What to look out for when checking over and S

[King Fisher]

I am going with my son to look over a TVR S2 tomorrow, and I'm just wondering what to look for? I've been told exhaust manifolds are important, but what else do I need to check for? Chassis? Suspension? What about the engine?

[orange_dodo]

I'm sure this will be said several times in this thread but check the chassis! Mainly the outriggers, trailing arms and seat belt mounts.

See this;

http://www.tvrsseries.com/

There are some buying guides there.

[mep12345]

this page will show you what you can find - and I thought I'd checked quite carefully - this was just well hidden and not visible until the body was lifted.

On the plus side my trailing arms are fine (although one was new)

Mark

[King Fisher]

orange_dodo said:

I'm sure this will be said several times in this thread but check the chassis! Mainly the outriggers, trailing arms and seat belt mounts.

See this;

http://www.tvrsseries.com/

There are some buying guides there.

Fantastic site thanks for that. Where are the seat belt mounts? I didn't see a picture showing where they are situated on the car?

[Barkychoc]

The seat belt mounts concerned are on top of the outrigger tube just inside the door at low level - its extremely difficult bordering on impossible to check these.
The second seat belt mount to check is under the rear wheelarch at the front end - these suffer with the muck coming off the wheels, this mount is pretty close to the one above - except this one holds the seatbelt reel.
Again not easy to check.

If you are handy with a spanner and a welder and get stung its not that difficult or expensive to sort yourself, but if you don't know one end of a spanner from another it could get a bit pricey.

There are one or two people around who can check cars over - but to be honest armed with the buyers guides I'm not sure they would find anything that you couldn't find yourself.

Look at a few cars to start with with no intention to buy - just get an idea what a good one looks like and what a not quite so good one looks like.

I'd avoid clearly uncared for cars unless you really fancy a project.
I bought a car with a slightly dodgy looking seatbelt mount and it did need some work - but I was looking for a bit of a project anyway. I just got a little, ahem, carried away.
Nearly 2 years later and due to various trials that I won't bore you with (not car related) it still isn't finished!

Some S's are now over 20 years old - so there's always an element of risk involved.

If you're practical S ownership can be very cheap indeed.

Get a good one or even an average one and I assure you that you won't regret it for a minute. Your wife might.

Edited for spelin

Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 3rd July 20:56

[The Lukas]

Just check it's been looked after. Check the engine bay is clean and presentable, has the owner upgraded parts like hoses and ign leads? The chassis is the biggest thing with these cars. Check the whole thing. Get it up on ramps. Make it's been cared for. Engines are usually good (mine and a few others being an exception) and are cheap and plentiful.

Good luck

[neil240970]

What they all said^^^^^^^^


Plus, price is not always a reliable guide to condition !

[King Fisher]

Ok cheers guys. We will give it a damn good check over. It may be difficult to get it up on a ramp though, as not many people have one available at their house!

[Wiz]

Previous ownership should provide lots of bills for work done parts etc. Its an old car and needs a bit of tlc. A lot are the owners pride and joy and are maintained as such.
There are some out there though that get neglected as they are an entry to TVR ownership.
Have a good natter with the seller ask if he's in the owners club etc. Other people might vouch for the car if its well known.
Most important get underneath and have a good look at the chassis and take a screwdriver to have a poke about.

Ask on here - if its local to some one here they might have a look for you.

They are a truly great car, good luck.

[King Fisher]

Went to see this today.....and ended up buying it. Masses of receipts, checked the car over thoroughly, and when my son drove it he said it went like stink and the steering was 'heavy but direct'.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1112049.htm

There it is!

[Ragtop]

King Fisher said:

when my son drove it he said it went like stink and the steering was 'heavy but direct'.

Sounds about right.

He should also have said "it's VERY loud" and had a big grin on his face - the 'TVR smile'

Looks like a good 'un in the (rather gloomy) photos. At least you won't have any trouble finding the steering wheel in the dark...!

Have fun,
Graham

[Wiz]

See by your profile your local to me - Hope to see it about on the roads and at the local meets, mine won't be the only one any more

[King Fisher]

Once he's old enough to be insured, he will be out and about in it a lot I expect.

[Gerald-TVR]

Sounds great BUT please look at the door mirrors, the original 'rabbits ears' are crp, do a search on door mirrors and the the options will be clear. I think the originals are difficult to use and possibly dangerous.

Having said that what a car they are, such fun, comfortable, fast, noisey and grin inducing - welcome to you both thers a wealth of help and support here

[King Fisher]

Gerald-TVR said:

Sounds great BUT please look at the door mirrors, the original 'rabbits ears' are crp, do a search on door mirrors and the the options will be clear. I think the originals are difficult to use and possibly dangerous.

Having said that what a car they are, such fun, comfortable, fast, noisey and grin inducing - welcome to you both thers a wealth of help and support here

We will be the most anti social neighbours in our area.....a Chim 4.5 and an S2 2.9 will create a bit of noise I reckon. Good noise though!