Discussion
Ok ive come here because I spent a while on the TVR forum and concluded after talking to them I should be looking for a BMW instead of a TVR Cerbera.
The basic story is I have an MR2 Turbo which has been written off on a CAT D. I've got 2 choices spend a couple of grand getting the MR2 back to its former glory or get something different. My situation has changed a little since I bought the MR2 in that I now work 3 times a week about 45 miles away. Luckily my commute is done outside the rush hour and is mostly motorways.
The reason I am thinking of changing cars is: I sometimes need to give 2 other people a lift to work, I would like a bit more comfort and a little more boot space. I want to stick to a sports car as I enjoy the odd track day. My budget is quite tight as I am currently looking at also building an extension on my house so around the £10k mark is where I am thinking. I like both the E36 and E46 cars as well as the M5. I do like the idea of getting a cab but a coupe or saloon would also be fine. I don't have any children yet and I have a garage to keep it in. I'm reasonable with the spanners and can do most of the basics myself but also know a specialist should I need one.
The reason I was looking at a TVR was the performance, My MR2 is approx 300bhp and has done a 13.2 qtr at Santa Pode. The MR2 has been very reliable and even though its pushing 16 years old and 100k its cost me very little in the last 6 years of ownership. so I for looking as something with similar performance and reliability.
I would be very interested in your thoughts?
Chris
The basic story is I have an MR2 Turbo which has been written off on a CAT D. I've got 2 choices spend a couple of grand getting the MR2 back to its former glory or get something different. My situation has changed a little since I bought the MR2 in that I now work 3 times a week about 45 miles away. Luckily my commute is done outside the rush hour and is mostly motorways.
The reason I am thinking of changing cars is: I sometimes need to give 2 other people a lift to work, I would like a bit more comfort and a little more boot space. I want to stick to a sports car as I enjoy the odd track day. My budget is quite tight as I am currently looking at also building an extension on my house so around the £10k mark is where I am thinking. I like both the E36 and E46 cars as well as the M5. I do like the idea of getting a cab but a coupe or saloon would also be fine. I don't have any children yet and I have a garage to keep it in. I'm reasonable with the spanners and can do most of the basics myself but also know a specialist should I need one.
The reason I was looking at a TVR was the performance, My MR2 is approx 300bhp and has done a 13.2 qtr at Santa Pode. The MR2 has been very reliable and even though its pushing 16 years old and 100k its cost me very little in the last 6 years of ownership. so I for looking as something with similar performance and reliability.
I would be very interested in your thoughts?
Chris
How long do you plan to keep it for?
If you keep your cars 2.5+ years then with a tight budget it might be wiser going for a x30i or x35i (3 series or 5 series) as you will get a healthy chunk of performance with cheaper running costs.
Then again a M car is utterly superb and I have never bought a car with my head over my heart so i'll just shut up
Best bet is to test drive a few and work out how far up comfort is on your agenda and use that to decide between the 3 & 5 & M versions
If you keep your cars 2.5+ years then with a tight budget it might be wiser going for a x30i or x35i (3 series or 5 series) as you will get a healthy chunk of performance with cheaper running costs.
Then again a M car is utterly superb and I have never bought a car with my head over my heart so i'll just shut up
Best bet is to test drive a few and work out how far up comfort is on your agenda and use that to decide between the 3 & 5 & M versions
I have only recently bought my second E36 M3 after selling my 4.2 Cerbera, and before that i had a E36 M3 Evo.
The Cerbera was really a object of huge desire, i saved up quite a bit of cash and borrowed a bit and had my fun with it for the summer, but in truth i spent just as much time under the bonnet as i did driving it. All told the TVR cost me a small fortune in the short time i had it (clutch change £900, diff leak/gearbox mounts few other bits £600) was due a 12K service when i sold it where you don't get too much change out of 8-9 hundred quid, and i'm actually not too bad with a spanner myself, very specialist bits of kit.
The M3 was the financially safe pair of hands for me (relativley speaking), in the real world blasting from A - B the M3 gets me there just as fast as the TVR did, the only thing missing is the epic noise and sense of occasion, handling is defintley more stable in the BMW though.
