Help : S3 a reasonable proposition?
Discussion
Hi,
For a long time I was a wedgehead and lusted after them in back issues of Sprint (I was a TVRCC member for several years), but now that I am nearing a healthy bank balance that will get me out looking for my own rocketship, I've realised that I consider the wedges look a little dated. Doing a search for TVRs for sale, I hadn't realised how affordable the S's are - a huge surprise after thumbing through those old Sprints and finding ads for average condition S3s @ £15k.
So the idea of owning an S has germinated and is climbing towards the light but I'm (a) bemused by the variety of opinions about running costs that I've read on this forum and (b) unsure whether I have the income to maintain a TVR properly.
Point A : In some topics, S's are described as relatively cheap to maintain and run, being mostly Ford and Rover parts, but in others they're described as expensive. I assume this comes from differing financial circumstances and expectations of what it probably should cost to keep a handbuilt sportscar running. Servicing costs seem tough at around £500 but no mention is made of what mileage period this is for. 4k miles? 10k?
Point B : From seeing TVR owners at motorsport events or shows, they always look like the typical affluent, successful people who can afford a Tiv with spare cash and probably have a Merc and a track day Ultima in the garage as well! I know this is simplistic but is there anyone here that doesn't earn £20k a year? You all seem to be upgrading to Griffiths, buying a second Tiv for the wife or emplying race teams to install expensive mods to your engines. Can an S be well-maintained (assuming a willingness to learn basic tasks) with a wage packet under £20k? I take home about £12k after tax and the prospect of anything major happening to my pride and joy - after reading of routine £1000+ bills - doesn't bear thinking about.
I've grown up knowing that TVRs are cars for the heart, not the head, but I'm sure you'll agree that having to sell it at the first mechanical hurdle is a ludicrous prospect. I also don't want to be the laughing stock of my entire family, always having to phone for assistance or arriving home each night attached to an AA van. What I need is reassurance that, if you keep on top of the niggling problems, an S is basically reliable. After all, they're machines and they should only go wrong if you let them.
I think I've decided on an S3 as I like the dash, the wheels and the longer doors. My brother used to have a 3000M and has had a 350i for many years, so the V8 rumble of the latter is dear to my heart. A V8S would be nice and I haven't *quite* decided whether to save up more for one of those, for about £10k, or buy a nice S3 for about £7500. Classified ads don't really give me an idea of what you can buy for a particular price as there are so many differences in models, trims, upgrades and condition. I would be looking for a good, reliable car with an intact chassis with no major work to be done in the near future. I'd like one that'll go for a couple of years at least before needing hundreds spent on it.
What should I expect to pay for such a car? I think £8000 is the most I would pay for an S3 - anything larger and I would be tempted by average condition V8S.
Ideally I'd like a Tiv that has a sound approaching the V8. Just what does a good S3 sound like? I have only found one sound file, of a V8S, and another described only as a TVR.
How big is the boot? They look large on the outside.
What are the maintenance costs of a V8S over an S3? I heard that some main dealers won't service anything earlier than the Griffith and V8S (i.e. S3 backwards) so I am assuming that keeping your official TVR service history up to date for future resale will be difficult or impossible??
Insurance is a niggling worry as all quotes I get online in no way seem to match those for my age group (I'm 27) that I have seen in posts here and elsewhere. Most other late 20 y/os seem to manage between £200 - £500, yet I am regularly quoted over a grand and that's limited mileage (5000 miles)! That is way out of my league.
The Tiv would be used to drive to work (about 5 miles away) on fair weather days and touring the local countryside, with our Honda Concerto as backup. However, I've read somewhere that TVRs aren't suitable for such short daily runs. I'm not really sure why that might be(?).
I do have a problem with mentions of TVRs having roof and bodywork leaks, though I have not actually come across any with respect to the S series. Is this because they have good rooves, or that it's so ubiquitous in the model that it doesn't NEED mentioning??? I'd rather not have to keep watching the weather while at work in case a rain shower leaves puddles in the footwells.
I also can't find out what fuel the S series uses - I noticed today that my local Safeway's and a couple of other petrol stations are no longer supplying LRP. No mention is made of fuel type in the classifieds I have looked at, so I am assuming that normal unleaded is the fuel???? I'd rather not buy a car that will be ever more difficult to fill up - I shudder at the thought of touring around all the nearby towns and avidly reading websites each night to find out where the precious LRP can be found.
I also worry about the actions of envious passers by - scratching the paintwork, ripping the roof, etc. Is this a problem often encountered? - I fear having someone run a key down the side during the first week of ownership!
I reckon my best bet is to employ the bloke at FindASportsCar when I start to look, as I have no real mechanical knowledge myself.
Sorry to unload all this on you and it is your choice whether to ignore me - I'm sure you've heard all this before. In defence, I have looked back through about 40 pages of this forum and found only a little reassurance about my worries.
I'm absolutely sold on buying myself a TVR but I need to work out if bankruptcy with follow.
This one looks like my kind of thing :
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=23676&s=4
Cheers,
Graham
For a long time I was a wedgehead and lusted after them in back issues of Sprint (I was a TVRCC member for several years), but now that I am nearing a healthy bank balance that will get me out looking for my own rocketship, I've realised that I consider the wedges look a little dated. Doing a search for TVRs for sale, I hadn't realised how affordable the S's are - a huge surprise after thumbing through those old Sprints and finding ads for average condition S3s @ £15k.
So the idea of owning an S has germinated and is climbing towards the light but I'm (a) bemused by the variety of opinions about running costs that I've read on this forum and (b) unsure whether I have the income to maintain a TVR properly.
Point A : In some topics, S's are described as relatively cheap to maintain and run, being mostly Ford and Rover parts, but in others they're described as expensive. I assume this comes from differing financial circumstances and expectations of what it probably should cost to keep a handbuilt sportscar running. Servicing costs seem tough at around £500 but no mention is made of what mileage period this is for. 4k miles? 10k?
