TVR Virgin, help please.
Discussion
Hello,
A member of my family has recently passed away and after the solicitors have been through the paperwork I will inherit some money. The silver lining to this cloud is that I will be able to realise a boyhood dream of owning a sports car. I have always wanted a TVR because they are British built and look and sound so different to the 'average' sports car. As the title of this post suggests I don't know which to go for.
Can anyone suggest a reliable dealer close to North London? Also are there any years/models to definitely avoid?
I have a budget of 30k max which I thought would restrict me to a second hand chimaera or cerbera but see Tuscans advertised at 25k on this website, is this worth looking at or is bound to be a turkey at that price. Would I be better off sticking with a high spec Chimaera or going for the Cerbera or Tuscan.
Appreciate this is a very non-specific post but not too sure of how to proceed? Any constructive response would be welcomed.
Cheers
A member of my family has recently passed away and after the solicitors have been through the paperwork I will inherit some money. The silver lining to this cloud is that I will be able to realise a boyhood dream of owning a sports car. I have always wanted a TVR because they are British built and look and sound so different to the 'average' sports car. As the title of this post suggests I don't know which to go for.
Can anyone suggest a reliable dealer close to North London? Also are there any years/models to definitely avoid?
I have a budget of 30k max which I thought would restrict me to a second hand chimaera or cerbera but see Tuscans advertised at 25k on this website, is this worth looking at or is bound to be a turkey at that price. Would I be better off sticking with a high spec Chimaera or going for the Cerbera or Tuscan.
Appreciate this is a very non-specific post but not too sure of how to proceed? Any constructive response would be welcomed.
Cheers
A chimaera is an easier car to live with but I wouldnt want to spend 30K on a chimp. You could go for T350 and finance the ret of the cost? Or a Tamora wont be much more than that. I would though thoroughly recommend a cerbera but would suggest not buying one from a dealer. Mark ups too high!
There is a good dealer near Barnet called The TVR Centre. They have a big range of used TVRs and just looking at them can help you make up your mind.
Needless to say everyone has their own opinions on TVRs but nearly everyone will say you have to make your own mind up.
If I had £30,000 right now I would get a Chimaera as they are well built and a good introduction to TVR ownership. I believe you can get a nice one for around £20,000 so you plenty left over for insurance, servicing, trackdays (tyres!) and any eventualities.
Hope this post helps!
Needless to say everyone has their own opinions on TVRs but nearly everyone will say you have to make your own mind up.
If I had £30,000 right now I would get a Chimaera as they are well built and a good introduction to TVR ownership. I believe you can get a nice one for around £20,000 so you plenty left over for insurance, servicing, trackdays (tyres!) and any eventualities.
Hope this post helps!
welcome to pistonheads. I came into TVR through the sad demise of my father
I bought a 4ltr Chimaera and can say it the best decision Ive made re cars. What a motor and what a lifestyle - TVRCC - gives great pleasure and now Im an RO!
Buy your first for £16k and save the rest - when youve grown out of the 4ltr - might not! - then look at others
Such a great car and well sorted now
Dont go there!
Welcome to the club (in anticipation of you making the right choice!)
I bought a 4ltr Chimaera and can say it the best decision Ive made re cars. What a motor and what a lifestyle - TVRCC - gives great pleasure and now Im an RO!
Buy your first for £16k and save the rest - when youve grown out of the 4ltr - might not! - then look at others
Such a great car and well sorted now
Dont go there!
Welcome to the club (in anticipation of you making the right choice!)
The very worst thing you can do is make a choice on price without ever having driven any of them. The difference between driving a 4.5 Cerbera and a 4.0 Chimaera (for example) is immense. It's not just that they look a little different, they are totally TOTALLY different cars.
You need to get yourself out and about and drive TVRs. A good dealer with a range of stock will understand your predicament and let you drive the lot.
Let your head/heart tell you what to go for and don't be influenced by what someone else chose, or would choose with your £30k - they could have had very different reasons for their choice that are not actually applicable to you!
You need to consider cost of ownership too however, and that's where this forum can help. A good Griff or Chim will (likely) be the cheapest to run and maintain - if that's something you need to consider.
You need to get yourself out and about and drive TVRs. A good dealer with a range of stock will understand your predicament and let you drive the lot.
Let your head/heart tell you what to go for and don't be influenced by what someone else chose, or would choose with your £30k - they could have had very different reasons for their choice that are not actually applicable to you!
You need to consider cost of ownership too however, and that's where this forum can help. A good Griff or Chim will (likely) be the cheapest to run and maintain - if that's something you need to consider.
Also, consider your continuing financial position...I don't know who you are or anything about you, so I don't wish to presume, but bear in mind that the initial purchase price of a TVR is not the end of the expense, it's just the beginning.
It's well worth looking at the 'Fleet' section of PH, and seeing what costs people have logged against the cars you are interested in...and then add a bit more. There are very few people keep their cars history up-to-date (I do - but I'm way below your budget).
I don't want to put a downer on the matter, but it would be a shame for you to spend 30k on a Tuscan, if you could not realistically hope to keep it on the road with servicing etc. Much better to spend 20k on a sorted Chimaera or Griffith, and have the reserve, just in case.
It's well worth looking at the 'Fleet' section of PH, and seeing what costs people have logged against the cars you are interested in...and then add a bit more. There are very few people keep their cars history up-to-date (I do - but I'm way below your budget).
I don't want to put a downer on the matter, but it would be a shame for you to spend 30k on a Tuscan, if you could not realistically hope to keep it on the road with servicing etc. Much better to spend 20k on a sorted Chimaera or Griffith, and have the reserve, just in case.
plewis66 said: I don't want to put a downer on the matter, but it would be a shame for you to spend 30k on a Tuscan, if you could not realistically hope to keep it on the road with servicing etc. Much better to spend 20k on a sorted Chimaera or Griffith, and have the reserve, just in case.
I would second these comments. I had a similar budget for my first TVR about 10 months ago and really wanted to buy a Tuscan. In the end, I chose a Griff 500LE and I'm so glad I did. As the car had been in production for over 10 years and was at the end of it's production run, most of the problems had been sorted.
Also, it's actually a very cost efficient supercar with reasonable insurance, fuel economy and general running costs.
It's also nice to own a classic TVR, with V8 power. The Griff is going to be available less and less now that production has ceased, whereas you will still be able to but Cerbs and Tuscans new for a few years yet.
When you get one, and once you've driven one you WILL get one 
Get yourself on a track or airfield day 
As David says get along to a local meet, and have a chat with some owners
Don't be tempted to spend all your budget on the car, the maintainence is not cheap (unless you're handy with the spanners, parts are very reasonable)
Get yourself on a track or airfield day As David says get along to a local meet, and have a chat with some owners
Don't be tempted to spend all your budget on the car, the maintainence is not cheap (unless you're handy with the spanners, parts are very reasonable)
'Don't be tempted to spend all your budget on the car, the maintainence is not cheap'
I'd go along with that. Plus, at the £30K mark, you'll lose shedloads in depreciation. A £20K TVR will be just as fast, loud and lovely, you just get a different letter on the plate. For the difference, I can live with that! (97 Griff 500)
What a nice problem to have though!
I'd go along with that. Plus, at the £30K mark, you'll lose shedloads in depreciation. A £20K TVR will be just as fast, loud and lovely, you just get a different letter on the plate. For the difference, I can live with that! (97 Griff 500)
What a nice problem to have though!
david010167 said: My suggestion is to find a local meet for a TVR club, go along and chat to the owners and see which car you like in the flesh away from the sales pressure. You may get some rides in them, and you may discover which car is for you.
>> Edited by david010167 on Monday 9th June 20:03
I was lucky enough to buy through a friend of a friend, but the advice above is well worth taking.
Whatever you end up buying, nothing will ever compare to your first Tiv.
You could have had mine, but it's not for sale now as I decided to shoot the puppy instead. It was an easy choice in the end.............
I'll second Simpo on that score Billy - there is no need to spend anywhere near £30k, there are a lot of great cars around for £20k and under (unless you are desparate for one of the newer models of course).
Have a look at a dealer (DO NOT let them get you behind the wheel or all will be lost! ) - Have a look at Sprint mag - and contact Rob Ingleby at 'findasportscar.co.uk' - he's a top guy, knows his TVRs and where to find them, and will give you heaps of good unbiased advice.
Good luck!
Have a look at a dealer (DO NOT let them get you behind the wheel or all will be lost!
) - Have a look at Sprint mag - and contact Rob Ingleby at 'findasportscar.co.uk' - he's a top guy, knows his TVRs and where to find them, and will give you heaps of good unbiased advice. Good luck!
Welcome to the club Billy, you can't go wrong with a Tiv.
I would suggest speaking to Rob Ingleby. Lots of free advice, and for a small fee he will search the country for a particualr model and get an excellent price. He got my Griff, and I haven't regretted a single day since. His website is:
www.findasportscar.co.uk/
Also, test drive everything, and see which one takes ya fancy. Not only will it give you an insight into what its like to drive a TVR, but also, its bloody good FREE fun
Enjoy yourself,
Martin
I would suggest speaking to Rob Ingleby. Lots of free advice, and for a small fee he will search the country for a particualr model and get an excellent price. He got my Griff, and I haven't regretted a single day since. His website is:
www.findasportscar.co.uk/
Also, test drive everything, and see which one takes ya fancy. Not only will it give you an insight into what its like to drive a TVR, but also, its bloody good FREE fun
Enjoy yourself,
Martin
You Know buying your first TVR is very much like making Love to a beautiful woman.
First you've got to check through a few magazines and see which does it for you, maybe even check out the odd website.
Then after some searching you need to try out as many as possible, take it on a fairly long ride, then get out and climb into something a little bit different. Beware not to thrash them to hard as their owners might not be too impressed.
Then when you've made your decision as to the type you would like, check under the bonnet for leaks, and other wear and tear. paying particular attention to the under carriage. If all looks well, she's not expensive and you were happy with the ride. Climb in and take her home.
I've been with mine for about 3 months now and am already looking at others.
First you've got to check through a few magazines and see which does it for you, maybe even check out the odd website.
Then after some searching you need to try out as many as possible, take it on a fairly long ride, then get out and climb into something a little bit different. Beware not to thrash them to hard as their owners might not be too impressed.
Then when you've made your decision as to the type you would like, check under the bonnet for leaks, and other wear and tear. paying particular attention to the under carriage. If all looks well, she's not expensive and you were happy with the ride. Climb in and take her home.
I've been with mine for about 3 months now and am already looking at others.
(many, many moons ago now 
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