First Move into TVR Ownership - Recommendations

First Move into TVR Ownership - Recommendations

Author
Discussion

rockits

Original Poster:

785 posts

161 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
Evening All

I have a varied car ownership over the years. Never had an Alfa until last year which was resolved with a nice Alfa GT 3.2 V6 Busso. Have delved into Maserati ownership in the last 3 years with a mint 2007 4200 then adding a 2007 QP Exec GT ZF last year. I have a Volvo XC90 V8 as a daily with the QP. An older 1998 306 GTi-6 with a 1999 R129 SL500 competing the current line up. Oh and the wife's Freelander 2 SD4 HSE.

I have had an itch for a TVR for some years but now in a position to push the button now. I have ruled out the Cerbera as looking for a full or partial roof either full convertible or targa. The Chimaera's and Griffith's seem to be the obvious choice. There isn't a fixed budget but anything up to £20k would be preferred with £15k ideal.

After many months of gathering info there seems to be many options as to 400/450/500.

Are there any obvious do's or don't with regards to what to look at or avoid?

Thanks in advanced for any welcomed replies.

Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

148 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
rockits said:
Evening All

I have a varied car ownership over the years. Never had an Alfa until last year which was resolved with a nice Alfa GT 3.2 V6 Busso. Have delved into Maserati ownership in the last 3 years with a mint 2007 4200 then adding a 2007 QP Exec GT ZF last year. I have a Volvo XC90 V8 as a daily with the QP. An older 1998 306 GTi-6 with a 1999 R129 SL500 competing the current line up. Oh and the wife's Freelander 2 SD4 HSE.

I have had an itch for a TVR for some years but now in a position to push the button now. I have ruled out the Cerbera as looking for a full or partial roof either full convertible or targa. The Chimaera's and Griffith's seem to be the obvious choice. There isn't a fixed budget but anything up to £20k would be preferred with £15k ideal.

After many months of gathering info there seems to be many options as to 400/450/500.

Are there any obvious do's or don't with regards to what to look at or avoid?

Thanks in advanced for any welcomed replies.
If you want open top and a TVR well you would not be disappointed with the very first production TVR Built and to those of us that have one will say the best however certainly the most iconic and only 258 ever built plus a few Turbos.
Not easy to find but worth the wait.
The 3000s is 40 years old next year and with your collection looks like you need something a bit older
Andrew





Edited by Andrew Gray on Monday 17th July 19:38

rockits

Original Poster:

785 posts

161 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
Thanks. Now that is a lovely car but maybe a bit over what I would prefer to spend and maybe a little lacking firepower.

I agree I could do with something older but not sure I quite have the time yet. Just trying to get a 4 post lift into the garage then I won't be far off being ready for something older in a year or two.

Any slightly more modern recommendations?

m4tti

5,426 posts

154 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
E90 series m3 v8. Right in budget

GAjon

3,721 posts

212 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
Take a look at the V8s's for sale on here, nice drive and quite rare.

Look out for chassis condition on any TVR, they're all getting on a bit now.

billynobrakes

2,675 posts

264 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
With your budget and excepted spend I would look at Chimaeras, that was my first TVR and great cars plus there are plenty to choose from.
Wedges are on the rise but much miligened by some people but worth a look


billynobrakes

2,675 posts

264 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
quotequote all
rockits said:
Evening All

I have a varied car ownership over the years. Never had an Alfa until last year which was resolved with a nice Alfa GT 3.2 V6 Busso. Have delved into Maserati ownership in the last 3 years with a mint 2007 4200 then adding a 2007 QP Exec GT ZF last year. I have a Volvo XC90 V8 as a daily with the QP. An older 1998 306 GTi-6 with a 1999 R129 SL500 competing the current line up. Oh and the wife's Freelander 2 SD4 HSE.

I have had an itch for a TVR for some years but now in a position to push the button now. I have ruled out the Cerbera as looking for a full or partial roof either full convertible or targa. The Chimaera's and Griffith's seem to be the obvious choice. There isn't a fixed budget but anything up to £20k would be preferred with £15k ideal.

After many months of gathering info there seems to be many options as to 400/450/500.

