Discussion
I am realy tempted to by an S3, had a go in one today and am still out looking for my socks.
I am however concerned when it comes to storage, all I can do is leave it parked on the road at night. Could you guys tell me the problems - especially leakage and rusting. At the end of the day I need this car to get me to work everyday. If its a big no-no please break it to me gently chaps.
I am however concerned when it comes to storage, all I can do is leave it parked on the road at night. Could you guys tell me the problems - especially leakage and rusting. At the end of the day I need this car to get me to work everyday. If its a big no-no please break it to me gently chaps.
I've used my S3 as my everyday car since August (I'm just in the middle of a two week stint in Leamington Spa @ 750 miles / week) without any problems and, although she stays in a garage overnight, I've been out in some pretty heavy rain and stayed dry and toasty.
I know some TVRs do leak
, and I'm sure that you'll find lots of info on the subject if you do some searches on here, but it doesn't have to be the case. There are obviously some checks you can do and, if worse comes to worst, I think there are some standard things to check. From what I can gather the first thing to do is to get the old Thomsons water seal on the roof!
Anyhow, don't let the lack of a garage or the everyday requirement put you off as I'm sure you'll find existing S owners dealing with either or both of those situations already!
Go for it - just buy carefully!
I know some TVRs do leak
, and I'm sure that you'll find lots of info on the subject if you do some searches on here, but it doesn't have to be the case. There are obviously some checks you can do and, if worse comes to worst, I think there are some standard things to check. From what I can gather the first thing to do is to get the old Thomsons water seal on the roof! Anyhow, don't let the lack of a garage or the everyday requirement put you off as I'm sure you'll find existing S owners dealing with either or both of those situations already!
Go for it - just buy carefully!
Mine lives outside all the time. Every now and again one of the things that can leak needs sorting out and if your car is outside you have to be prepared to sort it out pretty quickly or you'll have a wet car. A good backup plan should the car start leaking on a monday in the middle of winter with rain forecast all week is to get a car cover.
Regards,
Mark
Regards,
Mark
So far :toucheslargepieceofwood: mine is fine. She too lives outside and no leaks at all.. Seems fine both standing and when moving, though I rarely have the lid on; only if its tipping down. That said, only had her about 6 weeks and yet to experience an English spring..
Car cover is a good idea as is regular applications of watersealant. As someone told me, its more of a hobby than a car.. hurrumph.. When things go awry, or look like they might, sort it quickly and you'll be ok.. Mine is an everyday car and not showing too many problems, though bless her, she is a TVR and somewhat prone to niggles..
Couple of things to mention. Firstly, although outside, mine is off road and secure but I still couldn't get a deal with the main insurer the club recommends.. I did get a good deal with someone else but if I were you I'd phone around and check insurers will cover you at a sensible price 1st. One quoted me on the basis of being garaged without asking and only when I got papers through did I realise it wasn't any good for me. (Must have been a cock-up I'm sure its a standard question to ask).
Secondly, once you are hooked, great, go for it, but take your time finding the one thats right for you. 1st one I saw I wanted badly but it was an absolute dog compared to the next few and the one I subsequently bought more cheaply. Find some local club members and bend their ears. You may find one selling a car themselves. Failing that, I can't recommend Rob Ingleby's service stongly enough (www.findasportscar.co.uk). Without exception everyone I know thats used him has nothing but praise and I'll certainly use him when I change mine.
Lastly, chassis.. Thats what kills these cars if you are not careful; the chassis rusts out. Its basically got a plasticised coating and once thats pierced, water gets underneath and rust spreads. Having said that, I'm told that one weekend a year with a wire brush and a pot of paint and you'll be sorted. Oh, err and some waxoil just to be sure. The value in using someone like Rob is he knows exactly what to look for -its a spaceframe not a traditional type chassis so there are a few more bits to watch for..
I've had some teething troubles, but I can honestly say this is the best car I've had all in and I should have bought one years ago..
Car cover is a good idea as is regular applications of watersealant. As someone told me, its more of a hobby than a car.. hurrumph.. When things go awry, or look like they might, sort it quickly and you'll be ok.. Mine is an everyday car and not showing too many problems, though bless her, she is a TVR and somewhat prone to niggles..
Couple of things to mention. Firstly, although outside, mine is off road and secure but I still couldn't get a deal with the main insurer the club recommends.. I did get a good deal with someone else but if I were you I'd phone around and check insurers will cover you at a sensible price 1st. One quoted me on the basis of being garaged without asking and only when I got papers through did I realise it wasn't any good for me. (Must have been a cock-up I'm sure its a standard question to ask).
Secondly, once you are hooked, great, go for it, but take your time finding the one thats right for you. 1st one I saw I wanted badly but it was an absolute dog compared to the next few and the one I subsequently bought more cheaply. Find some local club members and bend their ears. You may find one selling a car themselves. Failing that, I can't recommend Rob Ingleby's service stongly enough (www.findasportscar.co.uk). Without exception everyone I know thats used him has nothing but praise and I'll certainly use him when I change mine.