Point B : From seeing TVR owners at motorsport events or shows, they always look like the typical affluent, successful people who can afford a Tiv with spare cash and probably have a Merc and a track day Ultima in the garage as well! I know this is simplistic but is there anyone here that doesn't earn £20k a year? You all seem to be upgrading to Griffiths, buying a second Tiv for the wife or emplying race teams to install expensive mods to your engines. Can an S be well-maintained (assuming a willingness to learn basic tasks) with a wage packet under £20k? I take home about £12k after tax and the prospect of anything major happening to my pride and joy - after reading of routine £1000+ bills - doesn't bear thinking about.
I've grown up knowing that TVRs are cars for the heart, not the head, but I'm sure you'll agree that having to sell it at the first mechanical hurdle is a ludicrous prospect. I also don't want to be the laughing stock of my entire family, always having to phone for assistance or arriving home each night attached to an AA van. What I need is reassurance that, if you keep on top of the niggling problems, an S is basically reliable. After all, they're machines and they should only go wrong if you let them.
I think I've decided on an S3 as I like the dash, the wheels and the longer doors. My brother used to have a 3000M and has had a 350i for many years, so the V8 rumble of the latter is dear to my heart. A V8S would be nice and I haven't *quite* decided whether to save up more for one of those, for about £10k, or buy a nice S3 for about £7500. Classified ads don't really give me an idea of what you can buy for a particular price as there are so many differences in models, trims, upgrades and condition. I would be looking for a good, reliable car with an intact chassis with no major work to be done in the near future. I'd like one that'll go for a couple of years at least before needing hundreds spent on it.
What should I expect to pay for such a car? I think £8000 is the most I would pay for an S3 - anything larger and I would be tempted by average condition V8S.
Ideally I'd like a Tiv that has a sound approaching the V8. Just what does a good S3 sound like? I have only found one sound file, of a V8S, and another described only as a TVR.
How big is the boot? They look large on the outside.
What are the maintenance costs of a V8S over an S3? I heard that some main dealers won't service anything earlier than the Griffith and V8S (i.e. S3 backwards) so I am assuming that keeping your official TVR service history up to date for future resale will be difficult or impossible??
Insurance is a niggling worry as all quotes I get online in no way seem to match those for my age group (I'm 27) that I have seen in posts here and elsewhere. Most other late 20 y/os seem to manage between £200 - £500, yet I am regularly quoted over a grand and that's limited mileage (5000 miles)! That is way out of my league.
The Tiv would be used to drive to work (about 5 miles away) on fair weather days and touring the local countryside, with our Honda Concerto as backup. However, I've read somewhere that TVRs aren't suitable for such short daily runs. I'm not really sure why that might be(?).
I do have a problem with mentions of TVRs having roof and bodywork leaks, though I have not actually come across any with respect to the S series. Is this because they have good rooves, or that it's so ubiquitous in the model that it doesn't NEED mentioning??? I'd rather not have to keep watching the weather while at work in case a rain shower leaves puddles in the footwells.
I also can't find out what fuel the S series uses - I noticed today that my local Safeway's and a couple of other petrol stations are no longer supplying LRP. No mention is made of fuel type in the classifieds I have looked at, so I am assuming that normal unleaded is the fuel???? I'd rather not buy a car that will be ever more difficult to fill up - I shudder at the thought of touring around all the nearby towns and avidly reading websites each night to find out where the precious LRP can be found.
I also worry about the actions of envious passers by - scratching the paintwork, ripping the roof, etc. Is this a problem often encountered? - I fear having someone run a key down the side during the first week of ownership!
I reckon my best bet is to employ the bloke at FindASportsCar when I start to look, as I have no real mechanical knowledge myself.
Sorry to unload all this on you and it is your choice whether to ignore me - I'm sure you've heard all this before. In defence, I have looked back through about 40 pages of this forum and found only a little reassurance about my worries.
I'm absolutely sold on buying myself a TVR but I need to work out if bankruptcy with follow.
This one looks like my kind of thing :
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=23676&s=4
Cheers,
Graham
Hi Graham,
This is going to be very brief as it's about 1:30am, I've been working and I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open!
So, to try and address your question, roughly in the order you asked them...
Different people tend to spend different amounts on their S's but I, for one, have a limited budget running my S3 as my everyday car, and have been ok for the last 2 years. My last 2 services cost £120 and £150 using an small independant operation. Services are basically at 6K for minor and 12K for full, and I wouldn't even bother with a main dealer.
You can get the V8 rumble from the V6 if you fit the right exhaust, and the V6 will be cheaper to run in all respects (except, maybe, insurance). £8000 should buy you a very tidy S3.
The boot isn't too bad, depending on whether the roof's in it at the time!
For insurance, you basically just have to get a shed-load of quotes (32 in the best I've managed), and see which comes out best.
They don't necessarily leak - mine's out in all weathers and has always been bone dry. Just buy carefully and check for signs of dampness.
No problem with availability of fuel. Mine's fine on standard unleaded, although some seem to need super unleaded / optimax etc.
I think those are the main points, the message being "don't be scared off"! If you buy sensibly you should be able to run the TVR you've been dreaming of!
I'm sure you'll get a load more replies when everyone else's back from PistonFest.
Cheers,
Richard
www.MotorLeaseExchange.com
This is going to be very brief as it's about 1:30am, I've been working and I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open!
So, to try and address your question, roughly in the order you asked them...
Different people tend to spend different amounts on their S's but I, for one, have a limited budget running my S3 as my everyday car, and have been ok for the last 2 years. My last 2 services cost £120 and £150 using an small independant operation. Services are basically at 6K for minor and 12K for full, and I wouldn't even bother with a main dealer.
You can get the V8 rumble from the V6 if you fit the right exhaust, and the V6 will be cheaper to run in all respects (except, maybe, insurance). £8000 should buy you a very tidy S3.
The boot isn't too bad, depending on whether the roof's in it at the time!
