Marcos: The Ownership Experiewnce
Discussion
I am considering becoming a Marcos owner, but have a few worries about reliability. We all hear about TVR's failing in one way or another, and the manufacturers excuse is that they are a low-volume hand-built car, and you should expect things to go wrong from time to time.
What I would like to know is whether Marcoses (Marcosi?) afflicted in the same way? I have never heard of any problems with Marcoses, but then they don't get into the magazines very often compared with TVR.
The other aspect that concerns me is servicing and maintenance, especially given the recent difficulties with Marcos itself. How easy is it to get the cars serviced and generally looked after?
Finally, are there any Marcos-specific websites and bulletin boards that you can recommend?
Many thanks in advance for any replies,
Barry.
What I would like to know is whether Marcoses (Marcosi?) afflicted in the same way? I have never heard of any problems with Marcoses, but then they don't get into the magazines very often compared with TVR.
The other aspect that concerns me is servicing and maintenance, especially given the recent difficulties with Marcos itself. How easy is it to get the cars serviced and generally looked after?
Finally, are there any Marcos-specific websites and bulletin boards that you can recommend?
Many thanks in advance for any replies,
Barry.
Hi Barry,
First of all (as we're having a 'positive' day on PistonHeads), don't believe all you read about TVR. Human nature dictates that people tend to grizzle when they have a problem, but don't necessarily enthuse about the marque when things are going well. For what it's worth, I ran a TVR for 6 years, and had only one unscheduled trip to the dealer in all that time.
As for reliability, you don't mention which model you are considering, and how old it will be. In my limited experience, a late Marcos will be slightly better built than a late TVR, but others on here may disagree. Don't expect Porsche build quality though.
Driving experience - The Mantis is a more challenging and intimidating car to drive than a Griffith or Chimaera, but very rewarding when you get the hang of it. You sit lower and the car is significantly wider. Real world performance is no better or worse than the TVR 500 models.
All I can suggest is to go and look at a few and see what you think. They are handbuilt and each car is unique.
Useful website - www.marcoscars.net
This has links for other useful contacts.
Disclaimer: The above ramble does not reflect the opinions of PistonHeads.com and should not be taken as anything more than the sad musings of an ill-informed Marcos owner. All the above is in my humble opinion only, and therefore probably worse than useless. The author accepts no liability for any actions taken by a third party as a result of reading this drivel.
Hope that helps...
First of all (as we're having a 'positive' day on PistonHeads), don't believe all you read about TVR. Human nature dictates that people tend to grizzle when they have a problem, but don't necessarily enthuse about the marque when things are going well. For what it's worth, I ran a TVR for 6 years, and had only one unscheduled trip to the dealer in all that time.
As for reliability, you don't mention which model you are considering, and how old it will be. In my limited experience, a late Marcos will be slightly better built than a late TVR, but others on here may disagree. Don't expect Porsche build quality though.
Driving experience - The Mantis is a more challenging and intimidating car to drive than a Griffith or Chimaera, but very rewarding when you get the hang of it. You sit lower and the car is significantly wider. Real world performance is no better or worse than the TVR 500 models.
All I can suggest is to go and look at a few and see what you think. They are handbuilt and each car is unique.
Useful website - www.marcoscars.net
This has links for other useful contacts.
Disclaimer: The above ramble does not reflect the opinions of PistonHeads.com and should not be taken as anything more than the sad musings of an ill-informed Marcos owner. All the above is in my humble opinion only, and therefore probably worse than useless. The author accepts no liability for any actions taken by a third party as a result of reading this drivel.
Hope that helps...
Thanks Imelda (great nickname!)
I'm looking at the Mantis GT Coupe that Redline Sports Cars have got for sale. It looks absolutely stunning, and I imagine that with 470bhp it'll be amazing fun to drive.
I'm looking at the Mantis GT Coupe that Redline Sports Cars have got for sale. It looks absolutely stunning, and I imagine that with 470bhp it'll be amazing fun to drive.
quote:
Driving experience - The Mantis is a more challenging and intimidating car to drive than a Griffith or Chimaera, but very rewarding when you get the hang of it. You sit lower and the car is significantly wider.
All I can suggest is to go and look at a few and see what you think. They are handbuilt and each car is unique.
Disclaimer: The above ramble does not reflect the opinions of PistonHeads.com and should not be taken as anything more than the sad musings of an ill-informed Marcos owner. All the above is in my humble opinion only, and therefore probably worse than useless. The author accepts no liability for any actions taken by a third party as a result of reading this drivel. ;hehe:
Hope that helps...
Nice one Imelda
I'll second all of the above.
Definately the ultimate driving experience
An excellent choice, though a quick word of caution...
I have a heard a number of tales of these beasts departing stage left backwards through the shrubbery, even in the hands of competent pilots
. As long as you're suitably judicious with the right foot you should be ok. 
Sorry, it sounds like I'm pontificating now. I'm not. Enjoy it if you do decide to go for it. And if you do buy it, I'll be very jealous....
Let us know what you decide.
I have a heard a number of tales of these beasts departing stage left backwards through the shrubbery, even in the hands of competent pilots
. As long as you're suitably judicious with the right foot you should be ok. Sorry, it sounds like I'm pontificating now. I'm not. Enjoy it if you do decide to go for it. And if you do buy it, I'll be very jealous....
Let us know what you decide.
Good choice on the Mantis; I know a few Mantis owners and they appear to be very happy with reliability. I think this is due to the fact that the Mantis uses an engine with associated hardware (wiring harnesses etc) from a mainstream manufacturer (Ford). Having your own engine (TVR) certainly provides exclusivety but I dont think it does much for reliability.
discuss it with the wife first 
Hi BarryG
I had the frirst RHD factory supercharged Mantis and they can be a handfull and not just in my inexperienced hands.
A well known Top Gear Test driver, we'll call him Tiff to hide his identity, put one of them into the hedge within 1/2 mile of the factory.
Having had a Griff and 4.2 and 4.5 Cerberas, I found the Mantis quicker, all IMHO of course.
Lord Briano
I had the frirst RHD factory supercharged Mantis and they can be a handfull and not just in my inexperienced hands.
A well known Top Gear Test driver, we'll call him Tiff to hide his identity, put one of them into the hedge within 1/2 mile of the factory.
Having had a Griff and 4.2 and 4.5 Cerberas, I found the Mantis quicker, all IMHO of course.
Lord Briano
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