Discussion
Hi, Apologies on first post-I`ve read here for a while and its now time to post.
I`m hoping some of you can shed some light from your experiences of ownership.
I won't bore you with all the details but I had a current plan to buy a track/weekend toy and keep my mundane daily driver I`ve had for years. This has followed a few years of saving, wedding, house rennovation and now the birth of a young daughter and i`m in need of buying something to excite the senses. The toy of choice would have been a jeremy phillips designed kit; be it slyva/fisher fury or phoenix with bike engine power.
I`ve recently been having thoughts of altering that plan; on the basis i won't use the kit enough to match the outlay and running costs (with it probably not having no windscreen nor roof).
I cannot convince myself to go and get an M3 or somthing else thats just normal, (combining the daily hack and a sports car into one) so i`ve been looking at the cerb. We have a sensible new 2.2 derv civic for the wife and child, so i`m just considering my small occasional commute (sometimes i`m in the civic, or bike it to work).
I have a few holes in my knowledge and i`d appreciate some gems of information so i can go away and work with the numbers. I want to work out if i can purchase, maintain and love the car as it was meant to be loved, and not hate the b***rd pile of spares i will end up with in my garage. I`m handy with my spanners, and looking at TVR's they just look like oversized kit cars to me; but items like diff or bottom end rebuilds are out of my comfort zones- as such i`m already having nightmares about potential big bills before i`ve even started.
So here goes, questions i have:
1. The car would travel approx 120 miles per week, A roads, no traffic mostly de restricted roads. Assuming sensible use of the loud pedal what type of monthy petrol bill would i be looking at? I`d got a figure of £120-£170 in my head, but i`ve set aside £200 to include going the long way home.
2. I`d be looking at 1998-2000 ish cars, what is 12months tax? Do they fall into the governments £400 band, or are they set at the usual £190ish for this age.
3. Assuming 5,000 miles per annum, i`ve set aside £300 for normal service items by myself, £400 general repairs and £250 of general consumables. Am I way off the mark here? noted thats assuming none of the major componenets go bang here, and i`d have to raid the savings if that happens.
4. I know its not the safest car to put a young child in, but occasionally she might need to go in there, by the looks of pictures and comments i`ve noted on here it seems a car seat would fit, and they can sit in the rear for a few years until they grow some decent sized legs, is that the case? Is the general consensus they should not go in a car like this, due to its construction and lack of safty features-plus incident rate for a car of this type.
5. Insurance, i`ve done a couple of quick searches online confused etc to get some figures that seem reasonable for FC, low excess, my age and assumed its stored on the drive. I`m assuming some of the specialists or club schemes might be able to get that down by 5-10%, i didnt want to trouble the specialists for a proper quote until i`ve got a few more things sorted out in my head.
I`ve taken a stab at some numbers and worked out that a cerb would cost me about £100 per month extra, against my daily hack and kit car option (which easily fits into current lifestyle)- taking into account running costs, purchase costs, insurance and a stab at the running costs.
Sadly, I cant keep the daily hack and cerb, that would compromise on lifestyle as the dail hack still eats £200 per month, and due to the low mileage i do each year it seems a bit of a waste having two road worthy cars. The cerb would not be used every day to commute, more like two months on, one month off basis to coinncide with the wife's hols (teachers eh!).
I`m pretty convinced its asking too much and maybe i should stick to the original kit car plan (maybe with a windscreen and wet weather gear!) and i need to wait a few more years before i can take the plunge with a few more £'s to play with- but as they say time waits for no man; and my little girl won't fit in the back for too many years when i drop her off at granny's in the morning.
Anyway, lifestory over and i`m looking forward to seeing what people think. As i say i`m pretty convinced i`m underestimating running costs so i wont be hurt if you give it to me straight.
Regards
Alex
I`m hoping some of you can shed some light from your experiences of ownership.
I won't bore you with all the details but I had a current plan to buy a track/weekend toy and keep my mundane daily driver I`ve had for years. This has followed a few years of saving, wedding, house rennovation and now the birth of a young daughter and i`m in need of buying something to excite the senses. The toy of choice would have been a jeremy phillips designed kit; be it slyva/fisher fury or phoenix with bike engine power.
