Should I shouldn't I - TVR v M3
Discussion
Stu-nph26 said:
The longest search known to man continues and I'm a bit fed up my wife's 1.3 Mazda 2 isn't really doing it for me! The 99 4.2 above I was really interested in. I prefer the spiders and the Tuscan lights for starters the colour was right up my street and the car seemed too good to be true. Given my inexperience with TVR's I asked the seller if I could get the car and particularly the chassis inspected by RT racing and unfortunately, he's declined so I've withdrawn my interest.
I've found myself looking at everything and anything this lunchtime including M3's again and 911's, maybe TVR and I are destined never to happen!! The hunt goes on
You're doing the best thing in waiting around for the right car, as painful as it may be. I've found myself looking at everything and anything this lunchtime including M3's again and 911's, maybe TVR and I are destined never to happen!! The hunt goes on
I'm just getting towards the end of completely rebuilding mine, and although you say you feel out of your depth, honestly, they're very simple cars.
I know you're paying attention to the chassis, but a troublesome engine is more of a liability. You can drive a car with a crap chassis, but you can't drive a car with a crap engine. Fancy spending up to 15k on a full AJP8 drive in drive out? A body off restoration isn't quite that much, but it gives you chance to save because you can see it coming. The engine, when it goes pop, doesn't.
A chassis off restoration is a big job, but it can be completed with basic tools and mild ambition, and is less critical. As long as there are no holes, it can be kept that way for quite a long time with painting and protecting and it won't fail an MOT.
Whatever the item, if it hasn't been done, it'll probably need to be done. But just because it has been done doesn't mean it has been done well.
I've mentioned before that there are only a couple of places whose engines you can really trust.
NuddyRap said:
You're doing the best thing in waiting around for the right car, as painful as it may be.
I'm just getting towards the end of completely rebuilding mine, and although you say you feel out of your depth, honestly, they're very simple cars.
I know you're paying attention to the chassis, but a troublesome engine is more of a liability. You can drive a car with a crap chassis, but you can't drive a car with a crap engine. Fancy spending up to 15k on a full AJP8 drive in drive out? A body off restoration isn't quite that much, but it gives you chance to save because you can see it coming. The engine, when it goes pop, doesn't.
A chassis off restoration is a big job, but it can be completed with basic tools and mild ambition, and is less critical. As long as there are no holes, it can be kept that way for quite a long time with painting and protecting and it won't fail an MOT.
Whatever the item, if it hasn't been done, it'll probably need to be done. But just because it has been done doesn't mean it has been done well.
I've mentioned before that there are only a couple of places whose engines you can really trust.
Great post thanks NUddy very insightful, 15k is a hell of a lot of money that does scare me too. I'm going to see the jap import speed six on Friday so really looking forward to seeing that it could be the one and would involve me taking a small loan if I go ahead but in the grand scheme of things its nothing for the right car. I'm just getting towards the end of completely rebuilding mine, and although you say you feel out of your depth, honestly, they're very simple cars.
I know you're paying attention to the chassis, but a troublesome engine is more of a liability. You can drive a car with a crap chassis, but you can't drive a car with a crap engine. Fancy spending up to 15k on a full AJP8 drive in drive out? A body off restoration isn't quite that much, but it gives you chance to save because you can see it coming. The engine, when it goes pop, doesn't.
A chassis off restoration is a big job, but it can be completed with basic tools and mild ambition, and is less critical. As long as there are no holes, it can be kept that way for quite a long time with painting and protecting and it won't fail an MOT.
Whatever the item, if it hasn't been done, it'll probably need to be done. But just because it has been done doesn't mean it has been done well.
I've mentioned before that there are only a couple of places whose engines you can really trust.
Also been considering the white V8 some have you may have seen on ebay. The car is cat d but has had a chassis restoration and engine rebuild so seems good value for 17k. I'm in not hurry other than the cash burning a hole in my pocket and loosing all the gorgeous summer days driving around in a Mazda 2 I can wait for the right car as and when it becomes available.
Byff has also offered to give me some tips on inspecting the cars so hopefully, I'll be in a better position moving forward.
Byff has also offered to give me some tips on inspecting the cars so hopefully, I'll be in a better position moving forward.
Stu-nph26 said:
NuddyRap said:
You're doing the best thing in waiting around for the right car, as painful as it may be.
I'm just getting towards the end of completely rebuilding mine, and although you say you feel out of your depth, honestly, they're very simple cars.
I know you're paying attention to the chassis, but a troublesome engine is more of a liability. You can drive a car with a crap chassis, but you can't drive a car with a crap engine. Fancy spending up to 15k on a full AJP8 drive in drive out? A body off restoration isn't quite that much, but it gives you chance to save because you can see it coming. The engine, when it goes pop, doesn't.
A chassis off restoration is a big job, but it can be completed with basic tools and mild ambition, and is less critical. As long as there are no holes, it can be kept that way for quite a long time with painting and protecting and it won't fail an MOT.
Whatever the item, if it hasn't been done, it'll probably need to be done. But just because it has been done doesn't mean it has been done well.
I've mentioned before that there are only a couple of places whose engines you can really trust.
Great post thanks NUddy very insightful, 15k is a hell of a lot of money that does scare me too. I'm going to see the jap import speed six on Friday so really looking forward to seeing that it could be the one and would involve me taking a small loan if I go ahead but in the grand scheme of things its nothing for the right car. I'm just getting towards the end of completely rebuilding mine, and although you say you feel out of your depth, honestly, they're very simple cars.
I know you're paying attention to the chassis, but a troublesome engine is more of a liability. You can drive a car with a crap chassis, but you can't drive a car with a crap engine. Fancy spending up to 15k on a full AJP8 drive in drive out? A body off restoration isn't quite that much, but it gives you chance to save because you can see it coming. The engine, when it goes pop, doesn't.
A chassis off restoration is a big job, but it can be completed with basic tools and mild ambition, and is less critical. As long as there are no holes, it can be kept that way for quite a long time with painting and protecting and it won't fail an MOT.
Whatever the item, if it hasn't been done, it'll probably need to be done. But just because it has been done doesn't mean it has been done well.
I've mentioned before that there are only a couple of places whose engines you can really trust.
I spent £7.5k on my body off chassis restoration because I spent another £3k on parts, because why wouldn't you replace/improve everything whilst it's apart.
As for waiting, I spent 6 months looking for the right one, and that was 12 years ago when there was a few more around for sale...
I started looking at Cerbera's in 2011 (wanted one from launch).
Gave up several times and bought other interesting cars, but eventually kept coming back to wanting a Cerb.
After a few failed attempts (and missing some awesome examples), I got into a period of checking the classifieds almost every day.
I finally got the 'perfect' car recently, and it was well worth the wait.
I have more expensive/desirable cars in the garage, but the Cerbera is the truly special one!
Gave up several times and bought other interesting cars, but eventually kept coming back to wanting a Cerb.
After a few failed attempts (and missing some awesome examples), I got into a period of checking the classifieds almost every day.
I finally got the 'perfect' car recently, and it was well worth the wait.
I have more expensive/desirable cars in the garage, but the Cerbera is the truly special one!
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