chimaera buying help
Discussion
Just a quick question people, when i do finally find the car i want . Do i travel(probably quite far) on a Saturday (likely day) and pre-arrange with a local TVR dealer to look the car over before i buy. What if there is no reputable dealer near-by? And is Saturday a good day to do this?
Please answer the question best you can and give me some clues on any thing i may have over looked . thanks guys.
Stu- Alternatives might include using a local specialist to assist. I use SFR Engineering in Stockport but not sure who you have down there. Alternatively Rob Ingelby, who's website is www.findasportscar.co.uk. has either a full sourcing (find and inspect)or inspection service. He has a good reputation in the TVR world and will travel anywhere in the UK. Ian
Why not view the car, then if you like it, buy it on condition it has a satisfactory inspection. Then arrange the inspection dependant on where the car is (i.e. the most local reputable person). IF the car is cleared, then you can head back up the next week and pick up your new toy (also gives you time to arrange the insurance etc..).
jasandjules said:
Why not view the car, then if you like it, buy it on condition it has a satisfactory inspection.
Indeed.. I did a few inspections for people on that basis. They had aready done a "deal" on the car with the caveat that all bets were off if I found anything untoward (and on two of the occaisions I did and the deal didn't go ahead).
Cheers,
Matt
Edited by M@H on Thursday 29th June 12:27
M@H said:
jasandjules said:
Why not view the car, then if you like it, buy it on condition it has a satisfactory inspection.
Indeed.. I did a few inspections for people on that basis. They had aready done a "deal" on the car with the caveat that all bets were off if I fould anything untoward (and on two of the occaisions I did and the deal didn't go ahead).
Cheers,
Matt
Sounds like a good idea... or go to a trusted specialist/ indie who will put it on a ramp and look at it... and understand what they DO and DO NOT look at...
I have just picked up my new Chimaera, a 99 500. I was in exactly the same position as you, I am based in Lancashire and had seen a few cars I was interested in but they were all down South. I have been arund TVR's for quite a while, but not having a mechanical bone in my body there was no way I fealt confident looking at cars.
In the end I called Rob Ingleby. Rob new of both the cars I was thinking of seeing and suggested which might suit me best. He then did an inspection and only once he had given it the Ok did I go see it. Went down with a bankers draft with the intention of walking away if I had any doubts. In the end the car seemed spot on so I went for it.
Worth every penny when I looked out the window this morning and saw the sun. Drove in, roof down, past all the people in their hatch backs.... I have to work late tonight, but at least I can look forward to the drive home.
In the end I called Rob Ingleby. Rob new of both the cars I was thinking of seeing and suggested which might suit me best. He then did an inspection and only once he had given it the Ok did I go see it. Went down with a bankers draft with the intention of walking away if I had any doubts. In the end the car seemed spot on so I went for it.
Worth every penny when I looked out the window this morning and saw the sun. Drove in, roof down, past all the people in their hatch backs.... I have to work late tonight, but at least I can look forward to the drive home.
Same here - Gave Rob the spec down to the colour, age, mileage and what I was prepared to pay - Back he came with exactly the spec even down to the Estorils that I had demanded.
Top bloke, very helpful and Ive since had the car to 2 different indies who have told me its a minter :-) and its pushing out plenty of horses as proved on the rolling road weyhey.
Top bloke, very helpful and Ive since had the car to 2 different indies who have told me its a minter :-) and its pushing out plenty of horses as proved on the rolling road weyhey.
thanks for the help guys , i have found a Gold one in Northwich,Cheshire that im interested in. I live on the SE coast , lowestoft near Great Yarmouth though its going to be a long drive!. I think i will see if Rob Inglbey will have a look at it, unless any of you know the car well or someone more local who can look at it? thanks
What is the deal with pre sales checks?
If the car is viewed by someone in the 'know' and then something goes wrong with the car, is there any comeback?
