Really can't decide what to do - please help!

[TVRHunter]

As someone at secondary school in the 1990s I just loved seeing and hearing the TVRs that came out then and subsequent models.

Each time I've been in the market for a new car I have looked at them (prices don't seem to have changed since I bought an Impreza instead in 2008) but, having just sold my VXR8 and bought a Range Rover I am finally in a position to buy a weekend toy and so TVRs seem more realistic at last.

I have £20k to spend but could back it by up to £5k if needed but I can't help thinking that the "wise" choice would be a BMW Z4M Roadster instead - newer, cheaper, more reliable and more exploitable. I'm used to power (my VXR8 had 530bhp) and can tame a lairy beast (have commuted in it in the ice and snow) so I don't think a TVR is too "manly " for me but I feel I need convincing anyway...

The other problem is i don't know what model to go for. Are Chims and Griffs too "vintage"? I like to have a top of the range model (must have some sort of insecurity) so I would want a Tuscan S rather than a Tuscan but they seem super rare. I love the look of T350s but want a convertible and yet find the Tamora's bottom a little too rotund.

Thanks for reading this essay - would love to hear your thoughts or even try and sell me your car if you wanted...

Oh yeah, given that my last car was my first non-new car (and was only 24 months old) I'm scared about buying something without a warranty - sensible or should I grow a pair?

[Speed 3]

1. Grow a pair
2. Go look, drive, feel, then come back to us with a model shortlist.
3. If you don't come back with a shortlist it means you love them all or hate them all (unlikely on either count)

Edited by Speed 3 on Wednesday 6th August 20:56

[rigga]

Speed 3 said:

1. Grow a pair
2. Go look, drive, feel, then come back to us with a model shortlist.
3. If you don't come back with a shortlist it means you love them all or hate them all (unlikely on either count)

Edited by Speed 3 on Wednesday 6th August 20:56

This ...o and also fill your profile in so that we have some indication of your whereabouts, us tivvers arnt afraid of showing our car's off, but if we don't know where your based no one will offer to show you around.

Griff and chim for the win by the way.

[jamieduff1981]

What attributes do you think you want? They're all so different that it's quite hard to "just want a TVR" if you see what I mean.

Interior and exterior wise they can look classical or mental.
Power delivery can be lazy or frantic.
Sound can be pleasant or furious sounding.

A Tuscan S is so far removed from a Chimaera 500 that it really would be a subjective choice ultimately.

A point to note is that for the Rover V8 models, not everyone subscribes to the idea that the biggest engine is the best - e.g. 4.3s arguably attract more interest than the 500s do - but again that depends very much on what sort of character you like an engine to have.

[so called]

If all else fails just buy one and try it.
If your careful in selecting a well looked after example, your not going to loose any money.

As far as the Tamora is concerned, a test drive may well change your mind as they are a great drive and feel so planted.

[steveT350C]

With regards to the looks of the Tamora, have you seen one close up? IMHO they are not very photogenic and look stunning in the flesh.

[The Surveyor]

OP, only you can answer the question of whether you would prefer a Z4M or a TVR. If you're looking for the nostalgic TVR 'noise' then it has to be a Griffith 500 which the best all-round Rover V8 engine TVR's as far as performance, noise, and desirability is concerned.

The closest thing to the BMW as far as the later Speed6 engine cars in the 'upto £25k' price bracket is the Tamora as other than the Tuscan Convertible, there are no other full-convertible 'T' series cars. Don't be put off by the looks, they look stunning in the flesh and certainly better than the BMW which is no oil painting!

Best advice is go and drive both, see if you fit in the Z4, see how the TVR feels etc. An ex had a Z4 and whilst it was nicely made, it was ultimately quite dull. The TVR is the polar opposite! If this is going to be your 'fun' car, chose with your heart and not your head.

Paul

[TVRHunter]

Thanks for all the replies - I'm based in Milton Keynes btw.