I`ve recently been having thoughts of altering that plan; on the basis i won't use the kit enough to match the outlay and running costs (with it probably not having no windscreen nor roof).
I cannot convince myself to go and get an M3 or somthing else thats just normal, (combining the daily hack and a sports car into one) so i`ve been looking at the cerb. We have a sensible new 2.2 derv civic for the wife and child, so i`m just considering my small occasional commute (sometimes i`m in the civic, or bike it to work).
I have a few holes in my knowledge and i`d appreciate some gems of information so i can go away and work with the numbers. I want to work out if i can purchase, maintain and love the car as it was meant to be loved, and not hate the b***rd pile of spares i will end up with in my garage. I`m handy with my spanners, and looking at TVR's they just look like oversized kit cars to me; but items like diff or bottom end rebuilds are out of my comfort zones- as such i`m already having nightmares about potential big bills before i`ve even started.
So here goes, questions i have:
1. The car would travel approx 120 miles per week, A roads, no traffic mostly de restricted roads. Assuming sensible use of the loud pedal what type of monthy petrol bill would i be looking at? I`d got a figure of £120-£170 in my head, but i`ve set aside £200 to include going the long way home.
2. I`d be looking at 1998-2000 ish cars, what is 12months tax? Do they fall into the governments £400 band, or are they set at the usual £190ish for this age.
3. Assuming 5,000 miles per annum, i`ve set aside £300 for normal service items by myself, £400 general repairs and £250 of general consumables. Am I way off the mark here? noted thats assuming none of the major componenets go bang here, and i`d have to raid the savings if that happens.
4. I know its not the safest car to put a young child in, but occasionally she might need to go in there, by the looks of pictures and comments i`ve noted on here it seems a car seat would fit, and they can sit in the rear for a few years until they grow some decent sized legs, is that the case? Is the general consensus they should not go in a car like this, due to its construction and lack of safty features-plus incident rate for a car of this type.
5. Insurance, i`ve done a couple of quick searches online confused etc to get some figures that seem reasonable for FC, low excess, my age and assumed its stored on the drive. I`m assuming some of the specialists or club schemes might be able to get that down by 5-10%, i didnt want to trouble the specialists for a proper quote until i`ve got a few more things sorted out in my head.
I`ve taken a stab at some numbers and worked out that a cerb would cost me about £100 per month extra, against my daily hack and kit car option (which easily fits into current lifestyle)- taking into account running costs, purchase costs, insurance and a stab at the running costs.
Sadly, I cant keep the daily hack and cerb, that would compromise on lifestyle as the dail hack still eats £200 per month, and due to the low mileage i do each year it seems a bit of a waste having two road worthy cars. The cerb would not be used every day to commute, more like two months on, one month off basis to coinncide with the wife's hols (teachers eh!).
I`m pretty convinced its asking too much and maybe i should stick to the original kit car plan (maybe with a windscreen and wet weather gear!) and i need to wait a few more years before i can take the plunge with a few more £'s to play with- but as they say time waits for no man; and my little girl won't fit in the back for too many years when i drop her off at granny's in the morning.
Anyway, lifestory over and i`m looking forward to seeing what people think. As i say i`m pretty convinced i`m underestimating running costs so i wont be hurt if you give it to me straight.
Regards
Alex
I wish, wish, wish I could tell you to go out & get one.
But you've mentioned a couple of words in your post, that make me feel you're not going to enjoy the experience.
In fact, A couple of words in the thread title, make's me think you wont enjoy the experience
However, depreciation..... I think they're getting near on depreciation proof. In fact, I might be wrong, but I reckon they're starting to creep up.
That's how I justified buying mine originally
But you've mentioned a couple of words in your post, that make me feel you're not going to enjoy the experience.
In fact, A couple of words in the thread title, make's me think you wont enjoy the experience
However, depreciation..... I think they're getting near on depreciation proof. In fact, I might be wrong, but I reckon they're starting to creep up.
