Decided I will buy another Tamora...
Discussion
I sold my Tamora in 2007, as we were about to move to Italy due to my work.
Since then, I have missed it so much – I realise I made a huge mistake in selling it. I tried to convince myself that it is only a car, and it isn’t essential – but almost 6 years on, I still miss it.
We came back to the UK at the tail end of 2010, bought a repo (as we couldn’t get a mortgage due to being out of the UK for three years), spent two years restoring the house, selling it, and now I have the home I want, with a nice big double garage.
For a time, I was convinced that what I wanted was a Gardner Douglas Cobra with a new LS3 V8 and 6 speed gearbox. This makes so much sense of you want the TVR experience without the worry – so I thought..
We went to the kit car show in Stoneleigh over the Bank Holiday weekend, in the hope that seeing the Cobra in the flesh and talking to the people would stir my juices enough to convince me that it is the right decision.
Alas, I didn’t get the feeling I had when I first saw the Tuscan’s and Tamora’s for the first time, close up. I remember wanting one to replace my Chim so much it ached. I eventually did get one, and I loved every minute of it, from molly-coddling it in the garage to the driving experience – I admit that my feelings towards this car has never ebbed – even having owned one for three years, I still want another.
I realise that the Cobra may make more sense to most, I have decided to go for another Tamora, and when I buy it, I will book it in to TVR Power to have the 4.3 upgrade, which would give me as much power as the 430bhp LS3, I would think. To get the Cobra to the specs I want would be around £45k, realistically – but the Tamora would cost around £30k to get it fully sorted, I worked out. (Assuming £15k for the car itself, engine upgrade and new shocks and bushes)
But the cost is neither here nor there; I still lust after a Tamora – seeing the Cobra in the flesh didn’t give me the same feelings I had when seeing the Tam for the first time.
With hindsight, I should never have sold my Tam in the first place.
Once you have been bitten…….
Since then, I have missed it so much – I realise I made a huge mistake in selling it. I tried to convince myself that it is only a car, and it isn’t essential – but almost 6 years on, I still miss it.
We came back to the UK at the tail end of 2010, bought a repo (as we couldn’t get a mortgage due to being out of the UK for three years), spent two years restoring the house, selling it, and now I have the home I want, with a nice big double garage.
For a time, I was convinced that what I wanted was a Gardner Douglas Cobra with a new LS3 V8 and 6 speed gearbox. This makes so much sense of you want the TVR experience without the worry – so I thought..
We went to the kit car show in Stoneleigh over the Bank Holiday weekend, in the hope that seeing the Cobra in the flesh and talking to the people would stir my juices enough to convince me that it is the right decision.
Alas, I didn’t get the feeling I had when I first saw the Tuscan’s and Tamora’s for the first time, close up. I remember wanting one to replace my Chim so much it ached. I eventually did get one, and I loved every minute of it, from molly-coddling it in the garage to the driving experience – I admit that my feelings towards this car has never ebbed – even having owned one for three years, I still want another.
I realise that the Cobra may make more sense to most, I have decided to go for another Tamora, and when I buy it, I will book it in to TVR Power to have the 4.3 upgrade, which would give me as much power as the 430bhp LS3, I would think. To get the Cobra to the specs I want would be around £45k, realistically – but the Tamora would cost around £30k to get it fully sorted, I worked out. (Assuming £15k for the car itself, engine upgrade and new shocks and bushes)
But the cost is neither here nor there; I still lust after a Tamora – seeing the Cobra in the flesh didn’t give me the same feelings I had when seeing the Tam for the first time.
With hindsight, I should never have sold my Tam in the first place.
Once you have been bitten…….
sidpinup said:
If you want a go in a 4.3 Tam just let me know....by the way...it's awesome 
Cheers! You're not a million miles away from me. I never really tired of the standard 3.6 power, so I am sure the 4.3 will be gobsmacking - coupled with a TVR Power sports exhaust, of course...TV8 said:
There is one in the classifieds that needs a new engine and saves you £5k on your budget!
I did see that one - I am not sure though. It seems to have had many owners and something tells me it would need a lot more than engine, bushes and shocks looking at. I want to start with a very decent example and hone it - and would never sell it again....chris watton said:
sidpinup said:
If you want a go in a 4.3 Tam just let me know....by the way...it's awesome
Cheers! You're not a million miles away from me. I never really tired of the standard 3.6 power, so I am sure the 4.3 will be gobsmacking - coupled with a TVR Power sports exhaust, of course...I am up around Stroud quite a bit as the girlfriend lives up that way so should be easy to hook up. I have a standard exhaust but its sounds ok
madbadger said:
Welcome back, Chris.
It was obvious you didn't want to sell it at the time.
Cheers It was obvious you didn't want to sell it at the time.
No, I didn't - but I didn't think it would still bother me after all of this time. I also thought that parts may be an issue now that TVR is no more (I realised what a problem this can be when doing a complete overhaul of my wife's lowly MGF Trophy). However, after doing some research, the TVR scene is still very healthy and there are still good places to take your car for servicing/upgrades etc.
After spending so much on my wife's car to get it 'as new', I admit that I enjoyed that experience - taking an 11 year old car from the brink and getting it fettled to better than new (in handling and power). When driving it, it feels like a sports car should. With this in mind, the idea of doing the same for a Tamora was planted - it makes no difference as to the age of the car, if it is well looked after, it should always drive and handle like new - and put a smile on your face whilst driving. That is something my Tamora never failed to do.
sidpinup said:
I am up around Stroud quite a bit as the girlfriend lives up that way so should be easy to hook up. I have a standard exhaust but its sounds ok
My wife's mother lives in Stroud, we go up down there often. I am sure it sounds great, sports exhaust or not - but mine had one (birthday present from my wife!), and I remember the great pops and bangs on the overrun..
