High mileage = no buyers?

High mileage = no buyers?

Author
Discussion

dern

14,055 posts

280 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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I looked at several cars recently, some low miles, some higher miles, and my conclusion is this.
Its the age of the car that lets it down. Pictures on web sites and forums really are not a good indication of condition as i found out to my cost having travelled a 400 mile round trip to see what appeared to be an absolute Gem, but in reality turned out to be a complete Shed. I have yet to find 1 'S' that does not feel like its about to fall apart when driving, everything rattles and clonks, and the engine needs a turbo the size of India to make it rev a bit and frankly i think theyve had theyre day!
I have to say I think is somewhat mean spirited of you to slate peoples cars like this when the conclusion you appear to have come to is that you don't like the cars. I don't know what you expected of the car performance wise but mine lives up to expectations but does not excede them as it does have a 170bhp ford v6 in it and not anything more. I don't know what cars you have looked at but if you were expecting a grade A restored garaged classic for 6k you're dreaming and you're doing people a disservice by slating their cars especially as everyone on here has tried to give you as much help and advice as they can.
quote:
I wish id never sold my Kit Car now!
You can hardly blame us for your lack of research and your hasty decisions, can you?

Mark

Edited to add: johno -

>> Edited by dern on Wednesday 9th October 13:14

M@H

11,296 posts

273 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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There is some total and utter bo11ox being spouted on the thread.....



Indeedy .. well put mate

pete_w

Original Poster:

646 posts

264 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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Indeedy .. well put mate




-Seconded

pete_w

Original Poster:

646 posts

264 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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I wish id never sold my Kit Car now!



-d'oh!!!

snellc

52 posts

260 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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I knew the post would get some sh1t, and like i said, its just an opinion. The car i was in fact talking about wasnt actually one advertised on the forum. Im not that mean.

What i expected for £6k to £7k though was something in good nic. I know its hand built, i knew it was 10 years old but still i was disappointed.
Dont take it personally, im sure there are some real good cars out there, just not all of them!

Podie

46,630 posts

276 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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In a vain attempt to get this useful (well to me) thread back on track...

I would consider a high miler - if it has been well looked after. Having been doing my research of the S-series cars for nearly a year, and asking many (probably answered before and boring) questions my knowledge is still growing.

I've learned what I am getting myself in for.. and know the costs.. done the budget and know what I would like. I realise it's an old car, and that's what I want and am prepared for.

I'd rather have a sorted, well cared for high miler than a shitty low miler. One thing I have learned is that you buy these cars on condition. Without putting too finer point on it, I think you have been looking in the wrong place snellc.

Before I forget, I would like to thank everyone who has helped point me in the right direction... and "weathered" all my questions

M@H

11,296 posts

273 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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quote:

I knew the post would get some sh1t, and like i said, its just an opinion. The car i was in fact talking about wasnt actually one advertised on the forum. Im not that mean.




so why the generalisation about "several cars" and "not one" being any good..?? ..how many cars were you actually taking about then ?

Cheers
Matt.

f402mlr

1,460 posts

271 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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Oh this is fun, the new boys v the sellers.
Okay, a simple excersie, go outside, sit in your car, start the engine. NOW WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT S's. I CAN'T HEAR YOU! * (If you don't have TVR you won't understand!)


Using S this week because the weather's nice and I have some car related trips to do - last night back across the New Forest was excellent:- Roof off and heater on!

David

- Oh there's 93K miles on it, 74,000 by me!

* (misquoted from DSJ, S.Moss' co Driver in 55 Mille Milga and Motor Sport European / F1 reporter in 60s and 70's)


pete_w

Original Poster:

646 posts

264 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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Okay, a simple excersie, go outside, sit in your car, start the engine.



