Buying Advice

[Click475]

Hi All
I've been on the lookout for an S Series for about 6 months at this stage. I'm based in Ireland so I need to be reasonably certain about any potential purchase before investing the time and money into viewing. Does anybody have knowledge of G899 TVR currently on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-TVR-280-S-2-LAST-O...

The dealer has confirmed that there is an invoice from Tower View Race Services for outrigger replacements in 2005. However, should I be concerned that it had the following MOT failure in June 19 "Nearside Front Body mounting fixings insecure body to chassis mounting corroded (6.2.2 (c) (i))". This was subsequently addressed and there is an invoice for repair. Is this an indication that the previous chassis work may have to be done again?

My other main concern is that lack of use that the car has had. No MOT from April 2011 to June 2019. The last thing I need is a breakdown on the motorway en route to the ferry....

Any feedback appreciated...

Thanks
Cormac

[TVR-Stu]

Hello Cormac and welcome.

I have no knowledge of that particular car or seller but I would be concerned that the car has been off the road for so long, and perhaps more telling is the complete lack of chassis images either on the ebay listing or on their website. Know doubt if you have been researching the S series you will realise that the most important things when accessing their condition is the chassis, the chassis and er.....the chassis.

If you are interested I would advise you to get in touch with them and request a lot of pictures of the chassis showing every corner of the outriggers, trailing arms and trailing arm mounts. If they only provide limited images or are reluctant in any way I would leave it well alone. Just my opinion of course but if I were in your situation I would want to be clear about the chassis condition before travelling.

I don't know if anyone on here lives nearby and could have a look at it for you but that might be a solution?

Good luck anyway it looks a nice car on the face of it but if the chassis is rotten it can get pricey to sort.

[The Big G]

Either one of us from here could go and have a look. Or as the car is for sale in Clitheroe, it just so happens that there is a well known and respected TVR specialist in the same town!

https://www.trackvroad.co.uk/

You could arrange for the dealer to take it there at your own expense and have a quick 1hr pre purchase inspection carried out. That way there should be no nasty surprises. Either when you come to view or after you’ve purchased it and it’s off for its first service. Ian and Craig are great guys, but they will find everything that’s wrong with it, and I mean everything!
They look after mine and I trust them implicitly with it.

Edited by The Big G on Saturday 25th January 16:37

[Click475]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions folks. I'm looking in to getting an inspection done by TrackvRoad. If the dealer doesn't agree to it I'll continue my search.

Thanks again

[Mutley00]

Hi Cormac,

I'm looking to sell my S3 as I've bought a Tuscan. If you want to PM me or mail me at [e-mail] I can send you piccies and full details.

Regards, Andrew

[Click475]

Email sent Andrew

[The Big G]

Click475 said:

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions folks. I'm looking in to getting an inspection done by TrackvRoad. If the dealer doesn't agree to it I'll continue my search.

Thanks again

If they don’t and as track V road is local then I’d guess that there’s something to hide!!

[LLantrisant]

"The dealer has confirmed that there is an invoice from Tower View Race Services for outrigger replacements in 2005. However, should I be concerned that it had the following MOT failure in June 19 "Nearside Front Body mounting fixings insecure body to chassis mounting corroded (6.2.2 (c) (i))". This was subsequently addressed and there is an invoice for repair. Is this an indication that the previous chassis work may have to be done again?"


this indicates that the former outtrigger repair was not done well.

car looks very clean on the ebay pics...but why no enginebay and chassis pics?

i guess the "real" truth is shown there

[TR4man]

Looks like the one in the link is now sold - have you taken the plunge?

[v8s4me]

I've just followed the link and it appears to be still for sale.
Engine-bay photos are a must; they can tell you a lot about how a car has been looked after.

[TR4man]

It says “deposit taken” doesn’t it?

[Click475]

Yes, deposit taken but it wasn't me. I took the advice given here and contacted Track Vs Road who were very helpful. Unfortunately, while I was waiting for a callback from the seller someone else contacted him and arranged an inspection! I assume they have subsequently put a deposit on the car. Needless to say, I was somewhat annoyed.

Anyway, back to my search. Thanks to all who gave advice.