Hi Chris,
If your looking still could be tempted to sell mine dependings what your looking at spendingI can't seem to email you thru ph,would give you the details and my details if you wanna talk.
2005 54 plate chameleon green 3.6 black grey interior sports exhaust decat nitrons upgraded alloy rad.serviced every year any work needed doing has been done at the time and not left.
Jase
If your looking still could be tempted to sell mine dependings what your looking at spendingI can't seem to email you thru ph,would give you the details and my details if you wanna talk.
2005 54 plate chameleon green 3.6 black grey interior sports exhaust decat nitrons upgraded alloy rad.serviced every year any work needed doing has been done at the time and not left.
Jase
Hi
I plan to start looking with a plan to buy around September, when I have saved enough and have paid my tax bill.
It is very hard being sensible and saving, rather than getting a loan to have it right now - but I know I'll enjoy it all the more when I do get it.
One thing I did notice on my Tam was the fact that the seat trim was very thin, so I am assuming that the seats in many Tamora's may require work. Has anyone done this and who would you recommend?
I plan to start looking with a plan to buy around September, when I have saved enough and have paid my tax bill.
It is very hard being sensible and saving, rather than getting a loan to have it right now - but I know I'll enjoy it all the more when I do get it.
One thing I did notice on my Tam was the fact that the seat trim was very thin, so I am assuming that the seats in many Tamora's may require work. Has anyone done this and who would you recommend?
TOV!E said:
Hi Chris, welcome back I have missed your posts over the years.
Thank you!But not as much as I've missed my Tamora, I'd wager...
Up until a few weeks ago, I had no idea just how healthy the TVR community and spares/upgrades specialists was, which made me confident enough to realise a Tamora is the only way to go - I think anything else would ultimately disappoint.
chris watton said:
Hi
I plan to start looking with a plan to buy around September, when I have saved enough and have paid my tax bill.
It is very hard being sensible and saving, rather than getting a loan to have it right now - but I know I'll enjoy it all the more when I do get it.
One thing I did notice on my Tam was the fact that the seat trim was very thin, so I am assuming that the seats in many Tamora's may require work. Has anyone done this and who would you recommend?
Hi Chris, the leather in my Tam is actually pretty good considering its age and that it lives outdoors. The seats aren't warn much at all. ther drivers side cushion has gone hard for some reason but that's it. There are a couple of bits that need attention such as the leather coming away by the windscreen but I don't know what to do about that without taking the screen out.I plan to start looking with a plan to buy around September, when I have saved enough and have paid my tax bill.
It is very hard being sensible and saving, rather than getting a loan to have it right now - but I know I'll enjoy it all the more when I do get it.
One thing I did notice on my Tam was the fact that the seat trim was very thin, so I am assuming that the seats in many Tamora's may require work. Has anyone done this and who would you recommend?
Good luck finding your car.
Looking at my bank statement, it's getting close - I have spent nothing over the past few months - just saving (it's amazing how quickly the funds grow when you stop buying superfluous crap!)
I have a question, has anyone tried Evans waterless coolant for their S6? It seems to have the advantage over standard coolant, so I am told.
I have a question, has anyone tried Evans waterless coolant for their S6? It seems to have the advantage over standard coolant, so I am told.
Welcome back Chris the Tamora is the only way to go...you know it makes sense! Hard top 'T' cars are for girlies!!;)
Cobras were all the rage in the early 00's but I'd feel a bit of a knob driving one now the only kit car I've ever lusted over is my Westfield SEiGHT TVR 4.6efi which I still have got but can't let go of
Buzz
Cobras were all the rage in the early 00's but I'd feel a bit of a knob driving one now the only kit car I've ever lusted over is my Westfield SEiGHT TVR 4.6efi which I still have got but can't let go of
Buzz
BuzzBillsberry said:
Welcome back Chris the Tamora is the only way to go...you know it makes sense! Hard top 'T' cars are for girlies!!;)
Cobras were all the rage in the early 00's but I'd feel a bit of a knob driving one now the only kit car I've ever lusted over is my Westfield SEiGHT TVR 4.6efi which I still have got but can't let go of
Buzz
Cheers Cobras were all the rage in the early 00's but I'd feel a bit of a knob driving one now the only kit car I've ever lusted over is my Westfield SEiGHT TVR 4.6efi which I still have got but can't let go of
Buzz
It simply has to be a drop-top. One of the things I love most is driving along a twisty B-road with the top down, listening to that engine and exhaust note and the wind on my face, and stopping off for a ploughman's in a country pup somewhere miles away. I must also experience some track days, as I'm sure I'd love them, too.
I liked the idea of the Cobra - a new car with near bullet-proof engine, but I am sure I'd still want a Tamora if I did buy one - the TVR looks better, IMOHO and is better suited to our changeable weather with the non-faff roof. I also prefer the more rev happy S6 (coupled with the sports exhaust) - can't wait to try it out in 4.3 form..
It has been the only car I have owned that I never once grew tired of - the first drive was just as exciting as the last - and that is what these uncomplicated and unpretentious little cars are all about. For me at least, the Tam is the only car that fits the bill.
Edited by chris watton on Saturday 22 June 17:30
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