In need of convincing
Discussion
Hi All,
Im looking to buy a car in 2 weeks, cant afford the cerb I wish I had the money to buy, love TVR's
and am wondering what 7.5k might buy me. Cant go any higher, but im happy to spend up to £7500.
Id love a cerb but that kind of cash isnt going to get me one(!) and after hours of surfing autotrader looking at supras and mitsubishi 3000gt's (which I personally like the look of) - I couldnt help myself from doing a few tvr searches which left me feeling down, wishing I had more cash to splash. But, I discovered the S series which I had never looked into before
I guess Im here hoping some readers will help me make up my mind. Im obviously here because Id like to be persuaded and told about the S series, and to be honest I'll admit that I dont know anthing about s3's
So, I'll do some reading tonight, and am excited that TVR ownership is possible, but need persuading (never looked into it) that an S is some of the way towards everything I love about the cerb.
I loved the cerb for its looks, power, and most of all the V8 sound
Im not sure how the S series compares so I'll hand over to you lot! thanks in advance for replying! 
Rob
Im looking to buy a car in 2 weeks, cant afford the cerb I wish I had the money to buy, love TVR's
and am wondering what 7.5k might buy me. Cant go any higher, but im happy to spend up to £7500. Id love a cerb but that kind of cash isnt going to get me one(!) and after hours of surfing autotrader looking at supras and mitsubishi 3000gt's (which I personally like the look of) - I couldnt help myself from doing a few tvr searches which left me feeling down, wishing I had more cash to splash. But, I discovered the S series which I had never looked into before
I guess Im here hoping some readers will help me make up my mind. Im obviously here because Id like to be persuaded and told about the S series, and to be honest I'll admit that I dont know anthing about s3's
So, I'll do some reading tonight, and am excited that TVR ownership is possible, but need persuading (never looked into it) that an S is some of the way towards everything I love about the cerb. I loved the cerb for its looks, power, and most of all the V8 sound
Im not sure how the S series compares so I'll hand over to you lot! thanks in advance for replying! RobHi Rob and welcome....
Where do we start..?
Many Cerb, griff,Tuscan and Chim owners have had S's at one time or another... Many wish they still had them...
Check out pies site dedicated to the S - www.tvrsseries.com
Get to your local TVRCC meet, there will always be S's there, we are a friendly bunch just ask for a ride....
There is the V8S... Brutal to put a fine point on it..
The V6 S1,2,3(c) and 4 are equal to the V8 in many ways, looks, noise with sports exhaust, performance - with upgrades (but we still have 2 pots missing) and sheer wind in the hair enjoyment....
For 7.5k you could get a very respectable S with money to spare for performance upgrades or personalisation (shiney bitz)
Check through the S forums by doing a search, on just about any question you could imagine and there will be an answer...
Good Luck
Dave
Where do we start..?
Many Cerb, griff,Tuscan and Chim owners have had S's at one time or another... Many wish they still had them...
Check out pies site dedicated to the S - www.tvrsseries.com
Get to your local TVRCC meet, there will always be S's there, we are a friendly bunch just ask for a ride....
There is the V8S... Brutal to put a fine point on it..
The V6 S1,2,3(c) and 4 are equal to the V8 in many ways, looks, noise with sports exhaust, performance - with upgrades (but we still have 2 pots missing) and sheer wind in the hair enjoyment....
For 7.5k you could get a very respectable S with money to spare for performance upgrades or personalisation (shiney bitz)
Check through the S forums by doing a search, on just about any question you could imagine and there will be an answer...
Good Luck
Dave
Bob
Believe me, the S gives you an uncommonly raw driving experience that you just don't get elsewhere - and certainly not from a japbox like Ted says.
Even the V6 sounds great and goes like the proverbial whotsit of a shiny shovel.
Yes the Cerb is faster, but you would have to be exceptionally brave to notice. And the roof doesn't come off...
Go to a local meet, most owners will be happy to take you for a wee blatt.
You would get a good nick S3 or S3C for that money and you will, without any doubt whatsoever, love it. Trust me.
(and no, this isn't a pitch, mine isn't for sale)
Believe me, the S gives you an uncommonly raw driving experience that you just don't get elsewhere - and certainly not from a japbox like Ted says.
Even the V6 sounds great and goes like the proverbial whotsit of a shiny shovel.
Yes the Cerb is faster, but you would have to be exceptionally brave to notice. And the roof doesn't come off...
