Decisions, decisions (Tamora advice sought)
Discussion
Good evening
I'm looking for some advice on the purchase of a specific TVR.
But first, some background.....
I have decided to take the plunge and just buy myself a TVR Tamora. I've hankered after a TVR for years but have tended towards a middle-of-the-road cars. Now, however, it is the time for this oversight to be addressed. I haven't driven one yet, but have driven a Griff 500 & Tuscan - both at Bruntingthorpe. This will be a third car, but one in which I'd like to be able to commute should the weather permit (30 miles round trip in a regular car but I hear that I should allow for taking the long way home when in a TVR). I have a window of opportunity to go for a Tamora, and now need to decide which one. This is where you come in (I hope).
I have my eye on 4 potential cars, and could do with some CONSTRUCTIVE advice on which one to go for & why. If you really feel the need to slag off one of the cars in question then please e-mail me directly as its not fair to do so on this forum unless the car is a genuine deathtrap. So, I'm looking for some POSITIVE reasons why any one of the cars is better than the other. Most of them will require a day trip for me to see/try them, so I'm trying to narrow the field somewhat. All of the cars are within my pre-determined price range.
One thing, though, I really would like to have a warranty in place on whatever car I buy.
So here goes... (ALL ARE TAMORAs) and listed in the order in which I found them:
(1) 2001 (YJ51 XDS) 12,000 miles Silver Metallic £19,995 (non-TVR dealer)
For sale at a local garage (Dunfermline, Fife)
GOOD: I've examined the car, and been out in it as a passenger. It looks fine, albeit with some strange scratches on the boot lid. Apparently the dealer can sell me a Scotsure warranty for £500pa.
BUT: Seems expensive. 4 previous owners - not sure of previous owners' driving styles. Not convinced that Scotsure will cover TVR.
(2)Nubbin's car 2002 22,500mls Blue £17,500 (private)
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/104505.htm
GOOD: FSH. Looks fantastic. Nubbin knows his stuff and so the car's been well looked after.
BUT: No warranty on it (yet). Will my insurance company be understanding about the mods?
(3)Ceecee's car 2002 38,500mls Trophy Blue £17,250 (private)
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/108423.htm
GOOD: FSH. Looks fantastic. Facelift model. Comes with the balance of the TVR warranty. My wife prefers this darker blue.
BUT: High mileage (engine rebuild ahoy?). I prefer the interior colour scheme of Nubbin's car
(4) 2003 (FJ03 FKB) 14,000mls Metallic Blue £20,995 (non-TVR dealer)
GOOD: FSH. 1 yr TVR warranty (with W&T). Air-con.
BUT: More expensive. 300 miles away. Doesn't seem to be a PH-er's car (or is it?)
So, there you have it. I am placing myself at your mercy.
Should any of you know of any reason why I should (or shouldn't) go for one of these cars over all of the others, then please speak up now (or forever hold your peace, so to speak!)
Thank you very much for any light you might shed on this.
Neil
I'm looking for some advice on the purchase of a specific TVR.
But first, some background.....
I have decided to take the plunge and just buy myself a TVR Tamora. I've hankered after a TVR for years but have tended towards a middle-of-the-road cars. Now, however, it is the time for this oversight to be addressed. I haven't driven one yet, but have driven a Griff 500 & Tuscan - both at Bruntingthorpe. This will be a third car, but one in which I'd like to be able to commute should the weather permit (30 miles round trip in a regular car but I hear that I should allow for taking the long way home when in a TVR). I have a window of opportunity to go for a Tamora, and now need to decide which one. This is where you come in (I hope).
I have my eye on 4 potential cars, and could do with some CONSTRUCTIVE advice on which one to go for & why. If you really feel the need to slag off one of the cars in question then please e-mail me directly as its not fair to do so on this forum unless the car is a genuine deathtrap. So, I'm looking for some POSITIVE reasons why any one of the cars is better than the other. Most of them will require a day trip for me to see/try them, so I'm trying to narrow the field somewhat. All of the cars are within my pre-determined price range.
One thing, though, I really would like to have a warranty in place on whatever car I buy.