Are there any obvious do's or don't with regards to what to look at or avoid?

Thanks in advanced for any welcomed replies.
You Have Email smile

rockits

Original Poster:

785 posts

161 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
quotequote all
Thanks all.

Trying to work out if a 400 would suffice and would feel quick enough. It is not about total speed for me so 240bhp in a car weighing a smidge over a ton seems decent enough. I guess I need to get out to see a couple and drive a couple to see what they drive like.

TV8

3,118 posts

174 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
quotequote all
Hi OP, my old 400 is up for sale on Facebook at the moment - around £11k from memory - it was a cracking car in a stunning colour blue - full fat 400 with lots of goodies on it and the current owner has up-grade to mk3 headlights, rear lights, new leather on the seats and new hood as well. I was tempted to buy it back as I have never really gelled with my 5.3 and catch me on the right day and that could be for sale as I have a German toy as well now, which is a lot of fun.

The owner is on here pholt or ptholt or if you want to email me, I can connect you.

ptholt

221 posts

277 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
quotequote all
you have mail op.

rockits

Original Poster:

785 posts

161 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
Have picked out a couple of options that seem viable. There are a couple of choices:

1994/L Chimaera 400 Pre-Serp - Reg: L3O UUD - Blue - Looks like well looked after car from PTHOLT & TV8 on here as current & previous owners - Few Upgrades - 50k miles. Priced @ £10,750
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


1993/L Chimaera 430 BV - Reg: L7 DWW - Looks like well looked after car from known member on here as current owner - 54k miles. Priced @ £14k with std roof & £14550 with Surrey Roof


1995/M Griffith 500 - Reg: M3 STK - Not sure it is known to anyone here. Black - 22k miles - 4 Owners - Was for sale at Hamilton Grays a year ago - New interior retrim in tan was black leatherette. Priced @ £21k
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...



Anyone have any opinions or preferences as to what would be a better bet I'm all ears wink

Squirrelofwoe

3,181 posts

175 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
Depending on chassis condition (no mention of any work done unless I've missed it?) that first Chim looks ace and a proper billy-bargain. smile

rockits

Original Poster:

785 posts

161 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
No chassis work or replacement on 400/1st first one although it has been bi-annually wax-oiled and inspected.

Seems like same for 430/2nd one so original chassis but in good condition with no issues.

The 500/3rd one is unknown at this stage. But has had recent service at James Agger so I expect any issues to have been raised.

Squirrelofwoe

3,181 posts

175 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
rockits said:
No chassis work or replacement on 400/1st first one although it has been bi-annually wax-oiled and inspected.

Seems like same for 430/2nd one so original chassis but in good condition with no issues.

The 500/3rd one is unknown at this stage. But has had recent service at James Agger so I expect any issues to have been raised.
Chassis condition was the thing I was told to be most fixated upon when looking for mine- hence I went for one that had recently had the outriggers replaced. That said, this winter I am due a cam-shaft replacement so whilst the lord giveth, it also taketh away! hehe

But to be honest, at £11k purchase and a budget of £20k+ (going by the Griff you posted) you would have a more than decent contingency fund to get any potential chassis issues sorted...

Then again, if your budget is that big I'm certain you could buy a Chim that has recently had a complete documented body-off chassis rebuild, and save yourself any potential future hassle?

I do like that Blue one though, especially with those mk3 lights lick

And owned by multiple PHer's has got to be a bonus too.

