I'm thinking of buying an S3...
Discussion
Evening all,
Following on from my original thread in TVR General, I'm now convinced I need an S Series TVR in my life...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A good S series is just such a good looking car! And they seem great value right now.
So, I've never had a 'toy car', let alone a TVR, so where do I start?
I've looked at http://www.tvrsseries.com/ and think that I really want an S3 car. I want to be able to keep the car in tip-top condition so I have revised my budget down to £4.5k in order to keep some money in the bank.
I have learnt that chassis condition is a big deal!
So, lots of other questions:
What to look for?
Where do I find specialists who could inspect a car with me?
What goes wrong?
What are the maintanance costs of keeping one in nice reliable condition?
Where to / how much to service?
Who does good insurance?
I'm based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
Any help, much appreciated!
Cheers,
Matt
Following on from my original thread in TVR General, I'm now convinced I need an S Series TVR in my life...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A good S series is just such a good looking car! And they seem great value right now.
So, I've never had a 'toy car', let alone a TVR, so where do I start?
I've looked at http://www.tvrsseries.com/ and think that I really want an S3 car. I want to be able to keep the car in tip-top condition so I have revised my budget down to £4.5k in order to keep some money in the bank.
I have learnt that chassis condition is a big deal!
So, lots of other questions:
What to look for?
Where do I find specialists who could inspect a car with me?
What goes wrong?
What are the maintanance costs of keeping one in nice reliable condition?
Where to / how much to service?
Who does good insurance?
I'm based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
Any help, much appreciated!
Cheers,
Matt
Co er!! They are becoming popular
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
pies site = TVR Series
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
pies site = TVR Series
Hi Matt,
Hmmm... what to add...
Keeping some money in the bank is perhaps a good idea, but if you find one that's definitely a cut above the rest then I'd be tempted to spend the extra money buying a good one in the first place. Also if funds are an issue I'd be tempted to find an earlier car. There are minor improvements to the later cars, but the earlier ones are disproportionately cheaper for what is a very similar car. As mentioned before a nicely restored S1 will be much more fun than a slightly tatty S3.
Insurance - google Hagerty and give them a call. I'm a bit younger than most TVR drivers and their premiums were thousands of pounds better than some of the other quotes I had. In a relatively dodgy area of North London aged 25, with a recent 'fault' claim and little NCB I'm paying £220 for a 5,000 mile policy.
The TVR S-Series site is probably a good place to look for buying tips. Pay particular attention to their guide to the rust spots on the chassis. It seems to be really the only expensive job on the largely Ford-based S. Find one with a good chassis and outriggers and most other things are fairly straightforward.
From memory:
Hmmm... what to add...
Keeping some money in the bank is perhaps a good idea, but if you find one that's definitely a cut above the rest then I'd be tempted to spend the extra money buying a good one in the first place. Also if funds are an issue I'd be tempted to find an earlier car. There are minor improvements to the later cars, but the earlier ones are disproportionately cheaper for what is a very similar car. As mentioned before a nicely restored S1 will be much more fun than a slightly tatty S3.
Insurance - google Hagerty and give them a call. I'm a bit younger than most TVR drivers and their premiums were thousands of pounds better than some of the other quotes I had. In a relatively dodgy area of North London aged 25, with a recent 'fault' claim and little NCB I'm paying £220 for a 5,000 mile policy.
The TVR S-Series site is probably a good place to look for buying tips. Pay particular attention to their guide to the rust spots on the chassis. It seems to be really the only expensive job on the largely Ford-based S. Find one with a good chassis and outriggers and most other things are fairly straightforward.
From memory:
- The doors have a habbit of dropping, not the end of the world, but something to look for.
- Gear change can be a bit variable. They can be sublime. The S1 I saw had the best gearchange I've ever tried.
- The paintwork/cosmetics can last well if looked after. The only thing is that most cars (or so I'm led to believe) get a stress crack around the front edge of the bonnet scoop.
- Check for decent oil pressure and battery charge current (quantities given on the site)
- Depending on what you're used to, you might find the steering a tiny bit wooly around the straig ahead. It should be reasonably crisp, but none of them feel like an Elise. Once you get the suspension loaded up a little, feedback is excellent.
- Usual things - check it pulls and brakes in a straight line etc.
Matt,
As Chris said above, don't just look at S3's and possibly miss out on a good S2. Condition should be the major factor in your choice, unless of course you have a strong preference over the dash and/or the longer doors of the S3 (which some people do).
Good luck with the search.
Longers
As Chris said above, don't just look at S3's and possibly miss out on a good S2. Condition should be the major factor in your choice, unless of course you have a strong preference over the dash and/or the longer doors of the S3 (which some people do).
Good luck with the search.
Longers
Same goes, buy the best you can for the money wether be S1,S2 or S3. Look at a few before you buy, you will know a good one when seen 
, and don't be seduced by the looks and audio soundtrack, get that chassis checked. A cheaper TVR (any model) with a knackered chassis will cost you a lot more in the end. Maintenance costs etc depend on how much you can do for yourself. For insurance give these a try, http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/ , the do both mine for £260, i think it was £160 for the S2, inc. my wife to drive and breakdown thrown in.
Good luck with the search.
Ian.
, and don't be seduced by the looks and audio soundtrack, get that chassis checked. A cheaper TVR (any model) with a knackered chassis will cost you a lot more in the end. Maintenance costs etc depend on how much you can do for yourself. For insurance give these a try, http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/ , the do both mine for £260, i think it was £160 for the S2, inc. my wife to drive and breakdown thrown in.Good luck with the search.
Ian.
I spent £5150 on mine and could have got a cosmetically better looking example but the chassis had just been completely overhauled and rustproofed and that was my main priority.
The seller had photos of every stage of the rebuild so I know I was getting a chassis that would last for ages, if I keep on top of any chips or scrapes in the rustproof coating.
I don't regret the choice at all - it's the best car I've ever had.
From personal experience, since I bought the car in May, I would that as long as you keep dropping in here you won't go far wrong if you do have any problems or just want advice or tips on doing jobs yourself.
The seller had photos of every stage of the rebuild so I know I was getting a chassis that would last for ages, if I keep on top of any chips or scrapes in the rustproof coating.
I don't regret the choice at all - it's the best car I've ever had.
From personal experience, since I bought the car in May, I would that as long as you keep dropping in here you won't go far wrong if you do have any problems or just want advice or tips on doing jobs yourself.
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