Anyone used this guy to inspect a car before?
Discussion
http://www.findasportscar.co.uk/
just wondered if anybody has used Rob Ingleby to carry out an inspection before? If so was it value for money etc? I know my way around a car but a big part of me thinks that with stuff like chims it would worth it for the added piece of mind.
just wondered if anybody has used Rob Ingleby to carry out an inspection before? If so was it value for money etc? I know my way around a car but a big part of me thinks that with stuff like chims it would worth it for the added piece of mind.
SILICONEKID346HP said:
I would happily buy a Chimaera without a specialist ,nothing complicated about these cars .
Totally agree with that, although not complicated the part I liked on his website was the high lift jacks to raise the vehiclle up enough to thoroughly examine the underside, although you could argue that you could get the car to a workshop and chuck them a drink for using the ramp for 10 minutes ? Just remember it's easy to pass of an already good car, where an inspector earns their money is when they spot the lemons.
This bloke does NOT offer any firm of warranty or guarantee on his inspections which should tell you something. Ask 'an inspector' if he's settled out of court for failed inspections in the past....
This bloke does NOT offer any firm of warranty or guarantee on his inspections which should tell you something. Ask 'an inspector' if he's settled out of court for failed inspections in the past....
Edited by Zippee on Sunday 23 February 21:13
SILICONEKID346HP said:
I would happily buy a Chimaera without a specialist ,nothing complicated about these cars .
True, but you've had a lot of experience in comparison. Given the same experience, I would approach a prospective car in a whole new light. Not so easy without that experience!I had a choice of two cars when I was looking. I asked Rob to inspect one and due to his report I brought the car I now own. I did a lot of research on the cars and viewed six in a week but I'm not handy with a spanner so his advice was well worth the fee IMO.
The car I brought was from a specialist, the other was a private sale but the car had no tax or MOT so Rob was able to drive it under his insurance and give an expert opinion. In the end it wasn't for me so I brought the one from the specialists.
The car I brought was from a specialist, the other was a private sale but the car had no tax or MOT so Rob was able to drive it under his insurance and give an expert opinion. In the end it wasn't for me so I brought the one from the specialists.
Hello
Rob inspected the Chim I sold late 2010. If you know nothing about cars then its a good start.
He turned up with a trolley jack and small axel stands to inspect the underside.
He just basically said a car of this age might need a body lift like we all know and didn't give any guarantee on the chassis. The guy who bought it did do a body lift and the out riggers were "starting" to go. Willow at Newark, Nick Day was brilliant
The rest of if is fairly basic stuff IMOP that if you know your way around a Chim isn't rocket science.
As you've probably read I've just bought a 450, the owner had arranged with a local garage for the use a ramp, having owned one before I had a fairly good idea where to look and was able to spend a good 20 mins or so having a really good look
My advice would be write a check list, as when you get there you'll see, you'll hear and forget what you should really be looking at!
Good luck in your search I know how difficult it is
Rob inspected the Chim I sold late 2010. If you know nothing about cars then its a good start.
He turned up with a trolley jack and small axel stands to inspect the underside.
He just basically said a car of this age might need a body lift like we all know and didn't give any guarantee on the chassis. The guy who bought it did do a body lift and the out riggers were "starting" to go. Willow at Newark, Nick Day was brilliant
The rest of if is fairly basic stuff IMOP that if you know your way around a Chim isn't rocket science.
As you've probably read I've just bought a 450, the owner had arranged with a local garage for the use a ramp, having owned one before I had a fairly good idea where to look and was able to spend a good 20 mins or so having a really good look
My advice would be write a check list, as when you get there you'll see, you'll hear and forget what you should really be looking at!
Good luck in your search I know how difficult it is
Chuffmeister said:
True, but you've had a lot of experience in comparison. Given the same experience, I would approach a prospective car in a whole new light. Not so easy without that experience!
I`m no mechanic and have made stupid mistakes in the past . I have looked at two cars for other people and both were very happy ,one of them is Olevix .I would happily look at cars within a reasonable distance for free... I would say other TVR owners would do the same ..
SILICONEKID346HP said:
I`m no mechanic and have made stupid mistakes in the past . I have looked at two cars for other people and both were very happy ,one of them is Olevix .
I would happily look at cars within a reasonable distance for free... I would say other TVR owners would do the same ..
Not anywhere near Gloucester are you by any chance? I would happily look at cars within a reasonable distance for free... I would say other TVR owners would do the same ..
I used Rob over 10 years ago when I bought my first Cerbera.I didn't know much about them,just wanted one.It was only 3 years old,but for sale at a none TVR garage.So used him for piece of mind as I was handing over £20k+ of my hard earned cash.Turned out to be a minter,as I say tho it was only 3 years old an very low mileage 11k.
