What to look for when buying a TVR

[thinkingtvr]

I've long been an admirer of TVR's - ever since I heard a Griffith go past me in the early 90's and am currently thinking about buying either a Chimaera or Cerbera.

I have two concerns:

a) running costs (not insurance & petrol but services and spare parts)
b) reliability - what should I be looking for that commonly cause problems.

Thanks in advance for any advice

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Mate...there's pages written on this here! Try looking at FAQs, or doing a search. You'll find masses of helpful information!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

..and if you've only got two concerns, then you ain't trying!

Good luck.

[Griffter]

thinkingtvr said:

I've long been an admirer of TVR's - ever since I heard a Griffith go past me in the early 90's and am currently thinking about buying either a Chimaera or Cerbera.

I have two concerns:

a) running costs (not insurance & petrol but services and spare parts)
b) reliability - what should I be looking for that commonly cause problems.

Thanks in advance for any advice

a) the beauty of the Griff/Chim is that most of the mechanical and electrical parts - the things which require replacement and repair - are Range Rover / Ford / Vauxhall / Volkswagen. So you can source parts from non-TVR dealers / ebay / breakers quite cheaply. If you do work yourself you really can run a TVR obscenely cheaply. TVR servicing, even from a specialist comes at a price but is probably worthwhile, certainly come resale.

b) usual checks apply. A car that seems cared for, and a full compliment of dealer or indy stamps in the service book are a good start. After that it's how it's been driven / used / maintained. If your not confident in identifying a 'good' car, an independent dealer-supplied car with a worthwhile warranty to iron out any initial niggles might be the way to go.

[TOM500]

Exactly as Grifter says. I bought mine from a dealer after minimal research as I wanted the warranty and in they were very good. The few niggles I spotted were sorted immediately and even 6k miles later they replaced the radiator under warranty when it showed a minor leak at serice. Buy as late as you can afford and you should (as per the many posts on here) have many many miles of the most enjoyable motoring around at a pretty reasonable price.

[that daddy]

please do a search headed (CHASSIS CORROSION)amongst other things, but big problems there can be horrible.

[Big Al.]

I you'd like a buyers guide drop me a mail.

[thinkingtvr]

Thanks for the advice - I think the dealer route with warranty is the way to go. I've had the AA carry checks out on a car in the past, been told it's fine and then get a garage bill for £800 two months later (from my regular garage!!)

[that daddy]

yes ive also seen dealer chims with holes in the chassis,yes sir that can be fixed,yer right covered in gloop more like......

[theaxe]

This buyer's guide may be of use...

[andy-w]

I have just found that my outriggers have rusted.

Luckily for me i am a welder by trade and can fix them myslef but i would hate to be in the position where i would have to call on a garage to do the work.
Still it gives me the chance to fully strip and rebuild the car and give it a nice new colour!!!

Check check and check again the condition of the chassis...i have read in previous threads that outrigger replacement can cost from 1.5k to 3k !!!!

[RTZ62]

There are 3 things to consider if you ask me;

"provenance, provenance and provenance"!

Or a lot of luck.......

[Ian.B]

Remember dealer however that they add sale value of the car and basically you are paying for the warranty and repairs before they happen.Garages can add thousands onto the car where as a private sale of a well cared for(especially if from the TVRCC)can already have all the concerns sorted..either way ids a gamble.