That's how I justified buying mine originally
Alex - You seem to have given it a lot of thought, and gone into the 'facts and figures'. In my opinion Cerbera ownership is best when combined with a daily hack. A decent Hack can be easily bought for < £1k - I have an old 97 Saab 9000 that cost me £850, Air con, leather, Heated seats etc etc so I'm not exactly slumming it, commuting in a Cerbera on a cold wet november day is not an enjoyable experience!
Cerberas are far more reliable than 'outsiders' would have you believe. However they do require a lot of attention, there is always some little niggling fault that needs fixing - nothing that keeps you off the road, just minor niggles, so it is a car that you will be spending a lot of time with in the garage, but if like me, you enjoy it, then that isn't a problem.
They are an amazing car to own, and are a bit of a 'Marmite' car, you'll either love it or hate it, as your other option seems to be a kit type car, then I reckon you will love it.
You are about right with the running costs, major service (12k) with tappets will be about the £600 mark, interim service about 1/2 that, but a lot of that cost can be bought down if you can do it yourself - Brake pads, oil changes etc etc. MPG will be about the 20mpg mark if your not too stupid with the loud pedal.
They do have the potential to hit your wallet hard, If, but it is a big If with a well looked after AJPV8, a blown engine will hit you with a £3-5k bill, but if you can handle that possibility, then go for one, if your a real petrol Head, you will enjoy it, it's a rough, powerful and noisy traditiional British Sports car, but it is also a surprisingly capable and refined long distance tourer, with an amzing turn of speed, and a car that everyone else stares at and comments on as you drive by - Get one!!
Cerberas are far more reliable than 'outsiders' would have you believe. However they do require a lot of attention, there is always some little niggling fault that needs fixing - nothing that keeps you off the road, just minor niggles, so it is a car that you will be spending a lot of time with in the garage, but if like me, you enjoy it, then that isn't a problem.
They are an amazing car to own, and are a bit of a 'Marmite' car, you'll either love it or hate it, as your other option seems to be a kit type car, then I reckon you will love it.
You are about right with the running costs, major service (12k) with tappets will be about the £600 mark, interim service about 1/2 that, but a lot of that cost can be bought down if you can do it yourself - Brake pads, oil changes etc etc. MPG will be about the 20mpg mark if your not too stupid with the loud pedal.
They do have the potential to hit your wallet hard, If, but it is a big If with a well looked after AJPV8, a blown engine will hit you with a £3-5k bill, but if you can handle that possibility, then go for one, if your a real petrol Head, you will enjoy it, it's a rough, powerful and noisy traditiional British Sports car, but it is also a surprisingly capable and refined long distance tourer, with an amzing turn of speed, and a car that everyone else stares at and comments on as you drive by - Get one!!
AlexH22 said:
1. The car would travel approx 120 miles per week, A roads, no traffic mostly de restricted roads. Assuming sensible use of the loud pedal what type of monthy petrol bill would i be looking at? I`d got a figure of £120-£170 in my head, but i`ve set aside £200 to include going the long way home.
You could possibly get 18/20mpg if you're sensible, I saw 25mpg on a run last weekend, so given current prices £150 per month would be a sensible estimate.AlexH22 said:
2. I`d be looking at 1998-2000 ish cars, what is 12months tax? Do they fall into the governments £400 band, or are they set at the usual £190ish for this age.
All TVRs come in the cheap tax band, currently £185 IIRC.AlexH22 said:
3. Assuming 5,000 miles per annum, i`ve set aside £300 for normal service items by myself, £400 general repairs and £250 of general consumables. Am I way off the mark here? noted thats assuming none of the major componenets go bang here, and i`d have to raid the savings if that happens.
My annual service at Scole Engineering (including tappet check) was £931 + £98 for oil.£1k for servicing is sensible, some years it will be more, some less.
AlexH22 said:
4. I know its not the safest car to put a young child in, but occasionally she might need to go in there, by the looks of pictures and comments i`ve noted on here it seems a car seat would fit, and they can sit in the rear for a few years until they grow some decent sized legs, is that the case? Is the general consensus they should not go in a car like this, due to its construction and lack of safty features-plus incident rate for a car of this type.
