Owning a TVR outside of the UK

[Mushroom12]

Hello all,
Long time lurker, finally posting.

I want advice.

I'm British, but have been living overseas for a decade or so, one day I got into my s2000 and ran away to Europe. Right now I live and work in Bulgaria doing just grand. I love my s2000, and it's never skipped a beat in the 7 years I've owned her, but my heart has always been with TVR, and now I can finally afford one...

I've lusted over a Tuscan ever since their release; I'd give my right nut for one. I don't mind the Tamora either.

The question I have is, am I batst insane for even considering owning one outside of the UK. Parts, yea they can be mailed, but working on the cars if needed? Is it possible? Or will I be buying a car that will be good for 6 months or so then have to rot in silence cause something went wrong and no bugger outside of TVR can fix it?

Would a Chim be a more 'sensible' choice (I really want a Tuscan though ) or should I just forget TVR ownership and file them under 'that cute girl at uni who I should have made a move on but left it way too late'?

Thanks

[Speed 3]

You only live once so I think you already know the answer ...

A Tuscan is a different proposition to a Chimaera but its definitely doable. My personal UK based experience (as a non-expert spanner twiddler but able to do basic stuff) in 3 years of owning a decent late Mk1 says you can operate one anywhere with the help of the PH crowd. Your risk is downtime & cost sorting something out in a worst-case event.

It would never be a Honda but if you are prepared for that then go for it

[cinquecento]

There is a thriving TVR world in Australia..both Rover V8s and speed 6 varieties. We manage just fine..the internet, telephone and international couriers are all wonderful inventions.

[geeman237]

I'm in a similar boat. I just bought a Griffith to bring over to the US in 2017. Yes the engine may have originally been a US design, but would I trust a US mechanic on the car? Probably not. I can do the basics on servicing etc, but the internet and this forum is an amazing resource.
Go for it!

[ukkid35]

I know a 928 owner who swears by the Bulgarian mechanics, he claims they are both knowledgeable and efficient. However I guess who you know really matters.

Of course if your are not afraid to pick up a spanner yourself then none of that matters.

[Don1]

geeman237 said:

I'm in a similar boat. I just bought a Griffith to bring over to the US in 2017. Yes the engine may have originally been a US design, but would I trust a US mechanic on the car? Probably not. I can do the basics on servicing etc, but the internet and this forum is an amazing resource.
Go for it!

The 25 year rule? Good man!

[Mushroom12]

Cheers chaps, you're all a terrible influence on me.
I'm not a spanner twister anymore; I simply don't have the time or space to do it, but the chap who mentioned his friend is happy with Bulgarian mechanics on a 928 is pushing me in the right direction.

The question is then, 20,000 quid or so...Tuscan, Tamora, Chimera? I think the V8 will be easier for a non-specialist to work on, but the T-Cars make me wet...

[Squirrelofwoe]

Don1 said:

The 25 year rule? Good man!

I was talking to someone a few weeks ago who mentioned a customer had recently spent a few £££ getting an early model Chimaera into top condition with a US buyer already lined up for next year.

I wonder if this means we are about to see a further increase in prices/values over the next few years as more of them become eligible?

[so called]

I thought there was a Bulgarian guy on here the other day that has a Cerbera.
Cant find the thread now??

[Don1]

Squirrelofwoe said:

I was talking to someone a few weeks ago who mentioned a customer had recently spent a few £££ getting an early model Chimaera into top condition with a US buyer already lined up for next year.

I wonder if this means we are about to see a further increase in prices/values over the next few years as more of them become eligible?

Whilst it's poor form to openly discuss such things, a thought much like that did go through my head.

[Mushroom12]

so called said:

I thought there was a Bulgarian guy on here the other day that has a Cerbera.
Cant find the thread now??

I hope so, would be cool to talk to him, although it does dilute the 'only one in the country' aspect

[Twinkam]

so called said:

I thought there was a Bulgarian guy on here the other day that has a Cerbera.
Cant find the thread now??

Jooles81, over on the Cerbera pages.

[so called]

Twinkam said:

so called said:

I thought there was a Bulgarian guy on here the other day that has a Cerbera.
Cant find the thread now??

Jooles81, over on the Cerbera pages.

I was reading a thread last week with him in.

Found it -

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by so called on Thursday 15th September 14:22

And I should have said French guy living in Bulgaria.

Edited by so called on Thursday 15th September 14:23

[Mushroom12]

so called said:

I was reading a thread last week with him in.

Found it -

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by so called on Thursday 15th September 14:22

And I should have said French guy living in Bulgaria.

Edited by so called on Thursday 15th September 14:23

Cheers chaps, will hit him up.

[mikal83]

I had a 280 in Florida a few yrs ago, left hooker of course.

[so called]

mikal83 said:

I had a 280 in Florida a few yrs ago, left hooker of course.

I saw a 350 on one of the Keys back in about 2007.
Sadly damaged by a hurricane flood.

Actually it was a 280 but the guy had a 350 to drop in it.

[geeman237]

Squirrelofwoe said:

Don1 said:

The 25 year rule? Good man!

I was talking to someone a few weeks ago who mentioned a customer had recently spent a few £££ getting an early model Chimaera into top condition with a US buyer already lined up for next year.

I wonder if this means we are about to see a further increase in prices/values over the next few years as more of them become eligible?

Yes, 25 year rule. Got to wait until November 2017, so the car is currently in storage in the UK .....

Chimera's came out in 1993? That US buyer will have to wait a bit longer then.

Values? As I have said on other posts, I just don't see there being much of a US demand due to the right hand drive issue. It puts off 99.9% of American's.

[Matthew Poxon]

I swapped my S2000 in for my current Griff. S2000 was a fantastic car, never skipped a beat and great fun to drive. Unfortunately for me the S2000 was one of those cars that just didn't 'feel' that fast even though it was. The combination of not a lot of torque and the digital display resulted in numbers being flashed up in front of me but not much sensation to back it up.

The Griff 500 resolved the 'not feeling that quick' issue. Dynamically the S2000 is far better than the TVR though. TVR just makes me smile a lot more even though technically it is nowhere near as good as the S2000. Somethings cannot be quantified by specifications.

[mikal83]

so called said:

mikal83 said:

I had a 280 in Florida a few yrs ago, left hooker of course.

I saw a 350 on one of the Keys back in about 2007.
Sadly damaged by a hurricane flood.

Actually it was a 280 but the guy had a 350 to drop in it.

\

I sold mine in 2004. It was silver.

[Mushroom12]

Just a quick thanks to everyone here. Managed to get in touch with the TVR owner in Bulgaria and he's been more than helpful. Will start churning though the classifieds...