For insurance, you basically just have to get a shed-load of quotes (32 in the best I've managed), and see which comes out best.
They don't necessarily leak - mine's out in all weathers and has always been bone dry. Just buy carefully and check for signs of dampness.
No problem with availability of fuel. Mine's fine on standard unleaded, although some seem to need super unleaded / optimax etc.
I think those are the main points, the message being "don't be scared off"! If you buy sensibly you should be able to run the TVR you've been dreaming of!
I'm sure you'll get a load more replies when everyone else's back from PistonFest.
Cheers,
Richard
www.MotorLeaseExchange.com
This has got to be one of the most thought provoking threads I've seen here in a while. Unfortunately, due to getting 
though missing PistonFest this year, I popped out for a beer and accidentally found a bar selling tequilla. 
Thats about it. Its a hand built car and and old one at that; there will be issues to deal with. I've put 20K on mine in 20 months and I've had issues, but its been worth every penny. I would have had fewer issues if I'd kept on top of things, but its my only car and I've a busy job and lifestyle. The issues are fewer if you have a daily hack, but there are plenty of us who drive an S day in day out without too many problems.
Can you run one on the budget you described? Yes, but you will need to be careful. Doing something as simple as replacing the brake discs and pads yourself can save you a couple of hours of a garage's time. If you are able to handle stuff like this and keep an eye on things, you'll be ok. Spend a good while looking for the right one; mileage is less importanbt than history and the attitude of the current owner.
Worth thinking about, but definately worth buying if you can..
though missing PistonFest this year, I popped out for a beer and accidentally found a bar selling tequilla. G_I said:
What I need is reassurance that, if you keep on top of the niggling problems, an S is basically reliable. After all, they're machines and they should only go wrong if you let them.
Thats about it. Its a hand built car and and old one at that; there will be issues to deal with. I've put 20K on mine in 20 months and I've had issues, but its been worth every penny. I would have had fewer issues if I'd kept on top of things, but its my only car and I've a busy job and lifestyle. The issues are fewer if you have a daily hack, but there are plenty of us who drive an S day in day out without too many problems.
Can you run one on the budget you described? Yes, but you will need to be careful. Doing something as simple as replacing the brake discs and pads yourself can save you a couple of hours of a garage's time. If you are able to handle stuff like this and keep an eye on things, you'll be ok. Spend a good while looking for the right one; mileage is less importanbt than history and the attitude of the current owner.
Worth thinking about, but definately worth buying if you can..
Hi Graham,
Firstly, welcome to the S forum! The reaosn that there have not been replies is due to the Pistonfest event this weekend. Unfortunately, I was unable to go. I joined this site only a couple of months ago and I can honestly say that the other members of the forum are very nice helpful and friendly folks, there are some great sense of humours out there too!
Secondly, you have some very nice photographs on your web page.
On to the main topic, the S.
Every car even if it's the same model will be different even when it was new and most owners like to improve and enhance to lesser or greater extents.
I've had my S2 nearly 3 years and I think that it's not really any less reliable than many other main stream cars from the same year/s.
They do appear to prefer to be used frequently rather than sit around for the winter and reserved for sunny days only. I bought an S2 which had done around 107k miles and it hadn't had anything done to it other than 3 fuel pumps (they fail too often) but these are not too bad a price at £80 for a Bosch pump and it's fairly easily fitted. The reason why they appear to fail may be due to lack of a pre-filter and the pipes each side are big and it's therefore difficult to find an in-line filter to fit. The S2 has the later 2.9 V6 with fuel injecion, this is pretty reliable and parts are easily available. It's also very tunable and can be upgraded without enormous expense to 200+ bhp.
There are one or two sensors in the V6 that cause trouble and poor peformance such as the throttle potentiometer (throttle position sensor), these are around £45 and take a few minutes to fit. There is also an idle control valve that is relatively inexpensive and again easy to fit. Air flow meters can also play up but this is usually remedied by cleaning. I managed to replace one on my car with a brand new one bought from e-bay for just £5, that can't be bad!
Insurance I thnk is pretty cheap for a 140mph sub-7sec 0-60 mph sports car. I was 33 when I got mine and without any no claims on a second policy it cost me around £400. Try Admiral for a quote on a second car as they take your NCB into account on your main car.
I have just had my engine rebuilt (last week) and this was rather expensive at £830 but they have done a very good job. I could have easily bought a second hand low mileage one and fitted for less than half the price but I kept the original old faithful as I thought it was in a reasonable state and has the original engine number etc. Until this time, my S2 has cost me very little. Mine's a late one and runs on unleaded and as far as I know they all did but I'm not sure about the 2.8 S1 cars.
The V6 vs V8 question is a tricky one, if you can afford a V8 go for it but they are a fair bit higher in price. If you should see a cheap one be careful as there's probably plenty wrong with it! If you fit a stainless steel sports exhasut to a V6 car it sounds different to a V8 but pretty much as awesome (mine turns lots of heads through town).
As you know the S3 has longer doors than the S1 & S2 making entry and exit a bit easier but I don't think this would be a problem unless you're a skyscaper!
I'm 6'1" and don't struggle in or out and the seat goes back more than enough to accomodate my long legs.
It is true that many TVRs tend to leak, mine did but not badly and is much better now I have replaced all the rubber seals. This is very easy and cheap to do.
It could do with a new soft top at some point but these are only £230 and if you want it fitted add £150 to that, so not too bad.
My car was used everyday by the previous owner and was his only car until he chose to replace it with a new Jaguar XK8. I think the fact that he could afford such a car when he replaced his Tiv says a lot for the S.
I did the thing that most folks say you shouldn't and that was buy the first car I saw but it was a good car and I know that it was well worth the 5k I bought it for. I guess I have spent around £1700 on it since including the engine rebuild and I spent £410 of this amount on new 17" alloys and tyres. So, repairs and servicing have only really cost around £500 over 3 years
The previous owner must have street parked the car during his daily use as I do myself fairly frequently, even leaving the roof off sometimes for an hour or two whilst out of sight but you have to be sensible. I wouldn't risk a poorly lit back street near a dodgy pub all night.
