Buying a TVR

[cambusdoon]

I'm new to this forum, and joined because, initially, I was interested in getting a late-as-I-can afford 4.5 or 5.0 Chimeara. This would not be in the immediate future and thus I'm doing things gradually like research, reading the 'bible' and, of course all the threads. Even had a first brief look at one in dealer. Then I read about it's protection, specifically, the sides. ( I can do quite ok wihout abs, esp, bags or whatever ) so long as it can roll or be t-boned in relative ( important word )safety. I know others disagree, and respect that, but it won't be for me.

Ho-hum. What about that Tamora I also saw ? Seems to have a better chance but v expensive in comparison, but if I wait a wee bit longer future budget will meet future price. Then I read about the sps engine-related stuff. Can't be nice to be on the reciving end of a rebuild bill, no matter what the mileage. This confirms my caution and, for someone like me who is only thinking about tvr, the need to take maybe a bit of a longer-term view and see how it all pans out.

By-the-buy, if you have an sps engine which aint broke - and your bet is that it may - are you best/cheaper getting it blue-printed and thus with a new warranty and the 'issues' addressed ? Just a thought,so please don't go all technical on me.

Nevertheless, although I'm put off the kind of tvr I want for the present, have enjoyed reading your threads and been grateful for them

[andy4200]

Sounds to me like you need a Cerbera

[J_S_G]

cambusdoon said:

By-the-buy, if you have an sps engine which aint broke - and your bet is that it may - are you best/cheaper getting it blue-printed and thus with a new warranty and the 'issues' addressed ? Just a thought,so please don't go all technical on me.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. You have the choice: £3k regardless, or £3k if it breaks. Know which I'd pick.

Highlighted bit above... this is the problem with taking a quick look at statistics, it's easy to draw a certain conclusion. The stats show that early engines blew up a lot. The stats don't show that engines that have been built/rebuilt recently blow up, in fact they show quite the opposite. Admittedly, without numerous cars hitting 50k+ trouble free, you can't be sure, but it's certainly looking a lot better.

[CiderwithCerbie]

cambusdoon said:

I'm new to this forum, and joined because, initially, I was interested in getting a late-as-I-can afford 4.5 or 5.0 Chimeara. This would not be in the immediate future and thus I'm doing things gradually like research, reading the 'bible' and, of course all the threads. Even had a first brief look at one in dealer. Then I read about it's protection, specifically, the sides. ( I can do quite ok wihout abs, esp, bags or whatever ) so long as it can roll or be t-boned in relative ( important word )safety. I know others disagree, and respect that, but it won't be for me. Ho-hum. What about that Tamora I also saw ? Seems to have a better chance but v expensive in comparison, but if I wait a wee bit longer future budget will meet future price. Then I read about the sps engine-related stuff. Can't be nice to be on the reciving end of a rebuild bill, no matter what the mileage. This confirms my caution and, for someone like me who is only thinking about tvr, the need to take maybe a bit of a longer-term view and see how it all pans out. By-the-buy, if you have an sps engine which aint broke - and your bet is that it may - are you best/cheaper getting it blue-printed and thus with a new warranty and the 'issues' addressed ? Just a thought,so please don't go all technical on me. Nevertheless, although I'm put off the kind of tvr I want for the present, have enjoyed reading your threads and been grateful for them

Clearly quite intelligent.
Conclusion: Don't buy a TVR, you've got to be mad about them or nuts and preferably both

>> Edited by CiderwithCerbie on Wednesday 15th September 11:35

[Corin Denton]

I ummed and arred about which TVR I was going to get to replace my 4 litre, after great debate I went for a newer 5 litre Chimaera, couldn't be doing with a spd6 needing a rebuild at Le Mans time! On the safety side, you could always get a roolbar although this doesn't help with side protection.

Maybe a Cerbera V8 is the car for you, fully caged from factory.

[Tripps]

cambusdoon said:

Ho-hum. What about that Tamora I also saw ? Seems to have a better chance but v expensive in comparison

A few older Tuscans are starting to get towards lower twenties - 6 sub £25k examples on the first two pages of the PH classifieds.

Side impact and roll-over protection courtesy of full roll bars.

Your only issue might be the SP6, a debate I don't know enough to enter, but I'd imagine one that's been rebuilt recently will be fine now.

[J_S_G]

Tripps said:

Your only issue might be the SP6, a debate I don't know enough to enter, but I'd imagine one that's been rebuilt recently will be fine now.

I'll be keeping a close eye on my engine since the rebuild, and I put a lot of miles on my cars, so I'll keep everyone posted. Currently at over 2k miles since the rebuild last month, and it's still running sweet-as. Pulls like a train till well beyond speeds I dare drive at (150+). Taking it on Eurohoon next weekend, so that'll be another few thousand miles by the end of the month.

[cambusdoon]

Thanks all, Cerebra was hugely tempting but am/will go for soft-top/open top, and in that connection would in the longer term not necessarily ( schpelling )exclude the model(s) with targa tops. Will be keeping a watching brief, even if it takes a couple of years........