Questions to ask potential sellers NEWBIES
Discussion
I've encounted a fair amount of time wasting sellers, mostly dealers I have to say. Most seem to think that neglecting to tell you stuff prior to viewing the car is a perfect way to lauch into into a sales speel once you're in the showroom.
Look if its a TURKEY its a turkey no amount of sales drivel about what it has got is gonna change that. Yeh a wonderful colour best I've seen, outriggers like swiss cheese, where do I sign?
Anyway, rant over,I thought a check list might cut down on the time wasters and assist NEWBIES in asking the right questions, before they buy.
Please comment on whether I'm asking the right questions of if there is anything I've missed.
Obviously if any of these questions are covered in the descriptions then delete?
When was it last serviced?
Have the differentials been replaced?
Have the shock absorbers been replaced?
Has the clutch been repaced?
Is there any rust on the car?
Has the car ever been resprayed?
Is bodywork free from dents, scratches or other marks?
How many owners?
Would you have any objections to ramp inspection?
Has the car been serviced every 6000 miles
The answers to these questions should then prompt the when, why and such fourth questions.
I know I've missed some questions so advice on more questions to ask would be useful.
Only when all these have been answered satisafactory would I suggest an actual viewing takes place.
Look if its a TURKEY its a turkey no amount of sales drivel about what it has got is gonna change that. Yeh a wonderful colour best I've seen, outriggers like swiss cheese, where do I sign?
Anyway, rant over,I thought a check list might cut down on the time wasters and assist NEWBIES in asking the right questions, before they buy.
Please comment on whether I'm asking the right questions of if there is anything I've missed.
Obviously if any of these questions are covered in the descriptions then delete?
When was it last serviced?
Have the differentials been replaced?
Have the shock absorbers been replaced?
Has the clutch been repaced?
Is there any rust on the car?
Has the car ever been resprayed?
Is bodywork free from dents, scratches or other marks?
How many owners?
Would you have any objections to ramp inspection?
Has the car been serviced every 6000 miles
The answers to these questions should then prompt the when, why and such fourth questions.
I know I've missed some questions so advice on more questions to ask would be useful.
Only when all these have been answered satisafactory would I suggest an actual viewing takes place.
Why not simplify your search by meeting owners in person, get the advice/info you want from them, then employee your local TVR specialist to inspect on your behalf, the advice will be free of course, the inspections won't, it's only on the ramp that many of your questions will be answered, i wish i'd done this 
Car buying is a strange event for some. I just wonder how on earth a seller is supposed to know and be able to answer some of the dumbest questions ever asked of them. People who know nothing about cars own them, and this is a massive majority group. It's also a majority within a majority that have little to no interest in a cars history beyond the maintenance they might carry out whilst in their ownership.
If the service history is there, in part or complete, read it. If there's a wallet full of invoices too, read them. A seller can give as much info as they like but without the paper trail it's down to the customer to take the sellers words at face value or not, otherwise all the answer one seek are on that paper, or not. Anything else offered is a bonus if you accept it. The next thing to do is look at the car and work out if the paper trail equates to a well presented car or a somewhat neglected one despite what the paper says. If there's no paper, even more so, 'buyer beware'.
Approached with common sense and eyes wide open a much can be established either way when considering purchase.
Lady
If the service history is there, in part or complete, read it. If there's a wallet full of invoices too, read them. A seller can give as much info as they like but without the paper trail it's down to the customer to take the sellers words at face value or not, otherwise all the answer one seek are on that paper, or not. Anything else offered is a bonus if you accept it. The next thing to do is look at the car and work out if the paper trail equates to a well presented car or a somewhat neglected one despite what the paper says. If there's no paper, even more so, 'buyer beware'.
Approached with common sense and eyes wide open a much can be established either way when considering purchase.
Lady
Simpo Two said:
I wasn't aware that differential replacement was a key factor in TVR purchase.
The list seems more 'general motor' than TVR. TVRs have their own foibles.
Thinking that myself. Along with possibly clutch and shocks - no need to replace if theres nothing wrong.The list seems more 'general motor' than TVR. TVRs have their own foibles.
Personally I'd want to get a feel for how they treat the car, ask them how they warm it up, what their starting procedure is, wheres is kept etc.
Unless its a low mileage garage queen (thats a whole new load of potential problems) then it will almost certainly have stone chips - how many?
What I'd like to know before travelling to view an RV8 TVR apart from the usual 'getting a feel for the owner and the sort of useage the car's had'-
Who serviced the car in recent years?
