Advice for a TVR novice
Discussion
Used Rob Ingleby's services 4 years ago to buy my Griff 500. Excellent service - he really knows his Tivs and, because he's driving lots of different ones all the time, he knows which are really good, just ok or c**p!!!
Well worth the investment with him. Give him a call and let him know what you're looking for (spec, colour etc) and he'll come up with the goods
Well worth the investment with him. Give him a call and let him know what you're looking for (spec, colour etc) and he'll come up with the goods
Yes, good idea in my opinion especially if you are a mechanical numpty or lack the time and inclination to go looking at lots of cars
Just coming up to 12 months since I got mine through Rob. Car has been perfect - no failures or breakdowns of any sort.
Reckon you can save most of his fee just on the petrol you would spend going to look at the many cars most people recommend you inspoect before buying. He also got my car at a very good price.
LF
Just coming up to 12 months since I got mine through Rob. Car has been perfect - no failures or breakdowns of any sort.
Reckon you can save most of his fee just on the petrol you would spend going to look at the many cars most people recommend you inspoect before buying. He also got my car at a very good price.
LF
Well to start a list going:-
1) Have a good look at the chassis behind the front wheels and ahead of the rears, grit and mud tends to gather there and the chassis can rust badly.
2) Despite what you may hear, TVR V8s should not overheat, allow the engine to get fully up to working temp and see if teh fsans are cutting in and out properly at around 90 deg.
Rich...
1) Have a good look at the chassis behind the front wheels and ahead of the rears, grit and mud tends to gather there and the chassis can rust badly.
2) Despite what you may hear, TVR V8s should not overheat, allow the engine to get fully up to working temp and see if teh fsans are cutting in and out properly at around 90 deg.
Rich...
coach john said:
Where abouts are you based... if you're around Essex, I'm happy to take you for a blat / give you the lowdown.
Many thanks for the offer, pity I'm in Gateshead, North East England otherwise I would have took you up on that.
cheers,
John
My advice:
1) Search the forums, this question comes up a lot. Check both Griff and Chim forums, they are essentially the same car underneath.
2) Get yourself a copy of Steve Heath's book on the cars - available at the TVR Car Club site - don't buy elsewhere before you've checked the price at the car club..!
3) There are plenty of good cars out there, but also plenty of ropey ones. AA / RAC inspections really aren't cut out for the specialist nature of these cars. I would always recommend you get a TVR garage or independent to check a prospective purchase - these people can tell you what is wrong and how much it costs to fix.
4) Establish the costs involved. If you want to scare the living sh*t out of yourself, look at my profile. I run a Chimaera 4.5 on a daily basis... done about 15k miles in a year.
5) Things DO go wrong. Preventative maintainence is the key. Be liberal with your wallet and you will be rewarded with smiles.
Rob saved me from buying a Tuscan which had been crash damaged (Owner told me it had had a very minor bump) which resulted in the distance between the wheels on the drivers side was one cm shorter than the nearside. In other words a disaster waiting tom happen and a car which looked and drove normally but was in fact very unsafe. I can also recommend Perry at the V8 to check out the state of the mechanics on any TVR. They are bith great guys and the sort of guys who show up the lack of real commitment from a lot of authorised dealers who are just in it for the money.
chimaera5.0 said:
Rob saved me from buying a Tuscan which had been crash damaged (Owner told me it had had a very minor bump) which resulted in the distance between the wheels on the drivers side was one cm shorter than the nearside. In other words a disaster waiting tom happen and a car which looked and drove normally but was in fact very unsafe. I can also recommend Perry at the V8 to check out the state of the mechanics on any TVR. They are bith great guys and the sort of guys who show up the lack of real commitment from a lot of authorised dealers who are just in it for the money.
Wouldn't an HPI have told you it was damaged...?
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