Discussion
I am finally off to see what appears to be a very nice S this afternoon. I meant to bring in the bible with me to work but leaving at 6 ish distorts your mind.....
as a novice, can anyone give me some pointers as to specific things i should keep an eye out for?
can't involve Matt W in helping me these days as see he is now fellow competition in the buying arena! (only kidding Matt but I bagsie (sp?) this one!)
I am off about 4 ish so any replies before then gratefully received.
Shnozz
PS - v excited in anticipation!
as a novice, can anyone give me some pointers as to specific things i should keep an eye out for?
can't involve Matt W in helping me these days as see he is now fellow competition in the buying arena! (only kidding Matt but I bagsie (sp?) this one!)
I am off about 4 ish so any replies before then gratefully received.
Shnozz
PS - v excited in anticipation!
Things to look for;
does the bonnet open without touching the ground? can be a sign of springs being too saggy.
carefully look at the chassis for corrosion, especially the round outrigger tubes
are the rear trailing arms in good condition? they seems to be expensive to replace
is the gearbox noisy? check in all gears
exhaust? is is stainless steel? any grounding damage?
do all the gauges work? electrics OK?
are the doors sagging? try lifting them to check for play
any cracks in windscreen? 'smokiness' at the edge seems to be normal/common
Otherwise all the standard stuff you look for - clean oil, exhaust smoke etc etc.
good luck, and don't buy a lemon
does the bonnet open without touching the ground? can be a sign of springs being too saggy.
carefully look at the chassis for corrosion, especially the round outrigger tubes
are the rear trailing arms in good condition? they seems to be expensive to replace
is the gearbox noisy? check in all gears
exhaust? is is stainless steel? any grounding damage?
do all the gauges work? electrics OK?
are the doors sagging? try lifting them to check for play
any cracks in windscreen? 'smokiness' at the edge seems to be normal/common
Otherwise all the standard stuff you look for - clean oil, exhaust smoke etc etc.
good luck, and don't buy a lemon
Play in the steering and clonking - UJ's and bulkhead bush
Play in wheels (top and bottom) ball joints
Play in wishbones - bushes
Colour of oil !
Leaks from Clutch cylinders
Dampness in the boot
State of roof and rear screen
Water marks in footwells
How well it goes into 4th when driving - often sign of low oil level in box
What kind of tyre wear it has - wrong set up
State of HT leads and dizzy etc
State of coolant - colour
If I think of much else I'll post it later.
Cheers
Mark
Play in wheels (top and bottom) ball joints
Play in wishbones - bushes
Colour of oil !
Leaks from Clutch cylinders
Dampness in the boot
State of roof and rear screen
Water marks in footwells
How well it goes into 4th when driving - often sign of low oil level in box
What kind of tyre wear it has - wrong set up
State of HT leads and dizzy etc
State of coolant - colour
If I think of much else I'll post it later.
Cheers
Mark
M@H - you are not far wrong! want to be careful though as its a pricey one and I still like the look of alison's S3 thats advertised on this site (missed out on funky's by being too slow to get to the valleys)
thanks for all the suggestions so far, going to be a right t*sser and take a print out of this with me! keep em coming!
Shnozz
thanks for all the suggestions so far, going to be a right t*sser and take a print out of this with me! keep em coming!
Shnozz
1)Play in CV joints of drive shafts (clonk when driving of in 1st & changing to 2nd)
2)150mm Driving lights below damaged?
3)Play in Door hinges and does the door swing easily without noise?
4)Rack & Pinion steering: while s.b. is turning steering on center watch steering rods. Do they move up and down or front and backward prior going left and right?
5) Inspect outside tubes of chassis for corrosion, feel with fingers between body and tubes.
Good luck
Patrick
2)150mm Driving lights below damaged?
3)Play in Door hinges and does the door swing easily without noise?
4)Rack & Pinion steering: while s.b. is turning steering on center watch steering rods. Do they move up and down or front and backward prior going left and right?
5) Inspect outside tubes of chassis for corrosion, feel with fingers between body and tubes.
Good luck
Patrick
Where's the car? what's the cost.. what's the mileage? someone on here may know the car..??
Cheers
Matt
P.S ..look for cracks either side of the air intake at the front of the bonnet (the large one at the bottom not the bonnet top) and have a look under it too to see if its been opened into the ground..
Cheers
Matt
P.S ..look for cracks either side of the air intake at the front of the bonnet (the large one at the bottom not the bonnet top) and have a look under it too to see if its been opened into the ground..
Shnozz,
As if I’d nick your motor!!!!
So come on then enlighten us what’s it like? You don’t have to tell us where it is
, but it would be nice to know the model, colour etc and of course how much. I’ve only just started looking so would appreciate an idea of how much ‘a pricey’ one is!!
Of course don’t forget to check the outriggers for copious amounts of rust, holes etc.
If you are based around the Southampton area looks like we could soon start up our own ‘S’ club along with HarryW……any excuse for a pint!!
As if I’d nick your motor!!!!
So come on then enlighten us what’s it like? You don’t have to tell us where it is
, but it would be nice to know the model, colour etc and of course how much. I’ve only just started looking so would appreciate an idea of how much ‘a pricey’ one is!! Of course don’t forget to check the outriggers for copious amounts of rust, holes etc.
If you are based around the Southampton area looks like we could soon start up our own ‘S’ club along with HarryW……any excuse for a pint!!
Hello
Dipping my toe in here, first message and borrowing someone elses topic!!