Go to a local meet, most owners will be happy to take you for a wee blatt.
You would get a good nick S3 or S3C for that money and you will, without any doubt whatsoever, love it. Trust me.
(and no, this isn't a pitch, mine isn't for sale)
The S series cars are a great introduction to TVR. They should not be considered the poor mans car or lesser models as they are full blooded TVR's in their own right.
The V8S is my first TVR and the way I feel about it now I will hopefully be keeping it for a good few years yet.
The number of times I have read of owners of more modern models, wishing they had kept their S's. The experience may be a little more raw than a Chimaera, but it is more involving. You feel connected to the car. Yes they can squeak and rattle a bit, but they are hand made cars and that makes them special and you feel special when driving them.
The V8S is the 'powerhouse' of the S series, with a developed chassis and disk brakes all round. With (a TVR quoted) 240bhp and 60 coming up in 5 seconds it is more than enough to keep anyone grinning.
Having said that, the V6 cars are hardly lacking. This was proved to me just the other day when I was thorougly impressed by a fellow PH'ers S3. It sounded awesome and performed very impressively. The V6 cars will also inflict less damage on your wallet when it comes to servicing and fuel costs.
I think you can tell from the above that I like the S series and I'm very smitten with my own car. I would highly recommend them to anyone. Read up first, do your research, ask questions on here (very helpful bunch), look at and drive plenty (they're all different) and find yourself a good one. You won't regret it!
The V8S is my first TVR and the way I feel about it now I will hopefully be keeping it for a good few years yet.
The number of times I have read of owners of more modern models, wishing they had kept their S's. The experience may be a little more raw than a Chimaera, but it is more involving. You feel connected to the car. Yes they can squeak and rattle a bit, but they are hand made cars and that makes them special and you feel special when driving them.
The V8S is the 'powerhouse' of the S series, with a developed chassis and disk brakes all round. With (a TVR quoted) 240bhp and 60 coming up in 5 seconds it is more than enough to keep anyone grinning.
Having said that, the V6 cars are hardly lacking. This was proved to me just the other day when I was thorougly impressed by a fellow PH'ers S3. It sounded awesome and performed very impressively. The V6 cars will also inflict less damage on your wallet when it comes to servicing and fuel costs.
I think you can tell from the above that I like the S series and I'm very smitten with my own car. I would highly recommend them to anyone. Read up first, do your research, ask questions on here (very helpful bunch), look at and drive plenty (they're all different) and find yourself a good one. You won't regret it!
I haven't had my S for that long and I already know I should have bought one sooner. I've had all manner of cars but not owned one that has such a feelgood factor as the TVR - and that includes a couple of E46 M3s. Quick cars the Beemers are, but very different beasts to the S.
The S oozes character. Yeah, they are teeth rattlers with their hard suspension and do not have the build quality of a modern motor but that's not why people own them. For me, the car fits neatly in the bracket of 'fast classic'.
I bought the car primarily as a weekender, something to poodle around in. The car has other ideas - its seductive engine note (whilst not as meaty as the V8) is a beaut and tempts you to wind the revs up amd give it some, particularly with the hood down.
S's turn heads, they are rare, individual and I can't think of any car which offers this much for sub £7k.
Like the others say, get yourself along to a TVR-CC meet. Chat with other owners. Buy one. You won't regret it.
The S oozes character. Yeah, they are teeth rattlers with their hard suspension and do not have the build quality of a modern motor but that's not why people own them. For me, the car fits neatly in the bracket of 'fast classic'.
I bought the car primarily as a weekender, something to poodle around in. The car has other ideas - its seductive engine note (whilst not as meaty as the V8) is a beaut and tempts you to wind the revs up amd give it some, particularly with the hood down.
S's turn heads, they are rare, individual and I can't think of any car which offers this much for sub £7k.
Like the others say, get yourself along to a TVR-CC meet. Chat with other owners. Buy one. You won't regret it.
Well lot's of good,(if biased), advice already. The reason behind the biased slant of other owners is that the S is unquestionably a drivers car that is very different to an ordinary driving experience. I speak as a previous owner of an Impreza turbo which was quicker in all respects but in terms of excitment and driver satisfaction does not come close to a Tiv!
The other main difference I have noticed is that strangers frequently come right up to you and complement the car and are very curious about that 'really lovely machine you are driving' as opposed to glancing for a second or not batting an eyelid.
