Thinking of buying an S

[banjolucknicker]

I have been looking to buy a TVR for some time. I have seen many different models in varying degrees of repair. I was initially looking at buying a Chimaera but am put off slightly by the high running and maintenance costs. I quite like the look of the S series, and have seen one on the classifieds for £5K, 100,000 miles on the clock, with full service history. Am I kidding myself thinking this will be a cheap way into TVR ownership? I know the sound of the cars are great, I don't mind the niggles (all part of the charm), I just don't want to get in over my head. I have looked on past threads, but really, is a high mileage TVR S2 going to give me problems?

[GreenV8S]

is a high mileage TVR S2 going to give me problems?

Not necessarily, but condition is far more important than mileage. A TVR in poor condition can be an absolute nightmare to put right, unless you're buying one specifically as a project you're far better off holding out for a good'un - it'll be cheaper in the long run.

[roy c]

With cars over 10 years old, you must judge by condition. There are some S series cars in a poor state with very low mileage, probably because their problems have never been sorted so their owners didn't use them. Conversely their are a few very nice well-cared for cars with high mileage.
Join the TVRCC www.tvrcc.com/ and by the book (if you havn't already) www.tvrbooks.co.uk/
Take a look at a few S2s and grill their owners.


>> Edited by roy c on Wednesday 22 January 07:28

[Podie]

I recently bought an S, after months of deliberating and looking... as it's already been said, buy on condition.

There are some lovely cars out there, with some high miles on - but are in better condition and running order than the lower mileage cars. There are plenty of threads on this subject, so have a delve around the S series forum. Plenty of people here have run them, some as everyday (and only) cars... some like me, tend to use them as weekend cars - even so, I always ensure that mine gets a good run twice a week - and it's a lot happier for it!

Best advice I can give, is that you look at a few... have a nose round the cars, get an idea of what you're buying... and don't buy the first one you've seen... unless you're going back to it, having seen several more.

Ask around, see if someone has an S near you - I'm sure they'll be more than happy to take you for a spin!

Other than that, happy hunting, and welcome to the madhouse that is PH!

[shnozz]

I was initially looking at buying a Chimaera but am put off slightly by the high running and maintenance costs

I would have said there is not actually too much in it. M@H - your views? I cant see how running costs of say a 4 litre Chim would be that much more than an S (V6 S before you say it )

With mortgage, credit card etc etc I didn't have too much wonga spare when I bought my S. Mine has been a good reliable car, but you have to bear in mind it is 12 years old. Things will go wrong occasionally - not because its a TVR, but because its 12 years old

Add to that things that will need replacing with age. Steering racks need reconditioning, steering UJ's need replacing, suspension springs and shocks need replacing. You can be hit with a fairly large bill from time to time, with some little ones in the interim (although those would perhaps be eliminated if you were fairly able with a spanner). I have a pretty good salary but the S has eaten up quite a large amount of my previously disposable income and probably will continue to do so. I think it is best summed up as an S being a hobby, not just a mode of transport. And it will take your money in a similar manner - if you arent paying to get it fixed/serviced/MOTed, you'll want to upgrage something or stick on a Leven handbrake handle

I dont mean to put you off - the S is a fantastic car and makes you feel special everytime you drive it - especially roof down on sunny evening with the exhaust note setting off car alarms

but.... it would have broken my heart if I had bought my S and then had to sell it cos I couldnt afford to run the thing. Just be realistic about the running costs and, if it matches your bank balance, go buy one

oh - and like Podie has already said, if you are local to an Pistonheader with an S, I'm sure they would give you a passenger blast to persuade you

[Podie]

shnozz said:
oh - and like Podie has already said, if you are local to an Pistonheader with an S, I'm sure they would give you a passenger blast to persuade you

Doesn't take a lot of persuading does it? ah well...

As Shnozz says, as long as you are prepared that things MIGHT go wrong from time to time... then that's half the battle. Also, remember they are old(ish) cars, so don't expect them to be immaculate... they'll have the odd crack/scratch/stonechip...

Don't let it put you off though. I sold my perfectly good 9 month old Puma to buy an old Escort for a daily hack and the S... not regretted it yet...