Would you buy a CAT D?
Discussion
SimonBradley said:
As the title says. If it had no mechanical or chassis damage and was repaired? I can imagine it might be hard to sell on.
As long as any repairs had been done properly then I don't see why not - I bought mine to enjoy and I don't care what it's worth now or to anyone else...Phil
SimonBradley said:
As the title says. If it had no mechanical or chassis damage and was repaired? I can imagine it might be hard to sell on.
My last TVR was a repaired CAT C, when it came to bid farewell to it I advertised it as so (as you would 
) and it sold within two weeks. People love a bargin 
If you pay less for it in the first place then when you come to move it on it's all relative.
peaktorque said:
SimonBradley said:
As the title says. If it had no mechanical or chassis damage and was repaired? I can imagine it might be hard to sell on.
My last TVR was a repaired CAT C, when it came to bid farewell to it I advertised it as so (as you would ) and it sold within two weeks. People love a bargin If you pay less for it in the first place then when you come to move it on it's all relative.
SimonBradley said:
As the title says. If it had no mechanical or chassis damage and was repaired? I can imagine it might be hard to sell on.
Buy smart. Sell easy. The key to all purchases in life.Assuming it runs OK etc, the key is to recognise the issue with the future re-sale, as you have done and factor this cost and hassle into your purchase price.
In other words, make the current vendor pay up front for the hassle you will have when selling on. It may seem tough but life isn't a charity.
Worst case scenario they won't deal, so walk away knowing that you were right not to bid up to get something you know will be an issue to sell.
SimonBradley said:
Good advice fellas thanks. Its immaculate condition 42,000 miles 1999 4.5L £8500 so i think i'll have to have a test drive and give it a really good inspection.
Cheers
Si.
It's not immaculate is it? Cheers
Si.
Price seems far, far too high.
That price would appear to be completely disregarding the Cat D status.
I'd stay well away and pay the same money for one that isn't going to be a nightmare to sell if there happen to be no mugs about at the time.
Yes i would buy a cat D. I bought a cat D S3 from a well known salvage auction, minimal damage, needed a new bonnet and windscreen. Fantastic car, i contacted the previous owner, who explained what had happened in the accident, he was gutted the insurance company wrote it off. He even sent me all the files of service history,spare wheel etc, it was a mint pre accident example and had a lot of cash spent on it. Sold it 2 years ago, but seen the new owner at this years S club, and it still looks a great car.The more tivs we can keep on the road the better.
DonkeyApple said:
SimonBradley said:
Good advice fellas thanks. Its immaculate condition 42,000 miles 1999 4.5L £8500 so i think i'll have to have a test drive and give it a really good inspection.
Cheers
Si.
It's not immaculate is it? Cheers
Si.
Price seems far, far too high.
That price would appear to be completely disregarding the Cat D status.
I'd stay well away and pay the same money for one that isn't going to be a nightmare to sell if there happen to be no mugs about at the time.
Whats the difference between a cat D and a car thats been crashed and repaired without going through the insurance?
One little letter thats all.
A cat D wouldn't put me off.
A cat C wouldn't either if I knew what the damage had been / that it had been repaired properly and the price was right.
I would ask far more questions about a cat C.
One little letter thats all.
A cat D wouldn't put me off.
A cat C wouldn't either if I knew what the damage had been / that it had been repaired properly and the price was right.
I would ask far more questions about a cat C.
Mine is Cat D stolen a recovered ..no accident damage .The wheels were stolen and the top dash cut with a stanley knife.You will find that non specialist insurance companys write these cars off for minor accidents and theft.I paid about 6k for it when at that time the same car would be about 1ok.
SimonBradley said:
DonkeyApple said:
SimonBradley said:
Good advice fellas thanks. Its immaculate condition 42,000 miles 1999 4.5L £8500 so i think i'll have to have a test drive and give it a really good inspection.
Cheers
Si.
It's not immaculate is it? Cheers
Si.
Price seems far, far too high.
That price would appear to be completely disregarding the Cat D status.
I'd stay well away and pay the same money for one that isn't going to be a nightmare to sell if there happen to be no mugs about at the time.
A car that's been kept in a garage, properly serviced, not razzed andwith 100k on the clock is almost certainly a better car than one that has sat outside and been used at the weekends for lots of short journeys.
I often find the key lies in the state of the streering wheel and pedals as to what kind of trip the car has been typically used for. Same with the seat sides etc.
I am currently rebuilding a low milage cat D 4.5 litre Mk 2 and consider it to be a real opportunity to get the car exactly how I want it. Mine came from a salvage dealer and has minor frontal damage. I commissioned a specialist company to fit a new front repair section and photographed every stage of this work, including developing a method of fitting VW Lupo headlamps by their original mounting lugs. The engine was removed, serviced and fitted with some stove enamelled rocker covers. The empty engine bay is being detailed and the front wishbone bushes replaced.
By far the hardest task is choosing the new bodywork colour (currently silver) and it will be off to the bodyshop soon. I have had the wheels stove enamelled and new tyres fitted. When finished the car will look like a brand new car, be totally sorted and exactly what I have always wanted.
By far the hardest task is choosing the new bodywork colour (currently silver) and it will be off to the bodyshop soon. I have had the wheels stove enamelled and new tyres fitted. When finished the car will look like a brand new car, be totally sorted and exactly what I have always wanted.
DonkeyApple said:
SimonBradley said:
DonkeyApple said:
SimonBradley said:
Good advice fellas thanks. Its immaculate condition 42,000 miles 1999 4.5L £8500 so i think i'll have to have a test drive and give it a really good inspection.
Cheers
Si.
It's not immaculate is it? Cheers
Si.
Price seems far, far too high.
That price would appear to be completely disregarding the Cat D status.
I'd stay well away and pay the same money for one that isn't going to be a nightmare to sell if there happen to be no mugs about at the time.
A car that's been kept in a garage, properly serviced, not razzed andwith 100k on the clock is almost certainly a better car than one that has sat outside and been used at the weekends for lots of short journeys.
I often find the key lies in the state of the streering wheel and pedals as to what kind of trip the car has been typically used for. Same with the seat sides etc.
I'll give u the link just hope i dont put it in the shop window for someone else lol.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-TVR-CHIMAERA-450-/17056...
As I understand it, Cat D simply means that the insurance company decided it was uneconomical to repair. That doesn't necessarily mean that the damage was horrendous: if you were to crack the bumper on a £200 banger, that would likely be a Cat D if you were silly enough to claim for it.
So if the seller is prepared to be totally open and honest about what the damage was and how it was repaired (with invoices) then a Cat D needn't put you off - but the price does still need to reflect the status even if it's been repaired perfectly. A Cat D car will always involve some hassle when it comes to insurance, because there are some companies that simply won't touch the car.
Even a perfect Cat D still needs to be significantly cheaper, and £8,500 for a 40k mile 450 is about two grand too much I would have thought.
So if the seller is prepared to be totally open and honest about what the damage was and how it was repaired (with invoices) then a Cat D needn't put you off - but the price does still need to reflect the status even if it's been repaired perfectly. A Cat D car will always involve some hassle when it comes to insurance, because there are some companies that simply won't touch the car.
Even a perfect Cat D still needs to be significantly cheaper, and £8,500 for a 40k mile 450 is about two grand too much I would have thought.
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