) he favours a TVR for the following reasons, Its British, Its rare, the wife walked straight past the porsche and to the sag, and it makes a lovely sound even when you just pottering around.
We are just wondering if there are any tips or advice you could give in what to look out for when buying one of these performance cars. Any recommended dealers/experts to view a car before purchase/warranties?
We do not expect the same build quality as the 911 and understand there will be niggles from time to time due to them being hand assembled. From what we have read air con is a good idea. He is also toying with the idea of a post 04 T350 (improved engines over pre 04?) to see if he enjoys the TVR experience before getting a sagaris, Is this advisable or should he wait till he finds a sagaris he wants?
Here are some examples with a few questions
http://finance.autoexposure.co.uk/drilldown.cfm?Ac...
Is the close ratio box worth it?
Why does this car seem to have plastic indicator stalks I thought they were meant to be aluminium?
http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/vehicle.cfm?Accoun...
Is sub 30K just to cheap for one of these? The interior looks a bit tired compared to others but this cant be the reason its cheaper than average, The colour looks much better in the sun too so it is not that
He's looked at a range of cars with the most appropriate being a 996 turbo but after seeing the lazer blue sagaris for sale at peter smith (sold) he favours a TVR for the following reasons, Its British, Its rare, the wife walked straight past the porsche and to the sag, and it makes a lovely sound even when you just pottering around.
We are just wondering if there are any tips or advice you could give in what to look out for when buying one of these performance cars. Any recommended dealers/experts to view a car before purchase/warranties?
We do not expect the same build quality as the 911 and understand there will be niggles from time to time due to them being hand assembled. From what we have read air con is a good idea. He is also toying with the idea of a post 04 T350 (improved engines over pre 04?) to see if he enjoys the TVR experience before getting a sagaris, Is this advisable or should he wait till he finds a sagaris he wants?
Here are some examples with a few questions
http://finance.autoexposure.co.uk/drilldown.cfm?Ac...
Is the close ratio box worth it?
Why does this car seem to have plastic indicator stalks I thought they were meant to be aluminium?
http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/vehicle.cfm?Accoun...
Is sub 30K just to cheap for one of these? The interior looks a bit tired compared to others but this cant be the reason its cheaper than average, The colour looks much better in the sun too so it is not that
I just bought a Sagaris and did some deep research before I purchased...
Id aviod the white CAT D car, it was a Total write off hence the £30k price and the White clour (was re painted)
Your right to be looking for a car 04/05 onwards as it seems the Speed six engine problems has been resolved, it was cheap inferior metal componants pre 2004 (but do bare in mind its still no mass produced 100% reliable engine like a Bmw or porsche.
A sagaris is the way id go if I was your father, although the T350 is awsome, the sagaris is much much rarer and the flagship of the TVR range.
The one at Boss performance does look nice and ive heard the upgrades to the gearbox and differential are good choices.
Kevin.
My advice would be to talk to a long standing and respected dealer like Tony at HHC Hexham and ask him to find you a suitable car. You will then get a car that he is happy to sell you backed by a proper warranty and excellent after sales service from a genuine enthusiast with 25 years experience.
unrepentant said:
My advice would be to talk to a long standing and respected dealer like Tony at HHC Hexham and ask him to find you a suitable car. You will then get a car that he is happy to sell you backed by a proper warranty and excellent after sales service from a genuine enthusiast with 25 years experience.
+1 
1 worthwhile journey as opposed to several wasted ones...
edited to say,
Paul, I think you sell Tony short on his years of experience. We bought our first one off him 30 years ago. Since then we've bought another thirty, can't remember him ever selling us anything..
Edited by TVR_owner on Sunday 16th August 11:46
Yeah we had suspisions about the white one we just wanted to make sure, We would prefer to pay extra for a well looked after car from a good garage or a member of the tvrcc than get one from a none tvr spealist, Has anybody used james agger before? Was the close ratio box a factory option with a 3.7diff etc or are the diffs i read about performance upgrades from other companies?
Agree with the sentiments above - go to a good dealer to avoid surprises and lack of come back later.
I have similar experiences with Tony (@ Harrogate, now at Hexham), having bought two cars from him in the 80's. Similarly, if you are based in south the TVR Centre (now Trimar) provide similar levels of after sales service.
I have similar experiences with Tony (@ Harrogate, now at Hexham), having bought two cars from him in the 80's. Similarly, if you are based in south the TVR Centre (now Trimar) provide similar levels of after sales service.
I would try to find one thats been owned by an enthusiast that has used it, and of looked after it, naturally
it will have all the niggles sorted and be running well
I would not pay a premium for a 3-4 year old car with just a few thousand miles on it, as a minimum you will have all the usual first 12 months of new TVR owner niggles to sort out
CR box is worth it, usually with a different diff too
most cars will likely have had a new slave cylinder by now on the clutch/brakes, seems to be quite a common failure component
the original plastic covered foam badges rot away - replace them with enamel ones that last forever and look better
you can pick up a sorted, straight, used one for £30K privately, if you dont mind some them used, if you are quick when they go on the market, there have been a few up at £32-34K that end up going for £30K ish
it will have all the niggles sorted and be running well
I would not pay a premium for a 3-4 year old car with just a few thousand miles on it, as a minimum you will have all the usual first 12 months of new TVR owner niggles to sort out
CR box is worth it, usually with a different diff too
most cars will likely have had a new slave cylinder by now on the clutch/brakes, seems to be quite a common failure component
the original plastic covered foam badges rot away - replace them with enamel ones that last forever and look better
you can pick up a sorted, straight, used one for £30K privately, if you dont mind some them used, if you are quick when they go on the market, there have been a few up at £32-34K that end up going for £30K ish
My advice would be to look for a well loved car, one which ideally comes with the benefit of a warranty, well known to a reputable dealer from a TVRCC member and enthusiast. In fact you would be lucky to ever find such a car, if one ever came up it would be from someone who was emigrating and who would be devastated to see his or her P&J go .... hold on ....