Prefer the sound from my 200bhp Leon Cupra Sport :runsforcover:

Edited to make it more specific

>> Edited by pete_w on Wednesday 9th October 14:00

snellc

52 posts

260 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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Well out of the 3 i saw i was unimpressed by any of them, particularly the one i travelled so far to see.
I guess in hindsight maybe i just had some bad luck. I really dont know how i could have asked more specifically IS THE CAR IN GOOD CONDITION. Does it have fibre glass spiders etc etc etc....

JSG

2,238 posts

284 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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snellc,

You may have picked some iffy ones, it would be worth looking at some of the cars advertised in the classifieds here as they tend to be enthusiast owned.

Around 6k for a 10 year is very much the lower end of the price band for a 1992 car, good S3s will fetch up to 8k privately so you may be better looking a sorted S2. This may explain your 'shed' comment as S3s for that price will not be the best.

If you want to come and have a spin in mine (no I'm not selling) you're welcome so you can see what an S should feel like. Then at least you'll know whether you can live with a S.

Cheers,
JSG

>> Edited by JSG (moderator) on Wednesday 9th October 14:40

dan

1,068 posts

285 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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Pete,

Just to throw a spanner in the works, do you not think you may have under priced the car? Obviously I have never seen your 'S', but 4.5K sounds like your pitching it in shed territory, so people like err.. thingy... (sorry forgot the name will edit later) will assume its a shed and not bother.

In my view you have a couple of problems.

1. The price makes people thing the cars hanging.
2. The time of year you have chosen to sell.
3. Peoples view of a 90K car is that it will be them that hits the Tonne and it will be them that ends up with an unsellable car.

A couple of solutions might be, get the car valeted and do any little tidying jobs that maybe needed, take some really cool photos, explain in the add how you have looked after in and any positive work and mods you have had done, wait till spring next year, pitch it at 5.5-6K but be prepared to wait for a buyer. Or failing that sell it as a trackday/sprint/autotest car.... Or... even better start your own one make racing series!!

Just a thought..

Cheers Dan

kinky

39,579 posts

270 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
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I wish id never sold my Kit Car now!


Well I wish I'd never sold my S now (how is Rudolph getting on Andrew?)

And Pete - 92k would certainly not put me off. In fact, for £4.5k it sounds very tempting .... (bugger the family friendly car) .....

pete_w

Original Poster:

646 posts

264 months

Wednesday 9th October 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Just to throw a spanner in the works, do you not think you may have under priced the car?



er, well, to be honest, no. It's a genuine car, but it needs tidying. I paid this price for it and have enjoyed it immensely. I took it for a spin t'other day and, well, I was still in two minds about selling.

quote:

Obviously I have never seen your 'S', but 4.5K sounds like your pitching it in shed territory, so people like err.. thingy... (sorry forgot the name will edit later) will assume its a shed and not bother.



erm, snellc?
nope, I tell people over the phone what it's like, warts 'n all to save putting people out.

quote:

In my view you have a couple of problems.

1. The price makes people thing the cars hanging.
2. The time of year you have chosen to sell.
3. Peoples view of a 90K car is that it will be them that hits the Tonne and it will be them that ends up with an unsellable car.



1. It ain't that bad, 92k suggests it's mechanically reliable -right?
2. Yeah, I know, but 'when the devil drives' and 'needs must' etc etc...to get a Defender 90 -am I still doing this, no more scaring the living daylights out of the Saxo VTR gang...jesus.....I want a Griffith all of a sudden!

quote:

A couple of solutions might be, get the car valeted and do any little tidying jobs that maybe needed



7 enquiries in the last week...no viewings...'what's the mileage'...'92k'....'sorry, have to look elsewhere'

-FFS, two previous owners, one lady , FSH ....£2k spent in last two years, blah, blah, blah....'nah, sorry mate, mileage is too high'

quote:

wait till spring next year, pitch it at 5.5-6K but be prepared to wait for a buyer.



Must have a reliable D90 this winter....big plans you see

quote:

Or failing that sell it as a trackday/sprint/autotest car.... Or... even better start your own one make racing series!!



