I'm considering buying a Tamora.
Discussion
I'm debating either a Tamora or Vx220 turbo (Notice how i conveniently leave the Va*xh*ll badge off)
The TVR is very appealing to me as I love TVR's, the noise, the speed and looks are addictive, but i'm concerned a I only have £20,000 and dont know whether this will be enough?
I've been hearing lots of horror stories about engines blowing up etc and am wondering if anyone can give any advice on what condition of car I will get for 20k...
The TVR is very appealing to me as I love TVR's, the noise, the speed and looks are addictive, but i'm concerned a I only have £20,000 and dont know whether this will be enough?
I've been hearing lots of horror stories about engines blowing up etc and am wondering if anyone can give any advice on what condition of car I will get for 20k...
just bought an 02 plate tamora with 15k on the clock for 20k. this was with a 12 month approved warrantee with the all important wear and tear clause included. this was from london TVR too.
it's a buyers market at the moment, and you may even be able to strike a deal with a private owner that you'd only buy it with a new warrantee on it, but fork out for the warrantee cost (not the remedial work needed to get one). this would make sure it's in tip top nick, and peace of mind in case it goes wrong. i believe the checks they have to do to gain an approved warrantee are pretty thorough.
it's a buyers market at the moment, and you may even be able to strike a deal with a private owner that you'd only buy it with a new warrantee on it, but fork out for the warrantee cost (not the remedial work needed to get one). this would make sure it's in tip top nick, and peace of mind in case it goes wrong. i believe the checks they have to do to gain an approved warrantee are pretty thorough.
Get the Tamora - a VX220, like an Elise, is a great track car, but very spartan, and the roof arrangement is even less user friendly than the TVR. The Tamora will handle almost as well as the VX, so you'll not lose out in terms of real world performance.
The engine issue is a Pistonheads phenomenon - out in the real world, there isn't a folk memory type rumour of the speed six being a dog - as evidenced by a recent letter in EVO. Get a TVR approved warranty check (£150) done on any car you like the look of, and use the result to negotiate with the seller. The check will reveal ANY fault that needs rectifying. My car has done 23000 miles, and I've just had a service, during which I had loads of time to check the top end, and there was no sign of wear or damage. If the engine has been looked after, and not constantly redlined, it will be OK, IMHO.
The engine issue is a Pistonheads phenomenon - out in the real world, there isn't a folk memory type rumour of the speed six being a dog - as evidenced by a recent letter in EVO. Get a TVR approved warranty check (£150) done on any car you like the look of, and use the result to negotiate with the seller. The check will reveal ANY fault that needs rectifying. My car has done 23000 miles, and I've just had a service, during which I had loads of time to check the top end, and there was no sign of wear or damage. If the engine has been looked after, and not constantly redlined, it will be OK, IMHO.
Ingore the engine blowing up stories, get a warranty and get the car you consider buying checked out. You'll have a few niggles with the Tamora but nothing drastic that won't stop you loving it. I'm coming up to my 24,000 mile service, engine hasn't blown up yet. I think the general rule is once they've racked a few thousand miles up most of the problems get ironed out. So your better off buying one with a few thousand miles on the clock
Hello!
I had 2 VX220 Turbos and 2 VX220 2.2s before I took the plunge and bought a T350
They are very different beasts I can tell you that - but if you're going to go for any TVR then the handling of the Tam/T350 is probably closest to the VX and Elise
The question you have to ask yourself is how much you're prepared to spend on running costs because it's there that the biggest difference lies. VXT is cheap as chips to run for the performance it gives - it costs very little more than the equivalent engined Astra or Vectra for servicing so you're looking at about £150-200 every 10k. If you go for the approved TVR warranty with the Tam (which I advise you do, better to be safe than sorry IMO) you'll be tied to the TVR dealer network and you'll be looking at about £500 for a basic 6k service and the thick end of £1k for a 12k service with tappet adjustment. So servicing nearly twice as often and over twice as expensive means the TVR is not a cheap car to run. In terms of mpg, should you really want to know, the VX unsurprisingly is much better again - on long journeys 40mpg is achievable, 20-25mpg if you really hammer it. IME the T350 gives about 22mpg if I drive sedately, 15 or 16 when opening her up (which is most of the time
). Insurance is fairly similar, in fact I'm paying less for my T350 now (£770 8 years NCB, 3 points at the time of renewal) than my last VXT (remapped and full Milltek) although the mileage is limited to 6k. Other consumables such as tyres are pretty similar in cost
Performance wise the Tam will be quicker for sure, but you certainly have to think a little more about where you use full throttle in 2nd gear particularly. With the VXT I could boot it without really thinking about how level and bumpy the road surface was ahead (within reason obviously) whereas in the T350 you just can't do that. The VXT doesn't start to realise its potential until you get it remapped - until that point you have a nasty flat spot just where you don't want it at about 3700rpm and the throttle response is horrid (fly-by-wire in both VXs). Remapping will also open a massive wadge of low down torque which makes the car feel a lot quicker. By the time you get to Stage 3 mods (remap, full sports exhaust, chargecooler) there is very little in it until you're well past 3 figures. One thing you'll never get with the VX though is the noise - a VXT with a full Milltek is not a bad sounding car for a 4 pot and it will occasionally give you a few WRC style pops and bangs but it doesn't even come close to the wonderful array of noises the Speed Six makes - I must admit I think the S6 is one of the nicest sounding engines in production today. To give you an idea, I think my T350 on a totally standard exhaust is quite a bit louder than my last VXT with its Milltek. First thing I do when I get into the T350 is put the windows straight down....