...... this one looks just like that:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1141104.htm
...... this one looks just like that:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1141104.htm
Edited by Toobin on Monday 17th August 08:57
i bought my t350c from james agger.touch wood,no problems at all.i found him a very nice guy with a very good knowledge about everything tvr related.hes not far from tvr power so you could get a look under the car there.tell him david from belfast said hi,if you contact him,good luck.
Toobin said:
My advice would be to look for a well loved car, one which ideally comes with the benefit of a warranty, well known to a reputable dealer from a TVRCC member and enthusiast. In fact you would be lucky to ever find such a car, if one ever came up it would be from someone who was emigrating and who would be devastated to see his or her P&J go .... hold on ....
...... this one looks just like that:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1141104.htm
wouldnt happen to be yours by any chance,lol....... this one looks just like that:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1141104.htm
Edited by Toobin on Monday 17th August 08:57
look at one in reflex charcoal,a guy in my region has one and its just the dogs b+++++ks.
edited to say...if your into silver,this sag does look great.
Edited by the jollyrodger on Monday 17th August 09:36
LOL, yes David it would happen to be so.
Totally gutted to be seeing it go, especially as I have not had it that long ... I even think RG still have the original ad on their website ..... these things are here to test us though ... giving serious consideration to taking it to Hong Kong with me but with the traffic out there it would be more ornamental than driven .......
The car is awesome and the colour really suits it, looks white in the sun. Totally appreciate the reflex charcoal argument too, it does really suit the sags lines .....
Totally gutted to be seeing it go, especially as I have not had it that long ... I even think RG still have the original ad on their website ..... these things are here to test us though ... giving serious consideration to taking it to Hong Kong with me but with the traffic out there it would be more ornamental than driven .......
The car is awesome and the colour really suits it, looks white in the sun. Totally appreciate the reflex charcoal argument too, it does really suit the sags lines .....
Toobin your car looks stunning and with good history, at the moment my dad is waiting for his funds to come through so that's why we are just seeing what's what in terms of buying and spec, I agree a car known to the TVRCC would be beneficial or one sold buy a well known dealer, With the limited numbers on the road we know finding the right one will be hard so colour wise he would settle for anything tasteful as how and where it has been cared for is much more important.
Today he's just popped down to try one with tuscan seats in as he is a larger gentleman and word is these maybe better for him, He fancy's one in a brightish colour although they all look stunning in the flesh, maybe spectraflair silver, yellow, The one sold from TVR power in chameleon orange black leather with orange stitching/suede and close ratio box would have been perfect.
Today he's just popped down to try one with tuscan seats in as he is a larger gentleman and word is these maybe better for him, He fancy's one in a brightish colour although they all look stunning in the flesh, maybe spectraflair silver, yellow, The one sold from TVR power in chameleon orange black leather with orange stitching/suede and close ratio box would have been perfect.
Toobin said:
The car is awesome and the colour really suits it, looks white in the sun. Totally appreciate the reflex charcoal argument too, it does really suit the sags lines .....
My T350 is in Brilliant Silver and I love it - not too in your face and really suits the lines of the car. The only other colour I adore on the T350 is reflex charcoal, though Sags suit the lairy colours far better than the 350s.
If you want a minter in an unusual colour, mine will probably be up for sale shortly - See my profile pic.
As much as I love it, I do miss having a drop top and will more than likely go back to a Tamora.
I think it has every factory option apart from the DAB radio(although it does have the dab radio aerial). So basically is has air con, close ratio box, gas discharge lights, lumbar support, paint protection film etc.
It won supercar of the year at Gaydon earlier this year - writeup in this months TVR car club "sprint" magazine.
Vid here shows the colour off really well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=istPsqM-5Vk
As much as I love it, I do miss having a drop top and will more than likely go back to a Tamora.
I think it has every factory option apart from the DAB radio(although it does have the dab radio aerial). So basically is has air con, close ratio box, gas discharge lights, lumbar support, paint protection film etc.
It won supercar of the year at Gaydon earlier this year - writeup in this months TVR car club "sprint" magazine.
Vid here shows the colour off really well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=istPsqM-5Vk
Edited by L33 on Tuesday 18th August 14:19
L33 said:
If you want a minter in an unusual colour, mine will probably be up for sale shortly - See my profile pic.
As much as I love it, I do miss having a drop top and will more than likely go back to a Tamora.
I think it has every factory option apart from the DAB radio (although it does have the dab radio aerial).
It won supercar of the year at Gaydon earlier this year - writeup in this months TVR car club "sprint" magazine.
Vid here shows the colour off really well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=istPsqM-5Vk
I send you a pmAs much as I love it, I do miss having a drop top and will more than likely go back to a Tamora.
I think it has every factory option apart from the DAB radio (although it does have the dab radio aerial).
It won supercar of the year at Gaydon earlier this year - writeup in this months TVR car club "sprint" magazine.
Vid here shows the colour off really well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=istPsqM-5Vk
crimbo said:
Hi there Lee,
If you do decide to part with her my farther will be very very interested, We were at super car Sunday 2009 and your car was absolutely stunning, We are situated only 45mins away from Birmingham and would love to be contacted if you decide to sell her.
She will be for sale, its just a case of when If you do decide to part with her my farther will be very very interested, We were at super car Sunday 2009 and your car was absolutely stunning, We are situated only 45mins away from Birmingham and would love to be contacted if you decide to sell her.
When your ready to buy, please drop me an email. If I still have her, we can talk further.
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