spitfire to s series?

[Cerberosa]

hi
im currently driving a triumph spitfire 1500, but am abit keen on getting an s series one day, hopefully when my job situation settles.
just a basic question really, in terms of running costs do you think there would be a huge difference, just in general maintence?
i was thinking of an S3 wouldnt be able to afford the v8s.
i know they have thier niggles, but im just trying to see if this is a pipe dream or a realistic prospect.
been a big tvr fan for years now

any replies aprechiated
cheers

Edited by Cerberosa on Monday 15th February 14:50

[phillpot]

No, just two more spark plugs to buy every service


Depending on your age, biggest cost difference could be insurance ( oh yeah, and petrol ! )

Edited by phillpot on Monday 15th February 15:02

[Cerberosa]

cool

im 20 (21 in april) so insurance could be ambitious lol

[Dave_M]

Insurance market is a bit odd this year due to one of the more popular companies dipping out of the market.

I could have insured my 20 year old a 3.5 V8 wedge last year for £75 (3 pts, 1 total loss too). here are some younger owners on here, they may be able to give a better idea.

[The Stiglet]

Yeah, it's funny about the market. I am 27, 6 years no claims, central London. Am insured with Adrian Flux and premium went up to £900 for unlimited mileage etc due to it being central London, £540 at my dad's in Twickenham! That is WITH a locked garage that I've rented since October but parked on the street at my dad's. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Funny though, I called my previous insurers, DirectLine and their quote was £2,200!

We live in odd times.

Only advice I would give, go in with your eyes WIDE open and check everything three times. It all breaks at some point, just try and make sure some other chap has shelled out to pay for it before you get lumped with a big bill. If you can work on the car yourself like many on here, ownership seems to be far less stressful. Take this from one who's dropped out around £8,000 in the last year alone. Mine will be for sale shortly, I can honestly say I don't expect to get anywhere near the money I put in back.

Labour of love and all that!

P.S. Keep asking these chaps the questions, they are by far the best around and will help you more than any garage ever will, IMHO.

Best of luck.

Edited by The Stiglet on Monday 15th February 19:15

[Cerberosa]

is there a rimmer/mosss equililent for tvrs
would be handy to be able to look at part prices and such?
also with a car like the s series can u use a normal garage?


insurance is a b*gger, it cost 500 odd for the spitfire, my dad pays 100 pound for a lotus excel we are in devon tho.

[Barkychoc]

Not always the cheapest but a good source of parts is http://www.tvrcarparts.com they are in Devon too.

Look at Useful Links at the top of this forum, loads of useful suppliers in there. The only part that is the Holy Grail is front indicators and if you're not bothered about originality there are alternatives for under a fiver.
The beauty of S maintenance is that many parts are not TVR specific - one of the balljoints is even off a Lada

[orange_dodo]

I'm 24 with an S2 and my insurance is £600 with 7500 mile limit with MSM under their kit car policy. That is un-garaged though and was much better than the £4000+ offers I had from other companies!

On the Spitfire front, a guy at work has one and from comparing notes with him the S doesn't seem any more expensive.
Go for it

[M3CHA-MONK3Y]

I'm 23 and my insurance last year was £500.
That's with Classicline, 5000 miles limited mileage, 2 years driving, no points, garaged and as my other car.

Not getting a requote till April so I'm not sure what the insurance markets like at the moment. I hear rumours that it's going up a bit.

You may have to fight a little with the insurance companies, a few initially refused to insure me because:

TVR = Instant death = at least 30 years old

They did relent in the end, just make sure you get the point across that it is an S series and if they still refuse, ask them to check with the underwriters.

[deeen]

[quote=Cerberosa]is there a rimmer/mosss equililent for tvrs
would be handy to be able to look at part prices and such?
also with a car like the s series can u use a normal garage?
[quote]

A lot of parts are from different fords, so if you can DIY, a lot of it will not be much more than spitfire. How many miles? Tyres more?

Edited by deeen on Tuesday 16th February 22:01

[AutoAndy]

Go for it!

Had a Spit for years and always dreamed of a Super Spitfire which involved shoe-horning the 2.5 litre engine in....But now I have switched to the TVR S3 (ie a Spitfire 3000!!!) - No turning back - ever.

Differences:
- No bodywork rust!
- TVR has its own "sills" issue due to the outriggers so watch these for rust.
- It doesn't rattle like a Spit, and the seats a super comfortable
- Forget the Spit sports exhaust option - Just listen when you test-drive the TVR - It is worth buying one for the noise alone.
- Use this forum for info and you will find bits/advice etc
- Downside: TVRs with old electric windows - but just leave them down along with the roof...