What you will get with both cars is the usual niggles associated with the hand built nature of the beasts - I am well used to it, however if you've come from something like a BMW or an Audi you might be in for a shock with both cars. Despite the dodgy reputation my TVR has given virtually no trouble at all in the 5.5k I've racked up pretty quickly in it (touches wood!!). I bought mine from a main dealer (Gatwick) and got the warranty with it and the service has been very good so far. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of Vauxhall dealers, and you'll be very lucky to find a good one, let alone one which knows its arse from its elbow when it comes to a VX220. Best off making the trip to Thorney Motorsport in MK when it comes to service and warranty
As has been mentioned they're very different on the inside as well as the outside - the VX is all bare ally and no toys whereas the TVR is sumptuous carpet and leather everywhere, much more inviting. You tend to sit slightly offset towards the centre of the car in the VX, with a very wide sill to climb over before you get in whereas you're offset towards the outside of the car in the TVR with pretty much no sill but a wide transmission tunnel down the centre of the car. The Tam will have the VXT licked in terms of luggage space - the boot in the VXT is bigger than it looks and you have to learn how to pack it correctly but there's oddles of space in my T350 in comparison and I'm assuming the Tam is not much less
So which one to go for? Go and test drive both, but I'll be very surprised if you don't find the TVR a more intoxicating experience. If you do go the route of the Tam then I would strongly advise a decent warranty such as the TVR approved one - the Speed Six is much stronger engine than it was before but given you'll be looking at a 2002 car the chances are that it will need some sort of rebuild before 30/40k and if you go for the wear and tear option you will also have your clutch covered, which is a useful bonus. You can't go wrong with either car, just buy with your eyes open and be aware of the difference in costs
Good luck
Paul
Edit: if you need any info on the VX220 then go to www.vx220.org.uk/forums
I had 2 VX220 Turbos and 2 VX220 2.2s before I took the plunge and bought a T350
They are very different beasts I can tell you that - but if you're going to go for any TVR then the handling of the Tam/T350 is probably closest to the VX and Elise
The question you have to ask yourself is how much you're prepared to spend on running costs because it's there that the biggest difference lies. VXT is cheap as chips to run for the performance it gives - it costs very little more than the equivalent engined Astra or Vectra for servicing so you're looking at about £150-200 every 10k. If you go for the approved TVR warranty with the Tam (which I advise you do, better to be safe than sorry IMO) you'll be tied to the TVR dealer network and you'll be looking at about £500 for a basic 6k service and the thick end of £1k for a 12k service with tappet adjustment. So servicing nearly twice as often and over twice as expensive means the TVR is not a cheap car to run. In terms of mpg, should you really want to know, the VX unsurprisingly is much better again - on long journeys 40mpg is achievable, 20-25mpg if you really hammer it. IME the T350 gives about 22mpg if I drive sedately, 15 or 16 when opening her up (which is most of the time
). Insurance is fairly similar, in fact I'm paying less for my T350 now (£770 8 years NCB, 3 points at the time of renewal) than my last VXT (remapped and full Milltek) although the mileage is limited to 6k. Other consumables such as tyres are pretty similar in cost Performance wise the Tam will be quicker for sure, but you certainly have to think a little more about where you use full throttle in 2nd gear particularly. With the VXT I could boot it without really thinking about how level and bumpy the road surface was ahead (within reason obviously) whereas in the T350 you just can't do that. The VXT doesn't start to realise its potential until you get it remapped - until that point you have a nasty flat spot just where you don't want it at about 3700rpm and the throttle response is horrid (fly-by-wire in both VXs). Remapping will also open a massive wadge of low down torque which makes the car feel a lot quicker. By the time you get to Stage 3 mods (remap, full sports exhaust, chargecooler) there is very little in it until you're well past 3 figures. One thing you'll never get with the VX though is the noise - a VXT with a full Milltek is not a bad sounding car for a 4 pot and it will occasionally give you a few WRC style pops and bangs but it doesn't even come close to the wonderful array of noises the Speed Six makes - I must admit I think the S6 is one of the nicest sounding engines in production today. To give you an idea, I think my T350 on a totally standard exhaust is quite a bit louder than my last VXT with its Milltek. First thing I do when I get into the T350 is put the windows straight down....
What you will get with both cars is the usual niggles associated with the hand built nature of the beasts - I am well used to it, however if you've come from something like a BMW or an Audi you might be in for a shock with both cars. Despite the dodgy reputation my TVR has given virtually no trouble at all in the 5.5k I've racked up pretty quickly in it (touches wood!!). I bought mine from a main dealer (Gatwick) and got the warranty with it and the service has been very good so far. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of Vauxhall dealers, and you'll be very lucky to find a good one, let alone one which knows its arse from its elbow when it comes to a VX220. Best off making the trip to Thorney Motorsport in MK when it comes to service and warranty
As has been mentioned they're very different on the inside as well as the outside - the VX is all bare ally and no toys whereas the TVR is sumptuous carpet and leather everywhere, much more inviting. You tend to sit slightly offset towards the centre of the car in the VX, with a very wide sill to climb over before you get in whereas you're offset towards the outside of the car in the TVR with pretty much no sill but a wide transmission tunnel down the centre of the car. The Tam will have the VXT licked in terms of luggage space - the boot in the VXT is bigger than it looks and you have to learn how to pack it correctly but there's oddles of space in my T350 in comparison and I'm assuming the Tam is not much less
So which one to go for? Go and test drive both, but I'll be very surprised if you don't find the TVR a more intoxicating experience. If you do go the route of the Tam then I would strongly advise a decent warranty such as the TVR approved one - the Speed Six is much stronger engine than it was before but given you'll be looking at a 2002 car the chances are that it will need some sort of rebuild before 30/40k and if you go for the wear and tear option you will also have your clutch covered, which is a useful bonus. You can't go wrong with either car, just buy with your eyes open and be aware of the difference in costs
Good luck
Paul
Edit: if you need any info on the VX220 then go to www.vx220.org.uk/forums
Edited by TurboTomato on Thursday 31st August 11:57
Get the TVR but get the TVR approved warranty which MUST include the wear and tear option. It'll spare you the worry and would've saved me £7K if I'd have taken my own advice!
I loved the Speed 6 in my 02 Tam until it blew up with no warning despite being beautifully treated. But when its working, it's easily the most exciting drive for the money.
If I had a choice between the VX220 and the Tam, there's no question I'd go for the Tam despite the trouble I had with mine. That should tell you something
I loved the Speed 6 in my 02 Tam until it blew up with no warning despite being beautifully treated. But when its working, it's easily the most exciting drive for the money.
If I had a choice between the VX220 and the Tam, there's no question I'd go for the Tam despite the trouble I had with mine. That should tell you something
Snapz said:
Thanks for the information... I'm swaying towards the TVR as its my dream car and its just for the weekends. Can anybody give me some links to some good articles on them and/or buying guides.
You could do worse than here: www.pistonheads.co.uk/reviews/reviews.asp?c=29&id=170
Snapz - one bit of advice: get the Tamora! Simple as that. Can't stop smiling since I bought mine , great power, amazing handling and make sure you get a sports exhaust on it for the extra pops and bangs! Also get the warranty INCLUDING wear and tear. I got mine from London TVR and they have been brilliant. If you need anymore help or advice re. the Tamora or warranty, feel free to email me at: blindside_londonwelsh@yahoo.co.uk (although I will warn you, I am a little biased! )
)
mccrae said:
hi i have a T350T 03 plate for sale.....
Try and keep all Car, and other adverts to the PH Classifieds
www.pistonheads.com/sales/submit.asp
[/moderator]
flagpole said:
Snapz - one bit of advice: get the Tamora! Simple as that. Can't stop smiling since I bought mine , great power, amazing handling and make sure you get a sports exhaust on it for the extra pops and bangs! Also get the warranty INCLUDING wear and tear. I got mine from London TVR and they have been brilliant. If you need anymore help or advice re. the Tamora or warranty, feel free to email me at: blindside_londonwelsh@yahoo.co.uk (although I will warn you, I am a little biased! )
)Yep. Get the Tamora. I was scared so went the new route, but if I knew then what I knew now.... Fabulous car, I second everything that's been said (although some of these worthies have a shed load more experience of quick cars, mods and quick driving than I do); speed, power, sound, looks - you name it.
And from a purely pathetic standpoint, if you get a line-up at the lights of a VX220T, Porker and a Tam you can guess which one will get more attention from passers by.
Not that any of us are that vain of course....
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff