Discussion
Ok here goes,
Im brand new to this site but I have come on here for some much needed advice.
I have a variety of "sporty" cars but being only in my mid 20's I have not been able to previously insure anything with epic performance.
I know however can!
For me it has always been about the TVR's ever since I first saw a Griffin fly by (Excuse the pun).
At the moment I have a Chrysler Crossfire Roadster (yes mock away)...
Which to all intents and purposes is very pleasant.
3.2 V6 gets me to 60 in just over 6 seconds and is electronically held back at 155mph with the roof up or down.
Very reliable and fin to drive.
This is the problem though... I just can't stop looking up Tamora's and T350's.
I read about all the problems and assure myself my warrantied reliable Chrysler is the best option.
Then I find myself back on here or a dealers website perving some more!
What should I do, give in? If so T350 or Tamora?
How much contingency should I be expecting to shell out p/a? Is there a company which offers reliable warranty (I found one the other day for £300 p/a) But I cant imagine its any good.
Your learned advice is very welcome.
Im brand new to this site but I have come on here for some much needed advice.
I have a variety of "sporty" cars but being only in my mid 20's I have not been able to previously insure anything with epic performance.
I know however can!
For me it has always been about the TVR's ever since I first saw a Griffin fly by (Excuse the pun).
At the moment I have a Chrysler Crossfire Roadster (yes mock away)...
Which to all intents and purposes is very pleasant.
3.2 V6 gets me to 60 in just over 6 seconds and is electronically held back at 155mph with the roof up or down.
Very reliable and fin to drive.
This is the problem though... I just can't stop looking up Tamora's and T350's.
I read about all the problems and assure myself my warrantied reliable Chrysler is the best option.
Then I find myself back on here or a dealers website perving some more!
What should I do, give in? If so T350 or Tamora?
How much contingency should I be expecting to shell out p/a? Is there a company which offers reliable warranty (I found one the other day for £300 p/a) But I cant imagine its any good.
Your learned advice is very welcome.
Do your homework, buy well within your means, (maybe a TVR with a rebuild already?), and you'll soon be driving in a car that is an 'event' every time you look at it, rather than something you are embarassed about.
Don't listen to the idiots (called Top Gear) who would say they are rubbish, and fall apart. I've owned mine now for 3.5 years combined (between two), and I've had a replace a bulb, and that's it.
Good hunting, and see you out in one soon...
Don't listen to the idiots (called Top Gear) who would say they are rubbish, and fall apart. I've owned mine now for 3.5 years combined (between two), and I've had a replace a bulb, and that's it.
Good hunting, and see you out in one soon...
Just go into it eyes open (particularly with the Speed Six cars I gather). If you accept it's a low volume car and there are more likely to be minor teething issues you'll probably be pleasantly surprised. Other than that, go for it.
Do shop around for insurance. I know I've said this before but I couldn't believe I was quoted £450ish for a T350 at 25! ...I've got a recent claim and a less-than-ideal post code too, so it can be done. For reference I was paying about half that for the S3 I had at the time, so Griff/Chim/Cerb premiums would probably range between the two.
At the risk of stating the obvious, see as many cars as you can - both in terms of deciding which model you want and also which example to buy. Personally, I found some of my preconceptions were a bit wrong when I got behind the wheel and I ended up with a different model to the one I originally went for. Whichever one it, you will become addicted - that's why I'm still lurking despite having moved on - at some point I'll be back!
Have fun.
Do shop around for insurance. I know I've said this before but I couldn't believe I was quoted £450ish for a T350 at 25! ...I've got a recent claim and a less-than-ideal post code too, so it can be done. For reference I was paying about half that for the S3 I had at the time, so Griff/Chim/Cerb premiums would probably range between the two.
At the risk of stating the obvious, see as many cars as you can - both in terms of deciding which model you want and also which example to buy. Personally, I found some of my preconceptions were a bit wrong when I got behind the wheel and I ended up with a different model to the one I originally went for. Whichever one it, you will become addicted - that's why I'm still lurking despite having moved on - at some point I'll be back!
Have fun.
Thanks for the advice guys...
Im no mechanic, is a rebuild likely to be more reliable than an original?
I have about £12-15k to play with, dependent on what I get for mine.
I think it's def between the Tam and the T350 I like the look of the T350 but they seem to be more expensive for having the same engine and running gear as the Tam and not being a convertible?
There is a nice blue Tam on this sites classifieds with only 16k on clock...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/991118.htm
There are such huge differences in prices from £12k up to £17k for same spec SH mileage etc.
How can I tell the bargains without getting a mechanic to look each of them over?
Thanks again.
EDIT: Re Griffin (was my little joke mate, a Griffin is a bird "fly past")
Im no mechanic, is a rebuild likely to be more reliable than an original?
I have about £12-15k to play with, dependent on what I get for mine.
I think it's def between the Tam and the T350 I like the look of the T350 but they seem to be more expensive for having the same engine and running gear as the Tam and not being a convertible?
There is a nice blue Tam on this sites classifieds with only 16k on clock...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/991118.htm
There are such huge differences in prices from £12k up to £17k for same spec SH mileage etc.
