S2 or 3 for 6K

[Mike_Elders]

So here is the question. I have 6K..no more and want to be a 2 or 3.

What will i get for my money. I will be using it everyday so i'm not going to buy crap.
if i can't get anything ok then i won't at all.

Mike Elders

[PetrolTed]

Shop around and be patient. I've seen cars that people have paid £6K for that were rough and yet I know of at least one stonking car that sold for £5K. Where in the country are you?

[Mike_Elders]

I'm in Salisbury and have a little problem.

I am changing jobs soon and will loose my company car. I will need to buy another car and want an S. But i cannot afford to wait for long as i will need a car very soon. if i wait then it's hello astra and goodbye TVR..

Mike Elders

[Phil L]

Hi Mike,
I live in Amesbury and have an S1/1.5/2 (WHATEVER!). Currently it's keeping good company with a Massey Ferguson, but if you need any help regarding what to expect for your money then drop me an e-mail. I paid under £3K but new it needed some work ~ spent a further £**** and I expect I'm halfway there. Picking up re-furbished seats today.

[mhibbins]

Mike, buy a runaround for 500-1000 and then shop around and be patient for your s2/3. A wisely bought astra or escort for the 500-1000 will get you your money back on it when you sell it if you get a long mot and tax with the deal.

--
Mark

[Mike_Elders]

Thats just the sort of thing my dad would say.

but then again he was always right..didn't you just hate that.?

So another question.

In a few words what makes a good s..?

Mike Elders

[mhibbins]

When I bought mine I bought the s3 bible, did loads of research into the car, worked out what were the most expensive bits, figured out the most likely failure items and then bought the first one I saw

--
Mark

[Dave_H]

quote:
So another question.

In a few words what makes a good s..?

Mike Elders

Mike,

As Mark says, read the S bible - well worth £30!

But As Mark I thought of the worst jobs to put right on an S, in my veiw was a rank chassis, So I bought a car with low miles and good chassis.

Overall I've got a good deal on mine (paid 6K) compared to what other cars I looked at were priced at and the condition they were in/miles on clock.
I should end up spending less in fixing mine up, and have a more sorted car/lower miles car than the ones I looked at before - but that's only ok if you don't mind getting some grease under your nails

[Dave_H]

quote:
it's hello astra and goodbye TVR..

Noooooooooooooooooo!

[S2 Giles]

Dont be put off by mileage, I own a high miler and it runs cleaner and smoother than many so called 40k milers I saw that had spent there lives sat in damp sheds.

Look for a solid chasis, surface rust can be sorted DIY style but make sure you cant push a screwdriver through it!

TVRSH is a nice to have, at least for the first 60K miles.

Play in the steering column can be fixed easily.

Check out the shocks & springs, springs sag alot. Ive just bought new ones!

Most of all, drive it !! they sometimes feel different from one car to another.

Giles

[Sparks]

Just found this


www.findit.co.uk/cars/tvr/184285.htm

1990 S2, has had a chassis rebuild so sounds like it might be worth investigating.

Sparks

[HarryW]

Mike,

I'm in a similar position to yourself, just looking at S2/3's at the mo. Got the bible, joined the club, now totally confused as to what’s the best buy. I'm now considering using Rob Ingleby at findasportscar as from what I've seen in Sprint letters he seems a better bet than trusting my own non-sports car tyre kicking selection process! Any personal recommends out there for Rob?

[GreenV8S]

Just for a laugh I tried the Hotmail car valuation service today to see what my V8S is worth. It didn't seem far out for recent model Griffs/Chims but it reckons my '93/K V8S just the right side of 100K is worth about three grand (less than a tenth of what I've spent on it in recent years). Guess I'll just have to keep it then.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

PS have met Mr Ingleby and he seems a genuine sort, haven't heared much about him but none of it has been bad.

[andyb]

Given that there is a recession and its the middle of winter, you're in a fantastic bargaining position... I'd guess you should be able to pick up a pretty good example for 6k.

Apart from all the above, the only extra I'd add is re-mileage. Don't be persuaded to pay too much extra for low mileage - better to get more regularly used car. Somebody who only drives their car on sunny weekends is less likely to have sorted out the 'niggles' than somebody who has used it more regularly.

Andy (S3 - 105k)

[M@H]

Without meaning to sound cheap.. why are you specifically after an S2 or 3, granted the 3 has some proportional differences, but the difference between an S2 and a late S1(with the 2.9 engine) is a bit of chrome on the bumper, OZ wheels and electric windows. (yes I remember, theres also a minor chassis mod at the back too). If price is an issue and you don't want to go over your 6K perhaps looking for a later S1 and then having some cash to spare if it needs some work would be a good option.

My S1 (2.9) only cost me £4600 with under 40,000 on the clock and mostly TVRSH, I ran it all summer without any problems, all I've had to do is replace the rack (under £200). If you really wanted to, you could invest the spare cash on the OZ wheels and chrome trim, so no one could tell either :-)