Thinking of buying a Tamora

[Sicob]

Is it possible to get a semi-reliable TVR? From what I can tell the Tamora is a good bet. A couple of questions if anyone can help me please:
1) What do I need to look out for?
2) Engine rebuild? Required? How often? Expense?
3) Likely cost to run one for a year excluding petrol / insurance?
4) Is it worth getting a warranty? If so which one?
5) Anything else of importance I should know?

I'm coming from an Elise, so I think a lot of the attributes of the Tamora fit well.

Thanks
Si

[Hongkongfooi]

Sicob said:

Is it possible to get a semi-reliable TVR? From what I can tell the Tamora is a good bet. A couple of questions if anyone can help me please:
1) What do I need to look out for?
2) Engine rebuild? Required? How often? Expense?
3) Likely cost to run one for a year excluding petrol / insurance?
4) Is it worth getting a warranty? If so which one?
5) Anything else of importance I should know?

I'm coming from an Elise, so I think a lot of the attributes of the Tamora fit well.

Thanks
Si

If you are thinking of running one everyday then its possible but I would recommend not imho. They are too compromised for speed humps etc.

As an occasional car then fantastic and the noise will of course blow you away but the elise will be far more comfortable compared.

I managed about 230miles on a long run yesterday but you would do well to do 20mpg normally.

if you do 12 thou mile a year thats two services of 600 and 800 apiece (depending on whether valves need doing).

My insurance is £550 for 10k a miles a year but i am 38 with a clean licence.

Engine rebuilds......lenghty topic but history is vital as you would expect. The engines can go pop at any time....some do very good mileages before this happens. 30k plus and you are lucky from what i have read. Some say the post 2004 engines are better but some early ones are still going strong. Mine is up to 17k now and no problems.

I am selling my car imminently......look at my profile and if you fancy a trip to sussex then email me.

Hope this helps otherwise.

[Chris Marriott]

Some people say using everyday is better its a tricky one. Im very new to this and have asked all these questions and I ended up buying a 2005/55 T350c from Racing green and it came with a autoprotect warranty and they have a good review (covers wear and tear aswell). I do use mine as a 2nd car but i reckon it will see about 5-6000 miles per year.

Insurance hurt me but im ony 24, it was (cough)£2500(cough)

[earlyriser]

Sicob said:

Is it possible to get a semi-reliable TVR? From what I can tell the Tamora is a good bet. A couple of questions if anyone can help me please:
1) What do I need to look out for?
2) Engine rebuild? Required? How often? Expense?
3) Likely cost to run one for a year excluding petrol / insurance?
4) Is it worth getting a warranty? If so which one?
5) Anything else of importance I should know?

I'm coming from an Elise, so I think a lot of the attributes of the Tamora fit well.

Thanks
Si

I made the same move, Si. Had my T350 a year in Jan. The short answer is a Tamora will cost approx double the Elise to run pa. Buy one on condition, history, intuition about owner - you'll know by what they don't/say how well looked after it us - and colour - laser blue is popular on Tamoras. I read somewhere that 'Bison' interiors on early ones were 'relatively' poor.

Engine rebuild likely - its the top end thats fallible - but only worry about this IF you're planning medium/long term ownership. Similarly, like the Elise, if you're sticking with the car a while there are some good indies charging a fraction of (ex)main agent labour rates

Warranty? You pays your money you takes your chance! Some on here will council a ca. £1500 full wear and tear etc. Others (me included) will say a decent after market warranty (e.g. Motorplan Platinum/Super Exec, etc) for under £200 gives sufficient peace of mind.

Oh, comfort/everyday car? Much more so than an Elise. You'll go 3-4 hours no probs in a Tamora. Also, unless you had a real Track beast Elise 160, or something, the TVR will just get going about the time the Elise lost its guts. And the sound ...!

[Sicob]

Thanks for your input guys.

I'm still undecided. I haven't driven one yet and need to do so obviously. If I go for the Tamora, my aim is to use it most days, generally short journeys, and hoon around come weekend, but probably looking 7k a year mileage.

From experience am I likely to be able to get in it and it'll work function properly 90+% time. The elise has it's faults but other than the odd flat battery, never really needs too much in the way of attention. Do people experience a lot of niggles, windows not doing up, electrical gremlins etc? I'm trying to weigh up whether It's worth selling the Elise for, as I have a honda engine in the Elise, which can be supercharged giving similar power to weight. But the everyday practicality of something easier to get in / out of, and the Appearance / noise / comfort is quite appealing of the Tamora.

I can cope with a engine rebuild every couple of years, and in all likely I'd be looking to keep it for at least a couple of years. On that question, re garage support (Essex area), parts (how easy to source?) and depreciation (Expectations?). Any thoughts?

Thanks

[LaserTam]

I have had the pleasure of a Tamora for over two years (Chim for 7 years before that). Bought since new, and other than a couple of small things, that have been sorted at service, and a broken throttle cable (which was low loader job to the garage), touch wood nothing else has gone wrong. Don't use mine everyday though, the train takes the strain.

Its like many things, you only hear about the bad things because people naturally complain about them, but I would suggest that reliability is not as bad as the perceptions you may have. Yes there are some niggly problems, and some not so.

That said, all cars, particularly the SP6 engine, doesn't take too kindly to short journeys. Warming up of the oil is paramount, and depending on what you mean by 'short', you may find the engine doesn't fully warm so no chance of using the loud pedal. Typically at this time of year I would say it takes up to 10 miles to get up to temp.

As for getting in and out, I am 6'2" and have no issues, head just fits under to roof, my friend had an Elise and I had all sorts of bother getting in and out when the roof was on. Tam has a reasonable boot, unlike the Elise.

Essex garages - there is Castle in Stansted (where I bought mine from, former main TVR dealer) and Leven (indie but heard good things about them, not used them personally) in Basildon.

If you fancy having a closer look at a Tam, but without the pressure of a salesman/owner breathing down your neck, then as I am also in Essex, would be willing to meet if time/weather allows. Where abouts are you?

[Lukesr]

I've owed my 2003 Tam for 2 years now and i'm coming up to my 30,000 service. In those 2 years I've had very few issues (power steering motor went and 2 small sensor issues - all of which was quickly and easily sorted). I've never had a warranty but have got an AA parts & labour cover (basically if there is a problem with the car I call the AA and if they can't fix it they pay the first £500) it's only £60 or something a year so when the power steering motor went i was quids in. If you are buying from a dealer then make sure they throw in a year of cover. I do about 7k each year, my missus has a 4x4 but i try and use that as little as possible. As far as costs go you looking at about £800 for the service and after that it's up to the Gods but if you don't go for a warranty and you're a sensible lad it's worth putting a few quid away each month for any problems.
My main bit of advice would be go and drive one and if you are anything like me, you'll stop worrying about reliability and cost and just go and get one

[LaserTam]

Si, YHM.

Ian.

[jev]

Another response from the Maida Vale Tamora Mafia!

I would generally echo what others have said but do think carefully if you plan a lot of short journeys. The Tamora HAS to be warmed up and frankly short journeys are a bit of a pain. The engine doesn't run sweetly like it does when hot and you constantly have to remember not to use the loud peddle.

I've only had the Tamora since August so can't really comment on reliability (other than the fact I've done 3000 miles in the last 5 months and its been fine). However, if a lot of short journeys are likely, can't help thinking that you might be better with a Griff / Chimaera depending on budget. (I had a Chimaera for 5 years with no problems.)

Having said the above the Tamora is a better car and the chances to buy a relatively new SP6 won't be around forever....

Jev.