Starting my search for a TVR - help needed !
Discussion
Hi all
New to this forum but a regular at the excellent fiat coupe forum. I have just sold my 6 speed Fiat coupe 20v Turbo as a result of a new job with a company car so decided cant justify the coupe as well as a company car.
I am after some general advice – I drove 4 different cars a couple of weekends ago – Alfa V6 spider, Honda S2000, Elise 2 and TVR Chimaera 4.5 (Adrian Blyth)
Have to say I really adored my first drive in a TVR and Adrian seems a good bloke with plenty of knowledge. I think the chimeara looks the most practical of the TVR and Adrian has some around £20k for R / S plates..
Id like some really honest opinions if possible on TVR ownership – are they as unreliable as people make out, what are Adrian Blyth like or other specialists ? Is it better to buy from a main dealer ? etc etc.. I am in no rush but really fancy a TVR I want to do my homework and get a real good un for around £20k ish.. Can I expect something decent for this money ? Is a TVR worth the hassle you will no doubt get from time to time or do I go for a sensible Boxster ? any help greatly greatly appreciated !! cheers ..
New to this forum but a regular at the excellent fiat coupe forum. I have just sold my 6 speed Fiat coupe 20v Turbo as a result of a new job with a company car so decided cant justify the coupe as well as a company car.
I am after some general advice – I drove 4 different cars a couple of weekends ago – Alfa V6 spider, Honda S2000, Elise 2 and TVR Chimaera 4.5 (Adrian Blyth)
Have to say I really adored my first drive in a TVR and Adrian seems a good bloke with plenty of knowledge. I think the chimeara looks the most practical of the TVR and Adrian has some around £20k for R / S plates..
Id like some really honest opinions if possible on TVR ownership – are they as unreliable as people make out, what are Adrian Blyth like or other specialists ? Is it better to buy from a main dealer ? etc etc.. I am in no rush but really fancy a TVR I want to do my homework and get a real good un for around £20k ish.. Can I expect something decent for this money ? Is a TVR worth the hassle you will no doubt get from time to time or do I go for a sensible Boxster ? any help greatly greatly appreciated !! cheers ..
Firstly welcome to the fold, nearly . I have only been an owner for 2 months, having previously had an array of cars including a 911. The grin factor of these cars is awesome, headturning, top down fun, with todays and the weekends weather its just great.
Yes you do get niggles, mine have been very minor, keep them serviced, topped up with oil, cooling system working properly, and of course waxed and in my opinion alot of fun for £20k plus that boot, I can get full set of clubs, trolley and an overnight bag in the rear plus my roof.
Finally, I bought my car from Adrian Blyth, and I have to say I wrestled with the main dealer, independent argument, but I have no illusions about recommending him at all, in fact I have done so.
Come on give it a go you'll never look back got to keep your eyes on the road
to those you pass.
Yes you do get niggles, mine have been very minor, keep them serviced, topped up with oil, cooling system working properly, and of course waxed and in my opinion alot of fun for £20k plus that boot, I can get full set of clubs, trolley and an overnight bag in the rear plus my roof.
Finally, I bought my car from Adrian Blyth, and I have to say I wrestled with the main dealer, independent argument, but I have no illusions about recommending him at all, in fact I have done so.
Come on give it a go you'll never look back got to keep your eyes on the road
to those you pass.You already have the right approach, do your homework, take your time and get recommendations.
Yes you can get hassle from them, but then again there are lots that are great. Mine has been off the road 2 days in 2 years, both for services..........
£20 K should get you a lot of car.
Boxster, S2000 - we are constantly told about their 'superior' build quality, but that isn't the sole reason you buy a sports car.
As said before, it's the only car that gives me a hard on every time I fire it up.
Take the plunge, you really won't regret it.
Yes you can get hassle from them, but then again there are lots that are great. Mine has been off the road 2 days in 2 years, both for services..........
£20 K should get you a lot of car.
Boxster, S2000 - we are constantly told about their 'superior' build quality, but that isn't the sole reason you buy a sports car.
As said before, it's the only car that gives me a hard on every time I fire it up.
Take the plunge, you really won't regret it.
Personal opinion is that the specialist independents are fine. Got mine from Fernhurst TVR and can recommend the service from the guys there. Also a few others places around that I am sure will get mentioned as this thread grows.
Drive it regularly and keep it serviced and should be reliable. It isn't a Porsche so don't expect the same germanic attention to detail. As a rule there may be the odd little niggle but they are reliable. Just look at how many people take them down to Le Mans and tour around Europe in their TVRs.
Had mine for nearly 3 months and not looked backed. Go for it!!!
Drive it regularly and keep it serviced and should be reliable. It isn't a Porsche so don't expect the same germanic attention to detail. As a rule there may be the odd little niggle but they are reliable. Just look at how many people take them down to Le Mans and tour around Europe in their TVRs.
Had mine for nearly 3 months and not looked backed. Go for it!!!
Yeah I bought from Adrian.
That was two and a half years ago.
Bloomin' thing's been nothing but trouble ever since
Covered 40,000 miles virtually trouble free, have to take the long way round to the shops every time I go out. Had to polish the thing several times
Neighbours always hear me coming. Can't stand waiting in queues any longer always have to - race away from the lights and overtake everything in sight - don't know how I still have a licence. Can't get the grin off my face even after all this time...
Nothing but trouble that Blyth chap
That was two and a half years ago.
Bloomin' thing's been nothing but trouble ever since
Covered 40,000 miles virtually trouble free, have to take the long way round to the shops every time I go out. Had to polish the thing several times
Neighbours always hear me coming. Can't stand waiting in queues any longer always have to - race away from the lights and overtake everything in sight - don't know how I still have a licence. Can't get the grin off my face even after all this time... Nothing but trouble that Blyth chap
thanks for the swift responses..
