Which TVR to buy?

[bobfredstinker]

I'm not a current TVR owner, but have been looking at various models, and can't decide which one to buy. I'm torn between a standard Tuscan Mk.1 4.0, a Tuscan Mk.1 S, and sort of have a half notion of a Tamora.

What do you guys think would be the best option? I don't really know what differences there are between the Tuscan and Tuscan S (apart from the obvious visual changes), or their 'character traits' etc, which you guys will surely know all about, and I also know very little about the Tamora. Also, for someone in the south, which TVR specialist dealers would be the best to look at, and which should be avoided?

All of your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

You could do a lot worse that to talk to Fernhursts

[Zippee]

First question is whats your budget?

[PGNTuscan]

Zippee said:

First question is whats your budget?

This

[chris1972]

+1 This

Zippee said:

First question is whats your budget?

and +1 that

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

You could do a lot worse that to talk to Fernhursts

However, I haven't seen many Cerberas or Tuscans at Ferhursts.

I guess, 'how fast do you want to go' and 'how much are you prepared to spend to maintain' could all be asked.

[slippery]

Watching with interest, as I do all of the 'which TVR' type threads. I think I want a 4.5 or 5.0 Chim or a re-built speed six Cerb, but the more info the better.

[jamieduff1981]

What sort of character do you have in mind? Do you have visions of something quick but basically easy to drive or something verging on a handful? By handful I don't mean bad, but whilst all these cars have an edge that normal cars don't, some are more challenging a drive than others.

Is it a weekend tourer for you and the missus or something you never think you'll completely tame you want?

[slippery]

That's a good way of looking at things. Would I be right in assuming that the Cerbera Speed Six would give a blend of both?

[bobfredstinker]

My budget for a Tuscan is ideally under 20k. Having had a look there are a lot out there for this amount. I had a look on the Fernhusrt website and they don't have any Tuscans for sale at the moment (although they do have a very nice Cerbera!)

I would like to add that I am primarily after a Tuscan, and the Tamora question was just curiosity really.

[bobfredstinker]

slippery said:

Watching with interest, as I do all of the 'which TVR' type threads. I think I want a 4.5 or 5.0 Chim or a re-built speed six Cerb, but the more info the better.

Hi Slippery, wasn't expecting to see you over here!

[slippery]

bobfredstinker said:

slippery said:

Watching with interest, as I do all of the 'which TVR' type threads. I think I want a 4.5 or 5.0 Chim or a re-built speed six Cerb, but the more info the better.

Hi Slippery, wasn't expecting to see you over here!

I have the itch!

[robsco]

Drive both. I've never driven a Tam but apparently they're the best kept secret in the TVR world, from a perspective of chassis and handling. Avoid the god-awful Bison interior though. MK1 Tuscans are a handful over anything other than a billiard-smooth road. They feel unsettled and uncomfortably twitchy over most surfaces. There are numerous improvements out there to soften this (wheel spacers, raising rack height etc) but they are always going to be a lairy little so-and-so. That said, I have began to find this an endearing quality in the Tuscan; I personally feel my talents are lacking enough in that I will never ever truly master the art of driving it at its limits, which is a key factor in keeping the interest alive.

[bobfredstinker]

Problem with Tamoras is that they're extremely hard to find. I think there are only about 3 for sale in the entire country on PH and 2 on Autotrader (both of which are about 200 miles from where I live!). What other good online sites are there for sales of TVRs?

As for the Tuscan, I'm fine with it being a little lairy - I currently drive a Monaro which I wouldn't describe as 'easy' to drive. Perhaps not on the same level as a Tuscan, but still. Obviously any upgrades/constructive mods would be appreciated, as it would mean I wouldn't need to do it myself. I believe engine rebuilds are something to look for, as well as the front splitter, and Nitrons suspension? Anything else worthy of note?

[Chilliman]

Paint? I'm given to understand that the reflex multi change colour stuff (or whatever it's called) paintwork is about £600 a litre, and if you get a small ding you have to have the whole 'panel' sprayed as it can't be 'blended' into the paintwork around it... The Pearl paint for my Chim is £300 per litre...

Just a thought...