There are many people who run an S series as their only car and don't have many problems. I don't use mine enough but I have actually just declared my VW SORN for a while, not because it's poorly it's just that the insurance company have been slow to send my certificate and therefore I can't tax it yet. So, I'll be using the S a fair bit more for a while which I'm more than happy to do.
There is a certain degree of fragility about these cars but if they are looked after they will serve you well and won't fail to put a big grin on your face each time you're out with the hood down and they always attract attention from young and old alike.
Well, good luck with your search and I'm sure you will love the car as much as we all do. Don't hesitate to ask any questions here should you have any and I'm sure some or many here will be able to help.
Bye for now.
Kevin
Firstly, welcome to the S forum! The reaosn that there have not been replies is due to the Pistonfest event this weekend. Unfortunately, I was unable to go. I joined this site only a couple of months ago and I can honestly say that the other members of the forum are very nice helpful and friendly folks, there are some great sense of humours out there too!
Secondly, you have some very nice photographs on your web page.
On to the main topic, the S.
Every car even if it's the same model will be different even when it was new and most owners like to improve and enhance to lesser or greater extents.
I've had my S2 nearly 3 years and I think that it's not really any less reliable than many other main stream cars from the same year/s.
They do appear to prefer to be used frequently rather than sit around for the winter and reserved for sunny days only. I bought an S2 which had done around 107k miles and it hadn't had anything done to it other than 3 fuel pumps (they fail too often) but these are not too bad a price at £80 for a Bosch pump and it's fairly easily fitted. The reason why they appear to fail may be due to lack of a pre-filter and the pipes each side are big and it's therefore difficult to find an in-line filter to fit. The S2 has the later 2.9 V6 with fuel injecion, this is pretty reliable and parts are easily available. It's also very tunable and can be upgraded without enormous expense to 200+ bhp.
There are one or two sensors in the V6 that cause trouble and poor peformance such as the throttle potentiometer (throttle position sensor), these are around £45 and take a few minutes to fit. There is also an idle control valve that is relatively inexpensive and again easy to fit. Air flow meters can also play up but this is usually remedied by cleaning. I managed to replace one on my car with a brand new one bought from e-bay for just £5, that can't be bad!
Insurance I thnk is pretty cheap for a 140mph sub-7sec 0-60 mph sports car. I was 33 when I got mine and without any no claims on a second policy it cost me around £400. Try Admiral for a quote on a second car as they take your NCB into account on your main car.
I have just had my engine rebuilt (last week) and this was rather expensive at £830 but they have done a very good job. I could have easily bought a second hand low mileage one and fitted for less than half the price but I kept the original old faithful as I thought it was in a reasonable state and has the original engine number etc. Until this time, my S2 has cost me very little. Mine's a late one and runs on unleaded and as far as I know they all did but I'm not sure about the 2.8 S1 cars.
The V6 vs V8 question is a tricky one, if you can afford a V8 go for it but they are a fair bit higher in price. If you should see a cheap one be careful as there's probably plenty wrong with it! If you fit a stainless steel sports exhasut to a V6 car it sounds different to a V8 but pretty much as awesome (mine turns lots of heads through town).
As you know the S3 has longer doors than the S1 & S2 making entry and exit a bit easier but I don't think this would be a problem unless you're a skyscaper!
I'm 6'1" and don't struggle in or out and the seat goes back more than enough to accomodate my long legs.
It is true that many TVRs tend to leak, mine did but not badly and is much better now I have replaced all the rubber seals. This is very easy and cheap to do.
It could do with a new soft top at some point but these are only £230 and if you want it fitted add £150 to that, so not too bad.
My car was used everyday by the previous owner and was his only car until he chose to replace it with a new Jaguar XK8. I think the fact that he could afford such a car when he replaced his Tiv says a lot for the S.
I did the thing that most folks say you shouldn't and that was buy the first car I saw but it was a good car and I know that it was well worth the 5k I bought it for. I guess I have spent around £1700 on it since including the engine rebuild and I spent £410 of this amount on new 17" alloys and tyres. So, repairs and servicing have only really cost around £500 over 3 years
The previous owner must have street parked the car during his daily use as I do myself fairly frequently, even leaving the roof off sometimes for an hour or two whilst out of sight but you have to be sensible. I wouldn't risk a poorly lit back street near a dodgy pub all night.
There are many people who run an S series as their only car and don't have many problems. I don't use mine enough but I have actually just declared my VW SORN for a while, not because it's poorly it's just that the insurance company have been slow to send my certificate and therefore I can't tax it yet. So, I'll be using the S a fair bit more for a while which I'm more than happy to do.
There is a certain degree of fragility about these cars but if they are looked after they will serve you well and won't fail to put a big grin on your face each time you're out with the hood down and they always attract attention from young and old alike.
Well, good luck with your search and I'm sure you will love the car as much as we all do. Don't hesitate to ask any questions here should you have any and I'm sure some or many here will be able to help.
Bye for now.
Kevin
With rspect to running costs... in my experience of running one for a couple of years, it's impossible to tell you how much a particular car will cost you to run. They do seem to need lots of small jobs doing fairly frequently. Therefore if you pay someone to do the work the car will be quite expensive to run and you may have periods where you can't use it because you're waiting for one of the popular independants to fit you in. If you look after it yourself then it won't be that expensive because most engine and running gear parts are ford, you won't be paying labour charges and you won't be paying the independants skim money on top of parts prices that they have simply had delivered.
The main bit you need to check on any potential purchase is the chassis. If it rots out then it'll cost plenty to fix. Other nice to haves are stainless exhaust and recent clutch (it's a pain to do).
I looked after mine myself and kept it outside.
Would I have another S?... absolutely no chance
Mark
The main bit you need to check on any potential purchase is the chassis. If it rots out then it'll cost plenty to fix. Other nice to haves are stainless exhaust and recent clutch (it's a pain to do).
