TVR ownership, buying and selling?
Discussion
I have owned a couple of TVRs over the years.
Started with an S1 and then moved to a nice chim, which was 100% reliable cos i looked after it.
I am caught in a trap for which i need help. Having sold the chim, I bought a very nice DB7 and for the last four years have had a reliable and reasonably cost car to run and enjoy.
I fancy a Griffith, but what's going on in the sports car market concerns me?
40 plus griffs for sale... only 38 chims, only 25 DB7's.........
105 DB9's and 147 V8 vantage's floating around.
Griff values are said to be going through the roof....£16k to £35k in some cases for the SE.
You can now get a DB9 for just over £30k and V8 Vantage coupe for £28-30k if you look around.
As you will all know, running any TVR V8 is a blast, but where do you cross the line into running
A TVR for the same cost as a V8 vantage??
I'm assuming that the cost of looking after a modern Aston martin could be huge!! and could put people off??
Running a TVR is not cheap either, but i would think servicing for a Griff would be no more than
a Chim, allowing for the odd repair there can't be much in them.
The only thing that leads me back to a TVR Griff is the fact that its not full of electronics
Like a modern car, so it can't cost that much if it goes wrong.
Also had a look at Merc SL AMG....... £1000 each for a shock ??
I would be interest to hear what you think.
Gadgit.
Started with an S1 and then moved to a nice chim, which was 100% reliable cos i looked after it.
I am caught in a trap for which i need help. Having sold the chim, I bought a very nice DB7 and for the last four years have had a reliable and reasonably cost car to run and enjoy.
I fancy a Griffith, but what's going on in the sports car market concerns me?
40 plus griffs for sale... only 38 chims, only 25 DB7's.........
105 DB9's and 147 V8 vantage's floating around.
Griff values are said to be going through the roof....£16k to £35k in some cases for the SE.
You can now get a DB9 for just over £30k and V8 Vantage coupe for £28-30k if you look around.
As you will all know, running any TVR V8 is a blast, but where do you cross the line into running
A TVR for the same cost as a V8 vantage??
I'm assuming that the cost of looking after a modern Aston martin could be huge!! and could put people off??
Running a TVR is not cheap either, but i would think servicing for a Griff would be no more than
a Chim, allowing for the odd repair there can't be much in them.
The only thing that leads me back to a TVR Griff is the fact that its not full of electronics
Like a modern car, so it can't cost that much if it goes wrong.
Also had a look at Merc SL AMG....... £1000 each for a shock ??
I would be interest to hear what you think.
Gadgit.
I bought the nicest Chimaera 500 I could find and I'm not at all handy with the scanners, so it has to go to a specialist to have any work done. I think it's easier to spend money keeping a TVR in tip top condition if you're fussy (I am), but the expense is offset by zero depreciation and a low purchase price in comparison to the performance, exclusivity and sense of occasion on offer. Swings and roundabouts I think. 
Edited by slippery on Monday 20th January 20:39
gadgit said:
I would be interest to hear what you think.
Gadgit.
Having just sold an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and replacing it with a 21 year old Griff..... This is what I thinkGadgit.
1 of my reversing lights on the Griff wasn't working..... So I decided to splash out on 2 new bulbs... £1.50
There's a chap on the AM forum at the moment with a failed brake light, he'll probably end up buying a new cluster. That'll be £495 please....
If I need a new clutch down the line..... I'm looking at around maybe £600 fitted....
This compares well with another chap on the forum who's looking at over £2k
A recent thread was discussing roll hoop deployment, when certain conditions are met....that'll probably see off £1k in resetting procedures....
My AM brake pads were over £500 for a full set..... The Griff ones are about £100 if that
I just bought 2 new front tyres for my Griff.... £210
I had a puncture in the vantage just before I sold it.....1 new rear tyre was £280
PS I don't want this to sound like I've got a downer on my Old Aston..... In 3 years it cost me nothing other than brakes, tyres fuel and servicing.... It was fantastic to drive, and own... Far safer than the TVR, and a great car indeed
But In conclusion... I don't think you can compare the costs between an old TVR and a new AM...
I sold my DB7 volante after 2.5 years and loved it to bits but the bug to have a TVR bit me big time so got the Cerb as a winter project.
Once the car is renovated and up to scratch I will probably end up selling it as the draw of another Aston is just too strong. A V8 Vantage may be a bit risky with some of the clutch stories but I don't subscribe to the brake pads costing so much unless you are going to a dealer/specialist. A DB9 would be nice and the prices are at an all time low. Hmmm.... difficult really, but at the moment I would be going to a DB7 Vantage because I love the shape and the V12. Just have to do it before I get too old.
Once the car is renovated and up to scratch I will probably end up selling it as the draw of another Aston is just too strong. A V8 Vantage may be a bit risky with some of the clutch stories but I don't subscribe to the brake pads costing so much unless you are going to a dealer/specialist. A DB9 would be nice and the prices are at an all time low. Hmmm.... difficult really, but at the moment I would be going to a DB7 Vantage because I love the shape and the V12. Just have to do it before I get too old.
funny someone should mention the ford parts bin!
The 95 DB7 I have, has jag and ford parts bits all over it, and its all the better for it.
I believe, as with a TVR, that fair running costs are important and most see the up side of being able to run a car for a reasonable price.
So for me, a TVR is reasonable to run as some have said.
The way things are going, no one will be able to keep a modern car when it starts to go wrong, as said by some a modern Aston thats going wrong will brake the bank for most.
I thank you all for your helpful comments, as most TVR runners are well rounded, i will be thinking over the next few days on the way to go forward.
It just might be that i return to the TVR marque with a nice griff before the price gets silly.
As i approach my latter years, I have that TVR yearning again!!!
Thanks
Gadgit.
The 95 DB7 I have, has jag and ford parts bits all over it, and its all the better for it.
I believe, as with a TVR, that fair running costs are important and most see the up side of being able to run a car for a reasonable price.
So for me, a TVR is reasonable to run as some have said.
The way things are going, no one will be able to keep a modern car when it starts to go wrong, as said by some a modern Aston thats going wrong will brake the bank for most.
I thank you all for your helpful comments, as most TVR runners are well rounded, i will be thinking over the next few days on the way to go forward.
It just might be that i return to the TVR marque with a nice griff before the price gets silly.
As i approach my latter years, I have that TVR yearning again!!!
Thanks
Gadgit.
I toyed with the idea of selling mine for an AMG maybe but as you rightly pointed out whilst they are usually reliable when they go wrong, it's expensive. Now my Chimaera is reliable as I look after it as with all my previous TVR's [2xgriffs + T350] and 'if' it goes wrong, I can fix it. As for getting a Griff before prices get silly, they are already silly and a possible reason that there are more for sale than any other TVR last time I looked.
MACDEB.............
Just a thought, why did you not continue with the Griff's
Most say that the Griff is the better drivers car? and I did have a Chimaera which i loved.
I found the chimaera a smooth drivers car, is the Griff to harsh.
Did you just find the chimaera to be a more useable, or just a better value car to buy?
For nearly half the price of a good Griff, the Chimaera must be considered great value.
Gadgit.
Just a thought, why did you not continue with the Griff's
Most say that the Griff is the better drivers car? and I did have a Chimaera which i loved.
I found the chimaera a smooth drivers car, is the Griff to harsh.
Did you just find the chimaera to be a more useable, or just a better value car to buy?
For nearly half the price of a good Griff, the Chimaera must be considered great value.
Gadgit.
gadgit said:
MACDEB.............
Just a thought, why did you not continue with the Griff's
Most say that the Griff is the better drivers car? and I did have a Chimaera which i loved.
I found the chimaera a smooth drivers car, is the Griff to harsh.
Did you just find the chimaera to be a more useable, or just a better value car to buy?
For nearly half the price of a good Griff, the Chimaera must be considered great value.
Gadgit.
