Would an 'S' suit me?

[Podie]

quote:
At 20 you might have some problems with the insurance but if you try having a ring round you’ll know what to expect. I’ve done 20000 in 18 months and have to say its been great, when it sells I’ll definitely go for another TVR. I was 23 when I got mine and was paying around £1000.

er? I'm 25 in September... Full NCB, car would be garaged, second car, limit miles?, no accident (or claim) history... but thanks for the figures - useful reference.

M@H - mm... not sure. I had a Fiesta Zetec-S (Puma in disguise basically), which was actually a better drivers car... more feedback, better suspension etc etc - just a shame it didn't have the 1.7!

Never been sold on the Puma - only bought it as I work for the Blue Oval and get a discount. Having said that, it does string the corners together very well, and there are not many gearboxes that are better - even in more expensive cars.

Fancy upgrading to a Thunder?



>> Edited by Podie on Friday 16th August 12:09

[M@H]

Nice offer Podie but I think i'll stick with mine.. I had a run-in with one of those Zetec S Fiesta's the other morning, and whilst it was looking competent on corners etc I had no problems keeping up, and then toasted it up a long straight hill leaving him well behind..

..you're Puma running ok ?

Cheers
Mat

[Podie]

Zetec-S is down 25bhp and the VCT compared with the Puma, but is around 70-80kgs lighter. They can certainly surprise and embarass a few quicker cars round the twisties (as per the Puma).

Puma's been fine so far, had a slight issue (see profile) but other than that its not missed a beat. Noticeably better passed the 5000 mile mark... but leather seats are a mixed blessing. Freezing when cold, and boiling in the heat... as with the gear knob!

Interesting, but useless fact - the Puma gear know is THE most expensive one in the Ford group - and that includes PAG!

Incidentially, clutches sometime go AWOL at around 40,000 miles... and nikasil at 70,000. If you have any issue with it though, drop me a line...

[M@H]

Heres one for you then Podie, no-ones been able to explain it to me, Maindealer or otherwise..

One day.. start the car, dip the clutch, into first, move car 5 yds, and dip clutch again to pop it into neutral. Pedal dissapears into the floor, doesn't dis-engage the clutchplate, and the car is stuck in gear. Stop engine and find that about a tablespoon of hydraulic fluid has dribbled out of the bottom of the bell housing..

.. get in car.. start engine agian.. (in gear.. ouch) try clutch again... absolutely fine. Maindealers inspect if for me and cant find a fault (however agree on the hydraulic fluid leak as they can see some of it left on the housing), and 20,000 miles later its still fine...!!

..wierd sh!t...
Cheers
Matt.

[Podie]

Hmmm... odd. I'll ask a few of the lads... see what they can come up with!

[M@H]

quote:
Hmmm... odd. I'll ask a few of the lads... see what they can come up with!

Indeedy..... Cheers!
Matt.

[chris_t_4]

Well i decided to go for it and get a nice 'S' series, well that was until i tried for the insurance!!!!!!!!!

I decided the best way would be to go for it in my 52yr old fathers name with me, a 20yr old, as a named driver! He's been driving 30yrs, but i have held mine for only roughly 3yrs, he has full NCB and both have no points etc.

Had an insurance broker trying all yesterday and today with no look with his contacts and well i have phoned Tesco, Mannings and Classic Line and no one has even quoted me so far, not even limited mileage with proof of it being a second car, so it looks like i won't be joining the club JUST yet!

Unless anyone else has any ideas of places to try, but i'm not holding my breath now!


Cheers anyway,

Chris

[vladd]

Chris,

If you are the main user of the car then it has to be insured in your name. If you have an accident and the insurance company finds out that you are the main user, they will invalidate your poicy and you be in deep doo doo. If your Dad is the main user, then its fine for you to be on his policy as a named driver, though of course you will not be gaining any NCB and thus will be paying more then necessary in the future.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned.

[chris_t_4]

thanks for the advice, but he'd probably drive it more than me anyway. I can't see anything happening now anyway..........not for a few years i guess!

Very p155ed off as you can imagine!

Wouldn't mind if i could even have got a quote!

[ledger]

I must admit I found the insurance group for the S a bit of a mystery, aren't they group 17 along with Chimps and some other tvr's ?.

[AlexR]

Chris,

Have you tried Sunninghill or Footman James yet? Could be slightly more flexible than Mannings, for example, who are renowned for not quoting if you have no previous TVR experience. Might be worth a try...
Sunninghill - 01276 486086

Cheers,
Alex

[JSG]

All S series are group 20 insurance. The best bet is to insure under a 'classic' policy, it will still not be cheap but is usually better than a mainstream policy.

Do a search for insurance on this forum and you should get loads of comments from similar queries.

Cheers,
JSG.

[chris_t_4]

Cheers Alex,
Have just tried Sunninghill but they won't quote again with me being only 20!

They advised trying Norwich Union Direct and Priviledge so will try them two but cant see them being any different!

chris

[AlexR]

The other one you could try is Barclays Insurance Services, who I think have a scheme with Privilege and seem to have negotiated slightly better rates. Their number is 0800 085 2122.
Must be someone out there who will quote....

[Dave_H]

Chris,

Try Norton 0121-246-5050, They were the cheapest by far for my first year of owning a TVR.

Although I was 32 years old, it might still be worth trying them.

Good luck,

Dave.

[Paul V]

Norton were good to me as well in my first year (23), you might find it easier once you hit 21.

[rrouse]

Have you tried Adrian Flux? They specialise in non-standard insurance risks (e.g. 20 yr olds driving a TVR ). I'd phone them rather than using the web form as they take about 2 weeks to reply to that!

You could also try another company called 4YoungDrivers. I don't know what they're like, but it's probably worth giving them a go.

Good luck!

Richard

>> Edited by rrouse on Monday 19th August 13:18

[chris_t_4]

Thanks, i'll give all the above a try

[brands]

cheers all. I'm 24 with 4yrs ncd info has been most helpful. I'm starting my TVR shopping experience post summer.

[johno]

I don't know ???!!!

Cheers

Mark
PS - Been ignoring this thread and decided I'd offer an opinion on the original question.