Buying a Chim form Fernhurst
Discussion
I am looking to buy a post 1998 4.0 or 4.5 Chim form Fernhurst (partly as they're fairly local) and thinking about going for the 'Fully Prepared' expensive option with the 12 month warranty and 2K max claim. I know this isn't the cheapest way to go but I'm new to TVR and used to Porsche 944 T build quality and reliability so am being ultra cautious (particularly as SWMBO isn't keen, she wants a Boxster S!). Does anyone have experience of this purchasing route good or bad and of Fernhurst's as a dealer and service agent.
Thanks for your help (I'va also put this on the Chim Forum)
Thanks for your help (I'va also put this on the Chim Forum)
I bought my first TVR (a chim) from Fernies last year. It had the 3 month (partial) warranty on it.
It gave me a great feeling of comfort for the first 3 months, especially as I didn't know what I was getting into by buying a TVR.
I didn't need any work done under the claim, and haven't used them for services yet. So can't comment there.
When inspecting and buying the car they were more than helpful. I didn't try any other dealers though (fell in love with the one we saw at Fernies) but I did look at a few for sale privately, so can't comment on how good they are compared to other dealers.
All in all I have nothing at all bad to say about them, but my experience has really only been the initial purchase.
(Trying to be helpful, but probably not).
Oh, and the car is fab. Absolutely love it. Still brings a smile to my face.
It gave me a great feeling of comfort for the first 3 months, especially as I didn't know what I was getting into by buying a TVR.
I didn't need any work done under the claim, and haven't used them for services yet. So can't comment there.
When inspecting and buying the car they were more than helpful. I didn't try any other dealers though (fell in love with the one we saw at Fernies) but I did look at a few for sale privately, so can't comment on how good they are compared to other dealers.
All in all I have nothing at all bad to say about them, but my experience has really only been the initial purchase.
(Trying to be helpful, but probably not).
Oh, and the car is fab. Absolutely love it. Still brings a smile to my face.
I've bought two TVRs from Fernhurst, the first a '97 Griff 500 back in 2000, and then I traded it for an '03 Tuscan in 2005. Pre- and after-sales service was second to none, with very refreshing honesty about good and bad points of buying different cars at different price points. I found them very straightforward with regard to warranty claims, which were only minor, and the standard of both cars was fantastic - neither have given me any major problems.
Servicing is competitively priced, courtesy car is included, they always remember your name, and they are very flexible. There has never been any suggestion of extra work being done unnecessarily, and the car is returned in showroom condition (rusty brake disc hubs repainted, insides of wheels washed, etc). In one instance I had a starter motor fail on the Griff 5 minutes after collecting the car from the service (it was an intermittent fault), and the guys in the workshop changed it while I waited at 5:30 on a summer's evening, and didn't even charge me for the labour.
All in all I can't fault the sales or service side of the business.
Pete
Servicing is competitively priced, courtesy car is included, they always remember your name, and they are very flexible. There has never been any suggestion of extra work being done unnecessarily, and the car is returned in showroom condition (rusty brake disc hubs repainted, insides of wheels washed, etc). In one instance I had a starter motor fail on the Griff 5 minutes after collecting the car from the service (it was an intermittent fault), and the guys in the workshop changed it while I waited at 5:30 on a summer's evening, and didn't even charge me for the labour.
All in all I can't fault the sales or service side of the business.
Pete
Bought my Chim from them nearly 4 years ago and they service it every year despite them being 1½ hours away.
At that time I got a 2 year warranty but that luxury has long disappeared.
Very happy with their sales and service even though Dream Machines are closer (and have very satisfactorily helped me out with intermediate bits and pieces).
I had only looked at one car before as Fernies came with a very good reputation and i haven't been disappointed.
At that time I got a 2 year warranty but that luxury has long disappeared.
Very happy with their sales and service even though Dream Machines are closer (and have very satisfactorily helped me out with intermediate bits and pieces).
I had only looked at one car before as Fernies came with a very good reputation and i haven't been disappointed.
I bought my first TVR from them back in 2003, it was a P reg Chimaera 4l. It was one of the cheapest they had, I fell in love with it, and they treated me like a king, like I was buying the most expensive car there. Nothing was too much, once I bought the car they let me bring my friends, family and everyone down so I could drive them around in it before I officially picked it up. Drew collected myself and my wife up from the station on the day we picked up the car.
The aftersales service was excellent, I reported a fault (the only one) on the monday, it was in on the tuesday complete with courtesy car, and back on the tuesday evening.
I popped in there a few months ago in my Monaro (havent had the chim for about 3 years) and Drew remembered me by name. I will by a Chimaera from them again soon.