Just thinking.. you could take it to Ian in Middlewich, not far away, and pay to have it given the once over, but not sure about the comeback angle, that is why you are paying someone else in the first place isn't it?
If the car is viewed by someone in the 'know' and then something goes wrong with the car, is there any comeback?
Just thinking.. you could take it to Ian in Middlewich, not far away, and pay to have it given the once over, but not sure about the comeback angle, that is why you are paying someone else in the first place isn't it?
[quote=softtop]What is the deal with pre sales checks?
If the car is viewed by someone in the 'know' and then something goes wrong with the car, is there any comeback?
Im not interested in any comebacks. The point of a pre-sale cheak is to make sure the car is CURRENTLY in the condition described.
surely thats a good idea dont you think? after all im not a TVR specialist.
thanks for the link by the way.
If the car is viewed by someone in the 'know' and then something goes wrong with the car, is there any comeback?
Im not interested in any comebacks. The point of a pre-sale cheak is to make sure the car is CURRENTLY in the condition described.
surely thats a good idea dont you think? after all im not a TVR specialist.
thanks for the link by the way.
softtop said:
If the car is viewed by someone in the 'know' and then something goes wrong with the car, is there any comeback?
In general, yes. It would depend on what went wrong with the car etc.. and how likely it is that a person exercising the due diligence and standard of care and skill the inspector professes to have, would spot the defect.
If someone holds themselves out as a checker of these cars, and the car bought is a dog whilst they proclaim it is sound, they can be liable to rectify the defects. All in theory of course.
In the main though, I think most people just want someone to check the bits they don't know about etc.. and see if they look in reasonable condition.
One word;Provenance.
Check out the cars on Pistonheads, and set yourself a budget. Don't disregard cars just over or under your target price, you may well find a bargain.
Have a good look at what cars are for sale (use this site for tips on what to look for) and have a test drive (obviously you should have a drive -make sure your insurance covers you - the old adage of "if you bend it, you've bought it" may apply otherwise!).
If all the above is ok, check the history, mot's, bills and receipts (preferably the car should have ALL of them). Also, check the number of owners and how long each has kept the car; a high turnover of owners may suggest a serious, deep-seated and expensive to fix problem.
HPi it.
If the car is up to the above, and you are in any doubt, get a specialist to check it out -ask the seller if they are prepared to have the car checked -if so tell them you will pay for the inspection if it passes and that they can pay if it 'fails' (if they say 'no', ask yourself if they know of a problem that a specialist inspec tion would reveal).
Finally;
look at the seller - I bought mine from Stuart Davidson, who was Marketing Director for a TVR dealer - an all-round, class 1, grade 'A' 24 carat decent bloke -would you invite the seller of YOUR car to your bbq etc? - (open invite Stuart!)
Check out the cars on Pistonheads, and set yourself a budget. Don't disregard cars just over or under your target price, you may well find a bargain.
Have a good look at what cars are for sale (use this site for tips on what to look for) and have a test drive (obviously you should have a drive -make sure your insurance covers you - the old adage of "if you bend it, you've bought it" may apply otherwise!).
If all the above is ok, check the history, mot's, bills and receipts (preferably the car should have ALL of them). Also, check the number of owners and how long each has kept the car; a high turnover of owners may suggest a serious, deep-seated and expensive to fix problem.
HPi it.
If the car is up to the above, and you are in any doubt, get a specialist to check it out -ask the seller if they are prepared to have the car checked -if so tell them you will pay for the inspection if it passes and that they can pay if it 'fails' (if they say 'no', ask yourself if they know of a problem that a specialist inspec tion would reveal).
Finally;
look at the seller - I bought mine from Stuart Davidson, who was Marketing Director for a TVR dealer - an all-round, class 1, grade 'A' 24 carat decent bloke -would you invite the seller of YOUR car to your bbq etc? - (open invite Stuart!)
Just remember not to buy the first one you see/drive as difficult as that will be! BTW mines for sale in the classifieds if your interested 
www.pistonheads.com/sales/85680.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/85680.htm
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