Another first time buyer, advice wanted

[Dan 87]

Hi all,

First time posting in the Tiv section. Been lurking around trying to learn some basic info regarding these cars.

Recently went along to TVR HHC and seen this car http://www.tvr-hhc.co.uk/UsedCars/view/497070
Reg - L444 TOY (anyone know it?)
I wouldn't be after a garage queen car as I'd been be using it as a low mileage daily. I've only really got questions about garages and support... are their any other garages in the North East (Newcastle area) for support other than HHC? The thought of having to travel down to the likes of TVR Power, str8six and v8d for common work may put me off.

If theirs also any other owners in the area that like to babble on about their car and show me around it in more detail then I'm all ears ready to learn.

Thanks for help in advance
Dan

[Big Al.]

If you need a buyers guide drop me a mail.

[Dan 87]

Big Al. said:

If you need a buyers guide drop me a mail.

YHM

So far I've only done a tyre kicking inspection. Once I get more of an idea I'll take a long of Q's to (I'll only forget some if I don't write 'em down)

[paulskel]

I was like you, I started looking at Tvr's seriously about May 2011, even though for a long time I wanted one.

I searched high and low for all the information about Tvr's and decided that I wanted a Chimaera.

I actually found mine as you can see in my profile here on Pistonheads after spending about 4 months of watching the prices.

I originally wanted an older one 94 - 95, but after a lot of home work decided it was better to invest a little more money for a later one, I bought a 1998.

I live in Sweden so it was important when I came to England that I found a good one.

Every tvr I saw I liked as they shined and sounded great, but was lucky to bring a friend who is a mechanic, and I was lucky he was there as I would of bought the first one I saw.

So my advice is take your time and do not be impressed with the first one you see, do your home work and make sure you go with someone who knows about these cars Its very Important, there are a lot of nice cars but also as I found there are alot of bad ones too


Good Luck



Paul

[DHilly]

Dan

When I was looking for mine I created a simple Excel checklist that I could print out and take with me to each viewing to make sure I didn't miss any of the crucial items.

Nothing special but PM me if you want a copy.

Good look with the search.

[phillpot]

DHilly said:

I created a simple checklist

1. Chassis
2. Chassis
3. Chassis

[TJC46]

phillpot said:

DHilly said:

I created a simple checklist

1. Chassis
2. Chassis
3. Chassis

Why? is there a problem with the chassis on these cars.....................................

[DHilly]

Dan

YHM

[Dan 87]

DHilly said:

Dan

YHM

TY

phillpot said:

1. Chassis
2. Chassis
3. Chassis

You reckon it's that simple?
Is it just because if it does need to be repaired it's a time consuming process to do? or is it that it's the most expensive repair (give or take a little)?

[900T-R]

TBH I'd be assuming that the outriggers will need to be replaced sooner rather than later nowadays (even if they look OK on a ramp - it's the bits you don't see that tend to get really ugly), unless it's already been done (to a good standard).
If it's just the usual outrigger rot, it's not such a big deal anymore - say £1.500 quid, a bit less if you make use of 'winter special' offers - which in fairness is not outside the realm of 'normal' maintenance.

In contrast, busting both headgaskets on mine due to a coolant leak that went unnoticed, lead to a complete underbonnet restauration, the total of which easily exceeded the original (modest) purchase price of the car...

[quattrophenia]

Dan 87 said:

YHM

So far I've only done a tyre kicking inspection. Once I get more of an idea I'll take a long of Q's to (I'll only forget some if I don't write 'em down)

I got no end of stick off my missus when I took the TVR bible on holiday with me and made 4 x A4 pages of things to know. It is useful to know what to lookout for but an experienced eye or a chat with current owners is also enlightening (local NE club meet?).
On the servicing/repair front, get a good one and it will be minimal.
I knew nothing about mechanical things but have got stuck into a few jobs over the last 2 years.
The main quandry I had was whether to buy from a dealer where you have some come back and get to see the car up on the ramps, or buy private and save a few £'s but struggle to inspect it/test it all properly. I went down the dealership route in the end.
I now find the thought of not owning a TVR a very boring contemplation. (See 'my garage' for more info)

[Skateboard]

Dan, bought my first TVR (4.0l Chim)back in April. Didn't know much about them but did research and had a check list. Still trying to understand my car and always willing to chat. Have joined NE TVR club who meet on 2nd Sunday of each month at the Premier Lodge hotel (old Wheatsheaf pub) at Woolsington beside Newcastle airport. Very friendly and always best place to start for advice.
Although I'm still a "novice" I'm willing to advise if possible. Just email me.I live in Hexham.

[phillpot]

Dan 87 said:

You reckon it's that simple?

He did say a simple checklist !


Realistically there are obviously dozens of things to check, all the more so if you're looking to pay top end (£10000+).At the budget end you may still wish to check as many things but must expect to find faults/issues/problems?

If you can weld a bit of outrigger rot isn't the end of the world, in fact can be a good bartering point, however if it would mean a trip to the garage it is around £1500 of work, short of a totally bocksed engine not much else would cost anywhere near that to repair (imho).

[Dan 87]

I was referring to your list of chassis, chassis, chassis.

I've got access to a welder, never used it though and wouldn't know where to start if I'm honest. I wouldn't be confident lifting the body myself to do that kind of work.

philpott said:

short of a totally bocksed engine not much else would cost anywhere near that to repair (imho).

Thats what I wanted to hear in a way. I know that these cars will have niggles but as long as the chassis isn't gunna fall apart and the engine starts and goes I'd be more than happy to fix most other things myself.

[davidindevon]

Well firstly, I do find a trip to TVR Power and V8D well worth it once in a while as I can't praise them highly enough.
Next - Chassis.. As said there are many parts which cannot be inspected and can cause problems. If you can find one that has had a replacement chassis that will give some peace of mind.
Usually engines are pretty bomb proof but you can get worn cam lobes and leaky manifolds where they are welded onto the plates that bolt to the heads.
I have had one for nearly seven years now, find it quite practical, reasonable luggage space, good hood system and haven't had the itch to change it for anything else yet.
Oh and couple of other things, I wouldn't worry about engine size - they all go but it is probably preferable to chose the facelifted version (1997 on) which has the two section front grille area, the swept up rear bonnet edge which helps with cooling and the boot with invisible hinges and extended rear lip. Also a later car is more likely to have power assisted steering. Do try a tight three point turn in car without PAS before you buy.
Good luck with that.

[900T-R]

phillpot said:

If you can weld a bit of outrigger rot isn't the end of the world, in fact can be a good bartering point, however if it would mean a trip to the garage it is around £1500 of work, short of a totally bocksed engine not much else would cost anywhere near that to repair (imho).

Erm, a camshaft change will be around £1,700 at your local friendly specialist too, and that's another item a Griffmaera is likely to need at some point... Re-bushing all eight wishbones... not likely to come down to three figures either at regular workshop rates. Et cetera.

[phillpot]

phillpot said:

not much else would cost anywhere near that to repair...... (imho).

....If you're reasonably handy with the spanners.

[900T-R]

Well I did strip back my old Saab to little more than a rolling shell and put it all back together more than once, but back then I had use of parents' driveway and garage, and it didn't matter much if the car wasn't going anywhere for months on end.
Now I only have underground parking for the Tiv and it's my only car aside from a company car that I don't use for private duties.

We can't all afford a car as a toy just to tinker with and occasionally drive...