Advice please on my first Chim!
Discussion
First post in one of the hallowed TVR forums so please be gentle!
Been to see this Chim today. In brief it's a 400HC, BRG, 35k, 95M.
Good points:
- full TVR history, serviced every 6 months regardless of mileage
- reasonable amount of extra receipts for various things
- HPI clear (although check was done on its previous personal plate so would want to do a new one)
- sounds
- drives very nicely
- oil press stable at around 60psi
- temp steady at about 75deg on a run
- had flat battery but started instantly on a booster pack. nice idle, no significant hunting
- gearbox heavy but no nasty noises and no problem selecting all gears
- bodywork good, couple of stonechips but nothing horrific
- chassis looked good but no evidence of waxoyl - I would want to get it on a ramp before going any further
- good pull (40-85 in 4th plenty swift)
- new alternator
- clearly had recent oil change
- no mayo on rad cap
- all electrics seemed fine
- no obvious leaks underneath, and engine bay clean
- chassis numbers check out
- alloys immaculate, space-saver spare present and correct
Not so good points (this is the stuff I'm looking for advice on really
):
- had been parked up in a lockup for a while and was quite damp and a bit of mould on the seatbelts and steering wheel. Had been stored with the carpets out to keep them dry. Will it survive on my drive? Garage simply isn't big enough.
- seal on the roof panel looked a bit iffy - can these be easily replaced?
- both external door buttons didn't work, drivers one was stuck down. Dealer said they just needed lubing. Bit unsure about this as how else do you get in if they keep failing?! Internal door release worked perfectly though.
- interior needs a bloody good valet, probably because it's been stored for a while
- no PAS but steering didn't seem too heavy to me, although Mrs Miniman would struggle hugely
- no Leven bits
Dealer is asking £10k for it with a 3 month warranty. He said he'd go to £9,500 but beyond that he'd just wait until summer as he's not in a mad rush to sell. Won't budge on the warranty either, as it's a 12 year old car - I can see his point on this. I've bought from him before and he's a decent chap, and I don't think he's bluffing on his bottom line. He also confirmed that my Audi ain't worth what I want for it (I knew this already if I'm honest with myself).
Options are:
- chop in Audi and make up the difference
- keep the Audi and raid the piggy bank (at least, the bank's piggy bank)
- walk away
Heart says
head says... the wife will kill you!
Any advice welcomed
Been to see this Chim today. In brief it's a 400HC, BRG, 35k, 95M.
Good points:
- full TVR history, serviced every 6 months regardless of mileage
- reasonable amount of extra receipts for various things
- HPI clear (although check was done on its previous personal plate so would want to do a new one)
- sounds
- drives very nicely
- oil press stable at around 60psi
- temp steady at about 75deg on a run
- had flat battery but started instantly on a booster pack. nice idle, no significant hunting
- gearbox heavy but no nasty noises and no problem selecting all gears
- bodywork good, couple of stonechips but nothing horrific
- chassis looked good but no evidence of waxoyl - I would want to get it on a ramp before going any further
- good pull (40-85 in 4th plenty swift)
- new alternator
- clearly had recent oil change
- no mayo on rad cap
- all electrics seemed fine
- no obvious leaks underneath, and engine bay clean
- chassis numbers check out
- alloys immaculate, space-saver spare present and correct
Not so good points (this is the stuff I'm looking for advice on really
): - had been parked up in a lockup for a while and was quite damp and a bit of mould on the seatbelts and steering wheel. Had been stored with the carpets out to keep them dry. Will it survive on my drive? Garage simply isn't big enough.
- seal on the roof panel looked a bit iffy - can these be easily replaced?
- both external door buttons didn't work, drivers one was stuck down. Dealer said they just needed lubing. Bit unsure about this as how else do you get in if they keep failing?! Internal door release worked perfectly though.
- interior needs a bloody good valet, probably because it's been stored for a while
- no PAS but steering didn't seem too heavy to me, although Mrs Miniman would struggle hugely
- no Leven bits
Dealer is asking £10k for it with a 3 month warranty. He said he'd go to £9,500 but beyond that he'd just wait until summer as he's not in a mad rush to sell. Won't budge on the warranty either, as it's a 12 year old car - I can see his point on this. I've bought from him before and he's a decent chap, and I don't think he's bluffing on his bottom line. He also confirmed that my Audi ain't worth what I want for it (I knew this already if I'm honest with myself).
Options are:
- chop in Audi and make up the difference
- keep the Audi and raid the piggy bank (at least, the bank's piggy bank)
- walk away
Heart says
head says... the wife will kill you! Any advice welcomed
andy-w said:
4ltr HC...very good model...probably the best IIRC...??? especially in rosso red (special additive in the paint makes them 10% faster than all the other colors)
sounds like the pros out do the cons...!!!
Go for it!!!
especially in rosso red (special additive in the paint makes them 10% faster than all the other colors) sounds like the pros out do the cons...!!!
Go for it!!!
Ah, but have I thought of all the cons?!
Sounds like you had a nightmare with yours - this is what I'm hoping to avoid. I know my way around cars in general, but compared to Minis and old Triumphs, this is somewhat more complex territory for me!
Time for being very disciplined I think. How many others have you driven to compare how it drives? Believe me they all pull well compared to general cars, audis included, it's only when you've been in several that you get to sense (hear, feel and (if you're a fanatic) taste) differences. You tried all the gears - including reverse? Often missed.
If it smells musty (and the footwell carpets have been stored separately) I would be concerned why the previous owner paid out for servicing every six months and yet did nothing (or everything!) to stop the leaks. Musty cars would be a huge turn off for me as a buyer and valeting isn't going to rid the smell. You'll need a full re-carpet. Not especially expensive but another thing to add to the post-purchase price.
I reckon the price is right at the top end of the market and I would want all the faults rectified before I'd pay 9.5k.
Hope you find what you're looking for
If it smells musty (and the footwell carpets have been stored separately) I would be concerned why the previous owner paid out for servicing every six months and yet did nothing (or everything!) to stop the leaks. Musty cars would be a huge turn off for me as a buyer and valeting isn't going to rid the smell. You'll need a full re-carpet. Not especially expensive but another thing to add to the post-purchase price.
I reckon the price is right at the top end of the market and I would want all the faults rectified before I'd pay 9.5k.
Hope you find what you're looking for
hut49 said:
Time for being very disciplined I think. How many others have you driven to compare how it drives? Believe me they all pull well compared to general cars, audis included, it's only when you've been in several that you get to sense (hear, feel and (if you're a fanatic) taste) differences. You tried all the gears - including reverse? Often missed.
If it smells musty (and the footwell carpets have been stored separately) I would be concerned why the previous owner paid out for servicing every six months and yet did nothing (or everything!) to stop the leaks. Musty cars would be a huge turn off for me as a buyer and valeting isn't going to rid the smell. You'll need a full re-carpet. Not especially expensive but another thing to add to the post-purchase price.
I reckon the price is right at the top end of the market and I would want all the faults rectified before I'd pay 9.5k.
Hope you find what you're looking for
If it smells musty (and the footwell carpets have been stored separately) I would be concerned why the previous owner paid out for servicing every six months and yet did nothing (or everything!) to stop the leaks. Musty cars would be a huge turn off for me as a buyer and valeting isn't going to rid the smell. You'll need a full re-carpet. Not especially expensive but another thing to add to the post-purchase price.
I reckon the price is right at the top end of the market and I would want all the faults rectified before I'd pay 9.5k.
Hope you find what you're looking for
Yep, tried all gears including reverse. First TVR I've driven so I will definitely try some others before taking the plunge.
It was previously garaged so I think the damp has come about since the dealer has had it - it was in a garage but with the roof off, presumably so they could get in and out of it due to the dodgy door handles.
