Should I buy a Tamora?
Discussion
Prev owner of a Chimaera 400 (that long ago I've forgotten how to spell it!) which I absolutely loved. Leaked water and bits fell off but the engine never let me down and the sound was to die for!!
Just had a two year foray into Porsche ownership with a Boxster S (boring!) but then had some great fun with a 993 C2. Sold the 993 and am now car less. Apart from the family wheels!!
Starting thinking about a Chim' 450 which look excellent value now but then stumbled across the Tamoras. I would want to spend ideally £18K tops.
Would that get me a good one and sorry the old chestnut, how reliable are they?
I just want some weekend fun so no heavy miles.
What should I look for and any 'must have' options. Dealer/private?
Not a unique question but I used to frequent this site and always found you chaps very informative and helpful. Grovelling over, I would welcome any replies. Cheers.
Just had a two year foray into Porsche ownership with a Boxster S (boring!) but then had some great fun with a 993 C2. Sold the 993 and am now car less. Apart from the family wheels!!
Starting thinking about a Chim' 450 which look excellent value now but then stumbled across the Tamoras. I would want to spend ideally £18K tops.
Would that get me a good one and sorry the old chestnut, how reliable are they?
I just want some weekend fun so no heavy miles.
What should I look for and any 'must have' options. Dealer/private?
Not a unique question but I used to frequent this site and always found you chaps very informative and helpful. Grovelling over, I would welcome any replies. Cheers.
Hi Stouffer. 18K is a tad low for a good Tam but you may be lucky,the speed six can get quite hot makeing stuffy inside,ok you can take the roof down, but not when its raining.So get one with AIR/CON in my opion its the best TVR going.Ive been driving TVRs for 35 years and driven most models.Also buy a W,can be expencive to repair.However the pleasure the TAMORA will give you, far outways any expence.
Go for it. Looks like there are some real bargains to be had in the classifieds at the moment.
Not had any problems with mine, apart from the expansion tank cap - which is made by VW. Everything else is fantastic.
Wouldn't say you need aircon, but sitting in a traffic jam in southern France during the height of summer almost changed my mind.
Not had any problems with mine, apart from the expansion tank cap - which is made by VW. Everything else is fantastic.
Wouldn't say you need aircon, but sitting in a traffic jam in southern France during the height of summer almost changed my mind.
Thank you chaps.
I hear some early models have engine gremlins. Is there a face'lift/improved model that you should hold out for?
What about mileage. One guy who had a tam told me to look for one that had done more than 15K miles so if any major faults were present they would have been dealt with by then?
Wouldn't want a £5K engine rebuild!!
They do look awesome. I can't say though I've ever seen one on the road!
Thanks for all of the advice.
I hear some early models have engine gremlins. Is there a face'lift/improved model that you should hold out for?
What about mileage. One guy who had a tam told me to look for one that had done more than 15K miles so if any major faults were present they would have been dealt with by then?
Wouldn't want a £5K engine rebuild!!
They do look awesome. I can't say though I've ever seen one on the road!
Thanks for all of the advice.
richb said:
sen 18 said:
in my opion its the best TVR going.
That does seem to be the opinion of most owners, TVR's best kept secret maybe? 
Edited by richb on Tuesday 3rd October 12:18
I havent hear that I thought the best TVR going is a Griff or Cerb.
That depends on whether you want a burbling classic or a barking monster
bennno
bennno said:
richb said:
sen 18 said:
in my opion its the best TVR going.
That does seem to be the opinion of most owners, TVR's best kept secret maybe? 
) Rich...richb said:
stouffer said:
Is there a face'lift/improved model that you should hold out for?
The only face-lift I am aware of is the slightly different position of the additional lamps below the headlamps. below is the original yellow car vs' the later model. 
It always makes me laugh how TVR kept using that great shot (notice how the lights seem to have grown on the shot above)
Great picture - I am biased but I think they are superb - full roof off fun with Tuscan S performance. (esp at higher speeds)
Edited by jamer on Wednesday 4th October 18:31
bennno said:
richb said:
sen 18 said:
in my opion its the best TVR going.
That does seem to be the opinion of most owners, TVR's best kept secret maybe? Edited by richb on Tuesday 3rd October 12:18
I havent hear that I thought the best TVR going is a Griff or Cerb.
bennno
bennno said:
Probably pulling that face as very embarrassed to be bouncing down the road in a bright yellow car that looks like it has a wheely bin protruding from its rear underskirt...
bennno
Come on bennno, don't be coy, just come out and say that you don't like the Tamora
- and I can't honestly believe that anyone on an objective basis would confirm the Griff as being a better car. TVR do tend to develop their cars rather than make each newer model worse than the previous one, hence each time a new one comes out, the road testers can say "This is the best TVR so far", as they did for the Tam/T350, and then the Sag, and believe it or not the Tusc II is an improvement over Tusc I
Never read a review saying "Wow, this Tam is a huge step back from the Griff!"
bennno said:
My money says the Griff will be a solid gold classic in 20 years time, like an e type
I susect the fussy tamora with its comparatively complex / troublesome engine will be less well regarded.
Bennno
So it boils down to whether the original poster wants a classic burbly V8 monster or a more modern, better handling, safer, easier to drive in traffic (clutch/gears/aircon), but just as fast TVR.
A Griffith will need just as much attention due to it being older (esp. chassis/diff/bushes), the only thing that might go wrong with the Tamora is the engine, which can be covered by warranty.
I've never driven an E Type but a close friend has and commented on how bad it felt (and he is into old cars). After 6 years of a Chimaera, I know that my T350 is light years ahead in terms of driveability and ability to use more of the power more of the time.
bennno said:
My money says the Griff will be a solid gold classic in 20 years time, like an e type
I susect the fussy tamora with its comparatively complex / troublesome engine will be less well regarded.
Bennno
Predicting classics is pretty difficult - I think the Griff already has solid classic status, whereas most of the Sp6 engined cars are still suffering because of buyer worries about the engines.
But my stab in the dark prediction is that in 10 years time all the Tams and T350's still running will by then have pretty well sorted engines, there will be a larger network of independent specialists dealing with these cars, and they'll be as reliable to run as any of the V8 engined TVR's. By then, buyers will appreciate them for what they are, a better developed car, and they will be more sought after.....
well, that's what I hope anyway
targarama said:
bennno said:
My money says the Griff will be a solid gold classic in 20 years time, like an e type
I susect the fussy tamora with its comparatively complex / troublesome engine will be less well regarded.
Bennno
So it boils down to whether the original poster wants a classic burbly V8 monster or a more modern, better handling, safer, easier to drive in traffic (clutch/gears/aircon), but just as fast TVR.
A Griffith will need just as much attention due to it being older (esp. chassis/diff/bushes), the only thing that might go wrong with the Tamora is the engine, which can be covered by warranty.
I've never driven an E Type but a close friend has and commented on how bad it felt (and he is into old cars). After 6 years of a Chimaera, I know that my T350 is light years ahead in terms of driveability and ability to use more of the power more of the time.
I dont believe there is any significant difference between Griff - Tamora in terms of safety or ease of driving in traffic. They are both of a similar ilk.
The griff is simply a much, much better looking car, of simpler construction and has the classic v8 burble - which is why it will be the classic in 10 years time.
bennno
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