Noob here - should I buy this?
Discussion
Hi all...long time lurker, first post.
Should I go for this or not?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR+...
I'd rather pay big now and get a good reliable [?]one. It'll be doing 6K miles or so a year.
It's really tempting - nice colour, power steering, had bodywork done. Sure, I'll need to question the exact work and what performance tuning has been done plus all the usual wedge checks, but on the face of it does it look like a good purchase to you? Maybe someone knows this car's history?
Any advice, comments welcome. Thanks.
Should I go for this or not?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR+...
I'd rather pay big now and get a good reliable [?]one. It'll be doing 6K miles or so a year.
It's really tempting - nice colour, power steering, had bodywork done. Sure, I'll need to question the exact work and what performance tuning has been done plus all the usual wedge checks, but on the face of it does it look like a good purchase to you? Maybe someone knows this car's history?
Any advice, comments welcome. Thanks.
Im sure I remember that car...
F450RTF...
well, anyway...
OK, £6500 is quite strong money for a 390SE at the moment, BUT, the trick with TVRs is to buy on condition, as those that have been looked after will be a much better car than those that have not.
95k miles. Well, the Rover engine does ail after a while, and 95k miles is quite a lot again considering the price. But again, if its had decent engine work done, that shouldnt be a problem. Id be interested to know the state of the gearbox and diff too at that mileage.
Nice looking car, but take a knowledgeable mate, as at that price it needs to be a goodun!
I note its got a rollover bar - been on a few trackdays?
Good luck!
Ed.
P.S I note that its advertised as a 400 3905CC (that'll be an NCK 390 engine then...) 3.9SE. worth checking its exact pedigree!
F450RTF...
well, anyway...
OK, £6500 is quite strong money for a 390SE at the moment, BUT, the trick with TVRs is to buy on condition, as those that have been looked after will be a much better car than those that have not.
95k miles. Well, the Rover engine does ail after a while, and 95k miles is quite a lot again considering the price. But again, if its had decent engine work done, that shouldnt be a problem. Id be interested to know the state of the gearbox and diff too at that mileage.
Nice looking car, but take a knowledgeable mate, as at that price it needs to be a goodun!
I note its got a rollover bar - been on a few trackdays?
Good luck!
Ed.
P.S I note that its advertised as a 400 3905CC (that'll be an NCK 390 engine then...) 3.9SE. worth checking its exact pedigree!
Edited by ed_crouch on Sunday 1st February 21:05
Looks tidy in the photos, as always check the chassis outriggers, cam change etc, is the dealer offering a good warranty 12 month tax and test? That would probably justify the highish price, looks like it never had the SE boot spoiler fitted, not certain if that was an extra or standard fitment.
Good section in Steve Heaths Wedge manual on what to look for when buying, make sure you give the car a thorough going over before they start it up......once you hear the V8 roar it's sold! And any problems with the car just go straight to the hidden regions of your mind
only to reappear every time you open your wallet.
Good section in Steve Heaths Wedge manual on what to look for when buying, make sure you give the car a thorough going over before they start it up......once you hear the V8 roar it's sold! And any problems with the car just go straight to the hidden regions of your mind
only to reappear every time you open your wallet.JamieG said:
Thread about this car in late december - Prev owner is the OP of that thread - "C8 CDS" i think.
Thanks...found the thread - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...Hopefully I'm going to see the car tomorrow. [Mind you, the wife's making me stop at a Toyota garage along the way to view an MR2.]
I am sure that car has been for sale for 6 months or more.
My first reaction would be that if it was worth that kind of money someone would have bought it by now!
Having said that i bought a 390se in august/sept which was advertised at £6700 with 34k miles full tvrsh etc etc but i ended up paying just over £5000 for it, but it was a private sale, i can't see you getting that kind of money off at a dealers.
My first reaction would be that if it was worth that kind of money someone would have bought it by now!
Having said that i bought a 390se in august/sept which was advertised at £6700 with 34k miles full tvrsh etc etc but i ended up paying just over £5000 for it, but it was a private sale, i can't see you getting that kind of money off at a dealers.
Thanks for the replies.
I took a trip down to Edinburgh to view this today which was a kind of a stupid thing to do with the snow and all so I didn't get a drive in it but it was sitting in the warm showroom so I was able to get a good look over.
