S1,2 or 3 WANTED
Discussion
Hi Andy - Welcome to PH!
Was in exactly you position this time last year - ended up buying my S2 from a fellow pistonheader...
Sub £5k stuff turns up in the classifieds pretty regularly - set yourself up with an email notification
- there tends to be a marginal seasonal effect to pricing too - so you may pick up an autumn bargain!
Good luck - if you fine a good one (as I did) it will be money well spent!
Was in exactly you position this time last year - ended up buying my S2 from a fellow pistonheader...
Sub £5k stuff turns up in the classifieds pretty regularly - set yourself up with an email notification
- there tends to be a marginal seasonal effect to pricing too - so you may pick up an autumn bargain!
Good luck - if you fine a good one (as I did) it will be money well spent!
Get a copy of Steve Heath's "S Series" bible. There are just so many dogs out there that you will be very lucky indeed to get a really good one for your money. Here's a first when you inspect---jack up the front if possible and turn the steering to full nearside lock then (torch needed) look at the chassis cross member under the radiator--if it's rusted walk away or get a substantial reduction. You might think that you are getting a bargain for £5000 or less but when the bills roll in--gearbox,clutch,roof seals,chassis etc you will wish that you had spent an extra £1000 in the first place---get an expert like Phillip Reygate of Rhino Motorsport (www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk or 01883 722014) to find one for you.
If you can stretch the budget slightly contact me and I might be able can help you as I have a handful of S3's in beautiful condition. The condition is everything with these cars. The engine goes on for ever if properly treated.
If you can stretch the budget slightly contact me and I might be able can help you as I have a handful of S3's in beautiful condition. The condition is everything with these cars. The engine goes on for ever if properly treated.
magnus said:
There are just so many dogs out there that you will be very lucky indeed to get a really good one for your money. .... You might think that you are getting a bargain for £5000 or less but when the bills roll in--gearbox,clutch,roof seals,chassis etc you will wish that you had spent an extra £1000 in the first place---get an expert like Phillip Reygate of Rhino Motorsport (<a href="http://www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk">www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk</a> or 01883 722014) to find one for you.
If you can stretch the budget slightly contact me and I might be able can help you as I have a handful of S3's in beautiful condition. The condition is everything with these cars. The engine goes on for ever if properly treated.
Dear oh Dear.. what a scaremongering post.
Having just sold my S Series (www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=27029&s=4)I would say that it fitted the original poster requirements perfectly.. I found it on here within a week of starting to look for a car.
With a level head, a copy of the bible, and some basic car knowledge you can buy an S privately with a good level of confidence as long as you look over it thoroughly.
Cheers,
Matt.
>> Edited by M@H on Monday 23 August 12:07
magnus said:
Get a copy of Steve Heath's "S Series" bible. There are just so many dogs out there that you will be very lucky indeed to get a really good one for your money. Here's a first when you inspect---jack up the front if possible and turn the steering to full nearside lock then (torch needed) look at the chassis cross member under the radiator--if it's rusted walk away or get a substantial reduction. You might think that you are getting a bargain for £5000 or less but when the bills roll in--gearbox,clutch,roof seals,chassis etc you will wish that you had spent an extra £1000 in the first place---get an expert like Phillip Reygate of Rhino Motorsport (www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk or 01883 722014) to find one for you.
If you can stretch the budget slightly contact me and I might be able can help you as I have a handful of S3's in beautiful condition. The condition is everything with these cars. The engine goes on for ever if properly treated.
I can't understand why you have posted this...
The cars are now over 12 years old so I would expect any potential new owner to know there will be 'Dogs' out there...
Look at the car the same as you would on a 12-15 yr old Granada, S's need a good amount of looking after. Most previous owners have done this IMHO. I looked at several potential cars before choosing mine and I agree there was quite a few that were a bit dodgy....They were sound overall but didn't fit my requirements.
As Matt says an open mind and sensible head. Look at as many cars as possible..
Check through these forums, I think you will find what goes wrong with the cars and what to pay for fixing....
M@H said:
There are just so many dogs out there that you will be very lucky indeed to get a really good one for your money. .... You might think that you are getting a bargain for £5000 or less but when the bills roll in--gearbox,clutch,roof seals,chassis etc you will wish that you had spent an extra £1000 in the first place---get an expert like Phillip Reygate of Rhino Motorsport (<a href="http://www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk"><a href="http://www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk">www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk</a></a> or 01883 722014) to find one for you.
If you can stretch the budget slightly contact me and I might be able can help you as I have a handful of S3's in beautiful condition. The condition is everything with these cars. The engine goes on for ever if properly treated.
Dear oh Dear.. what a scaremongering post.
Having just sold my S Series (www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=27029&s=4)I would say that it fitted the original poster requirements perfectly.. I found it on here within a week of starting to look for a car.
With a level head, a copy of the bible, and some basic car knowledge you can buy an S privately with a good level of confidence as long as you look over it thoroughly.
Cheers,
Matt.
NO WAY scaremongering! I have been bitten a few times and I am simply pointing out the results of my experiences. I repeat that at such alow budget the buyer has to be extremely careful if he is not to be let in for big bills--independent inspection is the most sensible.
>> Edited by M@H on Monday 23 August 12:07
Its all about condition obviously a S3 in good condition will be a "better" car than an S1 in good condition, but the S3 will cost more.
So its possible to find an S1 costing more than an S3
www.tvrsseries.com
So its possible to find an S1 costing more than an S3
www.tvrsseries.com
magnus said:
NO WAY scaremongering! I have been bitten a few times and I am simply pointing out the results of my experiences.
And I am speaking from results of my experiences too.. I have bought, owned and sold two S series, both in the price range described and they were both a joy to drive/own etc with no real problems at all.
Also £5000 isn't a "low budget" for an S Series any more.. maybe an S3, but not an S1 thats for sure.
Perhaps scaremongering was a bit strong but I'd rather encourage people to learn about the subject, meet Phers with similar cars and have a look around the market themselves before sending them rushing into the arms of an expert who will tell them "yes" or "no" but not really broaden their knowledge.
At worst if they then still don't feel confident they can employ someones services, but at least they will have learned a lot about the cars and what they are letting themselves in for.
Cheers,
Matt
>> Edited by M@H on Monday 23 August 13:49
Just be careful, I was particularly careful about the chassis, and some sort of history.
Judging by my experiance, you will be able to beat a reasonable S2 down to 5k but if you can, join the tvr club and go to regional meeting first and find out what is on the market.If you are lucky, you will find somebody local from the club to have a look at the car with you.
Judging by my experiance, you will be able to beat a reasonable S2 down to 5k but if you can, join the tvr club and go to regional meeting first and find out what is on the market.If you are lucky, you will find somebody local from the club to have a look at the car with you.
MATT 
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