TVR Service History
Discussion
I've been eagerly waiting in anticipation for some time now over purchasing my first Chim. My budget is around the £20k mark and originally I was looking to buy a relatively new example and run it as an every day car (short Journey's during the week, then longer runs over the weekends)
The predicament I find myself in now is that I've come across a 95M 4.0 with 35,000 miles, in very good condition however there is no service history. The MOT for last year verifies the mileage and I've been told that TVR Blackpool keep records of all service histories.
Thus I am left with the question of should I buy without the history and use it as a weekend car only, or bide my time and wait for a newer one to run everyday ?
Advise appreciated
The predicament I find myself in now is that I've come across a 95M 4.0 with 35,000 miles, in very good condition however there is no service history. The MOT for last year verifies the mileage and I've been told that TVR Blackpool keep records of all service histories.
Thus I am left with the question of should I buy without the history and use it as a weekend car only, or bide my time and wait for a newer one to run everyday ?
Advise appreciated
that car shouldnt be a penny over £14k, and I wouldnt go near it with a barge-pole unless there's a documented history. For only 5k more £20k will buy you a post-facelift 4.5 under 20,000 miles with full TVR history - a different league. Everyone I know who bought the 4.0, even coming from non-sports cars, wanted more power after a year.
I wouldn't buy it unless the seller can provide details from the servicer. Even if the book isn't stamped up, whoever serviced it will have the records (if it actually was serviced).
Frankly he's an idiot for not having a service history and it will cost him lot of cash when he eventually manages to sell it. It's up to him to provide it for you, and make sure it's watertight otherwise walk away.
I'm not sure about the lack of power of the 4.0L in the previous posting.
It takes a long time to get used to a TVR, and frankly, a good driver in a 4L can always beat an average driver in a 4.5L/5L in anything except a perfectly straight line. the main thing is to get a car whith the right balance of what you want - age, colour, history, condition etc.
For £20k you should be able to find a good one. Sprint Magazine is a good place to look (www.tvrcc.com) and of course the classifieds on this website. Don't be afraid of purchasing privately.
R
Frankly he's an idiot for not having a service history and it will cost him lot of cash when he eventually manages to sell it. It's up to him to provide it for you, and make sure it's watertight otherwise walk away.
I'm not sure about the lack of power of the 4.0L in the previous posting.
It takes a long time to get used to a TVR, and frankly, a good driver in a 4L can always beat an average driver in a 4.5L/5L in anything except a perfectly straight line. the main thing is to get a car whith the right balance of what you want - age, colour, history, condition etc.
For £20k you should be able to find a good one. Sprint Magazine is a good place to look (www.tvrcc.com) and of course the classifieds on this website. Don't be afraid of purchasing privately.
R
I'd agree with the previous points - leave this one where it is, there's plenty more out there. Sprint will give you a good idea on the price you should pay for FSH cars.
Check out Rob Ingleby (see threads on Find-a-Sportscar for more info)....it'll only cost you a phone call initially, and he's more than happy to chat to you about your requirements.
I have been driving my 4 litre since January, and while I've become quite used to the power - it won't ever get boring!
Check out Rob Ingleby (see threads on Find-a-Sportscar for more info)....it'll only cost you a phone call initially, and he's more than happy to chat to you about your requirements.
I have been driving my 4 litre since January, and while I've become quite used to the power - it won't ever get boring!
No service history and the heavy K36 service ahead.
I would go for one with more mileage and pass that milestone service...
Secondly I agree the Reg/mileage combination is in no way exceptional, there is plenty choice in the market
br,
Sigfrid
(e.g. Autotrader K15-17.5) http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&make=TVR&min_pr=15000&POSTCODE=gu47+8pr&source=0&model=CHIMAERA&max_pr=17500&sort=3&variant
=&mileage=&miles=60&keywords=4.0&agerange=&max_records=50&search.x=44&search.y=2
>> Edited by JSG (moderator) on Wednesday 19th June 00:37
Depends on your attitude to risk. Car might be good, might be bad. No way should you shoulder that risk. It should be reflected in the price. A similar example with FTVRSH in a private sale might command £14k/15k. The lack of service history gives you an almighty stick with which to beat the price down. A decent inspection from an independent expert should reduce the uncertainty somewhat. Question is how much lower does the price need to be before you are happy to take it on? Try an intial £1,200 for a major service and odds and sods. Plus an extra two grand to cover the unexpected/undisclosed turd in the works?
No reason why you should gamble at all, unless you enjoy it. Its always a buyers market and there are plenty out there to choose from.
No reason why you should gamble at all, unless you enjoy it. Its always a buyers market and there are plenty out there to choose from.
Yum
the 4.0/5.0 difference is not necessarily about outright speed, though the 500 has that in spades. It's more about driveability, or to put it another way, TORQUE. The 500 pulls like a train from everywhere.
