Thinking of running an S as my only car...
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Ok, I've been lurking here on the forums (more specifically the S forum) for around 2 years now, slowly plotting my eventual ownership of an S. So far the purchase of a house, the problems with my daily hack, and demands from SWMBO have all prevented me from any serious saving but finally I might be getting there (the last time I dared to mention this my other car exploded and my boiler packed up... *waits for impending disaster to strike*).
I had fully intended to buy an S1 (or maybe an early S2) to use at the weekends and keep my current shed for commuting, but this glorious sunshine if beginning to ware down my resolve to wait and save until winter. I'm not certain I can stretch to two cars at the moment so this has left me trying to decide on if an S1 would be a viable every day car...
I currently do less than 5k miles a year and recently started cycling to work 3 days out of 5 (need a car the other two days due to evening commitments) so this amount of miles is likely to drop further. I've got a garage to store the S in and from reading previous threads and I'm guessing that servicing and parts won't be much worse than I currently pay because it's mainly old sierra running gear. Also having read all the old insurance threads it seems that if I'm clever and shop around classic and specialist insurers I should be able to get a good deal on S insurance... right?
My main concern is what is the S going to be like to live with through the winter... I live in the south of England so we don't get prolonged extreme weather (and I wouldn't take it out in snow anyway) but is the S going to be liveable through the winter months? How about in the wet during winter?
Are there any other major barriers to daily S usage I'm overlooking? Is this a case of rose tinted glasses coming on already and I'm being unrealistic? I'd appreciate any input or thoughts from the hallowed 'S' veterans of the Pistonheads forum. Can anyone talk me into, or out of, this plan? ^_^
Also I spotted this one in the classified and the write up looks good so thinking of making a call to see if it's still available.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1767675.htm
Just wondered if it's known in the S community at all.
Thanks in advance all!
Ok, I've been lurking here on the forums (more specifically the S forum) for around 2 years now, slowly plotting my eventual ownership of an S. So far the purchase of a house, the problems with my daily hack, and demands from SWMBO have all prevented me from any serious saving but finally I might be getting there (the last time I dared to mention this my other car exploded and my boiler packed up... *waits for impending disaster to strike*).
I had fully intended to buy an S1 (or maybe an early S2) to use at the weekends and keep my current shed for commuting, but this glorious sunshine if beginning to ware down my resolve to wait and save until winter. I'm not certain I can stretch to two cars at the moment so this has left me trying to decide on if an S1 would be a viable every day car...
I currently do less than 5k miles a year and recently started cycling to work 3 days out of 5 (need a car the other two days due to evening commitments) so this amount of miles is likely to drop further. I've got a garage to store the S in and from reading previous threads and I'm guessing that servicing and parts won't be much worse than I currently pay because it's mainly old sierra running gear. Also having read all the old insurance threads it seems that if I'm clever and shop around classic and specialist insurers I should be able to get a good deal on S insurance... right?
My main concern is what is the S going to be like to live with through the winter... I live in the south of England so we don't get prolonged extreme weather (and I wouldn't take it out in snow anyway) but is the S going to be liveable through the winter months? How about in the wet during winter?
Are there any other major barriers to daily S usage I'm overlooking? Is this a case of rose tinted glasses coming on already and I'm being unrealistic? I'd appreciate any input or thoughts from the hallowed 'S' veterans of the Pistonheads forum. Can anyone talk me into, or out of, this plan? ^_^
Also I spotted this one in the classified and the write up looks good so thinking of making a call to see if it's still available.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1767675.htm
Just wondered if it's known in the S community at all.
Thanks in advance all!
Don't know the car but it looks straight and honest and it seems a genuine advert.
In 2 years of S3C ownership my car has needed a basic service, a light bulb to pass an MOT and replacement SS manifolds more out of choice than necessity. The TVR was invaluable transport when my new £22K+ Saab 9-3 Turbo proved totally unreliable from the day I drove it out of the showroom.
Only car in the winter - I think not. If there was a factory hardtop with a heated rear window just maybe so, but in flaming June it is easy to under-estimate the difficulties of running a standard "S" through 6 months of fog/rain and snow. Outriggers,however well protected, do not respond well to a season of dampness and salt.
So if you have a budget of £4K and a bit then offer three and a half on the "S" and use the change to buy a Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
to use in the Winter months, believe me you won't stop smiling.....
In 2 years of S3C ownership my car has needed a basic service, a light bulb to pass an MOT and replacement SS manifolds more out of choice than necessity. The TVR was invaluable transport when my new £22K+ Saab 9-3 Turbo proved totally unreliable from the day I drove it out of the showroom.