How can I tell the bargains without getting a mechanic to look each of them over?
Thanks again.
EDIT: Re Griffin (was my little joke mate, a Griffin is a bird "fly past")
Edited by Big_Russ82 on Monday 20th July 15:28
The rebuild will depend on who carried it out, if you search the forums you will find all the info you need, as a general rule the later the car the better as certain upgrades were carried out.
I haven't checked the classifieds for a while but i think you may struggle to get a T350 for 15K but you never know.
If you go to see a car ask to see it from cold to see if it smokes on start up or if any throttle is applied to keep it ticking over until warm. Then if you go for a test drive watch to see how the owner treats the car until it's warm, obviously you don't want it to be thrashed until it's fully warmed up. Obviously check for a FSH and no skipped services.
Like i said just search the Tamora, T350 and Sagaris forum and the speed 6 forum for all the info you need.
HTH.
I haven't checked the classifieds for a while but i think you may struggle to get a T350 for 15K but you never know.
If you go to see a car ask to see it from cold to see if it smokes on start up or if any throttle is applied to keep it ticking over until warm. Then if you go for a test drive watch to see how the owner treats the car until it's warm, obviously you don't want it to be thrashed until it's fully warmed up. Obviously check for a FSH and no skipped services.
Like i said just search the Tamora, T350 and Sagaris forum and the speed 6 forum for all the info you need.
HTH.
Glancing at the classifieds (must stop doing that...) it seems that a decent Tamora would just about be in your budget, but I'd reiterate what's said about the contingency fund. Trust me, it's a very uncomfortable feeling buying a car and knowing you don't have enough to fix them back on if the wheels fall off during the drive home!
I'm sure someone can give you a sensible figure for monthly outlay, but bear in mind if you're 'no mechanic' then you can incur some pretty big bills pretty quickly. I'd probably take a look at a worst case scenario and make sure you have enough for, say, an engine rebuild, plus the usual insurance/tax etc. over the top of the purchase price. If you don't need it, great, it can go on track days or mods, but if you do...
If the Speed Six is the main draw, then have you thought about a later Cerbera? Don't honestly know if there's any difference in costs or value, but it might be worth checking out if you're after the engine. The other thing is if you're after 'a TVR' then that'll get you a very nice example of just about any one of the V8 models. Just a thought... if your heart is set on the Tamora, go for it, but definitely pick some owners' brains and (as with any car) put aside some contingency money aside first.
I'm sure someone can give you a sensible figure for monthly outlay, but bear in mind if you're 'no mechanic' then you can incur some pretty big bills pretty quickly. I'd probably take a look at a worst case scenario and make sure you have enough for, say, an engine rebuild, plus the usual insurance/tax etc. over the top of the purchase price. If you don't need it, great, it can go on track days or mods, but if you do...
If the Speed Six is the main draw, then have you thought about a later Cerbera? Don't honestly know if there's any difference in costs or value, but it might be worth checking out if you're after the engine. The other thing is if you're after 'a TVR' then that'll get you a very nice example of just about any one of the V8 models. Just a thought... if your heart is set on the Tamora, go for it, but definitely pick some owners' brains and (as with any car) put aside some contingency money aside first.
In the last year i've spent about 14K on my car, admittedly i needed a top end engine rebuild which i could have had done for about 3K but i decided on a full re-build plus a few other extras, you could get a full re-build for 5-6K though.
The year before that though i spent under a grand for a service, new HT leads and paintshield so it's swings and round abouts. I personally wouldn't bother with a warranty and would just put some cash aside for a rainy day.
The year before that though i spent under a grand for a service, new HT leads and paintshield so it's swings and round abouts. I personally wouldn't bother with a warranty and would just put some cash aside for a rainy day.
I doubt very much you'll get even a ropey T350 for 15k so TBH I'd limit your search to the Tamora.
On average they cost around 2.5-3k a year to run (not including fuel or insurance) but this can be more or less depending on what needs doing (eg a clutch will set you back circa 1k).
Within 1 month of buying my 8500 mile T350 I needed a bottom end rebuild (3.5k) a new rad (£500) and a couple of other bits & pieces, fortunately all under warranty from the dealer.
What sort of money will you have to spare each month for running costs?
On average they cost around 2.5-3k a year to run (not including fuel or insurance) but this can be more or less depending on what needs doing (eg a clutch will set you back circa 1k).
Within 1 month of buying my 8500 mile T350 I needed a bottom end rebuild (3.5k) a new rad (£500) and a couple of other bits & pieces, fortunately all under warranty from the dealer.
What sort of money will you have to spare each month for running costs?
I dont really want to be spending 3k p/a just on fixing my car.
I knew they could be dodgy but why so many engine rebuilds at under 10k mileage...?
I know they aren't BMW's but seriously!
The more I talk to you lot the more I think you are all mad. Sure they are stunning cars but over 10k to keep an already pricey car on the road in one year is insanity!
Would you not be better off saving it all up and buying a 911?