I drove the four cars on the same day and the TVR is the only one that felt special to be honest.. all the others are no quicker or sounded better than my 5 cylinder coop turbo did...
It is the one that i know would be great to roll out of the garage on a sunny day - you always have the head v heart debate - head says Honda, heart says TVR..
But as i said i am in no rush, i am gonna look around and drive a few and get plenty of advice before taking the plunge .. i have always lusted after a TVR and now i have got a job with a company car I hope to be able to indulge that fantasy of having a TVR as a second car.
WOuld you guys recommend the chimeara as the best entry to TVR ownership ? (sorry to all you others with Griffs !)
keep the advice rolling !! cheers
andy
I drove the four cars on the same day and the TVR is the only one that felt special to be honest.. all the others are no quicker or sounded better than my 5 cylinder coop turbo did...
It is the one that i know would be great to roll out of the garage on a sunny day - you always have the head v heart debate - head says Honda, heart says TVR..
But as i said i am in no rush, i am gonna look around and drive a few and get plenty of advice before taking the plunge .. i have always lusted after a TVR and now i have got a job with a company car I hope to be able to indulge that fantasy of having a TVR as a second car.
WOuld you guys recommend the chimeara as the best entry to TVR ownership ? (sorry to all you others with Griffs !)
keep the advice rolling !! cheers
andy
And slightly more seriously...
It is a personal thing, TVR ownership. Yes you might have the odd niggle, but only you will know if it's worth it. I don't know one end of a monkey wrench from a monkey, but (with the help of one of the best independents around) it's relatively easy to look after and soooooooo rewarding to drive I wouldn't want anything else.
I don't believe there's anything on a 20k TVR that can't be fixed pretty easily - but if you want to be safe hold a little back for your insurance and a few unforeseen items (or some Leven Technology bits
) But in the scheme of things (i.e. for that 300bhp/tonne experience) they're not expensive to run (see profile)
I've just driven over to Maidenhead and back, just bimbling around on the back lanes really and boy is it lovely to press that loud pedal !!! all the wahay!!!
Your dealer prices are obviously going to be a bit higher, they carry stock and have overheads. Someone like Blythy has a good reputation (which he wants to keep) and plenty of satisfied customers (with the obvious proviso that you can't please all the people all the time!). Loads of owners will warn you not to buy the first you see...
...and then admit that we all did just that!
Oh, and just so you're forwarned, if you find a TVR does something a bit odd...
(All together now!)
THEY ALL DO THAT, SIR!!!
It is a personal thing, TVR ownership. Yes you might have the odd niggle, but only you will know if it's worth it. I don't know one end of a monkey wrench from a monkey, but (with the help of one of the best independents around) it's relatively easy to look after and soooooooo rewarding to drive I wouldn't want anything else.
I don't believe there's anything on a 20k TVR that can't be fixed pretty easily - but if you want to be safe hold a little back for your insurance and a few unforeseen items (or some Leven Technology bits
) But in the scheme of things (i.e. for that 300bhp/tonne experience) they're not expensive to run (see profile) I've just driven over to Maidenhead and back, just bimbling around on the back lanes really and boy is it lovely to press that loud pedal !!!
all the wahay!!! Your dealer prices are obviously going to be a bit higher, they carry stock and have overheads. Someone like Blythy has a good reputation (which he wants to keep) and plenty of satisfied customers (with the obvious proviso that you can't please all the people all the time!). Loads of owners will warn you not to buy the first you see...
...and then admit that we all did just that!
Oh, and just so you're forwarned, if you find a TVR does something a bit odd...
(All together now!)
THEY ALL DO THAT, SIR!!!
TVR Hunter said: WOuld you guys recommend the chimeara as the best entry to TVR ownership ? (sorry to all you others with Griffs !)
Hmm! Might have to withdraw all the helpful comments now!!! Whichever "floats your boat"! For a full comparison:
Chimaera: bigger boot, choice of engines, top comes off, makes loud noises
Griff: smaller boot, one so88ing big engine, top comes off, makes loud noises
Look, the man's obviously hankering after a Chim cos that's where he's posted ...
So let's not disappoint him. Can't add to what's been said - but you'll love it from the moment the money's spent.
Had mine 18 months - nothing but fun. No reliability problems at all - nothing's broke nor fallen off - well just the mirror glass on one door - all of 0p or so to fix.
You won't regret it - not many on here have ...
So let's not disappoint him. Can't add to what's been said - but you'll love it from the moment the money's spent.
Had mine 18 months - nothing but fun. No reliability problems at all - nothing's broke nor fallen off - well just the mirror glass on one door - all of 0p or so to fix.
You won't regret it - not many on here have ...
Hello,
Thought about a Coupe before buying my Chimaera, and also looked at other cars. The Chim has a soul, and if you grin like most of us on here when you here the engine start or pull away, then there is only one answer. The others you mention are cars, the Chimaera is an experience!
T-J-K
PS Be interested to know your views on the difference in power, torque, speed and handling between the two cars
>> Edited by the jiffle king on Tuesday 17th June 19:02
Thought about a Coupe before buying my Chimaera, and also looked at other cars. The Chim has a soul, and if you grin like most of us on here when you here the engine start or pull away, then there is only one answer. The others you mention are cars, the Chimaera is an experience!
T-J-K
PS Be interested to know your views on the difference in power, torque, speed and handling between the two cars
>> Edited by the jiffle king on Tuesday 17th June 19:02
Of course, don't forget the private classifieds [ehem]www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=10989&sc=IZSN&s=1[/ehem]... or indeed someone like Rob Ingleby www.findasportscar.co.uk
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