Only car in the winter - I think not. If there was a factory hardtop with a heated rear window just maybe so, but in flaming June it is easy to under-estimate the difficulties of running a standard "S" through 6 months of fog/rain and snow. Outriggers,however well protected, do not respond well to a season of dampness and salt.
So if you have a budget of £4K and a bit then offer three and a half on the "S" and use the change to buy a Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
to use in the Winter months, believe me you won't stop smiling.....
Two years !!! nothing like rushing into things 
Go for it, whats the worst that can happen ? if things get a bit cold wet and miserable in the winter get a cheap run around. My daughter paid about £600 for a Fiesta over a year ago, sailed through MOT and not even needed tyres yet.
As mentioned though be careful with "classic insurance" if using it for work/daily commute, may not be covered even though low annual mileage ? Think insurers will ask if you have another vehicle for "regular use".
If outriggers are well painted/smothered in Waxoyl they'll survive, most have lasted 18 years or more with just a bit of flakey powder coat. some folk do fuss about them, you'd think they were made of tissue paper not steel
Go for it, whats the worst that can happen ? if things get a bit cold wet and miserable in the winter get a cheap run around. My daughter paid about £600 for a Fiesta over a year ago, sailed through MOT and not even needed tyres yet.
As mentioned though be careful with "classic insurance" if using it for work/daily commute, may not be covered even though low annual mileage ? Think insurers will ask if you have another vehicle for "regular use".
If outriggers are well painted/smothered in Waxoyl they'll survive, most have lasted 18 years or more with just a bit of flakey powder coat. some folk do fuss about them, you'd think they were made of tissue paper not steel
Ran mine all last winter without any problems, even stayed mostly dry inside. It was also surprising good in the snow on new tyres. My insurance is £240 on classic with agreed value for 5000 miles un-garaged. Standard insurance was about £30 more.
Keeping it clean and well waxoiled is the key to winter running and if the outriggers rust a bit quicker so what, they are only steel tube and relatively easy to replace.
At least you get to have good snigger when the sunshine boys are having their winter depression with the S laid up in the garage.
Rob.
Keeping it clean and well waxoiled is the key to winter running and if the outriggers rust a bit quicker so what, they are only steel tube and relatively easy to replace.
At least you get to have good snigger when the sunshine boys are having their winter depression with the S laid up in the garage.
Rob.
I ran my S3 as a daily drive for 2 years, around 8 years ago. The car was on 70k when I got it, and in great condition. Couple of niggles had to be put right (fuel sender, rear window), but I proofed the chassis, kept it clean, regularly proofed the roof and hosed the salt off in winter, no problems at all.
The car was kep outside, on the street in Newcastle, and I used it for my 12 mile round trip each day and then usually off to Manchester at the weekends. I did 19k in 2 years, had one blown rad hose, one dead coil and I holed the down pipes on a speed hump. Aside from that it was a great car and never left me stranded.
As long as you look after the car it will look after you. I did find a Leven shower cap helped keep my paranoia at bay overnight (not that it leaked), and also stopped people looking into it too much.
The car was kep outside, on the street in Newcastle, and I used it for my 12 mile round trip each day and then usually off to Manchester at the weekends. I did 19k in 2 years, had one blown rad hose, one dead coil and I holed the down pipes on a speed hump. Aside from that it was a great car and never left me stranded.
As long as you look after the car it will look after you. I did find a Leven shower cap helped keep my paranoia at bay overnight (not that it leaked), and also stopped people looking into it too much.
I ran my S2 for a couple of years as my only car with problems.
I think a lot depends on the individual circumstances. I didn't need a car for work - I lived in a city centre flat close to the station so I took the train to work. I didn't really have any commitments where I really needed a car, so it could just stay parked up in the garage for a couple of weeks if the weather was bad.
Mine was insured on a classic policy but I spent some time explaining to the insurers that I would be using my car in similar circumstances to other enthusiasts who had classic/sports cars as a second vehicle i.e. I was only really likely to use it at weekends and I wouldn't be commuting in the TVR. They agreed to this but advised me that I would not be insured if I ever did use the car to commute to work.
This arrangement suited me fine at the time, but I am not sure I would do it again if I really had to rely on the TVR as a genuine daily drive.
Then again, we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!
I think a lot depends on the individual circumstances. I didn't need a car for work - I lived in a city centre flat close to the station so I took the train to work. I didn't really have any commitments where I really needed a car, so it could just stay parked up in the garage for a couple of weeks if the weather was bad.
Mine was insured on a classic policy but I spent some time explaining to the insurers that I would be using my car in similar circumstances to other enthusiasts who had classic/sports cars as a second vehicle i.e. I was only really likely to use it at weekends and I wouldn't be commuting in the TVR. They agreed to this but advised me that I would not be insured if I ever did use the car to commute to work.
This arrangement suited me fine at the time, but I am not sure I would do it again if I really had to rely on the TVR as a genuine daily drive.
Then again, we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!
I used to run my old S3 in all weathers when it was anearly new car and I was younger......still perfectly viable though, just make sure the heater works ok. Only problem areas are that they are older cars now, and with any older car things wear out and need replacing. In many ways its better for the car to keep using it rather than having it sit around too much. I have fitted some aluminium stone guard panels to the front outriggers to prevent stone chipping all the lovely waxoyl off....simple really.
If you can do your own basic maintenance then they should be pretty cheap to run really, other than fuel of course.
If you can do your own basic maintenance then they should be pretty cheap to run really, other than fuel of course.
There is a left field option - one I've argued before (outside this forum) and got shouted down.
Run the S as your main car - but if there's inclement weather / ice / snow as usual in the UK it tends to be short lived.
For that period of time hire something cheap.
That saves you the cost of a second insurance policy / servicing / tyres and depreciation. Work out what that lot costs and its not such an expensive option.
Run the S as your main car - but if there's inclement weather / ice / snow as usual in the UK it tends to be short lived.
For that period of time hire something cheap.
That saves you the cost of a second insurance policy / servicing / tyres and depreciation. Work out what that lot costs and its not such an expensive option.
Barkychoc said:
hire something cheap.
Not a bad idea. There are also those car pool-type clubs where you only pay for the hours that you use their cars.This idea was suggested to me a couple of years ago by Elfit, who also suggested that I consider buying a pushbike for my daily transport as a means of keeping the S.
Hi again all.
Thanks very much for all the replies, has given me a bit to mull over and confirmed a few of the things I thought.
After getting out of the sun for a few hours my financial sense has reasserted itself.
I'm going to stick the Honda through the Mot (next week) and as long as it passes I'll keep it as my first car, wait a couple of months to get a financial safety net, and then seek a cheap entry level S around September or October.
I'm confident an S would be able to fit into my lifestyle as an only car, and this is a route I may go down in future, but right now I'm going to grit my teeth and fight off this attack of 'heart over head' that the good weather is bringing on (not easy when I followed a Griff home from work today ¬_¬).
I figure I've waited almost two years so another couple of months won't hurt, and I'll enjoy the S all the more for being financially comfortable.
Thanks very much for all the replies, has given me a bit to mull over and confirmed a few of the things I thought.
After getting out of the sun for a few hours my financial sense has reasserted itself.
I'm going to stick the Honda through the Mot (next week) and as long as it passes I'll keep it as my first car, wait a couple of months to get a financial safety net, and then seek a cheap entry level S around September or October.
I'm confident an S would be able to fit into my lifestyle as an only car, and this is a route I may go down in future, but right now I'm going to grit my teeth and fight off this attack of 'heart over head' that the good weather is bringing on (not easy when I followed a Griff home from work today ¬_¬).
I figure I've waited almost two years so another couple of months won't hurt, and I'll enjoy the S all the more for being financially comfortable.
I used my V8S as a reliable daily driver for 3 or 4 years. Usual wear and tear for a 19 year old car, new fuel pump, new alternator and new clutch master cylinder.
My main consideration would be the fuel costs, even thought the V6 will be less expensive to run. I can't remember why but I decided to buy an old Fiesta (£400) three years ago, just before the fuel prices started to escalate. This saved me around £120.00 monthly on fuel bills on my daily commute of 10 miles each way.
It worked out cheaper for me to run both cars, putting the TVR on a 'classic' policy, than just run the TVR.
Steve
My main consideration would be the fuel costs, even thought the V6 will be less expensive to run. I can't remember why but I decided to buy an old Fiesta (£400) three years ago, just before the fuel prices started to escalate. This saved me around £120.00 monthly on fuel bills on my daily commute of 10 miles each way.
It worked out cheaper for me to run both cars, putting the TVR on a 'classic' policy, than just run the TVR.
Steve
seb400 said:
It worked out cheaper for me to run both cars, putting the TVR on a 'classic' policy, than just run the TVR.
Thats about what I figured for myself as well now that I've sat down and done the sums. It won't be much different in cost to run both cars and removes the complications of replying on the S (plus I won't have to submit it to the horrors of the work carpark ).JT - Shame I missed out, looked a nice car from the pics and write up. Congrats on the second child btw.
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