I looked after mine myself and kept it outside.
Would I have another S?... absolutely no chance
Mark
Just to repeat what has been said, you need to check (or have checked)the chassis to ensure it is true and not badly rusted. Sometimes it is better to see it without waxoyl, which might hide potential problems.
The mechanics are pretty bullet proof - ample power for a light car, so not overstressed.
Mine leaked because of poorly fitting doors, which left a gap between windows and roof. This can be rectified.
I would recommend the V6 before the V8, you can always trade up later and the V6 still sounds great.
Its been said many times before, buy Steve Heath's manual and learn all about it before you buy. Then you'll know what to look for.
Also get in touch with your regions club to get some more advice - they may know of a car for sale.
Good luck.
The mechanics are pretty bullet proof - ample power for a light car, so not overstressed.
Mine leaked because of poorly fitting doors, which left a gap between windows and roof. This can be rectified.
I would recommend the V6 before the V8, you can always trade up later and the V6 still sounds great.
Its been said many times before, buy Steve Heath's manual and learn all about it before you buy. Then you'll know what to look for.
Also get in touch with your regions club to get some more advice - they may know of a car for sale.
Good luck.
I have had my S for 5 months and it has caused more heartache, problems, tears than any other car that i have owned. 
The S is spot on it has not missed a beat, its the family and friends that want to have rides in it. 4 into 2 will not go!
so she might have to go.....the wife that is
The S is spot on it has not missed a beat, its the family and friends that want to have rides in it. 4 into 2 will not go!
so she might have to go.....the wife that is
Hi,
I was asking similar questions some months back I'm now VERY close to purchasing an S after the shocking abberation of considering an Alpine GTA (I want both).
You can't beat the S. There simply ain't anything for the money to touch it. £6.5k will get you a very good one and pay £200 for a specialist inspection, job done.
You get a good looking TVR which is quick, sounds good and is relatively cheap to own. Top down summer motoring and a very good club scene/support.
In some ways the wedgys are better value, V8 performance and build wise but the shape just won't be cool again for another decade. Maybe the V8S is the best compromise but on your salary the kids might have to go hungry now and then.
Good luck
I was asking similar questions some months back I'm now VERY close to purchasing an S after the shocking abberation of considering an Alpine GTA (I want both).
You can't beat the S. There simply ain't anything for the money to touch it. £6.5k will get you a very good one and pay £200 for a specialist inspection, job done.
You get a good looking TVR which is quick, sounds good and is relatively cheap to own. Top down summer motoring and a very good club scene/support.
In some ways the wedgys are better value, V8 performance and build wise but the shape just won't be cool again for another decade. Maybe the V8S is the best compromise but on your salary the kids might have to go hungry now and then.
Good luck
hobson said:It depends what you want out of a car though doesn't it? Don't get me wrong, your enthusiasm is terrific *but* many many people come through the S forum starting off very enthusiastic but soon get a bit more realistic as time goes on. Go into it with your eyes open, get an inspection, read up on the potential problems and don't pay over the odds.
You can't beat the S. There simply ain't anything for the money to touch it.
I can't agree with the above sentiment however, I enjoyed the car while I had it but was bloody glad I could wield spanners with applomb and my wife didn't mind mine scattered over the drive on many an occasion. Since then I've had two cars that I believe are better (although in a considerably different ways) that were cheaper and I wouldn't have another... sorry if this sounds negative, it isn't meant to be advice in that you shouldn't buy one... always go after your desires but do it carefully, with your eyes wide open.
Mark
Think of an S as a beautiful woman.
Not cheap to run.
A bit temperamental.
All your mates will want a go in it!
But when you get on top of it, the grin will last for weeks!
Seriously though, I'm in your wage bracket and have had my S for just over a year. I've only had minor problems and am paying under £300 insurance for 6K miles per year. I dont have a garage and I have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever. It is the most fun I've had legally and would be very sad if it ever had to go. (The guy I bought it off had tears in his eyes when I drove it away). For the money, I think it's one of the best buys on the road. Rob Ingleby (Findasportscar) found mine for me and he gave a superb service.
Good hunting.
PS. S's dont leak.....unless it's raining!!
Not cheap to run.
A bit temperamental.
All your mates will want a go in it!
But when you get on top of it, the grin will last for weeks!
Seriously though, I'm in your wage bracket and have had my S for just over a year. I've only had minor problems and am paying under £300 insurance for 6K miles per year. I dont have a garage and I have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever. It is the most fun I've had legally and would be very sad if it ever had to go. (The guy I bought it off had tears in his eyes when I drove it away). For the money, I think it's one of the best buys on the road. Rob Ingleby (Findasportscar) found mine for me and he gave a superb service.
Good hunting.
PS. S's dont leak.....unless it's raining!!
Hi all,
Thanks for your welcome and cheers for the kind words about my website.
I've just ordered the S 'bible' from WH Smith - couldn't buy from TVRCC because you need to be a member to get into the regalia section! That smacks of shooting yourself in the foot. Anyway, I shall read it thoroughly and hopefully get a good idea of what to look for.
I'm becoming a little perturbed about how I'm going to go about looking at cars to buy - I have yet to come across an advertiser living within 60 miles of me, so I need to be serious about the car to warrant a visit which may be 120+ miles with nothing to show for it (other than a better idea of what to avoid).
Are there any pointers you can give me about reading adverts? Things that tell you the car might be a dog in reality? I haven't bought a car before and just have a basic idea of things to check. High mileage doesn't really put me off, as my thinking is that if a car has managed 100k miles, it must mean it hasn't broken down every 5 minutes and annoyed the owner into storing / selling it. And from adverts and comments here, it seems 100k is pretty common. I would prefer a lower mileage though if the car is sound - something around 50k miles - for the better condition of the interior.