It happened by chance. When I came to sell the T350 [prices at the time were in freefall, try 7.5K in 9 months and S6's going up in smoke left right and center and needed cashflow] I advertised, 'may take a Griffith in part exchange' . Then this guy contacted me with a Chimaera 450 'w' reg' with 6k miles on the clock. Went to see and it was a minter [still is, even more so] and drove really nicely so a deal was done. Since then many improvements have been made and I can't part. As for the drive, nothing in it for me apart from bit more room in cabin of Chimaera and bigger boot of course making entry and exit of roof panel easier. I wouldn't call the drive of a Griff more harsh than a Chimaera. Perhaps the low down delivery of power between a 500 and a lesser engined give the impression but not the car as they are essentially since 97 the same car be it with differing engines. Remember most Griffs are 500 and Chimaas 400. So, to summarise, I wanted another Griff', I got a Chimaera and as result wouldn't change it for griff. Chimaeras by comparison offer better value for money, especially the 450 and 500 variants. Just a thought, why did you not continue with the Griff's
Most say that the Griff is the better drivers car? and I did have a Chimaera which i loved.
I found the chimaera a smooth drivers car, is the Griff to harsh.
Did you just find the chimaera to be a more useable, or just a better value car to buy?
For nearly half the price of a good Griff, the Chimaera must be considered great value.
Gadgit.
Good topic.
I'm currently TVRless but have had 2 previously (V8S and Tuscan 2S) and like most owners I guess I still browse the TVR classifieds and imagine one day getting another (maybe Chim 450/500) if circumstances allow.
You do have a different perspective when you are on the outside of TVR ownership though. Good luck to current owners as prices rise (indeed I sold my Tuscan for more than I paid for it so 3 years pretty much free top notch motoring) but it does make you start to look elsewhere if you don't currently own. Both Jag XKRs and XFRs (with the family in mind) have shown on the radar as prices of those have plummeted.
But then yes I also came across a 2006 DB9 for £33k.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Given new list price is £130k that looks pretty good VFM up against a £30k griff. I know it's a different beast but as you get older...
It is the running costs that may tip the scales though but certainly food for thought.
I'm currently TVRless but have had 2 previously (V8S and Tuscan 2S) and like most owners I guess I still browse the TVR classifieds and imagine one day getting another (maybe Chim 450/500) if circumstances allow.
You do have a different perspective when you are on the outside of TVR ownership though. Good luck to current owners as prices rise (indeed I sold my Tuscan for more than I paid for it so 3 years pretty much free top notch motoring) but it does make you start to look elsewhere if you don't currently own. Both Jag XKRs and XFRs (with the family in mind) have shown on the radar as prices of those have plummeted.
But then yes I also came across a 2006 DB9 for £33k.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Given new list price is £130k that looks pretty good VFM up against a £30k griff. I know it's a different beast but as you get older...
It is the running costs that may tip the scales though but certainly food for thought.
I'm thinking i loved my Chimaera, and don't want to change to a griff from my DB7 just to drive a car so much like a Chimeara ?? if its true what is being said.
The build quality on the DB7 is as would be expected, far better than a griff but more of a lazy drive.
Its been nothing short of 100% reliable and looks good. I did try looking at a 911, but the club scene and attitude is not the same as the TVR lads, and never will be.
You are neutral with an Aston and can turn up at any event with good reception.
I don't think the TVR scene can be bettered in any way, as all TVR's are respected cars which is great.
What other car when you are in your late 50's can you feel good with the roof down and not feel like an old man in the wrong car...... possibly only an old Aston Martin?
This has turned out to be an entertaining and informative posting.
Gadgit.
100k super cars are still 100k super cars to fix.
40k Tvr's are still 40k Tvr's to fix.
The buying of any car is never the full story.
200k Arnage Bentleys can be had for 30k at the mo...If you buy one and never have to fix one it will be a bargain. if something goes wrong you will be crying to the bank manager.
40k Tvr's are still 40k Tvr's to fix.
The buying of any car is never the full story.
