TVR.. Good buy?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I'm sorry for yet another .. I don't know what to buy thread.....I am completely stuck though, any advice would be appreciated! I'm currently looking to get a car, I have about 25k (absolute max) to spend on a motor and I'm considering the T350 which I've always liked since I first saw it, either that or a Boxster/M3..
I had a lotus for a year which I sold last November and I lost about 10,000£ in a year due to selling it with 40k miles on the clock (I did 20k of those)... I really don't want that with a TVR, and I've been advised that now is a really bad time to buy a TVR with all the trouble they are having (don't shoot the messenger!). The Lotus fell apart when I hit about 35k miles too, is that to be expected with a TVR? Most of those I find for sale have low mileage which is very Lotus esque.
I'd welcome any opinions, I was interested in the black T350 that has just been posted to the classified section, but it has 18k on the clock and the mileage is very deja-vu of my Lotus
I'm sorry for yet another .. I don't know what to buy thread.....I am completely stuck though, any advice would be appreciated! I'm currently looking to get a car, I have about 25k (absolute max) to spend on a motor and I'm considering the T350 which I've always liked since I first saw it, either that or a Boxster/M3..
I had a lotus for a year which I sold last November and I lost about 10,000£ in a year due to selling it with 40k miles on the clock (I did 20k of those)... I really don't want that with a TVR, and I've been advised that now is a really bad time to buy a TVR with all the trouble they are having (don't shoot the messenger!). The Lotus fell apart when I hit about 35k miles too, is that to be expected with a TVR? Most of those I find for sale have low mileage which is very Lotus esque.
I'd welcome any opinions, I was interested in the black T350 that has just been posted to the classified section, but it has 18k on the clock and the mileage is very deja-vu of my Lotus
Are you planning on doing 20k/year in the TVR? If so you will need (fairly) deep pockets to cover the running costs - as well as 3 services, you could expect to use a set of boots in that time.
Do you mean the T350C at Fernies? Depending on it's history, you could easily be looking at a set of shocks, a clutch and some (possibly major) engine work over the next 20k.
Why the negative comments? Because it is higly likely you have some of these expenses on a TVR, and much, much less likely you will get them with the Boxster or M3.
But, you are not comparing like for like. Drive all three, and then decide if you can afford the extra running costs, potential problems etc. IMHO it is more than worth it
Do you mean the T350C at Fernies? Depending on it's history, you could easily be looking at a set of shocks, a clutch and some (possibly major) engine work over the next 20k.
Why the negative comments? Because it is higly likely you have some of these expenses on a TVR, and much, much less likely you will get them with the Boxster or M3.
But, you are not comparing like for like. Drive all three, and then decide if you can afford the extra running costs, potential problems etc. IMHO it is more than worth it
I have had my V8 Griff 500 for 6 years now and its been totally fantastic, coming up to 55000 miles and never had any problems. The great thing about it its still one of the quickist cars on the road is cheap to service and insure and does'nt depreciate. Still the best looking TVR as well. You only live once go for it. Good Luck.
jb2 said:
Thanks for the replies, I have narrowed it down to a T350 or a M3 Convertible.. the T350 has the wow factor that I really want
Never buy a car with your head, the first time you see a Tvr when driving an M3 you would be gutted, when he then blows you into the weeds you would be sick to the very pit of your stomache
In seriousness are you still doing 20k a year, if so I would buy 2 cars. Circa £20K on a Tivver and 5K on an everyday car. People often baulk at this, imagining driving around in something they will hate and rarely get to use the pride and joy - however £5K can buy you a heck of a lot of car, I have just picked up a 156 Sportwagon with just over 40,000 miles on for about this and it is lovely, full leather, aircon and does the job, we will merrilly run it into the ground knowing that we cannot lose more than £5k on it. I am sure the contrast also means that I appreciate the TVR more when I drive it as well.
>> Edited by Touching Cloth on Sunday 14th May 16:55
Touching Cloth said:
Thanks for the replies, I have narrowed it down to a T350 or a M3 Convertible.. the T350 has the wow factor that I really want
Never buy a car with your head, the first time you see a Tvr when driving an M3 you would be gutted, when he then blows you into the weeds you would be sick to the very pit of your stomache
In seriousness are you still doing 20k a year, if so I would buy 2 cars. Circa £20K on a Tivver and 5K on an everyday car. People often baulk at this, imagining driving around in something they will hate and rarely get to use the pride and joy - however £5K can buy you a heck of a lot of car, I have just picked up a 156 Sportwagon with just over 40,000 miles on for about this and it is lovely, full leather, aircon and does the job, we will merrilly run it into the ground knowing that we cannot lose more than £5k on it. I am sure the contrast also means that I appreciate the TVR more when I drive it as well.
>> Edited by Touching Cloth on Sunday 14th May 16:55
I agree - if your heart really is set on a TVR then you should buy one but you have to understand that it is a specialist bit of kit. The BMW is a mass produced, very high performance version of an even more mass produced car. If it was me I'd be torn between buying an M3 (for me it would have to be the coupe) or buying 2 cars (a TVR and something else). Maybe the something else would be a 328i coupe or a Fiat Coupe or an Alfa GTV6 but I don't think I'd buy a nearly new TVR with the intention of driving it 20,000 miles a year (and I say that as a TVR owner and enthusiast).
