Discussion
Following on from my thead on 350 / Tamora differences, I thought I would put information and questions on my Tamora buying here.
Went to see the first car today, closest one to me for sale - 2003 with only 9000 miles on the clock for £19k.
Silver 2003 Tamora
First Tamora we have seen, and it is a tidy example. Silver paint is in good condition (although an unexciting colour) and the interior is fine.
I don't like the service history - 200 mile service in 2003, 900 mile service in 2003, then 6500 mile service in 2008 (a few services since then). Who thinks it is a good idea to go 5 years between oil changes as the car covers 5600 miles? Last service was 14 months and 200 miles ago.
Having a look round the car, decide that the seating position is fine, and that the boot is a good size, but the roof panel makes it a bit awkward. Brake disks all look good, plenty of pad material. Toyo Proxes all round with lots of tread left. Wheels in good condition.
Drive - no smoke on start-up. Sounds nice. Handbrake ratchet has stopped working, so it won't lock up.
Garage are not that familiar with the hood. When folded down, no rear-mirror visibility. Seems tricky to avoid getting sharp creases in the plastic.
Responsive throttle pedal and more brake pressure required than most cars. Gear change fine. Can't hear indicator noise other than when stationary, which is new to me. Ride not bad at all on assorted country roads given low-profile tyres on 18" wheels. Steering responsive - after a few minutes, feels quite natural.
Seems easy to drive, give it some revs, up to 6000, feels quick enough
With sunglasses on, can't see any of the LCD display (which says something about a fuel sensor error), and find the speedometer (0, 2, 4, 6) interesting.
Overall impression when we are done is that we would like a Tamora, but need to see a few more. There is then a bit of a hard-sell that seeing a few more could be a mistake since this is the best, but that doesn't make sense to me.
Few questions for the forum:
- Given concerns about service history - is no smoke on start-up a good thing, or just normal?
- Should the hood obscure the rear-view mirror when folded down, or was it not folded properly?
- It is low mileage, but £19k seems a bit high given the big gap in the service history and the fact it needs a service immediately (assuming they fix the handbrake and sensor error.
Went to see the first car today, closest one to me for sale - 2003 with only 9000 miles on the clock for £19k.
Silver 2003 Tamora
First Tamora we have seen, and it is a tidy example. Silver paint is in good condition (although an unexciting colour) and the interior is fine.
I don't like the service history - 200 mile service in 2003, 900 mile service in 2003, then 6500 mile service in 2008 (a few services since then). Who thinks it is a good idea to go 5 years between oil changes as the car covers 5600 miles? Last service was 14 months and 200 miles ago.
Having a look round the car, decide that the seating position is fine, and that the boot is a good size, but the roof panel makes it a bit awkward. Brake disks all look good, plenty of pad material. Toyo Proxes all round with lots of tread left. Wheels in good condition.
Drive - no smoke on start-up. Sounds nice. Handbrake ratchet has stopped working, so it won't lock up.
Garage are not that familiar with the hood. When folded down, no rear-mirror visibility. Seems tricky to avoid getting sharp creases in the plastic.
Responsive throttle pedal and more brake pressure required than most cars. Gear change fine. Can't hear indicator noise other than when stationary, which is new to me. Ride not bad at all on assorted country roads given low-profile tyres on 18" wheels. Steering responsive - after a few minutes, feels quite natural.
Seems easy to drive, give it some revs, up to 6000, feels quick enough
With sunglasses on, can't see any of the LCD display (which says something about a fuel sensor error), and find the speedometer (0, 2, 4, 6) interesting.
Overall impression when we are done is that we would like a Tamora, but need to see a few more. There is then a bit of a hard-sell that seeing a few more could be a mistake since this is the best, but that doesn't make sense to me.
Few questions for the forum:
- Given concerns about service history - is no smoke on start-up a good thing, or just normal?
- Should the hood obscure the rear-view mirror when folded down, or was it not folded properly?
- It is low mileage, but £19k seems a bit high given the big gap in the service history and the fact it needs a service immediately (assuming they fix the handbrake and sensor error.
Edited by Sevenman on Saturday 15th October 19:47
Thanks for the feedback and information on Tamoras.
There seem to be very few Tamoras for sale with a engine rebuild. This might mean that the engine holds on relatively well...
The next cars I want to go and see are for sale by enthusiasts / specialist garages. Might be a lot of miles in the Mondeo next weekend.
