buying first tvr

[mractive]

hey, im looking to buy a tvr mainly for weekend driving but also want to track it occasionally. iv got around 8 or 9 grand to get the best example i can. i really like the looks of the chim and the grif so have focused my intentions on these models.

i have mainly been looking at the tvr car club to source a suitable car to view. this is soley due t the fact that i would hope there reasonably well maintained. as 9 is the higher end of my budget i would prefer if the car was as near as perfect running order as possible if its in need of work id obviously need to pay less or it would be sitting on the drive

here is one iv been looking at, has anyone got any experience with this car?

http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/classifieds/classifi...

id prefer the larger spec engines to behonest as im sure after a few months or so ll be able to utilise the power well id enjoy the challenge. but i think if the right car came along with the smaller engines id think about that.

also does anyone know of a company who will inspect a car for me etc thanks

[mractive]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-Chimaera-4-0-Convertable...

[Ballistic Banana]

IMHO I would go for an S series ( bloody great motors and easy to work on) or a Chimp. Should be bale to get a decent one with a few grand left over for fettling etc. Cant see you get a Griffith fro that price unless crash repaired maybe or in a right state in which case probably wont do as you'll have to throw money at it and go above your budget.

Really think the S though...If I was in your position thats what I would go for, although the Wedge and M below would tickle my fancy too...

some S's

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=4


or even an M series

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/928374.htm

or even this 450se

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/943117.htm

sorry I'm not helping much am I, really any of the above would suit IMHO

BB

[mractive]

thanks for the input but as much as im not too overly fussed about exterior apperence, as i wouldnt do any mods to it but i do like the shape of the grift alot more than the examples you have shown. iv seen a few griths for 9.5k thinking i could haggle down to 9 without too much probs.but my main problem is the after cost, i know there not going to be perfect for this price but its the serious expensive problems i want to avoid.

[Dave_M]

Good luck with your hunt, choose what you fancy, they're all good in their own ways. Just buy on condition

[mractive]

is a rac check suficient to test the major problems of a tvr?

[Ballistic Banana]

Theirs a few specialist out there that would check them over for you at a cost.

http://www.findasportscar.co.uk/ is one

or get down to your local TVRCC meet and pick a few minds and maybe some one local would go and have a look with you.

BB

[Dave_M]

James Agger From Leics is very good to work with, knows his TVRs inside out

[mractive]

thanks just sent him an email

[Blown2CV]

mractive said:

is a rac check suficient to test the major problems of a tvr?

in short, no.

Consider the services of Rob Ingleby of findasportscar. He found/inspected mine and is a very experienced chap.

Do not rely on the owner's club membership as the indicator of condition, use your (or Rob's) senses! Well, probably not all 5 of them...

[Chris71]

For sub-£10k I'd concentrate on Chimeras rather than Griffiths - it's essentially the same car (plus a bigger boot) for significantly less. The Griffith is undoubtedly more iconic, but you're probably looking at upwards of £13k for a decent one.

The Chimera is a very solid choice and the best suited to your budget, but do have a look at the S-Series and Wedges if you get the chance. I went to 'upgrade' to one recently and ended up sticking with the S3, so it's very much a case of personal opinion, not a progression to inherantly better cars.

Edited by Chris71 on Monday 30th March 10:33

[Tildo430]

Just a quick note - if your going to track your car then make sure you avoid exhaust mods. The standard Griffs and Chim set up is just about quiet enough to pass the sound test but to give you an idea my 4.3 litre griff with some back box modification puts out 116bd and my brothers Chim (pre-cats removed) with cherry bomb is about 112db.

Remember that noise is not a linear measurment with every extra 3db's being twice as loud. Basically my car is 4 times too loud to go on track!!!!

It is quite noisy but having been to enough TVR car events 'quiet' cars are few and far between.

Good luck in your search.

[R0b0]

I have just (January) bought my first TVR and my budget was £10k. I wanted something which (I hope) will not lose too much on depreciation and was low...ish mileage. I considered a Chimaera but decided on (and got) a V8S. WHAT A CAR!!!!

I don't know if you have considered one of these. Same engine as the early Chimaeras i.e. 4 litre V8 240bhp. With the noise to match!! Prices seem to be from £6-10k.

There were only around 400 of these built, so they could become a classic.

In terms of inspections etc. I used the excellent buying guides I found via the TVR car club site.

Happy hunting

Mel

[QuiteQuietCerb]

i agree, and due to weight i think they are faster than the other 4.0 cars