s6/4.2 or 4.5 which one
Discussion
Cerbera2004 said:
Matthew69 said:
4.2 still noisy on start up and problematic on early cars.
Up to what reg. are they problematic and in what way?
Bit of a generalisation in the post by Matthew69! However, late '97/early '98 is commonly quoted as being a milestone in the Cerberas evolution. Thats certainly the threshold I used when buying my 4.2 - late '98 model (bought in preference to 4.5 and S6 in the end, as its really all down to the individual car).
This kind of thread has been round the loop many many times on here - best spend a while trawling through the archives!
Cheers,
Tommo
Cerbera2004 said:
Matthew69 said:
4.2 still noisy on start up and problematic on early cars.
Up to what reg. are they problematic and in what way?
quality took a step up in '98, IIRC. All the AJP8's are noisy on start up (my '99 4.5 sounds like a tractor first thing in the garage), but the earlier 4.2s had different cams so maybe that's why they're noisier. Most will now have had cams done, however...
I considered them all when I bought mine back in March - first to get dropped was the S6, worries about engine reliability at the money I had to spend, plus softer GT setup did not appeal. The 4.2 and 4.5 cars I tested were all F***in quick, so wasn't bothered by the (probably less than real) power differential. In the end, I bought a 4.5 because a) it was in great nick, b) I prefer the 17" RL7 wheels, and c) its got bigger brakes.
You pays yer money........
cheers
Sean
Trust me, I have read many many threads and understand
about the S6, 4.2, 4.5 arguments and had settled,
personally, on getting a 4.2
My original intention was to get a car next year, but
I became obsessed with getting one (wonder why?
) but
the car I had hoped to buy, very regrettably I have had to
step away from due to a business deal not going
quite as far as I'd hoped.
Based on that, I was now looking at quality late 96 P
or early 97?
The cars I have seen over the last few months of this age,
do suffer, as their owners attest, to having
large amounts of rattling (almost like tappets?) but
tell me that is nothing to worry about when looking?
Any comments from any owners of this period of 4.2 car?
about the S6, 4.2, 4.5 arguments and had settled,
personally, on getting a 4.2
My original intention was to get a car next year, but
I became obsessed with getting one (wonder why?
) but the car I had hoped to buy, very regrettably I have had to
step away from due to a business deal not going
quite as far as I'd hoped.
Based on that, I was now looking at quality late 96 P
or early 97?
The cars I have seen over the last few months of this age,
do suffer, as their owners attest, to having
large amounts of rattling (almost like tappets?) but
tell me that is nothing to worry about when looking?
Any comments from any owners of this period of 4.2 car?
I've recently bought a 97 P 4.2 - yes it sounds like a bag of spanners when it's cold, but once it's warmed up it sounds fantastic and runs like a dream..
Mines had all the upgrades done and a new clutch about 1000 miles ago (as part of the sale). I'm very, very happy with it- but I'm afraid it's not for sale

Mines had all the upgrades done and a new clutch about 1000 miles ago (as part of the sale). I'm very, very happy with it- but I'm afraid it's not for sale

don't believe everything you here,my early 96 4.2 is spot on.
ive done 9000 miles in 14 months and have needed no mechanical repairs and only a dodgy door switch on the electrics.
its had some new gear fitted but only because i wanted to do it .
the cars now done 29000 miles and is great.
mike.
ive done 9000 miles in 14 months and have needed no mechanical repairs and only a dodgy door switch on the electrics.
its had some new gear fitted but only because i wanted to do it .
the cars now done 29000 miles and is great.
mike.
But playing the %s I would rather spend £19K on a 98 car than £15K on a 96 car. the annual running costs and resale will easily close the gap and the chances are that reliability will be less of an issue on a later car thus making the emotional side of ownership that much easier. BUT you could bag a £15K bargain but for every bargain there is probably 3 money pits.
so Cerbera2004 what is your budget?
so Cerbera2004 what is your budget?
gazzab said:
so Cerbera2004 what is your budget?
Been offered 3 cars not seen on here for around 18k
by their owners and the history of each is known for
at least the last 5 - 6 years.
Each has max three owners - always a good sign I think.
Full TVRSH checked with the dealers and TVR themselves with an inspection to be done.
Hopefully should see me end up with a nice car.

mlumb said:
don't believe everything you here,my early 96 4.2 is spot on.
ive done 9000 miles in 14 months and have needed no mechanical repairs and only a dodgy door switch on the electrics.
its had some new gear fitted but only because i wanted to do it .
the cars now done 29000 miles and is great.
mike.
I have a 1996 4.2 and agree with what has been said above. Of the few Cerberas I have (test) driven, none was more blistering and louder than this. 1996 4.2 is perhaps the wildest model.
I have a 2001 S6. Had it from new. Drove all the Cerbera variants before buying. The S6 is slightly more GT like, and slightly less pure sports car. Easier to use day-to-day. I also personally prefer a straight six to a V8.
The 4.5 is not always the most powerful. There are lots of threads on here about how people have found that a lot of 4.5s produce very disappointing power output figures (see Sprint this month too). Often, the 4.2s seem to be more powerful than the 4.5.
There have been problems with the S6 engine, there's no point denying it. I had a replacement cylinder head at 17K (now on 22K) due to worn valve guides. However, TVR are betting the company on the success of the S6. They HAVE to get it right.
Technically it's somewhat more sophisticated than the V8 - 4 valves per cylinder, dry sump, twin overhead cams - a classic and in many ways unbeatable configuration.
The best thing to do is to test drive them!
>> Edited by admiral on Thursday 14th August 12:27
The 4.5 is not always the most powerful. There are lots of threads on here about how people have found that a lot of 4.5s produce very disappointing power output figures (see Sprint this month too). Often, the 4.2s seem to be more powerful than the 4.5.
There have been problems with the S6 engine, there's no point denying it. I had a replacement cylinder head at 17K (now on 22K) due to worn valve guides. However, TVR are betting the company on the success of the S6. They HAVE to get it right.
Technically it's somewhat more sophisticated than the V8 - 4 valves per cylinder, dry sump, twin overhead cams - a classic and in many ways unbeatable configuration.
The best thing to do is to test drive them!
>> Edited by admiral on Thursday 14th August 12:27
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