Discussion
Hi everyone,
I'm showing my ignorance a bit here I suppose, but I'm about to invest some hard-earned beer vouchers in a(nother) car and I was wondering about an S2 or an S3. (Have to save up for a Tuscan!) Both seem like a good starting point for a TVR virgin, and since you all know them inside out I was wondering whether anyone would mind pointing out the advantages and pitfalls of the two? Which will spend less time in bits on the garage floor?
So, any and all info gratefully accepted! Thanks guys!
I'm showing my ignorance a bit here I suppose, but I'm about to invest some hard-earned beer vouchers in a(nother) car and I was wondering about an S2 or an S3. (Have to save up for a Tuscan!) Both seem like a good starting point for a TVR virgin, and since you all know them inside out I was wondering whether anyone would mind pointing out the advantages and pitfalls of the two? Which will spend less time in bits on the garage floor?
So, any and all info gratefully accepted! Thanks guys!
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the help and advice! It all makes a lot of sense, especially the idea of turning up to a get-together at Virginia Water sometime. As long as you promise not to laugh at what I drive now (no, not telling!!).
I live near Uxbridge, so it's not too far away, and it'd be good to say hi and get some hints and advice on what to look out for. And Phil, I'd love to take you up on your offer of a blast in your S! 
It'd be good to be able to compare the two basic types of car without having to go to a dealer and subject myself to the hard sell before I've prepared myself properly for it.
I hadn't thought of asking an enthusiast to look over any potential purchase - good point. I usually crawl over cars myself, but of course I don't know much about S's at the moment and so chances are I wouldn't see some of the things that'd you'd look for as a matter of course. So thanks for the tip! BTW, I know dealers cost more, but they do offer warranties and things. What do you think - dealer or private best? Not sure at the moment how much I want to spend - probably no more than 15K, a bit less if I can get away with it and still buy a nice car!
Mark, thanks also for the book tip. I'll give it a go!
I owe you all a beer when we meet up!
SGirl
>> Edited by SGirl on Monday 8th July 23:38
Thanks for the help and advice! It all makes a lot of sense, especially the idea of turning up to a get-together at Virginia Water sometime. As long as you promise not to laugh at what I drive now (no, not telling!!).
I live near Uxbridge, so it's not too far away, and it'd be good to say hi and get some hints and advice on what to look out for. And Phil, I'd love to take you up on your offer of a blast in your S! It'd be good to be able to compare the two basic types of car without having to go to a dealer and subject myself to the hard sell before I've prepared myself properly for it. I hadn't thought of asking an enthusiast to look over any potential purchase - good point. I usually crawl over cars myself, but of course I don't know much about S's at the moment and so chances are I wouldn't see some of the things that'd you'd look for as a matter of course. So thanks for the tip! BTW, I know dealers cost more, but they do offer warranties and things. What do you think - dealer or private best? Not sure at the moment how much I want to spend - probably no more than 15K, a bit less if I can get away with it and still buy a nice car!
Mark, thanks also for the book tip. I'll give it a go!
I owe you all a beer when we meet up!
SGirl
>> Edited by SGirl on Monday 8th July 23:38
Dave H - Hiya neighbour!! What I drive now is certainly quick, but it ain't sporty by any stretch of the imagination... Nope, no more clues!!
Roy C - Thanks for the tip! Didn't realise there was going to be a TVR stand at the Auto Show, I was planning on going along anyway. I'll come over and have a look!
SGirl
Roy C - Thanks for the tip! Didn't realise there was going to be a TVR stand at the Auto Show, I was planning on going along anyway. I'll come over and have a look!
SGirl
A concourse S would be lovely!! 15K is definitely top whack though - less than 12-13 would be good. The V8S sounds fab - must have a look round and see what's available. I'll keep you posted!
To be honest a Griff did cross my mind, but for 15K I'd have to go for something higher mileage from a dealer (haven't looked at private Griff sales yet - not sure I'm going to bother), and I'd rather get a really nice car that doesn't need much doing to it initially - I'm a lazy
.
Mark, I'll tell you after I've had a few drinks what I drive, okay? They're actually quite nice cars (well I like 'em!), but TVRs they ain't. One is loads of fun on the motorway and you could park an S in it (!), the other is your archetypal hairdressers car. I do draw the line at nodding dogs on the parcel shelf, though!
Sorry to disappoint Dave, one S will have to be my lot! Now if I had an identical twin sister...
SGirl
To be honest a Griff did cross my mind, but for 15K I'd have to go for something higher mileage from a dealer (haven't looked at private Griff sales yet - not sure I'm going to bother), and I'd rather get a really nice car that doesn't need much doing to it initially - I'm a lazy
. Mark, I'll tell you after I've had a few drinks what I drive, okay?
They're actually quite nice cars (well I like 'em!), but TVRs they ain't. One is loads of fun on the motorway and you could park an S in it (!), the other is your archetypal hairdressers car. I do draw the line at nodding dogs on the parcel shelf, though! Sorry to disappoint Dave, one S will have to be my lot! Now if I had an identical twin sister...
SGirl
quote:
tell you what SGirl - you can have my S for £15k and ill be off to buy the Griff
happy to take you for a blast at next meeting in Virginia Waters - or any other meeting that I'm at for that matter - M3 meet tonight if it stops raining and I dont have to bail out the passenger footwell on route.
Nice try Shnozz.
Thanks for the offer of a trip in your S though (as long as you haven't sold it to me by then!) - I'll take you up on that. I saw the thread for the M3 meet, don't think I can make it though because I'm way behind with my work and so tonight will be spent slaving over a hot PC I suspect. Have a nice time, don't get too wet! 
SGirl
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SGirl - take a look at Mole Valley - Redhill branch where they had an immaculate low mileage V8S for sale (it was still there a couple of weeks back when I last visited) - bright red with grey leather interior. About at the top of your price range from what I can recall - but you'd obviously benefit from a warranty etc. etc. and it needs no work whatsoever! (It shouldn't at that price!)
Good Luck!
Thanks for the tip, Keithyboy - I'll check it out! Sounds like my kind of car. Does the place have a website?
SGirl
Thanks JSG!
A V8S certainly seems to be the way to go. I emailed Mole Valley last night and am still waiting for an answer, so we'll see what they have to say. I'll give them a call later on too.
Yep, that was my thinking too. Depreciation is the biggest problem with cars - it's one of those things you can live with until you come to sell the car...
Thanks for your offer of help looking at a V8S - I'll take a look at any I find first and then drop you a line if it's worth pursuing.
All the best
SGirl
A V8S certainly seems to be the way to go. I emailed Mole Valley last night and am still waiting for an answer, so we'll see what they have to say. I'll give them a call later on too.
quote:
With your sort of budget I'd look for a good V8S, only around 400 made so shouldn't depreciate to much (thats what I tell the bank manager).
Yep, that was my thinking too. Depreciation is the biggest problem with cars - it's one of those things you can live with until you come to sell the car...
Thanks for your offer of help looking at a V8S - I'll take a look at any I find first and then drop you a line if it's worth pursuing.
All the best
SGirl
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Never..Can't stand those wirespoke whatever you call them, E-typey horrid thingies...
Why not? What's wrong with them? Apart from them being a bugger to clean, looking like a dog's dinner after 5 miles in the wet, etc. etc.?
My dad has just been on the phone. He thinks I should buy a Micra. Hmm... S or Micra. Difficult one, that.
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So it's an estate. Many family members to sqeeze into it then. Dogs, children ???
Just me and the other half so far.
It's a handy beastie to have around though - it can hold its own weight in beer. Good for those late-night shopping trips to Tesco's! As for how to cope in an S - sell my other car and keep the estate!
>> Edited by SGirl on Thursday 11th July 15:52
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There's some more stuff on S's at my site;
www.geocities.com/peter.nixon
If I had 15K I must say I'd go for a Chimaera or Griffith, you even find Cerbies for that money nowadays...
Thanks for that - I've had a quick look and bookmarked it for a longer look later!
I did consider the Chimaera but it doesn't appeal somehow. The Griffith is still a possibility, but I do quite like the S's. And I can't afford a Tuscan.
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Maybe she's got a Landy
Very cool indeed - I'd love one!! But no...
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On the S front.. I think I can safely say that most S owners with available spare funds would trade up to a Griffith/Chimera (barring V8's/modified s's and the like), and very few Griffith/Chimera ownders would trade for an S.. whilst the S is a lovely car if I had 15K I'd be driving a Chimaera now, not my Twin..
Hmm, now that's got me thinking. But my original thinking was go for a decent S of some descrption, then if I like it a lot I could trade up to a Griffith later on. Whereas if I buy a Griffith now and (horrors!) don't like it, I'd be stuck with it for a couple of years until I could sell it on without being accused by my dad of having too much spare cash.
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SGirl, Go for the Griff. I'm very envious of your situation i.e. having the available cash. Ask yourself this simple question; would you be happy driving a TVR that can get trounced in straight line by rep-mobiles?
Mmm, that's the question. Probably not. But then again, I get trounced by rep-mobiles now so not much difference there! If the right Griffith came along I certainly wouldn't rule it out, but the way I see it is that if I start out aiming for an S, if I end up with a Griff then that's a bonus.
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This has to be quote of the day for me...
"I'm looking for an S but if I "end up" with a Griff thats a bonus"
LMAO...
Oh yes - nice one!!
I must be working too hard, didn't spot that one until it was too late! Steve - you're right. Just as soon as I can find a copy of Top Marques (small village shops don't sell it...) I'll be out there and seeing what I can find that suits.
>> Edited by SGirl on Thursday 11th July 18:20
quote:
Let's just say I got a bit bored sitting behind her, and made a break for it
She wasnt to happy, but then neither was I having to put up with her weaving around in front of me with her over use of the brake pedal for about a mile while she gassed to her passenger.
Good! Serves her right. People like that really wind me up! I'd have done exactly the same.
But do I really sound like the kind of person that'd drive like that, then?!
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