Erm, I totally get why it seems odd that I can't even narrow it down from 5 models. The thing is I really like them all in their own way and yet none are sufficiently brilliant enough to outshine the others. Without wanting to offend anyone i would say what makes me hesitant about each model is the following:
Chim - too common
Griff - a but middle aged man (but with a lovely bottom)
Tuscan - a bit too ott with styling (am I the only person who doesn't like the Sagaris?)
T350 - not a convertible
Tamora - the girly car of the range?

Naturally not everything is equal but I do find prices tend to rank them in a fair order for me (although Tuscan prices do confuse me as they seem the most variable). I suppose that if they were all the same price and all good condition I would have a T350T first then, Tuscan S, Tamora, Griff, Chim. Does that help at all?

Right, given that I have to keep an eye on budget i'm toying between these options (all around 40,000 miles or under):

Chimaera 4.3 or 4.5 in bright colour for around £13k
Griff 500 in blue or yellow for mid teens
Tuscan S in low £20k
Tamora in bright colour around £20k
T350T in bright colour(s) for low £20k

I am im discussion with a dealer about this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

But I think too steep given the miles. Would you disagree?

Oh yeah, whilst I am at it, what is so special about 4.3 v8 aside rarity?

Thanks!

[TVRHunter]

Finding all the love on the forum for the Tamora v interesting. I do like the front and will reserve final judgement on its bottom until seen in the metal as, bottom aside, it does see, to fit my requirements best.

Would it be fair to say that, because they tend to have been made later, their Speed6 engines are more reliable? Would a factory Red Rose be even more reliable?

Which would you go for of these two?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Or perhaps neither?

Thanks!

[jamieduff1981]

There is loads written on the Speed 6 engine and the general rule of thumb is that if you can't risk funding a rebuild yourself, then it needs to have been rebuilt by TVR Power or Str8Six.

The best TVR ever is obviously the Cerbera with the AJP8 engine , but it's not a convertible.

Try a Tam first and take it from there...

[SteveSPG]

if you're in MK, my tam is at dave the trimmers atm (based just outside MK) for some work on the interior. there is a griff and a couple other TVR's in there too.

if you just want to go and have a poke around I'm sure he won't mind. it might assist you seeing a few cars in the flesh.

[mk1fan]

One thing you must be clear on regarding the Speed 6 engine is that it needs to warm up properly before giving it the beans.

This can range between 10-minutes and 40-minutes - indeed on one journey I took the car never warmed up properly (new years day and around 50-miles) at all.

That said, I'm loving both my TVRs (Tamora and a V6 S).

[Speed 3]

TVRHunter said:

Thanks for all the replies - I'm based in Milton Keynes btw.

Erm, I totally get why it seems odd that I can't even narrow it down from 5 models. The thing is I really like them all in their own way and yet none are sufficiently brilliant enough to outshine the others. Without wanting to offend anyone i would say what makes me hesitant about each model is the following:
Chim - too common
Griff - a but middle aged man (but with a lovely bottom)
Tuscan - a bit too ott with styling (am I the only person who doesn't like the Sagaris?)
T350 - not a convertible
Tamora - the girly car of the range?

Naturally not everything is equal but I do find prices tend to rank them in a fair order for me (although Tuscan prices do confuse me as they seem the most variable). I suppose that if they were all the same price and all good condition I would have a T350T first then, Tuscan S, Tamora, Griff, Chim. Does that help at all?

Right, given that I have to keep an eye on budget i'm toying between these options (all around 40,000 miles or under):

Chimaera 4.3 or 4.5 in bright colour for around £13k
Griff 500 in blue or yellow for mid teens
Tuscan S in low £20k
Tamora in bright colour around £20k
T350T in bright colour(s) for low £20k

I am im discussion with a dealer about this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

But I think too steep given the miles. Would you disagree?

Oh yeah, whilst I am at it, what is so special about 4.3 v8 aside rarity?

Thanks!

I'm with you on the Sagaris styling, thought it was too fussy when it came out and still don't really get it (although performance is undeniable). For the same money I'd have a Mk3 Tuscan convertible. I'm also not a fan of the Tamora styling, looks a bit Noddy car to me. Each to their own.

