Red Bull Blue Tamora
Discussion
Hi all,
Not posted much on here over the months as I've been continuing my search for my first TVR. Started out only looking at T350's but think I'm now swaying towards a Tamora based on what I see as a more plentiful supply of lower mileage cars generally being on the market and at lower money (keep money in the bank for the bills!).
I'm going to see the 02 red bull blue tam that's on autotrader tomorrow ... link:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Does anyone know the history of this car and if not, what are your thoughts on it? I'd had it in my mind to go for something like an 04 car as generally they have a better reputation for build quality etc. However the 04 Tam with 29k miles on it that I was supposed to see recently went in for a service and needed a full rebuild, so it's no longer for sale!
A few questions on the blue Tam:
It had a full factory engine rebuild in 2003; should that alone give me peace of mind that the engine is sound (after the obvious noise, blue smoke checks etc) or is it not uncommon for problems to appear even after a rebuild?
It doesn't have A/C, and ideally I'd like it to have, but I know there's been some differing opinions about A/C on here in the past.
It's not had a new clutch after 22000 miles... I heard they only last roughly 20k (depending how it's been driven); should I assume it'll need one soon?
The car seems only to have done 500 miles since the last service in April 2010. When I buy I'm planning to use it pretty much as an everyday car in summer, so is there anything to look out for on a Tam that's not seen much driving for 12 months?
NSF alloy is slightly kerbed; pretty cheap to fix? I was guessing about £150.
Anyway, I'll go have a look at it tomorrow; in the meantime any advice would be much appreciated!
Cheers
Not posted much on here over the months as I've been continuing my search for my first TVR. Started out only looking at T350's but think I'm now swaying towards a Tamora based on what I see as a more plentiful supply of lower mileage cars generally being on the market and at lower money (keep money in the bank for the bills!).
I'm going to see the 02 red bull blue tam that's on autotrader tomorrow ... link:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Does anyone know the history of this car and if not, what are your thoughts on it? I'd had it in my mind to go for something like an 04 car as generally they have a better reputation for build quality etc. However the 04 Tam with 29k miles on it that I was supposed to see recently went in for a service and needed a full rebuild, so it's no longer for sale!
A few questions on the blue Tam:
It had a full factory engine rebuild in 2003; should that alone give me peace of mind that the engine is sound (after the obvious noise, blue smoke checks etc) or is it not uncommon for problems to appear even after a rebuild?
It doesn't have A/C, and ideally I'd like it to have, but I know there's been some differing opinions about A/C on here in the past.
It's not had a new clutch after 22000 miles... I heard they only last roughly 20k (depending how it's been driven); should I assume it'll need one soon?
The car seems only to have done 500 miles since the last service in April 2010. When I buy I'm planning to use it pretty much as an everyday car in summer, so is there anything to look out for on a Tam that's not seen much driving for 12 months?
NSF alloy is slightly kerbed; pretty cheap to fix? I was guessing about £150.
Anyway, I'll go have a look at it tomorrow; in the meantime any advice would be much appreciated!
Cheers
The engine should be ok after having a rebuild but I guess there are no guarantees. You will need to establish why it had a rebuild in the first place.
Not many Tamoras have A/C as you are supposed to take the roof off to keep cool. I however wish mine had it as I like to use it as a dehumidifier. I know it can be retro-fitted but as the job is labour intensive (the dash has to come out) it's about 2.5k!
The car will need a new clutch soon. They last up to about 24k so it's towards the end of it's life.
With the mileage it will be important to check usual things like seals, fluids, tyres and brakes. Although I'm sure there are other things.
With the Spider alloys I've found it cheaper to replace than repair. They can be had for around £80.
Hope this helps.
Not many Tamoras have A/C as you are supposed to take the roof off to keep cool. I however wish mine had it as I like to use it as a dehumidifier. I know it can be retro-fitted but as the job is labour intensive (the dash has to come out) it's about 2.5k!
The car will need a new clutch soon. They last up to about 24k so it's towards the end of it's life.
With the mileage it will be important to check usual things like seals, fluids, tyres and brakes. Although I'm sure there are other things.
With the Spider alloys I've found it cheaper to replace than repair. They can be had for around £80.
Hope this helps.
>so is there anything to look out for on a Tam that's not seen much driving for 12 months?
