Don't buy a TVR - it will break down
Discussion
I seem to be recieving this message repeatedly from people when I discuss my TVR ambitions...
I have generally heard 'from good sources' that all TVR's:
Breakdown regularly...
Rust too easily...
Cost the earth to run and repair..
Bits fall off every time you drive them...
Its only since I found PH that I have found enough support to give me Griff buying confidence.
It seems the world is against TVR's.....although I kind of like that(!)
I have generally heard 'from good sources' that all TVR's:
Breakdown regularly...
Rust too easily...
Cost the earth to run and repair..
Bits fall off every time you drive them...
Its only since I found PH that I have found enough support to give me Griff buying confidence.
It seems the world is against TVR's.....although I kind of like that(!)
Actually the rust is probably quite a fair uncontroversal comment... They should by now be better treated when they built them, IT would cost v little extra if they did the job properly.
Otherwise waxoyl regulary, in all the right places.
Super car performance, means supercar'ish servicing costs, it is not a GTI.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Thursday 11th August 17:01
Otherwise waxoyl regulary, in all the right places.
Super car performance, means supercar'ish servicing costs, it is not a GTI.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Thursday 11th August 17:01
Perhaps many of you might disagree but maybe many of these types of comments are from people who don't have the imagination/guts to buy something different and interesting. It was only after a mate of mine owned one that I realised that a TVR wasn't beyond my reach and the dream could become reality. I would expect them to also have criticisms or reasons why its best to stick to an ordinary car instead of going for a Porsche, Lotus, Scooby, Evo, etc - whether the criticisms be of the car or the stereotype that goes with it.
Also maybe I’ve been lucky, but I'm not convinced that they are that much more expensive than other high performance cars to run provided nothing major goes wrong, but then there's also a chance something will go wrong with an alternative high performance car. Its too easy for people to compare the costs of ownership to a Ford/VW/Audi/Toyota, comparisons should be made with cars that are in the same ball-park.
All IMO of course!
Also maybe I’ve been lucky, but I'm not convinced that they are that much more expensive than other high performance cars to run provided nothing major goes wrong, but then there's also a chance something will go wrong with an alternative high performance car. Its too easy for people to compare the costs of ownership to a Ford/VW/Audi/Toyota, comparisons should be made with cars that are in the same ball-park.
All IMO of course!
TVRs do break down but guess what?. All other marques do too. Porsche don't like to let on but I have seen 3 at the roadside in the last week. Also spotted a poorly Aston Martin and at £170 an hour labour costs that's going to hurt.
Just look after your Tiv with regular oil changes, servicing, etc and it will look after you. I can't imagine life without a Tiv. Go on, you know you want one!
Karen
Just look after your Tiv with regular oil changes, servicing, etc and it will look after you. I can't imagine life without a Tiv. Go on, you know you want one!
Karen
I have never owned a TVR. I have been put off by all the scare stories. A friend of mine wasn't put off, despite his friend having problems with a Griff. He bought a Griffith and it has been nothing but trouble, one thing after another. When he's taken bits apart to find the problem, he hasn't been surprised as the build quality is poor. Newer TVR's have hopefully overcome that problem?
That's not to say that if your heart longs for a TVR, you shouldn't buy one. Quite the contrary. Just make sure you have sufficient funds to meet the servicing costs and keep a contingency fund for that breakdown or failure that may never happen. That way, it's a bonus. If you don't have those funds and the car does break, it will forever be a millstone round your neck.
It's rubbish to suggest that other cars break down though. Corvettes certainly don't and cost peanuts to service. I'm not suggesting you buy a Corvette, of course, I'm just pointing out that it's not difficult to make a reliable car.
Overall, just bear in mind that when buying any car of this type, it's not just the purchase cost you have to consider, it's the long term running and servicing costs which too many people forget about or ignore.
That's not to say that if your heart longs for a TVR, you shouldn't buy one. Quite the contrary. Just make sure you have sufficient funds to meet the servicing costs and keep a contingency fund for that breakdown or failure that may never happen. That way, it's a bonus. If you don't have those funds and the car does break, it will forever be a millstone round your neck.
It's rubbish to suggest that other cars break down though. Corvettes certainly don't and cost peanuts to service. I'm not suggesting you buy a Corvette, of course, I'm just pointing out that it's not difficult to make a reliable car.
Overall, just bear in mind that when buying any car of this type, it's not just the purchase cost you have to consider, it's the long term running and servicing costs which too many people forget about or ignore.
Why does it matter?
This is something I never understand, why on earth opinions from anybody else other than yourself and/or the wifey type would bother you?
If the sum total of the worries in life are that the car might break down or how much pure financial value you might lose on the thing, then frankly whoever you are, you are still a damn sight better off than most in life.
It doesnt matter if it is a Porsche, Ferrari, Aston or TVR. They all do the same thing...put a smile on your face. Pick the model you enjoy the most, buy it, enjoy it and treat the ups and downs with equanimity. If you cant afford to do that, then you cant afford the particular motor car in question. That simple, job done.
This is something I never understand, why on earth opinions from anybody else other than yourself and/or the wifey type would bother you?
If the sum total of the worries in life are that the car might break down or how much pure financial value you might lose on the thing, then frankly whoever you are, you are still a damn sight better off than most in life.
It doesnt matter if it is a Porsche, Ferrari, Aston or TVR. They all do the same thing...put a smile on your face. Pick the model you enjoy the most, buy it, enjoy it and treat the ups and downs with equanimity. If you cant afford to do that, then you cant afford the particular motor car in question. That simple, job done.