Last weekend I put my 2 year old in a normal child seat in the front, my 3 1/2 year old behind me in the normal seat with an impact cushion, and my wife sat behind the passenger (she's 5'9") she said it wasn't 'too' bad.At the end of the day, kids can travel in the rear of an MGB if they want with no seatbelts, what would you prefer. No, it's not the safest, but just drive more sensibly and hope no-one crashes into you side on.
AlexH22 said:
5. Insurance, i`ve done a couple of quick searches online confused etc to get some figures that seem reasonable for FC, low excess, my age and assumed its stored on the drive. I`m assuming some of the specialists or club schemes might be able to get that down by 5-10%, i didnt want to trouble the specialists for a proper quote until i`ve got a few more things sorted out in my head.
We're with Hagerty, circa £400.In short, it's not a cheap machine to run (see my running costs in my profile)
But it's superb, every time.
Edited by dirty boy on Tuesday 4th August 15:32
AlexH22 said:
4. I know its not the safest car to put a young child in, but occasionally she might need to go in there, by the looks of pictures and comments i`ve noted on here it seems a car seat would fit, and they can sit in the rear for a few years until they grow some decent sized legs, is that the case? Is the general consensus they should not go in a car like this, due to its construction and lack of safty features-plus incident rate for a car of this type.
I raised the question on this when I bought my Cerb - please see this thread for more info:http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
AlexH22 said:
5. Insurance, i`ve done a couple of quick searches online confused etc to get some figures that seem reasonable for FC, low excess, my age and assumed its stored on the drive. I`m assuming some of the specialists or club schemes might be able to get that down by 5-10%, i didnt want to trouble the specialists for a proper quote until i`ve got a few more things sorted out in my head.
You should join the TVRCC - there are some insurers offering membership discounts. I would recommend using a specialist insurance company - firstly they know what type of car it is (rather than some call centre monkey); and also because they offer competative quotes where you can run the Cerb as a second car; limited milage etc.
I am currently with Manning, who I found professional and competative (they mirrored a NCB and also offer track day cover; European cover etc); you could also try Classic Line; Adrian Flux; Sunninghil Insurance Brokers; Hertitage (selection of insurers that advertise in SPRINT magazine - TVRCC magazine)
Other issues:
You should deffo consider keeping the Cerb as a second car. ALthough this sounds a bit counter-intuitive about the costs of running two cars, this gives you the option of having a boring "normal" car for the crappy short town journeys, running round in the truely evil winter muck (although Cerb's can be used in all weathers - I ran mine through the winter) keeps the milage down a bit (helps with RUNNING COSTS) and useful for when Cerb is in for repairs / work...
There are other threads on this forum that will advise you to budget approx £3K per year for running costs.
Sounds expensive - it is (but it's worth it)
The services on Cerb are 6K and 12K; the 6K one should be arround £440 - 500; the 12K one needs the tappets checking, allow about £600 - 700 more if adjustments are needed.
Bear in mind you are looking at a car that's between 6 and 13 years old - there will be plenty of "comsumables" that will need replacing (fuel lines, brake lines, pads, occasional throttle pot, HT leads, batteries etc etc etc etc)
The £3K / yr is average - as you will need to factor in the occasional BIG bill when something needs replacing. Fairly common issue is the clutch - mine just needed replacing (will get the bill tomorrow, gulp).
Then there are other bits and pieces that will need replacing - door seals, brackets, gaiters, etc etc etc.
If you are serious, budget £3K / year - you may have some good years; but you need to budget for the expensive ones too.
If, like me, you will want to get the car in as good a condition as you can - budget for the expensive year being your first as you take a second hand car and remidy all the niggly little issues until it's "yours".
I can't comment on the tax or insurance bit as I get screwed on both but I can comment on the running costs.
I am nowhere near a dealer or indie (in fact there's neither in the same country as me) but I have had no major issues yet that either myself or a couple of friends who are more engine-wise than I am weren't able to sort out.
Realistically the money you suggested is right about on the button for what it's cost me per year for the last 3 years or so.
