The most reliable TVR is......
Discussion
What TVR model is the most reliable?
Would have thought the Chim due to the Rover engine (would have said this is a huge plus rather than an in-house TVR engine, although obviously the car can get other faults?) but how more reliable are the later T350's and Sags's bearing in mind TVR would have a lot more experience of building cars by the time they got around to these models.
P.S. Getting a new car this year and would love a T350 but with at least three European trips planned this year I am a bit worried about breaking down and running my holidays!
Would have thought the Chim due to the Rover engine (would have said this is a huge plus rather than an in-house TVR engine, although obviously the car can get other faults?) but how more reliable are the later T350's and Sags's bearing in mind TVR would have a lot more experience of building cars by the time they got around to these models.
P.S. Getting a new car this year and would love a T350 but with at least three European trips planned this year I am a bit worried about breaking down and running my holidays!
MEVILAZY said:
What TVR model is the most reliable?
Would have thought the Chim due to the Rover engine (would have said this is a huge plus rather than an in-house TVR engine, although obviously the car can get other faults?) but how more reliable are the later T350's and Sags's bearing in mind TVR would have a lot more experience of building cars by the time they got around to these models.
P.S. Getting a new car this year and would love a T350 but with at least three European trips planned this year I am a bit worried about breaking down and running my holidays!
Truthfully, I doubt that one model is significantly more reliable than the other. It all depends upon how well the car has been looked after. The later cars were generally put together better than the earlier ones, but if you're serious about buying service history and a wad of receipts is what you're looking for. TVR's are not cheap to run though compared to other marques offering similar levels of performance they are. Cerbs are allegedly a bit more expensive to run than other models and if you're going for an older T350 (say pre 2005) then I would look for one that has had an engine rebuild. From 2005 onwards it would seem that the SP6 engines are more robust.Would have thought the Chim due to the Rover engine (would have said this is a huge plus rather than an in-house TVR engine, although obviously the car can get other faults?) but how more reliable are the later T350's and Sags's bearing in mind TVR would have a lot more experience of building cars by the time they got around to these models.
P.S. Getting a new car this year and would love a T350 but with at least three European trips planned this year I am a bit worried about breaking down and running my holidays!
I have been working in Germany and Switzerland for quite a few years and been driving daily in a Tasmin followed by my Chimaera and now my Tuscan. Neither the Chimaera or the Tasmin let me down as far as breakdown. Only general maintenance.
My Tuscan through a shim but was quickly back in action. The only problem I am having with my Tuscan is a regular flat battery at the airport car park.
As far as long distance driving, three trips England/Germany last year. Back to Germany on Sunday. Last Summer touring northern France and Belgium.
There are lots of example threads on here of people driving down to the South of France, Italy etc.
My Tuscan through a shim but was quickly back in action. The only problem I am having with my Tuscan is a regular flat battery at the airport car park.
As far as long distance driving, three trips England/Germany last year. Back to Germany on Sunday. Last Summer touring northern France and Belgium.
There are lots of example threads on here of people driving down to the South of France, Italy etc.
Ok, in my case:
1600M never broke down, no problems
3000M ditto
3000M (2)ditto
S2 alternator and clutch cylinder went, no other problems
V8S battery connector worked loose, and I was stupid and let battery go flat, no other problems
Cerb 4.2 bought with duff battery, did develop slight overheating problem
Cerb 4.5 had to tighten one nut round passenger door
So, even as a mechanical numpty I think that's a good record.
1600M never broke down, no problems
3000M ditto
3000M (2)ditto
S2 alternator and clutch cylinder went, no other problems
V8S battery connector worked loose, and I was stupid and let battery go flat, no other problems
Cerb 4.2 bought with duff battery, did develop slight overheating problem

Cerb 4.5 had to tighten one nut round passenger door
So, even as a mechanical numpty I think that's a good record.
I got my Wife n SLK this week.
The car salesman sat down with us and in general chat declared that my TVR Tuscan was "the most unreliable car on the road".
He said this with great conviction and questioned my intelegence before finishing off with the "mind I am not speaking from experience you understand".
I pointed out the years of reliableable driving pleasure all of my TVR's have given before asking to deal with another sales person, with whom I spent just short of 30K.
QUESTION;- do you feel his loss of commission was sufficient punishment for spreading malicious gossip and roamers about a our P&J's.
The car salesman sat down with us and in general chat declared that my TVR Tuscan was "the most unreliable car on the road".
He said this with great conviction and questioned my intelegence before finishing off with the "mind I am not speaking from experience you understand".
I pointed out the years of reliableable driving pleasure all of my TVR's have given before asking to deal with another sales person, with whom I spent just short of 30K.
QUESTION;- do you feel his loss of commission was sufficient punishment for spreading malicious gossip and roamers about a our P&J's.
Owned 53
1600M. faked a overheating issue (voltage stabilizer earth fault) recovered
Taimar turbo's...followed factory advice on timing and fueling and destroyed pistons twice !! THEN 15 years later filled the car with Optimax and was holding my own with a M5 and lost 3 more pistons from detonation, recovery each time (the 2nd blow-up whilst following Daftlad!)
Chimaera 500. broke driveshaft on 2nd day of owning it at the lights at the bottom of the street dragging against a Griff 500.
Reliable...when the clutch cable when on a 280 Tasmin I drove it home from Yorkshire and even managed to get stopped for speeding!!
Adrian@
1600M. faked a overheating issue (voltage stabilizer earth fault) recovered
Taimar turbo's...followed factory advice on timing and fueling and destroyed pistons twice !! THEN 15 years later filled the car with Optimax and was holding my own with a M5 and lost 3 more pistons from detonation, recovery each time (the 2nd blow-up whilst following Daftlad!)
Chimaera 500. broke driveshaft on 2nd day of owning it at the lights at the bottom of the street dragging against a Griff 500.
Reliable...when the clutch cable when on a 280 Tasmin I drove it home from Yorkshire and even managed to get stopped for speeding!!
Adrian@
Edited by Adrian@ on Friday 11th January 22:05
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