If it's not been used much over the winter, then just check all window buttons,internal door lock button, boot button etc are working ok. Just as many buttons as you can see, press them and check they're doing what they are supposed to do. Use the handbook to check. Tams dont like being damp. It'll be a hassle if you find something doesn't operate after you've bought it.
If it's not been used much over the winter, then just check all window buttons,internal door lock button, boot button etc are working ok. Just as many buttons as you can see, press them and check they're doing what they are supposed to do. Use the handbook to check. Tams dont like being damp. It'll be a hassle if you find something doesn't operate after you've bought it.
I've seen this car at shows and it looks fantastic.
If I were after a blue Tam I'd look at this and the low mileage one on PH classifieds.
Wheel refurb should be around £70, no more.
Ask 100 people about the engine rebuild and you'll get 100 different answers
As someone mentioned elsewhere Tams are a good price and the cost of a rebuild isn't too bad over a couple of years.
If I were after a blue Tam I'd look at this and the low mileage one on PH classifieds.
Wheel refurb should be around £70, no more.
Ask 100 people about the engine rebuild and you'll get 100 different answers
As someone mentioned elsewhere Tams are a good price and the cost of a rebuild isn't too bad over a couple of years.
Well mine did leak on the offside door during a downpour last year and soaked the door card through. The holes under the door to let water out, were blocked with plastic plugs for some reason, as was the drivers side, so I would check and remove these if present. It also spent some time near the coast on the Scottish lowlands so the high level brake screws rusted in, which have now been replaced with stainless ones (c\o Mr Tank), so I think it depends where it's been stored really. But on good note it's one hell of fantastic sports car ! You can alway get a moisture absorber that you use in caravans from any DIY store.
Edited by Mr M on Tuesday 5th April 23:20
tvrloon said:
Mr M,
Are there any particular problems with Tams getting damp ?
I've no garage so will be keeping mine outside as a daily driver, is this going to be troublesome ?
You will definitely need a car cap as the roofs tend to leak. You can get a full cover but people tend to like to know what's under it and you can get unwanted attention, unless of course it's not on view.Are there any particular problems with Tams getting damp ?
I've no garage so will be keeping mine outside as a daily driver, is this going to be troublesome ?
The only issue with the early factory rebuilds is that they sometimes put the same quality parts on that had caused the rebuild in the first place. Worth checking over and worth checking through the service history. I'd certainly be expecting to be replacing the clutch on that one very soon
Great colour though and like the others have said, cracking sports car. The speed six noise and acceleration is highly addictive
Great colour though and like the others have said, cracking sports car. The speed six noise and acceleration is highly addictive
tvrloon said:
Mr M,
Are there any particular problems with Tams getting damp ?
I've no garage so will be keeping mine outside as a daily driver, is this going to be troublesome ?
Mine lives outside no issues now in 3 yrs. Cheack for leaks and seal them up/change door seals etc it will be fine. I have a car cover for the winter but during the summer I never cover it rain or shine.Are there any particular problems with Tams getting damp ?
I've no garage so will be keeping mine outside as a daily driver, is this going to be troublesome ?
Shep
Biased but Tamora is the best choice...roof off, listen to that engine 
A/C???? it's a convertible, don't be soft. The stock heater/cooler is s
t btw.
My car has around 4mm gap between hood and window at the odd point each side, when washing it I just gently sprinkle over these parts (then use the hosepipe fnar fnar). I wouldn't want to keep my car outdoors as I just don't think it's an all weather car, but that's just my opinion and many on here are testament to that being rubbish.
A/C???? it's a convertible, don't be soft. The stock heater/cooler is s
t btw.My car has around 4mm gap between hood and window at the odd point each side, when washing it I just gently sprinkle over these parts (then use the hosepipe fnar fnar). I wouldn't want to keep my car outdoors as I just don't think it's an all weather car, but that's just my opinion and many on here are testament to that being rubbish.
Looks like a good choice. Very sensible picking a cared-for car rather than whatever's cheapest - half the Tamora buyers these days seem to be searching for a £10k car, then wonder why it needs half as much again spending on repairs.
As always, put condition at the top of your priorities. All the better if you can see how well it's been treated by the previous owner.
As others have said, air con isn't essential. Only once have I regretted not having it, and that was during a hot European traffic jam.
As for rebuilds etc, my Tamora's a late '02, yet appears to have the 'better' 2004-type engine internals. It's not the age of the car you need to worry about - it's what was fitted by the factory at the time. IMO there's a good chance a 2003 rebuild will be fine if it's already lasted till now.
