Would you buy a TVR in my situation?
Discussion
I'm 29, married, no kids (yet!) and we've owned our home for going on for 3 years.
I owned an E46 M3 for a year or so last year but decided to sell when I got made redundant and bought a Focus ST thinking it would still be fun but would free up some cash for me to use as startup to begin contracting (software developer). Unfortunately, although the Focus is a perfectly fine car it just doesn't excite me in any way, I think I've basically moved on from hot hatches and FWD in general.
I really want something that is going to excite me again, a car that I can love and I've always admired TVRs whenever I've seen them around (particularly the Tuscan and Sagaris). Realistically, I think my budget would only stretch to about 12k which I guess leaves a chim as the only option?
Here are the problems that would stop me starting to look:
1. This would be my only car (wife has a Fiesta) and although I currently drive to work (6 miles each way) I don't have to and could start getting the train again, this will likely change when I change contracts possibly later this year though
2. I have a garage but its a single garage with no power and other bits in it so, the car has to live outside.
3. I havn't done much spannering in my time except when my Dad and I rebuilt the engine on a 1.3 escort a few years ago, hardly comparable!
4. I have no savings, disposable income is currently around £2k per month but until now I have been using it to pay off various debts, how expensive are these things to run???
5. Is it what I really want? I seem to go through so many different mental processes when it comes to my next car that I can't make up my mind what aspects of a car matter most to me
6. Am I too young? Probably a stupid point but it feels like TVRs are something I should get into in a few years time
I'm not sure what sort of responses I'm hoping for here so, what would you do?
I owned an E46 M3 for a year or so last year but decided to sell when I got made redundant and bought a Focus ST thinking it would still be fun but would free up some cash for me to use as startup to begin contracting (software developer). Unfortunately, although the Focus is a perfectly fine car it just doesn't excite me in any way, I think I've basically moved on from hot hatches and FWD in general.
I really want something that is going to excite me again, a car that I can love and I've always admired TVRs whenever I've seen them around (particularly the Tuscan and Sagaris). Realistically, I think my budget would only stretch to about 12k which I guess leaves a chim as the only option?
Here are the problems that would stop me starting to look:
1. This would be my only car (wife has a Fiesta) and although I currently drive to work (6 miles each way) I don't have to and could start getting the train again, this will likely change when I change contracts possibly later this year though
2. I have a garage but its a single garage with no power and other bits in it so, the car has to live outside.
3. I havn't done much spannering in my time except when my Dad and I rebuilt the engine on a 1.3 escort a few years ago, hardly comparable!
4. I have no savings, disposable income is currently around £2k per month but until now I have been using it to pay off various debts, how expensive are these things to run???
5. Is it what I really want? I seem to go through so many different mental processes when it comes to my next car that I can't make up my mind what aspects of a car matter most to me
6. Am I too young? Probably a stupid point but it feels like TVRs are something I should get into in a few years time
I'm not sure what sort of responses I'm hoping for here so, what would you do?
skahigh said:
I'm 29, married, no kids (yet!) and we've owned our home for going on for 3 years.
I owned an E46 M3 for a year or so last year but decided to sell when I got made redundant and bought a Focus ST thinking it would still be fun but would free up some cash for me to use as startup to begin contracting (software developer). Unfortunately, although the Focus is a perfectly fine car it just doesn't excite me in any way, I think I've basically moved on from hot hatches and FWD in general.
I really want something that is going to excite me again, a car that I can love and I've always admired TVRs whenever I've seen them around (particularly the Tuscan and Sagaris). Realistically, I think my budget would only stretch to about 12k which I guess leaves a chim as the only option?
Here are the problems that would stop me starting to look:
1. This would be my only car (wife has a Fiesta) and although I currently drive to work (6 miles each way) I don't have to and could start getting the train again, this will likely change when I change contracts possibly later this year though
2. I have a garage but its a single garage with no power and other bits in it so, the car has to live outside.
3. I havn't done much spannering in my time except when my Dad and I rebuilt the engine on a 1.3 escort a few years ago, hardly comparable!
