Thinking of buying an S2/3 but how much for a good one?

[Sparky99]

Hello,

I'm sure you get this regular question from newbies but here's my take.

I currently own a motorcycle which I love but traffic is getting too heavy for the speed this thing wants to do to be happy (nothing to do with the throttle you understand!). So I'm thinking of selling the bike spending the about 4000 to 4500 of the money on an S2/3, Now I definitely do NOT want to start rebuilding a chassis because of nowhere to do it and not enough time due to kids. Preferably one already done rather than an original one would be better but not fussed. I also do not want to be involved with any fibreglass work or spraying. I really dont mind tinkering with engines, electrics etc... basically the mechanical stuff is fine. Hopefully for the money I would buy a car that doesn't need much because I wont have any money left to spend for a while. Is this realistic or are we talking more money to get a good solid car?

Also what are the running cost like on these? Are parts cheap and easy to get?

Cheers in advance for any help.

[Dave_M]

I would have thought you could get a very good one for that budget

[tinks v8S]

if you can pick 1 up for less money with a bad chassis you would look to pay around £1800
to have a chassis refurb

[Sparky99]

Thanks so far.

Id rather avoid the rebuild route but good to know.

I have been looking around for one for sale but have only looked in the auto trader. There's a red one for 5k which looks overpriced and a green one with low mileage but its a dealer again. I really would like to buy private with a stack of reciepts from a caring owner.

Wheres a good place to keep an eye out?

[Mr Clifford]

Buy one for 5k and keep 2k in the bank just in case.
Then buy one from someone from this site who can tell you whats been done to it.
Oh yeah - Then contact MyCroft from this site and buy his.

[Dave_M]

Classifieds on here, ebay (after all it's only really a place to advertise - but care is needed), TVRCC web site if you're a member, there's a claasic car site too but can't remember the name (maybe more than one!).

[The Lukas]

My car is kind of on the market. Still unsure to be honest, but you can always have a look and I'll show you around anyway even if I decide to keep for another year - why change when I've enjoyed the last few so much?

4-5K should get a nice one. Just look for:

General maintenance evidence
Upgrades
History and proof of work
New/recently replaced components
Electrical niggles
Chassis
Chassis
Chassis

[Roy C]

My S2 will be for sale very soon. Just serviced & Mot'd by str8six, but waiting for a part.
Then I just need to trawl through my spares. I even found a pair of hen's teeth!

[pacman1]

Sorry to intrude, gents, just a quicke..
Would there be any valid reason for an S2 to be registered as a kit car on the V5?
Cheers in advance.

[Roy C]

pacman1 said:

Would there be any valid reason for an S2 to be registered as a kit car on the V5?

The V5C for my S2 reads:
D.1 Make: TVR
D.2 Model/Type: 280S
D.3 Body type: Sports
etc...

AFAIK TVR never supplied an S series in kit form, so maybe it was built from parts of other cars?!

[pacman1]

Roy C said:

pacman1 said:

Would there be any valid reason for an S2 to be registered as a kit car on the V5?

The V5C for my S2 reads:
D.1 Make: TVR
D.2 Model/Type: 280S
D.3 Body type: Sports
etc...

AFAIK TVR never supplied an S series in kit form, so maybe it was built from parts of other cars?!

Yes, that's what I concluded, although you would have thought that going to all that trouble, someone would at least bother to use the chassis number from a donor car to place on the V5 for value and authenticity.
Thanks Roy.

[Dave_M]

AFAIK the last TVRs that were in kit form (not really a kit, just to avoid tax) were in the early 70s (M series). I had 72 model that was a kit, and 2 73's that weren't.

I could be wrong though

[Roy C]

Dave_M said:

AFAIK the last TVRs that were in kit form (not really a kit, just to avoid tax) were in the early 70s (M series). I had 72 model that was a kit, and 2 73's that weren't.

I could be wrong though

No, I think that's right. It was a tax loophole that got closed.

[Sparky99]

Roy C,

Thanks for the info.

Had a look at the pictures of the S2 and a read of your blog.

Sadly I just don't like white. There's a girly response if you've ever heard one!

[Sparky99]

A quick thanks to everyone who has helped so far.

I will keep an eye on these classifieds and any other leeds given by you guys.

It seems promissing that I should be able to get a good car for the money.

Are the parts easy to source and are the prices reasonable?

[dougc]

Depends on what parts you need.

Many bits are from other cars - Ford is popular so bits are pretty easy to come by. Others are more obscure - the classic example being the front indicator lenses - and as such are as rare as hens teeth and cost the same.

The beauty of the S though is that through this forum, some small parts manufacturers and many ingenious brains, there is always a work around.

[Sparky99]

Dougc,

Thanks for the help.

[Dave_M]

I agree with Doug, the ingenuity shown on here is great, and they treay numpties like me well too (I never know which way to screw the hammer or weld the fibreglass).

I would expect prices may creep up a little as we get towards better weather (yes, yes, my doc says I'll be better soon ).

[mycroft]

Mr Clifford said:

Buy one for 5k and keep 2k in the bank just in case.
Then buy one from someone from this site who can tell you whats been done to it.
Oh yeah - Then contact MyCroft from this site and buy his.

Thanks BigRed
Niel YHM

[Roy C]

mycroft said:

Mr Clifford said:

Buy one for 5k and keep 2k in the bank just in case.
Then buy one from someone from this site who can tell you whats been done to it.
Oh yeah - Then contact MyCroft from this site and buy his.

Thanks BigRed

Dale, don't forget Adrian's commission!