Discussion
103K and counting - but, I have to admit - not on the original engine - and, no, it wasn't me that killed the first one.
An old colleague of mine used to have an XR4x4 Sierra with the 2.9 engine - that hit 150K miles before needing rebuilding.
BTW - I also agree with the comments - buy on condition - not mileage - I've see so many cars advertised with equiv' 2-3K miles per year - that they must only be used over the Summer. That can't be good, stored for 6 months in probably damp/cold conditions, then got out every other weekend, thrashed to within an inch of it's life and then put away for the next warm weekend. I think even my Euro box would complain.....!!
Give me nice, regularly used (not abused) 60 - 70K miler everytime - long as it's been serviced and cared for of course!!!!
An old colleague of mine used to have an XR4x4 Sierra with the 2.9 engine - that hit 150K miles before needing rebuilding.
BTW - I also agree with the comments - buy on condition - not mileage - I've see so many cars advertised with equiv' 2-3K miles per year - that they must only be used over the Summer. That can't be good, stored for 6 months in probably damp/cold conditions, then got out every other weekend, thrashed to within an inch of it's life and then put away for the next warm weekend. I think even my Euro box would complain.....!!
Give me nice, regularly used (not abused) 60 - 70K miler everytime - long as it's been serviced and cared for of course!!!!
BTW - I also agree with the comments - buy on condition - not mileage - I've see so many cars advertised with equiv' 2-3K miles per year - that they must only be used over the Summer. That can't be good, stored for 6 months in probably damp/cold conditions, then got out every other weekend, thrashed to within an inch of it's life and then put away for the next warm weekend. I think even my Euro box would complain.....!!
Give me nice, regularly used (not abused) 60 - 70K miler everytime - long as it's been serviced and cared for of course!!!![/quote]
my thoughts exactly
>> Edited by spivvy on Thursday 21st August 19:12
Give me nice, regularly used (not abused) 60 - 70K miler everytime - long as it's been serviced and cared for of course!!!![/quote]
my thoughts exactly
>> Edited by spivvy on Thursday 21st August 19:12
My car is proof that you are right on the mileage score. My car has only done 42k but had been stored in a old garage. It has taken me two years to get it back to a reasonable condition. TVRs are not (as we all know) the best built cars and will go down hill fast if neglected. The only advantage of a low mileage car is when you advertise it. People will allways go and look at a 42k car rather than 142k. we know that this is not always the best but thats life!
gadgit.
gadgit.
92k smiles and going strong. Not a hint of any blue smoke under load or on the overrun, and it simply DOES NOT use ANY oil in between services. Bloody marvellous.
It's my everyday car, but I only do 5,000 miles a year, but, as most people seem to agree, regular use is best for these cars in particular, but also anything mechanical.
Here's to another 92k
It's my everyday car, but I only do 5,000 miles a year, but, as most people seem to agree, regular use is best for these cars in particular, but also anything mechanical.
Here's to another 92k
140,000 miles of extremely hard use and still going strong. It's a bit of a 'grandfathers axe' though. In that time I've had one engine rebuild and one complete replacement, three gearboxes, four (or is it five?) diffs, three or four sets of half shafts and CV joints, several new exhausts, new trailing arms, four brake upgrades, five complete sets of dampers and goodness only knows how many miscellaneous parts replaced. Very little of the car has actually done 140 k! I guess I'm not helping the high mileage argument, but on the bright side it gets used in all weather and its remarkably rare that it lets me down. Well done TVR.
Mine's a S2 1990, and its done 75,000 nearly. I've clocked up nearly 3,000 of those in less than 4 months, the previous owner did 5,000 in 6 years! Have also spent a lot of money in the last few months repairing and putting things right seeing as she's(my S2) spent a load of time shoved in someones garage. These cars need to be used, and daily. The engine is sweet as a nut and internaly, its spotless. The thing is, now its being used daily, bits start breaking and falling off! Does'nt matter though, it's a TVR and its FANTASTIC
Well mine is a 1990 S2 and Im closing in on 120K
Thing is I have now done 3 track days and it does get pushed fairly hard on them. I also drive it on sunny days instead of the daily car. And in the 6 months i've had it all i've changed is 2 tyres and a set of front pads (Mintex 1144) and it needed the 2 tyres from the day i bought it !
The engine pulls extremely well and not a touch of smoke etc...
Im soooo pleased with the car, and considering the price I paid I have a permanent huge grin.
Maybe im just lucky or the gremlins have yet to hit me, but I don't think I've had a more reliable car !
Shmern
Thing is I have now done 3 track days and it does get pushed fairly hard on them. I also drive it on sunny days instead of the daily car. And in the 6 months i've had it all i've changed is 2 tyres and a set of front pads (Mintex 1144) and it needed the 2 tyres from the day i bought it !
The engine pulls extremely well and not a touch of smoke etc...
Im soooo pleased with the car, and considering the price I paid I have a permanent huge grin.
Maybe im just lucky or the gremlins have yet to hit me, but I don't think I've had a more reliable car !
Shmern
Podie said:
Seem to recall Johno's S was fairly high... but to be honest I'd rather own a cared for high miler, than a knackered low miler.. buy on CONDITION, not MILES!
>> Edited by Podie on Wednesday 20th August 23:18
I did 60,000 miles in 2.5yrs and sold it with 99,976 miles on the clock. It was mint. Ran like a drean and was putting out 178bhp and 192lbft of torque without any serious mods.
Had only taken the heads off and cleaned up the valves and let Power eng go to work tuning it.
The guy who bought it from me buoght it because it was in such good condition and was sorted, since he has had it he has done another 6,000 miles and it sailed through its MOT 3 months ago with no failures ...
I have seen cars with 15,000 which were in a far worse state.
As for how long the engine will last .... depends on how it has been looked after but there is no reason why it shouldn't do 200 grand without too much aggrevation, IMHO. Judging by the condition of the bores and heads when I had it apart it was good for another 100,000 at that point. I also saw no reason why the crank would not have been in equally good condition.
I didn't just use it for shopping either
Just too add further opinions ....
My Griffith has done 20,000 miles in 10 months and I wouldn't buy an old low mileage TVR for anything.
These cars need to be used regularly, not tucked away and neglected for weeks at a time, and when they are used, they need to be USED, you know what I mean.
The S has a lot of work done to it as its previous owners had not looked after it, similar to Gadgit's experience.
My dad has a Chimeara 4.5 and he only uses it at the weekends, but he uses it every weekend regardless of weather and it gets the mileage. I have just bought a car for going to work in to keep 200 miles a week off the Griffith, but it will get used every single weekend, as otherwise it will go downhill very quickly.
Owners who do not reularly use their cars suffer little niggles as it only bothers them occasionally. Regular users tend to get it sorted.
I have many arguments for why you should use them regularly from transient heat in the chassis members from th engine stopping the rotting to just keeping the oil going round the engine ...
Do not buy a TVR that has done less than 5,000 miles a year. Thats my golden rule and I stick to it. This will be relative to the age of a car and if you're looking for a Grantura then there is latitude, otherwise it would have to be a very soecial car to change my mind.
My Griffith has done 20,000 miles in 10 months and I wouldn't buy an old low mileage TVR for anything.
These cars need to be used regularly, not tucked away and neglected for weeks at a time, and when they are used, they need to be USED, you know what I mean.
The S has a lot of work done to it as its previous owners had not looked after it, similar to Gadgit's experience.
My dad has a Chimeara 4.5 and he only uses it at the weekends, but he uses it every weekend regardless of weather and it gets the mileage. I have just bought a car for going to work in to keep 200 miles a week off the Griffith, but it will get used every single weekend, as otherwise it will go downhill very quickly.
Owners who do not reularly use their cars suffer little niggles as it only bothers them occasionally. Regular users tend to get it sorted.
I have many arguments for why you should use them regularly from transient heat in the chassis members from th engine stopping the rotting to just keeping the oil going round the engine ...
Do not buy a TVR that has done less than 5,000 miles a year. Thats my golden rule and I stick to it. This will be relative to the age of a car and if you're looking for a Grantura then there is latitude, otherwise it would have to be a very soecial car to change my mind.
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