TVR S........

[lotusnobles]

Never thought I'd say this but after lookin through the adds I'm warming to the idea of spending £5k on one of these...... have I totally gone mad?

Could I expect to run one of these as a weekend fun car and not end up with large bills and lots of breakdowns?

Insurance.... could I get classic insurance on one of these at a reasonable price (I have no no-claims due to driving a company car for last 6yrs and they wont give you any unless your coming out your co, car)

[PetrolTed]

Classic insurance for about £300 a year although you won't be able to keep your no claims bonus and your mileage will be limited.

Yes, you can run them as daily cars. The Ford running gear is pretty bulletproof.

[lotusnobles]

Sounds good Ted, not gaining a No-claims is no problem £300 sounds about what I would want to pay. Regards maintenace Im not that mechanically minded can do Oil and filters and stuff and have access to mechanics through work,but you reakon theres nothin thats going to cost a fortune if I buy a good one, no major horror stories like on the later TVR's then?

I used to laugh at TVR's but these are begining to make sense either that or I'm loosin my marbles!

[Rower]

As Ted says the Ford engine is well tried and tested ! Your main concerns should be the condition of the Chasis , which are prone to rusting if they have not been maintained , best to look at cars that have been owned by enthusiasts ( such as advertised on this site )ot through the TVR car club.
Good luck let us all know how you get on.

[PetrolTed]

Take a look at my running costs. Although I don't use my car daily I've averaged 10,000 a year and it costs me something like £1500-2000 maintenance a year.

[Psychobert]

Haven't had the car long enough to get a good idea of costs, but use it as a daily driver with not too many problems. You do tend to get the odd bit working loose, but its a 12 year old car..

[BRGS2]

Just got one this weekend myself,
Thoughts thus far are:

Pros:
Massive Fun to Drive
Quite Rare
Simple engine
Easy parts availability

Cons:
Heavy in Town (as you would expect!)
SPEEDBUMPS

DO IT NOW!

[lotusnobles]

Heavy steering... not a problem
Speed bumps ..... not a problem by me

would be doing 6k pa max so would be hopin to contain all costs to under £1500 pa (maintenance & Insurance)

They really do look a stonkin car for not that much money thats not really going to depreciate, which is quite an important issue when you dont really need another car!

Economy? around mid twenties when driven normally?

[S3 Kieran]

PetrolTed said:

.....although you won't be able to keep your no claims bonus.

Not true! I'm insured with ClassicLine on restricted mileage, but not classic (no garage space ) and they have 'mirrored' my no claims bonus from the family tintop. Yes I thought it sounded dodgy too, but I have specifically asked exact meanings and understandings etc - I am assured I have full NCB, and am allowed to keep it on my other car. (insurance was £260 BTW)

I get 30mpg on long run (not that these cars are often down motorways, but there you go!) and anything down to 20mpg on 'short/town/caning it' runs.

[lotusnobles]

One thing I forgot to ask is whats my money going to realisticly buy me? Is there any model to avoid or buy S1 S2 S3 S3C all look the same to me. Is one when the engine swapped from 2.8i to 2.9i. Never really took that much notice of them till now, though I have always liked the shape

[S3 Kieran]

lotusnobles said:

One thing I forgot to ask is whats my money going to realisticly buy me? Is there any model to avoid or buy S1 S2 S3 S3C all look the same to me. Is one when the engine swapped from 2.8i to 2.9i. Never really took that much notice of them till now, though I have always liked the shape

£5k will easily get an S1, poss S2. Not likely to see S3 (in decent condition) for this dosh.

2.8 to 2.9 was reason for S2, although you will find cars referred to as 'S1.5' i.e. S1 with 2.9 engine. Suspension better on S2 as well. Believe 2.8 needs LRP/conversion to unleaded?

Generally, later models better, but down to choice. S3 got bigger doors and revised interior (completely different to S1/S2).

They all look pretty - check chassis condition #1 priority - plastic coating falls off steel chassis 2 miles outside the factory, so check has been scraped and repainted/waxoyled. (worst offenders are front outside corner of outriggers and rear trailing arms)

Personally, would stump up a bit more cash to get an excellent S2/good S3, but many an S1 owner will surely argue this one!

[roy c]

Before you buy the car, buy the book:
www.t-v-r-services.co.uk/tvrbooks/s_book_1.html

[pies]

Get one unless you buy a dog your budget should be fine

Classic line do no claims so that should help in future years my V8 costs £280 for 6k miles so i would think a V6 is less,As previously mentioned buy the bible makes life so much easier.

Pay particular attention to the chassis when buying, and make sure your happy its the car for you BEFORE you test drive it,cos once you've turned that key your have rose tinted specs on

Probably be an S1 or early S2 for that kind of money
HTH

[lotusnobles]

All helpful information guys, think it will pay to stretch a tiny bit if neccessary to obtain a nice S2, me thinks the next step will be to talk to the bank!

I appreciate all the response i've had to my enquiry and if the sums add up I could well join the fold, the do seem to make a lot of sense!

[mowog]

Go on - you know it makes sense

[MartS1]

I just managed to pick up a very nice S1 (1.5 with a 2.9 engine ) for alot less than 5k
Use it as a weekend toy and its great
Impressions after one week :

Good:
That exhaust note
Superb fun to drive
Insurance at £209 with 3 points
Excellent on fuel (for a 2.9)
Great seating position
Simple engine cheap for parts!


Bad:

Mission getting it on my steep drive
Speed humps are a pain
Big bumps in the road are a pain
Re Painting the chassis was a nightmare
All the bad points are forgiven tho cos every time it starts that exhaust note takes teh pain of the bad bits away
GO AND BUY ONE................be careful tho , there are some real dogs out there!
Mart


>> Edited by MartS1 on Monday 1st September 16:59

[lotusnobles]

One last quick question, the series seem to changed in quick succession, what were the years of manufacture?

S1........
S1.5......
S2........
S3........

[pies]

S1.........86 to 88 (only one built in 86 though)

S2........ 89 and 90

S3........ 91 and 92

But knowing TVR there might be a few strays

Nicked this bit from a reply from Steve Heath on another thread

S1.5 They were either S1s with a 2.9 engine or an S2 with a 2.8


>> Edited by pies on Monday 1st September 17:26

[lotusnobles]

So would it be fair to say they are valued more on the Series rather than the year/letter, obviously in relation to mileage/condition?

[Phil C]

Some people seem to value the S3's /S3C's / S4's higher than the early ones because the longer doors make it easier to shoe horn yourself in. Personally I would suggest to value them only on condition, condition, condition. The minor differences between the models are - pretty minor - the only big one I can see, being the 2.9 engine, which can take unleaded without any qualms. Having said that I am sure some owners with the S1 would prefer the relative simplicity of the 2.8

I run mine as a second car, love it to bits, & it's behaved pretty well -

Go and buy one for no other reason than the noise - and being able to look at all those MX5, MGF, MR2 drivers and feel pity for the grin factor that's missing from their lives....helped along by the fact that you probably also paid less for the 'S' as well......