I have actually spent more than that but that wasmainly on upgrade-type work to make it more user-friendly for the Irish roads.
The upgrades were things like new poly-bushes, different springs, etc and are probably things you won't need to do as your roads are better.
I'd say to go for it but be aware it will break and you may not be as lucky as I have been cost-wise.
I reckon my son summed it up pretty well when he said that TVR stands for Trouble Very Regularly.
I am nowhere near a dealer or indie (in fact there's neither in the same country as me) but I have had no major issues yet that either myself or a couple of friends who are more engine-wise than I am weren't able to sort out.
Realistically the money you suggested is right about on the button for what it's cost me per year for the last 3 years or so.
I have actually spent more than that but that wasmainly on upgrade-type work to make it more user-friendly for the Irish roads.
The upgrades were things like new poly-bushes, different springs, etc and are probably things you won't need to do as your roads are better.
I'd say to go for it but be aware it will break and you may not be as lucky as I have been cost-wise.
I reckon my son summed it up pretty well when he said that TVR stands for Trouble Very Regularly.
Edited by Ireland on Tuesday 4th August 20:37
Go for it and you'll find the money to run it. You could be lucky and your small budget be enough. If however you are asking about mpg and budgeting for fuel then maybe your budget is too tight?
I am lucky my work commuting is by train (although over 90 quid each way) so I don't currently need a spare car. And my outlay on train, mortgage, mountain bikes, meals out, wifes shoes and handbags, kids stuff, house renovations, garden, dogs etc means that the cerb costs get lost in the mix!
I am lucky my work commuting is by train (although over 90 quid each way) so I don't currently need a spare car. And my outlay on train, mortgage, mountain bikes, meals out, wifes shoes and handbags, kids stuff, house renovations, garden, dogs etc means that the cerb costs get lost in the mix!
The Cerbera is great fun and really raises the spirits when you go out for a blast but it does come at a price.
IMO you need a daily hack for when you are fixing the Cerbera or when the weather is less pleasant. It will cost £3K ish for service and repairs plus £185 tax and about 18mpg of super unleaded. If you decide to sell they can take a while to shift if not top spec.
Safety. Every car is a risk for child that relies on a parent to get them out after an accident. The Cerbera is made of a flammable material and the back seats have a fuel tank just behind them (behind a GRP bulkhead). Slightly higher risk?????????????
I must have my sensible head on this morning. However, if the costs are a major constraint on your ownership of a Cerbera then it is possible to buy other cars than are fun to drive (but not as quick, head turners, etc) that will not cause you grief when the cost of the repair has to compete with household/family expenditure.
IMO you need a daily hack for when you are fixing the Cerbera or when the weather is less pleasant. It will cost £3K ish for service and repairs plus £185 tax and about 18mpg of super unleaded. If you decide to sell they can take a while to shift if not top spec.
Safety. Every car is a risk for child that relies on a parent to get them out after an accident. The Cerbera is made of a flammable material and the back seats have a fuel tank just behind them (behind a GRP bulkhead). Slightly higher risk?????????????
I must have my sensible head on this morning. However, if the costs are a major constraint on your ownership of a Cerbera then it is possible to buy other cars than are fun to drive (but not as quick, head turners, etc) that will not cause you grief when the cost of the repair has to compete with household/family expenditure.
Thanks for info guys. I had an interesting chat with the wife last night and she seems very positive about getting one, she has good taste in cars. Child seats look suitable for a few years, many thanks for link to the previous posts.
Buying a car like this is a big decision, outlay and running costs need to be considered beforehand so it does not ruin the experience. I dont want to hate the car 6 months into ownership.
A lot of people are still living beyond their means with the current low interest rates on mortgages, i want to make sure i dont effect our lifestyle when interest rates return to normal, or even shoot up a tad. I`m a cautious overpayment type of guy at the moment. I can see people are airing on the side of caution "if my budget is that tight i`m having to penny pinch on petrol bills"- thats not the case but your caution is well apreciated; i just like to have spare money to waste on random gadgets i dont need, stag do's, nights out with freinds, kids toys, mountain bikes, classic bikes, garden equipment, buying extra leave at work, etc, etc. With a definitive hobby i might stop buying the junk i`m currently collecting.