Repairs : I do have a brother who is mechanically minded and another relative who used to be a panel beater, mechanic and paint sprayer (is that the term?). I know this may sound weird but I'd rather not involve them in the buying process - they're both very cautious and will inevitably try to put me off. However, once the deed is done, I'm sure they will help me with repairs - my brother is actually a TVR nut as well but far too cautious to buy his own. He'll definitely get to drive it though. I'd love to just turn up with it and say 'look what I bought, chaps'.
Enthusiasm : I've been working up to this for many years - I've told you about my step-brother with the 350i - and it's only now that I've realised that, bloody hell, a shiny Tiv is well within my reach given enough prodding of the bank balance. I wouldn't say it's something that I would pursue blindly - my cash is too precious to me to waste it on a lemon just because I can't find anything else! I'm also not discounting a wedge but it would have to be something bigger than a 350i - maybe a 390 or 400SE if I can find one.
What I'd like to know, if possible, is just how many poor S3's are out there as a percentage of the total? How many should I expect to look at in order to turn up one is that is right for the money (about £7.5k)? I'm guessing that most people over-estimate either the condition or the value of their car, so how do I work out if my money is paying for physical 'stuff' and not the misplaced optimism of the owner? You all must have a reasonable idea about this.
Hobson says above that £6.5k will get my a very good one - does that mean that £7.5k will get me an excellent one with everything sorted? Is £7.5k a bit too much to pay, and would I do better by paying the £6.5k for a 'very good' one and spending the rest on improvements? I must admit, paying less would mean I could get a TVR earlier and that's certainly attractive. But I've always bought the best I can afford and usually save up to buy things that will last a long time. I had intended to apply this thinking to the Tiv, hence my £7.5k figure.
Following on from this, I'm intrigued by the sports exhausts and engine tuning to 200hp mentioned above but how do they affect (a) passing emission and noise tests at the MOT, (b) fuel economy, (c) ground clearance and (d) insurance?
Another thing I meant to ask in my first post is about speed humps - is it a constant worry about happening on these, and thus ruining any journey?
It's certainly a relief to hear they run on unleaded! Can someone tell me that the V8S runs on, particularly as I assume it has a Rover V8 not a whole world away from the one in my brother's 350i which uses LRP.
I'm bemused by what RichardR means by : "...and the V6 will be cheaper to run in all respects (except, maybe, insurance)". Surely a 4 litre V8 would be much more expensive to insure than a 3 litre V6?
Sorry for all my questions, ponderings and ill-informed conjecture, and thanks for your continued assistance.
Regards,
Graham
www.british-motorsport.co.uk/
Thanks for your welcome and cheers for the kind words about my website.
I've just ordered the S 'bible' from WH Smith - couldn't buy from TVRCC because you need to be a member to get into the regalia section! That smacks of shooting yourself in the foot. Anyway, I shall read it thoroughly and hopefully get a good idea of what to look for.
I'm becoming a little perturbed about how I'm going to go about looking at cars to buy - I have yet to come across an advertiser living within 60 miles of me, so I need to be serious about the car to warrant a visit which may be 120+ miles with nothing to show for it (other than a better idea of what to avoid).
Are there any pointers you can give me about reading adverts? Things that tell you the car might be a dog in reality? I haven't bought a car before and just have a basic idea of things to check. High mileage doesn't really put me off, as my thinking is that if a car has managed 100k miles, it must mean it hasn't broken down every 5 minutes and annoyed the owner into storing / selling it. And from adverts and comments here, it seems 100k is pretty common. I would prefer a lower mileage though if the car is sound - something around 50k miles - for the better condition of the interior.
Repairs : I do have a brother who is mechanically minded and another relative who used to be a panel beater, mechanic and paint sprayer (is that the term?). I know this may sound weird but I'd rather not involve them in the buying process - they're both very cautious and will inevitably try to put me off. However, once the deed is done, I'm sure they will help me with repairs - my brother is actually a TVR nut as well but far too cautious to buy his own. He'll definitely get to drive it though. I'd love to just turn up with it and say 'look what I bought, chaps'.
Enthusiasm : I've been working up to this for many years - I've told you about my step-brother with the 350i - and it's only now that I've realised that, bloody hell, a shiny Tiv is well within my reach given enough prodding of the bank balance. I wouldn't say it's something that I would pursue blindly - my cash is too precious to me to waste it on a lemon just because I can't find anything else! I'm also not discounting a wedge but it would have to be something bigger than a 350i - maybe a 390 or 400SE if I can find one.
What I'd like to know, if possible, is just how many poor S3's are out there as a percentage of the total? How many should I expect to look at in order to turn up one is that is right for the money (about £7.5k)? I'm guessing that most people over-estimate either the condition or the value of their car, so how do I work out if my money is paying for physical 'stuff' and not the misplaced optimism of the owner? You all must have a reasonable idea about this.
Hobson says above that £6.5k will get my a very good one - does that mean that £7.5k will get me an excellent one with everything sorted? Is £7.5k a bit too much to pay, and would I do better by paying the £6.5k for a 'very good' one and spending the rest on improvements? I must admit, paying less would mean I could get a TVR earlier and that's certainly attractive. But I've always bought the best I can afford and usually save up to buy things that will last a long time. I had intended to apply this thinking to the Tiv, hence my £7.5k figure.
Following on from this, I'm intrigued by the sports exhausts and engine tuning to 200hp mentioned above but how do they affect (a) passing emission and noise tests at the MOT, (b) fuel economy, (c) ground clearance and (d) insurance?
Another thing I meant to ask in my first post is about speed humps - is it a constant worry about happening on these, and thus ruining any journey?
It's certainly a relief to hear they run on unleaded! Can someone tell me that the V8S runs on, particularly as I assume it has a Rover V8 not a whole world away from the one in my brother's 350i which uses LRP.
I'm bemused by what RichardR means by : "...and the V6 will be cheaper to run in all respects (except, maybe, insurance)". Surely a 4 litre V8 would be much more expensive to insure than a 3 litre V6?
