How Much

[biper]

Hello
Always wanted TVR, going to look at a 5.0L on Sat morning. Last owner for 6yrs full and comprehensive history and all MOT's, 29,000 miles and it is an HC. Asking £10.000 is that about right. What should I be looking for. Any help or info? It is a 94 on a M
Many Thanks
biper

[tvrbob]

Sounds a little steep for a '94 but in the end it's all about condition. My only concern would be the low mileage; these cars do suffer if they are left standing in cold damp garages.

For that money the car should have a solid chassis and that means one that you can see. Don't be fooled by lashings of underseal, that often hides big money problems.

Low mileage means nothing, condition means everything.

[andy-w]

condition...check the chassis...most important!!!

check it feels ok when driving....

look at a few before making a choice like some muppets do (hides head in shame)

[macdeb]

Condition!!! Also, contrary to the usual, [usually by high mileage owners] mileage DOES matter. A properly looked after low mileage car will allways be better than a high mileage equivalent.

[before I face a barrage of complaints from high milers etc, I did say a properly looked after low mileage car, and equivalent car]

On paper, 6 year owner, history, and mot's to back mileage sounds a good starting point. Don't be swayed by looking for a bargain as that 'bargain' may cost you more in the long run. If it looks too cheap to be true, it usually is.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 20:48

[Bomber Denton]

macdeb said:

Condition!!! Also, contrary to the usual, [usually by high mileage owners] mileage DOES matter. A properly looked after low mileage car will allways be better than a high mileage equivalent.

[before I face a barrage of complaints from high milers etc, I did say a properly looked after low mileage car, and equivalent car]

Nope, sorry have to disagree. Very low milers unless they have been carcooned will give problems, usually electrics etc.
The best car you will buy will be something that has been used but maintained by someone enthusiaticaly, they will have ironed out the day to day niggles such as cooling issues, bushes etc. A 29k 15 year old car has been held as more of a trophy than a treasured ride.

Condition all the way, they don't like being left, it is a hand built British sports car, it will break down, bits will fall off.

Get it inspected by a respected local indie and go from there. nothing more to say.

[macdeb]

More miles, more bits likely to drop off. IF it has been held as a trophy car or cacooned, then that is the car I would buy rather than one that has been ragged to within an inch of it's life around a track week in, week out.
By the way, I did say PROPERLY looked after.
CONDITION! as said before. Please don't say that a high mileage owner wishes it had even more miles recorded as opposed to less.

PS; I have a very low mileage Chimaera at the moment of which I've had for two years. It is by far and away a much better car than either of my previous 'higher mileage' RV8 TVR's, [500 griffs] one of which was the same age ['00] which incidently was appalling in comparison to the '94 car I had before.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:05

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:13

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:20

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:23

[tvrbob]

The comment about low versus high is not relevant, both are bad.

Low mileage means trouble, end of story. I spent my youth restoring classic sports cars and have experienced plenty of issues resulting from low milers. A '94 car with average miles, say 50 or 60k would be about right. 30k isn't bad but does indicate that the car may have been left unused for long periods.

I counter the comment above from someone who obviously needs to protect the value of his low miler.

[macdeb]

tvrbob said:

The comment about low versus high is not relevant, both are bad.

Low mileage means trouble, end of story. I spent my youth restoring classic sports cars and have experienced plenty of issues resulting from low milers. A '94 car with average miles, say 50 or 60k would be about right. 30k isn't bad but does indicate that the car may have been left unused for long periods.

I counter the comment above from someone who obviously needs to protect the value of his low miler.

Err, you know NOTHING of my intentions. Just trying to help someone seeking advice and not 'feathering my nest'. I SAID CONDITION, did I not? Grow up.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:27

[Bomber Denton]

macdeb said:

More miles, more bits likely to drop off. IF it has been held as a trophy car or cacooned, then that is the car I would buy rather than one that has been ragged to within an inch of it's life around a track week in, week out.
By the way, I did say PROPERLY looked after.
CONDITION! as said before. Please don't say that a high mileage owner wishes it had even more miles recorded as opposed to less.

