Do I, don't I?

[Spev]

I'm a Pistonheads and Tiv virgin! Desperately want to buy an S2 or S3 but have no idea what to look for in terms of common problems etc. Understand that the chassis and brakes needs close attention as does the paintwork and hood - what else should I look for? So many questions and not enough time so any advice would be appreciated before I part with my hard earnt cash.

Thanks for your help (I need it!)

[Dave_H]

quote:I'm a Pistonheads and Tiv virgin! Desperately want to buy an S2 or S3 but have no idea what to look for in terms of common problems etc. Understand that the chassis and brakes needs close attention as does the paintwork and hood - what else should I look for? So many questions and not enough time so any advice would be appreciated before I part with my hard earnt cash.

Thanks for your help (I need it!)

Hi Spev, welcome to the fold.

If you're really interested, I'd say join the TVR Car club - This helps also for insurance reasons.

Then get hold of a copy of Steve Heaths "TVR S-Series" book - available through the TVRCC

If you go though a lot of the old posting on the S Series forum you'll get a lot of good views from owners as this has been covered quite a few times.

They are great cars to own/drive, but do look a a few, try not to buy the first one you see - It's difficult not to though

Cheers,

Dave.

[Spev]

Thanks Dave I'm going to join the club tomorrow and get the "bible" on order as well.

Hopefully be back soon for some more advice.

[Dave_H]

I was in the same boat as you about a year ago, and I asked many questions on here as youself. The people on here are very helpful, so just keep asking away

Cheers,

Dave.

[Spev]

I've just spotted an S3 for sale in Birmingham for £6700. H plate with a full years ticket. The chap who owns it doesn't seem to have any history for it (no service records or service book) but it does look in A1 condition and its HPI checked. Do you think I should try and barter down and use the savings for an AA inspection and a full service or just walk away from this one? Suggestions please (I think I'm getting really impatient to buy but will heed the advice not to buy the first one I see - unless of course it really is a bargain!)

[PetrolTed]

Firstly don't bother with an AA inspection. They are very expensive (speaking from personal experience here!) and although pretty good, they aren't necessarily that familiar with the cars.

Find the local dealer or specialist and get the owner to agree to let them have a look at it for an hour. The price of an hour's labour is a lot less than the AA and they will know the type of car and its weak points.

If the car in Birmingham is of particular interest, get in touch with Team Proactive or Adrian Venn (see www.oilypages.com ).

A car with no history whatsoever sounds strange. Does he have an explanation?

[Spev]

Not to sure on the history side of things, I need to speak to the chap in a bit more depth to find out what's going on there. Thanks for those suggestions - I've found the number for Team Proactive in Birmingham but not for Adrian Venn, do you have it?

When I get more info on this Brummie S3 I'll come back for some expert advice.

Thanks

[PetrolTed]

www.exactly-tvr.demon.co.uk/

[JSG]

Hi Spev,

If you join the TVRCC you will get a copy of the monthly mag sent to you, there are usually some ads in there for S series. Depending on your budget the 'specialist' dealers can be a good option for S series and will give a warranty for more piece of mind. I've bought two S' from specialists, the first was prob 10% more than I'd have paid privately and the second about the same.

I would suggest the following specialist may be worth a look:

Adrian Blyth
David Gerald
Chiltern Classics (not just TVRs, but he uses Thames Valley Racetech to prep his TVRs)
I'm sure I've missed some.

I would second Ted's point re inspections, although the running gear / engine on the S2 / S3 is Ford the AA and RAC guys don't know the 'TVR' bits so well. I had mine checked out by my local 'expert' for £40 (whilst under warranty) which is a lot less than the RAC etc.

I would be a bit nervous of a car with no or part history as this is unusual for a TVR. It could end up expensive. There was a thread recently on service history - suggest you try the search feature to find it and also look through the S forum for buying tips.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Cheers,
JSG.

[M@H]

quote:
I've just spotted an S3 for sale in Birmingham for £6700. H plate with a full years ticket. The chap who owns it doesn't seem to have any history for it (no service records or service book) but it does look in A1 condition and its HPI checked. Do you think I should try and barter down and use the savings for an AA inspection and a full service or just walk away from this one? Suggestions please (I think I'm getting really impatient to buy but will heed the advice not to buy the first one I see - unless of course it really is a bargain!)

If it hasn't got any history, then I doubt it's "a bargain", where's the Logbook?.. and I wouldn't worry about the 12 Month MOT being a selling point.. afterall with any car you can agree to buy it(having agreed a price) with a new MOT at your expense and no-ones going to say no are they.. unless there's something to hide !! (the £30 quid for the test is well worth the piece of mind)

I just did this with a 1968 landrover and it needed £150 spent on minor things to get it through the test, which the owner paid and didn't try and put the price up..

Barring that.. I agree with everyone else on here, buy the book, learn about the car, then look more knowledgeable in front of prospective sellers.. One thing.. work out your budget, take £1k off it for insurance, a couple of services, and some miscellaneous parts, then start looking with what you've got left... that should decide your model for you too..
Cheers
Matt.

P.S. and try not to buy the first one you drive (even though I did )

[Spev]

I spoke to the chap with reference to the service history. He explained that when he bought it it had no service history book, but he has had the car serviced regularly (all be it not at a TVR specialist)and has the bills to prove it. I suggested if I did go and see the car that we drove to Team Proactive in Birmingham so they could check it out for me (Team Proactive - very helpful and said they would look over the Tiv FOC!) Do you think this is the best idea?

[HarryW]

quote:
I spoke to the chap with reference to the service history. He explained that when he bought it it had no service history book, but he has had the car serviced regularly (all be it not at a TVR specialist)and has the bills to prove it. I suggested if I did go and see the car that we drove to Team Proactive in Birmingham so they could check it out for me (Team Proactive - very helpful and said they would look over the Tiv FOC!) Do you think this is the best idea?

Can't hurt can it

Harry

[s2 giles]

If the seller is in agreement then go for it...FOC cant be bad either !! expecting future business i guess.

[Spev]

Seller didn't have a problem with taking the Tiv to Team Proactive so he must be quite confident about the condition. You're right about Team Proactive wanting more business though! I'm going to see the car next week and will post what happens. Thanks to all of you who have helped me so far - I'm sure I'll need more it!

[Dave_H]

Keep looking before next week though Spev, don't put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak

Cheers,

Dave.

[M@H]

Just saw this one, dunno if its any good, but Full TVR SH at £4,650 makes the one in Birmaingham at £6700 seem less of a bargain ??:

1990 TVR S CONVERTBLE 2.9 S3 2dr Convertible
1990Silver, black hood. Full service history (mainly TVR)12Months MOT. 1month tax..Full grey leather interior, wooden wheel and gearknob, s/s kick plates. CD player, cat 1 alarm/immobiliser. Only requires footwell carpets. Absolute bargain. 95000 miles.


Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Price: £4,650

Cheers :-)
Matt

[M@H]

Actaully.... I could trade up my S1.5 here...hmmmm

[funkyboogalooo]

possibly considering selling mine if your interested about £6500 fsh, full ticket blah blah blah, mail me if your interested

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mikebatty/

[HarryW]

quote:
possibly considering selling mine if your interested about £6500 fsh, full ticket blah blah blah, mail me if your interested

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mikebatty/

Bl**dy 'ell Mike thinking of upgrading already?

Harry

[Spev]

Seen the ad for that silver Tiv Matt - 95K is a bit too far for me. Thanks for keeping an eye out though.