Drew, Graham and Brian in servicing (I think?) were a delight to deal with. Which I am sure all here will echo.
Cheers
Mike
The aftersales service was excellent, I reported a fault (the only one) on the monday, it was in on the tuesday complete with courtesy car, and back on the tuesday evening.
I popped in there a few months ago in my Monaro (havent had the chim for about 3 years) and Drew remembered me by name. I will by a Chimaera from them again soon.
Drew, Graham and Brian in servicing (I think?) were a delight to deal with. Which I am sure all here will echo.
Cheers
Mike
Save yourself some cash. Drop APM a mail - he is not far from you either - he services Chims and Cerbs. He can possibly put you in contact with someone selling a decent Chim privately. You can then use him for servicing (the No 1 imho) and you will save money on both the car price (many thousands) and on servicing (many hundreds).
I've never bought a car from them but heard they have some spacing brackets which would raise my passenger seat just that bit so that errrrrm... people less tall than me have a view over the parked wipers rather than under them!
I booked the car in and during that morning was somewhat delayed (Carl Baker not so far away!). Anyway, I managed to turn up as most of them were at lunch but rather than have me wait any longer than necessary Graham drove my car straight into the workshop and sent me to a lovely pub, The Red Lion, for a lunchtime pint. Returning 45 minutes later the car was returned to their forecourt job done and ready to go. They'd also checked my a/c compressor and the total bill was nominal and in the region I'd expected - so no nasty shocks there. All in all this was one of the best 'garage' experiences I'd had, albeit it was minor.
Particularly in view of the other comments I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and remember this... They KNOW that they are discussed on PH and elsewhere in the TVR owning community. As such they also know that to act otherwise than honestly and fairly would deal a damaging blow to their highly valuable reputation. Nick.
I booked the car in and during that morning was somewhat delayed (Carl Baker not so far away!). Anyway, I managed to turn up as most of them were at lunch but rather than have me wait any longer than necessary Graham drove my car straight into the workshop and sent me to a lovely pub, The Red Lion, for a lunchtime pint. Returning 45 minutes later the car was returned to their forecourt job done and ready to go. They'd also checked my a/c compressor and the total bill was nominal and in the region I'd expected - so no nasty shocks there. All in all this was one of the best 'garage' experiences I'd had, albeit it was minor.
Particularly in view of the other comments I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and remember this... They KNOW that they are discussed on PH and elsewhere in the TVR owning community. As such they also know that to act otherwise than honestly and fairly would deal a damaging blow to their highly valuable reputation. Nick.
I didn't buy my car from Fernhursts but will only let them service and maintain her. Great bunch and always very happy to fit the car in at short notice if anything is worrying me. I can't recommend them highly enough.
I would consider buying my next car, a Tuscan S convertible from them. I would however sell my car privately, the part ex prices aren't so good!
I would consider buying my next car, a Tuscan S convertible from them. I would however sell my car privately, the part ex prices aren't so good!
Fernies used to service my 350i and then I bought my Griff from them and had them service it for the next 5 years. Defo a reccomendation from me. Bryan (correct speeling I think ) was a star in Service and Simon in sales always (assuming he is still there?) remembered me by name when Ive popped in for a chat. I remember when looking for a Griff (and latterly when I was looking for a Cerb) just turning up on the off chance and being thrown the keys to a car and sent off on test drives on my own/with Mrs Fubes. That doesnt happen often these days?
Not the cheapest but always great cars
) was a star in Service and Simon in sales always (assuming he is still there?) remembered me by name when Ive popped in for a chat. I remember when looking for a Griff (and latterly when I was looking for a Cerb) just turning up on the off chance and being thrown the keys to a car and sent off on test drives on my own/with Mrs Fubes. That doesnt happen often these days?Not the cheapest but always great cars
I've dealt with them for 11 years. I bought both my Griff 500 and my Tuscan Red Rose from them. Service is exceptional.
I would recommend them very highly - they're the best garage I've ever done business with.
Like any businessman, Graham needs to make money out of a deal but he's completely straight and never tries to b^llsh^t.
Bryan and the lads in the workshop are terrific.
I would recommend them very highly - they're the best garage I've ever done business with.
Like any businessman, Graham needs to make money out of a deal but he's completely straight and never tries to b^llsh^t.
Bryan and the lads in the workshop are terrific.
I was in the same position as you two years ago.
I decided i would buy a car from them before they had the one i wanted. I know that sounds mad, but the guys in there lived and loved TVRs. NOthing was too much trouble for them, any amount of test drives were actually encuraged, and when they found a car to my spec, it was spot on. And has remained so for the past 2 years and 20k miles.
I bought it with the bigger warranty, for peace of mind really, and although it wasn't the cheapest screen price, i haven't had to pay for repairs - so it has worked out well for me.
