I've just sold my TVR......

[robstvr]

Had to go. Costs, despite being a 4ltr '96 chim put the thing WAY into negative equity, starting to lose its figure a bit (headlight cowling flying off at 80mph) dealership nightmares: One lost the franchise coz they were so bad, the replacement cowboys nicer to look at, but same car salesman pishy attitude....just got sick of it. Wasn't really a money thing either.

So what now? Just put the deposit down on a cooper "S", and i'm sure you people will have something to say about that. I do believe, however, that given a few years, i'll go back to TVR, and get another chimera. Hopefully this one won't throw a con-rod and need a new radiator/clutch/engine within 3 months of buying it, fully serviced from a dealership. I know the mini won't, and at least i'm still buying british......made, anyway, and puting business JC's way.

So, any thoughts? It's a shame, but there you are. I suppose in three years i'd probably have to buy the same car back for more than the 10 grand the TVR "people" offered for it!!!!

Your's, in a had enough fashion.......

[Hut49]

Sad to walk away from something I bet you had some great times with.

See if you can stretch to a Works Cooper S - around 200bhp I believe. May be difficult to get, long waiting list I suspect, but sure to be fun.

As you say, you're not saying never a TVR again.

Good luck
Hutch

[yum]

why have you started two almost identical but conflicting threads, the earlier saying you have sold it, the next saying you are thinking about trading it in?

Looking at your history, you did this in February when you were also considering ditching the TVR. Any particular reason?

[tivhead]

Sorry to hear the affair with your Chim was'nt exactly smooth running. Hope you get bags of fun with your new toy though, and I'm sure it won't be too long before you start to miss the V8 burble.

If you are ever down Hertfordshire way and are getting V8 withdrawl symptoms, look me up and I'll take you out for a thrash in the Griff.

Regards
Tiv

[robstvr]

Errr, there's not really a conflict here. Never said anything about "thinking" of trading it in. It IS traded in, but that's sold too, right? Anyway, chronology is confusing here message-wise. I'm in africa, my brother is taking the car to the garage - sometime, and i won't be making payments on the mini till my return. So at the time of posting, i really had no idea of the status of my car, and whether it was mine or the garages, nor if the mini was mione or not, as the finance was not to be decided till the car was handed in, and my elligibility, as a non-resident sorted out. Sorry if i confused anyone. I certainly am.

Another reason for the change is that when in the UK, i'm either in the NORTH, of north scotland. Not ideal 9 months of the year for enormous rear wheel drive power. And i love oversteer. Not a handy car for skiing at the cairngorms. The mini on the other hand.....

Hopefully in a couple of years i can have both the cars. I WILL miss that V8 rumble. And the mini won't be scooting to the shops and back. When i pick it up at the end of jan (august for those inside the M25, ha-ha) it's taking me straight to the french alps. I wouldn't dream of that in a TVR in winter.

Sorry to go on, and on, but i need to make this ok in my head, too. Sad, sad, sad....but i reckon it'll be a fun car, and just as loved by the ladies. That's important too, you know.

[gazzab]

some people just arent cut out for TVR ownership.
front wheel drive german thing might be more your bag. Good luck.

[ascender]

Hi Rob,

Where about did you buy your TVR originally? Your tale sounds remarkably like mine except I am still trying to sell my Chimp.

I'm from Edinburgh BTW.

M.

[Jason F]

One lost the franchise coz they were so bad,

Hmm, were these people based in Surrey ?
If so, please mail me offline as all evidence collected against a certain dealer helps me in my quest..

[marki]

gazzab said: some people just arent cut out for TVR ownership.
front wheel drive german thing might be more your bag. Good luck.

Is it wrong to expect better than he got !

[robstvr]

Have to say i resent the ownership comment. I owned the car for two years, having lusted after one for five. Picked it up from the garage on the day which turned out to be the first snow of the year. No problems, unlike some pussies. I put 7000 miles on it per year, and had the brakes done, and put a bunch of cash into the interior. 26 yrs old when i bought it, and the insurance was a sting with "a few" points on my licence. I was commited to the thing, as are we all. I'm as "cut out" for ownership as anyone, and don't bog my sensibilities down with car-snobbery. I think the mini is superb, and what you jibe as "German" i see as quality workmanship, a love of cars, and an understanding of what the original mini was all about. And, yes, i think the new ford GT40 is a great idea too. Plus, I've owned and driven a good few rear wheel drive cars, and to be honest the chassis on the mini is so good, it's a joy to drive. The front whee drive i need because i'm moving to the french alps, and you try taking a tvr, bmw or merc up an ice covered road which is used as a fast downhile for the tour de france. Snowchains or not. And the mini will start, and keep going.