Sorry for all my questions, ponderings and ill-informed conjecture, and thanks for your continued assistance.
Regards,
Graham
www.british-motorsport.co.uk/
G_I said:
I'm bemused by what RichardR means by : "...and the V6 will be cheaper to run in all respects (except, maybe, insurance)". Surely a 4 litre V8 would be much more expensive to insure than a 3 litre V6?
I had a V6 S2 then bought a V8S and my insurance went up £20 a year!! Even though the actual insurance value of the car was double! this was on a 5K miles Classic policy, my premium is £240 a year
Mike
Graham,
Skimmed your post 'cos got to work etc.
But to pick up on a few questions especially price and viewings.
You basically have to spread your net and go further afield a 60 mile radius is not enough to get a good feel for what's good bad ugly.
I have seen about six cars and grilled owners on the phone of about twelve. Ask things like how long owned tvr member service history, any crashes. Combined and getting a feel for the owner you soon develop a sixth sense as to which are worth seeing.
Good closed end questions will save you petrol viewing for instance project S1s advertised on Ebay as just needing TLC.
Go to TVR meet and look at the cars, typically they will be better than the average and some people put high club values on them.
My view is that a sound but a bit shabby car will be about £5k after haggling, a nice but not perfect about £6-7k and top notch maybe £8k but at this end it's a bit merky.
At first like you I was worried about lots of things, got a bit stressed and found the whole process a bind.
Then I realised you can't go too far wrong so long as the car you finally decide on after seeing half a dozen or so is inspected. This then makes you enjoy the process and more likely to make the effort for that car that's a bit further away.
Skimmed your post 'cos got to work etc.
But to pick up on a few questions especially price and viewings.
You basically have to spread your net and go further afield a 60 mile radius is not enough to get a good feel for what's good bad ugly.
I have seen about six cars and grilled owners on the phone of about twelve. Ask things like how long owned tvr member service history, any crashes. Combined and getting a feel for the owner you soon develop a sixth sense as to which are worth seeing.
Good closed end questions will save you petrol viewing for instance project S1s advertised on Ebay as just needing TLC.
Go to TVR meet and look at the cars, typically they will be better than the average and some people put high club values on them.
My view is that a sound but a bit shabby car will be about £5k after haggling, a nice but not perfect about £6-7k and top notch maybe £8k but at this end it's a bit merky.
At first like you I was worried about lots of things, got a bit stressed and found the whole process a bind.
Then I realised you can't go too far wrong so long as the car you finally decide on after seeing half a dozen or so is inspected. This then makes you enjoy the process and more likely to make the effort for that car that's a bit further away.
So many questions
You will get lot of views on here but IMHO it is important to not get carried away, when I started to look I spoke to Adrian Blythe ,I told him I had looked at a couple of local cars, He must get people like us ringing all the time ,I thought at the time he was quite rude, he told me to stop prating around and if I was serious that I should travel anywhere any distance to see a car. It was good advice.
The cars you look at will rarely be as good as advertised but you must look to learn what it is you want from the car. You may find a local PHer already knows the car you are going to look at or will meet you to point out problems.
Owning a TIV is an experience. Not to be missed if you have the chance.
You will get lot of views on here but IMHO it is important to not get carried away, when I started to look I spoke to Adrian Blythe ,I told him I had looked at a couple of local cars, He must get people like us ringing all the time ,I thought at the time he was quite rude, he told me to stop prating around and if I was serious that I should travel anywhere any distance to see a car. It was good advice.
The cars you look at will rarely be as good as advertised but you must look to learn what it is you want from the car. You may find a local PHer already knows the car you are going to look at or will meet you to point out problems.
Owning a TIV is an experience. Not to be missed if you have the chance.
G_I said:
What I'd like to know, if possible, is just how many poor S3's are out there as a percentage of the total? How many should I expect to look at in order to turn up one is that is right for the money (about £7.5k)? I'm guessing that most people over-estimate either the condition or the value of their car, so how do I work out if my money is paying for physical 'stuff' and not the misplaced optimism of the owner? You all must have a reasonable idea about this.
Most people will have the opinion that their car is a good one. You could do a *lot* worse than to go somewhere where a lot of these cars are together. A lot of PH'ers meet up at Virgina Water quite regularly and there's normally a fair selection and you'll very quickly get a good appreciation of how to tell the cared for from the tired. Regards,
Mark
Hello Graham. I too had hankered after a TVR since my childhood, am 28 now and bought an S2 a few weeks ago. So far I have enjoyed the best drives of my life, and this is despite my worrying and paranoia that it'll go wrong on me!
In short, you are completely right when you say a TVR is only a machine, and should run fine as long as it is looked after. Although mine is an S2, I looked at all variations of S's within my budget- I did have to travel long journeys though- 150 miles each way is not an exaggeration! I went looking with the mindset that if the car was mechanically sound, with a good chassis then I could work on the cosmetic side of things gradually.
To give you some idea of costs so far, I just had a major service at a local garage and a few minor repairs (£300). Insurance is limited to 4500 miles and on a classic policy through Footman James (£373), but I know what you mean about the differing quotes!
So far, it is affordable but speed bumps really are a no-no
- just plan your journey around them, it really isn't a hardship to drive the extra distance!
Hope this helps.
Stuart.
In short, you are completely right when you say a TVR is only a machine, and should run fine as long as it is looked after. Although mine is an S2, I looked at all variations of S's within my budget- I did have to travel long journeys though- 150 miles each way is not an exaggeration! I went looking with the mindset that if the car was mechanically sound, with a good chassis then I could work on the cosmetic side of things gradually.
To give you some idea of costs so far, I just had a major service at a local garage and a few minor repairs (£300). Insurance is limited to 4500 miles and on a classic policy through Footman James (£373), but I know what you mean about the differing quotes!
So far, it is affordable but speed bumps really are a no-no
- just plan your journey around them, it really isn't a hardship to drive the extra distance! Hope this helps.
Stuart.