Lastly, chassis.. Thats what kills these cars if you are not careful; the chassis rusts out. Its basically got a plasticised coating and once thats pierced, water gets underneath and rust spreads. Having said that, I'm told that one weekend a year with a wire brush and a pot of paint and you'll be sorted. Oh, err and some waxoil just to be sure. The value in using someone like Rob is he knows exactly what to look for -its a spaceframe not a traditional type chassis so there are a few more bits to watch for..
I've had some teething troubles, but I can honestly say this is the best car I've had all in and I should have bought one years ago..
Slightly different perspective for you...
My S is my second car, so tests to get weekend and occasional mid-week use (at this time of year!)... but I've been more than happy to leave in on mates driveways overnight... with a car cover on. No problems... everything seems OK... oh, and mine doesn't seem to leak either! Which is nice.
My S is my second car, so tests to get weekend and occasional mid-week use (at this time of year!)... but I've been more than happy to leave in on mates driveways overnight... with a car cover on. No problems... everything seems OK... oh, and mine doesn't seem to leak either! Which is nice.
My thoughts for what they are worth
Even though I've only been on PH for a few months I've owned an S3 for about 20 months now. It lives outside all the time, gets used as my only car (I also have a MBike though as well) and I think I've looked after it pretty well. The things I've had go wrong/needed looking at are due in the main part to lack of use by previous owners. In particular one who stored the car for 2 years ish (I'm not accusing, just making an observation). The roof leaked badly at first but the weather seals needed reseating and I also used some black silicon sealant to finish off. This is worth doing as it peels off easily when you want to replace seals/roof cover, but is elastic enaough to keep out the elements. Inside the car is dry as a bone now.
Had some broken switch gear, namely dash switches and a column stalk and various wiring faults (all of which were fairly minor in my case but needed to be fixed).
The rear window was badly clouded and has taken a long time to polish out to an acceptable level (through perspiration and bloody mindedness)
Changed/uprated all the brakes.
Been through 4 throttle pots which has prompted me to try to design a more reliable one.
Changed the steering column bush in the bulkhead.
A dead battery (not the cars fault) and a blown water hose (resulting in changing about 4 of the hoses) are the only 'breakdowns' I've had, and I've driven in all weathers all year round and taken it to France in the summer.
Having said all of that although it has been reliable, some extra work is being done at the moment to deal with the neglect of the past and the general wear and tear. Namely: New driveshafts, Wheel bearings, propshaft UJ's, clutch, recon steering rack and track rods. All this is being done as we speak, so I'm on the bike for about another week. I don't think this is too bad for an oldish car.
In short (he says after realising how long this message is) Buy the best you can afford with a load of receipts for work done, examine it totally (with someone else, if not 2 other people) for wear in the expensive places, and I would try to check that it has been used on a regular basis. Car's and bikes in general really suffer when left standing.
Hope this was the sort of info you were looking for.
Buy, drive and enjoy
Even though I've only been on PH for a few months I've owned an S3 for about 20 months now. It lives outside all the time, gets used as my only car (I also have a MBike though as well) and I think I've looked after it pretty well. The things I've had go wrong/needed looking at are due in the main part to lack of use by previous owners. In particular one who stored the car for 2 years ish (I'm not accusing, just making an observation)
. The roof leaked badly at first but the weather seals needed reseating and I also used some black silicon sealant to finish off. This is worth doing as it peels off easily when you want to replace seals/roof cover, but is elastic enaough to keep out the elements. Inside the car is dry as a bone now. Had some broken switch gear, namely dash switches and a column stalk and various wiring faults (all of which were fairly minor in my case but needed to be fixed).
The rear window was badly clouded and has taken a long time to polish out to an acceptable level (through perspiration and bloody mindedness)
Changed/uprated all the brakes.
Been through 4 throttle pots which has prompted me to try to design a more reliable one.
Changed the steering column bush in the bulkhead.
A dead battery (not the cars fault) and a blown water hose (resulting in changing about 4 of the hoses) are the only 'breakdowns' I've had, and I've driven in all weathers all year round and taken it to France in the summer.
Having said all of that although it has been reliable, some extra work is being done at the moment to deal with the neglect of the past and the general wear and tear. Namely: New driveshafts, Wheel bearings, propshaft UJ's, clutch, recon steering rack and track rods. All this is being done as we speak, so I'm on the bike for about another week. I don't think this is too bad for an oldish car.
In short (he says after realising how long this message is) Buy the best you can afford with a load of receipts for work done, examine it totally (with someone else, if not 2 other people) for wear in the expensive places, and I would try to check that it has been used on a regular basis. Car's and bikes in general really suffer when left standing.
Hope this was the sort of info you were looking for.
Buy, drive and enjoy
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