200k Arnage Bentleys can be had for 30k at the mo...If you buy one and never have to fix one it will be a bargain. if something goes wrong you will be crying to the bank manager.
Have to agree with this last. The prices for parts on the Cerb are very reasonable really when compared to the A.M. parts bin. The rear suspension trailing arms are £300 each and last a couple of years although you can get them from Jaguar a bit less. But things like the A post seal on the Volante that goes up one door, along the top of the windscreen and down the other A post is just short of £650 and that's with discount. I think I would go for a manual A.M. as at least you wont have to face an auto box failure and cannot imagine how much that would be.
Agree with the OP that by and large they are pretty reliable lazy drives and a complete contrast to a Cerb at any rate.
Agree with the OP that by and large they are pretty reliable lazy drives and a complete contrast to a Cerb at any rate.
Agree with last post, thats the only up side cost wise with my DB7i6 (jag engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes, disks, air con (£760 for all the air con major parts) Jag pads, steering, rear axle.
Bushes..............
It appears to be built like a tank underneath.
So, not to bad to look after....also excepted that Jag main dealer and Specialist can service the car records/
Yes there are Aston parts all over the rest, ford switch gear......
Aston super charger!!! that would be exspensive!!
My chimaera cost me £1400 the first year for new outriggers !!!! and £350 for tyres.
I do still have fond memories of that car...
I'm still waiting for reply from a dealer for a price to change to the Griff, and we will see.
Gadgit.
Bushes..............
It appears to be built like a tank underneath.
So, not to bad to look after....also excepted that Jag main dealer and Specialist can service the car records/
Yes there are Aston parts all over the rest, ford switch gear......
Aston super charger!!! that would be exspensive!!
My chimaera cost me £1400 the first year for new outriggers !!!! and £350 for tyres.
I do still have fond memories of that car...
I'm still waiting for reply from a dealer for a price to change to the Griff, and we will see.
Gadgit.
gadgit said:
For nearly half the price of a good Griff, the Chimaera must be considered great value.
Gadgit.
Gadgit.
THIS!Not doing down the griff, but they are basically the same car,just a different body shape.
The griff may be fewer in number, hence a bit more expensive but...........
"For nearly half the price of a good Griff, you can have a Chimaera!"
For those of us who know, this isnt considered good value.......IT IS GOOD VALUE.
The high price of griffs can only help sell the Chimaera.
I can only see an upward trend for the values on all TVR'S.
I've had two Chimaera's and loved them both but, so far, not owned a Griff.
I spent a lot of money on my first Tuscan but loved it to bits and cried when I smashed her to bits.
I started looking at DB9's in 2012 and really got close to changing from my Mk2 Tuscan Convertible.
The first thing that stopped me in my tracks was a Part Ex offer.
Seeing that, at the time there was only one other Convertible on the market at 39 grand, I expected to get a reasonable offer.
They came back with 15k and told me that my S6 engine may need rebuilding one day otherwise they would have offered me 22k !!! Yes, so, what about the....who's going to look after the 7k rebuild I'm expected to donate while we wait for it to happen ?........forget it.
Didnt put me off AM or DB9's
The second and last thing that stopped me in my tracks was the fact that an annoying fault was finally found and the Tuscan was back to its incredible self again.
The TVR dark side is too strong.
I spent a lot of money on my first Tuscan but loved it to bits and cried when I smashed her to bits.
I started looking at DB9's in 2012 and really got close to changing from my Mk2 Tuscan Convertible.
The first thing that stopped me in my tracks was a Part Ex offer.
Seeing that, at the time there was only one other Convertible on the market at 39 grand, I expected to get a reasonable offer.
They came back with 15k and told me that my S6 engine may need rebuilding one day otherwise they would have offered me 22k !!! Yes, so, what about the....who's going to look after the 7k rebuild I'm expected to donate while we wait for it to happen ?........forget it.
Didnt put me off AM or DB9's
The second and last thing that stopped me in my tracks was the fact that an annoying fault was finally found and the Tuscan was back to its incredible self again.
The TVR dark side is too strong.
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