Is a TVR a good choice?
Discussion
Hello, new to the TVR part of the PH site.
I'm 26 and currently drive a Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI (approx 200 bhp) as an everyday driver, doing 30k per year.
I intend to keep this car for 3 yrs or so - up until it hits the 150k mark.
But, i'd been considering other cars too as weekend toys.
The wife had no-no'd it initially, particularly where motorbikes came into the equation, however is starting to give in and has said that if i want to and can fund it, then she's ok too. So, next year, im planning on buying car nr 2.
Thing is - what to go for.
Initial options are:
- Lease a brand new Honda Civic Type R / Focus ST / Astra VXR and put the lease costs through the business that i co-run. FOR: New cars, first owner, choice of colour, warranty etc etc AGAINST: Bit too everyday and quite similar to the Seat in that they're hot hatches
- Buy something cheap to keep - i could afford say £5k, and could keep this - i.e. a Clio Cup, MX5, Impreza Turbo 2000 etc. FOR - Cheap AGAINST - Ltd choice for £5k
- Buy something seasonal - say spend £8k in March, sell for £7k in September/October, lose £1k - no great loss in the grand scheme. FOR - Better car than above, could go for a soft top AGAINST - May lose more than £1k.
Initial thoughts are a 51 plate Impreza WRX or an Evo 5/6, or an S reg M3, or even an early Boxster.
But, recently been thinking a soft top may be the option - so have been eyeing up Elises and Caterhams/Westfields.
But then it struck me - what about stretching a tad more for a TVR Chimaera. I've been a passenger in a Cerb, a Chim and a Griff and i loved it every time - great noise and great car.
However, are the running costs mega??? I intend to buy a decent one, albeit a higher mileage car say this time next year or March and keep until October, then get shut.
Am i asking for trouble?
Mileage will be approx following:
1 x trip to work per week = 25 miles round trip x 26 weeks = 650
1 x weekend blast per weekend = 150 miles x 26 = 3900
1 x bigger trip per 2 months = 300 miles x 3 = 900
1 x trip to Skye, and back via Inverness = 1100 miles x 1 = 1100
total anticipated mileage over 6 months = 6550
Only downside is that i've got 2 young kids and would like to take them too. A Cerb may have to be the answer, which kind of ruins the soft-top plans. And that's quite key for summer - may have to go elsewhere unless you guys can convince me otherwise.
I'm 26 and currently drive a Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI (approx 200 bhp) as an everyday driver, doing 30k per year.
I intend to keep this car for 3 yrs or so - up until it hits the 150k mark.
But, i'd been considering other cars too as weekend toys.
The wife had no-no'd it initially, particularly where motorbikes came into the equation, however is starting to give in and has said that if i want to and can fund it, then she's ok too. So, next year, im planning on buying car nr 2.
Thing is - what to go for.
Initial options are:
- Lease a brand new Honda Civic Type R / Focus ST / Astra VXR and put the lease costs through the business that i co-run. FOR: New cars, first owner, choice of colour, warranty etc etc AGAINST: Bit too everyday and quite similar to the Seat in that they're hot hatches
- Buy something cheap to keep - i could afford say £5k, and could keep this - i.e. a Clio Cup, MX5, Impreza Turbo 2000 etc. FOR - Cheap AGAINST - Ltd choice for £5k
- Buy something seasonal - say spend £8k in March, sell for £7k in September/October, lose £1k - no great loss in the grand scheme. FOR - Better car than above, could go for a soft top AGAINST - May lose more than £1k.
Initial thoughts are a 51 plate Impreza WRX or an Evo 5/6, or an S reg M3, or even an early Boxster.
But, recently been thinking a soft top may be the option - so have been eyeing up Elises and Caterhams/Westfields.
But then it struck me - what about stretching a tad more for a TVR Chimaera. I've been a passenger in a Cerb, a Chim and a Griff and i loved it every time - great noise and great car.
