An S Series V8, really?

[JimView]

Hello all

I'm stuck…

Until this week I was selling my Golf GTI and looking to buy an S2000. I wanted to get a high performance car witch I could take on the track now and again but also use as a car day to day. I'm now thinking of keeping my Golf to use as a day to day car but also invest 2k in kiting this out for the track and using the 5k I have saved to look out for a gorgeous V8S! It excites me to think I could own one of these, it would be unbelievable, I love the pedigree of TVR I've always loved the look of the S series.

I wanted to ask am I kidding myself that I could own one of these. Is it possible to find a decent condition S for this money? A lot of posts on here seem to be restorations, advice on repairing or searching for parts, I have the enthusiasm to learn how to do general repairs/maintenance but I understand these can be temperamental little beasts, will I be buying something which will cost too much to keep on the road?

Am I being realistic thinking about buying an awesome S Series or should I stick to my original plan?

Any opinions would be great - Looking forward to seeing some awesome TVRs at the PH Show!

[Barkychoc]

A couple of V8S's have changed hands in the last couple of months or so for around the £5k mark (one was definately less).
Maintenance is pretty straightforward, mainly a combination of Range Rover and Ford Sierra bits.
Insurance if you can keep it in a garage depending on your age starts at about £140 with Hagerty Insurance as a second car with limited mileage.

There's a burgundy one on the classifieds at a bit more than your budget but it was a well sorted car when it last changed hands, there's no reason to think that has changed significantly.

The main thing to look for is the chassis, or lack of!
The chassis can dissolve but there are also plenty of good cars around, and chassis problems are all repairable if you're handy with a spanner and a welder.
Don't discount the V6 S either - there are a few around with the 24v Cosworth engine in from the Granada which makes things kind of interesting - probably at least on par with the V8.

Look at http://www.tvrsseries.com

Just do it!

Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 9th January 22:35

[JimView]

Thanks for the reply

Yes I've spotted the burgundy one - looks great! Looks like it could be on! the link looks good, thanks again

[peaktorque]

JimView said:

Hello all

I'm stuck…

Until this week I was selling my Golf GTI and looking to buy an S2000. I wanted to get a high performance car witch I could take on the track now and again but also use as a car day to day. I'm now thinking of keeping my Golf to use as a day to day car but also invest 2k in kiting this out for the track and using the 5k I have saved to look out for a gorgeous V8S! It excites me to think I could own one of these, it would be unbelievable, I love the pedigree of TVR I've always loved the look of the S series.

I wanted to ask am I kidding myself that I could own one of these. Is it possible to find a decent condition S for this money? A lot of posts on here seem to be restorations, advice on repairing or searching for parts, I have the enthusiasm to learn how to do general repairs/maintenance but I understand these can be temperamental little beasts, will I be buying something which will cost too much to keep on the road?

Am I being realistic thinking about buying an awesome S Series or should I stick to my original plan?

Any opinions would be great - Looking forward to seeing some awesome TVRs at the PH Show!

If you can live with the looks (like I have to!), then don't rule out a Wedge :runsforcover:.

More V8 Wedges out there than V8 Ss. They are a bit cheaper too, I paid £1500 for my 350i (minus engine) and it only costs £118 a year to insure.

Just a thought, as you were.............

Edited by peaktorque on Friday 9th January 22:03

[Barkychoc]

There's an East Midlands meet this Sunday, you're not a million miles away get yourself over there!
Not sure who's going but even if there are no S's there you can be sure that some of the owners there will have previously owned one - just ask around.

Dare I say it on this forum - there may be some wedges aswell!

Link Below

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Also look at

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/tvr/s/default.asp?sto...

Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 9th January 22:19

[Barkychoc]

Don't discount the V6 S either - they are a lot of noisy fun and a good one would be easy to find with your budget.
A TVR isn't a car it's an experience!

[JimView]

Thats it now I just needed a push I'm in!

I'm at PH show with one of my mates on Sunday - I will have to twist his arm, see if i can get to meet

Not sure on the wedges, acquired taste, would have to see one up close,

Cheers

[Barkychoc]

JimView said:

Thats it now I just needed a push I'm in!

I'm at PH show with one of my mates on Sunday - I will have to twist his arm, see if i can get to meet

Not sure on the wedges, acquired taste, would have to see one up close,

Cheers

I'm not sure but I think Tinks V8S may be there with his car (on the TVR stand I think not entirely sure) - he's thinking of selling too if you were to stretch your budget a bit.

I maybe slightly biased but this really is one of the best forums on Pistonheads - we all help each other out & post bits to each other etc. Also look at useful links at the top of this forum there's allsorts in there.

By the way an S2000 it aint - you either get TVR's or you don't, just don't expect it to be like a japanese car!

Chris

Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 9th January 22:36

[zombeh]

What they said.

You'll might struggle to get a decent v8 for 5k but it's not impossible, I paid slightly less than that for mine and to call it decent would be stretching it a little. It's certainly not bad it just has a very long list of little jobs that need doing.

[markbigears]

James, I think for 5K a sorted V8S might be quite hard to find. Sure, there have been a few out there of late, but in that price bracket i'm sure it will need a little tlc and you will probably end up forking out more than if you had bought a more expensive car to start with. Better bet is to go for a higher condition V6 version. Keep us posted on any developments and good luck with the search ....

[Barkychoc]

Leave your Golf alone and buy Duckers V8S on the classifieds!

If you do it be careful - rear wheel drive and greasy roads isn't a good combination.

Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 9th January 22:50

[JimView]

Barkychoc said:

Leave your Golf alone and buy Duckers V8S on the classifieds!

Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 9th January 22:44

Nice - but whats with the wheels?!

[Barkychoc]

Not my cup of tea either - but would cost the best part of sod all to get them changed.

[JimView]

I will definitely seek advice - probably on sunday first point of call and keep you posted on what I go for. Would be good to get your thoughts before I buy.
Looks like a great forum and a good community you all have here. Thanks for all your help.

[Barkychoc]

Keep us posted James - if you are Lincoln way I'm only down the A46 in Bingham.
I just need to finish putting my car back together, and a driving licence would be good but thats another story for another day (medical reasons not that!).

[JimView]

Barkychoc said:

Keep us posted James - if you are Lincoln way I'm only down the A46 in Bingham.
I just need to finish putting my car back together, and a driving licence would be good but thats another story for another day (medical reasons not that!).

I live in Lincoln. Small world! Would be good to see your car.
My email is [e-mail], it would be great to get some first hand advice and get to know someone who's local and knows what they're talking about. If you're up for meeting email me your details and I could give you a call sometime?

Thanks again.
Jim

[Longers]

Hi Jim, welcome to the fourm

JimView said:

I'm now thinking of keeping my Golf to use as a day to day car but also invest 2k in kiting this out for the track and using the 5k I have saved to look out for a gorgeous V8S!

Why not keep the Golf as it is for daily use, and use the 5k + 2k = 7k for the V8S? What do you want to do to the Golf to make is suitable for a track car that will not compromise it as an everyday car? Buy, or at least have a ride/drive in a "standard" V8S, and see if that isn't more fun or more suitable than a golf on the track....? Alternatively buy a V6S for less than 5k - as has been said above they're more than good enough and sound great! - and if you want use the 2k to fit a roll bar, upgrade brakes etc etc.... I'm south of Chris in Rutland with a V6 if you ever want to compare it to a V8.
As Chris said the burgundy V8 is known here. Don't worry about the wheels though, they're easily sorted.....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Don't feel you need to rush into buying - lots more will be available when the weather improves and it pays to look at a couple to get a feel for them

JimView said:

A lot of posts on here seem to be restorations, advice on repairing or searching for parts, I have the enthusiasm to learn how to do general repairs/maintenance but I understand these can be temperamental little beasts, will I be buying something which will cost too much to keep on the road?

You are right about the posts, but that's mainly because this forum can answer those questions and, at this time of year, some people do a LOT of work on their cars. Plenty of others (like me!) are not mechanically minded and do their bit for the economy by paying someone else to look after their cars!! Over the course of the year it doesn't cost that much compared to what you could spend on other hobbies. If it was a more modern car with a speed 6 engine, then yes, it could be more tempermental and cost a lot more per year than the simple S.

And be careful if you do meet up with Chris, he'll have your body off and car in bits in seconds

Good luck,
Longers

[V8Smith]

First bit of advise, as someone that has had a V6S and a V8S...... buy a V8S.

I would also concur abs say leave the golf as it is and spend £7K on a V8S that will be the best option you just can't beat the V8S IMHO for smiles per gallon.....

To be honest if you did find a good V6 you certainly won't be disappointed, its still a lot of fun, but you may want more power.

Mike

[madbadger]

There should be at least one S at the East Mids meet tomorrow.

S Andy Man will be happy to show you around the S3. V6 but will give you an idea.

[tinks v8S]

yes tins v8s is on the pistonheads stand under banner
where it all started

ask around i am there
got my classic minis5 on as well
on stand now as they have internet