Viewing a likely candidate tomorrow......

[wwesty]

At last I've found what looks like a good example, for the right sort of money, and its under an hour away from me!!!

So, remind me guys....

ignore the awesome sound.....
ignore the stunning performance....
pay no attention to the classic lines....

check chassis/wishbones/bushes/springs/dampers
check rear axle isn't noisy
check water temp. is 70-80 and fan cuts in at 90
check rad. and hoses for leaks
check oil pressure is 25-30
check it restarts ok when hot
check it idles at 1000rpm
check tyres are worn evenly and are correct
check g'box is smooth and no clonks
check brakes are smooth, don't pull and no judder
check all gauges & switches working
check interior for signs of leaks
check door and window seals
check alarm works
check bodywork

........check....

What have I forgotten......???

Excited? Moi? You bet!!

[jeremyc]

Check the previous owner(s) if possible: how do they treat the car, are they enthusiasts, have they maintained it properly, do they understand the importance of warming it up before giving it beans etc.

The nut behind the wheel often says an awful lot about the condition of the car.

>> Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 16th September 14:32

[wwesty]

Cheers Jeremy - well said!

Great Stable you have there!

[chris_chim]

Check upper front wishbone bushes (i.e. not touching chassis, ideally with thrust washers fitted). Just cost me an arm and a leg to replace all with poly bushes on an otherwise A1 car bought earlier this year, still think I got a reasonable deal though.
Apparently the TVR rubber bushes are only good for 30Kish.

[Tyre Smoke]

Make sure it's cold when you get there (i.e. not been pre-warmed). Check the dip stick (this says a lot about the owner's attention to detail). Check the wheels for kerb scuffing. Ask if there has been any bodywork repairs (Even if it's immaculate). Check for evidence of oil leaks where it's been parked (they all leak a bit generally - mine did). Lastly (apart from all you listed) ask about any anomolies (late style door opening mechanism with early front style for example)

Oh, and lastly,lastly don't buy the first one you drive! (I bought the second!)

[TVR+Bubblecar]

Don't forget to stand back and look at the panels. Quite often any repaired/resprayed panels show up as the light reflection changes

Good luck !

Chris

[pzero64]

wwesty said:

At last I've found what looks like a good example, for the right sort of money, and its under an hour away from me!!! So, remind me guys.... Check the awesome sound..... Check the stunning performance.... Pay attention to the classic lines.... Ignore chassis/wishbones/bushes/springs/dampers Ignore rear axle isn't noisy Ignore water temp. is 70-80 and fan cuts in at 90 Ignore rad. and hoses for leaks Ignore oil pressure is 25-30 Ignore it restarts ok when hot Ignore it idles at 1000rpm Ignore tyres are worn evenly and are correct Ignore g'box is smooth and no clonks Ignore brakes are smooth, don't pull and no judder Ignore all gauges & switches working Ignore interior for signs of leaks Ignore door and window seals Ignore alarm works Ignore bodywork ........check.... What have I forgotten......??? Go to view after dark!!

[stephen pook]

This might sound obvious but you havn't mentioned the hood.

Pay particular attention to the stitching around the rear screen. On mine the exterior was fine but the interior trim around the screen was scruffy. I took a flier on it as the outside it seemed ok. I coated with fabsil a couple of times and it is totally waterproof but maybe I was just lucky.

If the seller says it doesn't leek ask if you can test it with a hose (gently and from above). A new hood will set you back about £500!

Lastly I would suggest you get a TVR expert to check it over. Much better than an AA inspection or similar. I used Philip Reyegate at www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk who is based in Surrey. Depending on where the car is I believe there are several out there who will provide a similar service.

Happy hunting mate and if you find a good one you won't regret it!!

Steve.

[Pies]

Check the past service/mot docs as these point to things that have been done, and things that will soon need attention

[victormeldrew]

Check the windows wind up and down properly, and meet the seal evenly.

