Imminent Purchase advice needed

[davegrimmett]

Hi all,
Am about to make ' the purchase' in the next month, having saved for a year, and dreamed for considerably longer!
I have read a fair bit on this site to prepare myself already but am nervy about the final steps, having only ever negotiated for a couple of mid price hatchbacks in the past. I am looking for a 4 litre 97-99 model, and am prepared to pay close to 5 figures to secure me a decent model.

Sorry for a topic probably raised several times before, but can you help with the following?

What ten critical questions should I ask before parting with cash?
I have only basic car knowledge; is it worth doing an AA check first on a potential purchase or would a recent service document tell me most of what I need to know? Can you recommend any checks I can do when I'm there apart from the obvious?

Finally, if there are any Chim owners in the Bristol area who fancy accompanying me on a trip out to see a few cars over the next month, I would hugely appreciate your expertise.

Cheers,
Dave

[Pied Piper]

Join your local club there will be plenty of help on offer, wish I had before I purchased my first TVR.

[V8 GRF]

I wouldn't use an AA inspection as they've probably never seen one themselves. If you want to pay for an inspection try asking at a TVR indie near to you or try Rod Ingleby

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

or as suggested go along to a local TVRCC meet and I'm sure the members there will be more than happy to talk you through what to look for.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

The absolutely crucial question with these cars is: "What state are the chassis outriggers in?"

Problem is, it's almost impossible for a layman to know, because they rust on the top where you can't see. However, a specialist inspector will be able to use his experience to give an educated guess whether they're good or bad. I used Rob Ingleby, who was fairly certain that there was corrosion on the outriggers of the one I bought - and on the strength of his report I negotiated a deal that involved replacement outriggers. In fact, it ended up as a full body-off chassis restoration (part-funded by me, and part-funded by a price reduction). Until the body was removed, there was still some doubt about whether it was necessary, but Rob's opinion was vindicated.

Rob is recommended by most people who have used him (myself included), although there are one or two who disagree. My view is that you can't expect Rob to be 100% right every single time, especially when it comes to outrigger corrosion which is often invisible until the body is removed. Getting an inspection done by him does, however, make it considerably less likely that you'll buy a dud car.

My advice would be:

1. If you know the car has had new outriggers in the last few years, then that's great news - but I'd still get it inspected.
2. If it hasn't had new outriggers but you think they're in good nick, you should still keep at least £1500-£2000 in your bank account just in case you're wrong! Even if the chassis has been regularly Waxoyled, and even if the car has "never seen a wet road", the chassis should still be your main concern.
3. If the outriggers are rusted, don't necessarily walk away. Outrigger replacement is a fairly routine job and you could negotiate it into your deal if the seller is willing to move on price.

[Chris71]

Also trust your own instincts. Drive plenty and have a poke around, even if you don't consider yourself to be a practical person, to get a feel for them. They do vary quite a lot even with similar price, mileage and spec on paper.