So here goes... (ALL ARE TAMORAs) and listed in the order in which I found them:
(1) 2001 (YJ51 XDS) 12,000 miles Silver Metallic £19,995 (non-TVR dealer)
For sale at a local garage (Dunfermline, Fife)
GOOD: I've examined the car, and been out in it as a passenger. It looks fine, albeit with some strange scratches on the boot lid. Apparently the dealer can sell me a Scotsure warranty for £500pa.
BUT: Seems expensive. 4 previous owners - not sure of previous owners' driving styles. Not convinced that Scotsure will cover TVR.
(2)Nubbin's car 2002 22,500mls Blue £17,500 (private)
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/104505.htm
GOOD: FSH. Looks fantastic. Nubbin knows his stuff and so the car's been well looked after.
BUT: No warranty on it (yet). Will my insurance company be understanding about the mods?
(3)Ceecee's car 2002 38,500mls Trophy Blue £17,250 (private)
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/108423.htm
GOOD: FSH. Looks fantastic. Facelift model. Comes with the balance of the TVR warranty. My wife prefers this darker blue.
BUT: High mileage (engine rebuild ahoy?). I prefer the interior colour scheme of Nubbin's car
(4) 2003 (FJ03 FKB) 14,000mls Metallic Blue £20,995 (non-TVR dealer)
GOOD: FSH. 1 yr TVR warranty (with W&T). Air-con.
BUT: More expensive. 300 miles away. Doesn't seem to be a PH-er's car (or is it?)
So, there you have it. I am placing myself at your mercy.
Should any of you know of any reason why I should (or shouldn't) go for one of these cars over all of the others, then please speak up now (or forever hold your peace, so to speak!)
Thank you very much for any light you might shed on this.
Neil
Edited by neilboyd on Friday 3rd November 13:09
I purchased a 2002 Tamora this time last year, and have never looked back. It did have the 16" spider alloys fitted, but I got hold of a brand new set of 18" spider alloys with toyo tyres fitted in place of the 16" alloys. The 18" alloys make the car look better. Also got a JP Sports Exhaust fitted, this is essential as the noise is just brilliant. I paid £22,000 for it from a dealer.
The Tamoras you are looking at are great. Don't be put off with the reliability issue. The only mechanical thing that has gone wrong with my Tamora so far is the oil pressure sender unit, which I had replaced. The ECU display has black lines accross it, but it is acceptable at the moment. These are common problems. My Tamora has just done 20,000 miles, still with the original clutch, and no engine rebuild, (yet - but touching wood very frequently
).
I always warm the Tamora up not taking the revs above 2100 until the oil temp is at least 60 deg. You should keep the oil and coolant levels topped up regularly.
If you are not used to a super sports car, like me, because my other car is an MR2, and the performance of the Tamora is way, way, way beyond the MR2, take it easy until you get used to the Tamora performance. You can potter about at 70mph and the Tamora will oblige you well, but push it further then the Tamora will let you know if your not driving it well. - so take it easy for the first year.
Ever since I've owned the Tamora my face has not stopped grinning every time I drive it. It is a fab car and you will see what I mean when you get one.
Hope to see you in your Tamora next year at a Tamora meet
.
Enjoy
The Tamoras you are looking at are great. Don't be put off with the reliability issue. The only mechanical thing that has gone wrong with my Tamora so far is the oil pressure sender unit, which I had replaced. The ECU display has black lines accross it, but it is acceptable at the moment. These are common problems. My Tamora has just done 20,000 miles, still with the original clutch, and no engine rebuild, (yet - but touching wood very frequently
). I always warm the Tamora up not taking the revs above 2100 until the oil temp is at least 60 deg. You should keep the oil and coolant levels topped up regularly.
If you are not used to a super sports car, like me, because my other car is an MR2, and the performance of the Tamora is way, way, way beyond the MR2, take it easy until you get used to the Tamora performance. You can potter about at 70mph and the Tamora will oblige you well, but push it further then the Tamora will let you know if your not driving it well. - so take it easy for the first year.
Ever since I've owned the Tamora my face has not stopped grinning every time I drive it. It is a fab car and you will see what I mean when you get one.
Hope to see you in your Tamora next year at a Tamora meet
. Enjoy
Tough choice, I would go for 2 or 3. I think knowing the history is important, a well-looked after car is more important than a few miles or £££s. I'll just make a few points:
- with your mileage it will be perfect as a daily car
- do not worry about miles on the clock, my car is definitely improving as the miles go on
- do not worry about the facelift model, some say the newer one looks better but the older one has separate driving lights which I find useful in the winter
Everyone will say the same thing, drive them both and you will find which one is for you. You are spoilt for choice.
regards
Steven
- with your mileage it will be perfect as a daily car
- do not worry about miles on the clock, my car is definitely improving as the miles go on
- do not worry about the facelift model, some say the newer one looks better but the older one has separate driving lights which I find useful in the winter
Everyone will say the same thing, drive them both and you will find which one is for you. You are spoilt for choice.
regards
Steven
Oh, any - just buy one! 
Seriously though, I'd probably look at 2 first, followed by 4. I'd be a little put off by 3's high mileage unless it's in absolutely mint condition. Depends what kind of life it's going to lead in your hands.
I bought mine privately, and could see how well it'd been looked after - which was one of the deciding factors. Before going to see it I'd already set my heart on a different Tamora, and knew the more expensive next one had to be spotless to buy it. Well it was, and I did. Done over 4,000 miles since then, and only had to replace the expansion tank cap.
Buy on condition first, spec second. But just buy one. Especially at these prices. Even if you'll need a rebuild, what else could you get for the cash??
Seriously though, I'd probably look at 2 first, followed by 4. I'd be a little put off by 3's high mileage unless it's in absolutely mint condition. Depends what kind of life it's going to lead in your hands.
I bought mine privately, and could see how well it'd been looked after - which was one of the deciding factors. Before going to see it I'd already set my heart on a different Tamora, and knew the more expensive next one had to be spotless to buy it. Well it was, and I did. Done over 4,000 miles since then, and only had to replace the expansion tank cap.
Buy on condition first, spec second. But just buy one. Especially at these prices. Even if you'll need a rebuild, what else could you get for the cash??
Edited by Spoonman on Wednesday 1st November 09:30
Call it a hunch, but I would avoid #1 - 5 years, 4 owners, and only 12k miles ? Mine is also a weekend toy and I did 5k in the first year. Either all four owners had lots of other cars, or something isn't right with those numbers. She has certainly spent a lot of time sitting about.
I would choose between #2 and #3. Priced about the same, I prefer the colour on #3, but like the lower mileage on Nubbin's. Not sure what you meant by "mods" - the change of wheels isn't material to insurance, and at these prices you are already getting a bargain - change them back if you want.
#4 sounds good, but there is really too little info to choose. You'd have to go and look at it.
I would choose between #2 and #3. Priced about the same, I prefer the colour on #3, but like the lower mileage on Nubbin's. Not sure what you meant by "mods" - the change of wheels isn't material to insurance, and at these prices you are already getting a bargain - change them back if you want.
#4 sounds good, but there is really too little info to choose. You'd have to go and look at it.
NB. I've not knowingly met any of the sellers, just going by the info available.
Thank you to everyone who has responded so far.
Grumbledoak:
The mods on Nubbin's car include de-cat / new chip. I realise that these might be viewed by "those in the know" to be cosmetic rather than resulting in a higher insurance risk, however I'm not sure how my insurer will view them.
I look forward to going into next week fully-informed, and ready to make myself a LOT poorer!!
Neil
Grumbledoak:
The mods on Nubbin's car include de-cat / new chip. I realise that these might be viewed by "those in the know" to be cosmetic rather than resulting in a higher insurance risk, however I'm not sure how my insurer will view them.
I look forward to going into next week fully-informed, and ready to make myself a LOT poorer!!
Neil
neilboyd said:
"Those in the know"
It is a sure sign that you have been here too long when you don't notice "Chip & Decat" on a TVR ad! Only your insurers can tell you how much they care about these mods (unpredictable b*****s) - I'd just call them and ask.
Good luck with her - when they are good, the Sp6 is very, very good.
I would personally avoid No 1 with a 100ft long bargepole.
4 owners in 12,000 miles.......
Nope...that wouldn't be for me.
And I would look more positively on a 'reluctant' sale than an 'I'm looking for a change' sale.
I know they are only words.....but.......
Seems to me on this forum that once they have their Tams...they never want to change them
Good Luck
YP
4 owners in 12,000 miles.......
Nope...that wouldn't be for me.