4. I have no savings, disposable income is currently around £2k per month but until now I have been using it to pay off various debts, how expensive are these things to run???
5. Is it what I really want? I seem to go through so many different mental processes when it comes to my next car that I can't make up my mind what aspects of a car matter most to me
6. Am I too young? Probably a stupid point but it feels like TVRs are something I should get into in a few years time
I'm not sure what sort of responses I'm hoping for here so, what would you do?
1. You can run as an everyday car, but don't expect it to be economical and be prepared to switch to alternative transport if something breaks. I reasonably well looked after example should be fine, but there is always something that can go wrong. I ran my S2 for 6 months as an only vehicle with no issues, but it's predominatly Ford running gear so fairly reliable.I owned an E46 M3 for a year or so last year but decided to sell when I got made redundant and bought a Focus ST thinking it would still be fun but would free up some cash for me to use as startup to begin contracting (software developer). Unfortunately, although the Focus is a perfectly fine car it just doesn't excite me in any way, I think I've basically moved on from hot hatches and FWD in general.
I really want something that is going to excite me again, a car that I can love and I've always admired TVRs whenever I've seen them around (particularly the Tuscan and Sagaris). Realistically, I think my budget would only stretch to about 12k which I guess leaves a chim as the only option?
Here are the problems that would stop me starting to look:
1. This would be my only car (wife has a Fiesta) and although I currently drive to work (6 miles each way) I don't have to and could start getting the train again, this will likely change when I change contracts possibly later this year though
2. I have a garage but its a single garage with no power and other bits in it so, the car has to live outside.
3. I havn't done much spannering in my time except when my Dad and I rebuilt the engine on a 1.3 escort a few years ago, hardly comparable!
4. I have no savings, disposable income is currently around £2k per month but until now I have been using it to pay off various debts, how expensive are these things to run???
5. Is it what I really want? I seem to go through so many different mental processes when it comes to my next car that I can't make up my mind what aspects of a car matter most to me
6. Am I too young? Probably a stupid point but it feels like TVRs are something I should get into in a few years time
I'm not sure what sort of responses I'm hoping for here so, what would you do?
2. A garage is the best place for it in the long term. The chassis can/will rust over time if not subject to routine maintenance. I'd clear out the garage and get it in there, especially if you need to work on it.
3. There are two ways to deal with this; either find a tame garage that will do any required work cheap or do it yourself. If you're mechanically minded, then most stuff you can learn as you go along. This website is an invaluable source of information and most owners do the work themselves.
4. Try and build up a little emergency fund, say circa £2-3k. That should cover most things that are likely to fail. Running costs really depend on you. Lots of TVR owners spend a few thousand a year on upgrades, some just maintain, it's subjective. expect to do around 20mpg for a V8.
5. Try and test drive one. They give the most amazing rush when driving and the noise is intoxicating. Assume ownership is going to be hard work compared to a big marque sportscar, but they really are a labour of love.
6. I bought my S2 at 23 years old, now I'm considering a 4.6 V8 wedge. Owners tend to be a bit older due to insurance and running costs rather than the cars image. I never regret owning a TVR, even when it goes wrong.
HTH
I've used most of the TVR's I've owned as my daily and they have all lived or live ungaraged.
My first Chimaera was my daily for about 3 years and was very reliable with just the basics of service and brakes. I did change the shocks after a couple of years as well but nothing major.
My 'commute' included plenty of trips to Germany and a health 29mpg.
I always found the Chimaera a pleasure to drive.
My first Chimaera was my daily for about 3 years and was very reliable with just the basics of service and brakes. I did change the shocks after a couple of years as well but nothing major.
My 'commute' included plenty of trips to Germany and a health 29mpg.
I always found the Chimaera a pleasure to drive.
The fact you're asking means you want to be told to do it!
