Tempted to the world of TVR
Discussion
Had my first TVR experience exactly 7 days ago in a friends Cerbera. So I have decided to get one myself. But can anyone guide me on a few questions?
What will I get for 20K - 25K and where is the best place to find one?
Are TVRs really as unreliable as i think they are? (Do I need to keep a plan B in the Guarage?)
Is there such a thing as the right TVR to start with? (With 2 small kids a 2 plus 2 is probably ideal for that rare occaision I need to take them somewhere!!
Finally do I need a winter car or will i survive in the TVR (Low Mileage user).
Any guidance much appreciated.
James K
What will I get for 20K - 25K and where is the best place to find one?
Are TVRs really as unreliable as i think they are? (Do I need to keep a plan B in the Guarage?)
Is there such a thing as the right TVR to start with? (With 2 small kids a 2 plus 2 is probably ideal for that rare occaision I need to take them somewhere!!
Finally do I need a winter car or will i survive in the TVR (Low Mileage user).
Any guidance much appreciated.
James K
go for it mate, this one just comes in your budget, and has been used as a daily driver so shouldnt imagine too many problems
www.pistonheads.com/sales/46387.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/46387.htm
James K said:
What will I get for 20K - 25K and where is the best place to find one?
Pretty much any model apart from the Sagaris, but it will be the bottom end of the S6 market. Do you have an annual maintenance budget in mind?
James K said:How unreliable do you think they are
Are TVRs really as unreliable as i think they are? (Do I need to keep a plan B in the Guarage?)
James K said:A Griff or Chim IMHO. Cheaper to run than the S6 or AJP8 engined cars. Depends what car you are coming from as well - a Chim 400 might be a sensible first TVR if you aren't used to a lightweight, rwd car without driver aids.
Is there such a thing as the right TVR to start with?
James K said:Ah. Only real choice is a Cerbera then, but not a 'starter' TVR IMHO, in terms of driver ability required or how it could hit you in the pocket.
With 2 small kids a 2 plus 2 is probably ideal for that rare occaision I need to take them somewhere!!.
James K said:I have a 'spare' car, but I used it for when I might be without the TVR for a week (servicing never seems to be turned around in a day), or when I have to park somewhere dodgy.
Finally do I need a winter car or will i survive in the TVR (Low Mileage user)
I've driven all three of my TVR's all year round.
James,
Paul has given you a fairly even answer, but I suspect the overwhelming feeling will be "go for it".
Having always lusted after a TVR, I took the plunge with a Griff 500 and regretted it ever after. What a dog!
From this, I'm not sure there's such a thing as a good first TVR. It's a bit of a gamble (more so than other marques in my opinion) so do the research and try to reduce the risk on the one you buy. Personally I wish I'd gone for the cerb rather than the Griff, as I'll never go back to TVR but I fell in love with the cerb but bought a Griff.
So, if your heart is yearning for one, go for it - otherwise you'll never scratch that itch. Good luck!
Paul has given you a fairly even answer, but I suspect the overwhelming feeling will be "go for it".
Having always lusted after a TVR, I took the plunge with a Griff 500 and regretted it ever after. What a dog!
From this, I'm not sure there's such a thing as a good first TVR. It's a bit of a gamble (more so than other marques in my opinion) so do the research and try to reduce the risk on the one you buy. Personally I wish I'd gone for the cerb rather than the Griff, as I'll never go back to TVR but I fell in love with the cerb but bought a Griff.
So, if your heart is yearning for one, go for it - otherwise you'll never scratch that itch. Good luck!
mrmaggit said:
You bought the one that didn't talk to you!
The right one for you will talk to you. It sounds really surreal, but when I saw Wol, our Griff, he subconciously spoke to me. No other Griffs have, at all.
Listen for your subconsious. The truth is out there!
Been chewing on the mushrooms again maggit
sounds like the cerb is the one for you. although a good thing to do is go to a local TVRCC or PH meet and get to sit in a few and maybe the drivers will take you for a spin, and go fom there.
BB
Well I was in the same boat a few weeks ago and thought s0d it you only live once and pick my late model chim up next week. For that amount of cash you looking at the very few last chims or early tamoras/350s at a push.
If as you say you may need to transport two kids then I would go for something non TVR full stop.
Not having any yet I can live with no airbags, abs etc etc and that is part of the appeal but with kids in tow I would have to look elsewhere. All depends on how often you would be transporting them around.
I know every car is as dangerous as you drive it but its always the other loon who piles into you that is the worry. Don't get me wrong I'm only just entering the world of TVR and I think I am going to love it alot. Do some research and so long as you know what tvr ownership entails I cant say a bad word against it. (so far )
If as you say you may need to transport two kids then I would go for something non TVR full stop.
Not having any yet I can live with no airbags, abs etc etc and that is part of the appeal but with kids in tow I would have to look elsewhere. All depends on how often you would be transporting them around.
I know every car is as dangerous as you drive it but its always the other loon who piles into you that is the worry. Don't get me wrong I'm only just entering the world of TVR and I think I am going to love it alot. Do some research and so long as you know what tvr ownership entails I cant say a bad word against it. (so far
)Well...with a Cerb you've probably picked the most expensive TVR to run.
Course...the Sagaris may have taken on that mantle..I'll let you know in a years time!!!
With a Cerb you need to buy with the head...not the heart or it can bite you really hard.
If its had a lot of owners....think carefully.....
A full service history says that it's been looked after......
The very best thing to do is attend your nearest TVRcc Meet...you'll find details on the TVRcc website.
There you can talk to owners about the foibles of the Cerb and what questions to ask when you buy.....
i.e. starter motors, clutch, leaks in driver's footwell, fifth gear breakages....all that sort of stuff relevant to Cerbs.
If you can't attend the Meet, give the local RO a ring and if they can't tell you about Cerbs they will probably give you a number for someone in their region who can.
Ours was a beaut and we only sold her to get the Sagaris.....but the new owner is loving every minute of her.
Good luck..........hope to see pics up soon.
YP
Course...the Sagaris may have taken on that mantle..I'll let you know in a years time!!!
With a Cerb you need to buy with the head...not the heart or it can bite you really hard.
If its had a lot of owners....think carefully.....
A full service history says that it's been looked after......
The very best thing to do is attend your nearest TVRcc Meet...you'll find details on the TVRcc website.
There you can talk to owners about the foibles of the Cerb and what questions to ask when you buy.....
i.e. starter motors, clutch, leaks in driver's footwell, fifth gear breakages....all that sort of stuff relevant to Cerbs.
If you can't attend the Meet, give the local RO a ring and if they can't tell you about Cerbs they will probably give you a number for someone in their region who can.
Ours was a beaut and we only sold her to get the Sagaris.....but the new owner is loving every minute of her.
Good luck..........hope to see pics up soon.
YP
You only live once. I thought about buying a TVR, and realised that I didn't want to hit retirement age having owned only euroboxes and nice-but-mundane cars.
Get one, have a laugh, be prepared for everybody to admire you (and they will, its not wankyness like a Z4 or Porsche), enjoy every drive out for whatever reason.
Don't be frightened by the reliability issue, IMO you don't hear about the majority of TVRs that run without issue.
Get one, have a laugh, be prepared for everybody to admire you (and they will, its not wankyness like a Z4 or Porsche), enjoy every drive out for whatever reason.
Don't be frightened by the reliability issue, IMO you don't hear about the majority of TVRs that run without issue.
Before I bought my first TVR, I viewed them as relatively fast desirable sports cars that I'd like to own if I could afford it. It was only after I bought my frst one that I found out how much of a community there is among TVRs owners and enthusiasts. You're buying far more than a sports car.
Also there are a few other 4 seaters about. There were a hand full of 4 seat wedges as well as the cerbs, and although expensive for an old car will be cherished because of the rarity. If you want an open top car and can cope with a two seater then a chim or griff may be the way to go. Also you could always buy a cheap 4 seater for the odd occasion you want one.
I echo Pauline's statement of pop along to your local TVRCC meeting and talk to a few owners. You will soon decide if a TVR is for you.
If close to Yorks or Dorset ping me via my profile for a chat.
Bob
I echo Pauline's statement of pop along to your local TVRCC meeting and talk to a few owners. You will soon decide if a TVR is for you.
If close to Yorks or Dorset ping me via my profile for a chat.
Bob
GOM said:
A year in the life of a TVR owner:
Its a typical year for some
but there are a great deal of folk (all types of TVRs) who buy, own one for years, and only ever have a few small niggles. re: the Cerb, its demonically fast, pops and bangs for England, and the grin factor is unbearable without a rubber lips modification
4 Seats means you take your best mate with you in style and comfort, and be able to crush a few stragglers into the back 'seats' Buy a cerb, and you absolutely positively will not regret it as far as fun goes
but put aside a few k for emergencies. Cerberas can and do go wong, but the massively expensive problems are the exception rather than the rule. I saw a 4.5 litre V8 at Dream Machines on Saturday going for 20k! Privately you should be able to buy a cracking cerb for that or even less money. re: looks and attention, you wont get a moments peace. You'll need sunglasses and tinted windows. A cerbera would be a good introduction car... for a wannabe celebrity!
mrmaggit said:
You bought the one that didn't talk to you!
The right one for you will talk to you. It sounds really surreal, but when I saw Wol, our Griff, he subconciously spoke to me. No other Griffs have, at all.
Listen for your subconsious. The truth is out there!
Bingo! Thanks Mag.
Whenever I get asked why I put the order down for a Sagaris after Ive listed the things I didnt like about the car Ive always struggled for a decent answer. I think your words just about come closest. The damn thing just spoke to me. It was that evil, insiduous thought that gets in your head and just says "Go on, you know you want to. You know im bad, you know Ill probably bankrupt you, Ill break you heart and frankly Ill probably break your limbs also, but you have to have me."
Or is it just me who as soon as that thought gets in my head the goody sensible side of the brain just says "nuts, we've lost this one then!" ?
Oh well, next week cant come soon enough!
Go for it ! A cerb all the way.
The Speed 6 is a better every day Cerb than the AJP ie better in traffic etc...
But they are a nightmare to sell and whilst they are probably more reliable than an AJP V8 they are much more likely to need serious engine work in your ownership.
So on balance I say go for a 4.5 AJP. Spend about 18 - 20K private. Keep 2 or 3 K in the bank for bills and buy an old 5 series bmw for £1500 to transport family with (more) safety.
OR listen to doom merchants / risk averse and just buy a mondeo.
TVR motto = Live to Regret.
The Speed 6 is a better every day Cerb than the AJP ie better in traffic etc...
But they are a nightmare to sell and whilst they are probably more reliable than an AJP V8 they are much more likely to need serious engine work in your ownership.
So on balance I say go for a 4.5 AJP. Spend about 18 - 20K private. Keep 2 or 3 K in the bank for bills and buy an old 5 series bmw for £1500 to transport family with (more) safety.
OR listen to doom merchants / risk averse and just buy a mondeo.
TVR motto = Live to Regret.
James K
You called
and They Came
Where are you.......?
For the record, as Clarkson infamously said of the Cerby's 2+2 claim, "Ok for two offspring .... (drops the tone of voice) if they're (then hits the top note) GUINEApigs"
My advice? With that dosh, get a Griff or a Cerb V8 4.3 or bigger and a nice Audi A8 or better still, the best Rover P6 V8S 3.5L you can find for the winter.
You called
and They Came
Where are you.......?
For the record, as Clarkson infamously said of the Cerby's 2+2 claim, "Ok for two offspring .... (drops the tone of voice) if they're (then hits the top note) GUINEApigs"
My advice? With that dosh, get a Griff or a Cerb V8 4.3 or bigger and a nice Audi A8 or better still, the best Rover P6 V8S 3.5L you can find for the winter.
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