Need some advice desperately
Discussion
Desperately need some advice!
Just spoke to a very very knowledgeable TVR guy from a specialist garage in Farnham who advised me what to look for when buying a TVR. Trying to buy a Chimaera and think I've found a reasonable one with a few slight concerns.
The dash has a couple of cracks in it around the speedo and first two dials is it suspect or natural?
Also the leather seats look quite worn considering the milage 26k (1998, 4 litre)I appreciate that they are magnolia should they look fairly worn or is the millage suspect. Lastly reference the vin plate is it hand engraved or factory engraved ie very blocked like most cars or hand engraved.
Everything else seems ok with the car ie service history, data check etc.
I wouldn't mind some truthful advice and even the possibility of checking the car with me (small payment for experience and genuine advice)or is there anyone out there who does this for a living/hobbie?
I live in the colchester area (Essex) but the car is about 60 miles away heading towards the tunnel. Any takers, advice and thoughts would be appreciated.
Just spoke to a very very knowledgeable TVR guy from a specialist garage in Farnham who advised me what to look for when buying a TVR. Trying to buy a Chimaera and think I've found a reasonable one with a few slight concerns.
The dash has a couple of cracks in it around the speedo and first two dials is it suspect or natural?
Also the leather seats look quite worn considering the milage 26k (1998, 4 litre)I appreciate that they are magnolia should they look fairly worn or is the millage suspect. Lastly reference the vin plate is it hand engraved or factory engraved ie very blocked like most cars or hand engraved.
Everything else seems ok with the car ie service history, data check etc.
I wouldn't mind some truthful advice and even the possibility of checking the car with me (small payment for experience and genuine advice)or is there anyone out there who does this for a living/hobbie?
I live in the colchester area (Essex) but the car is about 60 miles away heading towards the tunnel. Any takers, advice and thoughts would be appreciated.
1)Ask the garage for the details of the previous owner. If they've got nothing to hide they'll gladly let you have it to settle your nerves. It may help.
2)I have seen cracked veneer before.
3) The chassis number usually looks like it's been done by a bloke who usually does pet tags.
2)I have seen cracked veneer before.
3) The chassis number usually looks like it's been done by a bloke who usually does pet tags.
Sound advice.
Plus my own observations:
1) I contacted the company named in the service history of the vehicle that I was interested in and they verified the stamps in the handbook.
2) Leather and dash – mine is a few years older than the one you are looking at and it had a couple of cracks in the dash veneer and the leather needed a clean/feed.
3) My VIN plate is engraved by hand (not stamped).
Happy hunting
Plus my own observations:
1) I contacted the company named in the service history of the vehicle that I was interested in and they verified the stamps in the handbook.
2) Leather and dash – mine is a few years older than the one you are looking at and it had a couple of cracks in the dash veneer and the leather needed a clean/feed.
3) My VIN plate is engraved by hand (not stamped).
Happy hunting
Hi Shabba,
I would concur with the previous comments. I assume you have checked out the more critical items i.e. chassis etc.
If you need an inspection you could try Philip Reyegate who is very familiar with servicing and modifying TVR's. He charges about £150-200 and I would recommend him without hesitation. He's contactable on www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk .
Happy hunting and if you find a good one you will not regret it.
Steve.
I would concur with the previous comments. I assume you have checked out the more critical items i.e. chassis etc.
If you need an inspection you could try Philip Reyegate who is very familiar with servicing and modifying TVR's. He charges about £150-200 and I would recommend him without hesitation. He's contactable on www.rhinomotorsport.co.uk .
Happy hunting and if you find a good one you will not regret it.
Steve.
My Griff is a 97 with 34K on the clock both the dash and the Magnolia seats look like new, but now I come to think of it my Vin Plate looks dodgy too.
If the car has been looked after then so should the seats. I understand that some dashes do crack but a careful owner would have replaced it.
There are good cars out there, you pays your money and takes your choice.
Cheers,
Simon.
If the car has been looked after then so should the seats. I understand that some dashes do crack but a careful owner would have replaced it.
There are good cars out there, you pays your money and takes your choice.
Cheers,
Simon.
I have seen quite a few with cracked veneer, that would not worry me.
I have seen many leather seats on all sorts of cars that have aged early through neglect, I would not say the TVR wear too well at all. A bit hard to quantify the damage you describe like this though.
The vin plates are hand engraved.
I would go to the nearest TVR dealer and ask them how much to check it out, they do not charge a fortune. To do a proper check on these cars it has to go up on a ramp. No matter what you think you are saving by cutting corners on an inspection is going to be your biggest mistake.
Buy a bad TVR and you will wish you had never heard of them. Good luck, hope it all works out for you.
Ivan
I have seen many leather seats on all sorts of cars that have aged early through neglect, I would not say the TVR wear too well at all. A bit hard to quantify the damage you describe like this though.
The vin plates are hand engraved.
I would go to the nearest TVR dealer and ask them how much to check it out, they do not charge a fortune. To do a proper check on these cars it has to go up on a ramp. No matter what you think you are saving by cutting corners on an inspection is going to be your biggest mistake.
Buy a bad TVR and you will wish you had never heard of them. Good luck, hope it all works out for you.
Ivan
The vin plate is normal.
I take it your comment about cracks around speedo / worn leather is a worry about clocking. My dark blue leather didnt really show wear until around 60,000.
I agree with the points about previous owner / professional check-over. Has it got a full history? Black A5 TVR ring binder with service cards stamped up in it? Do the mileages mage sense?
Footwell floor carpets / mats / pedal rubbers?
Just some thoughts!
I take it your comment about cracks around speedo / worn leather is a worry about clocking. My dark blue leather didnt really show wear until around 60,000.
I agree with the points about previous owner / professional check-over. Has it got a full history? Black A5 TVR ring binder with service cards stamped up in it? Do the mileages mage sense?
Footwell floor carpets / mats / pedal rubbers?
Just some thoughts!
A well cared for TVR should come with all sorts of saved documentation such as old MOT certificates, previous tax disks, receipts for servicing and/or spares purchased.
If you are looking at a TVR without all this then walk away. Use your head not your heart. There are dozens out there available now, so get on your bike and go and have a look for a really good one.
If you personally don't have the time, then buy through an agent such as Rob Ingleby or James Agger.
If you are looking at a TVR without all this then walk away. Use your head not your heart. There are dozens out there available now, so get on your bike and go and have a look for a really good one.
If you personally don't have the time, then buy through an agent such as Rob Ingleby or James Agger.
The magnolia seats in my '98 450 with 21k are almost as new, but I guess if they have been left exposed to direct sunlight they might have dried out a bit annd look more worn ??
If they are really bad I have a pair of really good condition full leather magnolia seats I bought from a guy doing a cerbera seat swap on his vey low mileage Griff 500 that I would consider selling. (I bought them for my 350i project which has stalled a bit) The drivers one has lumbar support on it as a bonus.
GF
>> Edited by gf350 on Friday 1st October 15:07
If they are really bad I have a pair of really good condition full leather magnolia seats I bought from a guy doing a cerbera seat swap on his vey low mileage Griff 500 that I would consider selling. (I bought them for my 350i project which has stalled a bit) The drivers one has lumbar support on it as a bonus.
GF
>> Edited by gf350 on Friday 1st October 15:07
I had exactly the same concerns when I bought my '98 Chim. Some small cracks in the vaneer and seats which seemed more worn than they should. Plus, the odeometer had been replaced, so no true guarantee of the milage other than the logbook (fulltvrsh). Checked it out, clean as a whistle. Haven't been disappointed yet.
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