Should I buy as S Series
Discussion
Before I end up with a page full of posts telling me to open my wallet there is a little bit more to this. I'm heading down to Le Man in a couple of months and I need a car to travel down in convoy in. The S-series mark 1 (~£3K) might just be the one, as it a nice fair weather 2 seater, with a simple v6 lump and I have just got some garage parking sorted so I can store it away from the elements.
Other than this trip the car won't be used much (my every day driver did 2.5K miles last year). Are these car up to the job of fairly large trips though? When looking to buy one what should I be looking for. My quick trawl of the net suggested that as long as the chassis is in good order, the engine is tough as old boots and everything else is fairy cheap to fix and more of an annoyance than a show stopper. Depreciation should be minimal, so the only real costs are fixing the little things and filling it up with petrol as long as you treat it nicely.
What I am missing.
Thanks
Steve
Other than this trip the car won't be used much (my every day driver did 2.5K miles last year). Are these car up to the job of fairly large trips though? When looking to buy one what should I be looking for. My quick trawl of the net suggested that as long as the chassis is in good order, the engine is tough as old boots and everything else is fairy cheap to fix and more of an annoyance than a show stopper. Depreciation should be minimal, so the only real costs are fixing the little things and filling it up with petrol as long as you treat it nicely.
What I am missing.
Thanks
Steve
There are three problems you'll find taking an S to Le Mans: heat; heat and the boot.
S's (and TVRs in general) can be prone to overheating a bit when it gets hot, as being made from fibreglass they don't have metal heatsink surrounding the engine bay as other cars too and the cooling system isn't the best designed thing in the world. You'll also get very hot as the cooling system isn't great and of course you'll want the roof down. A few bottles of water and and factor 30 should sort you out here though, don't make the mistake I did with my mate the first time we did Le Mans and let male bravado get in the way of it, I looked like a beetroot all through the race weekend!
Boot space is quite minimal, although slightly better in the S1 as it had shorter doors, but a little smart thinking about what you take should sort you out, we managed two tents, chairs a table, clothes and all the other stuff and still had space to bring back a little bit of plonk.
I'd be amazed if you don't start increasing that annual mileage if you got an S though, they are very addictive and so much fun
S's (and TVRs in general) can be prone to overheating a bit when it gets hot, as being made from fibreglass they don't have metal heatsink surrounding the engine bay as other cars too and the cooling system isn't the best designed thing in the world. You'll also get very hot as the cooling system isn't great and of course you'll want the roof down. A few bottles of water and and factor 30 should sort you out here though, don't make the mistake I did with my mate the first time we did Le Mans and let male bravado get in the way of it, I looked like a beetroot all through the race weekend!
Boot space is quite minimal, although slightly better in the S1 as it had shorter doors, but a little smart thinking about what you take should sort you out, we managed two tents, chairs a table, clothes and all the other stuff and still had space to bring back a little bit of plonk.
I'd be amazed if you don't start increasing that annual mileage if you got an S though, they are very addictive and so much fun
I agree with Tripps - a cap and suncream is vitally important. Someone I went with last year didn't bother with these, ended up with a bit of sunstroke and had to lay off of the beer for a bit once we got there 
Depending on route you're taking across channel make sure you get on the lower deck of the ferry - the ramps can be steep and when fully laden you can end up with a sickening sound as your exhaust grinds on the boat.
I've driven there in 2 S's and one Chimaera. The latter was fine for hammering down the motorways but I prefer the country roads in the S - a bit longer drive but much more fun, with a good lunch stop on the way. Check the Le Mans forum cos there's usually some alternative routes to be found there.
If you're going down early enough save some space by only taking the minimum of kit then on Friday morning head 20 miles or so south of the circuit (via the PH meet
) on some great roads and stock up on BBQ's, beer etc from a local supermarket, have lunch then back (remembering the hat & sun cream of course!).
Now I'm jealous that I'm not going this year, but instead of le Mans 24hr I will be going to the Le Mans Series at Spa followed by a day at the Nurburgring in the S
....
Longers
Depending on route you're taking across channel make sure you get on the lower deck of the ferry - the ramps can be steep and when fully laden you can end up with a sickening sound as your exhaust grinds on the boat.
I've driven there in 2 S's and one Chimaera. The latter was fine for hammering down the motorways but I prefer the country roads in the S - a bit longer drive but much more fun, with a good lunch stop on the way. Check the Le Mans forum cos there's usually some alternative routes to be found there.
If you're going down early enough save some space by only taking the minimum of kit then on Friday morning head 20 miles or so south of the circuit (via the PH meet
) on some great roads and stock up on BBQ's, beer etc from a local supermarket, have lunch then back (remembering the hat & sun cream of course!). Now I'm jealous that I'm not going this year, but instead of le Mans 24hr I will be going to the Le Mans Series at Spa followed by a day at the Nurburgring in the S
.... Longers
I went in the S to Le Mans 3 years ago and it was super. The above comments about grounding, etc. are true but you have to take care and ask to be loaded on the boat carefully. ie noting this with the loader (who will otherwise simply walk past and look at the cill height) that the exhaust sticks down below the cill. The boot isn't too bad if you plan carefully. Re low usage - as with any vehicle they are better for being used but then when you get one you will want to use it!!
I've had my S for 10 years now and whilst I keep on thinking of upgrading it I only have to go in the garage and it stops me dead - a bit sad really.
If there is a TVRCC meeting anywhere near you it is worth going along as many current members have had an S or know people who have had one and can give you some tips; they may even know of one to look at locally. You may need to look at/drive a few to see which is the best so don't feel too rushed - if that's possible once you decide to get one!!
Good luck with the search!
Jim
I've had my S for 10 years now and whilst I keep on thinking of upgrading it I only have to go in the garage and it stops me dead - a bit sad really.
If there is a TVRCC meeting anywhere near you it is worth going along as many current members have had an S or know people who have had one and can give you some tips; they may even know of one to look at locally. You may need to look at/drive a few to see which is the best so don't feel too rushed - if that's possible once you decide to get one!!
Good luck with the search!
Jim
Tripps said:
...we managed two tents, chairs a table, clothes and all the other stuff and still had space to bring back a little bit of plonk.
Wow, that's impressive! I take it you ditched the spare wheel? What about the roof panels - did those still fit in the boot, or did you have to leave them on the roof?
Yes you should - there's plenty of space if you pack strategically.
I regularly take the S to Castle Combe for the weekend when I'm marshalling and with the roof panels in the boot and the rear section up I easily fit in:
4 man tent (I'm a big bugger)
airbed (a soft big bugger)
sleeping bag
small holdall
big holdall with all my marshaling gear
a folding chair
food for 2 days
some beer
some more beer
I regularly take the S to Castle Combe for the weekend when I'm marshalling and with the roof panels in the boot and the rear section up I easily fit in:
4 man tent (I'm a big bugger)
airbed (a soft big bugger)
sleeping bag
small holdall
big holdall with all my marshaling gear
a folding chair
food for 2 days
some beer
some more beer
gentleman geoff said:
Tripps said:
...we managed two tents, chairs a table, clothes and all the other stuff and still had space to bring back a little bit of plonk.
Wow, that's impressive! I take it you ditched the spare wheel? What about the roof panels - did those still fit in the boot, or did you have to leave them on the roof?
I have a reputation for never actually putting the roof on, so I'd have go no end of stick if I had done. Soft bags in the parcel area with handles wrapped around the struts was the secret, as the boot is pretty good for the long and think camping stuff.
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