Running costs of TVR vs say Porsche 911
Discussion
los angeles said:
Hi Driller.
Ouch! Porsche ownership isn't really like pulling teeth
Yes but is pulling teeth in my surgery like Porsche ownership?
Everyone knows that even after you've layed out the capital on a high performance sports car, the story is just begining. But bearing in mind Porshe's reputation for reliability (and I'm talking about the smaller things here not major engine blow ups), but at the same time their higher cost I wondered if the respective running costs between a Tivver and a Porsche would be comparable. I'm talking servicing, tyres, fuel, and things like clutch replacement, radiator replacement etc. Having owned a TVR but never a Porsche I really have no idea.
Well I've been looking at GT3s and GT2s and a few things have struck me. There is clearly a porsche tax as items that fit those cars seem to cost 20-50% more than they do to fit my noble. Tyres that are 20 mm wider cost 30% more for some reason... Brake pads the same...
Also those 2 cars consume the above faster on track than I'm used to (owning a noble). It probably balances out with the service costs and not having to get it fettled so regularly. Of course my noble is low 30s, whilst a similarly paced GT2 is mid 60s. Thats a big difference as I could be making money on that 30k.
I think it depends on what you want, as there isn't a right answer.
Have a look at www.jzmachtech.com/ where you can see Porsche menu pricing. This should give you an idea, not just of routine basic servicing costs, but also more major stuff like a clutch change.
Some other indenepdents also publish their menu prices.
Some other indenepdents also publish their menu prices.
james_j said:
Have a look at www.jzmachtech.com/ where you can see Porsche menu pricing. This should give you an idea, not just of routine basic servicing costs, but also more major stuff like a clutch change.
Some other indenepdents also publish their menu prices.
Why on earth are GT3 front pads 390 quid for a pair. They cost 110 quid on the noble including VAT. Now thats a fine example of Porsche tax!
DanH said:
Well I've been looking at GT3s and GT2s and a few things have struck me. There is clearly a porsche tax as items that fit those cars seem to cost 20-50% more than they do to fit my noble. Tyres that are 20 mm wider cost 30% more for some reason... Brake pads the same...
Also those 2 cars consume the above faster on track than I'm used to (owning a noble). It probably balances out with the service costs and not having to get it fettled so regularly. Of course my noble is low 30s, whilst a similarly paced GT2 is mid 60s. Thats a big difference as I could be making money on that 30k.
I think it depends on what you want, as there isn't a right answer.
Porsche running costs are about 1/8th of a TVr, I speak having owned 3 996's and 5 TVR's (2xGriff, 2xCerb, t350).
For £208 the Porsche Garage would come with a transporter, take my car away, give it a 10k service and a full valet and drop it back. It also cost the same amount when my car needed a new gearbox and took just 4 days longer.
By comparison a TVR needs servicing every 6k miles at a base cost of £550-£700, plus £300 odd for AJP valve clearances, plus x for a new damper, plus x for a sticking break, plus x for skimming disks, plus x for 2 oil leaks, plus x for a corroded suspension part, plus x for sorting a gremlin - depends on the dealer but its probably getting on for alternate £550 / £900 services on a Cerb, Tuscan, Tamora, T350.
I ended up with a £150-£200 monthly running bill for my Cerb which ended up making the cost difference on a Porsche seem achievable.
When you couple in that a well bought porsche will sell for good money and generate multiple same day offers in the trade, compared to a TVR that will be with you for weeks or stolen by a dealer and its not difficult to make the decision.
For sure a Noble is cheap bits, but its a ford Mondeo in drag FFS.
Bennno
bennno said:
For sure a Noble is cheap bits, but its a ford Mondeo in drag FFS.
Yeah I'm sure I've seen those custom AP racing brakes on a mondeo along with tyres of that size
Porsche running costs are pretty significant if you intend to use it on track rather than just nonce around on the Kings Road.
As to Porsche resale, right now your assertion isn't the case. Big oversupply on 996s and people trying to shift GT3s are having a nightmare, meanwhile these cars are depreciating approximately 1k a month and the 997 GT3 isn't even shipping yet. Same story for the turbo.
A 911 is a great car, but go in with your eyes open, the residuals are pretty soft at the moment and dealers won't hesitate to bend you over for a 10 spread at trade in.
>> Edited by DanH on Wednesday 1st June 00:56
DanH said:
For sure a Noble is cheap bits, but its a ford Mondeo in drag FFS.
Yeah I'm sure I've seen those custom AP racing brakes on a mondeo along with tyres of that size
Porsche running costs are pretty significant if you intend to use it on track rather than just nonce around on the Kings Road.
As to Porsche resale, right now your assertion isn't the case. Big oversupply on 996s and people trying to shift GT3s are having a nightmare, meanwhile these cars are depreciating approximately 1k a month and the 997 GT3 isn't even shipping yet. Same story for the turbo.
A 911 is a great car, but go in with your eyes open, the residuals are pretty soft at the moment and dealers won't hesitate to bend you over for a 10 spread at trade in.
>> Edited by DanH on Wednesday 1st June 00:56
Eh? That is only on 996s. Why would anybody interested in owning a Porsche be bothered about a 996? 993s have actually firmed up a bit since the start of the yr, turbos and RS have added about £5k to their prices.
As to cost...well it depends what you buy. Id personally pick a £30k 993 Carrera 2 with the 285 engine over a £30k TVR every day of the week. Id take a £15k Grif over a £15k 964 every day of the week though.
If I was spending biggish money...£50k or so...Id take the Sagaris over a GT3. Actually, I have just done exactly that.
A decent 911 of 964/993/996 vintage should cost you about £1000/yr to maintain.
I've been tracking 993 prices too, and over the last year they've also taken a hammering.
I guess we are unlikely to find much common ground though when you are so willing to dismiss the 996 out of hand.
As to running a 911 for 1k a year, not likely. I've got a friend who has a 993 cabriolet thats shed about 5k+ over the last year (paid about 32 for it last summer), he's also had to have the hood fixed twice at considerable expense. I've got another friend who has a 3.2 and he's spent over 3k so far getting clutch, flywheel and other stuff sorted, and still needs to replace the dampers and the synchro on 1st is knackered.
Bit unfair on the original poster that this thread got moved to a single marque forum as its unlikely to get both sides of the story.
los angeles said:
Bennno puts up a good case argument, Driller. Much depend on which TVR you buy; can't say my Griffith has incurred those bills, not yet anyway. What you choose will depend on whether you work for the NH or private care ... eh?
Yeah, my 3 year old Griffith didn't give me anything but smiles whilst I had it (year and a half). I had a rad seal go but that was covered under the waranty. Private or NHS ? Very Private LA
but at the moment got a huge old house to renovate so the question was for interest only for the time being. Anyway will definately get a Sag or Tuscan DanH, yeah I was a bit surprised when they mover it for exactly the reason you mention...
The only balancing point i would mention about the Porsches is if you are unlucky enough to buy a GT model 911 with CERAMIC BRAKES!!
To replace the ceramic disks (which has been known at some scarily low mileage!) would cost about as much to buy a whole late Griffith or early Tuscan!
Biggus Buckus Maximus!
To replace the ceramic disks (which has been known at some scarily low mileage!) would cost about as much to buy a whole late Griffith or early Tuscan!
Biggus Buckus Maximus!
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