Tamora Buying Advice!

[Zeemax_Mini]

I'm currently looking at two Tamoras, and would like to know which one you guys think would be a better buy!

A) 2005 model, 7k miles, sold/serviced all its like by TVR Centre £22k (black with biscuit interior, comes with 10 month autoprotect wear/tear warranty sold through TVR Centre)

or

B) 2003 model, 19k miles, good service history with APM and has had new slave cylinder/rad etc £18k (blue with cream interior)

or

C) Wait for a pre face-lift with a rebuild (could be waiting a long time?)

I just cant make up my mind - the black one looks great, but if the engine were to go I'd be left with a 6k bill which would be pretty bad! If I could guarantee the engine would last 30k miles I'd probably go for it! Ive heard the wear/tear warranty from autoprotect will cover a few bits and pieces, maybe even clutch, but not a rebuild. I'd just really like to avoid a rebuild if possible, or I guess wait and buy a cheap one around 13k and just expect one? I know people will defend the speed 6 and I agree its a fantastic engine, I just want to go into ownership expecting the worst i guess, so that if it does happen im fully prepared for it! Cheers guys! Dom

[bing]

This probably doesn't help but I'm thinking the same (I am after a Sagaris) the autoprotect warranty most the dealers offer doesn't seem to cover engine rebuild; spending £36k+ on a car then £6-7K in the first couple of years in not on IMHO!!!

Having said that I am still looking; hopefully I'll not chicken out at the last minute!!!

[Zeemax_Mini]

Haha, sounds like you're exactly the same as me! It just makes me think, would i spend £22k on the car, probably yeah if it was going to go for a few years with no unexpected big bills...would i spend £28k (22k+6k rebuild), no! Its just so hard to make a decision! Dom

[mr saggy]

Sounds like the dilemma I was in two years ago before I finally took the plunge and bought a sagaris!
To put it bluntly the car hasn't missed a single beat! Over and above an annual service the car has wanted for absolutely nothing!
My advice for speed 6 engined cars would be to purchase as late a car as you can afford,(Or an earlier car with a rebuild), warm it up properly before hammering it and just enjoy the massive grin that will be etched on your face everytime you drive the thing, Buy one! They really are awesome.

[Zeemax_Mini]

I guess thats what id be hoping by buying the 2005 one, that it would last til 30k miles etc with regular servicing and being properly warmed up etc! Is there anyway I could find any early warning signs with the engine, maybe asking the people who service it if the top end has any wear etc? Would they actually record this and know if I phoned to ask? Cheers! Dom

[so called]

I bought my Tuscan at a low price and had the engine rebuild done straight away.
Spent a lot more on it on new shocks etc in the following 2 years though.
Having now just written it off, I'm looking at a Tamora and thinking the same as you in that I want to get the newest I can and not spend a lot more on mechanics.
We will see.

[Zeemax_Mini]

Yeah exactly, i guess thats the question....is it better to buy a cheap one expecting to have to spend some money on it, or buy the most expensive one and hope you dont? I'm sure the newer ones would be a bit more reliable etc, but enough to make up the difference in price?

[bing]

Are the Saggy's any better, don't fancy forking out over £35K then footing the bill for a rebuild.

I am looking for a 55 plater if possible.

[Barry Ashcroft]

Listen guys it's a lottery plain & simple.
If it goes bang it goes bang nothing you can do about it.

I bought the latest I could afford had it serviced, tappets checked extra oil way feed into the head and fingers crossed it will last.
It does not spoil my fun I get it hot & drive it hard/very hard like it was meant to be used (not a sunday driver) & it's the best car i've ever owned I love it.

I now get why TVR !!

The net is great for scaremongering it's not all doom & gloom/

[Zeemax_Mini]

Cheers Barry - i guess its the fact that its such a lottery which is making me think I should just go for an older/cheaper one, then atleast when/if it goes its still cheaper than the more expensive/newer ones! Dom

[Don1]

TBH, go for the colour combo you like, and then add an LSx engine when it goes Pete Tong in the engine department, as you would have been saving for a few years. At that time you can also do anything else you want to it?

[Zeemax_Mini]

What sort of money is an LS drive in/drive out conversion for a tam?

Edited by Zeemax_Mini on Tuesday 5th May 22:32

[Barry Ashcroft]

No ones done what yet as far as I'm aware but I think one is due to be tried.

[OatSy]

Zeemax_Mini said:

What sort of money is an LS drive in/drive out conversion for a tam?

Edited by Zeemax_Mini on Tuesday 5th May 22:32

Mr Melling will give you a quote.

[OatSy]

Zeemax_Mini said:

I'm currently looking at two Tamoras, and would like to know which one you guys think would be a better buy!

A) 2005 model, 7k miles, sold/serviced all its like by TVR Centre £22k (black with biscuit interior, comes with 10 month autoprotect wear/tear warranty sold through TVR Centre)

or

B) 2003 model, 19k miles, good service history with APM and has had new slave cylinder/rad etc £18k (blue with cream interior)

or

C) Wait for a pre face-lift with a rebuild (could be waiting a long time?)

I just cant make up my mind - the black one looks great, but if the engine were to go I'd be left with a 6k bill which would be pretty bad! If I could guarantee the engine would last 30k miles I'd probably go for it! Ive heard the wear/tear warranty from autoprotect will cover a few bits and pieces, maybe even clutch, but not a rebuild. I'd just really like to avoid a rebuild if possible, or I guess wait and buy a cheap one around 13k and just expect one? I know people will defend the speed 6 and I agree its a fantastic engine, I just want to go into ownership expecting the worst i guess, so that if it does happen im fully prepared for it! Cheers guys! Dom

Offer 20K for option A and don't go above that. If you don't have a PX I'm sure you could get it for that. Then you've got 2K spare towards anything that goes wrong. Just check a 12K service with tappets adjustment has been done recently, it should have been done recently due to the age of the car. FSH doesn't mean a Full "CORRECT" service history. You should never pay the asking price at a dealers, prices are always inflated for PX deals.

If you don't like haggling I'm willing to do it for you, I'm very good at getting what I want :-)

Edited by OatSy on Wednesday 6th May 07:02

[Zeemax_Mini]

Haha cheers mate, it's actually for sale privately not by a dealer. It doesnt sound like he'll drop to £20k because he's got outstanding finance around that and no cash to pay it off if he sells it for less than the finance amount. It has good full service history, and has just had the 18k service. I guess the real question is whether it would cost me any less to run/less likely to pop than a year or two older with a few more miles!? Cheers! Dom

[mr saggy]

If you can stretch to an 05 model you will be very unlucky to need a rebuild imao! Unless of course the prev owner(s) haven't followed the warm up proceedure properly, The later engines suffer far less with the finger follower problems believe me I studied and researched like crazy before taking the plunge.

[OatSy]

Zeemax_Mini said:

Haha cheers mate, it's actually for sale privately not by a dealer. It doesnt sound like he'll drop to £20k because he's got outstanding finance around that and no cash to pay it off if he sells it for less than the finance amount. It has good full service history, and has just had the 18k service. I guess the real question is whether it would cost me any less to run/less likely to pop than a year or two older with a few more miles!? Cheers! Dom

Still offer him 20K and let him sit on it, even better still go see him face to face, keep saying 20K and no more time wasting answering calls and tyre kickers coming round. In a few days don't be suprised when he calls you . Also if you buy it don't hand over all the cash if the finance is on the car. If it's a loan then no problem. If it does have finance find out what the surrender value is by contacting them with the owners permission. Get a bankers draft made out to the finance company to give the seller along with a tel. number of the bank it has been made from, so he can check. That way your sure the seller has cleared the outstanding finance. And no early hour knocks on the door from the finance gorillas!. If you don't get the deal you want there will be others that come along.

[mike220]

OatSy said:

If you don't get the deal you want there will be others that come along.

VERY good advice. Just gotta be patient at times (yes I know it's never easy when you have the money and a desire to buy an awesome car you long for), the right deal will come along sooner or later

Mike

[Zeemax_Mini]

Cheers guys - I have waited and i think the right one has come along (none of the 3 i originally posted). It's a cat C but is priced accordingly and seems to tick all the boxes. Now just need more patience until I can go and collect it next week! Dom