Any evidence of maintenance to the chassis? If yes, when was the most recent treatment (Waxoyl/whatever) and did they find any signs of trouble at that occasion?
Assuming car of decent (i.e. 'not a garage queen') mileage: any evidence of a camshaft replacement?
With a specialist car such as this, unless it's a 'one owner, dealer serviced' car I will make sure the owner is fairly knowledgeable. Unless the car is very cheap I am not prepared to take the consequences of neglect/incorrect handling by a clueless owner - that's how moneypits are being created.
Who serviced the car in recent years?
Any evidence of maintenance to the chassis? If yes, when was the most recent treatment (Waxoyl/whatever) and did they find any signs of trouble at that occasion?
Assuming car of decent (i.e. 'not a garage queen') mileage: any evidence of a camshaft replacement?
With a specialist car such as this, unless it's a 'one owner, dealer serviced' car I will make sure the owner is fairly knowledgeable. Unless the car is very cheap I am not prepared to take the consequences of neglect/incorrect handling by a clueless owner - that's how moneypits are being created.
900T-R said:
What I'd like to know before travelling to view an RV8 TVR apart from the usual 'getting a feel for the owner and the sort of useage the car's had'-
Who serviced the car in recent years?
Any evidence of maintenance to the chassis? If yes, when was the most recent treatment (Waxoyl/whatever) and did they find any signs of trouble at that occasion?
Assuming car of decent (i.e. 'not a garage queen') mileage: any evidence of a camshaft replacement?
With a specialist car such as this, unless it's a 'one owner, dealer serviced' car I will make sure the owner is fairly knowledgeable. Unless the car is very cheap I am not prepared to take the consequences of neglect/incorrect handling by a clueless owner - that's how moneypits are being created.
But the problem here is this is just your opinion and doesn't represent any RV8 TVR. All you're doing is suggesting interested parties should dismiss certain cars, not even consider them, because they haven't met what you consider your personal important parameters.Who serviced the car in recent years?
Any evidence of maintenance to the chassis? If yes, when was the most recent treatment (Waxoyl/whatever) and did they find any signs of trouble at that occasion?
Assuming car of decent (i.e. 'not a garage queen') mileage: any evidence of a camshaft replacement?
With a specialist car such as this, unless it's a 'one owner, dealer serviced' car I will make sure the owner is fairly knowledgeable. Unless the car is very cheap I am not prepared to take the consequences of neglect/incorrect handling by a clueless owner - that's how moneypits are being created.
Meanwhile a perfectly nice Griffith awaits sale that has no chassis corrosion issues yet it has never been Waxoyld. It's mileage is above average. Has been maintained by a really good mechanic who you've never heard of and all the owner can tell you is they haven't a clue what a camshaft is as they are not in the slightest bit knowledgeable in any way shape or form to cars. All they do know is their car looks great, drives great and they pay a chap who is great to maintain it. It just so happens after you dismissed this car someone else very knowledgeable bought it and found it to be the best example of a Griff they'd come across in at least five years. What then does this say of statements like yours which have now mislead possibly not just you but other potential buyers who might have loved this car? Opinions are like bum holes perhaps? Just saying :-)
Lady
Edited by ladygooddriver on Thursday 23 September 10:02
Edited by ladygooddriver on Thursday 23 September 10:03
ladygooddriver said:
Meanwhile a perfectly nice Griffith awaits sale that has no chassis corrosion issues yet it has never been Waxoyld.
Very unlikely. Even if it's never been out in the wet and stored in a dry garage I'd expect some corrosion issues due to the welding and powdercoating process at the factory.ladygooddriver said:
It's mileage is above average.
No problems with that. Mine is closing in on 120K. ladygooddriver said:
Has been maintained by a really good mechanic who you've never heard of and all the owner can tell you is they haven't a clue what a camshaft is as they are not in the slightest bit knowledgeable in any way shape or form to cars. All they do know is their car looks great, drives great and they pay a chap who is great to maintain it. It just so happens after you dismissed this car someone else very knowledgeable bought it and found it to be the best example of a Griff they'd come across in at least five years.
Sounds a bit like a fairytale, doesn't it? Are we still talking TVRs? 
Thing is, while the above scenario might just be feasible once in a blue moon, most of us haven't got the time to wade through hundreds of ropey cars just because the owners' view of what constitutes 'great' is a bit different from yours (and I'm far from being a pedant myself - I'd rather have an honest, solid car with stone chips, one less than perfect paint repair and a small tear in the hood that drives, tracks and brakes straight than some of the 'minters' out there).
