advice needed

[keith-vznby]

Hello,After many years of wanting I am finally In a position to own a TVR.I would like an early model running V8 could someone advise please.Second pain in the butt question ,what are the main differences between the different models is it just engine or are there greater differences which make one better than the other thanks inadvance Keith

[domV8]

Need a little more clarification I think, in order to help..:

- Early 60's V8 Griffith
- V8 S
- Chimaera
- Griffith
- Cerbera (late model I know but listed for completeness)

Differences will then depend on what model you have chosen...

HTH,

Dom

[Bobhon]

domV8 said:

Need a little more clarification I think, in order to help..:

- Early 60's V8 Griffith
- V8 S
- Chimaera
- Griffith
- Cerbera (late model I know but listed for completeness)

Differences will then depend on what model you have chosen...

HTH,

Dom

Whoops, missed the Wedges off the list. Loads of them about and still cheap as chips.

Wedgefest this weekend if you wanted to see lots of them and talk to their proud owners. Also might be some good ones up for sale. Look in the Wedge forum.

And no I don't own one...

Bob

[domV8]

whoops! What an oversight

Absolutely right - some say the best-sounding tivs...

[ChilliWhizz]

Rough budget?

[keith-vznby]

up to £15K

[chris watton]

keith-vznby said:

up to £15K

I think you could get a decent Chim with that budget.

ETA Like this? :

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Edited by chris watton on Saturday 4th July 15:39

[QBee]

Where are you based Keith?

[mk1fan]

V8 Wedge would be best value. Then Chimaera. Few Griefs around for under the budget.

Chassis, chassis and chassis are the three things to check first.

[F1SERB]

mk1fan said:

V8 Wedge would be best value. Then Chimaera. Few Griefs around for under the budget.

Chassis, chassis and chassis are the three things to check first.

Don't forget to check the chassis too

[harry henderson]

As we all know all TVRs are great but there must be one model in particular that you have a hankering for. For me it is a Cerbera so that's what I bought. Follow your heart and get the one that you love looking at because when it becomes an absolute pain in the arse you won't mind as much.

[QBee]

The 1980s
You will get a tip top V8 wedge for well within your budget
You will get a tip top V8 S for well within your budget

The 1990s
You will get a very good Chimaera for your budget
You will get a reasonable 4litre Griffith for your budget
You will get a modest Cerbera for your budget

Service costs, highest for the Cerbera, the rest are pretty similar, but the older the car, in general the more niggles you will have. It may just be my impression, but I get the impression that the Cerbera AJP engine gives more issues than the Rover V8 engine in the others

Performance - Cerbera is fastest, but not by a lot, and if the public road is your only racetrack, it makes no difference.

Roof off motoring - difficult in a Cerbera, easy in all the rest.

Carrying two adults and two children - easy in a Cerbera, difficult in the rest.
The Griffith is only a Chimaera in a different dress, and has less boot space.

As said above, buy the one you like best for yor budget. You are welcome to have a ride in my 5 litre Chim, and a general chat, if you live in the East Midlands.

[keith-vznby]

I am in Newcastle upon tyne,I would like an early car I can work on myself preferably with the Rover V8 are there any glaring problems with any of the older cars,Iwould not rule out a wedge although I haven't really seen one.Going to the Corbridge Classic show tomorrow will see what's there thanks for the help slowly getting there Keith

[mk1fan]

You could try TVR Glen. Their breakers yard is nearby. Count your figures atter you shake hands though

The Chim is probably the 'easiest' for a rolling project with good supply of parts. Decent handling too.

[keith-vznby]

went to see TVR Glen showed me some very expensive poo and stole my thumb

[QBee]

Can I suggest you go and see Tony Adams at Hexham Horseless Carriages? He has been a TVR dealer since 1980. His current stock list shows one car below £15k (just!), but he will be able to tell you more about the cars. I am aware that a number of Scottish owners make the trek to his workshops to get their cars serviced, so there may well be a few in on any day that he might be able to show you.

Haugh Lane, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3EW
01434 601666
http://www.hhcsportscars.co.uk/

Sorry, but I am not from your area so cannot help with local owner details.

[taximan480]

280i, wedge or S1
I am researching which would be best suited to a beginner
I have owned a few Porsches and a few Alfa Romeo's but have always loved the clean lines of the Tvr. Now that I'm in a position to buy one I am looking for a little good advice on what to look out for and what to walk away from

[mk1fan]

keith-vznby said:

went to see TVR Glen showed me some very expensive poo and stole my thumb

There's TVR Ecosse in Dundee that have a nice looking 4.3 Pre-cat Griff up for under £15k

[mk1fan]

taximan480 said:

280i, wedge or S1
I am researching which would be best suited to a beginner
I have owned a few Porsches and a few Alfa Romeo's but have always loved the clean lines of the Tvr. Now that I'm in a position to buy one I am looking for a little good advice on what to look out for and what to walk away from

Unless you're a diehard fan of the 2.8 Cologne engine then I'd be more inclined to look for an RV8 engined model. As fun as the V6's are you may reach the point of wanting more power.

Nout wrong with the V8 Wedges. Parts are getting hard to come by and with added premium too.

S are a good laugh - I have one - but restricted by the trailing arm rear suspension. V8S' are commanding strong money at the moment but the chassis really isn't up to much power increase without a chunk of modification.

Project Chims can be had for lowish money - although a road going Wedge will be around the same as a non-road going Chim. Handle better. Spares are good. Pretty practical cars too.

Irregardless of model the most important thing is chassis condition. Then check the chassis. Finally, check the chassis.

[taximan480]

Thanks
Advice noted
I fell in love with the tasmin 2.8i and I know the engine is solid but not up to much performance wise.
So now I just have to find one with a good chassis