PS; I have a very low mileage Chimaera at the moment of which I've had for two years. It is by far and away a much better car than either of my previous 'higher mileage' RV8 TVR's, one of which was the same age ['00] which incidently was miles worse than the '94 car I had before.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:05

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:13

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:20

Edited the first time to see if his mirrors still worked.
Edited second time to see if his bushes were perished.
Edited the third time to check for water ingress (carpets are a bit niffy but I'll get away with that, the post stands)

[tvrbob]

macdeb said:

Err, likewise me old mate.

Mine isn't a high miler. What are you trying to say

edited to say 'will you stop editing your posts'

Edited by tvrbob on Friday 4th January 21:29

[macdeb]

Bomber Denton said:

macdeb said:

More miles, more bits likely to drop off. IF it has been held as a trophy car or cacooned, then that is the car I would buy rather than one that has been ragged to within an inch of it's life around a track week in, week out.
By the way, I did say PROPERLY looked after.
CONDITION! as said before. Please don't say that a high mileage owner wishes it had even more miles recorded as opposed to less.

PS; I have a very low mileage Chimaera at the moment of which I've had for two years. It is by far and away a much better car than either of my previous 'higher mileage' RV8 TVR's, one of which was the same age ['00] which incidently was miles worse than the '94 car I had before.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:05

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:13

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:20

Edited the first time to see if his mirrors still worked.
Edited second time to see if his bushes were perished.
Edited the third time to check for water ingress (carpets are a bit niffy but I'll get away with that, the post stands)

JEEEEZUS! What's up with you lot? Wouldn't blame the author if he decided to stay away from TVR ownership going by this thread.

[macdeb]

tvrbob said:

macdeb said:

Err, likewise me old mate.

Mine isn't a high miler. What are you trying to say

edited to say 'will you stop editing your posts'

Edited by tvrbob on Friday 4th January 21:29

So, editing my post is the crime now is it?

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:35

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:36

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:36

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:37

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:37

[tvrbob]

macdeb said:

Err, you know NOTHING of my intentions. Just trying to help someone seeking advice and not 'feathering my nest'. I SAID CONDITION, did I not? Grow up.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:27

By the way you made the first questionable comment stating that people with high milers were posting wrongly. You started the debate so perhaps you should consider growing up

[tvrbob]

macdeb said:

tvrbob said:

macdeb said:

Err, likewise me old mate.

Mine isn't a high miler. What are you trying to say

edited to say 'will you stop editing your posts'

Edited by tvrbob on Friday 4th January 21:29

So, editing my post is the crime now is it?

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:35

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:36

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:36

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:37

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:37

No but it may be a sign

[macdeb]

tvrbob said:

macdeb said:

tvrbob said:

macdeb said:

Err, likewise me old mate.

Mine isn't a high miler. What are you trying to say

edited to say 'will you stop editing your posts'

Edited by tvrbob on Friday 4th January 21:29

So, editing my post is the crime now is it?

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:35

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:36

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:36

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:37

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:37

No but it may be a sign

Oh, I see the signs, and they 'aint good. [bobfather] Good bye.
To the author, best of luck with your purchase mate, hope it's a good one.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th January 21:53

[Bomber Denton]

Anyway back to Barry's question, is the car you are interested in based in Hampshire also? If so andy at APM is a good shout to check it over.

Is it for sale on PH? Link to car?

Happy hunting.

Corin

[biper]

I am now the proud owner of 98 Chimaera500. Picked it up on Friday and wanted to go for a spin on Saturday but weather was bad. However today was sunny Went for a good run, got some cushions for my other half and she had a drive too. Got the thumbs up from her so all is good. Can't wait for the real summer to arrive, even got a blast on the horn from a fellow TVR driver

Forgot to say, whilst other half had only been driving for 5mins she hit a pheasant, I was to say the least,distraught about the car, whilst she was distraught about the pheasant.
biper

Edited by biper on Sunday 20th April 15:50