As Hut says, drive some more, there are plenty out there. At the moment £10k is at the top end of the scale for that age, especially when you may need carpets (up to £1k) Also I would be unsure about the service every 6 months if the chassis has no sign of any waxoil as I would have thought this should have been done at some point? You will know when you have found the right car, it just feels right! Good luck! 
as with all the others drive as many as possible.
I take it you had a look at my profile???
Unfortunately i was bitten by a very dodgy bloke up here in the north east who i now know has ripped off at least 4 people selling not up to scratch TVR's.
Luckily i am in a position where i can do all the work myself so it doesnt cost me much to run. Definately go on condition...service history can be all well and good but no-one services the top of the outriggers!!!
I take it you had a look at my profile???
Unfortunately i was bitten by a very dodgy bloke up here in the north east who i now know has ripped off at least 4 people selling not up to scratch TVR's.
Luckily i am in a position where i can do all the work myself so it doesnt cost me much to run. Definately go on condition...service history can be all well and good but no-one services the top of the outriggers!!!
My mate picked this 1997 4.0 up on Saturday for £9500. 29k miles, very clean, very tidy, very smooth (the car, not me mate!)
mate's car here
you may find that the little jobs that you would want doing, including potential new carpets may add up to a fair bit before you even start on servicing and mechanicals.
I would say nearer £9,000 ...however, if it checks out as a genuinely good car mechanically and bodily then it may be worthwhile not losing the car for the sake of £500.
mate's car here
you may find that the little jobs that you would want doing, including potential new carpets may add up to a fair bit before you even start on servicing and mechanicals.
I would say nearer £9,000 ...however, if it checks out as a genuinely good car mechanically and bodily then it may be worthwhile not losing the car for the sake of £500.
Dealer ; lock-up...
There are plenty of good private cars around, which at least you can glean the history of they are on here...
I wouldn't advise buying one from a main dealer (cos of the premium), but a non specialist dealer, warranty (lots of tales of woe...)? Buy from the owner face to face, you'll get far better idea of the condition IMHO.
Dave
There are plenty of good private cars around, which at least you can glean the history of they are on here...
I wouldn't advise buying one from a main dealer (cos of the premium), but a non specialist dealer, warranty (lots of tales of woe...)? Buy from the owner face to face, you'll get far better idea of the condition IMHO.
Dave
Doors not opening,damp,musty smells?
Any reputable dealer would have addressed these issues prior to presentation.
Carry on looking,as said previously,too much for year.Get to your local TVRCC meet and ask around,somebody might be willing to point you in the right direction,good luck.
AL
I would struggle to pay £10k for a 95 car, it isn't even perfect.
Two things to consider - if you have a change of heart and decide to sell it sooner than you might have planned to what would someone pay YOU for it and secondly there are plenty of nice later car out there without the faults for similar money.
Wouldn't be one for me, but just my two bobs worth. Good luck with whatever route you take.
Two things to consider - if you have a change of heart and decide to sell it sooner than you might have planned to what would someone pay YOU for it and secondly there are plenty of nice later car out there without the faults for similar money.
Wouldn't be one for me, but just my two bobs worth. Good luck with whatever route you take.
So what's the deal with these doors then? The "button" is a bit button with a keyhole, located on the rear wing right by each door. Dealer is saying that the door release is electric and the flat battery is causing them not to work. But I thought the electric releases were under the wing mirrors??
Hi,
I was considering looking at that car its been winking at me for weeks (your safe though as Im considering a tuscan instead)...
Don't suffer that shite about 3 month warranties you have _STATUTORY_ 6 months on any car bought by a dealer.
Any faults arising within this period are deemed to have existed in some form before you bought it. Check this out with the CAB incase you are in any doubt.
Good luck anyway
I was considering looking at that car
its been winking at me for weeks (your safe though as Im considering a tuscan instead)... Don't suffer that shite about 3 month warranties you have _STATUTORY_ 6 months on any car bought by a dealer.
Any faults arising within this period are deemed to have existed in some form before you bought it. Check this out with the CAB incase you are in any doubt.
Good luck anyway
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