I knew they could be dodgy but why so many engine rebuilds at under 10k mileage...?
I know they aren't BMW's but seriously!
The more I talk to you lot the more I think you are all mad. Sure they are stunning cars but over 10k to keep an already pricey car on the road in one year is insanity!
Would you not be better off saving it all up and buying a 911?
2-3k pa in servicing/maintenance isn't that bad for near supercar performance. If you think a 911 won't cost that then have a chat with some Porsche owners. Not sure where you get your 10k a year figure from though. An engine rebuild 'may' need doing after 15k or 50k though once done the new rebuilds come with up to 5 year unlimited mileage warranties.
Big_Russ82 said:
The more I talk to you lot the more I think you are all mad. Sure they are stunning cars but over 10k to keep an already pricey car on the road in one year is insanity!
Would you not be better off saving it all up and buying a 911?
All of my mates say the same thing, they say i should put the TVR up for sale and spend the rainy day money and cash from the TVR on a Gallardo or such like but once you've driven a TVR you either get it or you don't, simple as that.Would you not be better off saving it all up and buying a 911?
so called said:
Big_Russ82 said:
Would you not be better off saving it all up and buying a 911?
NOPE !Over the last year aside from insurance and day-to-day running costs, my 2003 T350 cost me around £1500, the bulk of which was a 12k service, which I don't think was too bad, considering.
Expensive things can and do go wrong with these cars, but with care and luck you might get away with your regular servicing costs and the occasional trip to the garage for some fettling.
You should expect to pay at least £1000 a year tho' assuming that nothing bad happens.
As for 911s being somehow cheaper to maintain - tell that to my mate who needed a £15k gearbox rebuild...
Edited by darkmark07 on Tuesday 21st July 10:59
so called said:
Big_Russ82 said:
Would you not be better off saving it all up and buying a 911?
NOPE !It's not that they necessarily are problematic, just that they - like any other car - can be and you should go in with your eyes open and enough in reserve to cover any issues. Sod's law dictates that if you buy one with addequate contingency funds then it'll never miss a beat and you'll end up spending the money on track day fees or something instead. However, if you spend your last penny on the car you can guarantee it will be that one car that goes wrong.
For some info
Picked up my 2000 W reg Tuscan last year at 24. Insurance was £1080 fully comp with 4 years no claims and 3 points. I was aware the car would need new shocks and some chassis work but it had an engine rebuild by TVR at the start of 2005.
Cost wise first major service set me back the £2500 odd this included
12k mile service, new Door ECU, new engine mounts, Racing Red shocks + set up, new break pads all round and a few other bits and bobs.
To be honest I didnt think the cost was that bad considering the amout of work involved!
Its due for a small service in 2 months but I dont think anything needs doing so expecting it to around £500.
The down side is I have an expected valve guide problem so I am burning a bit of oil. So looking at around £2500 bill some point next year. I am putting away around £200 a month for service costs and this seems to be working OK however I may need to put away more with the current head problem.
Actual running costs isnt too bad at the moment I am averaging around 24mpg including a mix of driving however it only comes out at the weekends.
Picked up my 2000 W reg Tuscan last year at 24. Insurance was £1080 fully comp with 4 years no claims and 3 points. I was aware the car would need new shocks and some chassis work but it had an engine rebuild by TVR at the start of 2005.
Cost wise first major service set me back the £2500 odd this included
12k mile service, new Door ECU, new engine mounts, Racing Red shocks + set up, new break pads all round and a few other bits and bobs.
To be honest I didnt think the cost was that bad considering the amout of work involved!
Its due for a small service in 2 months but I dont think anything needs doing so expecting it to around £500.
The down side is I have an expected valve guide problem so I am burning a bit of oil. So looking at around £2500 bill some point next year. I am putting away around £200 a month for service costs and this seems to be working OK however I may need to put away more with the current head problem.
Actual running costs isnt too bad at the moment I am averaging around 24mpg including a mix of driving however it only comes out at the weekends.
Like the man said,
[quote=thainy77]
once you've driven a TVR you either get it or you don't, simple as that.
Oh and by the way a griffin (griffon or gryphon) is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and often wings of an eagle, not to be confused with a Chimera, a monstrous fire-breathing creature, composed of the parts of multiple animals. The body of a lioness with a tail that terminated in a snake's head with the head of a goat on her back at the center of her spine. The Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus the 3 headed dog.
The term chimera has also come to mean more generally, an impossible or foolish fantasy!!
A Griffith which is what IMHO you should br lusting after is just a great old school sports car and loads of fun
[quote=thainy77]
once you've driven a TVR you either get it or you don't, simple as that.
Oh and by the way a griffin (griffon or gryphon) is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and often wings of an eagle, not to be confused with a Chimera, a monstrous fire-breathing creature, composed of the parts of multiple animals. The body of a lioness with a tail that terminated in a snake's head with the head of a goat on her back at the center of her spine. The Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus the 3 headed dog.
The term chimera has also come to mean more generally, an impossible or foolish fantasy!!
A Griffith which is what IMHO you should br lusting after is just a great old school sports car and loads of fun
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