andy43

9,548 posts

253 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
All depend what you want. If you're after something to just get in and drive a late 450 chimaera at the top of your budget would maybe be best, with later improvements to heating and so on, if it's an investment that you'd be happy to tinker with a bit there's a really nice looking 4.3 big valve griff at 22k. For value any chimaera is fantastic fun per pound, better value than a griff, just depends whether the griff or chim design appeals the most.
They all drive different, from my limited experience - shocks, alignment, tyres and so on all impact the drive, so never buy blind! Some have PAS, some don't - it's heavy going parking without. Don't ever run the engine, until you've been right through everything, spotted faults, and in your head half-talked your way out of a car, as ten seconds of that exhaust note will mean you're buying it... plus I'd buy on condition rather than engine capacity or colour personally.
Go to some meetings local to you and get some passenger seat time in a few, and have a good poke and prod under the bonnets and so on, to get a feel for what a knackered one could look like. I saw some seriously suspect outrigger replacements when I was looking, for example. Someone on here had bits of a kids climbing frame under their car, under the waxoyl. I'd even go so far as to say if I had a toss up between a perfect body and interior on a suspect chassis, or a set of new outriggers on a car that would need a retrim and some paint, I'd pick the first one if the colours appealed, and budget for a full chassis at RT, Sportmotive etc.
The two early chims look tidy, both good value (4.3 is an epic engine) and you'd have money left over if they need work underneath, but you could spend more within budget and possibly get a car with a chassis or outriggers already done? Generally whatever you spend on improvements on these cars you don't get all of it back when you sell, so spending more as a buyer could be better value long term?
You need a solid week on PH reading up on what to look for, but if you have a problem with a car once you've bought it there will be someone on here who can help - the knowledge base is incredible smile

Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

148 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
rockits said:
Thanks. Now that is a lovely car but maybe a bit over what I would prefer to spend and maybe a little lacking firepower.

I agree I could do with something older but not sure I quite have the time yet. Just trying to get a 4 post lift into the garage then I won't be far off being ready for something older in a year or two.

Any slightly more modern recommendations?
Well yes a little over budget but they do come up occasionally within your budget and although they came with 140 ponies many have had there engines done so mine is 180 but there are some with 210 closer to the Turbo version.

If your not wanting to spend 20k plus but want a fantastic car then the early of the Later Griffiths are certainly great Value with mint later ones with POS etc fetching over 30k i have seen early ones at 18k that have had a lot of work done there was a really nice one in N Ireland recently at 18k and had been fully rebuilt however pictures never tell the whole story
Andrew

Steve_D

13,737 posts

257 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
andy43 said:
.......... I saw some seriously suspect outrigger replacements when I was looking, for example. Someone on here had bits of a kids climbing frame under their car, under the waxoyl. .............
That will be mine.



Steve

monty quick

230 posts

235 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
My entry into TVR ownership was with a Chimaera.
I did a lot of research before buying. However, from all of that research I never really formed a definitive piece of advice! My choice was a 450 - I convinced myself that I could feel the extra power over a 400. I also felt that it revved a bit easier than a 500. I certainly never regretted my decision. My X-plate Chimaera450 was a fantastic car; fast, comfortable, reliable, sounded fantastic, etc.
My only warning is that you should consider the Chimaera as more of a GT than an out-and-out sports car.
I have since moved on to a T350 - less torque, less of a GT but offers much better handling and is more of a true sports car.

Good luck with your search.

rockits

Original Poster:

785 posts

161 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
Thanks All

The Chimaera is popping out as the obvious choice at the moment. I have no cosmetic preference of a Griffith over a Chimaera or vice versa. The Griffs seem a little less better value for money pound for pound. The 430

I know these are not out and out sports cars and won't be demanding too much from it. It won't get used tons as I have a few other cars and don't do as many miles these days as I used to. However I have garage space in a dehumidifer set at 55% RH so it will be looked after to keep it nice. It will also get moved and run up to temp when not used and sat on a trickle charger under a cover. So it will live a charmed life. Will sit next to the 4200 wink

I an reasonably handy with a spanner and will be getting a 4 post lift into the garage/workshop soon

I am going to see the Griff 500 on Friday morning and likely the Chim 400 on Saturday morning. Although I have earmarked up to £25k I always like to get good value for my purchases. The 400 and 430 seem decent enough levels. I am not sure the prices of some Griff 500's represent such good value for money though.

I know what I like and what drives well or not as have driven/owned plenty of cars over the years. I think once I have seen and driven one or two I will know what I will prefer. At least by seeing the Chim 400 and the Griff 500 I will see and experience something a liitle different in each case.

CanoeSniffer

926 posts

86 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
quotequote all
Take the plunge OP! You're going in with a strong budget for a Chim which will hopefully give you a safe and reliable example. They're unforgettable cars, you'll never go back I'm sure wobble