Servicing costs seem reasonable, but i`d probably prefer to do most jobs myself as per a manufacturers schedule (if one exists?)and then send the car for an annual health check at a specialist, with a stamp in its book for good measure.
I`m well aware this is a hobby rather than a car, i cant just take it for a yearly service as per a bmw and expect everything to be sorted (well i can if i have deep pockets to pay £100ph labour). I do absolutely love tinkering with cars, fixing the little annoying things that don't cost much for you to DIY, but would incur huge labour costs at a garage. I find that type of tinkering very satisfying and thats why i think i`d feel at home with a tvr. The house is finished, so sunday afternoons spent upside down like a chinese escape artist in a tvr dash sound like fun.
Valve clearances are not set with shims are they? as long as they are not i`m happy to set the clearances myself and that could save some pennies. Clutch change wont be a nice job, but again i`d probably do that type of work myself as i`ve done similar ones in the past. Its the engine thats a worry, its a big lump and i`m guessing not the easiest to get in and out, unlike 4 pot swaps i`ve done. As for rebuilds thats something i`d get done properly to avoid heartache and swearing once it goes back in again. 3-5k doesnt sound too bad if the worst was to happen with this type of engine.
Dont get me wrong, i`m not trying to do this on a shoestring but i just want to be fully informed, seems running costs vary from 1-3k per year, depending on what you do yourself, which isnt bad bad as i might have thought.
MPG isnt a problem, i`ve had previous cars that do 18-20mpg and although it seems like you spend half your time at a petrol station, at least i know what i`m in for.
The second car is the big decision, if i can get an insurance quote that would mirror my ncb, coupled with reducing the annual mileage on the tvr, a daily hack car might be viable for the horrible winter months. Dare i say it some form of horrible small jap hatch like a £500 micra that would cost £200 to insure and not much more than £200 to tax and service each year. That would actually make economic sense if i can get the cerb insurance down from current £700 to circa £400-500 through a specialist and revised details.
I might ring a couple of companies up and chat through my options.
Wife has imposed an embargo until Oct/Nov as we have to finish paying off interest free parental loan that was used to finish off the house in dec quick march before the little one arrived. I agreed that was fair as parental loands have a habit of never being paid back, and gives me the winter months to save for a better cerb, or potentially pick up a bargain in the bad weather.
As its been pointed out, if the worst came to the worst it could be sold and with current rates of depreciation i`d stuggle to lose out*
Engine variants
trouble spots on chassis rot
local specialists (worcestershire/west midlands based)- there is nothing worse than finding its a long jaunt to a specialst.
thanks for info guys, a bit more reading and saving to required to pick up the right car- at least i have the wife on side which can only be a good thing when i need to borrow mony off her for some new tyres.
Thanks all
Alex
Buying a car like this is a big decision, outlay and running costs need to be considered beforehand so it does not ruin the experience. I dont want to hate the car 6 months into ownership.
A lot of people are still living beyond their means with the current low interest rates on mortgages, i want to make sure i dont effect our lifestyle when interest rates return to normal, or even shoot up a tad. I`m a cautious overpayment type of guy at the moment. I can see people are airing on the side of caution "if my budget is that tight i`m having to penny pinch on petrol bills"- thats not the case but your caution is well apreciated; i just like to have spare money to waste on random gadgets i dont need, stag do's, nights out with freinds, kids toys, mountain bikes, classic bikes, garden equipment, buying extra leave at work, etc, etc. With a definitive hobby i might stop buying the junk i`m currently collecting.
Servicing costs seem reasonable, but i`d probably prefer to do most jobs myself as per a manufacturers schedule (if one exists?)and then send the car for an annual health check at a specialist, with a stamp in its book for good measure.
I`m well aware this is a hobby rather than a car, i cant just take it for a yearly service as per a bmw and expect everything to be sorted (well i can if i have deep pockets to pay £100ph labour). I do absolutely love tinkering with cars, fixing the little annoying things that don't cost much for you to DIY, but would incur huge labour costs at a garage. I find that type of tinkering very satisfying and thats why i think i`d feel at home with a tvr. The house is finished, so sunday afternoons spent upside down like a chinese escape artist in a tvr dash sound like fun.