And I would look more positively on a 'reluctant' sale than an 'I'm looking for a change' sale.
I know they are only words.....but.......
Seems to me on this forum that once they have their Tams...they never want to change them
Good Luck
YP
Edited by yellow peril on Thursday 2nd November 08:09
If you are coming down south to take a look at a few cars, do take a look at nubbins car. I've driven in convoy with him driving the Tamora for a few 1,000 miles. People drive their cars differently, but he has always allowed the car to throughly warm up before hoofing it and has a gearbox/drive train sympathetic driving style. A fastidious owner. Car sounds awesome as well. 
Enjoy the search, get any vehicle independently checked over etc.
DAZ
Enjoy the search, get any vehicle independently checked over etc.
DAZ
Edited by dazren on Thursday 2nd November 10:02
Ricardo Bertone said:
I won't go for Nubbin's or any pre-facelift Tamora. The later facelifted ones look sooooo much better IMO.
Ricardo
Ricardo
I appreciate the observation, but that's just a matter of taste. Personally I have no preference for pre- or post-facelift other than the potential impact on residual value.
Please keep the comments coming, I am also grateful to everyone who has contacted me off-line to offer advice - it is much appreciated.
Neil
________________________
On the subject of being grateful, how is Pistonheads funded - is it a commercial site (fully funded by advertising) or is some enthusiast maintaining it "out of the goodness of his/her heart"? If the latter then I'll send them a thank you gift when I buy a car.
ANSWERS OFFLINE FOR THIS ONE, PLEASE!
Edited by neilboyd on Thursday 2nd November 10:16
Edited by neilboyd on Thursday 2nd November 10:16
I agree with Daz about Nubbin's car. I've done many x,000 miles with Nubbin in his Tamora so I will be the first (ok second 
) to say that his driving style, the way he treats his car and the way he looks after his car I would not hesitate in buying from him (and I'm a fussy bugger about my cars ).
Pre-face lift, post face lift, there are certain differences of course but (as has always been my advice in cases like this)...I would suggest going for the best CAR. By best car that could be mileage, previous owner, type of driving it's done etc. etc. Remember that a garage queen may have more forthcoming problems than a well driven example that would have the 'TVR niggles' sorted.
So, find the best car you can for the money you have available, whether that's pre or post face lift should be incidental to the quality of the car itself (has it been looked after), and that in itself will lead to the grin you're going to get when you start that ridiculously sexy engine.
) to say that his driving style, the way he treats his car and the way he looks after his car I would not hesitate in buying from him (and I'm a fussy bugger about my cars ). Pre-face lift, post face lift, there are certain differences of course but (as has always been my advice in cases like this)...I would suggest going for the best CAR. By best car that could be mileage, previous owner, type of driving it's done etc. etc. Remember that a garage queen may have more forthcoming problems than a well driven example that would have the 'TVR niggles' sorted.
So, find the best car you can for the money you have available, whether that's pre or post face lift should be incidental to the quality of the car itself (has it been looked after), and that in itself will lead to the grin you're going to get when you start that ridiculously sexy engine.
stevend said:
Pre and post facelift are not just down to cosmetics. The old style has separate (ie on normal beam) driving lights which I find very useful indeed after dark.
Steven
Steven
Wrong way around. The early cars have fog-lights whereas the face-lift cars have driving-lights that only come on with the full=beam.
Hope you've not one of thise idiots who drives around with their fog-lights on when it's not foggy?
No slight on good ole Nubbin intended - any man who can plough across a field in an upside down Tamora and walk away has my vote - he set the standard for others such as the Hamster to follow - a real trail-blazer.
I just think that the facelift Tamoras will hold their values much better - also the Sp6 engines seem to be better the later the year.
Ricardo
I just think that the facelift Tamoras will hold their values much better - also the Sp6 engines seem to be better the later the year.
Ricardo
yellow peril said:
I would personally avoid No 1 with a 100ft long bargepole.
4 owners in 12,000 miles.......
Nope...that wouldn't be for me.
4 owners in 12,000 miles.......
Nope...that wouldn't be for me.
I'm not sure that is such an issue with TVR's or other high performance cars as it is with everyday cars - some people just buy these cars to be able to say they've owned a TVR, and soon realise it's not a long term proposition for them, so I wouldn't personally let this rule it out.
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