Selling the T350....
Discussion
Looking for a bit of advice from everyone on what to do with the T350. Circumstances now mean it's time to sell, but I've got a couple of options in my head that I thought I'd run by the collective wisdom here!
So, some detail:
It's a T350C, 2005 3.6 in Storm Titanium, cicra 35k miles. We've owned her from new, having bought from the long defunct Peninsula TVR in Devon. We took her off the road over a year ago in order to do a few jobs and get a rebuild done as the timing chain tensioner had no adjustment left, so rebuild was advised as being the answer. It's likely to need a new clutch at the same time. Additionally, I didn't get around to getting the work done I wanted to on her so she'll need a full respray as well. Now, in my head, a standard rebuild, plus clutch, plus respray will easily see the bill at £10k+ so the options I see are:
1. Get all the work carried out and sell her once she's back in good condition, with a Power warranty. Looking at prices, we're looking at a price of £25kish which, when taking into account the spend would leave us with £15k
2. Sell it, as it is, as a project; there are a few people who would want to stick an LS engine in one, or get a 4.3/4.5 etc. so the right buyer can spec it how they like. Likely price- I have no idea! Maybe £10k?
So really, the question is, assuming my numbers aren't off hugely, is it worth the outlay to get it back in good order before selling?
All advice gratefully received.
Thanks, Al.
So, some detail:
It's a T350C, 2005 3.6 in Storm Titanium, cicra 35k miles. We've owned her from new, having bought from the long defunct Peninsula TVR in Devon. We took her off the road over a year ago in order to do a few jobs and get a rebuild done as the timing chain tensioner had no adjustment left, so rebuild was advised as being the answer. It's likely to need a new clutch at the same time. Additionally, I didn't get around to getting the work done I wanted to on her so she'll need a full respray as well. Now, in my head, a standard rebuild, plus clutch, plus respray will easily see the bill at £10k+ so the options I see are:
1. Get all the work carried out and sell her once she's back in good condition, with a Power warranty. Looking at prices, we're looking at a price of £25kish which, when taking into account the spend would leave us with £15k
2. Sell it, as it is, as a project; there are a few people who would want to stick an LS engine in one, or get a 4.3/4.5 etc. so the right buyer can spec it how they like. Likely price- I have no idea! Maybe £10k?
So really, the question is, assuming my numbers aren't off hugely, is it worth the outlay to get it back in good order before selling?
All advice gratefully received.
Thanks, Al.
Not being especially mechanically minded - can I ask: what's the minimum that would make her run? I'm thinking, there are definitely people that would fancy a project but might want the outlay in stages. I'd definitely find a runner easier given that I don't have a trailer or facilities. Is there some kind of shim or modified tensioner that would be a stop gap?
And have you had someone look at the paint? I thought mine was "so bad, it'll need a total respray" but a good paintshop has got it to 99% perfect for considerably less than that. I'm not suggesting being untruthful but some nice glossy photos of highly waxed paint will attract some looks and "35K miles, not had any engine work for a while" should translate to a buyer as "expect it needs some soon".
In that position, surely it would be a £23k car, clearing you about £20k?
Alternatively, seek out an overseas buyer for a perfect car and get the work done for them in return for top money?
And have you had someone look at the paint? I thought mine was "so bad, it'll need a total respray" but a good paintshop has got it to 99% perfect for considerably less than that. I'm not suggesting being untruthful but some nice glossy photos of highly waxed paint will attract some looks and "35K miles, not had any engine work for a while" should translate to a buyer as "expect it needs some soon".
In that position, surely it would be a £23k car, clearing you about £20k?
Alternatively, seek out an overseas buyer for a perfect car and get the work done for them in return for top money?
That is a tough one. As harsh as it sounds the less risky option would be to cut your loses and sell as a low price project. You could take a risk and get a Powers 4.3 conversion done, full respray and look for 30k+ selling price with 3 year warranty from Power included, but that may be risky.
I presonally feel you'd be under selling at 10k in it's current state. I think you're looking closer to 17-19K if it has good history and hasn't been abused. They're currently fetching good prices and could be rebuilt at a reasonable cost. As is doesn't sound like a catastrophic failure. I'd bite your hand off at 10K and I'm sure you've received a few. emails
Edited by TVR Tommy on Sunday 18th October 21:28
Sell it as it is.
The new owner might want it for track days, do an LS conversion and wrap it, as he is more interested in performance than paint..
He might want a standard engine, and already have one in his garage waiting. Or go to a 4.5 or 4.5 conversion.
He might take the opportunity to paint it yellow with purple spots - laugh all you like, but my boring navy Chimaera is going yellow when I respray it, and I am a 62 year old accountant, a job that makes me want to make a loud noise in every way possible.
Why limit him to what you feel like doing to the car?
The new owner might want it for track days, do an LS conversion and wrap it, as he is more interested in performance than paint..
He might want a standard engine, and already have one in his garage waiting. Or go to a 4.5 or 4.5 conversion.
