Why are S1's so much less popular than S2's/S3's?

[AndrewL]

From reading these pages and elsewhere it seems the poor old S1 is not nearly as sought after as more recent models. Why is this? I have recently bought an S1 in excellent condition and I think it is fantastic.

[bobfrance]

I think the main reason is because it has the older 2.8 (mechanical) fuel injected engine as opposed to S2's & S3's (and a few S1.5's)which have the later 2.9 engine with electronic fuel injection.

Whilst the 2.9's are faster I wouldn't let it spoil your enjoyment of an ace car.

I owned a Tasmin 280i (same engine as yours)for six years and loved almost every minute of it.

Just be grateful your's doesn't have a throttle pot! (ask an s2 owner)

[M@H]

quote:From reading these pages and elsewhere it seems the poor old S1 is not nearly as sought after as more recent models. Why is this? I have recently bought an S1 in excellent condition and I think it is fantastic.

Are you putting unleaded in it !?

[trevorlittlelegs]

quote:From reading these pages and elsewhere it seems the poor old S1 is not nearly as sought after as more recent models. Why is this? I have recently bought an S1 in excellent condition and I think it is fantastic.

hi all i have got a good old s1 and think its great one reason i got an s1 rather than an s2/3 was insurance i pay 200gbp fully comp for my s1 on a classic policy 5000miles max but most classic companys wont eccept s2 or3 models on there policys so i got quotes of 7/800 gbpound a little high for a weekend toy dont you think
it may be slower that the 2.9 model but engine part are not so pricy and it kills most everyday cars dead joe public would know there s1 from there griff all they see is the tvr badge and dream ,my car has done 44000miles so still runs like new ps my car runs on unleaded all s models should look for the unleaded coding on the heads (coulnt find my codes so took the heads to a local company to check (they where already unleaded copatable 87 onwards
from an tvrs1 fan


>> Edited by trevorlittlelegs on Thursday 18th July 18:07

>> Edited by trevorlittlelegs on Thursday 18th July 18:10

>> Edited by trevorlittlelegs on Thursday 18th July 18:14

[f402mlr]

The 280S was a more basic car, the S2 had more features (to go wrong) like electric windows and boot release. The S3 has larger (heavier) doors and a more traditional dash. The new prices also grew from about £13K to £16K then £18K+ in a few years (88-91) as customers wanted more refinement. (from memory, I'm sure Steve/SHpub can quote chapter and verse - book's at home!)

I've had my S1 eleven years - so I must like it -never got round to upgrading, the S3 had been released when I got it at 60% of the price of a new S3. A few years later when thinking about replacing it I found the S4 had just finished. I didn't want a V8 for everyday so kept the S1.

Yes the S1 is a good car, but today you can get an S3 for not that much more than an older S1. However as you probably read the condition of the particular car is more important.

Enjoy it.

David

[bills1]

The S1 is best sounding of the V6s and although has slightly less power there is little in it and the 2.8 is easier to keep intune being mechanical and brain dead. The biggest digfference was the suspension , with the early rear trailing arms giving a poorer handling. This is corrected by replacing with S3 ones.
On a lot of S1s this has already been done as I have done on mine. Please dont get me wrong I think ALL Ss are great and the S1 compares well, they all depend on how well they have been treated and looked after.

I will be at mania 2002 ,it would be interesting to compare them on the runway.

see you there Bill