Rob ingleby inspected my car before I bought it in 2012. I know my way round a car too but if you've never owned a TVR before (like me) then your unlikely to really know the parts to concentrate on, even if you've read up about it and done your home work. (Like me.)1
The previous owner commented on how thorough Rob was, with axles stands etc and a full test drive. In short, I used Rob's report as an excellent bargaining tool and settled at a good price.
The cost of the report was more than paid for by the discount I negotiated. Thoroughly recommended.
The previous owner commented on how thorough Rob was, with axles stands etc and a full test drive. In short, I used Rob's report as an excellent bargaining tool and settled at a good price.
The cost of the report was more than paid for by the discount I negotiated. Thoroughly recommended.
As posted I do not think that Rob is doing inspections anymore. If he is then let us know!
If this is the case and you still want an inspection your best bet would be to contact a nearby respected TVR specialist garager and ask them to give it the once over on the ramps. Most will do this for a fee.
If this is the case and you still want an inspection your best bet would be to contact a nearby respected TVR specialist garager and ask them to give it the once over on the ramps. Most will do this for a fee.
I've heard that Rob has stopped too, but only through these pages.
If you google his name, his company still pops up at the top of the page, which is http://www.findasportscar.co.uk (Although I'm not sure I've got the hang of this link lark, but you get the gist!)
Suggest you drop him a line and see for yourself.
If you google his name, his company still pops up at the top of the page, which is http://www.findasportscar.co.uk (Although I'm not sure I've got the hang of this link lark, but you get the gist!
)Suggest you drop him a line and see for yourself.
pjac67 said:
Do you have a link to the car?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-TVR-CHIMAERA-MET-BR-GREEN-SPORTS-CAR-stunning-condition-LOW-MILEAGE/301104290376?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20494%26meid%3D5069790428366407056%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D9150%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D111284687597Here is the link to the car in question, had a massive conversation with the owner this morning, lovely guy and is a mechanic that owns his own garage business. Car sounds absolutely spot on and I have made the arrangements to see it first thing on Saturday morning, I did try to get there in the week but he said due to him running the business and working long hours it isn't available to view mid week anyway, so fingers crossed.
What is good is that he is going to meet me at his work then obviously we have the use of the lifts etc to give it a thorough going over - can't wait!
Edited by mattgtd on Monday 24th February 21:06
If you don't mind me asking; what price range you looking for ?
I was aghast at the lemons I saw in the 8-12k region.
I walked away from one without a test drive because it stank, like it had been pissed in.. a year ago. - everything was sodden and the dash was fogged.
I refused to drive two after being a passenger since I could feel horrible wallowing.
I turned two more down after driving them - just didn't feel right didn't accelerate or break in a straight line or the gears / clutch / response / idle felt so wrong I could agree with it.
I drove / passenger in a couple of 18k+ specialist dealer cars to get my mind steady on what they could feel like.
Then, weirdly, I bought one without driving it, just a passenger. Did the basic checks as you can, spotted a few things but what I liked was the bloke drove it like he trusted it. Like you would drive a Fiesta. It was solid, and quiet.
It's quieter on the B roads round here (save the Engine, obviously) than my 4 year old Vrs - it never ceases to go straight or stop straight and feels ... well... solid - in every respect. Exactly as it did as a passenger when I first went for a spin.
I entered the market with 12-13k wanting to buy around 10k to leave room for the inevitable. I have spent the difference easily, but on things which would mostly be around the corner anyway - top end rebuild, decat, new chip and tune - cam being reported as very good condition was a relief but I have a list 20 long on things I would 'like' - none that I 'need'
I was aghast at the lemons I saw in the 8-12k region.
I walked away from one without a test drive because it stank, like it had been pissed in.. a year ago. - everything was sodden and the dash was fogged.
I refused to drive two after being a passenger since I could feel horrible wallowing.
I turned two more down after driving them - just didn't feel right didn't accelerate or break in a straight line or the gears / clutch / response / idle felt so wrong I could agree with it.
I drove / passenger in a couple of 18k+ specialist dealer cars to get my mind steady on what they could feel like.
Then, weirdly, I bought one without driving it, just a passenger. Did the basic checks as you can, spotted a few things but what I liked was the bloke drove it like he trusted it. Like you would drive a Fiesta. It was solid, and quiet.
It's quieter on the B roads round here (save the Engine, obviously) than my 4 year old Vrs - it never ceases to go straight or stop straight and feels ... well... solid - in every respect. Exactly as it did as a passenger when I first went for a spin.
I entered the market with 12-13k wanting to buy around 10k to leave room for the inevitable. I have spent the difference easily, but on things which would mostly be around the corner anyway - top end rebuild, decat, new chip and tune - cam being reported as very good condition was a relief but I have a list 20 long on things I would 'like' - none that I 'need'
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