....erm....there's an idea. Anyone got a Cossie handy....

Louise Macey

20 posts

264 months

Friday 11th October 2002
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I read this posting with interest. It appears that I own a complete "shed" of a car! Perhaps the author of this may try to be more tactful when describing people's cars. Having just spent a large sum of money on my S - it is in good condition but it is 12 years old! Pristine examples are obviously priced much higher. May I suggest a visit to a Rover dealer, there are some excellent deals for around your price range - a Rover Impression for example. This will have no stone chippings on the bodywork, the carpets will be immaculate and the engine will be nice and quiet.

dern

14,055 posts

280 months

Friday 11th October 2002
quotequote all
quote:
I read this posting with interest. It appears that I own a complete "shed" of a car! Perhaps the author of this may try to be more tactful when describing people's cars. Having just spent a large sum of money on my S - it is in good condition but it is 12 years old! Pristine examples are obviously priced much higher. May I suggest a visit to a Rover dealer, there are some excellent deals for around your price range - a Rover Impression for example. This will have no stone chippings on the bodywork, the carpets will be immaculate and the engine will be nice and quiet.
I wouldn't worry about it. After his much publicised hunt for a s2/3 on here needed a way out if he wants to hang around pistonheads so blamed the cars he looked at rather than his own lack of knowledge and unrealistic expectations. These people will come and go I expect. We all knew when we bought these cars that we'd need an enthusiast to buy them when we were ready to sell. If these people don't get it then they won't buy the cars. It's just unfortunate when they blame others rather than simply admit that it isn't the car for them.

Regards,

Mark

pete_w

Original Poster:

646 posts

264 months

Friday 11th October 2002
quotequote all
quote:

May I suggest a visit to a Rover dealer, there are some excellent deals for around your price range - a Rover Impression for example. This will have no stone chippings on the bodywork, the carpets will be immaculate and the engine will be nice and quiet.



shnozz

27,503 posts

272 months

Friday 11th October 2002
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If you want perfection do not buy a TVR. Any TVR. Especially don't buy a TVR that is 8 - 12 years old.

It will rattle, things will be out of line, carpets will be peeling and it will require some TLC fairly regularly to keep her in good shape.

If you can put up with these things, it will pay you back with an exhaust note that sounds better than any music and a grin that will lead to hundreds of flies getting caught between your teeth.

An S is not the fastest car on the road, but it can hold its own against most. It is the enjoyment of driving the car that doesnt just come from the speed. if you want that, buy a scooby.

In my opinion, if you feel the condition of the cars you have seen is poor, you may not be cut out for the whole TVR experience. IMHO it is a compromise - 100% build quality in exchange for 100% driving enjoyment. I know which one I prefer and I am converted.

snellc

52 posts

260 months

Friday 11th October 2002
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Like i said in a previous posting the car in question WAS NOT advertised on Piston Heads, and it was not Louise's car. Im not that f...ing stupid.
So ive p1ssed a few people off now. Who hasnt.
How else do you learn about a marque without looking and summarising it to what your looking for.
I guess in all you're right an S is not for me.
So to all ive upset and enraged, im Sorry. I'll keep it to myself in future. TTFN. Off to look at a Rover...

dern

14,055 posts

280 months

Friday 11th October 2002
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So ive p1ssed a few people off now. Who hasnt.
How else do you learn about a marque without looking and summarising it to what your looking for.

Well what did you expect? We have these cars because we are enthusiastic about them. As you came back to us after you asked for our advice which we gladly gave and told us that in your opinion our cars were cr*p and over the hill. If that isn't obviously going to p*ss us off then what is? In addition to that you pointed out the cars you saw were sheds and we were well aware that at least one of the cars that you saw was Louise's. That was just adding insult to injury.

We're here because we're enthusiasts. Now until you learn some manners why don't you do us all a favour and off.

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Friday 11th October 15:24