He might take the opportunity to paint it yellow with purple spots - laugh all you like, but my boring navy Chimaera is going yellow when I respray it, and I am a 62 year old accountant, a job that makes me want to make a loud noise in every way possible.
Why limit him to what you feel like doing to the car?
TVR Tommy said:
I presonally feel you'd be under selling at 10k in it's current state. I think you're looking closer to 17-19K if it has good history and hasn't been abused. They're currently fetching good prices and could be rebuilt at a reasonable cost. As is doesn't sound like a catastrophic failure. I'd bite your hand off at 10K and I'm sure you've received a few. emails
It's certainly going to be worth a lot more than £10k as Tommy says I bet your inbox is full from private and dealers enquiries. Not too sure if it's worth £19k. It would, as someone else has pointed out, depend on whether a respray is reqd. Edited by TVR Tommy on Sunday 18th October 21:28
Must be worth at least £15k though.
If it was me I'd sell as is and not get any work done, it could save you a lot of hassle.
Good morning
I have been a TVR owner now for quite a few years now and missed a similar car about 6 months ago.
I’m not a dealer and looking to buy and keep a T350. The T350 I missed sold for £14K and was back advertised 3 months later!
Quite happy to pay you what its worth and I am aware of there value so not looking at making you a silly offer
I have the cash, a trailer to fetch it and space………. Oh and the main thing ……..the green light from the wife! In fact it will be in her name as the Chim we have is my name!
I won’t mess you about so please message me if you’re interested in an offer? paul.whitby@aol.co.uk
Many thanks
I have been a TVR owner now for quite a few years now and missed a similar car about 6 months ago.
I’m not a dealer and looking to buy and keep a T350. The T350 I missed sold for £14K and was back advertised 3 months later!
Quite happy to pay you what its worth and I am aware of there value so not looking at making you a silly offer
I have the cash, a trailer to fetch it and space………. Oh and the main thing ……..the green light from the wife! In fact it will be in her name as the Chim we have is my name!
I won’t mess you about so please message me if you’re interested in an offer? paul.whitby@aol.co.uk
Many thanks
As others have said, how bad is the paint really? Is it something a few hundred quid on a thorough detail couldn't sort? Else is it maybe just a front end required (about a grand)?
A Power rebuild to standard is 5.5k including a 3 year warranty and the clutch won't cost as much as usual as the engine will already be out. With a fresh rebuild and a good detail (assuming the paint is 'that' bad) then I'd value it at closer to 30k so unless you really want to take a hit then get the work done
A Power rebuild to standard is 5.5k including a 3 year warranty and the clutch won't cost as much as usual as the engine will already be out. With a fresh rebuild and a good detail (assuming the paint is 'that' bad) then I'd value it at closer to 30k so unless you really want to take a hit then get the work done
Thanks for all the input so far guys, all very much appreciated!
There seems to be quite a few people interested in buying, so to all those who have e-mailed, apologies I haven't replied, I'll try and get back to you before the end of the day but that'll be hugely work dependant! For anyone else who has left e-mail addresses on the thread, I'll similarly get in touch asap, even just to say hello so you have my e-mail address. I'll get some photos to everyone who's asked.
For those who have asked about paint condition, one of the jobs I was doing was sorting the paint myself but not having the time to do it I inevitably rushed in places and didn't get a decent finish so it will need a full respray; front, back (inc diffuser), doors and bonnet, all back to primer. Trying to match between celly and waterbased was a real pain.
Interior-wise, she's not too bad really; just the usual scuffing on the driver's side leather from getting in and out. Door cards are in good nick, as is the dash.
Ref the rebuild, it might be the case that a full rebuild isn't needed, but my garage (Forza West) certainly thought that was the best move, and I do trust Stu.
Thanks again everyone,
Al
There seems to be quite a few people interested in buying, so to all those who have e-mailed, apologies I haven't replied, I'll try and get back to you before the end of the day but that'll be hugely work dependant! For anyone else who has left e-mail addresses on the thread, I'll similarly get in touch asap, even just to say hello so you have my e-mail address. I'll get some photos to everyone who's asked.
For those who have asked about paint condition, one of the jobs I was doing was sorting the paint myself but not having the time to do it I inevitably rushed in places and didn't get a decent finish so it will need a full respray; front, back (inc diffuser), doors and bonnet, all back to primer. Trying to match between celly and waterbased was a real pain.
Interior-wise, she's not too bad really; just the usual scuffing on the driver's side leather from getting in and out. Door cards are in good nick, as is the dash.
Ref the rebuild, it might be the case that a full rebuild isn't needed, but my garage (Forza West) certainly thought that was the best move, and I do trust Stu.
Thanks again everyone,
Al
Plenty of people want it as its perfect for a project and does not come often as it has not being written off, I missed out on a t350 4 years ago that I offered 12k on as it needed an engine.
I would sell it to the highest bidder that way obviously you will get what it's worth, I wouldn't sell it on first offer
I would sell it to the highest bidder that way obviously you will get what it's worth, I wouldn't sell it on first offer
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