Help with Tamora purchase

[jimmyt]

Hi all,

First post so please be gentle!

I've been enjoying the forum for a few weeks and have finally joined up as I'd really appreciate some help with an upcoming Tamora purchase.

I'm looking for a 2002 Tamora and am looking to spend 28-29K.

I'm off to look at one tomorrow (EX02 TWL - have any PH's owned this/seen it on track days?). This has a low mileage (3650), a relatively low price (£28995), 18inch alloys, metallic paint, leather interior etc. so I want to know what the classic catch is if any?? I'm sure you've all seen it on autotrader/exchange&mart.

Castle TVR gave it the thumbs up for the 1000 mile service & the selling garage has offered to pay for the 12 month service (& straighten out any probs) before I buy.

Does all this seem a bit too good to be true? I know history is everything when buying a TVR & I'm trying to discover if its been thrashed round a track etc.

Does anyone have any TVR specific pointers aside from the usual HPI checking, TVR dealer check.

Any help much appreciated,
Cheers
Jimmy T

[joe c]

Sounds OK but I'm no expert. I bought my Tamora from Christopher Neil in Northwich, with about 8500 miles on a 2002 plate for about £28k. With 1 year warranty. In fact its just about due for 12k service. So I don't think it is far out.

[nubbin]

Seems a reasonable purchase - roughly what I paid for mine second hand.

Go for it!!

[brucec]

I too bought mine from Chris Neils for around £29k.

Was p-exing but reckon with cash they'd have taken about 28k. 7000 miles, mint Tamora with Pearl paint...lovely.

I thinnk the car you're looking at is in the right ball park judging by what else I looked at.

cheers

[jimmyt]

Thanks for the replies.

I had a look at it this morning. Beautiful car. No marks anywhere apart from on the leading edge of the front sill which I suppose you would expect. Didn't seem to be any sign of track day activity but how would I know?

Does anyone know if its worth getting the TVR Specification Check (£30+VAT). Might show up any panels that've been replaced?

Cheers,
Jim

[RichB]

jimmyt said:

Didn't seem to be any sign of track day activity but how would I know?

Why does thos bother you so much? I could argue that someone who takes their car o the track is more likely to take really good care of it !

[drum4it2]

agree that many track users would have kept it in tip-top condition but, is it possible to find the previous owner (V5) & just ask them? Most TVR owners I know wouldn't mind being asked - especially as it's not their car now... go for it anyway!

[sewega]

I'm with RichB on this one. What's the point in owning such a car if you don't at least once or twice take it to a track to find out what its really all about?

Anyway, I'm sure all trev owners will feel the same way about keeping their car in top nick and not destroying it at Brands, etc ...

[nigel lewis]

EX02 TWL, isn't that Frostie's car. Mine was EX02 TVV also brought from Castle's, and that Reg number seems familiar.

[rico]

nigel lewis said:

EX02 TWL, isn't that Frostie's car. Mine was EX02 TVV also brought from Castle's, and that Reg number seems familiar.

This is frostie's car:


www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=2376

[chasod69]

Looks like you have stop being a girl about track days and buy it!!

[chimhunter]

Jimmy, you are a big wuss. I'm sure you'll end up taking it on a track day yourself (as long as your mates don't hit any more speed bumps in it) so quit moaning. Buy the car.

BTW, his last car as a BMW 3-series convertible. Start hair-dresser jokes now please.

Rob

[jimmyt]

Hi all,

After 3 months of dithering, I finally bought my first TVR on Saturday (second hand '02 Silver Tamora) and have not stopped smiling since. Thanks to all who replied and, in particular, R5CER for all his offline emails - cheers Steve!

TYR ownership has been pretty much what I expected so far. Blistering performance that has me unable to breath and terrifies me at the same time - brilliant! Loads of attention everywhere the car goes including 3 blokes getting me to start her up in Birmingham New Street car park - wasn't expecting that! And finally the heater packs in on Sunday so spent the final 2 hour leg of my journey sat in freezing temperatures!!

However, even that couldn't take the fun out of the weekend. If every weekend I spend driving it is like this one, then I'm sure I've made the right choice.

Incidentally the heater error code was 24 or 25 with the words 'Heater Flap' (or something like that). I tried the suggested 'Flap Zero' setting trick. It was set at 16 - switched it to 0 but it didn't help. Cold air only blows through the central vents (I think this is normal), no air (hot or cold) will blow through the window or footwell vents. Any ideas?

Cheers,
James

[r5cer]

Hi Jim,

Great news on purchasing the Tamora, you will not regret it, especially once the roads are warm and dry.

Have fun

Steve

[NigeW]

Welcome to the fold ... my heater packed up in november with a 'Flap' error message. The heater's okay, but there's a little motor that physically moves the flap between hot and cold, and it has plastic drive gears ... brilliant. Anyway, they fix it under warranty and then despite the multitude of settings on the heater wheel, it's either very hot or cold. But who cares, as you've no doubt discovered.

[dookie]

Jimmyt, Small question! Will you be taking it on the track?

[jimmyt]

dookie,

I am indeed planning to take it on a track at some stage. Can you recommend any companies for decent track day insurance?

jimmyt

[yajeed]

Bump - seems EX02 TWL is for sale again. :-) Anyone know it?