However, are the running costs mega??? I intend to buy a decent one, albeit a higher mileage car say this time next year or March and keep until October, then get shut.
Am i asking for trouble?
Mileage will be approx following:
1 x trip to work per week = 25 miles round trip x 26 weeks = 650
1 x weekend blast per weekend = 150 miles x 26 = 3900
1 x bigger trip per 2 months = 300 miles x 3 = 900
1 x trip to Skye, and back via Inverness = 1100 miles x 1 = 1100
total anticipated mileage over 6 months = 6550
Only downside is that i've got 2 young kids and would like to take them too. A Cerb may have to be the answer, which kind of ruins the soft-top plans. And that's quite key for summer - may have to go elsewhere unless you guys can convince me otherwise.
Running costs are massively variable depending on the condition of the car, who services the car and to an extent how fussy you are - but in general, once a Griffith or Chimaera is sorted properly, it will be very reliable and cost peanuts (relatively speaking) to run. It's the journey to getting a car in 'sorted' condition that can be a bit painful...
900T-R said:
Running costs are massively variable depending on the condition of the car, who services the car and to an extent how fussy you are - but in general, once a Griffith or Chimaera is sorted properly, it will be very reliable and cost peanuts (relatively speaking) to run. It's the journey to getting a car in 'sorted' condition that can be a bit painful...
I had heard that.I'd heard that "a TVR is for life, not just for one summer!"- in that, you buy it, spend a fortune over a few years getting it how you want it!
Yep - that's also the beauty of these cars - if you decide TVRs are for you, the car will become more like a part of you than any other inanimate object. 'Originality' doesn't really come into it as no two cars were likely the same when they ran off the production line to start with. 
RV8 - 16-23mpg, servicing £300-450p.a., £1000-1500p.a. in repairs
Sp6/AJP - 20-30mpg, servicing £400-800p.a., £1500-3000 (?)p.a. in repairs
If you want to make the car better, its cash on top. Never underestimate the seduction of Sprint mag ads! Some lucky individuals get away with spending about a fiver a year on theirs for a few years. You won't get away with that forever. Make the leap, buy now as they are cheap as anything.
Sp6/AJP - 20-30mpg, servicing £400-800p.a., £1500-3000 (?)p.a. in repairs
If you want to make the car better, its cash on top. Never underestimate the seduction of Sprint mag ads! Some lucky individuals get away with spending about a fiver a year on theirs for a few years. You won't get away with that forever. Make the leap, buy now as they are cheap as anything.
Nothing's impossible - where are you? I'd say meet up with an owner or two round your way and have a chat with them. If they take you for a spin you'll probably be hooked! Also spend plenty of time on here swatting up.
For what it's worth I've had one for 13 months and have done 4k in that time. I was looking for 18 months before I bought. The best advice I had was buy on condition, rather than age/colour/mileage and budget for around £3k a year maintenance if you won't do the work yourself.
The journeys you have planned suggest it could be a goer. I wouldn't want one as a daily runner if I had no garage and loads of stop/start journeys and speed humps to deal with.
Don't buy the first one you see (tricky, particularly as summer's on the way).
Good luck
For what it's worth I've had one for 13 months and have done 4k in that time. I was looking for 18 months before I bought. The best advice I had was buy on condition, rather than age/colour/mileage and budget for around £3k a year maintenance if you won't do the work yourself.
The journeys you have planned suggest it could be a goer. I wouldn't want one as a daily runner if I had no garage and loads of stop/start journeys and speed humps to deal with.
Don't buy the first one you see (tricky, particularly as summer's on the way).
Good luck
Edited by bobbins on Friday 10th April 21:52
bobbins said:
Nothing's impossible - where are you? I'd say meet up with an owner or two round your way and have a chat with them. If they take you for a spin you'll probably be hooked! Also spend plenty of time on here swatting up.
