Is a £5k TVR madness?
Discussion
Quite simply, is spending only £5k on a TVR madness that will lead to financial suicide repairing the thing?
I've always loved TVR's as I've been growing up, I don't think there is any TVR from the wedge shape onwards that I don't want.
Well I'm having a bit of a mid-life crisis that will probably end up with me getting a 4x4 on go green laning but before I push that button, just wondered what £5k TVR options are.
Looking at autotrader you can get S2’s, 350i's and even an old 4.0 Chimera.
Madness or do-able.
PS - take it as read it would be a second car for sunny days only!!!!
I've always loved TVR's as I've been growing up, I don't think there is any TVR from the wedge shape onwards that I don't want.
Well I'm having a bit of a mid-life crisis that will probably end up with me getting a 4x4 on go green laning but before I push that button, just wondered what £5k TVR options are.
Looking at autotrader you can get S2’s, 350i's and even an old 4.0 Chimera.
Madness or do-able.
PS - take it as read it would be a second car for sunny days only!!!!
Do it! I've had two all be it higher value cars. 5k chims are poss likely to cost a bit in the long run but you could get a good S or wedge that someone else has spent a few quid on. I should think chassis condition is prob the most important point at this price range as they are prone to rot and could cost a couple of grand to sort. The rest of it comprises fibreglass non rot body and ford, rover, other, parts bin so nothing too horrendous in terms of pricey specialist parts. Study as many buyers guides as you can and drive a few before buying as you need to compare as they vary greatly in accordance with previous owners pampering or lack of. A ropey one will be clonky and scary, a good one raucous and exhilarating. Good luck.
I can give you a story that might make you think twice, or at least be bloody careful!
A few years ago, a mate scored a £6k Griffith 500 on ebay, that was basically all there but a bit tatty round the edges. It was in Scotland, so we flew up from the South Coast to inspect and collect it.
I had a look over it, and got as underneath as I could on someone's driveway - and although the chassis looked a bit marginal, it didn't look too bad, so we paid and set off home.
It ran ok - but we had a
moment on the A34 near home, when doing over 1.0 leptons....coming round a slight bend, to be met with a broken down lorry in our lane! I'm not sure why my mate didn't just steer round it in lane 2, I guess he just panicked - but he hit the anchors - HARD - and we stopped behind the lorry with maybe 6 feet to spare...
After that, we pulled away and drove the rest of the journey without further problems.
Anyway, the scary bit....the very next day, as he was reversing off his driveway at walking pace, there was a loud 'clunk' and the front of the car dropped down on one side, the wheel jammed up into the arch, and the car was basically immobilised.
Upon further inspection, the front near-side lower wishbone had just split in two
Why it didn't fail at 'silly speeds' the day before, or indeed with the hard braking to avoid the lorry, I'll never know...
Suffice to say, if it had done, we'd have surely been dead.
They're made out of pressed steel in a 3/4 box shape - and to me, once they've got a bit of corrosion in them - they're flipping lethal!
For that reason, I don't think I would own a TVR anytime soon - at least, not one that isn't perfect, pampered and near to new conditon underneath!
A few years ago, a mate scored a £6k Griffith 500 on ebay, that was basically all there but a bit tatty round the edges. It was in Scotland, so we flew up from the South Coast to inspect and collect it.
I had a look over it, and got as underneath as I could on someone's driveway - and although the chassis looked a bit marginal, it didn't look too bad, so we paid and set off home.
It ran ok - but we had a
moment on the A34 near home, when doing over 1.0 leptons....coming round a slight bend, to be met with a broken down lorry in our lane! I'm not sure why my mate didn't just steer round it in lane 2, I guess he just panicked - but he hit the anchors - HARD - and we stopped behind the lorry with maybe 6 feet to spare...After that, we pulled away and drove the rest of the journey without further problems.
Anyway, the scary bit....the very next day, as he was reversing off his driveway at walking pace, there was a loud 'clunk' and the front of the car dropped down on one side, the wheel jammed up into the arch, and the car was basically immobilised.
Upon further inspection, the front near-side lower wishbone had just split in two
Why it didn't fail at 'silly speeds' the day before, or indeed with the hard braking to avoid the lorry, I'll never know...
Suffice to say, if it had done, we'd have surely been dead.
They're made out of pressed steel in a 3/4 box shape - and to me, once they've got a bit of corrosion in them - they're flipping lethal!
For that reason, I don't think I would own a TVR anytime soon - at least, not one that isn't perfect, pampered and near to new conditon underneath!
Crazy idea? Great idea!
What can £5000 get you...
This 1990 S3 looks nice. Previously 'subject to an insurance claim', but if well repaired, probably not a big deal. I suspect it wouldn't take much to write off an old TVR, even in the early 00's. However, the dealer's tagline that this is 'PX to clear' makes me wary; a typical shady dealer trick trying to con the punter on a car they think is going to blow up or break down soon...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
What about this lovely 280i on Spiders?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-280i-convertible-/18...