In terms of grin factor there is no comparison. With the roof off and the exhaust roaring you feel as though you are driving something more akin to a fully blown racing car than in a Subaru or similar. You will have to put up with occasional niggling faults but if you buy a good one it will be reliable and relatively inexpensive to maintain. The chassis can be the acchiles heel so have any prospective purchase checked by a TVR specialist.
For the money you mention you should be able to get a very good axample. Read the previous threads and don't be afraid to ask for assistance on this site. I'm sure most of us would happy to take you for a spin and to give you an idea what we're talking about.
You wo'nt regret it!!
Steve.
The other main difference I have noticed is that strangers frequently come right up to you and complement the car and are very curious about that 'really lovely machine you are driving' as opposed to glancing for a second or not batting an eyelid.
In terms of grin factor there is no comparison. With the roof off and the exhaust roaring you feel as though you are driving something more akin to a fully blown racing car than in a Subaru or similar. You will have to put up with occasional niggling faults but if you buy a good one it will be reliable and relatively inexpensive to maintain. The chassis can be the acchiles heel so have any prospective purchase checked by a TVR specialist.
For the money you mention you should be able to get a very good axample. Read the previous threads and don't be afraid to ask for assistance on this site. I'm sure most of us would happy to take you for a spin and to give you an idea what we're talking about.
You wo'nt regret it!!
Steve.
Thanks for the posts and encouragement! I really appreciate it. I was up all night reading the S forum granted a 3am interlude in which I had to go climb up the scafolding outside my girlfriends flat. She'd barricaded herself in the lounge and I had to save her from a rat 
I'm Sold!! But... where do I sign up?
It HAS to be a V8, but I understand they are really hard to find (someone spent a year looking for one 
?)
I've already emailed C14PPY who is selling(?) and who I hear is hard to get hold of and... I also gather he has a habbit of turning potential V8 buyers into S3V6 owners. I know both are great, but I'd really like the V8.
I'm excited, but a little concerned as I have no mates who are mechanics (or close) and worried about checking the chassis issue when the time comes to buy, and also a little worried I wont actually be able to find a V8. Will you guys help me... find one! Im in Eastbourne (any s3 owners local?) and willing to travel as far as Australia for the right car Where are the best/biggest online classifieds in the UK?
I cant wait to buy, I just hope i'll have one while the suns still blatting. Of course when I do buy, readers of this thread, by reading, agree implicitly to my terms which are never to mention my above stated comments about the jap box
I feel an S coming soon!!
I'm Sold!! But... where do I sign up?
It HAS to be a V8, but I understand they are really hard to find (someone spent a year looking for one ?) I've already emailed C14PPY who is selling(?) and who I hear is hard to get hold of and... I also gather he has a habbit of turning potential V8 buyers into S3V6 owners. I know both are great, but I'd really like the V8.
I'm excited, but a little concerned as I have no mates who are mechanics (or close) and worried about checking the chassis issue when the time comes to buy, and also a little worried I wont actually be able to find a V8. Will you guys help me... find one! Im in Eastbourne (any s3 owners local?) and willing to travel as far as Australia for the right car
Where are the best/biggest online classifieds in the UK? I cant wait to buy, I just hope i'll have one while the suns still blatting. Of course when I do buy, readers of this thread, by reading, agree implicitly to my terms which are never to mention my above stated comments about the jap box
I feel an S coming soon!!
I bought my S2.9 last march and my face is aching from the continuous grin. Just this morning was pulling off the drive and 2 lads stopped, eyes on stalks, to listen to my car as I pulled away. That says it all for me, for not a lot of outlay you can have a fun car that attracts as much attention as an italian jobbie.SO DONT DELAY GET ONE!!!!!! Get 
it and get a free pantani201 said:
Mine was parked in a pub car park in the New Forest recently. Next to it was a 4 or 5 year old 911- what's that, £30k plus ??. Watching people coming into the car park, it was the S getting all the attention and the admiring looks
. The 911 was largely ignored. What else can do that for the money ? Made me chuckle. Oh yeah, and a revving S sounds nicer than a porker (IMHO).
Hi ukbob. PistonHeads is about the best classifieds around for TVR's. You may find one or two lurking in AutoTrader also.
V8S's are few and far between. There were only around 400 built and with the obvious loss of a few each year this number is now somewhat lower.
