Discussion
Hey
I would quite fancy a T350 next, but tales of TVR poor reliability in general is what is holding me back. But I think I need to scratch the "TVR itch".
How much do they cost to run? Putting a load of petrol in it doesn't bother me, don't really do the miles to factor that into a decision.
Is it going to be in the garage every week like everybody in work keeps telling me?
Or is it a case of, if you buy smart and look after it well, you should be fine?
What are servicing costs like?
Cheers
I would quite fancy a T350 next, but tales of TVR poor reliability in general is what is holding me back. But I think I need to scratch the "TVR itch".
How much do they cost to run? Putting a load of petrol in it doesn't bother me, don't really do the miles to factor that into a decision.
Is it going to be in the garage every week like everybody in work keeps telling me?
Or is it a case of, if you buy smart and look after it well, you should be fine?
What are servicing costs like?
Cheers
ChrisG89 said:
Hey
I would quite fancy a T350 next, but tales of TVR poor reliability in general is what is holding me back. But I think I need to scratch the "TVR itch".
How much do they cost to run? Putting a load of petrol in it doesn't bother me, don't really do the miles to factor that into a decision.
Is it going to be in the garage every week like everybody in work keeps telling me?
Or is it a case of, if you buy smart and look after it well, you should be fine?
What are servicing costs like?
Cheers
Buy smart, look at age condition and most important comprehensive service history. They don't blow up every week that's a myth but if they do go wrong it can be expensive. I think there is a little bit of luck involved too but you cannot factor this in. I would quite fancy a T350 next, but tales of TVR poor reliability in general is what is holding me back. But I think I need to scratch the "TVR itch".
How much do they cost to run? Putting a load of petrol in it doesn't bother me, don't really do the miles to factor that into a decision.
Is it going to be in the garage every week like everybody in work keeps telling me?
Or is it a case of, if you buy smart and look after it well, you should be fine?
What are servicing costs like?
Cheers
Service wise my 12K 'full service cost £750 + another £500 of repair work. A 6k service is about £400 but it all depends on who you use, some people use their local TVR indie/ex-main dealer other trek half way across the country to have it done by the people they trust.
Shep
First of all you should never listen to anyone who has never owned a TVR!.
If the engine does go wrong then you are very unlucky. The SP6 engine is "almost" a race engine so it needs more care than a normal mass built one.
Most low milage failures now are down to the owner or previous owners care. Some people buy these on a shoestring budget and do not warm it up as it should be done.
When buying analyise the owner and his home as well as the car (if buying private). If he/she doesn't look after themself or their home then the car will have suffered the same fate!!! Also recent service history is a must, a plus is that it has just had a 12K service.
As for running cost I find my Tamora has been very good, problem is "upgrading" is a money pit
If the engine does go wrong then you are very unlucky. The SP6 engine is "almost" a race engine so it needs more care than a normal mass built one.
Most low milage failures now are down to the owner or previous owners care. Some people buy these on a shoestring budget and do not warm it up as it should be done.
When buying analyise the owner and his home as well as the car (if buying private). If he/she doesn't look after themself or their home then the car will have suffered the same fate!!! Also recent service history is a must, a plus is that it has just had a 12K service.
As for running cost I find my Tamora has been very good, problem is "upgrading" is a money pit
- if you abuse, you lose.
- warm them up and they treat you well.
- regular servicing is a must (you first one might uncover a few minor niggles if you go to a good dealer).
- somethings go quicker than other cars - clutch for example last about 25K miles.
- generally i think T350s are pretty reliable (just bad press - a bit like Windows Vista).
- warm them up and they treat you well.
- regular servicing is a must (you first one might uncover a few minor niggles if you go to a good dealer).
- somethings go quicker than other cars - clutch for example last about 25K miles.
- generally i think T350s are pretty reliable (just bad press - a bit like Windows Vista).
Chris,
I've done 5.5k miles this summer and the car has been almost faultless barring a small radiator hose issue, a few electrical annoyances and a dodgy oil pressure sender I'm currently waiting to replace - it has been to the garage once.
It's done 41k now and admittedly had a rebuild at 28.5k by Jason at STR8SIX which has no doubt improved it's reliability. There will always be things to keep in check and improve but my car has been used by it's previous owners and now by me so I think that helps a great deal.
I'm new to TVR's and a mechanical numpty so cannot comment generally on reliability but it seems if used and looked after properly you will have little problems. Go in with your eyes open to a few niggles and you will not regret it, I have had simply the best 6 months with my T350 and can see my owning Tiv's for a long time now....
I've done 5.5k miles this summer and the car has been almost faultless barring a small radiator hose issue, a few electrical annoyances and a dodgy oil pressure sender I'm currently waiting to replace - it has been to the garage once.
It's done 41k now and admittedly had a rebuild at 28.5k by Jason at STR8SIX which has no doubt improved it's reliability. There will always be things to keep in check and improve but my car has been used by it's previous owners and now by me so I think that helps a great deal.
I'm new to TVR's and a mechanical numpty so cannot comment generally on reliability but it seems if used and looked after properly you will have little problems. Go in with your eyes open to a few niggles and you will not regret it, I have had simply the best 6 months with my T350 and can see my owning Tiv's for a long time now....
Everything they said. Plus I re-iterate the recommendation to buy on condition/history/how the owner treats it. Age and mileage are less relevant (very low miles can be worse than very high miles).
Also, beware of cars sitting around for a long time - you have to ask why when some sell straight away. If they are 'test driven' once every few weeks then left out in the rain I would wager they will be more troublesome than a private sale garage queen. (Of course these cars can live outside though.)
Where are you in the country? What is your budget? What is your driving background? (this last one will affect your insurance cost).
Finally, get a good TVR independent to look over whatever car you are planning on buying. These guys know their stuff?
Also, beware of cars sitting around for a long time - you have to ask why when some sell straight away. If they are 'test driven' once every few weeks then left out in the rain I would wager they will be more troublesome than a private sale garage queen. (Of course these cars can live outside though.)
Where are you in the country? What is your budget? What is your driving background? (this last one will affect your insurance cost).
Finally, get a good TVR independent to look over whatever car you are planning on buying. These guys know their stuff?
OatSy said:
First of all you should never listen to anyone who has never owned a TVR!.
^^ThisAlways annoys me when the office experts pipe-up with the comment that our car must be in and out of the garage like a yo-yo.
Awesome cars, reliable if treated well and looked after, brilliant performance and totally unique. I can't think of any other car that would make me feel like a racing driver every time I sit in the drivers' seat.
Do your research, buy one and look after her well; she'll do the same in return!
I was just down at the tyre fitters. There was a nice Maserati Gran Turismo in the next bay. Now which car did all the fitters spend time looking at?
BTW, Obviously they're not bedded in yet, but the new Goodyear Asymetrics look nice under the front arches (and make my rears look a little kojak ... I will get those in 2 weeks time after getting back from Switzerland).
BTW, Obviously they're not bedded in yet, but the new Goodyear Asymetrics look nice under the front arches (and make my rears look a little kojak ... I will get those in 2 weeks time after getting back from Switzerland).
T350 Al said:
OatSy said:
First of all you should never listen to anyone who has never owned a TVR!.
Always annoys me when the office experts pipe-up with the comment that our car must be in and out of the garage like a yo-yo.You "hear" lots of stories but the reality is alot different, certainly there were issues with earlier models but I would beleive anything on the road now should atleast be devoid of any "out of the factory" issues.
I did drive it home thinking "I`ve just spent 40k on a car that might go bang at any point.. " - however I`ve put 9k miles on her in 18 months and just got her serviced last week (early 2005 Sagaris with 19k miles) and the engine is in perfect condition, the servicer says he's very pleased with it and he can`t see any signs of wear.
The engines are a little more 'tappy' than the silent electronic engines in most cars now but at about 95bhp per litre I drive with the windows down (reguardless of the outside temperature) to listen to the glorious exhaust notes
J
I would echo all the above comments save for the one that they are like Windows Vista.
They are, however, more reliable than Snow Leopard!
My Tamora is booked for its second service of the year having covered 8000 miles since the last one in March with no issues. You will do well to get a 6k service (plus all the bits and bobs) for under £1k. A 12k service will top £1k. Mine was £2k last time but that was because I put on all new suspension. It had one badly leaking shock but there is no point having a car like this and then skimping like you might on a runabout. Doing one side would unbalance the car and once you'd done the front why not do the back as well rather than leave it on 4 year old suspension.
When I've posted previously on servicing people had commented that the figures I quote are 'high'. But if you are getting it serviced by someone you trust and it never has any issues between services I think its money well spent.
They are, however, more reliable than Snow Leopard!
