Discussion
I tend to stayu away from dealers for obvious reasons, but I've come to conclusion that buying a tiv privately on ebay is financial sucide, unless you are a mechanic with a bottomless pit of money.
Over the last few months i've seen some cars that are either known as bangers or the descriptions or pictures give them away for what they are. I've personally seen half a dozen and really quite shocked by the lack of honesty.
Hss anyone had a good one from ebay?
Over the last few months i've seen some cars that are either known as bangers or the descriptions or pictures give them away for what they are. I've personally seen half a dozen and really quite shocked by the lack of honesty.
Hss anyone had a good one from ebay?
I saw mine on e-bay and bought it.
Fortunatly it was local to me so I went to see it and it was fine, one or two scuff marks on the wheels but thats just cosmetic and I had all four powder coated so now look like new.Ive also done one or two little things but more than happy with it a year in to ownership. Maybe i've just been lucky but I wouldn't have bought it with out looking first NO WAY...
I wouldn't rule out e-bay as a option when looking to buy but YOU HAVE TO VIEW the car, heck thats no different than if you were baying from pistonheads advert or Autotrader, I do however think that there are some who use e-bay as a dumping ground for knackered cars.
So look first and be carefull.
Fortunatly it was local to me so I went to see it and it was fine, one or two scuff marks on the wheels but thats just cosmetic and I had all four powder coated so now look like new.Ive also done one or two little things but more than happy with it a year in to ownership. Maybe i've just been lucky but I wouldn't have bought it with out looking first NO WAY...
I wouldn't rule out e-bay as a option when looking to buy but YOU HAVE TO VIEW the car, heck thats no different than if you were baying from pistonheads advert or Autotrader, I do however think that there are some who use e-bay as a dumping ground for knackered cars.
So look first and be carefull.
I've bought 4 from ebay, 1st broke even and was fine, very healthy gain on 2 (apx £8k) but the 3rd one was a con.
However he was very easy to trace and quite stupid (no money parted with), sadly ebay 'fraud' were handed it on a plate, false name, real name, false bank account, real details etc. Another person was caught with an SLK too, but ebay said they weren't interested. Be warned, you have no protection.
I take good friends who are mechanically minded, I never even drove 3 of the cars first as I knew I would want them. I preferred others who are more cynical to test them for me
That and I'm utterly incapable mechanically!
However he was very easy to trace and quite stupid (no money parted with), sadly ebay 'fraud' were handed it on a plate, false name, real name, false bank account, real details etc. Another person was caught with an SLK too, but ebay said they weren't interested. Be warned, you have no protection.
I take good friends who are mechanically minded, I never even drove 3 of the cars first as I knew I would want them. I preferred others who are more cynical to test them for me
That and I'm utterly incapable mechanically!
same as buying any other car from ebay
have some caution, dont let heart rule head, and check the usual things (of which there are obviously more to check on a TVR)
oh and remember regardless of what the seller might say, if its not as described then you can just walk away (same as with a private sale)
have some caution, dont let heart rule head, and check the usual things (of which there are obviously more to check on a TVR)
oh and remember regardless of what the seller might say, if its not as described then you can just walk away (same as with a private sale)
Edited by BountyHunter on Tuesday 17th August 22:20
I bought mine on ebay, Must go and look first, Just like any other type of car purchase, Must look and check anything you can. I have also sold a camper van on ebay and the number of people bidding and wanting to look was amazing, again some were ok and some were a waste of space, sold it for more than I thought I would get.
Ebay cant be that bad as there are lots of TVR's sold that way. Check the seller ratings.
Ebay cant be that bad as there are lots of TVR's sold that way. Check the seller ratings.
Found mine on autotrader (private sale). Two fab years on 1st Sept.
As others have said, buy with your head, get an inspection so you get the best chance of buying with your eyes open. There are huge savings to be had over dealer prices, 2 years on and 02 plate Tams from dealers are selling for 4k more than I paid for my in 08! car and its a peach no problems at all.
You might be unlucky and get a car that costs you a small fortune then again you might not. I guess it depends on what value you place on dealer back-up. What if it went wrong outside of the dealer warrenty? you then paid more for your car and still end up with potentially large bills to repair.
As others have said, buy with your head, get an inspection so you get the best chance of buying with your eyes open. There are huge savings to be had over dealer prices, 2 years on and 02 plate Tams from dealers are selling for 4k more than I paid for my in 08! car and its a peach no problems at all.
You might be unlucky and get a car that costs you a small fortune then again you might not. I guess it depends on what value you place on dealer back-up. What if it went wrong outside of the dealer warrenty? you then paid more for your car and still end up with potentially large bills to repair.
TVR Moneypit said:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-chimera-convertable-4ltr...
I'll be interested to see what this one goes for. I suspect from the description and lack of photos that it ain't a good 'un.
shame its bl*8dy green - lolI'll be interested to see what this one goes for. I suspect from the description and lack of photos that it ain't a good 'un.
if id sold my M3 id be tempted to ask some questions, request photos and if happy with answers then go and view
these ones look nice
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-TVR-CHIMAERA-BLUE-/3205...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1997-TVR-Chimaera-4-0-2DR-CH... (might be open to offers as its been listed several times)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1994-M-TVR-CHIMAERA-4-0-CONV...
needs a bit of work, but lots of potential (assuming its sound)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-TVR-CHIMAERA-BLACK-/170...
