sorted?

[Driller]

Hi All,

I'm going to be buying my first TVR fairly soon (Griff 500). I want one about a year old and am willing to pay up to 30K. I phoned a dealer about a specific car (demo car 2500 miles)and asked if it was "sorted". The reply was that "we don't sell cars that do not work properly". I'm very passionate about these beasts and can put up with some idiosyncracies but is it possible that I won't have any problems at all, especially breakdowns? (my worst fear). I know this is probably a well worn topic but any comments that can allay my fears? (I will still be buying the car whatver).

Thanks

Edited by Driller on Tuesday 9th February 21:36

[Marshy]

Dealers *do* demonstrably sell cars that don't work properly. Who's the dealer? People on here wil pretty swiftly let you know whether they have good or bad experiences with them.

[Driller]

Thanks for the reply Marshy. It's Henley TVR in Oxfordshire. Anyone? RS

[edward]

oh dear..... barge pole springs to mind. sorry to be the bringer of bad news but i expect the HHeriatge posted replies will flood in. They used to sell volvos. To slate another dealer - Broughtons (perhaps dead now(?)) sold a demo R reg 500 to friends - they'll never touch another tvr thanks to that experience. Late late late friday car that one. I got my 1st tvr privately thro' the club. Was great. So good i sold it to a pal - imagine that. Don't you know anyone selling one? It's a great way to get one if a pal's confident enough to break the age old rule by passing it on to their pal - show's they belive in the machine (or you've been naught I suppose!). Good luck.

[Driller]

fair enough...incidently, I would add that they have been very helpful and friendly thus far...

[Trefor]

Wherever you buy your TVR from I'd suggest taking it to an independent for a look over. It won't cost half as much as an AA report and the AA havent got a clue what to look for anyway. If the dealer and car are honest then they shouldn't refuse a third party taking a look. Some main dealers are not best of friends with some independents though. Trefor/.

[pit]

I'm a few miles from Henley Heritage and wouldn't dream of going there after a catalogue of nightmares with sales and servicing. If you're close to Henley, you can't be that far from Fernhurst (http://www.fernhurst-tvr.co.uk/ - never heard a bad word said about them). Mike.

[AdamB]

Live 6 Miles from Henly and go to Fernhurst. Couldn't be happier. On one occasion I had a tiny tiny problem that needed 2 seconds of an experienced mechanics time. Phoned Henly who asked if they had supplied the car, when I said no the response was 'I don't believe we can help you then'

[bjwoods]

Hi All I live 5 miles from henley and even used to work in Henley. I stopped taking my old griff there, and went to Hawthorns in Farnham (this is much closer than fernhurst's , surely?) Consequently bought my current Griff 500 at Hawthorns, and take it there for servicing (they also pick up) It's not soo much the people at Henley that are the problem, but the owner has maanged to really p*** me off a number of times, and that;'s when I been a potential buyer, a couple of times. I think his attitude seeps through, as they come across a penny pinching, etc, which reflects on all the good will servicing type stuff. I couldn't even get a test drive out of henley, just an interegation did you buy your TVR here, I did point out I lived less than 5 miles away, and goingto Heley would be much more convenient to me. I left, before pointing out his attitude problem. Hawthorns, gave me the demo for a couple of hours by myself (existing owner, quite-ish day). Jonathan saying it would help him put some miles on it! So buyer beware of some dealers

[andyr]

Never go to Henley - bunch of sharks.

[pete]

Go to Fernhurst. I bought a '97 Griff 500 from them last July, and it's never let me down. The nearest it's been was last week, when I started to lose clutch hydraulic pressure (bleeding the system on Saturday restored the pressure), but it's in for a service at Fernies on Tuesday when I'm sure they'll sort it out beautifully. The best story I heard was from a salesman at either Fernies or Hawthorns (can't remember which one) - he claimed to have sold a TVR to the nextdoor neighbour of the Henley saleswoman Pete Edited by pete on Monday 9th April 13:53

[deanb]

I'll also chime in for Fernhurst. But also, you asked about ex-demos. My Griff was Fernie's demonstrator & was excellent. I drove 7 different Griffs & theirs was by far the sharpest as they know how to run them in properly. It had also lived out in the countryside, was garaged, well looked-after etc. Plus it had a warranty anyway. Overall, definitely worth doing.

[JSG]

When I was looking for a TVR last year I visited Henley Heritage as I live nearby. I wanted a S3 but was interested in a V8S they had in the showroom. Louise (sales girl) was helpful although I felt they were not too interested in older models and decided to buy elsewhere in the end. I needed some work doing on the S3C after some clown shorted the wiring fitting a CD player and decided to get Henley to look at it - they have introduced a cheaper rate for TVRs over 4 years old. They fixed the problem and also changed the blower switch which had packed up. However they had the car for over a week, didn't call me - I had to chase them, fitted the blower switch upside down and left a mess in the car. I now need a 42,000 mile service and had intended using Henley but will look elsewhere - now I've seen the comments from others. I will also look elsewhere for my next car.

[Driller]

mmmm...I think the "ask the audience" has come out with a pretty conclusive result. Thanks to everyone for their advice. I'm actually in Bath (I passed Henley whilst visiting my brother)and soon moving to Canterbury but I'll certainly try Fernhurst. Edited by Rich Seaton on Monday 9th April 18:13

[Graham and Rosie]

If you are moving to Kent, try Walldonway in Maidstone (only dealer in Kent) I have used them for the last 3 years, current set up is excellent, Nick Mason in sales is always very helpful and ready to do a deal, and Syd (top mechanic) knows his stuff and gets things sorted, they always seem willing to let you know what has been done and why, and Paul has now got the service bookings down to days in advance instead of weeks (they have taken on some extra staff in the workshop) Sales number is 01732 870386, service is 01732 841021 When do you move to Canterbury? There are a few TVR's around here now, 2 Tuscan's, a Cerbera and a couple of Chimaeras are regulars ================ Graham and Rosie

[bjwoods]

Personally, I would be very happy if ALL TVR dealers could offer at least Volvo Customer Care standards. Why shouldn't we expect that.... Henley, stopped selling/servincing volvos about 5 years ago. Hawthorns servicing dept also do Volvo. I take my TVR to Hawthorns... B

[Don]

Hawthorns: Very good so far. We've had our Chim for a year now and its been looked after properly. Small warranty stuff fixed with no argument. Test drove a Tuscan there recently - and got good advice from Rod about Tuscan v Porsche stuff - actually unbiased (well - ish..only fair to expect a little enthusiasm for Tivs)!!!!! Johnathan and James have been very helpful in the past, too. All dealers have to make money. They CAN be worth their margin, however. I'm sure something bad can be found to say about all dealers...

[MikeE]

Don, Totally agree on the Hawthorns front, they have been exceptionally good with all my dealings with them. Shame that James has gone to a Porsche dealership though! Mike

[AndrewD]

Lemon, puzzled about the "lots" of bad stories about Fernies. My experience has been excellent, the service side in particular. Know your car, always willing to go the extra mile, very accommodating. Only the other day I was picking my car up as they were fitting new wheels, and they mentioned that my rear o/s anti roll bar drop link had snapped (Cerbera 4.5s for you!). As I was doing a track day the next day, they took one off the demo car so that I could keep going. This is pretty typical of my experiences.

[kate]

Fernies every time, I bought from Broughtons who were ****e, fernies have been great all along