Pre or post 96?
Discussion
I thought I'd post a slightly different "what shall I buy?" thread.
I have decided to stop faffing around and seriously start looking. The finances will be sorted by next week. I have a budget of up to £11K, aiming to spend £10K-ish but if I can get one cheaper of course I could spend the money on something else.
I was planning to start looking for private post-96 cars. I prefer the look of these cars (especially the Cerbera-style front) and there seems to be developing a clear split in the market at the 96 upgrade stage. I suppose you could guess that depreciation currently looks slower for post-96s. I have heard theories that newer cars got better build quality, and of course all things being equal a newer car might be in better nick. However, I might be lucky to get a 450 with my budget.
The advantage of a pre-96 is that it's cheaper and I have the option of an HC or 4.3. They're still good looking motors even if they not quite as nice as the facelifted cars. I will need to worry about serp engines and whuich gearbox is fitted, and I'm not sure how many might be out there in good condition.
The car is being bought as a "keeper", which is one of the reasons I'm thinking about the larger engine sizes and paying more for a newer one. If I was likely to sell it on in a year or two I may very well be going for a pre-96 to reduce any depreciation hit.
OK, it's my money I'm spending so I need to decide what I want, but does anyone out there have any thoughts on the matter or think I've missed out something important? And I know that condition, condition and condition are the three most important things to look for, with a funky colour scheme 4th.
I have decided to stop faffing around and seriously start looking. The finances will be sorted by next week. I have a budget of up to £11K, aiming to spend £10K-ish but if I can get one cheaper of course I could spend the money on something else.
I was planning to start looking for private post-96 cars. I prefer the look of these cars (especially the Cerbera-style front) and there seems to be developing a clear split in the market at the 96 upgrade stage. I suppose you could guess that depreciation currently looks slower for post-96s. I have heard theories that newer cars got better build quality, and of course all things being equal a newer car might be in better nick. However, I might be lucky to get a 450 with my budget.
The advantage of a pre-96 is that it's cheaper and I have the option of an HC or 4.3. They're still good looking motors even if they not quite as nice as the facelifted cars. I will need to worry about serp engines and whuich gearbox is fitted, and I'm not sure how many might be out there in good condition.
The car is being bought as a "keeper", which is one of the reasons I'm thinking about the larger engine sizes and paying more for a newer one. If I was likely to sell it on in a year or two I may very well be going for a pre-96 to reduce any depreciation hit.
OK, it's my money I'm spending so I need to decide what I want, but does anyone out there have any thoughts on the matter or think I've missed out something important? And I know that condition, condition and condition are the three most important things to look for, with a funky colour scheme 4th.
this one will run and run, but here's my summary
post 96, should have BTR rear diff, TVR knew how to make them by then, but may also have rushed some out the doors, they have some bespoke electrical items which may be harder to source, the open grill looks more cerbera like, but can lead to stone damage to the radiator. I presonally think the changes to the rear bootlid, rear 'bumper' were a little contrived. You can get change shape change serpentine, and t5 gearbox cars. I've not noted a gap in prices between the models, other than caused by the natural age related one. Rumour has it the chassis coating was better on earlier cars ( silver vs white coating), but at the age you are looking at it all becomes irrelevant, as it comes down to condition , condition , condition.
post 96, should have BTR rear diff, TVR knew how to make them by then, but may also have rushed some out the doors, they have some bespoke electrical items which may be harder to source, the open grill looks more cerbera like, but can lead to stone damage to the radiator. I presonally think the changes to the rear bootlid, rear 'bumper' were a little contrived. You can get change shape change serpentine, and t5 gearbox cars. I've not noted a gap in prices between the models, other than caused by the natural age related one. Rumour has it the chassis coating was better on earlier cars ( silver vs white coating), but at the age you are looking at it all becomes irrelevant, as it comes down to condition , condition , condition.
Must say my 95 4.0hc with serp and T5 , was a better built car , the chassis coating was thicker and they where not as rushed in the final detailing, you can see on the 98 car how things have not had the chance to dry and have been put together. Look at the build numbers for the year , busy in 97-99 period . Though the car does have some improved features.
Edited by Rum Runner on Friday 31st August 23:15
Hi there,
I think some advice I heard once (probably Adrian Venn) makes sense an that was go for the latest car possible as TVR kept developing them as they went along...certainly the case with earlier models.....that said a cracking early car would be a better purchase than a shed of a later car...obvious stuff I guess?