I'm similar to you, earn a little less, but have an Elise and a Cerbera as playthings. The answer you were looking for is the one I'll give you, but neither of these are everyday cars, whatever anyone says. You will come to hate it if you use it every day as you'll focus on the noise and lack of space as opposed to the looks, performance and, well, noise! Look at £10k for a toy that only does the miles you want it to, that'll hold the value it can, and £2k for a workhorse that can handle the day to day.
I'm similar to you, earn a little less, but have an Elise and a Cerbera as playthings. The answer you were looking for is the one I'll give you, but neither of these are everyday cars, whatever anyone says. You will come to hate it if you use it every day as you'll focus on the noise and lack of space as opposed to the looks, performance and, well, noise! Look at £10k for a toy that only does the miles you want it to, that'll hold the value it can, and £2k for a workhorse that can handle the day to day.
I use my Chim most days, not every day as I have a couple of motorbikes too, but it is used most days and certainly every weekend it gets a run.
Mine lives on the drive, the bikes take up all the garage space so I have no real choice. I do the vast majority of the work on it myself, but know my limitations so do envisage taking it to a specialist at some (infrequent) times.
20MPG is about right I'd say... A LITTLE more on a motorway run but not enough to make the overall average increase by much.
My daily comute is very short too, I suspect I'll have a larger comute sometime in the near future as i am being made redundant and will go contracting again.
With your budget you shouold either get a really well sorted Chim or reduce the budget a little and keep some as a reserve for any unexpected costs. TBH mine has been 100% reliable and other than upgrades it hasn't cost me much (just a new starter motor and battery) but that could have happened to any car.
A good 4.5 would be my choice in your circumstances, but don't overlook the 4.0, they're cracking too.
I don't have mine on a trickle charger, it can sit for a few weeks 9whilst i am on holiday for example) and still fire up first turn of the key.
Get a good outdoor cover if you do have it living on the drive - and get in the habit of putting it on! Even a half cover is better than nothing as it'll stop the UV from damaging the rear window and interior.
I might be tempted to buy a ~£8k Chim and a £3k runaround (and keep £1k as a spares fund) that way you have something cheap to use for the comute/crappy days and the Chim as something for the summer/better days (if we have one) or days when you just need some fun.
They really are spectacularly underrated cars, driving one never fails to cheer me up no matter what else is going on in my life, the senso of occassion is pretty intoxicating.
Mine lives on the drive, the bikes take up all the garage space so I have no real choice. I do the vast majority of the work on it myself, but know my limitations so do envisage taking it to a specialist at some (infrequent) times.
20MPG is about right I'd say... A LITTLE more on a motorway run but not enough to make the overall average increase by much.
My daily comute is very short too, I suspect I'll have a larger comute sometime in the near future as i am being made redundant and will go contracting again.
With your budget you shouold either get a really well sorted Chim or reduce the budget a little and keep some as a reserve for any unexpected costs. TBH mine has been 100% reliable and other than upgrades it hasn't cost me much (just a new starter motor and battery) but that could have happened to any car.
A good 4.5 would be my choice in your circumstances, but don't overlook the 4.0, they're cracking too.
I don't have mine on a trickle charger, it can sit for a few weeks 9whilst i am on holiday for example) and still fire up first turn of the key.
Get a good outdoor cover if you do have it living on the drive - and get in the habit of putting it on! Even a half cover is better than nothing as it'll stop the UV from damaging the rear window and interior.
I might be tempted to buy a ~£8k Chim and a £3k runaround (and keep £1k as a spares fund) that way you have something cheap to use for the comute/crappy days and the Chim as something for the summer/better days (if we have one) or days when you just need some fun.
They really are spectacularly underrated cars, driving one never fails to cheer me up no matter what else is going on in my life, the senso of occassion is pretty intoxicating.
All very positive responses so far, keep them coming, you lot are doing a good job of convincing me it's a good idea.
I havn't run it past SWMBO yet (not that it will actually make much difference) but, she did ban me from buying a 'girls car' like a Z4 (her words).
I havn't run it past SWMBO yet (not that it will actually make much difference) but, she did ban me from buying a 'girls car' like a Z4 (her words).
Julesprivate said:
They really are spectacularly underrated cars, driving one never fails to cheer me up no matter what else is going on in my life, the senso of occassion is pretty intoxicating.
This is pretty much the whole reason why I have started considering them, I was looking at things like E39 M5s and I just don't think they would give the same sense of occasion.Julesprivate said:
You're only in Cardiff - if there's nobody closer (I'm in Gloucester) and you fancy taking one for a spin drop me a PM, you can have a go in mine and see if it's really the car for you (mine is NOT for sale!).
That's a kind offer thank you, I may take you up on that once I get a bit more in to it. I'll need to sell the focus before I can start looking for a new car in anger really.Depends on you really.
It can be made to work as these guys demonstrate, but you've got to want to. I'm soft at heart so prefer to keep a softer car for my daily driver and keep the TVR for weekends.
They're all getting on a bit now and I suppose some element of ownership depends on whether you can take the bus if you need to without getting annoyed with the car. I couldn't do that. In addition, quality maintenance either means doing things in my own time - high quality but I'm very slow, or going to a specialist who charge a fair rate but for a very thorough job. You could get a local garage to do A job, the thoroughness will depend on how well they know the particulars of a TVR. To be fair though, I'm coming from a Cerbera perspective which I wouldn't trust to a normal garage due to complexities of a bespoke engine etc. A Chimaera is a simpler car.
The TVR-factor in the running costs based on planned and unplanned maintenance above will vary depending on how much of a hurry you're in. I can pace the costs as I don't need the car. You may need to do things quicker.
£2000/month though is way in excess of what these cars typically cost to run though, so depending on what else in your life relies on the money you can get a feel for what damage a TVR will do.
It's worth hanging on to the hatchback long enough to:
a) Save up enough to buy the TVR cash outright (repairing a car you're still paying for breeds resentment in my world)
b) Save up a little extra just in case (that'll take away fear of the unknown)
It's hard not to get excited about TVRs though.
It can be made to work as these guys demonstrate, but you've got to want to. I'm soft at heart so prefer to keep a softer car for my daily driver and keep the TVR for weekends.
They're all getting on a bit now and I suppose some element of ownership depends on whether you can take the bus if you need to without getting annoyed with the car. I couldn't do that. In addition, quality maintenance either means doing things in my own time - high quality but I'm very slow, or going to a specialist who charge a fair rate but for a very thorough job. You could get a local garage to do A job, the thoroughness will depend on how well they know the particulars of a TVR. To be fair though, I'm coming from a Cerbera perspective which I wouldn't trust to a normal garage due to complexities of a bespoke engine etc. A Chimaera is a simpler car.
The TVR-factor in the running costs based on planned and unplanned maintenance above will vary depending on how much of a hurry you're in. I can pace the costs as I don't need the car. You may need to do things quicker.
£2000/month though is way in excess of what these cars typically cost to run though, so depending on what else in your life relies on the money you can get a feel for what damage a TVR will do.
It's worth hanging on to the hatchback long enough to:
a) Save up enough to buy the TVR cash outright (repairing a car you're still paying for breeds resentment in my world)
b) Save up a little extra just in case (that'll take away fear of the unknown)
It's hard not to get excited about TVRs though.
Probably not too far off the mark considering your age.
I use Adrian Flux and they are "OK" they specialise in "unusual" vehicles... I had some issues with their choice of repair agent following a knock recently but other than that they are fine...
I use Adrian Flux and they are "OK" they specialise in "unusual" vehicles... I had some issues with their choice of repair agent following a knock recently but other than that they are fine...
Edited by Julesprivate on Tuesday 25th June 15:33
I'd say a Chim or Tuscan should be ok for "everyday" use (maybe a few other models too), chat to a few owners at a local TVRCC (or pistonheads/other car show?) meet?