I was at a Supra track day (not in a Supra, but a better car), and one chap really was doing that to warm his engine before going on track...
Probably 20 mins of driving before the 6000 rpm, it is brisk enough using low revs.
The chap from the garage did the first 10 mins, and I was worried he would feel the need to show me how fast it was before it was warmed up, but he was in no hurry, so that was ok.
There seem to be very few Tamoras for sale with a engine rebuild. This might mean that the engine holds on relatively well...
The next cars I want to go and see are for sale by enthusiasts / specialist garages. Might be a lot of miles in the Mondeo next weekend.
Smooth Smith said:
Oh & I hope you warmed the car up properly before revving to 6k
Normally I would just hold it at the rev limiter straight from starting, but I took it easy in this case I was at a Supra track day (not in a Supra, but a better car), and one chap really was doing that to warm his engine before going on track...
Probably 20 mins of driving before the 6000 rpm, it is brisk enough using low revs.
The chap from the garage did the first 10 mins, and I was worried he would feel the need to show me how fast it was before it was warmed up, but he was in no hurry, so that was ok.
Getsis said:
I would keep looking for a MK2
Can someone summarise the key differences between Mk1 and Mk2 and when the change happened, or point me in the direction of an existing thread? I haven't been able to find a summary.Getsis said:
No smoke on start up suggest the car was warm before setting off. Try to ensure the car is cold before any test ride to see how it ticks over.
Car was most definitly cold - came out of the showroom soon after they opened, and I had already looked under the bonnet. I will make sure I check engine temp / smoke on future cars.Getsis said:
Check the underside of the front valance, there is usually some marks but if excessive factor in the cost of repair. Doors can sag, watch for the door dropping a little on opening (both sides) there not easy to adjust by yourself. Some Tams leak, check carpets for water marks/damp. if you see some I would walk away.
Thanks for the useful advice. I guess the nose of the car is quite low so could get caught, one reason I don't like excessively low suspension.Keeping up momentum with the TVR buying, I am off to see 2 cars this weekend.
One for sale with TrackVRoad, and one for sale privately (but serviced by them) Link here.
The one for sale by the garage is a 2002 car with 13,000 miles on at £16,750.
This seems to have a very extensive service history from an owner who didn't mind spending money. Recent 12k service and all new springs / dampers. The head came off in July as there was a gasket leak, and apparently the engine all looks good, but the chap from the garage did state that it was hard to tell when there might be problems. Could do 45k miles, could do much less... But if it is on 13k and in good condition, I would hope for a decent number of miles before problems. Apparently everything about the car is in good condition.
The 2nd car is a later 2005 model, with 35k miles for £19,000. This was also known to TrackVRoad, and the previous owner used it for a lot of road trips and much more regularly than many TVRs. Again, sounds like it is in good condition, but there is likely to be a bit more wear due to the higher miles.
It has de-cat pipes fitted. I don't think I need the extra noise or issues with swapping at MOT time.
There are a few little differences between the model years, but the only one I think of that is important is the engine. I guess it is a an unknown which out of a 2002 engine with 13k miles, or a 2005 engine with 35k miles, will last. The only certainty is that a rebuilt engine with a 5 year guarantee should last, and I need to keep some money set aside.
Thanks for humouring my TVR questions / ramblings, I appreciate the input of those who have lived with the cars for a while
One for sale with TrackVRoad, and one for sale privately (but serviced by them) Link here.
The one for sale by the garage is a 2002 car with 13,000 miles on at £16,750.
This seems to have a very extensive service history from an owner who didn't mind spending money. Recent 12k service and all new springs / dampers. The head came off in July as there was a gasket leak, and apparently the engine all looks good, but the chap from the garage did state that it was hard to tell when there might be problems. Could do 45k miles, could do much less... But if it is on 13k and in good condition, I would hope for a decent number of miles before problems. Apparently everything about the car is in good condition.
The 2nd car is a later 2005 model, with 35k miles for £19,000. This was also known to TrackVRoad, and the previous owner used it for a lot of road trips and much more regularly than many TVRs. Again, sounds like it is in good condition, but there is likely to be a bit more wear due to the higher miles.
It has de-cat pipes fitted. I don't think I need the extra noise or issues with swapping at MOT time.
There are a few little differences between the model years, but the only one I think of that is important is the engine. I guess it is a an unknown which out of a 2002 engine with 13k miles, or a 2005 engine with 35k miles, will last. The only certainty is that a rebuilt engine with a 5 year guarantee should last, and I need to keep some money set aside.