I don't think anyone was suggesting a 4.0 was underpowered, its just that many people believe you just can't get enough of a good thing. I was one, I bought a 4.0 and traded it after 4 months for a new 500.
the 4.0/5.0 difference is not necessarily about outright speed, though the 500 has that in spades. It's more about driveability, or to put it another way, TORQUE. The 500 pulls like a train from everywhere.
I don't think anyone was suggesting a 4.0 was underpowered, its just that many people believe you just can't get enough of a good thing. I was one, I bought a 4.0 and traded it after 4 months for a new 500.
Let me throw a different perspective on this.
I am terrible at procuring things. I have no self-control and generally make my mind up on the spot. As you can imagine this has cost me an awful lot of money over the years, and have had some pretty rough girlfriends.
The same inevitably happened with the Chimaera. Went 'just to have a look' at David Geralds. Drove away some time later in a very old K reg that just squeezed under my budget (which at the time was lining up an 'S').
The point is, it had a filthy 3 year 12,000 mile gap in the history. "Fool" I hear you cry. "Moron". Well yes. Perhaps. But its not gone wrong. In fact its great. And I've covered about 2.5k miles in it. Idles nicely, reasonable oil pressure etc. etc. Chassis needed work, but that is not in itself unusual.
And I got my ideal car for relatively little money from a reputable and well respected dealer. I also have a bit of a 'project' on my hands, which is what I wanted.
I guess I was saved by sheer chance and a good dealer who serviced the car top to bottom before handing it over even if the warranty wasn't up to much (28 days!!!). Still - a gamble is a gamble, and if you've got the time, more patience and a bigger wallet than me, you'd be a fool to buy the car you mention when you can get something better.
I am terrible at procuring things. I have no self-control and generally make my mind up on the spot. As you can imagine this has cost me an awful lot of money over the years, and have had some pretty rough girlfriends.
The same inevitably happened with the Chimaera. Went 'just to have a look' at David Geralds. Drove away some time later in a very old K reg that just squeezed under my budget (which at the time was lining up an 'S').
The point is, it had a filthy 3 year 12,000 mile gap in the history. "Fool" I hear you cry. "Moron". Well yes. Perhaps. But its not gone wrong. In fact its great. And I've covered about 2.5k miles in it. Idles nicely, reasonable oil pressure etc. etc. Chassis needed work, but that is not in itself unusual.
And I got my ideal car for relatively little money from a reputable and well respected dealer. I also have a bit of a 'project' on my hands, which is what I wanted.
I guess I was saved by sheer chance and a good dealer who serviced the car top to bottom before handing it over even if the warranty wasn't up to much (28 days!!!). Still - a gamble is a gamble, and if you've got the time, more patience and a bigger wallet than me, you'd be a fool to buy the car you mention when you can get something better.
Quite right beljames - David Gerald are very trustworthy - I bought my 98 Chimaera from them and have been back already to have it serviced. (240 miles round trip - what an excuse!)
Man with 20K budget - I got mine for that with 16K on the clock and Full History - pay them a visit - they should have something similar in stock!
>> Edited by robkola on Wednesday 19th June 10:36
Man with 20K budget - I got mine for that with 16K on the clock and Full History - pay them a visit - they should have something similar in stock!
>> Edited by robkola on Wednesday 19th June 10:36
The gamble does occasionally pay off. If you go on general condition of the car as well you could pick up a bargain.
Remember some people buy these cars as fulfillment of a lifelong dream. They might be mechanically minded, and perfectly capable of servicing and maintaining these simple beasts themselves, and might not want or be able to afford overpriced dealer servicing.
Lack of dealers stamps in the service ought to put you on the alert, yes, but dig deeper. Does the guy service it himself? Does he know his stuff? Could you tell anyway? - be honest with yourself, if you can't assess his competence then find someone who could. Can you see his garage - is it chock full of equipment?
It's entirely possible that servicing has been neglected, so you do need to dig, and be prepared to walk if you are not convinced - or haggle a heavy discount to cover an anticipated heavy service (2k ought to cover most of the worst servic "consumables" - brakes, clutch etc).
Remember some people buy these cars as fulfillment of a lifelong dream. They might be mechanically minded, and perfectly capable of servicing and maintaining these simple beasts themselves, and might not want or be able to afford overpriced dealer servicing.
Lack of dealers stamps in the service ought to put you on the alert, yes, but dig deeper. Does the guy service it himself? Does he know his stuff? Could you tell anyway? - be honest with yourself, if you can't assess his competence then find someone who could. Can you see his garage - is it chock full of equipment?
It's entirely possible that servicing has been neglected, so you do need to dig, and be prepared to walk if you are not convinced - or haggle a heavy discount to cover an anticipated heavy service (2k ought to cover most of the worst servic "consumables" - brakes, clutch etc).
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