I would also go for the 2 car option. £5k will buy a decent everyday hack to use four days a week. Then drive the sports car ( TVR or otherwise ) on the fifth day.
I would love to drive my Griff daily, but just cannot afford to do so. This is partly fuel, but also servicing and depreciation.
Having said that, if you got an older TVR ( Griff or Chim ) it would be a lot cheaper to run and service than a T350. At that budget you could afford a really good one, so could probably run it five days a week without the other car.
I would love to drive my Griff daily, but just cannot afford to do so. This is partly fuel, but also servicing and depreciation.
Having said that, if you got an older TVR ( Griff or Chim ) it would be a lot cheaper to run and service than a T350. At that budget you could afford a really good one, so could probably run it five days a week without the other car.
jb2 said:Neither car will be an investment. Both will depreciate, and the M3 is no star when it comes to residuals, and the current BMW warranty shenanigans aren't going to help, neither will the new M3.
Thanks for the replies, I have narrowed it down to a T350 or a M3 Convertible.. the T350 has the wow factor that I really want
Do you want to drive (T350), or just pose (M3)?
IMHO, if you don't got for the T350 for "sensible" reasons (money, reliability) then you will be better off with the Boxster. Running costs on water-cooled Porkers are pretty reasonable, and if you buy privately you hopefully won't lose much when you come to sell. Hey JB,
I tried to email you but you're blocked. My moonraker black June 2003 T350C goes on the market next w/e and that's about the price I'm looking for. I've already bought the replacement, my sixth TVR It's done 12k with only 3k on a new factory 2005 engine. Email me if you want further details, all shocks, tyres done for a brand new 12 month MOT. You get an immaculate T350C with 05 engine for an 03 price.
I tried to email you but you're blocked. My moonraker black June 2003 T350C goes on the market next w/e and that's about the price I'm looking for. I've already bought the replacement, my sixth TVR It's done 12k with only 3k on a new factory 2005 engine. Email me if you want further details, all shocks, tyres done for a brand new 12 month MOT. You get an immaculate T350C with 05 engine for an 03 price.
Very odd, someone threw up the suggestion of a second car before I came back to reading this thread. My heart wants the T350 but my head is telling me Porsche or BMW.. but I'm leaning toward the 350. I will have a look around. Someone has a Golf I can have at a reasonable price
I would be interested in your car (poster above) .. I'll change my settings but can you email me pictures? jbennett@hotmail.co.uk. I emailed the dealer of the one listed also, I am really looking around the 23k really.. you may not want want to drop this much.
I would be interested in your car (poster above) .. I'll change my settings but can you email me pictures? jbennett@hotmail.co.uk. I emailed the dealer of the one listed also, I am really looking around the 23k really.. you may not want want to drop this much.
Hi Jb
With my cash flow crisis, the Jag went and kept the Tuscan for that sheer pleasure moment when driving for enjoyment, bought a fully loaded 2000 Vectra 2.5 SRI at 2k for everyday driving, spent another £1400 getting it sorted and the car has only 45k miles on it.
2 car option is the only sensible way forward.
Best Regards,
James Sim.
With my cash flow crisis, the Jag went and kept the Tuscan for that sheer pleasure moment when driving for enjoyment, bought a fully loaded 2000 Vectra 2.5 SRI at 2k for everyday driving, spent another £1400 getting it sorted and the car has only 45k miles on it.
2 car option is the only sensible way forward.
Best Regards,
James Sim.
Yeah, that would have to be the route I took I think should I buy a TVR. I am going to start looking for one, either Black or Grey. TheArb I look forward to receiving your pictures/details if you can send them along.
I just hope the TVR holds it value slightly better than the Lotus Elise I had, I worked out that I lost £0.50 for every mile I did in the Lotus, and doing 20,000 miles became costly!
I just hope the TVR holds it value slightly better than the Lotus Elise I had, I worked out that I lost £0.50 for every mile I did in the Lotus, and doing 20,000 miles became costly!
In your shoes I'd go for a slightly different option: a 4 or 5 year old Tuscan for £18-20k, plus a £5k "just in case" fund.
If you go for one that has had an engine rebuild, on which all the major items (e.g. clutch, shocks) have already been replaced, that will limit the likelihood of that fund being used up. And if you can see it had always been looked after by good dealers, all the better (and you can talk to those dealers about the car).
Why a Tuscan? You can get more car for less money, with a bigger boot and removable roof/rear screen.
Definitely don't worry about TVR's "problems". There's been a lot of scandalous mis-reporting in the press.
If you go for one that has had an engine rebuild, on which all the major items (e.g. clutch, shocks) have already been replaced, that will limit the likelihood of that fund being used up. And if you can see it had always been looked after by good dealers, all the better (and you can talk to those dealers about the car).
Why a Tuscan? You can get more car for less money, with a bigger boot and removable roof/rear screen.
Definitely don't worry about TVR's "problems". There's been a lot of scandalous mis-reporting in the press.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff