Is this a good buy?
Discussion
Hello,
At the moment I own an MGTF160, but that's soon to change as my circumstances dictate I can have a TVR! The one I have set my heart on is a 1999/s TVR Chimaera 450. It has under 17k on the clock, blue hood, Griffith wheels, but no PAS.One owner and full TVRSH. The price is £19,850 from the dealers, who have agreed to P/X my 5 month old TF.
As this will be my first TVR, do you guys think that it is a fair price?, and what should I ask and look out for?
thank you
Chris
At the moment I own an MGTF160, but that's soon to change as my circumstances dictate I can have a TVR! The one I have set my heart on is a 1999/s TVR Chimaera 450. It has under 17k on the clock, blue hood, Griffith wheels, but no PAS.One owner and full TVRSH. The price is £19,850 from the dealers, who have agreed to P/X my 5 month old TF.
As this will be my first TVR, do you guys think that it is a fair price?, and what should I ask and look out for?
thank you
Chris
How much is he giving you as P/x ?
I guess it is what you might expect from a dealer for a price. He's not busting a gut for you though. Make sure he's throwing in lots of extras like warantee, new tyres, next service free ......
Better still, get 5.0 ltr now cos you'll be kicking yourself in a few months if you don't.
Phil
I guess it is what you might expect from a dealer for a price. He's not busting a gut for you though. Make sure he's throwing in lots of extras like warantee, new tyres, next service free ......
Better still, get 5.0 ltr now cos you'll be kicking yourself in a few months if you don't.
Phil
Thanks for all the good info guys, really appreciate it. My partner will want to drive it, as she loves them too!!!,9 not with a sports exhaust though!!, one griff started up with such an exhaust and she jumped a mile!!! lol) am hoping she's strong enough to cope without PAS!!! dont know what size the tyres are, It says they are Griff wheels, so assuming 16s on the back and 15s on the front!
Am hoping for 16K part ex for the MG, plus 4000 cash, am assuming as long as they make their requisite 2k profit, that will be fine!
I love the MG, but got use to the performance too quickly, plus I loved the sound of the V8 burbling away, as oppose to a 1.8 screaming away at 7000+rpm.
Who are the best insurers?, I am 35 with full no claims. I will certainly ask about warranties. I looked at the figures of the 4.5 and 5 litre versions, and there doesnt seem (on paper at least!) to be much difference, especially torque, ( somehing my MG lacks woefully), so I figuered the 4.5 was the best compromise.
Cheers
Chris
Am hoping for 16K part ex for the MG, plus 4000 cash, am assuming as long as they make their requisite 2k profit, that will be fine!
I love the MG, but got use to the performance too quickly, plus I loved the sound of the V8 burbling away, as oppose to a 1.8 screaming away at 7000+rpm.
Who are the best insurers?, I am 35 with full no claims. I will certainly ask about warranties. I looked at the figures of the 4.5 and 5 litre versions, and there doesnt seem (on paper at least!) to be much difference, especially torque, ( somehing my MG lacks woefully), so I figuered the 4.5 was the best compromise.
Cheers
Chris
Seeing as you're a man of immpecable taste (precat griff), I've typed a little more than normal.. hope it helps,
Dispite M@s recent rant, fuel consumption is about 23 mpg. Good oil is expensive. 45,000 miles with average 6,000 mile service costs of about £500. Insurance, I'll quote £500 a year, a grand if you want track days and higher milages. Tyres last around 15,000 miles and cost £700-800 a set. Doing 12,000 miles over two years is therefore likely to cost about £1500 in petrol, £1000 in servicing, £1200 in tax and insurance and £600 in tyres. That adds up to £4300, or about 36p a mile. There's also depreciation to consider, i'm guessing 1200 to 1500 per year, not counting the drop to account for a dealers margin and private sales.
Common problems to watch for:
Leaks - the hood really does need waterproofer, ask about this and check the car for damp patches (your hand and the carpets under the seats
)
Check that the door and boot (and glovebox
) mechanisms work well.