Mines an early Chimaera 93....perhaps I should have listened!
Steve.G.
I think some advice I heard once (probably Adrian Venn) makes sense an that was go for the latest car possible as TVR kept developing them as they went along...certainly the case with earlier models.....that said a cracking early car would be a better purchase than a shed of a later car...obvious stuff I guess?
Mines an early Chimaera 93....perhaps I should have listened!
Steve.G.
There are some great cars out there at the moment for 10k. Low mileage cars in imaculate condition, provided you know what you are looking at of course.
You can buy a nice 95 as I did, in very nice condition for 8k (58000). If you look at cars for £1500 more, you can get 98 / 99 low mileage minters. Spend what you can, buy private, have the car checked out by someone who knows what they are doing, and FSH.
Take your time, in another couple of months there will be great deals everywhere due to the autumn price crash on sports cars. It always happens, so if you are not in a hurry?
There seems to be a mental problem with people spending more than 10k on a car. This applies to all cars, and people who want to spend around your figure. You already did it yourself in your comments of what you have, and how much you really want to spend, and save.
Let us know what you are looking at and you will have plenty of advice from here!!!
You can buy a nice 95 as I did, in very nice condition for 8k (58000). If you look at cars for £1500 more, you can get 98 / 99 low mileage minters. Spend what you can, buy private, have the car checked out by someone who knows what they are doing, and FSH.
Take your time, in another couple of months there will be great deals everywhere due to the autumn price crash on sports cars. It always happens, so if you are not in a hurry?
There seems to be a mental problem with people spending more than 10k on a car. This applies to all cars, and people who want to spend around your figure. You already did it yourself in your comments of what you have, and how much you really want to spend, and save.
Let us know what you are looking at and you will have plenty of advice from here!!!
I don't have a problem with spending over 10K, and happily will if I think it's good VFM. But neither do I have a limitless pocket book, and there's no need spending an extra £2K on a car if I don't need to. I could also wait for prices to fall over the autumn... but I've already been putting my budget together since the spring, and it's not impossible the supply might drop off over the winter.
Having read the comments I'm going to continue to look for a post-96 400 (or 450 if I can get one) in a nice colour scheme. 'Cos it's my money and that's what I want.
I'm not too bothered about miles, in fact a car that has been used properly might be in better nick than one that hasn't. Not much nice that's post-96 has popped up recently, but as it's been suggested I ask the PH massive for advice... what about this one. The service history & everything looks spot on, but it has done a lot of miles. Is it likely to need a new cam soon, and if so what would that be likely to cost?
Having read the comments I'm going to continue to look for a post-96 400 (or 450 if I can get one) in a nice colour scheme. 'Cos it's my money and that's what I want.
I'm not too bothered about miles, in fact a car that has been used properly might be in better nick than one that hasn't. Not much nice that's post-96 has popped up recently, but as it's been suggested I ask the PH massive for advice... what about this one. The service history & everything looks spot on, but it has done a lot of miles. Is it likely to need a new cam soon, and if so what would that be likely to cost?
Edited by saxmund on Saturday 1st September 19:31
Thats a nice car, Its milage is its obvious problem. This will not be a problem for you but will be when you move it on. I'm biased here as thats almost the exact same colour and finish as mine! So it ticks all the right boxes in its overall look.
I would say the engine and most all else would be fine with that mileage, but say you do 6-8k miles in the next couple of years its then knocking on 80k and it will not be easy to move on.
I suppose the key is the price you pay in the end, But before you spend all that, look at the one underneath it, it may just be perfect.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/200001.htm
Help me out chaps!!!
I would say the engine and most all else would be fine with that mileage, but say you do 6-8k miles in the next couple of years its then knocking on 80k and it will not be easy to move on.
I suppose the key is the price you pay in the end, But before you spend all that, look at the one underneath it, it may just be perfect.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/200001.htm
Help me out chaps!!!
Edited by gadgit on Saturday 1st September 22:43
I'm likely to run the Tiv as my only car,so I'm going to put 6-7,000 on a year. So in a couple of years time the 72K one is going to be nearly £90K... I suppose the questionis, how cheap would it have to be?
I'm not sure why I didn't noice the Chelmsford one before but I'll contact the seller. Although I wonder if he's been inundated on his return from his hols.
I'm not sure why I didn't noice the Chelmsford one before but I'll contact the seller. Although I wonder if he's been inundated on his return from his hols.
Edited by saxmund on Saturday 1st September 23:07
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