Thanks for humouring my TVR questions / ramblings, I appreciate the input of those who have lived with the cars for a while
Edited by Sevenman on Monday 17th October 15:33
Thanks again for the advice.
I had called about the Cadbury coloured one - apparently there is a small crack in one of the front wings and the wheels could do with a refurb. I don't know anything about GRP bodywork and the effort involved in fixing it, but a wheel refurb is easy and not too many £.
The H&M car looks good. No mention of air-con, which I would quite like - there are times when it is sunny and the roof will be up.
gareth64 - thanks for the extensive info, I think I will be buying on condition, bearing in mind that later cars are better in some areas, but a well cared-for earlier car might be a sensible purchase.
I had a chat with Dom at TVR Power about these cars, since that is where I would go for future servicing and maintenance. He was more positive about the longevity of the standard engines than much of the general forum discussion.
I just want to buy one now, and hope for a few sunny days, with salt-free roads, throughout the winter months. Roll on the weekend and some car shopping. And a 350 mile round-trip drive
I had called about the Cadbury coloured one - apparently there is a small crack in one of the front wings and the wheels could do with a refurb. I don't know anything about GRP bodywork and the effort involved in fixing it, but a wheel refurb is easy and not too many £.
The H&M car looks good. No mention of air-con, which I would quite like - there are times when it is sunny and the roof will be up.
gareth64 - thanks for the extensive info, I think I will be buying on condition, bearing in mind that later cars are better in some areas, but a well cared-for earlier car might be a sensible purchase.
I had a chat with Dom at TVR Power about these cars, since that is where I would go for future servicing and maintenance. He was more positive about the longevity of the standard engines than much of the general forum discussion.
I just want to buy one now, and hope for a few sunny days, with salt-free roads, throughout the winter months. Roll on the weekend and some car shopping. And a 350 mile round-trip drive
The Tamora buying thread is coming to an end.
Next weekend we are picking up our Tamora from TrackvRoad.
It was a long drive up on Saturday. We saw 2 cars, but the one at TrackvRoad was my favourite.
Very good condition, full service history, and the previous owner has not skimped on it - everything had been done and there were some comprehensive bills to prove it.
Engine runs sweetly and drives well. It is a 2002 car so the more fragile engine, but it has done 13,500 miles, had a new head gasket at 13,350 and everything looked good. Compression test was apparently 240psi across the engine.
Richard and Chris were great. They spent a lot of time with us, talking about the cars, answering questions (2 hrs) and test-driving (1 hour - 30 mins for each of us).
The sports exhaust is loud. it is the one thing I am not really sure about, but I will live with it for a while to find out.
All the cars they have look great, and their workshop space is immaculate. We felt very happy buying from them.
I can't wait until next Sunday when we have another 300 mile round trip to collect.
Next weekend we are picking up our Tamora from TrackvRoad.
It was a long drive up on Saturday. We saw 2 cars, but the one at TrackvRoad was my favourite.
Very good condition, full service history, and the previous owner has not skimped on it - everything had been done and there were some comprehensive bills to prove it.
Engine runs sweetly and drives well. It is a 2002 car so the more fragile engine, but it has done 13,500 miles, had a new head gasket at 13,350 and everything looked good. Compression test was apparently 240psi across the engine.
Richard and Chris were great. They spent a lot of time with us, talking about the cars, answering questions (2 hrs) and test-driving (1 hour - 30 mins for each of us).
The sports exhaust is loud. it is the one thing I am not really sure about, but I will live with it for a while to find out.
All the cars they have look great, and their workshop space is immaculate. We felt very happy buying from them.
I can't wait until next Sunday when we have another 300 mile round trip to collect.
citizen smith said:
Sevenman,
The only advise that I can offer is to buy the car privately
It is a bit late now - the deal is done, and the car is coming from a TVR specialist.The only advise that I can offer is to buy the car privately
The previous owner certainly didn't skimp on maintenance, and there are some very large bills to prove it.
Trying to buy Tamoras privately reduces the choice. At this moment there are 21 for sale on Pistonheads, 18 from traders, 3 from private sellers.
If the garage has worked with the car for a few years and knows the owner, as was the case with this car, then I feel quite reassured.
There were some people (not on this forum) who told me to only go for a car with an engine rebuild. Very few for sale seem to have that, so it reduces the choice to nearly zero.
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