The guy said the company's director was the car's owner and asked them in September to sell it, originally for £7.5K but they had recently taken a grand off.
The salesman was making a big point about how it was kept without regard of cost and it sure looked good - it has been resprayed verrrry nicely; the wheels have been refurbished and tyres are as new. The engine looked fine and sounded as it should. The chassis actually looked new to me and the manifold did too. They offered to put it on a ramp for me to inspect properly but I declined today.
Electrics seemed fine - started easily but was connected to a trickle charger, windows worked, pops up did just that, all lights ok, mirrors noisy and sticky but did move. It had some kind of keyless immobiliser which I should have queried more but didn't [Thatcham?]. I didn't test the guages.
Hood had 2 small holes where it folds - one 2mm and one larger 5mm, the centre piece was solid and it all fitted together no problem. They made no offer to fix? / replace the hood.
Interior was dry but carpets were thin and leather tired but not torn anywhere. The wood was coming off the console at the top corner but I think nothing more than a bit of glue would sort that. A fan switch has been fitted at some time [cheaply] and also cheaply, a set of 4 LEDs sit squintly on top of the cowl [revs?]. It also has a Sparco steering wheel with 2 red push buttons on it...what these do, if anything, they couldn't tell me. The stalks have been replaced with stubby metal jobs. All this, along with the roll bar certainly indicate a certain use but maybe that's no bad thing.
Although the salesman didn't know much about the car he says his boss has a wedge [ha ha] of paper info going back years with regard to work and modifications done and would have this ready for me should I return for a test drive.
So, for a 19 year old car with 96K miles it seems as good as could be expected...certainly better underneath than I had feared. But it is still an old car with lots of miles not priced cheaply.
These things are so tempting aren't they?
But I've never driven one before and that clutch is so heavy and the view is poor and my wife can't see over the steering wheel and the worst thing is I don't have a garage to keep it in!
Maybe she's right, maybe we should by an MR2.
I took a trip down to Edinburgh to view this today which was a kind of a stupid thing to do with the snow and all so I didn't get a drive in it but it was sitting in the warm showroom so I was able to get a good look over.
The guy said the company's director was the car's owner and asked them in September to sell it, originally for £7.5K but they had recently taken a grand off.
The salesman was making a big point about how it was kept without regard of cost and it sure looked good - it has been resprayed verrrry nicely; the wheels have been refurbished and tyres are as new. The engine looked fine and sounded as it should. The chassis actually looked new to me and the manifold did too. They offered to put it on a ramp for me to inspect properly but I declined today.
Electrics seemed fine - started easily but was connected to a trickle charger, windows worked, pops up did just that, all lights ok, mirrors noisy and sticky but did move. It had some kind of keyless immobiliser which I should have queried more but didn't [Thatcham?]. I didn't test the guages.
Hood had 2 small holes where it folds - one 2mm and one larger 5mm, the centre piece was solid and it all fitted together no problem. They made no offer to fix? / replace the hood.
Interior was dry but carpets were thin and leather tired but not torn anywhere. The wood was coming off the console at the top corner but I think nothing more than a bit of glue would sort that. A fan switch has been fitted at some time [cheaply] and also cheaply, a set of 4 LEDs sit squintly on top of the cowl [revs?]. It also has a Sparco steering wheel with 2 red push buttons on it...what these do, if anything, they couldn't tell me. The stalks have been replaced with stubby metal jobs. All this, along with the roll bar certainly indicate a certain use but maybe that's no bad thing.
Although the salesman didn't know much about the car he says his boss has a wedge [ha ha] of paper info going back years with regard to work and modifications done and would have this ready for me should I return for a test drive.
So, for a 19 year old car with 96K miles it seems as good as could be expected...certainly better underneath than I had feared. But it is still an old car with lots of miles not priced cheaply.
These things are so tempting aren't they?
But I've never driven one before and that clutch is so heavy and the view is poor and my wife can't see over the steering wheel and the worst thing is I don't have a garage to keep it in!
Maybe she's right, maybe we should by an MR2.
Sounds like you have had a good look, with the only issues being the tired interior & dodgy steering wheel.
Obviously driving it would be recommended, and i'm sure if you were still keen on it..you would. How was the oil pressure?
Does sound to me though that you need something slightly 'easier' to own, particularly if your wife is going to be regularly using.
An MR2 will do the job but it isn't a TVR, all TVR's particularly the Wedges have that certain something that leaves an MR2 a pale alternative.
The noise under full flow will give you a huge grin.
You are right though, they are getting older but, most cars at this price should have reciepts demonstrating £1000's spent, so in theroy they should be in fine fettle and ready for use. Got to do your homework though.
Good luck with your choice.
Obviously driving it would be recommended, and i'm sure if you were still keen on it..you would. How was the oil pressure?
Does sound to me though that you need something slightly 'easier' to own, particularly if your wife is going to be regularly using.
An MR2 will do the job but it isn't a TVR, all TVR's particularly the Wedges have that certain something that leaves an MR2 a pale alternative.
The noise under full flow will give you a huge grin.
You are right though, they are getting older but, most cars at this price should have reciepts demonstrating £1000's spent, so in theroy they should be in fine fettle and ready for use. Got to do your homework though.
Good luck with your choice.
450 also on Autotrader
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR/...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR/...
Edited by Flares&Chestwig on Monday 2nd February 18:52
[quote=Flares&Chestwig]450 also on Autotrader
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR/...
[/quote]
This car has been discussed before on here...if i can find the thread.
Someone noted that it looks to have had a colour change... engine bay different
Here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR/...
Edited by Flares&Chestwig on Monday 2nd February 18:52
[/quote]
This car has been discussed before on here...if i can find the thread.
Someone noted that it looks to have had a colour change... engine bay different
Here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by Waynester on Monday 2nd February 20:19
Waynester said:
Does sound to me though that you need something slightly 'easier' to own, particularly if your wife is going to be regularly using.
An MR2 will do the job but it isn't a TVR, all TVR's particularly the Wedges have that certain something that leaves an MR2 a pale alternative.
The noise under full flow will give you a huge grin.
You are right though, they are getting older but, most cars at this price should have reciepts demonstrating £1000's spent, so in theroy they should be in fine fettle and ready for use. Got to do your homework though.
Good luck with your choice.
Thing is I have lusted after a wedge since I was 17 and it's only now that the family have grown up we don't need a saloon any more and my age and experience allows me to insure one relatively cheaply. And from what I read, these cars are actually not any less reliable than any other car of a certain age. I think I just have to do it - I'll either be hooked or sell it after a couple of months...either way, I'll have done it. Life's too short, eh? Maybe get an MR2 when I'm 60.An MR2 will do the job but it isn't a TVR, all TVR's particularly the Wedges have that certain something that leaves an MR2 a pale alternative.
The noise under full flow will give you a huge grin.
You are right though, they are getting older but, most cars at this price should have reciepts demonstrating £1000's spent, so in theroy they should be in fine fettle and ready for use. Got to do your homework though.
Good luck with your choice.
Also, nice as it is, the 450 in the link is too expensive and it's silver...yuk.
EDIT - Regarding the highish price and expecting a warranty, the dealer said no. His words were; "We can't warranty a car of that age but we can type you a letter saying if anything major goes wrong we'll sort it" ???!!!???.
You've gotta love car dealers.
Edited by Artie Fufkin on Tuesday 3rd February 19:19
It sounds like you have already thought hard about buying a wedge and its in your blood already!
So think of a price that you cant refuse it at and then make them an offer. If someone else does that and buys it at say 4 - 5K you will be gutted.
Things are hard in the car trade now and getting worse and only mad people like us continue to pour petrol into our tanks just to hear the roar!
Hurry up though because it wont be long before someone on here rips it to shreds and p*sses on your bonfire lol
So think of a price that you cant refuse it at and then make them an offer. If someone else does that and buys it at say 4 - 5K you will be gutted.
Things are hard in the car trade now and getting worse and only mad people like us continue to pour petrol into our tanks just to hear the roar!
Hurry up though because it wont be long before someone on here rips it to shreds and p*sses on your bonfire lol
I'm sure you know already, but think about insuring her on a classic car policy. Try Hagery and Classic Line for quotes, you are likely to be pleased. Do note the differences in use (e.g. business, amount of miles).
