Thinking of buying a Tamora/VX220 Turbo or Elise.
Discussion
Ive just sold my e46 M3 Convertible and am debating on what to get next.
Im thinking either of the above, Ive driven a VX220 Turbo and was impressed but not the Elise or Tamora. I have heard that the Tamoras are extremely unreliable and most need a full engine rebuild. Is this true?
What would most people go for?
Any help will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Danny.
Im thinking either of the above, Ive driven a VX220 Turbo and was impressed but not the Elise or Tamora. I have heard that the Tamoras are extremely unreliable and most need a full engine rebuild. Is this true?
What would most people go for?
Any help will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Danny.
You're asking a TVR forum - you will get all the positives about the Tamora 
It is a very underestimated car. Just try one - you will either love it or not understand what all the fuss is about. If you're looking for Lexus build quality and reliability then a TVR is not for you - however, if you have a smidgen of mechanical knowledge and sympathy then it may be perfect for you.
Also, there are some sheds out there, and some lovely cars that have been cherished. Make sure you test drive (and buy) the latter. Enthusiast owner with a good write up in the for sale ad is a good sign.
It is a very underestimated car. Just try one - you will either love it or not understand what all the fuss is about. If you're looking for Lexus build quality and reliability then a TVR is not for you - however, if you have a smidgen of mechanical knowledge and sympathy then it may be perfect for you.
Also, there are some sheds out there, and some lovely cars that have been cherished. Make sure you test drive (and buy) the latter. Enthusiast owner with a good write up in the for sale ad is a good sign.
Hi Danny,
I have been in all 3 cars and I went for a Tamora and I love it! They do go wrong every now and then but its often minor stuff. Early ones have had engine problems but not all, that had been done to death. (Look in the speed six forum and you can get all the info you need but dont let that put you off). If you go for one that has been looked after and warmed up properly each time you should be OK.
I would say drive all 3 cars and then make up your mind. I bet you go for the Tamora! it's far quicker than most cars on the road but you can still do many miles in it with being uncomfortable. They are a lot of fun to drive and sound fantastic. There are not many on the roads either so if you like people saying “Nice car mate” it’s the one to get.
Happy hunting.
Ed
I have been in all 3 cars and I went for a Tamora and I love it! They do go wrong every now and then but its often minor stuff. Early ones have had engine problems but not all, that had been done to death. (Look in the speed six forum and you can get all the info you need but dont let that put you off). If you go for one that has been looked after and warmed up properly each time you should be OK.
I would say drive all 3 cars and then make up your mind. I bet you go for the Tamora! it's far quicker than most cars on the road but you can still do many miles in it with being uncomfortable. They are a lot of fun to drive and sound fantastic. There are not many on the roads either so if you like people saying “Nice car mate” it’s the one to get.
Happy hunting.
Ed
dannynewport said:
I have heard that the Tamoras are extremely unreliable and most need a full engine rebuild.
Usually only when they have been abused when cold. Dons flame suit...The Speed6 engine needs TLC when cold, if you go to view any pay much attention to how the seller treats her until the OIL gets up to temp.
note I said OIL & not water temp. Oil takes longer to get to temp than the water circuit.
Do a search on the forums regarding rebuilds & warming up- but remember a lot of the comments are from people who either have never owned a speed6 engine & spout hearsay/ urban legend...
Try to get along to your local TVRCC regional meet, they're a friendly lot & most would be more than willing to chat about Tamoras, speed6 engines, etc
FB
ps PM me your location & I'll tell you where your region meet ;-)
dannynewport said:
What year should I go for and why do nearly one I look at say that they have had a rebuild? What were the problems and why?
Sorry for all the questions but I am new to the TVR scene.
Three words to think of when looking/buying - condition, history, owners.Sorry for all the questions but I am new to the TVR scene.
There is shedloads of engine related info on this in the FAQ on this section of the forum and the Speed Six section. In summary, on average, a 2004/2005 engine is better than a 2002/2003 engine. A rebuild is good from an engine perspective and should not be seen negatively (esp. with a warranty). Buy on condition, history and last owner(s) trreatment. Age is less important.
VX220 is a definate no from me, that leaves the elise or tamora? I would now ask myself what is the cars main use? if it's a toy then I would get the Tamora, if it's for an everyday car with the odd tack day then the Elise. Many have a TVR as an every day car but the service cost could be too much if you don't have too much spare cash (every 6K miles). Sensible people will choose the Elise, Adventures will opt for a TVR. Which are you?
Well i would say you have made you mind up already!! You are asking all the right questions.
Be put off by nothing!
I bought my Tamora after looking at it for less than 10 mins. Didnt even drive it. No idea of history, owners, nothing at all.
Fell in love, swapped car there and then with my BMW (luckily they wanted it) and drove off. 2 years later she is going strong. few tweeks here and there but thats it.
AMAZING!! Never looked back. Oh and social side is just as much fun as driving the car.
Be put off by nothing!
I bought my Tamora after looking at it for less than 10 mins. Didnt even drive it. No idea of history, owners, nothing at all.
Fell in love, swapped car there and then with my BMW (luckily they wanted it) and drove off. 2 years later she is going strong. few tweeks here and there but thats it.
AMAZING!! Never looked back. Oh and social side is just as much fun as driving the car.
I was in exactly the same situation two years ago when it came down to it to me the TVR felt the more exciting to drive obviously this is just my opinion as the elise is a great car
No regrets what so ever in fact the silly grin appears every time I drive her
I agree with most of what has been said earlier in the thread
buy with your eyes open, look around for the right car,
No regrets what so ever in fact the silly grin appears every time I drive her
I agree with most of what has been said earlier in the thread
buy with your eyes open, look around for the right car,
A friend of mine has a VX220 Turbo. Great car - stacks of speed and awesome poise. But after taking him out for a hooligan-type blast in the Tamora he said, 'Sod the VX, I'm getting one of these.' (He didn't get one, though - he was put off by the servicing costs and reliability issues).
Having owned all three of the cars you've mentioned I would say that the Tamora will put a bigger smile on your face. The other 2 are great cars but a day of driving in them will leave you in agony, where as the TVR is a comfy car you could go touring in. Another big benefit of the TVR is the boot space, the other 2 are not much use at all. Once you go in the TVR you'll be in love instantly!
It's all pretty much been covered buy the above but I went form Westfields to a Tamora and a lot of my friends have gone from Westfields to the VX220.
The Tam is a true grab you round the scruff of the neck & squeeze your balls sports car the VX on the other is a well built mega reliable euro box with no soul or passion.
IF you decide on the Tam go in with your eyes very widely open IT WILL cost you money I would budget 2k a year if you can;t do that then don't bother buying one, running & servicing costs are expensive and vital.
I took mine on thrack last month and what a car I was amazed just how good it is.
Buy the latest you can afford if/will/when it goes bang make sure you can affod to fix it or buy the VX.
Ps I'm over in WSM so if you fancy popping over to see it or go out for a blast let me know.
Barry
The Tam is a true grab you round the scruff of the neck & squeeze your balls sports car the VX on the other is a well built mega reliable euro box with no soul or passion.
IF you decide on the Tam go in with your eyes very widely open IT WILL cost you money I would budget 2k a year if you can;t do that then don't bother buying one, running & servicing costs are expensive and vital.
I took mine on thrack last month and what a car I was amazed just how good it is.
Buy the latest you can afford if/will/when it goes bang make sure you can affod to fix it or buy the VX.
Ps I'm over in WSM so if you fancy popping over to see it or go out for a blast let me know.
Barry
SEN 18 said:
I would say go and test drive all three then buy the Tamora, the only down side to the TVR is you have to wait till the oil's hot 65dgs or more and keep the revs under two and a half thousand before you hit the loud thingy.
Oh and keep your eyes open for plod too.
Surely you would wait until the oil's up to temp on any car before giving it stick?Oh and keep your eyes open for plod too.
A friend of mine has a VX220.
It's a nice car, but for the following:-
No luggage space either...
It looks ok. It goes ok. It stops ok. It handles ok.
The bits for it are ludicrously expensive.
But a TVR...........it ain't!
It's a nice car, but for the following:-
- - it is small inside. When I say small I mean really small!!!
No luggage space either...
- - it doesn't make any noise!
It looks ok. It goes ok. It stops ok. It handles ok.
The bits for it are ludicrously expensive.
But a TVR...........it ain't!
My other half has a Lotus Europa (see my profile) which is similar to the VX220 - shares chassis and engine. The exhaust noise and character is solved by investing in a Miltek exhaust. This pops and bangs and sounds the nuts on full chat! I love her lotus to bits and we go everywhere in it. Sure it does not have the character of a TVR but it does have the best driving position and a superb enthusists club like TVR. As has been said above, it really depends on what you want to do in the car. Long Euro journeys then TVR or the Europa (not elise/exige). Weekend fun then size really does not matter. The Tam is a lovely car. I hated it at first but now adore it. In the end i still prefer the roar of my V8 though 
combine said:
Just been reading this thread and , as a Tvr owner who has driven various ' sports cars ' and also owns a '7' I totally agree that Tvr's get into your blood and once you have driven one/heared one then whatever the mechanical issues its a drug , you get hooked !
Wot he said...ps Nice looking seac
makes reminder to self to get out to other regions meets this summer- or maybe sort a run out to get a NY region posse to invade your region....
Edited by Fly Boy on Friday 1st May 19:57
Fly Boy said:
combine said:
Just been reading this thread and , as a Tvr owner who has driven various ' sports cars ' and also owns a '7' I totally agree that Tvr's get into your blood and once you have driven one/heared one then whatever the mechanical issues its a drug , you get hooked !
Wot he said...ps Nice looking seac
makes reminder to self to get out to other regions meets this summer- or maybe sort a run out to get a NY region posse to invade your region....
Edited by Fly Boy on Friday 1st May 19:57
willtvr said:
SEN 18 said:
I would say go and test drive all three then buy the Tamora, the only down side to the TVR is you have to wait till the oil's hot 65dgs or more and keep the revs under two and a half thousand before you hit the loud thingy.
Oh and keep your eyes open for plod too.
Surely you would wait until the oil's up to temp on any car before giving it stick?Oh and keep your eyes open for plod too.
Quite so.
Its just frustrating when not up to temp and someone's trying to see whats in the boot you know what I mean.
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