Stone chips - may need a respray for cosmetic niceness - £££.
Peeling paint and surface rust on the chassis should not be excessive.
Suspension and steering should be ok, but check for play.
The wishbones have often been replaced - look carefully at the reciepts and service history to see what's changed.
Check the exhaust for cracks/blowing - if it has to be replaced it will be around £400 a side.
There may be the odd minor oil/coolant leak - they all do that sir - but it shouldn't piss out.
I've heard of a couple of gearbox failures (...
), and a stuffed diff. But then, bear in mind the gears (2nd on my old one) might be difficult to engage untill the oil warms up.
Clutch wear, check for smooth operation (mine has a competition plate now, and feels a bit like a switch!)..
The engines are grumpy when cold so listen to it after a good run. It should rev sweetly and easily and not rattle.
Electrical faults: The alarm should work(..!)
A lot of the wiring gets drenched in bad weather and is a potential source of trouble.
Windows/Mirrors should not be excessively slow (some stick!) and the mirror glass should not rub against the casing.
All the switches should switch the thing they are supposed to switch on (or off) incl. the horn - put the car into reverse - the reverse light should come on etc.
When on the test drive check all the instuments work; ask about the cars eccentricities - the fuel gauge reads empty when half full etc.
HPI it if your interested.
Get the longest and best warranty you can if it's from a dealer. And double check the warranty if you race it - you may not be covered at all...
But you'll buy the first one you see,
>> Edited by scruff400 on Friday 27th September 13:17
Dispite M@s recent rant, fuel consumption is about 23 mpg. Good oil is expensive. 45,000 miles with average 6,000 mile service costs of about £500. Insurance, I'll quote £500 a year, a grand if you want track days and higher milages. Tyres last around 15,000 miles and cost £700-800 a set. Doing 12,000 miles over two years is therefore likely to cost about £1500 in petrol, £1000 in servicing, £1200 in tax and insurance and £600 in tyres. That adds up to £4300, or about 36p a mile. There's also depreciation to consider, i'm guessing 1200 to 1500 per year, not counting the drop to account for a dealers margin and private sales.
Common problems to watch for:
Leaks - the hood really does need waterproofer, ask about this and check the car for damp patches (your hand and the carpets under the seats
) Check that the door and boot (and glovebox
) mechanisms work well. Stone chips - may need a respray for cosmetic niceness - £££.
Peeling paint and surface rust on the chassis should not be excessive.
Suspension and steering should be ok, but check for play.
The wishbones have often been replaced - look carefully at the reciepts and service history to see what's changed.
Check the exhaust for cracks/blowing - if it has to be replaced it will be around £400 a side.
There may be the odd minor oil/coolant leak - they all do that sir - but it shouldn't piss out.
I've heard of a couple of gearbox failures (...
), and a stuffed diff. But then, bear in mind the gears (2nd on my old one) might be difficult to engage untill the oil warms up. Clutch wear, check for smooth operation (mine has a competition plate now, and feels a bit like a switch!)..
The engines are grumpy when cold so listen to it after a good run. It should rev sweetly and easily and not rattle.
Electrical faults: The alarm should work(..!)
A lot of the wiring gets drenched in bad weather and is a potential source of trouble.
Windows/Mirrors should not be excessively slow (some stick!) and the mirror glass should not rub against the casing.
All the switches should switch the thing they are supposed to switch on (or off) incl. the horn - put the car into reverse - the reverse light should come on etc.
When on the test drive check all the instuments work; ask about the cars eccentricities - the fuel gauge reads empty when half full etc.
HPI it if your interested.
Get the longest and best warranty you can if it's from a dealer. And double check the warranty if you race it - you may not be covered at all...