I found the wedge amazingly easy to drive but still great fun. I've not found TVR clutches very hard, so maybe you get used to them, maybe the seating position is a little different.
It sounds like you really want one, so whether this one or not, do it. Life's too short to regret missing out on things. Except the office party in 1982 when, oh sorry wrong forum for that
Good luck with your choice whatever it is
I found the wedge amazingly easy to drive but still great fun. I've not found TVR clutches very hard, so maybe you get used to them, maybe the seating position is a little different.
It sounds like you really want one, so whether this one or not, do it. Life's too short to regret missing out on things. Except the office party in 1982 when, oh sorry wrong forum for that
Good luck with your choice whatever it is
ferlin said:
So think of a price that you cant refuse it at and then make them an offer. If someone else does that and buys it at say 4 - 5K you will be gutted.
Good idea. It's been sitting there for 5 months or so. I'm not in a hurry and can wait for the right one at the right price. [I'm kidding myself - I want one now] but seriously you're right, what's the harm in offering low. Could be worth a punt.[qoute=sphs2]If you are going to buy a wedge, bide your time and drive at least 3 of them, otherwise you'll never know if it's as it should be!
Dave M said:
I'm sure you know already, but think about insuring her on a classic car policy. Try Hagery and Classic Line for quotes, you are likely to be pleased.
I did look at Hagerty but their website says they only cover people who have another insurance policy in their name. Now, while there are another 2 cars in my household which I am a named driver for and use regularly, they're not mine. The wedge would be the only car in my name. I did a quick online quote with Flux which came out at £300 for 6K miles/year.[qoute=grahamw48]Hard clutch ?
Ayup, this is a man's car ! You'll be asking how to put the top on next.
Edited by Artie Fufkin on Wednesday 4th February 01:34
UDATE.
I've just received an email from the salesman with details of servicing, etc. He's says it's far from exhaustive but highlights main points. He has all MOTs, original brochure [handbook?] and service records. This is the list he sent me:
3/4/89 Blackpool TVR. PDI
20/8/93 Ferrari Transmissions Essex. 30,000 Service, Clutch Master Cylinder. £1,600
17/2/94 FTE. 36,000 service. £1188
13/4/94 TVR Centre Barnett. Starter Motor £257
22/7/94 FTE. 41,000 service. £1,600
11/12/98 Brookland TVR. 72,000 service and power steering rack. £1,023
5/5/99 Brookland. 78,000 power steering pipe. £218
17/8/99 Brookland. 80,000 service, exhaust system and manifold. £1,405
23/2/00 Peninsula Automotive. Service, ARB [?], driveshaft, discs and pads.
16/3/00 PA. Clutch master cylinder.
20/5/00 PA. Service, starter motor. £1,524
15/12/00 PA. 88,000. Service. £734
26/6/01 PA. 88,500. Service. £267
6/2/02 Receipt for car sold by PA for £7,400
1/3/04 Power steering pump. £3525 !!??
How does it look guys?
I've just received an email from the salesman with details of servicing, etc. He's says it's far from exhaustive but highlights main points. He has all MOTs, original brochure [handbook?] and service records. This is the list he sent me:
3/4/89 Blackpool TVR. PDI
20/8/93 Ferrari Transmissions Essex. 30,000 Service, Clutch Master Cylinder. £1,600
17/2/94 FTE. 36,000 service. £1188
13/4/94 TVR Centre Barnett. Starter Motor £257
22/7/94 FTE. 41,000 service. £1,600
11/12/98 Brookland TVR. 72,000 service and power steering rack. £1,023
5/5/99 Brookland. 78,000 power steering pipe. £218
17/8/99 Brookland. 80,000 service, exhaust system and manifold. £1,405
23/2/00 Peninsula Automotive. Service, ARB [?], driveshaft, discs and pads.
16/3/00 PA. Clutch master cylinder.
20/5/00 PA. Service, starter motor. £1,524
15/12/00 PA. 88,000. Service. £734
26/6/01 PA. 88,500. Service. £267
6/2/02 Receipt for car sold by PA for £7,400
1/3/04 Power steering pump. £3525 !!??
How does it look guys?
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