Or even a canny looking Chimaera?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-TVR-Chimaera-4-0-2D...
I think your money will go further with wedges and S models at this price point. But some later ones will crop up.
What can £5000 get you...
This 1990 S3 looks nice. Previously 'subject to an insurance claim', but if well repaired, probably not a big deal. I suspect it wouldn't take much to write off an old TVR, even in the early 00's. However, the dealer's tagline that this is 'PX to clear' makes me wary; a typical shady dealer trick trying to con the punter on a car they think is going to blow up or break down soon...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
What about this lovely 280i on Spiders?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-280i-convertible-/18...
Or even a canny looking Chimaera?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-TVR-Chimaera-4-0-2D...
I think your money will go further with wedges and S models at this price point. But some later ones will crop up.
Gaz. said:
That black Chimaera has been on sale for ages, at least six months.
Yes, I had thought I'd seen it the last time I went looking for TVR's on a £5000 budget. I'd probably go with the S280i on the Spiders if I was spending my money. A TVR wouldn't be an entirely stupid car for me to own. I live 15 minutes away from Hexham Horseless Carriages, a well renowned specialist, so I could at least get it looked after. It would have to be a second car though. I wouldn't trust a TVR to make some of the ridiculous cold starts and cold runs I've put my A8 through this winter, which would stuff it as a commuting car.
I had a sleepiness night last night just thinking about getting a Wedge TVR. They were my favourite cars when I was a kid and I've never had a V8.
I didn't get any sleepless nights because of excitement when I was researching 4x4's and whatever I buy is supposed to be all about fun.
Insurance is coming in at £120 fully comp and 5,000 miles.
I think this needs to be done.....
I get my cash at end of February so watch this space but all advice welcome.
I didn't get any sleepless nights because of excitement when I was researching 4x4's and whatever I buy is supposed to be all about fun.
Insurance is coming in at £120 fully comp and 5,000 miles.
I think this needs to be done.....
I get my cash at end of February so watch this space but all advice welcome.
As said, look, look, and look again underneath. Check through the papers to see any mention of Waxoil. Mine was OK, but the fuel tank hangers were nearly there.
It was great, I first saw them at Earls Court. I loved it, and went into deepest France and back.
Would I have another one, well, No. Been there, done it and although I have great memories, It is slightly crude. I wouldn't mind looking at a 350, but not yet.
Honestly, do it. You love it when driving, you won't loose much ( S3 prices are the same today as 5 years back. )
It was great, I first saw them at Earls Court. I loved it, and went into deepest France and back.
Would I have another one, well, No. Been there, done it and although I have great memories, It is slightly crude. I wouldn't mind looking at a 350, but not yet.
Honestly, do it. You love it when driving, you won't loose much ( S3 prices are the same today as 5 years back. )
A900ss said:
Quite simply, is spending only £5k on a TVR madness that will lead to financial suicide repairing the thing?
I've always loved TVR's as I've been growing up, I don't think there is any TVR from the wedge shape onwards that I don't want.
Well I'm having a bit of a mid-life crisis that will probably end up with me getting a 4x4 on go green laning but before I push that button, just wondered what £5k TVR options are.
Looking at autotrader you can get S2’s, 350i's and even an old 4.0 Chimera.
Madness or do-able.
PS - take it as read it would be a second car for sunny days only!!!!
I bought an S2 for £2500 years ago, from another PHer.I've always loved TVR's as I've been growing up, I don't think there is any TVR from the wedge shape onwards that I don't want.
Well I'm having a bit of a mid-life crisis that will probably end up with me getting a 4x4 on go green laning but before I push that button, just wondered what £5k TVR options are.
Looking at autotrader you can get S2’s, 350i's and even an old 4.0 Chimera.
Madness or do-able.
PS - take it as read it would be a second car for sunny days only!!!!
And it was completely brilliant. Easy to work on, beans to run, great noise if a bit agricultural in the handling department. I still miss it a little.
The only thing you must, must check is chassis rust. That's anot a DIY job, expensive, and common (outriggers especialy).
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 18th February 09:23
I watched TopGear last night, and they tested three cars at £27k each. These were cars that would depreciate fast as they are expensive to insure. They were a Ford, a Vauxhall and a Renault, but strangely all looked EXACTLY the same, and had varying degrees of ability round a track, so very useful if you live on a race track.
So no, £5k for a TVR is a massively wise thing to do, I doubt if you'll ever reach even half of what that new dull FordaunVaux costs.
So no, £5k for a TVR is a massively wise thing to do, I doubt if you'll ever reach even half of what that new dull FordaunVaux costs.
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