Macey Runs a Tuscan as everyday transport so might be able to give you a few pointers.
Mark (MrZigaziga - check my spelling is correct) runs a 280i Wedge as "everyday" too, (when he's not tinkering with an upgrade or 3!)
I'd say yes go for it, but do some research with owners if similar car so you know the potentail pitfalls before you dive in.
There is no good or bad age to own a TVR at, and always nice to see a "new generation" taking an interest.
Once you have a TVR you'll realise not much else will give the same "silly grin" factor.
Macey Runs a Tuscan as everyday transport so might be able to give you a few pointers.
Mark (MrZigaziga - check my spelling is correct) runs a 280i Wedge as "everyday" too, (when he's not tinkering with an upgrade or 3!)
I'd say yes go for it, but do some research with owners if similar car so you know the potentail pitfalls before you dive in.
There is no good or bad age to own a TVR at, and always nice to see a "new generation" taking an interest.
Once you have a TVR you'll realise not much else will give the same "silly grin" factor.
Thanks for all the responses guys, sounds like everybody thinks its manageable in my circumstances. 
What should one be paying for a chim? The prices seem to vary quite a bit.
Ideally, I'd like to buy from a trader who'll take the Focus in part ex as I really hate selling cars.
Any opinions on this one? It's pretty close to me. (Not suggesting I'd buy it just because it's close!)
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
What should one be paying for a chim? The prices seem to vary quite a bit.
Ideally, I'd like to buy from a trader who'll take the Focus in part ex as I really hate selling cars.
Any opinions on this one? It's pretty close to me. (Not suggesting I'd buy it just because it's close!)
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
If you are looking for a trader that know their stuff - look at Fernhurst. A bit of a trek for you and some think overpriced but factor in one of their two year guarantees and you're pretty much sorted for unforeseen repairs - just need your servicing to pay for but if you're canny I'm sure you could get this as part of the deal. If you go there you'll probably go home with a TVR - impressive showrooms and very friendly especially to a newbie
Cats said:
If you are looking for a trader that know their stuff - look at Fernhurst. A bit of a trek for you and some think overpriced but factor in one of their two year guarantees and you're pretty much sorted for unforeseen repairs - just need your servicing to pay for but if you're canny I'm sure you could get this as part of the deal. If you go there you'll probably go home with a TVR - impressive showrooms and very friendly especially to a newbie
Thanks for that, was also just looking at James Agger who seems to have a pretty good rep. on here.Given that these companies specialise in TVR would they be likely to take a Focus in part ex? I'd have thought they might not be keen?
skahigh said:
Thanks for that, was also just looking at James Agger who seems to have a pretty good rep. on here.
Given that these companies specialise in TVR would they be likely to take a Focus in part ex? I'd have thought they might not be keen?
I think you would be offered buttons for the focus from these guys mate. Thats just how the trade works though. If you want market dosh then you will have to get your arse in gear and sell privately ! All IMHO as ever Given that these companies specialise in TVR would they be likely to take a Focus in part ex? I'd have thought they might not be keen?
Oh and as a ps, a TVR is indeed a must have for any car nut at some time in life.
Cheers Sandy
I guess the trade off if you go to one of these guys is that you are paying a fair bit more for a car that should be well sorted and to give you some peace of mind.
I see some of the Chims are listed for 15k or more which, seems to be in to private seller Tuscan money.
I'm really torn actually, I'm not in love with the looks of the Chim and the Griff, the Tuscan and the T350 are much more up my street but, I really like the idea of the simpler RV8 engine (not least for the noise).
I see some of the Chims are listed for 15k or more which, seems to be in to private seller Tuscan money.
I'm really torn actually, I'm not in love with the looks of the Chim and the Griff, the Tuscan and the T350 are much more up my street but, I really like the idea of the simpler RV8 engine (not least for the noise).
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