Valve clearances are not set with shims are they? as long as they are not i`m happy to set the clearances myself and that could save some pennies. Clutch change wont be a nice job, but again i`d probably do that type of work myself as i`ve done similar ones in the past. Its the engine thats a worry, its a big lump and i`m guessing not the easiest to get in and out, unlike 4 pot swaps i`ve done. As for rebuilds thats something i`d get done properly to avoid heartache and swearing once it goes back in again. 3-5k doesnt sound too bad if the worst was to happen with this type of engine.
Dont get me wrong, i`m not trying to do this on a shoestring but i just want to be fully informed, seems running costs vary from 1-3k per year, depending on what you do yourself, which isnt bad bad as i might have thought.
MPG isnt a problem, i`ve had previous cars that do 18-20mpg and although it seems like you spend half your time at a petrol station, at least i know what i`m in for.
The second car is the big decision, if i can get an insurance quote that would mirror my ncb, coupled with reducing the annual mileage on the tvr, a daily hack car might be viable for the horrible winter months. Dare i say it some form of horrible small jap hatch like a £500 micra that would cost £200 to insure and not much more than £200 to tax and service each year. That would actually make economic sense if i can get the cerb insurance down from current £700 to circa £400-500 through a specialist and revised details.
I might ring a couple of companies up and chat through my options.
Wife has imposed an embargo until Oct/Nov as we have to finish paying off interest free parental loan that was used to finish off the house in dec quick march before the little one arrived. I agreed that was fair as parental loands have a habit of never being paid back, and gives me the winter months to save for a better cerb, or potentially pick up a bargain in the bad weather.
As its been pointed out, if the worst came to the worst it could be sold and with current rates of depreciation i`d stuggle to lose out*
- subject to not picking up a car with a rotten chassis!
Engine variants
trouble spots on chassis rot
local specialists (worcestershire/west midlands based)- there is nothing worse than finding its a long jaunt to a specialst.
thanks for info guys, a bit more reading and saving to required to pick up the right car- at least i have the wife on side which can only be a good thing when i need to borrow mony off her for some new tyres.
Thanks all
Alex
Gaz,
True on the stamping, but i`m not a fan of paying even £50 per hour to do the basic oil/filters/plugs, pads, discs and fluids change when i enjoy doing that myself.
Reciepts of items, coupled with say a yearly inpection sheet from a specialist covering the major mechanical items (rather than a stamp in the book) should suffice for future history and resale value not being hurt too much.
I must say i`m not doing well with this forum, I must remember not to hit refesh and resubmit the same stupid post.
True on the stamping, but i`m not a fan of paying even £50 per hour to do the basic oil/filters/plugs, pads, discs and fluids change when i enjoy doing that myself.
Reciepts of items, coupled with say a yearly inpection sheet from a specialist covering the major mechanical items (rather than a stamp in the book) should suffice for future history and resale value not being hurt too much.
I must say i`m not doing well with this forum, I must remember not to hit refesh and resubmit the same stupid post.
AlexH22 said:
Engine variants
4 options- 4.0 Speed Six Engine, least powerful, but can be rebuilt by some of the TVR specialists to include a 5 year warranty, they do have a poor reputation sadly, shame because it's a superb engine when working
- 4.2 AJP V8, well sorted engine, bit of a screamer, lumpy cams on earlier ones. Be wary of the early batch with dodgy cranks (few and far between, most will have been sorted i'd have thought)
- 4.5 AJP V8, big brother to the 4.2, as it left the factory, may be down on power compared to the 4.2 due to rubbish mapping, but there's always Joo to sort that out
- LS. There's a few awesome conversions about, big power, superb reliability, easy spares, you'll be lucky to buy one, but you could get a conversion done for circa £10k IIRC
AlexH22 said:
local specialists
MAP of TVR service providersGood luck, you won't be dissapointed, they're addictive.
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