But you'll buy the first one you see,
>> Edited by scruff400 on Friday 27th September 13:17
and the whole thread was a clever attempt at denial. I've just done virtually the same swap! I've haven't got PAS on mine and I'm getting along okay. It was a huge change from the MG and at first I thought I may have made a mistake getting one without PAS. However, 5 days into ownership I'm getting used to it. The only time I find it really hard work is when I'm parking. Once the car is above 15-20 mph its really not a problem. If you/your partner are planning to use the car 'around town' I would suggest you get PAS otherwise you/she will get a good workout everytime you try to parallel-park in a tight space! I'm considering cancelling my gym membership and driving my car instead.......its much more fun !
I also got used to the performance of the MG really quickly and found that it was lacking ooomph. I can't see that happening with the Tiv! (Well not for at least the next 6 months)
This is so much more than the MG ever was.
The other added benefit of letting the MG go is that my friends have stopped asking me if I'm a hairdresser at the weekends ......!
Sorry MG owners.
All I can say is get one!!! The 'grin' factor is huge! If your laydeeee enjoyed the MG she'll love the TVR - I know I do.
Jo. (5ft 5 and not built like an athlete from an Eastern Block Country !)
I also got used to the performance of the MG really quickly and found that it was lacking ooomph. I can't see that happening with the Tiv! (Well not for at least the next 6 months)
This is so much more than the MG ever was. The other added benefit of letting the MG go is that my friends have stopped asking me if I'm a hairdresser at the weekends ......!
Sorry MG owners. All I can say is get one!!! The 'grin' factor is huge! If your laydeeee enjoyed the MG she'll love the TVR - I know I do.
Jo. (5ft 5 and not built like an athlete from an Eastern Block Country !)
quote:
fuel consumption is about 23 mpg.
Tyres last around 15,000 miles and cost £700-800 a set.
Scruff obviously drives like my mum
Tyres last less than 10,000 miles (7,000 for rears) 23mpg; maybe on a long run
Edited to remove the Ryder cup scores
>> Edited by incorrigible on Friday 27th September 16:41
hi,
Once again, thank you very much for the valuable you guy's, and Jo, have gave us. Yesterday, I test drove a Rosso red 450, and wow!!, you're right Jo, quite different to the 'top of the range' mg! Acceleration is an altogether different experience!
In the end, we have settled for an R reg 450, rosso red, full TVRSH, brand new exhausts, brand new SO3s has done 22K, but just had the large 24K service, and looks, and drives great! It has no PAS, but didnt seem too bad, and sure my partner won't have a prob driving it. I will be getting it for around the 19K mark, warrantied, and the salesman was very nice indeed at Kings TVR. The Chimp I will be buying was a trade in from a guy who has just bought a Tuscan, trouble is, my fiancee has now fell in love with the Tuscan, now she seen it 'in the flesh'!! At least she has good taste!
Only one thing with the car, one of the alloy's is slightly scuffed, but am assuming that won't be too much to repair.
By the way, the 'grin like a Cheshire cat' bit was spot on!! still smiling now!!And the great thing is, my fiancee's as excited as me!!
Chris
Once again, thank you very much for the valuable you guy's, and Jo, have gave us. Yesterday, I test drove a Rosso red 450, and wow!!, you're right Jo, quite different to the 'top of the range' mg! Acceleration is an altogether different experience!
In the end, we have settled for an R reg 450, rosso red, full TVRSH, brand new exhausts, brand new SO3s has done 22K, but just had the large 24K service, and looks, and drives great! It has no PAS, but didnt seem too bad, and sure my partner won't have a prob driving it. I will be getting it for around the 19K mark, warrantied, and the salesman was very nice indeed at Kings TVR. The Chimp I will be buying was a trade in from a guy who has just bought a Tuscan, trouble is, my fiancee has now fell in love with the Tuscan, now she seen it 'in the flesh'!! At least she has good taste!
Only one thing with the car, one of the alloy's is slightly scuffed, but am assuming that won't be too much to repair.
By the way, the 'grin like a Cheshire cat' bit was spot on!! still smiling now!!And the great thing is, my fiancee's as excited as me!!
Chris
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