It's just a matter of weighing up things. If a car's had very little use in recent times, I'll prepare myself for sorting a host of niggles. If it's done 85,000 miles without evidence of a camshaft change, I'll budget for the need to have one at some point in the not too distant future. If it's had a recent chassis treatment, I'm a little more hopeful that I'll get to it in time before it needs a body lift. If it's a Cat C, I'll want to have some information about the extent of the damage and the quality of the repairs.
But to jump on the next boat from the Hoek on the basis of 'Don't know nuffink about the car mate, but trust me it's fantastic?' Hmmm, let me think about that one...
Edited by 900T-R on Thursday 23 September 10:29
I think we are singing from the same hymn page here. I was trying to point out that jumping on a boat from the Hook on a wing and a prayer should be obvious not to do but it's not obvious that the odd great car awaits the person not to readily dismissal by way of questions at initial contact. Now there is a real conundrum in TVR land. You simply have to look at them is best. Having a sea between them though, I can see how that narrows things down.
Lady
Lady
Ok,lets say my car is for sale, Chimaera 500 1998 starmist silver
owners;2
Mileage 41,000
paintwork original,some paint chips
servicing always by TVR main dealers,oil usually every 3,000 miles
Chassis body off restoration 2009
Mods.cleaned out Levens,Steve Heath,Clive F,ACT of all their goodies
Suspension.New Gaz Gold
Engine.Rebuilt 2009
Stored in a heated garage.
paperwork,with accountant,knowledge of mechanical bits,zero thats why i employ garages,common sense
re mechanical bits, good.car is frequently dirty.i would say i look after the car mechanically too well !
money spent on car,too much to mention !
Would you buy my car ?
owners;2
Mileage 41,000
paintwork original,some paint chips
servicing always by TVR main dealers,oil usually every 3,000 miles
Chassis body off restoration 2009
Mods.cleaned out Levens,Steve Heath,Clive F,ACT of all their goodies
Suspension.New Gaz Gold
Engine.Rebuilt 2009
Stored in a heated garage.
paperwork,with accountant,knowledge of mechanical bits,zero thats why i employ garages,common sense
re mechanical bits, good.car is frequently dirty.i would say i look after the car mechanically too well !
money spent on car,too much to mention !
Would you buy my car ?
markreilly said:
Stored in a heated garage,with accountant,
Would you buy my car ?
was he a mechanically minded accountant?Would you buy my car ?
no matter what questions you ask you can get total bull answers....so unless you are a mind reader you have to trust what you are told. If the answer is no to any reasonable question then walk away. If it sounds like a possibility go and see it.
Read and devour all information about the model and the particular car - ask for the MOT doc ref then you can verify the MOT's online and see any fail notices HPI it.
If you aren't mechanically minded or don't actually accept that even brand new cars have foibles then pay for a reputable inspection or take someone you trust for a view/second opinion.
With the last car I bought the seller told me a work colleague wanted to buy it but that he couldn't bear to sell it to him as he thought he was an idiot and wouldn't look after the car. Total cobblers a possibility but after 4 phone calls an hour test drive and a long chat.......I believed him and I already believed in the car. Selling can be an emotional thing and being too "mechanistic" can put a seller off so they will close up on you and YOU will get mixed messages. I won't ever sell a car I care about to someone I don't like.....
ladygooddriver said:
ur punctuasion makes the discreption missleeding an somewat indisiferable wich leeds me two thinck you cant reed or rite and yur not abel two yuse a hanes manyuel so eye doent ecpect the car two bee gud eether.
Laydee
I can't actually remember the point i was making as i got interupted whilst posting, surfice to say my car does not want for anything,i'd be embarassed to say exactly what i've spent on the car,if it was for sale maybe that might put someone of the car as being too modified.Laydee
as Chewett says its very personal to me whilst not a show car and never would be,i'd be very particular who i'd sell it to and would ask top dollar for it as i know that if its needed mending,its been mended and more often that not its been replaced cause i've found a better part for it. i think my original point was surely its condition,condition,condition firstly and price second to that.certain dealers do no more than buy in,stick a high price on a car and you'd think the car was in great nick because of the price asked.
Hanes manual,whats that ? Ha Ha
ladygooddriver said:
Boys calm please. Was just a little fun. I'm sure you treat your TVR's as good as you do your other half 
No actually ! because if i went on the replace just because i,ve found a better part line of thinking ,she would never be out of the Plastic Surgeons !Edited by markreilly on Sunday 26th September 18:50
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