Check the windscreen for signs of delamination around the base.

From your list it looks like you know where to look and roughly what to look for. If you haven't looked at many or driven many you will want a second opinion from an "expert" as mentioned, but otherwise its common sense and you should be fine!

Happy hunting!

[madant69]

Always be suspicious of light conversions - they might indicate the vehicle has recently been involved in a near death experience.

D'OH!!

[M@H]

chris_chim said:

Check upper front wishbone bushes (i.e. not touching chassis, ideally with thrust washers fitted). Just cost me an arm and a leg to replace all with poly bushes on an otherwise A1 car bought earlier this year, still think I got a reasonable deal though..

Top Marks.. this car is suffering with that problem.. I've already told Chris it will need new upper wishbone bushes. (and a new steering rack before long, and the tyres are not Z rated..)Chris - also do quiz him a bit more about the Peugeot servicing.. I'm not convinced by a Peugeot stamp in a TVR book, if in doubt ring up the bloke who did the servicing too and find out exactly what his TVR experience is..

Cheers,
Matt.

>> Edited by M@H on Friday 17th September 08:46

[M@H]

wwesty said:

At last I've found what looks like a good example, for the right sort of money, and its under an hour away from me!!!

mmmm..

[Corin Denton]

M@H said:

Chris - also do quiz him a bit more about the Peugeot servicing.. I'm not convinced by a Peugeot stamp in a TVR book, if in doubt ring up the bloke who did the servicing too and find out exactly what his TVR experience is.. Cheers, Matt. >> Edited by M@H on Friday 17th September 08:46

That would put me off straight away I'm sorry, there's loads out there - keep looking.

[hut49]

M@H said:

and the tyres are not Z rated..

Couldn't that invalidate the insurance??

[M@H]

The "problem" is that wwesty is after the same thing as nearly everyone else, an good car for rock bottom price. His absolute max is around £10k and he's hoping to spend much closer to 9k on a car and also doesn't want to treck around the country too much to look at them.

With that in mind, he's going to end up looking at cars which all have some good and bad points (otherwise they'd cost more) so its a case of weighing up which bad points are rectifiable or can be lived with, and which can't.

WIth regards to this car, bad points are; the wishbones need re-bushing, the steering rack will need replacing at some point in the future, the roof leaks a bit, its got the wrong (although new) tyres on it, and although it has a full service history, the last stamp was from a Peugeot garage although apparently the mechanic has a lot of experience of TVRS (ex TVR indie from memory)

The good points are that it appears to be straight, it is apparently HPI clear, its been f/e resprayed and is generally in good condition, the outriggers are good and solid, the wishbones themselves need a hammeriting but will last for a long while yet, and its had an engine rebuild (under warranty) around 18,000 miles ago.

For the right price this car is worth considering IMO.

Cheers
Matt.

[wwesty]

Thanks guys for all the input.

As you have seen, Matt has already been of great assistance to me for which I am extremely grateful. Its just the kind of spirit and help that exists in the Westfield community and its great that it exists here too.

Matt, Ok, I know you "reminded" me about this car...but I had "found" it previously myself.....!!!

Cheers again everyone - will let you know how I get on.

P.S. I'd only consider a light conversion one if it had decent alloys on it.........;-)

>> Edited by wwesty on Friday 17th September 14:14

[MOD500]

All points considered it sounds like a fair deal, the main thing is you are going in with eyes wide open

Hope you like it!!


MOD.

>> Edited by MOD500 on Friday 17th September 15:10

[madant69]

Keep us updated matey!

Oh yeah....Sarah wants a word with you...

You have a passport, right?

[wwesty]

madant69 said:

Keep us updated matey! Oh yeah....Sarah wants a word with you... You have a passport, right?

.....dum, dum, dum de dum dum de dum dah dah, dah dah, de dah......suitcase, marmalade, hat, duffle coat, welly's.....think that's everything...