PRacticalities of an S??

[WildfireX0]

I am considering buying an S3, and was wondering exactly how practical they are to run all year round. Servicing costs, fuel economy and reliability. This would be used as my primary car to go to and from work, and some journeys to Manchester and London from Newcastle.

So what sort of Mpg can I expect? Does it really cost £1500 per year?

[Le TVR]

Have been using my S series as everyday transport for 14 years so you could say thats a big

Costs/detail under members cars:

www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=8746

[tvrgaas]

They used to be, ran my S as only car for 6 years.
Stopped as the service started to take a week while we waited for parts to arrive from Blackpool or Dagenham.
(I don't like cycling to work!) I guess if you use the right speciallist it might be less. So not MTBF (mean time between failures) but MTTR (Mean time to repair) was my concern. But they are 10+ years old now, so get a good one!

[mowog]

I have run both of my TVR's as everyday cars - currently an S3. They do like to be driven and I have never been let down badly.

Try hard to find a good one (lots of advice in the archive and the S bible) and keep on top of things before the car lets you down.

Running costs similar to Eurobox if you run a V6.

Good luck!
Darren

[RichardR]

I've used my S3 as my everyday car for the last year without any mechanical problems :toucheswood:. As well as going to and from work I also have to go and visit clients which can involve long motorway trips all year round.

I reckon I get late twenties MPG, and my last service cost me £120 from a local independant mechanic.

My advice would be to check the condition very carefully, especially the chassis, and see if you can find a TVR specialist, local to the potential purchase, to check it out. This'll be money much better spent than an AA or RAC inspection.

Go for it!!