I really do miss the Cerbera, but seriously consider the 2-3K servicing and repairs/upgrades per year, they really do cost that much.
Before you dismiss the TVR entirely though i would recommend any serious car nut to at least drive one to see what the fuss is all about, owners are generally a friendly bunch and will help you out if you ask niceley, and in the end it's only money.
(Edit) - you will not fit 2 adults in the back of a cerbera unless they are from middle earth or multiple amputees, those rear seat are for kids and looking pretty, not even remotely practical.
The Cerbera was really a object of huge desire, i saved up quite a bit of cash and borrowed a bit and had my fun with it for the summer, but in truth i spent just as much time under the bonnet as i did driving it. All told the TVR cost me a small fortune in the short time i had it (clutch change £900, diff leak/gearbox mounts few other bits £600) was due a 12K service when i sold it where you don't get too much change out of 8-9 hundred quid, and i'm actually not too bad with a spanner myself, very specialist bits of kit.
The M3 was the financially safe pair of hands for me (relativley speaking), in the real world blasting from A - B the M3 gets me there just as fast as the TVR did, the only thing missing is the epic noise and sense of occasion, handling is defintley more stable in the BMW though.
I really do miss the Cerbera, but seriously consider the 2-3K servicing and repairs/upgrades per year, they really do cost that much.
Before you dismiss the TVR entirely though i would recommend any serious car nut to at least drive one to see what the fuss is all about, owners are generally a friendly bunch and will help you out if you ask niceley, and in the end it's only money.
(Edit) - you will not fit 2 adults in the back of a cerbera unless they are from middle earth or multiple amputees, those rear seat are for kids and looking pretty, not even remotely practical.
Edited by pat_y on Thursday 7th January 14:34
Thanks for the info, I think I will end up with a TVR one day as a couple of years ago before I started a new job I was a complete speed nut and went to every track day and event I could. I am working silly hours and most days of the week at the moment so don't have time for something that's not going to to be reliable. I still want something that I could track or take to Santa Pod just in case I do get a spare weekend.
I guess I am looking to have my cake and eat it.
Keep the opinions coming they are really really useful.
Chris
I guess I am looking to have my cake and eat it.
Keep the opinions coming they are really really useful.
Chris
E39 M5 needs to be seriously considered - i absolutely love mine. For 10k you should be able to find a decent one too.
it is comfortable
it is practicle
it is fairly rare
it is understated, but respected by 'those who know'
it is great on a track day (replace the standard brake pads though)
it will out-perform just about any other car on the road
when driving it, you somehow feel a bit superior to an M3
it is fully loaded with kit that would embarrass a new luxury car..!
i have had mine for over a year and use it for business, for family life with a new baby and a bit of hooliganism on tracks etc (lookup 'M5 colerne' on you tube) and it hasn't missed a beat.
Servicing and general maintenance is pretty simple too so if handy with a spanner you can do a lot of odd little bits and servicing yourself.
I have been toying with the idea of selling mine to help fund a new business venture, and i reckon as a 2001 model in very good condition (alloys being re-furbed today in chrome) it is worth maybe about 11.5k.... but i'm not sure if i can do it..... :-(
it is comfortable
it is practicle
it is fairly rare
it is understated, but respected by 'those who know'
it is great on a track day (replace the standard brake pads though)
it will out-perform just about any other car on the road
when driving it, you somehow feel a bit superior to an M3
it is fully loaded with kit that would embarrass a new luxury car..!
i have had mine for over a year and use it for business, for family life with a new baby and a bit of hooliganism on tracks etc (lookup 'M5 colerne' on you tube) and it hasn't missed a beat.
Servicing and general maintenance is pretty simple too so if handy with a spanner you can do a lot of odd little bits and servicing yourself.
I have been toying with the idea of selling mine to help fund a new business venture, and i reckon as a 2001 model in very good condition (alloys being re-furbed today in chrome) it is worth maybe about 11.5k.... but i'm not sure if i can do it..... :-(
Edited by rswheelnut on Friday 8th January 16:00
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