Thanks everyone - this is all very good stuff.
I have been thinking about the pros and cons of buying from a specialist or main dealer, such as Steve Reid (I built his website), in order to get some kind of backup or warranty should things go wrong - I just wonder whether the markup on dealer secondhands is worth the peace of mind(?). Did most of you buy privately? I just find turning up at someone's house and having to go through a long checklist somewhat offputting, and I'm not sure I could spot the disguised rustbuckets even after reading the Bible and seeing a few cars. Maybe I *do* need to involve my brother in this!
I'd use Rob Ingleby or a specialist to check the car before laying down any cash, but I'd need to work out which car to have checked to begin with. I'm not sure whether I can afford to spend £500 to have Rob find the car for me, but.... if like you suggest, I need to travel around and look at lots of cars, it may work out cheaper in the long run and save a lot of worry. I think I will email Rob. He seems to be recommended by a lot of people.
There's a couple of local shows coming up in the next few months which I hope to attend so I will be looking at any S series examples there, and maybe a wedge or two also. I do not have a great deal of time available in the evenings and at weekends (due to care commitments) which is why I baulk at long journeys to look at a car that I may not buy.
I sort of know what I'm looking for - a black or blue-black (preferred), dark blue or very dark green exterior (though not BRG) with a magnolia half or full hide interior in excellent condition. It's an unremarkable request but it is something that says to me "classic British sportscar". A CD player would be nice. No paintwork needed. No stone chips. Good running gear though doesn't need to be absolutely perfect (even if that were possible). Wood-rim steering wheel like C14PPY's V8S. Not sure whether a roll bar works aesthetically with the S series but it may be nice for safety.
In fact, C14PPY's V8S was the first ad I saw on this site and it looks exactly the thing I want (especially its stance in the photos), if it wasn't for the work is still seems to require and the extra couple of months I'd need to save up to buy it!
The only thing I don't like about the S body is the too-steep boot angle which makes the car look shorter from certain angles, like it's been hit up the arse at some point.
Insurance companies baffle me by their inconsistency, certainly with online quotes. I know they can't be 100% accurate but after putting in the same specifications about NCB, car, year, mileage, etc and I've had quotes between £1500 and £800. You all seem to be saying £2-400 is a common premium!
No speed bumps? You mean you don't accelerate towards them and try to get airborne? Maybe it's only me...
I have been thinking about the pros and cons of buying from a specialist or main dealer, such as Steve Reid (I built his website), in order to get some kind of backup or warranty should things go wrong - I just wonder whether the markup on dealer secondhands is worth the peace of mind(?). Did most of you buy privately? I just find turning up at someone's house and having to go through a long checklist somewhat offputting, and I'm not sure I could spot the disguised rustbuckets even after reading the Bible and seeing a few cars. Maybe I *do* need to involve my brother in this!
I'd use Rob Ingleby or a specialist to check the car before laying down any cash, but I'd need to work out which car to have checked to begin with. I'm not sure whether I can afford to spend £500 to have Rob find the car for me, but.... if like you suggest, I need to travel around and look at lots of cars, it may work out cheaper in the long run and save a lot of worry. I think I will email Rob. He seems to be recommended by a lot of people.
There's a couple of local shows coming up in the next few months which I hope to attend so I will be looking at any S series examples there, and maybe a wedge or two also. I do not have a great deal of time available in the evenings and at weekends (due to care commitments) which is why I baulk at long journeys to look at a car that I may not buy.
I sort of know what I'm looking for - a black or blue-black (preferred), dark blue or very dark green exterior (though not BRG) with a magnolia half or full hide interior in excellent condition. It's an unremarkable request but it is something that says to me "classic British sportscar". A CD player would be nice. No paintwork needed. No stone chips. Good running gear though doesn't need to be absolutely perfect (even if that were possible). Wood-rim steering wheel like C14PPY's V8S. Not sure whether a roll bar works aesthetically with the S series but it may be nice for safety.
In fact, C14PPY's V8S was the first ad I saw on this site and it looks exactly the thing I want (especially its stance in the photos), if it wasn't for the work is still seems to require and the extra couple of months I'd need to save up to buy it!
The only thing I don't like about the S body is the too-steep boot angle which makes the car look shorter from certain angles, like it's been hit up the arse at some point.
Insurance companies baffle me by their inconsistency, certainly with online quotes. I know they can't be 100% accurate but after putting in the same specifications about NCB, car, year, mileage, etc and I've had quotes between £1500 and £800. You all seem to be saying £2-400 is a common premium!
No speed bumps? You mean you don't accelerate towards them and try to get airborne? Maybe it's only me...
Airborne!?
If only! The main issue I've found is that the exhaust seems to constantly ground itself on all but the slightest incline.
When I first brought it home it even grounded on the entrance to my drive with two people in the car. Problem solved now, the wife just has to get out and walk the last bit!
Must cut down on the 
!
If only! The main issue I've found is that the exhaust seems to constantly ground itself on all but the slightest incline. When I first brought it home it even grounded on the entrance to my drive with two people in the car. Problem solved now, the wife just has to get out and walk the last bit!
Must cut down on the !
Buy an "S" on condition
Check for past receipts and service reports,these show what has been done and what needs to be done
The "S" is getting a bit old for dealers so finding lots in dealers show rooms is unlikely
Before you look to buy any "S" join the TVRCC and go to a TVRCC meet and talk to some "S" owners and have a look at there cars,this will help most
This way you will recognise a good "S" from a bad one fairly quick,you never know the first "S" you see could be the best you find
www.tvrsseries.com
Check for past receipts and service reports,these show what has been done and what needs to be done
The "S" is getting a bit old for dealers so finding lots in dealers show rooms is unlikely
Before you look to buy any "S" join the TVRCC and go to a TVRCC meet and talk to some "S" owners and have a look at there cars,this will help most
This way you will recognise a good "S" from a bad one fairly quick,you never know the first "S" you see could be the best you find
www.tvrsseries.com
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