Mrs_T said:
TVRs do break down but guess what?. All other marques do too.
That one always seems to get swept under the rug. I believe the three TVRs that entered the Cannonball Run Europe this year all finished, when other 'reliable' motors didn't. Also look for posts here by sacha, who did the CBRE '04 in a T350C, which also finished when 'reliable' cars didn't. I also believe he's used them for years to do regular cross-Europe trips, with few issues. I have a friend who works on TVRs daily, and his sentiments echo what a number of other people have said on here..."The ones that get used the most almost always have the least problems". If you buy it, use it!
So, these comments from other people.....
Bits fall off them? When was the last time you saw a piece of TVR on the road?!
OK, being serious now....have a look through these pages for a post about a brand new Bentley GT that a Tiv owner had a ride in. Some of the interior trim in that was loose/hanging off. It happens everywhere, not just at TVR. They rust? Seems a strange argument, that! Maybe parts of the chassis which are untreated/not Waxoyl'd, but news flash....so does every other car to some degree! Plus most other cars will suffer from body rust at some point, unless they're galvanised. When exactly does fibreglass rust?
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not an owner, so I've not had the full TVR experience. But as soon as I am able, I will. Do your research, choose carefully, look after it. B
cks to the scaremongers, just give it a go and draw your own conclusions.....you might just have the time of your life doing so. 
EDITED to include this link:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=199794&f=5&h=0
and to say
to DJC....spot on. >> Edited by MarkoTVR on Friday 12th August 09:01
>> Edited by MarkoTVR on Friday 12th August 09:02
DJC said:
Why does it matter?
This is something I never understand, why on earth opinions from anybody else other than yourself and/or the wifey type would bother you?
If the sum total of the worries in life are that the car might break down or how much pure financial value you might lose on the thing, then frankly whoever you are, you are still a damn sight better off than most in life.
It doesnt matter if it is a Porsche, Ferrari, Aston or TVR. They all do the same thing...put a smile on your face. Pick the model you enjoy the most, buy it, enjoy it and treat the ups and downs with equanimity. If you cant afford to do that, then you cant afford the particular motor car in question. That simple, job done.
Spot on - we all come across the expert in the pub whos mates mate knew a bloke who owned one & had nothing but trouble, & they take great pride in telling us so!
When I bought my Griffith I was terrified I was making the biggest mistake of my life despite it being my lifes ambition - its been fantastic, the odd minor hiccup but nothing out of the ordinary.
I understand why you would ask the question of owners on here rather than the pub expert whos never owned one - but like DJC says if your in a position to be able to afford one then just do it - you wont find a better car for the money, & its nice to live the dream.
Nick
>> Edited by ncs on Friday 12th August 09:36
LuS1fer said:
It's rubbish to suggest that other cars break down though. Corvettes certainly don't
This is frankly untrue, All cars break down (after 25 years of driving all over the world I know this) either major faults or minor but eventually they all break down.This is something we all have to live with.
There is no perfect car (though TVR have come close ;¬)) just the one thats perfect for you.
If its well treated and maintained it will return the favour with loyal service in my experience.
Love your car and it will love you
Gorvid said:
I have generally heard 'from good sources'
That'll be the non-TVR owners then....
I have driven mine every day for 16 years so maybe I'm not a 'good source'.
Ah! the Bosch electronic ignition went u/s 5 years ago. Now, how about all the 2nd cars we have had during that time.....
Gorvid said:
Breakdown regularly...
Hmmm, BMW 3 series comes to mind
Gorvid said:
Rust too easily...
Easy, that was the Nissan
Gorvid said:
Cost the earth to run and repair..
Merc SL, no contest.
Gorvid said:
Bits fall off every time you drive them...
Land Rover Discovery (
...the TVR cant pull a horse box) Gorvid said:
Its only since I found PH that I have found enough support to give me Griff buying confidence.
You know you want to do it
MarkoTVR said:
TVRs do break down but guess what?. All other marques do too.
I have a friend who works on TVRs daily, and his sentiments echo what a number of other people have said on here..."The ones that get used the most almost always have the least problems". If you buy it, use it!
So, these comments from other people.....
Bits fall off them? When was the last time you saw a piece of TVR on the road?!
They rust? Seems a strange argument, that! Maybe parts of the chassis which are untreated/not Waxoyl'd, but news flash....so does every other car to some degree! Plus most other cars will suffer from body rust at some point, unless they're galvanised. When exactly does fibreglass rust?
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not an owner, so I've not had the full TVR experience. But as soon as I am able, I will. Do your research, choose carefully, look after it. B
EDITED to include this link:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=199794&f=5&h=0
and to say
>> Edited by MarkoTVR on Friday 12th August 09:01
>> Edited by MarkoTVR on Friday 12th August 09:02
Obviously the body won't rust, but that is cosmetic on other cars. No excuse for the chassis to rust, places like outriggers ,etc. There are some real horrors out there in cars less than 5 years old, it WOULD take very little effort for the factory to do it properly...
ESPECIALLY as a replacemnet chassis from tvr has gone up by over 300%. ie £6k+ from £2k ish. PLus labour of course, which will make some early cars chims 4.0 /griffs uneconomical to repair.
Guess who's just had a rusty chassis to sort out...
Garaged, not by the seaside, etc,etc
B
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