TR8

[Forzaguy]

I would like to purchase a TR8. I have found two for sale. One is in good shape but not great. It would require an engine out detail of the engine bay and engine to be nice. It does'nt leak anything and runs good. The interior is fresh but not the original configuarion. The center of ther seat and door panels are some kind of fabric. The paint is also fresh but needs to be blocked and buffed.

The second requires nothing. It's not a show car, but its clean and the paint and interior is in good shape. The engine bay is nice and detailed too.

Both are have four barrel conversions, and after market exhaust.

My dilemma is that the first car can be had for about $5k and the other for $8500.00. I don't want to invest so much in the car that I could never sell it. But, I would really like to have the nicer car. Are these good prices? Should I keep shopping?

Any advice would be greatly appreiciated.

[Last TR]

I bought my TR8 about 5 years ago. Runs & drives well, basically sound, but a little rough around the edges. If I had it to do again, I would probably spend more money for a nicer car.

Ken Morton
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

[DNK]

Second Ken's advice
Or
Buy both

Don
Stick a Wedge In It
80 TR7 V8 Kick in the pants

[trekcarbonboy]

I guess it all depends if you enjoy WORKING on a car or DRIVING it. No matter what, you (or someone you pay) will be working on either car, it is a Triumph after all.

Hard to say if the values are correct without actually seeing them. $8500 should buy a very nice car. $5k for a project might be a bit steep. Do you have a link to the adverts that you can post?

"I don't want to invest so much in the car that I could never sell it." HA! [:D] I could never sell mine for the amount that I have put into it! Shhhhh... don't tell the wife.[:p]

If you can't decide, keep looking around and you will get a better idea of what the 2 in question are worth.

Good Luck!

Craig '75 2.0 FHC

[rgsSpider]

I'm thinking by the time you're done with the cheaper one you could have bought the more expensive one. I say go for the more expensive one!

Randy

1980 TR7 <font color="red">Spider!</font id="red">
http://rgstr7spider.tumblr.com/

[Spectatohead]

I paid $2500 for mine. I now have over $8000, not to mention my blood and sweat, into it and it still has a way to go. I have enjoyed spilling a little blood and sweat to get it the way I want it. I may never get there though. If you don't like bleeding or sweating or spending buckets of money I'd say get the more sorted one.

Jim Clark
'80 TR8
'97 Maxima 5spd

[nick]

As a rule of thumb buy the best car you can afford. Unless you like a project. Every dollar the previous owner invested is discounted to you at 50% or more. Buying a car that was restored well is usually a bargain compared to doing it your self.

[img][IMG]http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt234/nickmi/TR7%201975/Yellow.jpg[/img]
nick
'79 TR7 DHC
'76 TR7 FHC

[FI Spyder]

Most will be in agreement here. It doesn't take long to get to the more expensive car when bringing a car up to snuff. While the individual parts are not expensive they add up real quick even when starting from a really good base (like mine). The only reason to start with a lower priced car is because you like working on it and the pride of doing it yourself is worth something to you. The more expensive car you can hop right in a drive while the other sounds like it is going to need some garage time before that happens although that will keep you busy during the winter months.

As far as spending money on a car because you might not get out of it what you paid for it....these cars are made for driving and the fun derived from that....not for the investment possibilities.

As far as center of seats/door being "some kind of fabric" they did come with two different types. Earlier ones had the tartan whereas the later ones had velour.




- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[silverseven]

if they are real TR8'S (OP didn't mention where he is located, I'm guessing North America?) I'd say both are on the decent lower end of average values for straight clean cars and a solid TR8 is more of an investment than a Seven.......

If both of the cars float your boat, I'd invest in a throughout inspection of the two cars and see which one ends up looking better....
Honestly if the cheaper one is more solid, throwing a few hundred dollars at an original seat cover kit, then a couple of door panel trims and pulling a motor in the off season for detailing is not that big of a deal......
I'd be more concerned about how solid the structure of the car is than the state of detailing.

Ron.

[Forzaguy]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to make an offer on the nicer of the two. They are both real TR8s. I would post a link but they are not listed for sale anywhere. I will post a number to the one that is remaining if it's ok with the owner. Thanks again.

[RJS]

Where are you located?

The biggest concern for a TR7 / TR8 is always rust.

Interiors are cheep in both time and money compared to fixing rust issues.

Look over the buying advice link here for items you might not of considered yet.
http://triumphtr7.com/documents/tr7info/buyguide.asp

Good luck,
Rob