In general I wouldn't worry about absolute miles - very different proposition to a mass built car. You'll find plenty of munters under 40k and some belters pushing 3-figures and more. Everything can be refurbished to as new (or even better than original TVR quality in most cases) if you're prepared to fund it. Investment in S6 engine rebuild will largely be recoverable in residuals, interior/paint less so but you can customise to your exact spec.

As a previous poster said, running costs will be outweighed by residual protection unless you buy badly.

[SteveSPG]

TVRHunter said:

Finding all the love on the forum for the Tamora v interesting. I do like the front and will reserve final judgement on its bottom until seen in the metal as, bottom aside, it does see, to fit my requirements best.

Would it be fair to say that, because they tend to have been made later, their Speed6 engines are more reliable? Would a factory Red Rose be even more reliable?

Which would you go for of these two?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Or perhaps neither?

Thanks!

odd i find the rear of my tam more appealing than the front..... each to their own!

anyway I've had griff, chim, tam, and driven pretty much all of the others.

it is very personal and subject to a whole host of variables between the cars but for me the tam "feels" like the one that I'm most happy to throw around , feels least likely to bite me, and feels an easier drive after a 300 mile stint

the more i use it, the more I'm impressed by it, and the more i realise that it is a better car than I am a driver

[SteveSPG]

TVRHunter said:

. I'm used to power (my VXR8 had 530bhp)

just noticed this.

the characteristics of the speed 6 will be very different to drive than a LSv8. suggest you get a good demonstration drive somewhere to assure yourself that the car suits your driving style

[so called]

Don't forget that there are T350C's and T350T's
You can still lose your wig

[QBee]

You need to drive them to work out which you like best.

Chimaera and Griff are similar mechanically, Rover V8 so loads of low down torque, normal pedals (rather then floor hinged). Chim has a more useable boot than a Grief, but the Grief has the higher prices for some illogical reason. Both have a nice low rumble while cruising with the roof down. Both get you noticed in town.

T cars are all Speed 6, so need revving, ultimately more bhp than the RV8, but harder to get at the power on the public road. The noise to my ears is harsher, but all three cars have great posing presence - you won't go through any town without being noticed. Floor hinged pedals. Sorry, I mention this because I hate them, they really hurt my ankles. But I'm an old fart.
Under the skin, stripped back to bare GRP, or viewed from underneath, they are remarkably similar cars.

All are appreciating in value, so the comment about the depreciation issue is very relevant - your biggest monthly cost on a Z4M will be the depreciation.

Dealers offer warranties, as does TVR Power (100,000 miles on a speed 6 engine rebuild).

Go drive some and form opinions the proper way, and choose a car that feels the most suitable to you and that suits what you want to do with it.

BTW, I did a sprint day at Curborough in my 300 bhp 5 litre Chim a few weeks ago, alongside a Z4M supercharged with 520 bhp. He was on the same brand and type of tyres as me. I was only the fourth fastest TVR (fastest was a 4.3 Chim!), and much to his annoyance we were all faster than the Z4M, who was trying to beat us.

[ChilliWhizz]

TVRHunter said:

Chim - too common

Have to say, in nearly 4 years of owning a Chimaera, I've only seen 4 others on the road.... aside from going to meets of course...

Chimaera 500, only 600 built, not that many left now

TVRHunter said:

Griff - a bit middle aged man

Astute and very correct observation sir...

[essexstu]

All are appreciating in value, so the comment about the depreciation issue is very relevant - your biggest monthly cost on a Z4M will be the depreciation.


Think you will find that prices on Z4M s actually holding up nicely. They are fairly rare car compared to say the M3.

As for choice over a TVR, if its for fun and weekends then go for the TVR, no question. The zed just isnt fun or different enough from most other cars. The smile on your face driving a TVR down country lanes cant be matched by driving a beemer, as nice as they are.

[SPS]

I found Tony Gilbert to be first class and his cars are really well sorted in the main. It's not that far from you and you will love his "show room"