Searching for a TVR - but also some advice
Discussion
Hi all
excuse the fact i have posted this in the chimaera forum as well...
New to this forum but a regular at the excellent fiat coupe forum. I have just sold my 6 speed Fiat coupe 20v Turbo as a result of a new job with a company car so decided cant justify the coupe as well as a company car.
I am after some general advice – I drove 4 different cars a couple of weekends ago – Alfa V6 spider, Honda S2000, Elise 2 and TVR Chimaera 4.5 (Adrian Blyth)
Have to say I really adored my first drive in a TVR and Adrian seems a good bloke with plenty of knowledge. I think the chimeara looks the most practical of the TVR and Adrian has some around £20k for R / S plates..
Id like some really honest opinions if possible on TVR ownership – are they as unreliable as people make out, what are Adrian Blyth like or other specialists ? Is it better to buy from a main dealer ? etc etc.. I am in no rush but really fancy a TVR I want to do my homework and get a real good un for around £20k ish.. Can I expect something decent for this money ? Is a TVR worth the hassle you will no doubt get from time to time or do I go for a sensible Boxster ? any help greatly greatly appreciated !! cheers ..
Andy
excuse the fact i have posted this in the chimaera forum as well...
New to this forum but a regular at the excellent fiat coupe forum. I have just sold my 6 speed Fiat coupe 20v Turbo as a result of a new job with a company car so decided cant justify the coupe as well as a company car.
I am after some general advice – I drove 4 different cars a couple of weekends ago – Alfa V6 spider, Honda S2000, Elise 2 and TVR Chimaera 4.5 (Adrian Blyth)
Have to say I really adored my first drive in a TVR and Adrian seems a good bloke with plenty of knowledge. I think the chimeara looks the most practical of the TVR and Adrian has some around £20k for R / S plates..
Id like some really honest opinions if possible on TVR ownership – are they as unreliable as people make out, what are Adrian Blyth like or other specialists ? Is it better to buy from a main dealer ? etc etc.. I am in no rush but really fancy a TVR I want to do my homework and get a real good un for around £20k ish.. Can I expect something decent for this money ? Is a TVR worth the hassle you will no doubt get from time to time or do I go for a sensible Boxster ? any help greatly greatly appreciated !! cheers ..
Andy
Yep... Boxster & sensible... two words meant for each other 
If you want big engines, big noise and big fun - it's got to be a TVR.
I got my 97 Griff 500 in Feb, like you, to use in place of the company motor at weekends. No probs so far except annoying the wife intensely... which I did before anyway so what the hell!
Seriously, if you want any further info/good source of inspected cars I'd give a guy called Rob Ingleby a go - he is well known and well respected in the TVR world - you'll find him at 'findasportscar.co.uk' .
Good luck.
al
If you want big engines, big noise and big fun - it's got to be a TVR.
I got my 97 Griff 500 in Feb, like you, to use in place of the company motor at weekends. No probs so far except annoying the wife intensely... which I did before anyway so what the hell!
Seriously, if you want any further info/good source of inspected cars I'd give a guy called Rob Ingleby a go - he is well known and well respected in the TVR world - you'll find him at 'findasportscar.co.uk' .
Good luck.
al
Don't know Adrian Blyth.But i have A TVR. Had him 2 months reliable so far.Honest opinion,heavy gears and hand break.but u do get used to them.anything else i drive now feels like a jelly.
Take care in the wet,respect your car and you will be fine.
As for the Boxter I test drove a Boxter.was fun and u can push it in the wet (I did) but not as much fun as the TVR.
No lovley rumbling either and every twentieth car is a Boxter whilst u dont see that many TVR.s (well not until you get one and go to the meets.)
Test drive as many as u can.get what u feel comfortable with.
Take care in the wet,respect your car and you will be fine.
As for the Boxter I test drove a Boxter.was fun and u can push it in the wet (I did) but not as much fun as the TVR.
No lovley rumbling either and every twentieth car is a Boxter whilst u dont see that many TVR.s (well not until you get one and go to the meets.)
Test drive as many as u can.get what u feel comfortable with.
Bought my Griff from Adrian 2.5 odd years ago, and (touch wood) I've had no real problems with it. It's been more reliable than my old golf, and waaaay more reliable than a beemer I used to own.
Great cars and as has been said Adrian as an indipendant (and as most indipendants) trades on his reputation not brand, ...and he is quite often as competative as privately sold cars.
Great cars and as has been said Adrian as an indipendant (and as most indipendants) trades on his reputation not brand, ...and he is quite often as competative as privately sold cars.
TVR Hunter, now that you've got this far you really can't back out without losing face! None of the other cars you mention come close to the TVR experience. You will simply have to buy one, and in the unlikely event that you really don't like it, you can always sell it again next year and say at least you tried it.
There will be chapter and verse on buying TVRs here on PH but my simple advice is get a good one (even if it means paying a bit extra), learn about it so that you keep an eye on its foibles, and look after it. Personally I buy privately, in which case how much I like the previous owner is a factor too.
Get around and see a few (eg TVRCC meets) and get to understand the breed, meet the owners etc, and then your final choice will be that much more likely to be a good one. Your first TVR only happens once so enjoy the experience!
There will be chapter and verse on buying TVRs here on PH but my simple advice is get a good one (even if it means paying a bit extra), learn about it so that you keep an eye on its foibles, and look after it. Personally I buy privately, in which case how much I like the previous owner is a factor too.
Get around and see a few (eg TVRCC meets) and get to understand the breed, meet the owners etc, and then your final choice will be that much more likely to be a good one. Your first TVR only happens once so enjoy the experience!
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