Whats it worth

[MJW1977]

Just looking for some feedback, whats a 1999 4.0 T-plate with 42k FTVRSH and in great condition worth? Ive seen one at an indie at £12k, which looking about seems a reasonable price but Im wondering how much I am paying for the dealer warranty. Not being an experienced TVR buyer I'm thinking this might be a good way to go for some peace of mind.

Interested in your thoughts...

[Jay Ayegees]

That's a fair price.

[SimonV8ster]

Doesn't seem like a bad price, escpecially if you can negotiate for a bit more to be knocked off. Whats the colour of the car and interior ??

[MJW1977]

SimonV8ster said:

Doesn't seem like a bad price, escpecially if you can negotiate for a bit more to be knocked off. Whats the colour of the car and interior ??

Its halcyon blue with magnolia/blue interior. They said no negotiation but I reckon that'll change if he sees the colour of the money...

[anwbarwick]

I'd say it was a very good price if the condition is similarly good. I managed to squeeze £14k out of my insurers (tight as they can be) 3 months ago for squashing a 1999, 4.0 with 32k on the clock... and they said the mileage was irrelevant 10k miles either side.

[Johnniem]

anwbarwick said:

I'd say it was a very good price if the condition is similarly good. I managed to squeeze £14k out of my insurers (tight as they can be) 3 months ago for squashing a 1999, 4.0 with 32k on the clock... and they said the mileage was irrelevant 10k miles either side.

I agree with anwbarwick. The price does seem very good. I had been looking at prices for many months before buying my 450 (last month) and £12k seems an excellent price, especially for a late model with reasonable mileage. Any catches?

And by the way, "mileage is irrelevant" !!! How is that then? Presumably it is when they are paying out but not when you are buying!! Anyway, for what its worth, I reckon that a reasonable mileage is a good thing. I bought a 450 on an S plate with 55k on the clock. At least it hasn't spent most of its life in a garage! Good luck!

[MJW1977]

Thanks for the comment. The only thing that I can see it is missing is a wad of bills showing any work carried out. I guess this is a nice to have but the others I have looked at (though only 3) have had this paperwork which gives some peace of mind over what I probably wont have to replace soon...

[MJW1977]

MJW1977 said:

Thanks for the comment. The only thing that I can see it is missing is a wad of bills showing any work carried out. I guess this is a nice to have but the others I have looked at (though only 3) have had this paperwork which gives some peace of mind over what I probably wont have to replace soon...

So I am planning to look at it tomorrow am and the dealer has just advised me that on inspection the chassis coating is starting to flake, so they have it booked into their workshop for cleaning, painting and waxoiling. He also says both front upper wishbones will be replaced as they are starting to thin.

Should I be worried about this?

[E2DJH]

MJW1977 said:

MJW1977 said:

Thanks for the comment. The only thing that I can see it is missing is a wad of bills showing any work carried out. I guess this is a nice to have but the others I have looked at (though only 3) have had this paperwork which gives some peace of mind over what I probably wont have to replace soon...

So I am planning to look at it tomorrow am and the dealer has just advised me that on inspection the chassis coating is starting to flake, so they have it booked into their workshop for cleaning, painting and waxoiling. He also says both front upper wishbones will be replaced as they are starting to thin.

Should I be worried about this?

That sounds like the service you get from Ferhursts?
They did something very similar for me when i bought mine there. After we had agreed the price they stripped and treated the chassis, and put 4 new tyres on.

It may look as if you are paying a little more, but in fact they did a me great deal, that i have never regretted, with the peace of mind of their own warranty.

Do it, you have a good price for a lovely car

[anwbarwick]

Johnniem said:

And by the way, "mileage is irrelevant" !!! How is that then? Presumably it is when they are paying out but not when you are buying!! Anyway, for what its worth, I reckon that a reasonable mileage is a good thing. I bought a 450 on an S plate with 55k on the clock. At least it hasn't spent most of its life in a garage! Good luck!

Fair point... there was an anomaly with my speedo reading as it had been changed after the 1st 6000 miles. Like a good citizen I advised my insurers and got the "irrelevant" comment as far as pay out was concerned. When buying 10k obvioulsy makes a difference.

[MJW1977]

Johnniem said:

anwbarwick said:

I'd say it was a very good price if the condition is similarly good. I managed to squeeze £14k out of my insurers (tight as they can be) 3 months ago for squashing a 1999, 4.0 with 32k on the clock... and they said the mileage was irrelevant 10k miles either side.

I agree with anwbarwick. The price does seem very good. I had been looking at prices for many months before buying my 450 (last month) and £12k seems an excellent price, especially for a late model with reasonable mileage. Any catches?

And by the way, "mileage is irrelevant" !!! How is that then? Presumably it is when they are paying out but not when you are buying!! Anyway, for what its worth, I reckon that a reasonable mileage is a good thing. I bought a 450 on an S plate with 55k on the clock. At least it hasn't spent most of its life in a garage! Good luck!

The only catch is now it seems the chassis needs some attention, but they have comitted to replacing the front wishbones and cleaning, painting and waxoiling the flaking chassis. Going to see it Friday now once its out of the workshop. The only other catch I can see is there is no was of receipts showing whats been done to it

[mccrackenj]

Cleaning & waxoiling the chassis is a job you can do yourself, but it's horrible! Allow 2 full weekends on your back under the car getting covered in shite, (and probably making a mess of your driveway too).

Having that done before you collect the car is worth several hundred £ off the price in my opinion, not counting the new wish-bones, plus you know for sure that it's been done now and should only need the waxoiling stage re-done every year or so.

If the dealer is prepared to do that for you I'd feel good about dealing with them.

Edited by mccrackenj on Wednesday 4th July 14:41

[MJW1977]

I managed to speak with the garage that did the last service (Roath in Cardiff). They said they also recommended but didn't get the goahead for:

Top Differential Mounting Bushes
Drive Shaft Gates
Sump Gasket
Leaking PAS pump
Re-glueing the roof skin
Exhaust manifolds

Ball park £700+vat.

They did tho overhaul the clutch master cylinder and replace drive belts...

I guess this gives me some bartering power with the dealer or at the very least a heads up. Should I be pusing for this work to be done before hand or accept that any car will need something...

Cheers again guys

[FTOandTVR]

So why is my '99 T 450 getting no interest whatsoever at £12,750?

[Nuggs]

MJW1977 said:

Top Differential Mounting Bushes
Drive Shaft Gates
Sump Gasket
Leaking PAS pump
Re-glueing the roof skin
Exhaust manifolds

Ball park £700+vat.

Bloody hell - I'm driving to Cardiff for servicing now...

[S7Paul]

FTOandTVR said:

So why is my '99 T 450 getting no interest whatsoever at £12,750?

Well, it's a really nice colour (IMHO), but if you look at the other 450s in the PH classifieds, yours isn't particularly cheap. Also, without re-opening the debate about the necessity for PAS on Chims, I get the feeling that these days more and more people are considering it to be essential in any car they buy, so this could be hampering your chances of selling.

[FTOandTVR]

What percentage have PAS? not an exactly easy upgrade.

[cjs]

I thought PAS was standard after 1998????

[MJW1977]

I tested the car at length today and noticed a few things:

1. There is a tapping noise at low revs and on iddle - could this be the exhaust manifolds?
2. There is a lot of wind noise from the RHS window - none on the LHS? How could this be curred?
3. The chassis is good but where it has flaked and then rubbed back there is quite large diffs in surface depth. Now they waxoiled etc. Is this OK?

Other than a fantastic car only down is they wont negotiate from £12k as they wanna do the work (they say)

[FTOandTVR]

for 12K you can have a 450 with no problems