For what it's worth I've had one for 13 months and have done 4k in that time. I was looking for 18 months before I bought. The best advice I had was buy on condition, rather than age/colour/mileage and budget for around £3k a year maintenance if you won't do the work yourself.
The journeys you have planned suggest it could be a goer. I wouldn't want one as a daily runner if I had no garage and loads of stop/start journeys and speed humps to deal with.
Don't buy the first one you see (tricky, particularly as summer's on the way).
Good luck
Indeed - but funds don't permit this year. So it's a no-goer for at least 12 months!For what it's worth I've had one for 13 months and have done 4k in that time. I was looking for 18 months before I bought. The best advice I had was buy on condition, rather than age/colour/mileage and budget for around £3k a year maintenance if you won't do the work yourself.
The journeys you have planned suggest it could be a goer. I wouldn't want one as a daily runner if I had no garage and loads of stop/start journeys and speed humps to deal with.
Don't buy the first one you see (tricky, particularly as summer's on the way).
Good luck
I'm going to take my time looking.
I'm based in the North West, there are plenty round this neck of the woods.
I've been in a Cerb, Chim 5.0 and a Griff over the years, but the Cerb and Chim was approx 11-12 yrs ago when i never even dreamt about owning one - as a 14 yr old lad! The Griff was around 3 years ago when i was on the bones of my arse financially, and again, didn't even consider it. Exciting to get a bit serious about something like this now!!
12 months is good. You'll be in a good position to know exactly what you want then and will have experience of good/bad ones - and will hopefully have driven a few.
You're in a decent part of the country too for servicing as there seem to be several decent places over that way, ex-factory guys, plus TrackvCar in Clitheroe.
You're in a decent part of the country too for servicing as there seem to be several decent places over that way, ex-factory guys, plus TrackvCar in Clitheroe.
sider said:
Only downside is that i've got 2 young kids and would like to take them too.
I think people may have missed this bit ?If you find a 4 seater TVR convertible, you will let me know won't you
I would have though the older M3 convertible would make most sense for you
Good luck
280...0-60 around 8 secs. Top speed 126-130.
350...0-60 6.5 secs. Top speed 135+.
(FHCs)
Both pretty reliable and straightforward mechanics, and great value for money.
Wedgers tend to be hands-on people who look after their cars.
Also much more exclusive than the roundy ones, as very few made....particularly +2s.
Don't know this car, but cheap. Would need chassis checking.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/939149.htm
350...0-60 6.5 secs. Top speed 135+.
(FHCs)
Both pretty reliable and straightforward mechanics, and great value for money.
Wedgers tend to be hands-on people who look after their cars.
Also much more exclusive than the roundy ones, as very few made....particularly +2s.
Don't know this car, but cheap. Would need chassis checking.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/939149.htm
Edited by grahamw48 on Saturday 11th April 22:35
sider said:
Hello, new to the TVR part of the PH site.
I'm 26 and currently drive a Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI (approx 200 bhp) as an everyday driver, doing 30k per year.
I intend to keep this car for 3 yrs or so - up until it hits the 150k mark.
But, i'd been considering other cars too as weekend toys.
The wife had no-no'd it initially, particularly where motorbikes came into the equation, however is starting to give in and has said that if i want to and can fund it, then she's ok too. So, next year, im planning on buying car nr 2.
Thing is - what to go for.
Initial options are:
- Lease a brand new Honda Civic Type R / Focus ST / Astra VXR and put the lease costs through the business that i co-run. FOR: New cars, first owner, choice of colour, warranty etc etc AGAINST: Bit too everyday and quite similar to the Seat in that they're hot hatches
- Buy something cheap to keep - i could afford say £5k, and could keep this - i.e. a Clio Cup, MX5, Impreza Turbo 2000 etc. FOR - Cheap AGAINST - Ltd choice for £5k
- Buy something seasonal - say spend £8k in March, sell for £7k in September/October, lose £1k - no great loss in the grand scheme. FOR - Better car than above, could go for a soft top AGAINST - May lose more than £1k.