Thank you for the support, bye the way. I do expect more than i got. And i too bought the car just south of edinburgh's A1.

So there.

[ninja_eli]

I too never understand people's comments and upset regarding ownership of a type of car. What's the big deal if someone wants a different car? Be it because their previous car caused them major problems or if they just fancy something new, is that such a sin?

And for what its worth, I have driven on snow and ice and KNOW that 4x4 or front wheel drive is the only REAL choice. Try driving a rear wheel drive 330BHP twin turbo with no ABS cutoff. Its difficult to make metres let alone miles in conditions like that. I had Micros overtaking me all over the joint. And I'm not the kind of guy that actually gives a shit causing a dent or two for the sake of time.

Good luck with the trade in and new car.

[Jason F]

At the end of the day there are times when you just can't use a TVR. If it is your only car or it lets you down too often then get rid of it. It is up to a person what vehicle they pay out good money for after all, why take it personally if they don't like TVR?

Perhaps later on people who have sold TVRs due to the problems of ownership may go back to them. It is hard not to want them after all....

[btom]

Jason,

Re: your comment about an ex-TVR dealer in Surrey. If you're talking about who I think you're talking about I have bone to pick with them over their supposed interest in my car (sold it back in February - not to them)

Shortened version - Took the car (96P Ross Pearl Chim 500HC, 28k) to them in December last year and they offered me £11k for it.... Wouldn't have minded if they hadn't bullshited me with the line - 'it needs £2k of work and we'll only be able to get £15.5k for it anyway.' It did need the work but the fact they had a 96P Ross Pearl Chim 500 with 34k on the forecourt for £19,995 suggests that 1/ they cannot add up 2/ They are unware of a car's value 3/ They are shysters out to make a quick buck. Whatever the reason I will not be approaching them in my current quest for a Tuscan.

Know its more of a whinge rather than a proper consumer complaint but its crap like this that loses the marque customers. Imagine you've had a more serious experience, hope you can resolve it to your satisfaction. (Out of interest the consumer group Which have a legal helpline - you pay something like £20 for the year - and you get excellent legal advice)

[Paul V]

Hope you enjoy the mini, my girlfriend gets hers in January, she’s looking forward to it as am I, we recently went to John Coopers and got taken out in their clubsport car which was rather fun, only thing is she now wants the 200 bhp upgrade and a full roll cage, still should be fun

[Alex]

I wouldn't be so confident about the reliability of your new 'Mini'. The bulletin boards are full with complaints and action groups about problems with early cars.

[whatever]

(headlight cowling flying off at 80mph)

You as well? I've had that on the cerb. Except the 80 bit, mind. I never go that fast...

[robstvr]

Thanks to all of you for your comments, almost all entirely sensible. Don't get me wrong, i adore TVRs, but i don't see why things have to be the way they are. They should insist, perhaps, that all salesmen are previous owners. Might get some empathy, as well as the "sympathy" at present. Mind you, if you'd owned one, you'd know the hassles you're going to have from joe public, and wouldn't take the job! This would lead the cynical to think that those taking the job or a franchise either..

a) don't know the marque and the potential trouble ahead, or

b) are fully aware, but couldn't give a monkey's for the consumer, or

c) truly believe they can make a difference. Hmmmm? Altruism in car sales......nope.


So there we have it. Give it a few years and a 30k 4ltr griff/Chimaera will be 8 - 9 grand. Oh, yes they will. And then maybe the hastle will be worth it. Mind you, by that time, you can service it wherever you like. This may hit them, these cars being so ubiquitous. We'll see.

[RCA]

Good luck with the Mini mate, I must admit I do like them myself, and I hope you return to TVR ownership in the future!!

[RCA]

Should you not be changing your name now!!

[Hut49]

RCA said: Should you not be changing your name now!!

I suspect "robsmini" might be greeted with shouts of "too much information"!!

Hutch