Chilli

[bobfredstinker]

Chilliman said:

Paint? I'm given to understand that the reflex multi change colour stuff (or whatever it's called) paintwork is about £600 a litre, and if you get a small ding you have to have the whole 'panel' sprayed as it can't be 'blended' into the paintwork around it... The Pearl paint for my Chim is £300 per litre...

Just a thought...

Chilli

Wow!! That's massively expensive! I rather liked the reflex purple, not so sure any more!

[bobfredstinker]

Also, isn't the clutch a common problem with these too, and as such is it therefore good to look for a car which has had it upgraded?

[jamieduff1981]

Clutches and their hydraulics are a weak point on all TVRs from Cerbera onwards - i.e. when AJP8 and Speed 6 engines complete with TVR bellhousing, twin plate clutch and silly slave cylinder was introduced.

The Monaro versus Tuscan will be an interesting comparison. I assume you generally need to pay attention when driving hard, but being a mass produced car I'll also bet it doesn't bump steer like TVRs usually do, and Tuscans are especially prone to.

[bobfredstinker]

jamieduff1981 said:

Clutches and their hydraulics are a weak point on all TVRs from Cerbera onwards - i.e. when AJP8 and Speed 6 engines complete with TVR bellhousing, twin plate clutch and silly slave cylinder was introduced.

The Monaro versus Tuscan will be an interesting comparison. I assume you generally need to pay attention when driving hard, but being a mass produced car I'll also bet it doesn't bump steer like TVRs usually do, and Tuscans are especially prone to.

Sounds like quite the handful then! I really want to test drive one to see how I find it, and to see if it's the kind of thing I'm really after, rather than just something I quite fancy. What exactly was the issue with their clutches that meant they needed to be replaced on a lot of cars?

[Don1]

jamieduff1981 said:

Clutches and their hydraulics are a weak point on all TVRs from Cerbera onwards - i.e. when AJP8 and Speed 6 engines complete with TVR bellhousing, twin plate clutch and silly slave cylinder was introduced.

The Monaro versus Tuscan will be an interesting comparison. I assume you generally need to pay attention when driving hard, but being a mass produced car I'll also bet it doesn't bump steer like TVRs usually do, and Tuscans are especially prone to.

Really? I guess I'm lucky then with mine....

As for what you want. What's the budget, and buy towards the top of that. You get what you pay for here.

There are lots of other TVR garages outside of Fernhursts - nothing bad against them, but it's the same kind of poor writing that made me give up on Evo 'TVR Power' magazine. Power, Str8-Six, Racing Green, Fernhursts, HHC, James Agger, Raceproved, APM and a whole host others have helped keep TVR alive. Don't discount ANY, unless you yourself find reason for yourself.

The Tamora is a much better chassis than the earlier T cars, but modifications can be done. I'd suggest it's down to budget, chassis, service history and owner (equally useful) and then gut feel. Make sure you can get an inspection done on the car before sale, look around, and hopefully you'll be able to join this happy clan.

[jamieduff1981]

bobfredstinker said:

Sounds like quite the handful then! I really want to test drive one to see how I find it, and to see if it's the kind of thing I'm really after, rather than just something I quite fancy. What exactly was the issue with their clutches that meant they needed to be replaced on a lot of cars?

The clutch itself is usually fine, but very expensive and like most high performance cars it's quite short lived. The clutch release gives a bit of grieve with the slave cylinder being a crap design with lots of potential leak paths, and consequently more regular failures than people are often used to. Similarly, clutch fingers can break off giving a similar inability to declutch. Having said that, it's not every day they go wrong. Expect to change it all every 30k give or take and you wont be too disappointed. It's similar on Ferraris, Maseratis etc tbh. Raceproved sell an improved slave cylinder.

Try as many as you can. Most reckon the Cerb is more stable on the road than Tuscans but it still demands your full attention. Some are more suited to driving round town than others, for example. I'm lucky to live here in Scotland where I can drive a mile or two and be on open roads for tens of miles. I visited Racing Green last summer and whilst a great place, I decided that south Londonshire would be the crappest place on Earth second to London itself to own a TVR since one old village with single car width roads just seems to merge into the next with speed bumps everywhere and virtually nowhere to open it up. I know I wouldn't enjoy my AJP8 Cerb there because it's just hard work with little reward round those sorts of roads - unless the attention from others is your thing.