Go and do it
I decided i would buy a car from them before they had the one i wanted. I know that sounds mad, but the guys in there lived and loved TVRs. NOthing was too much trouble for them, any amount of test drives were actually encuraged, and when they found a car to my spec, it was spot on. And has remained so for the past 2 years and 20k miles.
I bought it with the bigger warranty, for peace of mind really, and although it wasn't the cheapest screen price, i haven't had to pay for repairs - so it has worked out well for me.
Go and do it
I've just been down to them the past 2 weekends. Superb!
Being only 21 and looking at buying a Chim i expected plenty of cyniscism on the part of any dealer. But these guys were more than great, especially Nick. It was incredibly refreshing to not be talked down to as a child but talked to as an equal and as a fellow petrolhead.
Gave me plenty of tips and tricks on what to look for on a Chim. They were my first stop and i havent gone elsewhere since purely because the service and the quality they offer is so good im willing to pay the extra few grand to get the car i want along with a great service to boot.
Fingers crossed will be buying in the coming week. I'll be sure to post pictures of the happy day when i do
But definetly give them a go. But if you buy the Atlantis Halycon 400 parked there i'll be round rather swiftly armed to the teeth with various degrading accessories for the male of the species!
Being only 21 and looking at buying a Chim i expected plenty of cyniscism on the part of any dealer. But these guys were more than great, especially Nick. It was incredibly refreshing to not be talked down to as a child but talked to as an equal and as a fellow petrolhead.
Gave me plenty of tips and tricks on what to look for on a Chim. They were my first stop and i havent gone elsewhere since purely because the service and the quality they offer is so good im willing to pay the extra few grand to get the car i want along with a great service to boot.
Fingers crossed will be buying in the coming week. I'll be sure to post pictures of the happy day when i do
But definetly give them a go. But if you buy the Atlantis Halycon 400 parked there i'll be round rather swiftly armed to the teeth with various degrading accessories for the male of the species!
Everytime I've dealt with them they've been great. Haven't bought a car from them but they are a good bunch and very freindly.
On the way to the Goodwood Revival last year I picked up a puncture in one of the rear tyres. Pulled in to Fernies, they had a pair of tyres in stock, sold them to me (and didn't rip me off). They put the tyres in the back of a van and drove them up to a local tyre fitters who did a first class job of fitting them and getting me back on my way again (the fitters do a lot of work for Fernies).
On the way to the Goodwood Revival last year I picked up a puncture in one of the rear tyres. Pulled in to Fernies, they had a pair of tyres in stock, sold them to me (and didn't rip me off). They put the tyres in the back of a van and drove them up to a local tyre fitters who did a first class job of fitting them and getting me back on my way again (the fitters do a lot of work for Fernies).
FUBAR said:
I remember when looking for a Griff (and latterly when I was looking for a Cerb) just turning up on the off chance and being thrown the keys to a car and sent off on test drives on my own/with Mrs Fubes. That doesnt happen often these days?
The reason for that is motor trade insurance policies don't allow unaccompanied test drives although some garages still think its OK to take the risk.AUDISELLER said:
FUBAR said:
I remember when looking for a Griff (and latterly when I was looking for a Cerb) just turning up on the off chance and being thrown the keys to a car and sent off on test drives on my own/with Mrs Fubes. That doesnt happen often these days?
The reason for that is motor trade insurance policies don't allow unaccompanied test drives although some garages still think its OK to take the risk.Fernhurst are fantastic - have used them for a good few years and can not praise them enough. Simon, Graham and Bryan are all round good eggs - and all the guys down there are top notch. I also dont think the prices are bad either. Any car they sell you will be decent, and they will not sell any pants stuff!
Trust them and be done with! Whats doubly good, if ya just want to wonder by and have a chat and a coffee - thats always available!
Cheers,
Stu.
Trust them and be done with! Whats doubly good, if ya just want to wonder by and have a chat and a coffee - thats always available!
Cheers,
Stu.
In 1986 I was driving to Chichister for a day out and stopped at Fernhurst to look at the TVRs. Chatted to the salesman who offered me an (unaccompanied) test drive. Took it out - white 350i with red leather, then my wife drove it. That was it! Got our first TVR the next year and the rest is history
Bought mine from them after driving past it for years and slowing down to drool every time. Superb service, no bullsh
t attitude, very friendly.
I would buy from them again without hesitation.
The only reason I don't get my car serviced there anymore is RG are much nearer so more convenient when picking the car up after work, when they're shut.
t attitude, very friendly.I would buy from them again without hesitation.
The only reason I don't get my car serviced there anymore is RG are much nearer so more convenient when picking the car up after work, when they're shut.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff