Why did you buy it ? survey

[JSG]

Why did you buy a TVR S series ? Did you want one or was it due to finance limitations etc. The reason I ask is that from many of the threads in the Gassing Station and letters / ads in Sprint I get the impression that people buy an S as a stop gap to a Griff or a Chimp. It is almost as though owning a S needs to be qualified by "...until I can upgrade" I bought my S3C last year because I wanted a S, I could have stretched to a later model but I always fancied the more classic shape. Originally I thought of a Vixen but they were too small for a fat bloke and didn't offer roof off motoring for the two days a year of our summer. I then looked for a 3000S but found the S to be a bit more practical (and available) with similar styling. Is there anyone else who prefers the S and doesn't want to upgrade ?

[PetrolTed]

Interesting. I'm forever being asked when I'll be upgrading from the S4. I like to have something a bit different. Everyone and his dog has got a Chimaera/Cerbera/Griff

[speedsix20]

I bought my S3C because it was the 1st TVR I saw advertised at a price I could afford at the time. It was actually one of the first TVRs I saw advertised at all, since they are rare beasts in Switzerland. I intend to "upgrade" since I am getting severely addicted and the thought of getting the same thrills at higher speeds definitely appeals. Ideally I would like to keep the S3C alongside a Cerbie or Tuscan. If the Griff/Chim generation had not been so great the S would be a cult car and not the least desirable of the "modern" Tiv as it is often perceived. It has every single elements a proper classic sportscar should offer.

[mhibbins]

We were going to buy an mgb roadster for something interesting to drive when not on the bike when a friend suggested an s3. It's the right price for reasonable performance, it's a lot of fun, I can maintain it myself and hopefully it'll be fun for some track days and sprints. There's absolutely no way I'd upgrade to a bigger tvr. I've driven a 4.5 chim and it was great but all that money on servicing and insuring a *car*? I think not, there's always a motorbike I'd rather spend the money on. -- Mark

[Paul V]

I have had my S2 only a short while, it was intended to be fun car for a few years then sell it to get start a deposit for a house, it was the best sports car I could find that would be easy to maintain and looking at the price difference between older and newer car hopefully they shouldn’t lose as much money as the newer Griffs etc. I must say since buying the “s” I will get a Griff in the future if funds allow, but would consider a V8S, its a power thing!!!

[muley]

I bought my 'S' almost by accident. My son was looking thru Autotrader and there it was - a 'retro styled' TVR with the classic Ford V6 engine, just inside my budget. My previous car was an MGB roadster, which was fine as a second / hobby car, but the 'S' is better in every respect (it even does more m.p.g.!) Oh, and it is a soft top, too. It's fast enough for me, so I'm not that fussed by the V8S or a Chimp. Mind you, I do like the styling of the Griffith...

[GreenV8S]

quote: Is there anyone else who prefers the S and doesn't want to upgrade ?

I keep saying that you're better of trading up instead of wasting money tweaking a car but in my case there wasn't a faster 'S' available so tweaking was the only option. A standard 500 Griff would be a better starting point in performance terms, but it's a far less practical car and doesn't have the benign handling and chuckability of the S series. I think I've got to the point now that there's no point changing to a griff/chimaera, in order to get a significant performance gain I'd be looking at a Cerbera. And I won't do that on principle because they don't sound right, don't have the classic looks and cost two or three times more to fix when they go wrong. But then I'm biassed, because I've already got the best car TVR ever made. Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[Roy C]

I've had my S2 a long time (10 years). When I was looking for a decent softop sportscar it seemed to fit the bill nicely - bespoke chassis and body with fairly common mechanicals (big Mechano set) - and there wasn't much competition at the time. I couldn't stretch to a new S3, so I bought a year old, low mileage S2 in near perfect condition. A few years later, I thought long and hard about replacing it with a nice pre-cat Griff, but didn't want to part with the S and I don't have the room, cash, etc. to run three cars.

[ianw]

I've always liked the shape of the S, so started with an S3 then moved up to an V8S also now own a 3000S turbo. Quiet a pair! , the turbo for blasting down to the shops and V8S for trackdays and longer journeys.

[LeeBee]

Well what can I say that has not already been said!.The S is the car that saved TVR which led to the Griff/Chim etc.I must of spent £20K on my S2 and with what I have planned another £10K is on the cards but I think it is worth it (mad?).I will eventually have an S that will easily match a big V8 powerwise (if it stays together!!!).As for looks, well the new cars look great but you cannot beat the look of the V8S bonnet, and yes my S2 has one of these Cheers Lee

[MrC]

V8S for me, early last summer. Exclusivity, good looks, stonking performance and sounds much better than the newer, catted, cars. Also, for my budget I was able to get one of the best around, rather than one of the earlier, shabbier, Chimps or Griffs.

[SMiles]

Looked at buying a Griff when I got rid of the S3 as it was rather a financial burden. Test drove a griff, looked at how to afford it......and there in the pages of autotrader a picture called out to me. V8S. All the stupidity of a bigger engine with all the 'practicality' of an S. Saw it, bought it. Almost there and then on the spot. It is my dream car.

[Heath]

Always wanted an "S". Can't remember ever seeing one on the roads until about a year before buying mine. Have an S3 and never get bored with the shape and the look of it. It has everything a sportscar should have without being "in your face". It's quite subtle really. I've been tempted by the V8s and newer cars but to me it starts to become "something else". I'd find myself racing everything all the time instead of just chilling out and enjoying the drive. My car has never let me down, so feel guilty even looking at another TVR! I'm sure that V8 rumble will get me one day! If so, it will be another "S".

[wslogue]

I'm about to get myself a V8S because it's my dream car. Although the chimp and the griff are very lovely cars, they don't have the same rare appeal of the S. Although it's a 80/90s car, an S has the appearance of a 60s or 70s classic and, but for the badge, most people would be left guessing as to what they're looking at. That, with the combination of its beefy engine and wonderful performance, makes it a wolf in sheep's clothing - that's what I like. Even if money were no object, I'd go for the S any day.