Edited by BountyHunter on Wednesday 18th August 03:16
Edited by BountyHunter on Wednesday 18th August 03:17
TVR Moneypit said:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-chimera-convertable-4ltr...
I'll be interested to see what this one goes for. I suspect from the description and lack of photos that it ain't a good 'un.
You just never know, the ads with no detail are inevitably those which get little interest and reach low prices. I also think that high starting prices put people off. I bought a lovely Alfa 145 Cloverleaf which had just been listed badly and had no other interest at £500. I ran in for 6 months before passing it to my Dad who has done the same and just resold it on eBay with lots of details and a £1 starting price - it went for £800.I'll be interested to see what this one goes for. I suspect from the description and lack of photos that it ain't a good 'un.
I really don't think that eBay is any worse than anywhere else. Just buy with your eyes open. Caveat emptor.
TVR Moneypit said:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-chimera-convertable-4ltr...
I'll be interested to see what this one goes for. I suspect from the description and lack of photos that it ain't a good 'un.
I suspect re-listed not because of time waster but because it would'nt start. I'll be interested to see what this one goes for. I suspect from the description and lack of photos that it ain't a good 'un.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-TVR-CHIMAERA-BLACK-/170...
That's my one. It's a good car, just don't have the time/cash for it anymore. It's available to be viewed, and I am more than happy to email photos and answer any questions.
That's my one. It's a good car, just don't have the time/cash for it anymore. It's available to be viewed, and I am more than happy to email photos and answer any questions.
dbv8 said:
I looked at that ad and thought it might have potential.
The fact you cant drive the car before handing over cash is an issue.
Also would you buy a car off a guy who calls himself 'fat tony'?
Totally understand about the driving bit, I guess you could have a drive round the estate I live on? As for the fat Tony bit, I promise there are no horses heads in the boot! The fact you cant drive the car before handing over cash is an issue.
Also would you buy a car off a guy who calls himself 'fat tony'?
I bought my 450 3 years ago on ebay without seeing it never mind driving it.
It was a 98 with 89000 miles on the clock and had been relisted due to not hitting the reserve of £7500.
I got it for £6050 and it served me well for 2 years and 12000 miles until the outriggers fell off.
I blame myself for the engine exploding
It was a 98 with 89000 miles on the clock and had been relisted due to not hitting the reserve of £7500.
I got it for £6050 and it served me well for 2 years and 12000 miles until the outriggers fell off.
I blame myself for the engine exploding
I went to look at a '99 450 in Bedfordshire, advertised on eBay. I turned up, unknown to the owner, on a Friday afternoon in a white Transit. The owner was out so his wife gave me the key and pointed me towards the bypass. She didn't even ask me to leave the van key!
The eBay advert was poorly written but the car was straight and clean. The advert had been seen and the car discussed in this old thread (first entry by gf350) and it looks like nobody went to see it: if it looks too good to be true etc.
Over five years later my 16,000 mile '99 450 with aircon has now covered 50,000 miles and is still as sweet as a nut. The previous owner bought it from Henley Heritage a year earlier. I have their invoice - he sold it for half the price he paid. I'd be embarrassed to disclose what I paid, suffice to say I stole it! I wouldn't get much less for it if I sold it now....
There's nothing wrong with buying from eBay, it's like buying from anywhere else: caveat emptor.
The eBay advert was poorly written but the car was straight and clean. The advert had been seen and the car discussed in this old thread (first entry by gf350) and it looks like nobody went to see it: if it looks too good to be true etc.
Over five years later my 16,000 mile '99 450 with aircon has now covered 50,000 miles and is still as sweet as a nut. The previous owner bought it from Henley Heritage a year earlier. I have their invoice - he sold it for half the price he paid. I'd be embarrassed to disclose what I paid, suffice to say I stole it! I wouldn't get much less for it if I sold it now....
There's nothing wrong with buying from eBay, it's like buying from anywhere else: caveat emptor.
I bought my 4.5 cerb from ebay
The advert was poor (it said 4.2), the owner knew very little other than he bought it off his mate.
I took the risk, drove 200 miles to see it, bought the car a trailerd it all the way home as it was not roadworthy at the time
30-50 hours hard graft/worry/paranoia/depression (delete where applicable) and about £800 later I have a fantastic Cerb on the road.
No major issues yet ( a few winter things to be done - valve clearances, drive shaft gaitors etc, rattling cats), so all good so far
Famous last words...
The advert was poor (it said 4.2), the owner knew very little other than he bought it off his mate.
I took the risk, drove 200 miles to see it, bought the car a trailerd it all the way home as it was not roadworthy at the time
30-50 hours hard graft/worry/paranoia/depression (delete where applicable) and about £800 later I have a fantastic Cerb on the road.
No major issues yet ( a few winter things to be done - valve clearances, drive shaft gaitors etc, rattling cats), so all good so far
Famous last words...
Sabz86 said:
Am I allowed to comment on a certain car mentioned on here one ebay? as I wasted my time to view it
the name and shame rules are pretty tight on here (as i found out last week with regards to a certain tvr wedge i knew information about) best bet is to say if your interested in car XXXX then contact me as i have more info.
i for one would be interested if you dont mind pm'ing me the details - thank you.
Edited by BountyHunter on Wednesday 18th August 23:37
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