Personally, I wouldn't leave it outdoors without a cover. You'll be lucky to find a Tamora that doesn't leak (although they do pick their moments - like en route to a wedding, and dripping on your other half's best frock).
As always, put condition at the top of your priorities. All the better if you can see how well it's been treated by the previous owner.
As others have said, air con isn't essential. Only once have I regretted not having it, and that was during a hot European traffic jam.
As for rebuilds etc, my Tamora's a late '02, yet appears to have the 'better' 2004-type engine internals. It's not the age of the car you need to worry about - it's what was fitted by the factory at the time. IMO there's a good chance a 2003 rebuild will be fine if it's already lasted till now.
Personally, I wouldn't leave it outdoors without a cover. You'll be lucky to find a Tamora that doesn't leak (although they do pick their moments - like en route to a wedding, and dripping on your other half's best frock).
I dunno we were stuck in a mother of all queues in blistering heat on the way to Goodwood one year, me and the other half were sitting in air conditioned bliss in her Puma and my brother and his bird were being basted in his MX5, they had to put the roof up in the end!
That said, the A/C in my Tam has never worked properly, will be giving it another go this summer
That said, the A/C in my Tam has never worked properly, will be giving it another go this summer
Just back from viewing the car, so.... Yes, it looks fantastic and I can tell it's been well cared for over the years and by the current owner. The paint is in fine condition and the armourfend seems to be doing it's job. The alloy scuff isn't too much of an issue and only noticeable close up.
Only niggles I have are:
It was serviced last April and has done 500 miles since. However even with low miles the oil will need changing as it degrades over time, so if I buy it then it'll need some sort of (minor) attention relatively soon. I always thought the servicing was either every 6k or annually? But I can see how it might not make sense to service it after only 500 miles!
It's done 22500 on the original clutch, so it's going to need replacing soon (about £900 fitted?). Felt fine to drive, but it has to be very near the end of its life surely.
The car has been garaged so never really getting wet, though the owner did say there was a slight leak in the past. There look to be gaps around the forward roof / window join as said in the posts above. Is it pretty cheap / easy to get the seals replaced and water-tightened all round? Or are they never water-tight?!
As for the A/C, yes I guess I am being a bit soft but I think I'm converted to the roof down theory now! Plus, the fan seemed to blow both hot and cold air quite well so I'm not so concerned about finding one with A/C now. The main reason I wanted it was for demisting in damp winters and for cooling on mega hot days with roof up on long motorway trips or in traffic. Anyway, drove it with the roof down and am convinced.
The car's good, only 2 owners and well cared for with relatively low miles. I know there's always going to be bills with these cars, but I can see one particular one (clutch) coming very shortly. So, will think it over tonight.....
Only niggles I have are:
It was serviced last April and has done 500 miles since. However even with low miles the oil will need changing as it degrades over time, so if I buy it then it'll need some sort of (minor) attention relatively soon. I always thought the servicing was either every 6k or annually? But I can see how it might not make sense to service it after only 500 miles!
It's done 22500 on the original clutch, so it's going to need replacing soon (about £900 fitted?). Felt fine to drive, but it has to be very near the end of its life surely.
The car has been garaged so never really getting wet, though the owner did say there was a slight leak in the past. There look to be gaps around the forward roof / window join as said in the posts above. Is it pretty cheap / easy to get the seals replaced and water-tightened all round? Or are they never water-tight?!
As for the A/C, yes I guess I am being a bit soft but I think I'm converted to the roof down theory now! Plus, the fan seemed to blow both hot and cold air quite well so I'm not so concerned about finding one with A/C now. The main reason I wanted it was for demisting in damp winters and for cooling on mega hot days with roof up on long motorway trips or in traffic. Anyway, drove it with the roof down and am convinced.
The car's good, only 2 owners and well cared for with relatively low miles. I know there's always going to be bills with these cars, but I can see one particular one (clutch) coming very shortly. So, will think it over tonight.....
> It's done 22500 on the original clutch, so it's going to need replacing soon (about £900 fitted?). >Felt fine to drive, but it has to be very near the end of its life surely.
Would that depend on the driving style of the previous owners perhaps ? To me, 22550 miles doesn't sound like alot of miles for a clutch to go.
Would that depend on the driving style of the previous owners perhaps ? To me, 22550 miles doesn't sound like alot of miles for a clutch to go.
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