I am in kind of the same position, thinking of buying an S but being a bit of a novice. I have read bits and pieces, books and tried to gain as much info as possible fromthe net but there are a few things I still need to think of
If I bought one I would use it everyday, I only do about 25 miles a day to work and back, all on good driving roads but am I mad to use it as an everyday car? I don't think so, but my wife does!
Next question, how do I convince the wife I am not mad?
Finally is anyone located in or around Oxford (Reading side would be nice) who would maybe be willing to meet for a beer and talk me through the things to look for?
I'll be selling my Alfa first so if I buy it is not immidiate but any advice etc would be appreciated!
Cheers
Richard AKA Twit!
Dipping my toe in here, first message and borrowing someone elses topic!!
I am in kind of the same position, thinking of buying an S but being a bit of a novice. I have read bits and pieces, books and tried to gain as much info as possible fromthe net but there are a few things I still need to think of
If I bought one I would use it everyday, I only do about 25 miles a day to work and back, all on good driving roads but am I mad to use it as an everyday car? I don't think so, but my wife does!
Next question, how do I convince the wife I am not mad?
Finally is anyone located in or around Oxford (Reading side would be nice) who would maybe be willing to meet for a beer and talk me through the things to look for?
I'll be selling my Alfa first so if I buy it is not immidiate but any advice etc would be appreciated!
Cheers
Richard AKA Twit!
Richard,
I used my S every day for three years for the daily communte, come rain, shine and the odd bit of snow, so no problems there – you’re not mad!
Visit a local TVR Club meeting or the next PistonHeads ‘S’ Club as there are lots of friendly and very knowledgeable people around, who I’m sure would be willing to answer a few questions.
Alison
I used my S every day for three years for the daily communte, come rain, shine and the odd bit of snow, so no problems there – you’re not mad!
Visit a local TVR Club meeting or the next PistonHeads ‘S’ Club as there are lots of friendly and very knowledgeable people around, who I’m sure would be willing to answer a few questions.
Alison
On the subject of S's anyone ever see my old S3c around? I sold it 3 years ago to a chap in Kent, and kept in touch occasionally with him via e-mail. He was intending to join the TVRCC and I think he went to a few Tuscan race meets so it may still be doing the rounds in club circles. 'twas a Cooper Green S3c (with S4 bonnet) J987MLT Rich...
thanks for all your help everyone. am off now and will see if its worth the extra bucks (if not then will pass on the details Matt!)
to enlighten you all its the blue one at Fernhurst. 42k and up for £9k on a J plate (91 car). 3 owners and last one in Slough area (anyone know the car?)
Matt - will definately have to team up in the buying and a few meets dragging Harry out would be fantastic (if of course I ever get around to buying one!).
Alison - think yours is lovely and saw it in teh flesh at VW. depending on how I get on tonight i may be v interested - although if you have potential buyers coming down from Scotland I wont hold my breath that it will still be around after the w'end............
cheers all
shnozz
to enlighten you all its the blue one at Fernhurst. 42k and up for £9k on a J plate (91 car). 3 owners and last one in Slough area (anyone know the car?)
Matt - will definately have to team up in the buying and a few meets dragging Harry out would be fantastic (if of course I ever get around to buying one!).
Alison - think yours is lovely and saw it in teh flesh at VW. depending on how I get on tonight i may be v interested - although if you have potential buyers coming down from Scotland I wont hold my breath that it will still be around after the w'end............
cheers all
shnozz
Richard,
I used my S3 as an every day car up until about 2 weeks ago. I would say that if you're doing just 25 miles a day round trip then an 'S' will be absolutely fine.
You will find that most people agree that an everyday car will be far more reliable than a weekend car - they like to be driven !
Unforunately, my job means that I now travel over 60 miles a day and most of that is in heavy traffic which is why I've opted to go for a more sensible car. I have to admit I am really missing the 'S' !
Go for it - you won't regret it !
Cheers
Paul
>> Edited by pdavison on Wednesday 10th April 16:15
I used my S3 as an every day car up until about 2 weeks ago. I would say that if you're doing just 25 miles a day round trip then an 'S' will be absolutely fine.
You will find that most people agree that an everyday car will be far more reliable than a weekend car - they like to be driven !
Unforunately, my job means that I now travel over 60 miles a day and most of that is in heavy traffic which is why I've opted to go for a more sensible car. I have to admit I am really missing the 'S' !
Go for it - you won't regret it !
Cheers
Paul
>> Edited by pdavison on Wednesday 10th April 16:15
Cheers all!... It seems I am not mad after all! Or if I am there is good company.
I am going to buy the 'bible' for essential reading before I buy, so assuming my wife can be won over, I am sure she will be I'll hope to buy soon and hopefully if there is a meeting soon I'll be able to come and ask questions...
Prepare for a barrage of questions soon!!
Cheers
Richard
I am going to buy the 'bible' for essential reading before I buy, so assuming my wife can be won over, I am sure she will be I'll hope to buy soon and hopefully if there is a meeting soon I'll be able to come and ask questions...
Prepare for a barrage of questions soon!!
Cheers
Richard
Shnozz,
How'd you get on at fernies earlier? What did you think of the motor?
I bet it was a bit cool on the test drive, not that you'd probably notice (too excited etc)
I had mine at work today (omegod at the doctors!) with roof down, bloody hell it was cold this morning and quite cool on the way home too, why'd we do it
Anyway let us know.
Harry
How'd you get on at fernies earlier? What did you think of the motor?
I bet it was a bit cool on the test drive, not that you'd probably notice (too excited etc)
I had mine at work today (omegod at the doctors!) with roof down, bloody hell it was cold this morning and quite cool on the way home too, why'd we do it
Anyway let us know.
Harry
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