Buying a Sagaris - what to look out for?
Discussion
I'm thinking that a Sagaris might be a rather great buy at around the £50k mark, from an investment point of view my man maths has calculated it's a risk worth taking for the capital outlay and it's a car I've always wanted to own, for me it's the pinnacle of motoring theatre. My one concern is running costs and the likelihood it's going to go bang.
I'm only going to do 2-3,000 miles in it per year, tops. I guess I'm looking at around £1k for a service unless there's something major wrong with it. Are there any known issues which are likely to cost me big bucks? Also anything in particular to look out for when buying?
Edited for pictures post-purchase
I'm only going to do 2-3,000 miles in it per year, tops. I guess I'm looking at around £1k for a service unless there's something major wrong with it. Are there any known issues which are likely to cost me big bucks? Also anything in particular to look out for when buying?
Edited for pictures post-purchase
Edited by BJG1 on Monday 3rd March 17:00
Engine - the later the better but even in a Sagaris there's still the potential for it to need a rebuild.
Other than that its normal TVR stuff - mileage, history and spec but mostly...condition....and watch for crash damage...and you might have to be flexible re colours, etc to get the some of the above over aesthetics?
What you used to driving?
If your not used to TVR's or similar specialist cars consider paying a bit more and buying from a specialist with some warranty.
Other than that its normal TVR stuff - mileage, history and spec but mostly...condition....and watch for crash damage...and you might have to be flexible re colours, etc to get the some of the above over aesthetics?
What you used to driving?
If your not used to TVR's or similar specialist cars consider paying a bit more and buying from a specialist with some warranty.
Definitely not used to driving TVRs, car history has gone 1.2 Clio, 1.6 Mini to a Boxster S and this'd be a pretty big jump again.
Engine rebuilds are what worried me from reading around (and noticed a few for sale had already had one) I take it I'm looking at not getting much change from £20k if it needs one?
Engine rebuilds are what worried me from reading around (and noticed a few for sale had already had one) I take it I'm looking at not getting much change from £20k if it needs one?
By the time the Sagaris came out, the SP6 was not made from chocolate Indian steel and had (in theory) most of the design issues sorted.
What I would look for is...
Job done.
What I would look for is...
- Something that has been regularly serviced
- Something that has had a few k put on it every year
- Something that has an interior in good condition
- Colour - this is to taste. If you don't like it, respray it. Most people do
- Test drive it - see what the clutch is like. See how the gearbox responds. If it tries to play the organ everytime you change gear, especially with reverse, then the gearbox or clutch might need work. Check you like the T5 gearbox. It is agricultural to put it politely.
- Be aware of what you are buying - it is a TVR. As such, will have its own... "character"
- Servicing costs are relatively cheap. Specialists are plenty, parts are available.
- Don't bother with those aftermarket warranties (ain't worth the paper they're written on). If you buy a TVR from a dealer, then those warranties are worth something (assuming you get it from a good TVR dealer).
- Get the dealer to sort out as many things as you can before buying it
- Get it inspected by another TVR specialist dealer, most of them have a service to do inspections. Don't bother with AA inspections etc. Get it done by people who know what to look for.
Job done.
BJG1 said:
Engine rebuilds are what worried me from reading around (and noticed a few for sale had already had one) I take it I'm looking at not getting much change from £20k if it needs one?
Not at all, drive in drive out standard rebuild with 3yr warranty from TVR power is £5,400. Probably wise to budget a little more but no where near your £20k figureBJG1 said:
Definitely not used to driving TVRs, car history has gone 1.2 Clio, 1.6 Mini to a Boxster S and this'd be a pretty big jump again.
Engine rebuilds are what worried me from reading around (and noticed a few for sale had already had one) I take it I'm looking at not getting much change from £20k if it needs one?
If its had an engine rebuild already from Str8Six or TVR Power. Don't have any fears.Engine rebuilds are what worried me from reading around (and noticed a few for sale had already had one) I take it I'm looking at not getting much change from £20k if it needs one?
If it hasn't, keep £6-8k aside in case you need one.
In theory you won't, but like most things, it depends. Having a Sagaris doesn't automatically mean the engine will explode within 6 months
Fantastic cars, will feel a bit hardcore compared to a BoxS, real drivers car think 996 gt3, standard rebuilds around 7k all in, upgraded rebuilds 10/15k and will give around 50lbft 20/50bhp more over a standard rebuild, mine is 60k+ and still running sweet.
Str8six have a good rep with good back up but you will be lucky to get a good Sag from them for 50k
Great investment and I can see prices up around 100k+ for good unmolested Sags in a few years,
Good luck.
Str8six have a good rep with good back up but you will be lucky to get a good Sag from them for 50k
Great investment and I can see prices up around 100k+ for good unmolested Sags in a few years,
Good luck.
BJG1 said:
Cheers guys, some really helpful advice. Sounds like I should definitely be buying from a specialist dealer, str8 Six have a couple of lovely examples, one with a 2 year warranty on it, although they're top dollar price wise. Will mull this one over for a week or so!
2 dealer Sags recently sold for 60k, low mileage cars with good colours.WolfyJones said:
2 dealer Sags recently sold for 60k, low mileage cars with good colours.
Good to know. There's a couple in the classifieds that I've got my eye on that are low mileage, great colours and under £60k... I definitely think this is a car on the rise in value for the next couple of years. Don't be afraid to travel to look at a car that takes your eye - TrackVRoad sell well sorted and lovely cars too if you don't find what you want nearer to home, and are a honest bunch of guys. Str8Six are pretty highly recommended as per previous posts too.
I think only one Sagaris engine has actually gone bang to date.... and the overall build quality for Sags is much much better that earlier T cars too.
I think only one Sagaris engine has actually gone bang to date.... and the overall build quality for Sags is much much better that earlier T cars too.
And that one engine was my one. Car was serviced regularly, looked after well etc etc. That being said as I look back there are some things I wish I had done before buying. One is get a TVR specialist to give it a complete check.....
Even though my engine went pop I believe the bulk of these cars are solid and should not give you concerns.....and even if it does go pop the cost is not massive to rebuild compared to some high performance cars. Unless you decide to go a bit silly on the upgrade choice.
My view is if you buy at £50k put £10k in for the engine and keep it for a few years you should get near £60k for it with a rebuild...not many up for sale and even less with a rebuild.
With all the grief of my engine would I ever buy another TVR?....you bet. I don't believe there is a car out there that comes close to the Sagaris on a load of levels. Nothing looks like it, nothing sounds like it, nothing will ever get the amount of adoration and if they do retain their value then it's cheap motoring......unless you decide to go for big power then it gets silly.
Even though my engine went pop I believe the bulk of these cars are solid and should not give you concerns.....and even if it does go pop the cost is not massive to rebuild compared to some high performance cars. Unless you decide to go a bit silly on the upgrade choice.
My view is if you buy at £50k put £10k in for the engine and keep it for a few years you should get near £60k for it with a rebuild...not many up for sale and even less with a rebuild.
With all the grief of my engine would I ever buy another TVR?....you bet. I don't believe there is a car out there that comes close to the Sagaris on a load of levels. Nothing looks like it, nothing sounds like it, nothing will ever get the amount of adoration and if they do retain their value then it's cheap motoring......unless you decide to go for big power then it gets silly.
Just to add a further spanner in the works. Many of the Sag's that come up for sale privately at around the late 40's or early 50's or even late 50's, f_ _k it even late 60's, will be cars that have got FSH and are currently serviced by the recommended specialist dealers that are mentioned on here on a yearly basis, this is probably accurate for 99% of us Sag owners.
So the point I am trying to make is yes the dealer option is great because of all the reasons which we know off, BUT!!!!!!!!! there are some great deals to be had by some of the private sales. And for the record NO mine is NOT for sale. So spend 50K on a private sale and this should Bag you a super car and simply put away 2k per year for services, niggles and the occasional upgrade.
Simples!!!
Most importantly make sure it's Green.
So the point I am trying to make is yes the dealer option is great because of all the reasons which we know off, BUT!!!!!!!!! there are some great deals to be had by some of the private sales. And for the record NO mine is NOT for sale. So spend 50K on a private sale and this should Bag you a super car and simply put away 2k per year for services, niggles and the occasional upgrade.
Simples!!!
Most importantly make sure it's Green.
mr lock pick said:
Most importantly make sure it's Green.
If I could find one in the same colour as yours that'd be ideal but it seems a case of checking the classifieds every week until a good colour comes up. Currently a nice blue and red available but ideally I'd want something more lairy. The only green one at the mo is a horrid colour.Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff