TVR to 996. Natural progression?
Discussion
T350 to 996 C4s
My previous car to the t350 was an Elise 111s, a scalpel to the TVR's sledgehammer. The 996 is somewhere between the 2, not as brutal ss the tvr, not as sharp as the Elise. The 996 seems like a natural step forward to me.
If i were you id also consider 997, my c4s could be available if youre interested
My previous car to the t350 was an Elise 111s, a scalpel to the TVR's sledgehammer. The 996 is somewhere between the 2, not as brutal ss the tvr, not as sharp as the Elise. The 996 seems like a natural step forward to me.
If i were you id also consider 997, my c4s could be available if youre interested
I'd caution anyone thinking about this move that parts and servicing and repairs can get expensive on a 996. They're far from solid. I don't want to clutter up this thread too much so if anyone is looking for further information then pop in here for a chat
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
ATM said:
I'd caution anyone thinking about this move that parts and servicing and repairs can get expensive on a 996. They're far from solid. I don't want to clutter up this thread too much so if anyone is looking for further information then pop in here for a chat
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
Really! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
I have zero experience of TVR but I would be amazed if a TVR was more reliable than a 996.
Lefty said:
I suspect you may have more things go wrong with a TVR but they cost less overall to repair the occasional biggie on a 911.
Just guessing.
Correct Just guessing.
Engines go pop or need rebuilding
Gearboxes go pop or need rebuilding
They rust too
And then there is absolutely everything else
Yeah, thought so.
I think, realistically, anyone buying any of these cars in the £20-30k range needs to accept they are “old” and were originally expensive cars. The running/maintenance costs only go up. Rust here in the UK can cost *lots* of money on any old car to keep at bay.
There are hundreds of of stories of people buying “cheap” TVR’s and facing bills greater than their purchase price for chassis restorations and whatnot.
My son is desperate for a Chim and keeps sending me ones for £10k. That’s all good…if hd accepts it might well need £10-15k spent on it soon-ish. Personally I’d rather buy a cheap car and sort it, knowing what work has been done and to what standard…
I think, realistically, anyone buying any of these cars in the £20-30k range needs to accept they are “old” and were originally expensive cars. The running/maintenance costs only go up. Rust here in the UK can cost *lots* of money on any old car to keep at bay.
There are hundreds of of stories of people buying “cheap” TVR’s and facing bills greater than their purchase price for chassis restorations and whatnot.
My son is desperate for a Chim and keeps sending me ones for £10k. That’s all good…if hd accepts it might well need £10-15k spent on it soon-ish. Personally I’d rather buy a cheap car and sort it, knowing what work has been done and to what standard…
ATM said:
Lefty said:
I suspect you may have more things go wrong with a TVR but they cost less overall to repair the occasional biggie on a 911.
Just guessing.
Correct Just guessing.
Engines go pop or need rebuilding
Gearboxes go pop or need rebuilding
They rust too
And then there is absolutely everything else
I had a Chimaera for 5 years and have had my 996 Turbo for over 3 years. The Chimaera felt "heavy" and was certainly "interesting" around corners. You can tell the 996 is made more for sportiness, while the Chimaera is more "old school." For outright experience and putting power to one side, I think the TVR is a better option. As someone else posted, it depends what you're looking for. You also need to try one.
As for costs, assuming nothing goes bang, you're probably looking at paying about £2k a year to keep a 20 year old Porsche on the road.
As for costs, assuming nothing goes bang, you're probably looking at paying about £2k a year to keep a 20 year old Porsche on the road.
Bowks said:
Has anyone made the move from a Chimaera to a 996. Any advice?
Two completely different cars, if you want a car with soul then the TVR wins hands down, if you want a car that is well built and does everything efficiently then the Porsche wins.The internet 'experts' (most quote others who know even less than them) will tell you that TVRs are unreliable, but in 18 years of TVR ownership I never had a breakdown/non starter or witnessed one on the untold eurohoons we did with other TVR owners. A lot of that reliability comes from proper maintenance and regular use - garage queens tend to be less reliable.
If you enjoy and are capable of tinkering you will probably get more out of the TVR, if you like to get your 'chap' to do it for you then the Porsche is probably a better option for you. If something big goes bang the TVR will be a cheaper fix, the cost of Porsche captive parts are horrendous, servicing parts/consumables are about the same.
TVRs are getting rare, Porsches are everywhere - when was the last time you saw a TVR driving down the road?
Just wanted to re-iterate a comment I saw up there that I think might be overlooked...
I've driven quite a few TVR's (nearly bought numerous), owned Lotus's (which require simimilar levels of 'commitment') and also 986 and 987 Porsches.
All the comments are right, in that TVR vs Porsche is a trade off in how 'composed' and capable you want your car to feel, but both will requure spending.
But the Z4M Roadster has a real character about it, was described when comtemporary as 'if BMW and built a TVR'. They are fast, flawed, a bit spiky and feel way more alive than any Boxster or 911. But - because its a BMW, they are reasonably reliable, they dont rot, they dont fill with water if you leave them outside, the interior isnt made of glue etc. They are a great option if you want something more 'spiky' than a Porsche but dont want to go all in with a TVR. And they have one of the all time, best ever internal combustion engines ever put in a car.
I've driven quite a few TVR's (nearly bought numerous), owned Lotus's (which require simimilar levels of 'commitment') and also 986 and 987 Porsches.
All the comments are right, in that TVR vs Porsche is a trade off in how 'composed' and capable you want your car to feel, but both will requure spending.
a340driver said:
a Z4M is the closest.
This. Overlooked, probably becuase the 'regular' Z4 is dull as ditchwater. And most BMWs are entirely uninteresting, and the brand itself doesnt feel at all special these days.But the Z4M Roadster has a real character about it, was described when comtemporary as 'if BMW and built a TVR'. They are fast, flawed, a bit spiky and feel way more alive than any Boxster or 911. But - because its a BMW, they are reasonably reliable, they dont rot, they dont fill with water if you leave them outside, the interior isnt made of glue etc. They are a great option if you want something more 'spiky' than a Porsche but dont want to go all in with a TVR. And they have one of the all time, best ever internal combustion engines ever put in a car.
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