My Tamora is booked for its second service of the year having covered 8000 miles since the last one in March with no issues. You will do well to get a 6k service (plus all the bits and bobs) for under £1k. A 12k service will top £1k. Mine was £2k last time but that was because I put on all new suspension. It had one badly leaking shock but there is no point having a car like this and then skimping like you might on a runabout. Doing one side would unbalance the car and once you'd done the front why not do the back as well rather than leave it on 4 year old suspension.
When I've posted previously on servicing people had commented that the figures I quote are 'high'. But if you are getting it serviced by someone you trust and it never has any issues between services I think its money well spent.
I've recently taken mine off the market because I can't find anything to replace it that comes close. I had been looking at Gallardos, but as much as I still love them and maybe will get one in the future, they are three times the price but not three times the fun. I'm going to now 'tweek' mine over the winter and start using it as intended, on the track. In my humble opinion I don't think there is a modern car on the planet that comes close for sheer beauty.
SP6 Animal said:
6K Service for under a grand i bloody well hope so
Same here - just had mine serviced with a 6k (only 4000 miles & 1 year since 12k service and bottom end rebuild). Nothing else required and cost £299 all in, I also paid the extra £105 for the valve check and it needed zero adjustment.Just make sure you don't scrimp on maintenance. If something is required get it done at the 1st opportunity rather than leave it until later. Preventative maintenance is absolute key on these cars!
I also agree with Targaramas comment on regular use, mine had been sat at a dealership for a long time before I bought it which I think contributed to a load of initial niggles. Now though I drive it every weekend (it is my weekend toy) and have had only one problem with a dodgy alternator. Warm them up properly and look after them and they can be a very reliable car.
Most of TVRs doommongers have never even sat in one let alone owned yet think they know everything about them. Spend some time in the Porsche, Audi, Mercedes forums and then come back and let us know how reliable you think they are give their perceived reputation for build quality & reliability!
I've owned 2 TVRs, a Sagaris and a Tuscan 2, I have also owned 2 Lotus's, an Exige and an Elise both powered with the toyota engines.
The only car that caused me problems was Lotus, get a TVR !Just make sure you look after it by checking oil and water once a week, and warm it up correctly.
The only car that caused me problems was Lotus, get a TVR !Just make sure you look after it by checking oil and water once a week, and warm it up correctly.
same here - Tuscan and Sagaris - we did over 70Kmiles in them over 6 years, mostly with minor niggles, a clutch slave cylinder and flat battery the only times it was a let down AA job.
Awesome cars if you look after them properly and dont expect German levels of build ...taking it back to the dealer every time a bit of trim needs gluing on, or a window needs adjusting....well youd be fed up in 6 months (like most of the moaning ex-owners)
if you think of it like a classic Brit sportscar, that made need the odd tweak here and there on a Sunday morning before you take it out for the day, then thats about right in my experience
We shall be back in another next year for sure
Awesome cars if you look after them properly and dont expect German levels of build ...taking it back to the dealer every time a bit of trim needs gluing on, or a window needs adjusting....well youd be fed up in 6 months (like most of the moaning ex-owners)
if you think of it like a classic Brit sportscar, that made need the odd tweak here and there on a Sunday morning before you take it out for the day, then thats about right in my experience
We shall be back in another next year for sure
jev said:
I would echo all the above comments save for the one that they are like Windows Vista.
They are, however, more reliable than Snow Leopard!
i didnt say they were like windows vista, i meant the bad press has given a bad name (reliability wise) to an essentially good product (which is similar to vista - another essentially good product with a bad name, although a bit more complicated, but this is a car forum not an IT forum so guess we park it!) They are, however, more reliable than Snow Leopard!
I said:
You will do well to get a 6k service (plus all the bits and bobs) for under £1k. A 12k service will top £1k.
As stated I was adding all the bits & bobs. Checked my service record - I was being rather pessimistic 6k was £500 (plus VAT) which INCLUDED fixing slight fuel leak, wiper blades and MOT (and was my cheapest ever TVR service!). A year later the 12k was 2k INCLUDING engine mounts, front brake pads, clearance check, MOT and Gaz Golds x4.Probably recalling my previous Chimaera - as these cars get older they need more than just a service and I was trying to give a realistic estimate of what that might be.
Just saying don't look at the cost of an (annual) service and think thats it. Plus these cars are so good I seem now to be on two services a year
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