Which is the best 'S' series?

Which is the best 'S' series?

Author
Discussion

tuscan_v8

Original Poster:

2,496 posts

283 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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S1, S2, S3, S4C but not V8S as I am looking for one to suit my need, and tell me why you prefer one of them...As I keep telling my father in law that I prefer 'S' series to wedge as he got 390SE...Cheer

PetrolTed

34,424 posts

302 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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As with most cars, the later the car the better as they've sorted many of the niggles out.

Then again I would say that because I've got an S4

tuscan_v8

Original Poster:

2,496 posts

283 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
quotequote all
Thought so!

birchy

63 posts

272 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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I have an S1 - and spent a long time looking around before selecting it. In my travels I looked at 20 S types right the way through the range.

What I found it was not model but the owners that where important and the money you want to spend. Personally, if you get a genuine S2 or above you are getting a more refined version with less of the wrinkles, such as grounding the exhaust, poor handling (relative to S2), exposed chasis, unleaded engine etc. I drove a few S3's and one S4, the handelling was broadly similar but I never realy had the chance to test this to the extreme.

I went for the S1 as it was the right price and had been clearly looked after by the owner in every respect - and I preferred the curved dashboard save the sad digital clock - it's going to have to go!!!!

PetrolTed

34,424 posts

302 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
quotequote all
Agreed, the owner and condition of the car is more important as all these cars are quite old now.

As for the later cars not grounding... My engine is once again constricted by flattened down pipes!

tuscan_v8

Original Poster:

2,496 posts

283 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
quotequote all
But I am not too sure about S1 interior!

mhibbins

14,055 posts

278 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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The s3 has longer doors and I find it easier to get in... being quite tall you understand.

--
Mark

LeeBee

773 posts

283 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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Out of all the S's I have had here mine is the best! only kidding I have had every model here except the S4 and I personally find the S1-S2 the best to work on.I also prefer the curved dash but that's me.I could show you an S1 that is in far better condition than a V8S, it's all to do with how well they are looked after, I for one have never experienced the "far better build quality" of later cars (in fact I have a lovely S3c that visits me which states "scrap do not use" on both undersides of the door cards!, all the models can be improved upon quite easily with a blank cheque sent to the following address......

Cheers

LeeBee

birchy

63 posts

272 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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The longer doors would come in handy for myself - but it keeps the missus out of the car as getting in and out in a skirt is not the most elagmatic pose

mhibbins

14,055 posts

278 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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The fact that mine constantly smells damp does the trick for my wife.

--
Mark

Dave_H

996 posts

282 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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I agree with Lee, when looking at cars before I bought my '90 S3, I saw a lot of early cars in better condition than later ones, and some such later ones going for silly money.

All down to the previous owner(s) I guess, and how/where they kept the car.

JSG

2,238 posts

282 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2001
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Tough question as all S series have their merits and as we all know the S is the best TVR.

I looked at loads and decided to go for a S3 due to unleaded compatibility, longer doors and a few other detail improvements (LSD, electric mirrors and driving lamps etc).

Servicing costs are reasonable and it has plenty of power, but I must admit if pushed that the V8S would prob get my vote although running costs would increase.

jurdy

255 posts

283 months

Wednesday 24th October 2001
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I owned an S3c with all the later S4 bits on it from new. The build quality was far better than any of the the 1,2's and 3's I'd seen. Maybe I just got lucky but all I had to replace was tyres and the exhaust. I only did 30,000 miles in 10 years (sad admission)but apart from servicing, small jobs were very easy to undertake on a Sunday.My opinion, drive loads of the 3c's before you decide, but if you find a 4 and it's all together and doesn't have mushrooms in the footwell (a sure sign that the car has lived on the street!) then buy it!!!!

ianw

159 posts

281 months

Friday 26th October 2001
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Mines now running a non-cat 4.3 Big Valve, now that's the best of the 'S' with the best of the Griffith!!

Greenv8s

30,149 posts

283 months

Monday 29th October 2001
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quote:

Mines now running a non-cat 4.3 Big Valve, now that's the best of the 'S' with the best of the Griffith!!



Sounds nice, you didn't go for the 4.6 then? Very sensible, its a bit of a beast!

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

simba

61 posts

273 months

Tuesday 30th October 2001
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Cheesey Grin lads, I took possession of my beautiful Silver V8S just over 6 months ago. Its my first TVR and a bit more powerful than my Micra 1L(somebody should have warned me) which I use for my work.My neighbours seem rather bemused at me stepping out of the Micra after a hard days work, getting the beast out of the garage (The V8-not the wife!!) and racing off for some top down fresh air along the quiet scenic Ayrshire roads!!The S series cars are real eye catchers and open a doorway to conversation with strangers everywhere. Ok , it costs a fair bit to keep it going in avaiation fuel, but what the hell?One summer season passed and Ive managed(just)to keep it between the verges. Now I`ll spend all winter polishing , cleaning, scrubbing and restoring and look forward to collecting a few more dead flies next season!

mhibbins

14,055 posts

278 months

Tuesday 30th October 2001
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Season?

--
Mark

simba

61 posts

273 months

Tuesday 30th October 2001
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Next season includes all dry days within a 365 day period starting yesterday!