Are TVRs really that fragile?
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Rather than post in TVR section and get 20 pages of opinion and abuse, I though I would ask the question in the safe paddling pool of the Midlands forum ....
Are TVRs really that fragile? Everyone I talk to that has one seems to have had engine rebuilds, gearbox problems and other expensive issues at relatively low mileages.
I have been toying with the idea of getting one, and having run classics for years I don't believe I am unrealistic in my expectation of reliability (stuff breaks).
But am I getting an warped view? Are they really that unreliable and expensive?
Your thoughts?
Rather than post in TVR section and get 20 pages of opinion and abuse, I though I would ask the question in the safe paddling pool of the Midlands forum ....
Are TVRs really that fragile? Everyone I talk to that has one seems to have had engine rebuilds, gearbox problems and other expensive issues at relatively low mileages.
I have been toying with the idea of getting one, and having run classics for years I don't believe I am unrealistic in my expectation of reliability (stuff breaks).
But am I getting an warped view? Are they really that unreliable and expensive?
Your thoughts?
I've had two Griffiths over 9 years and covered 25k miles in a 400 and over 40k miles in my current 500. In that time I've been on a trailer twice for a faulty fuel regulator and a faulty ignition coil, neither engine was ever opened, gearboxes were perfect, and I had one clutch, a wheel bearing and a diff refurb.
My experience is to buy on condition alone, look for something that has been properly used and an owner that has maintained the car without cutting corners.
Despite thinking about it a hundred times and much to my own disgust, I'm not sure I would ever consider owning a Speed6 engined car.
dumbfunk
My experience is to buy on condition alone, look for something that has been properly used and an owner that has maintained the car without cutting corners.
Despite thinking about it a hundred times and much to my own disgust, I'm not sure I would ever consider owning a Speed6 engined car.
dumbfunk
I had a tuscan speed 6 for about 2 years a while back. At first i used it as a daily drive and it never missed a beat. Twitchy to drive in my opinion and went very light at high speed, again in my opinion. Only after i stopped using it daily did i start having problems, it was mainly electrical. the speedo used to go mad, and tvr had run out of parts to fix it. So in summary I loved it, it looked amazing and got kids taking photos of it out the back of their car on motorways. People say they are expensive to run, but so can any car. My mini jcw MOT just cost me £1000. Im not sure of the prices now, but say 18k, wow what a car for the money. There is nothing else on the market for that money that looks like a tvr, again in my opinion.
Will OT said:
I had a tuscan speed 6 for about 2 years a while back. At first i used it as a daily drive and it never missed a beat. Twitchy to drive in my opinion and went very light at high speed, again in my opinion.
That was my impression of the Mk1 Tuscan, too - as they are basically the same underneath as any other Tivver (except the super quick steering rack) I'm positive it would greatly benefit form a suspension upgrade in conjunction with a darn good geo set up. 
And indeed, you will want to drive it regularly if not daily, to keep it well exercised and happy. No hardship I'd say (except in the deepest of winter maybe)
.Edited by 900T-R on Tuesday 10th February 15:16
Had a few tivs myself. 2 x Cerb 4.2 and 4.5 also a Griff 500. My Griff was eight years old with only 7000 miles on the clock when I bought it. Turned out to be a nightmare continually overheating spent 100's sorting it out, goes to show that the garage ornaments aren't neccesarily the ones to have.
Cerbs weren't to bad 4.2 needed a slave cylinder on the clutch (£600) the 4.5 never gave me a problem apart from the ususal flat batteries that come with fibreglass cars.
Now TVR power are back on the scene I'd be inclined to buy a cheapish Tuscan with high miles, but in the right condition and get a new engine when needed with the warranty they offer.
Cerbs weren't to bad 4.2 needed a slave cylinder on the clutch (£600) the 4.5 never gave me a problem apart from the ususal flat batteries that come with fibreglass cars.
Now TVR power are back on the scene I'd be inclined to buy a cheapish Tuscan with high miles, but in the right condition and get a new engine when needed with the warranty they offer.
My 1987 wedge has been very reliable-but its only the 3.5 v8 which is a lazy understressed lump and will go on forever.
The bigger engined v8 can suffer with overheating if not maintained correctly.
Check the camshaft has been replaced on higher mileage rv8`s also exhaust manifolds can corrode (you can nget stainless ones which is a big bonus)
The clutch is pretty expensive to replace due to the work envolved.
The main problems that can crop up as with all plasic cars is normally dodgy electrics (poor earths etc)
By an enthusiast maintained car and you will find all the niggles have been sorted along with useful upgrades.
As mentioned above ,i would avoid the speed six engined cars unless you have a few grand set aside for a rebuild (once done a few companies offer a proper warranty on their rebuilt engines)
HTH
The bigger engined v8 can suffer with overheating if not maintained correctly.
Check the camshaft has been replaced on higher mileage rv8`s also exhaust manifolds can corrode (you can nget stainless ones which is a big bonus)
The clutch is pretty expensive to replace due to the work envolved.
The main problems that can crop up as with all plasic cars is normally dodgy electrics (poor earths etc)
By an enthusiast maintained car and you will find all the niggles have been sorted along with useful upgrades.
As mentioned above ,i would avoid the speed six engined cars unless you have a few grand set aside for a rebuild (once done a few companies offer a proper warranty on their rebuilt engines)
HTH
Long term Chimaera owner here. 
Great fun, I've owned mine for nearly 10 years now, and it's a bit 'triggers broom' and now it's a second car garage queen that just gets used spirtedly on nice sunny days it's costing peanuts to run.
Obviously after now saying that the next serive/MOT is going to rape me
Great fun, I've owned mine for nearly 10 years now, and it's a bit 'triggers broom' and now it's a second car garage queen that just gets used spirtedly on nice sunny days it's costing peanuts to run.
Obviously after now saying that the next serive/MOT is going to rape me
Mystic Slippers said:
i would avoid the speed six engined cars unless you have a few grand set aside for a rebuild
...for a rebuild or four. Ex flat mate has had a tuscan for a few years and is on his fourth engine rebuild. Big ends let go the first time, then the top end needed a rebuild, then it dropped a valve and most recently piston number 6 and the block disintegrated. A truly epic car but don't fool yourself into thinking they are easy or cheap to live with.
(Edited for poor use of quotes)
Edited by (steven) on Saturday 14th February 15:37
[quote=(steven)]
A truly epic car but don't fool yourself into thinking they are easy or cheap to live with.
Please don't write in the 'quote' it makes it look like I said something I didn't!
YKB (who's neither easy or cheap!)
YKB said:
Mystic Slippers said:
i would avoid the speed six engined cars unless you have a few grand set aside for a rebuild
...for a rebuild or four. Ex flat mate has had a tuscan for a few years and is on his fourth engine rebuild. Big ends let go the first time, then the top end needed a rebuild, then it dropped a valve and most recently piston number 6 and the block disintegrated. A truly epic car but don't fool yourself into thinking they are easy or cheap to live with.
YKB (who's neither easy or cheap!)
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