Ford Focus, Citroen C2 and numerous Land Rovers
Peter bought the first he saw ... and got lucky
"I'd finally saved enough money to buy a TVR after 12 years of dreaming. My budget wouldn't stretch to a Chimaera but having been in a S2 before, I knew it was the perfect car to start TVR ownership. This S2 turned up on PistonHeads and was close to home with a good history, solid chassis and just 56,000 miles.
"A ride in my uncle's TVR Taimar started my fascination. From that moment I was hooked on the brand - the noise, the adventure of every drive and the speed, which to a 10-year-old boy seemed earth moving, all grabbed my attention. TVRs have been in the family for years with three of my cousins owning various models from a 60s Tuscan to a 2001 Cerbera. I didn't stand much chance of avoiding the bug."
What I wish I'd known:
"By the time I came to buy my TVR I though I'd learnt everything there was to know by trawling the internet, pestering forums and attending TVR club meets to bombard owners with 'stupid' questions. It turns out I didn't but luckily I got away with finding a good example. If I were buying again I'd wait longer and look at more examples. They rarely appeared in the classifieds so I got swept away in the excitement and bought one of the first that I went to look at. I know from speaking with owners that I've been lucky with my car's condition."
Plenty of British built toys to play with...
"Every time I venture into the garage the TVR makes me smile. Even without driving it. When I do get behind the wheel I'm reminded of just how much fun it is to drive. There's the soundtrack from the straight-through stainless steel exhaust, the engaging handling and the useable power of the 2.9-litre Ford V6. For the money there are few cars that can offer more."
Things I hate:
"The British weather. The S2 is susceptible to rust, particularly on the chassis outriggers, so I rarely take it out in wet weather unless I'm caught out. That rules out all of winter and usually most of summer, too. The wing mirrors are a pain too - too small and too flexible to stay in place. I rely on a Land Rover Defender for daily transport so it's easy for the TVR to come across as an easy to drive, comfortable and fast car."
Costs:
"The S2 was claimed to be the cheapest entry in to TVR ownership. And it's proving to be exactly that. Driven with restraint it'll easily manage 28mpg. I carry out most of the maintenance myself, which helps to keep running costs low. Parts are easy to source and relatively cheap with most of the mechanicals using Ford parts but so far I've only had to replace the fuel pump. Some parts aren't as simple to find - the front indicator lenses for example, which are no longer made and sell for anything from £70."
Solid gold PH cred with this little fleet
"The TVR has been UK-bound since I've owned it. Weekend use pretty much sums up its use - a few trips to the beach, weekends away and PistonHeads Sunday Services. Its first trip abroad is lined up for August with a trip to the south of France."
What next?
"I often wonder if I'd be better off owning something a bit more, well, practical. But then I come back to my senses. Although a Z4 coupe, early Range Rover L322 and Chrysler 300C estate have tempted me, it would only be a TVR Chimaera or Cerbera that could really have me contemplating selling the S2. I'll keep it for a few more years and give it a tidy up. There's some crazing beginning to appear on the bonnet and the wheels need a refurb to get me started."