As has been said, it is important to get the vehicle checked over by an expert. Just such an expert is Rob Ingleby (www.findasportscar.co.uk/). For a fee of around £200 he'll carry out a detailed inspection of any petential purchase. He'll highlight any possible problems and put an unbiased valuation on the car. For about £500 he'll source a vehicle for you as well. You tell him what you want and how much you're willing to spend and he'll do the rest.
Rob inspected my car after I found it through contacts here on PH. I think it's money well spent as if you get the wrong car you'll pay big bucks to get it all put right.
Having been through all this recently myself feel free to e-mail me through my profile and ask any other questions you may have.
V8S's are few and far between. There were only around 400 built and with the obvious loss of a few each year this number is now somewhat lower.
As has been said, it is important to get the vehicle checked over by an expert. Just such an expert is Rob Ingleby (www.findasportscar.co.uk/). For a fee of around £200 he'll carry out a detailed inspection of any petential purchase. He'll highlight any possible problems and put an unbiased valuation on the car. For about £500 he'll source a vehicle for you as well. You tell him what you want and how much you're willing to spend and he'll do the rest.
Rob inspected my car after I found it through contacts here on PH. I think it's money well spent as if you get the wrong car you'll pay big bucks to get it all put right.
Having been through all this recently myself feel free to e-mail me through my profile and ask any other questions you may have.
I nearly bought the V8S you mention and as you rightly point out he managed to pursuade a few people to go the V6 route first (an honest man if there ever was one) I also had Rob lined up to look at it and I would say it's very much worth it if you don,t know what to look out for. Don't be put off by high mileage either as these cars are meant to be driven and are no less prone to trouble than low mileage (if fact probably less trouble. I ended up getting an S3 and they don't sound that much different from the V8s and are still incredible fun to drive (they are also safer to control when the wife's screaming for her turn to drive!!) Pistonheads is definately the place to come for advice and there are more ads here than anywhere else. There are of course some advertised in tvrcc magazine, Sprint. Be prepared for niggling problems, I know i've had a few in my first month of ownership but it in no way puts you off owning one. When England lose yet another penalty shoot out you can always cheer yourself up by taking the TIV out for a spin. It's guaranteeed to bring a smile (sorry, stupid grin) back to your face. As the Nike advert says "Just do it"!!!!!
I read all about you wanting it Chippy 
and am glad you found the right car for you! And thanks everso Pete for Ingleby's details!!
Having spent the best part of 2 years torturing myself reading tiv posts in the gassing station Im quite ecstatic and can hardly believe Im about to get my very own TIV!! And... looking forward to meeting you all at the meets!
If I did go for a V6, I'm sure I'd forever wish I had a V8 (im like that) but just how hard are V8's to find, and how different are the exhaust notes? Im partial to no cats and sports pipes myself whatever's most ott, which is why Im hesitant to just go out and snap up the first V6 I like. Im also tall (6.1) does the V8 share the revised "more getting in space" that the S3 has?
The issue of timing: I'd like one as soon as (could it be any other way?) If I found a V8 which I knew would need a little work down the line, I'd sooner buy it (assuming I knew the genuine condition of the vehicle) and get it fixed up later, than spend 6 months just waiting... and hoping 
that a V8 would one day appear!
I'm positive (I think) a V8S is the car for me and I'll have the cash I need within 2 weeks. But, I do need to find a nice V8 for sale.
Could anyone remember to give me a shout if they find one? (finders fee= many cases of beer of course)
and am glad you found the right car for you! And thanks everso Pete for Ingleby's details!! Having spent the best part of 2 years torturing myself reading tiv posts in the gassing station Im quite ecstatic and can hardly believe Im about to get my very own TIV!!
And... looking forward to meeting you all at the meets! If I did go for a V6, I'm sure I'd forever wish I had a V8 (im like that) but just how hard are V8's to find, and how different are the exhaust notes? Im partial to no cats and sports pipes myself
whatever's most ott, which is why Im hesitant to just go out and snap up the first V6 I like. Im also tall (6.1) does the V8 share the revised "more getting in space" that the S3 has? The issue of timing: I'd like one as soon as (could it be any other way?
) If I found a V8 which I knew would need a little work down the line, I'd sooner buy it (assuming I knew the genuine condition of the vehicle) and get it fixed up later, than spend 6 months just waiting... and hoping that a V8 would one day appear! I'm positive (I think) a V8S is the car for me and I'll have the cash I need within 2 weeks. But, I do need to find a nice V8 for sale.
Could anyone remember to give me a shout if they find one? (finders fee= many cases of beer of course
)
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