First TVR - Avoid Speed Six

[Pipeandacrepe]

Title meant as question...

I've decided to take the plunge and buy a Cerbera.

I have no mechanical knowledge and am buying on mileage and colour. I've seen an awesome halcyon Atlantis blue Cerbera but am put off by the Wikipedia page on the engine.

The one I'm looking at says it's had an engine rebuild and, having spoken to the dealer its had the compulsory £5k overhaul, albeit 32k ago.

I basically have two questions:

Is there an easy way to spot excessive engine wear on a Speed Six?

Is anybody on here familiar with a blue Speed six that's spent some of its life in the Bouremouth area, recently had a new clutch and has about 52k on it?

I may chicken out and buy a 4.0 Chimaera and they seem to be a bit more bread and butter.

Edited by Pipeandacrepe on Monday 25th February 21:28

[Marto303]

You have PM

[natben]

The Speed Six is a cracking engine and used in the Tuscan/Tamora/T350/Typhon/T440/Cerbera and Sagaris. The Speed Six engine had problems at the beginning of it's life but most have been rebuilt and If it has been done by the reputable builders like TVR Power etc and serviced regularly should last for many many miles infact one has just 200,000 miles after a TVR Power rebuild (rebuilt at 60k miles)
Check who did the rebuild,
Check it has been serviced,
Check the Chassis condition(any TVR)
Check for lots of reciepts,
Take it for a Test drive,
Check out the big SMILE on your face if all the above are OK

[Pipeandacrepe]

Thank you.

TVR Bournemouth did the rebuild, are they reputable?

[Pipeandacrepe]

Marto303 said:

You have PM

Cheers, how do I read it? Can't see anything.

[natben]

The chances are that they did not do it themselves and would have sent it on to some one like TVR Power, It might be worth giving them a call with the Reg or engine number to see if they can help. But I am fairly sure that TVR Bournmouth would not have rebuilt it themselfs someone else has. But WHO?.

[Pipeandacrepe]

natben said:

The chances are that they did not do it themselves and would have sent it on to some one like TVR Power, It might be worth giving them a call with the Reg or engine number to see if they can help. But I am fairly sure that TVR Bournmouth would not have rebuilt it themselfs someone else has. But WHO?.

The seller said something about TVR power, now that you mention it. Assumed it was the same thing.

[natben]

Aslo some people describe there engine as rebuilt but it has just had a new top end valves comshaft etc, a fully rebuilt engine is exactly that top and bottom with most components replaced for better quality items. A peak at the reciept should explain what was done.
Top end around £2500
Fully rebuilt cost around £5-7,000

[Marto303]

Pipeandacrepe said:

Cheers, how do I read it? Can't see anything.

Hmm good point, I think it's sent to you via email? I'm sure someone far more intelligent than me will be along soon and explain properly.

[Pipeandacrepe]

natben said:

Aslo some people describe there engine as rebuilt but it has just had a new top end valves comshaft etc, a fully rebuilt engine is exactly that top and bottom with most components replaced for better quality items. A peak at the reciept should explain what was done.
Top end around £2500
Fully rebuilt cost around £5-7,000

I looked at the price first actually.

£4600 in 2005. It was the whole lot for that, surely? It's been serviced like clockwork since.

[natben]

TVR Power are a safe bet if they have done the work and TBH if they have I would see it as a big plus. There has been lots of developments with the Speed Six as there are so many engines out there specialists are feeding the demand and coming up with some real performance options.

[blueg33]

Buy on Colour and condition

Best way to check engine is ok and have peace of mind is get TVR Power to look at it, and if they say its ok buy their warranty

[natben]

£4600 in £2005 would have been a full rebuild for sure back then. If TVR Power did it I would not worry and If it has done 30,000 odd miles since anything that was going to wrong would have done so by now.

[Pipeandacrepe]

Thanks.

I'm starting to wonder why it's so cheap now. Am I allowed to post a link to it?

[Pipeandacrepe]

Marto303 said:

Hmm good point, I think it's sent to you via email? I'm sure someone far more intelligent than me will be along soon and explain properly.

Let me send a reply I think.

[deeen]

Yes you can post the link, as long as you are not advertising your own car for sale!

My 2p is that a well rebuilt Speed 6 is reliable, having run a Tuscan for around 3 years. However I think the V8 suits the Cerbera better than the 6.

So my reply would be, if you want a Cerbera, look at V8s, if you want a Speed 6, look at Tuscans and Tamoras.

I've had a Chimaera 5.0 before, if you can afford the extra running costs, the Tuscan was a much more up-to-date feeling sports car.

Just personal taste of course, hope that helps?

[Marto303]

Pipeandacrepe said:

Let me send a reply I think.

Well that seemed to work ok
Thanks Thomas

[Pipeandacrepe]

deeen said:

Yes you can post the link, as long as you are not advertising your own car for sale!

My 2p is that a well rebuilt Speed 6 is reliable, having run a Tuscan for around 3 years. However I think the V8 suits the Cerbera better than the 6.

So my reply would be, if you want a Cerbera, look at V8s, if you want a Speed 6, look at Tuscans and Tamoras.

I've had a Chimaera 5.0 before, if you can afford the extra running costs, the Tuscan was a much more up-to-date feeling sports car.

Just personal taste of course, hope that helps?

Appreciate any opinions.

I do like Tuscans but I don't want to spend that sort of money on my first TVR. £12k for the car and £5k a year is my limit for a hobby. Here it is..

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Let me know what you think.

Edited by Pipeandacrepe on Monday 25th February 22:38

[Gazzab]

You need it inspected. I suspect the chassis needs a good going over. Does it have a stack of bills for last 2 or 3 yrs? A few grands worth?

[pmessling]

That's just round the corner from me. If I had time going away tomorrow I'd pop down and take a look and give you some feed back and opinion on its condition.