Discussion
I am seriously thinking of buying a TVR chimera or Tuscan, I have always wanted a TVR but hear such horror stories of poor reliabillity and expensive servicing.
what should I expect to pay a year for servicing?
what about reliabillity? are the stories true or is it all out of proportion?
of the chimera and Tuscan is one more reliable than the other?
I currently run a Honda S2000 I like the car and can't fault the running cost but feel its a substitute for what i realy want, I don't need a daily driver but I do need a car that starts when I need it and gets me where I want to go.
Should I stay or should I go?
what should I expect to pay a year for servicing?
what about reliabillity? are the stories true or is it all out of proportion?
of the chimera and Tuscan is one more reliable than the other?
I currently run a Honda S2000 I like the car and can't fault the running cost but feel its a substitute for what i realy want, I don't need a daily driver but I do need a car that starts when I need it and gets me where I want to go.
Should I stay or should I go?
I think its safe to say that the unreliability of TVRs is not exactly a myth, but is certainly over exagerated. These cars have exceptional performance, and therefore have 'issues' from time to time.
As for Tuscan v Chim, never owned a Tuscan, but had a Chim and now a Tamora. Both cars have had issues from time to time, but on the whole very reliable. Each have only let me down to the point I can't drive it, on three occaisions in nearly 10 years of TVR motoring. The Chim was used an everyday car, the Tamora not as I take the train to work.
Servicing, probably the Chim would be cheaper to run, S6 engines seem to cost more to service. But allow £2k a year should cover you for servicing and anything else.
As for Tuscan v Chim, never owned a Tuscan, but had a Chim and now a Tamora. Both cars have had issues from time to time, but on the whole very reliable. Each have only let me down to the point I can't drive it, on three occaisions in nearly 10 years of TVR motoring. The Chim was used an everyday car, the Tamora not as I take the train to work.
Servicing, probably the Chim would be cheaper to run, S6 engines seem to cost more to service. But allow £2k a year should cover you for servicing and anything else.
If an SP6 goes pop it will cost a bucket load to fix. Any good engine builder can rebuild an RV8 and they do not go wrong that much, (mind cams go a fair bit).
GDon't bother with a 4.0 or 4.5 Chim if you want close to Tuscan performance get a 500. More similar or better torque that a typical Tuscan but from lower down, but less power in std form. But then they are easy to get more from.
Having said that I prefer the looks of the Tuscan - but it should have had the AJPV8 - oppurtunity lost for TVR (when they existed).
GDon't bother with a 4.0 or 4.5 Chim if you want close to Tuscan performance get a 500. More similar or better torque that a typical Tuscan but from lower down, but less power in std form. But then they are easy to get more from.
Having said that I prefer the looks of the Tuscan - but it should have had the AJPV8 - oppurtunity lost for TVR (when they existed).
jellison said:
If an SP6 goes pop it will cost a bucket load to fix. Any good engine builder can rebuild an RV8 and they do not go wrong that much, (mind cams go a fair bit).
GDon't bother with a 4.0 or 4.5 Chim if you want close to Tuscan performance get a 500. More similar or better torque that a typical Tuscan but from lower down, but less power in std form. But then they are easy to get more from.
Having said that I prefer the looks of the Tuscan - but it should have had the AJPV8 - oppurtunity lost for TVR (when they existed).
Predicatable if notheing else Jelli. GDon't bother with a 4.0 or 4.5 Chim if you want close to Tuscan performance get a 500. More similar or better torque that a typical Tuscan but from lower down, but less power in std form. But then they are easy to get more from.
Having said that I prefer the looks of the Tuscan - but it should have had the AJPV8 - oppurtunity lost for TVR (when they existed).
If a S6 goes pop, it will cost the same to rebuild as most performance engines and many good engine builders can do the work well.
Agree with your comments on the Rover V8 range, but from an S2K to a 4.0 chim will be a huge jump in terms of low down torque.
Test drive both & it will probably make the decision for you. They are completely different.
I miss the low down grunt of the V8, but hit 4000 rpm and the Tamora takes off (I know you are looking at a Tuscan but its the same engine). In my experience between a 3.6 SP6 and a 4.0 RV8 there is simply no comparision.
I had a Chimeara for 5 years, now a Tamora (4 weeks) Am budgeting 50% more to keep the speed 6 engine going...
Jev.
I miss the low down grunt of the V8, but hit 4000 rpm and the Tamora takes off (I know you are looking at a Tuscan but its the same engine). In my experience between a 3.6 SP6 and a 4.0 RV8 there is simply no comparision.
I had a Chimeara for 5 years, now a Tamora (4 weeks) Am budgeting 50% more to keep the speed 6 engine going...
Jev.
Edited by jev on Sunday 9th September 14:34
moreisbetter said:
I am seriously thinking of buying a TVR chimera or Tuscan, I have always wanted a TVR but hear such horror stories of poor reliabillity and expensive servicing.
what should I expect to pay a year for servicing?
what about reliabillity? are the stories true or is it all out of proportion?
of the chimera and Tuscan is one more reliable than the other?
I currently run a Honda S2000 I like the car and can't fault the running cost but feel its a substitute for what i realy want, I don't need a daily driver but I do need a car that starts when I need it and gets me where I want to go.
Should I stay or should I go?
I am very much of the school of if you can afford doing something and you want it badly enough then get it as I could evidence on many points life is too short to not enjoy something you fancy so buy one and feel your grin ache after driving one!what should I expect to pay a year for servicing?
what about reliabillity? are the stories true or is it all out of proportion?
of the chimera and Tuscan is one more reliable than the other?
I currently run a Honda S2000 I like the car and can't fault the running cost but feel its a substitute for what i realy want, I don't need a daily driver but I do need a car that starts when I need it and gets me where I want to go.
Should I stay or should I go?
jellison said:
Daftlad said:
jellison said:
Predicatable if notheing else Jelli. )
Not at all costs, but from first hand related experience 
...I cant spell fast or slow typing. I've had 2 TVRs with a SP6 engine and 3 with a V8. Currently running one of each.
I get them serviced regularly, make sure they get used at least every other weekend when not hooning on driving holidays and club meetings and have rarely had any problems.
My early Tuscan had problems mainly due to build quality (gear lever would often come away, wouldn't tick over and speedo went pop 3 times for example), I have had to buy a coil for a new Griff and spent a few quid on a steering rack and exhaust on a 16 year old Griff that still needs some botox - work in progress she is.
Other than that, no real problems that I would not expect on any other car. Don't listen to the doom mongers - I have driven more expensive cars that were far less reliable. But you get what you pay for and they need regular love and attention.
I have looked at other makes but come back to TVR every time. Pound £ for pound (lb torque) you can't go wrong in my book!
I get them serviced regularly, make sure they get used at least every other weekend when not hooning on driving holidays and club meetings and have rarely had any problems.
My early Tuscan had problems mainly due to build quality (gear lever would often come away, wouldn't tick over and speedo went pop 3 times for example), I have had to buy a coil for a new Griff and spent a few quid on a steering rack and exhaust on a 16 year old Griff that still needs some botox - work in progress she is.
Other than that, no real problems that I would not expect on any other car. Don't listen to the doom mongers - I have driven more expensive cars that were far less reliable. But you get what you pay for and they need regular love and attention.
I have looked at other makes but come back to TVR every time. Pound £ for pound (lb torque) you can't go wrong in my book!
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