Initial thoughts are a 51 plate Impreza WRX or an Evo 5/6, or an S reg M3, or even an early Boxster.
But, recently been thinking a soft top may be the option - so have been eyeing up Elises and Caterhams/Westfields.
But then it struck me - what about stretching a tad more for a TVR Chimaera. I've been a passenger in a Cerb, a Chim and a Griff and i loved it every time - great noise and great car.
However, are the running costs mega??? I intend to buy a decent one, albeit a higher mileage car say this time next year or March and keep until October, then get shut.
Am i asking for trouble?
Mileage will be approx following:
1 x trip to work per week = 25 miles round trip x 26 weeks = 650
1 x weekend blast per weekend = 150 miles x 26 = 3900
1 x bigger trip per 2 months = 300 miles x 3 = 900
1 x trip to Skye, and back via Inverness = 1100 miles x 1 = 1100
total anticipated mileage over 6 months = 6550
Only downside is that i've got 2 young kids and would like to take them too. A Cerb may have to be the answer, which kind of ruins the soft-top plans. And that's quite key for summer - may have to go elsewhere unless you guys can convince me otherwise.
You have partly answerd your own question. You say you have been in a Griff Chimaera and Cerbera,and enjoyed every minute of it. Well there you go then. A TVR it is. From the other alternatives you have listed,they all seem a bit mundane. Well they will be to you after you have driven them a while.I'm 26 and currently drive a Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI (approx 200 bhp) as an everyday driver, doing 30k per year.
I intend to keep this car for 3 yrs or so - up until it hits the 150k mark.
But, i'd been considering other cars too as weekend toys.
The wife had no-no'd it initially, particularly where motorbikes came into the equation, however is starting to give in and has said that if i want to and can fund it, then she's ok too. So, next year, im planning on buying car nr 2.
Thing is - what to go for.
Initial options are:
- Lease a brand new Honda Civic Type R / Focus ST / Astra VXR and put the lease costs through the business that i co-run. FOR: New cars, first owner, choice of colour, warranty etc etc AGAINST: Bit too everyday and quite similar to the Seat in that they're hot hatches
- Buy something cheap to keep - i could afford say £5k, and could keep this - i.e. a Clio Cup, MX5, Impreza Turbo 2000 etc. FOR - Cheap AGAINST - Ltd choice for £5k
- Buy something seasonal - say spend £8k in March, sell for £7k in September/October, lose £1k - no great loss in the grand scheme. FOR - Better car than above, could go for a soft top AGAINST - May lose more than £1k.
Initial thoughts are a 51 plate Impreza WRX or an Evo 5/6, or an S reg M3, or even an early Boxster.
But, recently been thinking a soft top may be the option - so have been eyeing up Elises and Caterhams/Westfields.
But then it struck me - what about stretching a tad more for a TVR Chimaera. I've been a passenger in a Cerb, a Chim and a Griff and i loved it every time - great noise and great car.
However, are the running costs mega??? I intend to buy a decent one, albeit a higher mileage car say this time next year or March and keep until October, then get shut.
Am i asking for trouble?
Mileage will be approx following:
1 x trip to work per week = 25 miles round trip x 26 weeks = 650
1 x weekend blast per weekend = 150 miles x 26 = 3900
1 x bigger trip per 2 months = 300 miles x 3 = 900
1 x trip to Skye, and back via Inverness = 1100 miles x 1 = 1100
total anticipated mileage over 6 months = 6550
Only downside is that i've got 2 young kids and would like to take them too. A Cerb may have to be the answer, which kind of ruins the soft-top plans. And that's quite key for summer - may have to go elsewhere unless you guys can convince me otherwise.
As as been said. Buy on condition and not age. the Griff and Chimaera,s are cheaper to run than a Cerbera,and dont require as much fettling.I still think you will be able to recoup your money in a years time if you decide to sell,as i think they have reached the bottom end of the retail market.
Good luck whatever you decide
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