TVR owners not upgrading
Discussion
Is it just me, or do I get a strong sense that there's quite a few S, Chimaera and Griff owners out there who are selling, but not reinvesting in a Tuscan, Tamora or T350.
At a club meet at the weekend there were 3 Griff owners who have sold and moved on to other marques and judging by the current Griff buying frenzy it does seem that quite a lot are moving out of the TVR fold.
Let's hope TVR's new sales figures hold out.
At a club meet at the weekend there were 3 Griff owners who have sold and moved on to other marques and judging by the current Griff buying frenzy it does seem that quite a lot are moving out of the TVR fold.
Let's hope TVR's new sales figures hold out.
Well I for one wouldn't know what to buy. i love the Tuscan shape but have speedsixaphobia (whether its justified or not!), the Tamora just doesn't do it for me visually and the T350 isn't a convertible.
I honestly thought I'd always have a TVR but when it comes time to change my totally reliable and (in my eyes anyway) fabulous looking Griff 500 I'm not sure what I'll do!
There's a few others here with the same concerns; there was a thread on it not so long ago here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=34018
Marco
I honestly thought I'd always have a TVR but when it comes time to change my totally reliable and (in my eyes anyway) fabulous looking Griff 500 I'm not sure what I'll do!
There's a few others here with the same concerns; there was a thread on it not so long ago here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=34018
Marco
Trouble is that the Noble M12, amongst others, is providing a credible alternative to TVR ownership and turning a lot of heads. I for one know what I'm going to replace my Chimaera 500 with and it's either a Cerbera or an M12. Or both if the good times start rolling again in the IT contract market one day. 
One thing that is putting me off selling and buying a Cerb/Tuscan or any TVR engined model is that of increased running costs. At the moment the Chimaera is relatively reasnoable to maintain, I would hate to buy a newer model TVR and then to spend a lot extra in maintenance and not have enough spare cash to go out and enjoy the car! (I don't want to start the Rover V8/AJP debate off again though).
I guess the solution for me is to earn more money. Now I've re-read this I'm not sure it relates directly to Angus's thread but hey!
Chris
I guess the solution for me is to earn more money. Now I've re-read this I'm not sure it relates directly to Angus's thread but hey!
Chris
We sold our Griff with a view to upgrading to a Cerb (well, that was one of the options anyway) because of its extra "seats" (in the broad sense of the word!) - but they were rather few and far between. I spent last Saturday phoning round loads of dealers in the south-east, only to be told that cars with the 4.2 AJP engine were in very short supply. Only managed to find one, actually - just as well it was a nice one. 
But if we hadn't found that one? We'd probably have bought Beemer's M3 (sorry Beemer!!) or possibly a Porsche 968. Any other TVR simply wouldn't have been an option, unless they do them with periscopes and air-holes in the boot lid these days, or maybe little trailers which are supplied with baby-sized flying goggles and helmets.
So we almost switched from Tivdom to Tivlessness simply because of a lack of options.
>> Edited by SGirl on Tuesday 15th April 17:30
But if we hadn't found that one? We'd probably have bought Beemer's M3 (sorry Beemer!!) or possibly a Porsche 968. Any other TVR simply wouldn't have been an option, unless they do them with periscopes and air-holes in the boot lid these days, or maybe little trailers which are supplied with baby-sized flying goggles and helmets.
So we almost switched from Tivdom to Tivlessness simply because of a lack of options.
>> Edited by SGirl on Tuesday 15th April 17:30
Sold the S2 :fingerscrossed: and replacing with a Landy Lightweight. Getting out of TVR ownership before I lose my license.... 
Edited to add that if someone wants to give me the money to re-invest in a T350 I'll be happy to take them up on the offer and return to the fold
>> Edited by pete_w on Tuesday 15th April 17:41
Edited to add that if someone wants to give me the money to re-invest in a T350 I'll be happy to take them up on the offer and return to the fold
>> Edited by pete_w on Tuesday 15th April 17:41
Going through this at the moment.
Very similar situation to SGirl and have decided to not go the Cerb route just yet.
When V plate 4.5's get down to about £20-£22K though, thats an entirely different matter.
As far as replacement sports cars go well south of a Vanquish there is NOTHING I would rather have than a TVR...
Matt.
Very similar situation to SGirl and have decided to not go the Cerb route just yet.
When V plate 4.5's get down to about £20-£22K though, thats an entirely different matter.
As far as replacement sports cars go well south of a Vanquish there is NOTHING I would rather have than a TVR...
Matt.
I think it just goes to show what a negative rumour and the subsequent truths about the Cerb & Tuscsan reliability are doing to the marque. Add to that a group of fleecing dealers and you have the recipe for diaster. If things go on the way are, I give TVR a couple of years before it gets bought out by a rival due TVR's crappy reputation for reliability & customer service...
Yes I know exactly what you mean. I had to get out of TVR ownership recently as some may know (cashflow went south a bit last year), and I now own something far more boring but which costs me next to nowt to run.
Now I'm thinking ahead to the next car, and I have to say though I really really would love to get another TVR (I drooled over the window at Dream Machines' T350 on Saturday), the thought of the potential hassles and cost is not encouraging. The new cars don't sound any more sorted than the Chimaeras and Griffs and they cost a lot. Not to mention their disastrous residuals.
For £25-30k I can get a Porker 993 which I can be reasonably certain is going to be hassle-free, performance is comparable to the Chimaera, and it even makes a reasonable noise. Frankly, the only issue is the lack of practical boot space which my ex-Chimaera did have, as I occasionally lug a large telescope around (it's my idea of a good time, don't ask).
Generally, it seeems to me that TVRs have gone up in price while remaining at the same level of reliability/build quality. I'd love another Chimaera, really I would but I find it hard to justify when there are other reasonably comparable cars around without the hassles.
Now I'm thinking ahead to the next car, and I have to say though I really really would love to get another TVR (I drooled over the window at Dream Machines' T350 on Saturday), the thought of the potential hassles and cost is not encouraging. The new cars don't sound any more sorted than the Chimaeras and Griffs and they cost a lot. Not to mention their disastrous residuals.
For £25-30k I can get a Porker 993 which I can be reasonably certain is going to be hassle-free, performance is comparable to the Chimaera, and it even makes a reasonable noise. Frankly, the only issue is the lack of practical boot space which my ex-Chimaera did have, as I occasionally lug a large telescope around (it's my idea of a good time, don't ask).
Generally, it seeems to me that TVRs have gone up in price while remaining at the same level of reliability/build quality. I'd love another Chimaera, really I would but I find it hard to justify when there are other reasonably comparable cars around without the hassles.
AndrewC said: I think it just goes to show what a negative rumour and the subsequent truths about the Cerb & Tuscsan reliability are doing to the marque. Add to that a group of fleecing dealers and you have the recipe for diaster. If things go on the way are, I give TVR a couple of years before it gets bought out by a rival due TVR's crappy reputation for reliability & customer service...
Not at all. I think people are just being realistic. Better to run an older Tiv properly than to neglect a newer Tiv because you can't afford to look after it. It's widely acknowledged that a Cerbie is about twice as costly to run as a Griff or Chim. I think it's the running costs that hit the prices hard in the Cerb's case. I'd certainly have no qualms about the reliability of the AJP8 from what I've seen.
With the AJP6 powered cars I'm sure the same thing will happen. As the engine is better understood and matures it will become easier to run one without main dealer support. I've noticed lots of people upgrading to Tuscans recently, so while I think people are cautious it's not all doom and gloom.
You only normally hear bad news, in this forum and elsewhere, so your perception can be skewed versus reality. Happy owners don't say much, because they tend to be out driving.
Just my five cents,
Steve.
robkola said: Similar reason as to why people buy homes with character that take a lot more care - because the joy of ownership and pride is enormous!
One could always just buy a Barrett (spelling) home!
Funny that coming from a man with a TVR and a derelict Chapel!
Got it back from the body place yet?
Matt.
Steve_T said: I think people are just being realistic. Better to run an older Tiv properly than to neglect a newer Tiv because you can't afford to look after it.
nail on the head for me. I have the S, wanted a Griff, then fell in love with a Tuscan. Now in a position where I could purchase an early one (proceeds of a house sale) but scared I would not have the regular income to run one; whereas the S is relatively inexpensive next to the Tuscan.
Possibly, but the general quality and performance has increased as well. Remember the S type had "drum" rear brakes, V8S - semi trailing suspension, early Griffiths/Chimaeras small front brake discs which were not even ventilated etc. Now we "expect" out TVRs to come equipped with decent discs, four-pot AP Racing brakes, race-honed suspension, 350-400 bhp etc. etc. Early tivs looked great and went well but as we all know there were some corners cut to keep the price down. Basically since the 500 and AJPV8, TVR have been comparable to Porsche & Ferrari etc. in performance and we now expect a level of handling, braking etc. to match... and that don't come cheap. I think TVRs prices have increased because basically they are becoming better cars. Rich...
manek said: it seeems to me that TVRs have gone up in price while remaining at the same level of reliability/build quality.
Forums | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff