Looking for S series TVR!
Looking for S series TVR!
Author
Discussion

matt-man

Original Poster:

2,667 posts

248 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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Hi All,

Firstly hello to everyone as im a new member here! My dads been a keen forum member/meeting attender for some time with our Ultime Spyder but now its my turn to buy myself a toy and join in on the fun!

Im looking for an S3 but on a budget as im only 21 and the dreaded insurance is going to taker a lump of my cash!

Ive looked at a couple of cars and ive got my eye on a couple localish to me on Piston heads, but i was looking for some advice for the most common expensive problems i need to look out for.

I appreciate they are handbuilt cars, all with a few years under their belts so not expecting german build but dont want to get stung!!!

I look forward to speaking to/meeting you all in the future!

Matthew

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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Welcome
Look forward to seeing you at S Club Heaven.
Just buy one with a well looked after chassis IMHO and the rest is easily sortable.

jons_s3

145 posts

258 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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Hi Matthew,

Welcome to the forum!

There's a good buyers' guide here: www.tvrsseries.com/ but as Derek says, the main thing to look for is a well looked-after chassis.

I was 23 when I bought my S and so like you, insurance was a fairy significant cost. My advice would be don't rule out some of the big name insurers - I found Tesco to be the cheapest for my by a long way!

>> Edited by jons_s3 on Sunday 15th January 13:59

johns3

93 posts

259 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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I can relate to your worries about insurance. I was 21 when I got my S3C. Now 22 and Ive got to search for insurance quotes again. worst time of the year!

silverback mike

11,293 posts

282 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
Welcome
Chassis chassis chassis.....have a damn good poke around.

Other than that, they are pretty easy to work on and most bits are not too bad to source.
Mine has been pretty faultless apart from a few odds and sods, have a look at my profile for the story.

You won't regret buying one.
Mike.

matt-man

Original Poster:

2,667 posts

248 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
Well i'm picking up on the fact that the chassis is the thing im going to have to check check check!!!

I assume if i follow the usual buying guideline i should be able to see if the chassis is all as it should be?

Glad to hear i'm not the only 21 yr old spending all his money on a car i 'shouldnt really buy!!!'



the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
matt-man said:
Well i'm picking up on the fact that the chassis is the thing im going to have to check check check!!!
I assume if i follow the usual buying guideline i should be able to see if the chassis is all as it should be?
Glad to hear i'm not the only 21 yr old spending all his money on a car i 'shouldnt really buy!!!'


Loads of these cars are lovingly cared for but a few ain't, just make sure you don't get caught and if you can scrape 6 or 7 grand, do it because you will end up spending that anyway.

matt-man

Original Poster:

2,667 posts

248 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
Im looking more in the £5000 region, there are a few about so i hope ill be ok.....dont want a lemon!

chingers

136 posts

312 months

Monday 16th January 2006
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YHM

WorGC

336 posts

258 months

Monday 16th January 2006
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I'm doing the same at the moment......for the 2nd time! Let us know how you get on. Oh, and try Sureterm for the insurance. Got me sorted for £350 last year on my S2, and I was 25 and no no-claims

The one I bought boiled itself within 5 miles of the first drive, but at least I knew everything I replaced was gonna be fine.

10210ken

212 posts

269 months

Monday 16th January 2006
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Buy cheap, you'll pay later.
I paid less than £3000 for my S but ended up paying another £2k to rectify the chassis, suspension, cooling system.
PS. they leak!!!!

matt-man

Original Poster:

2,667 posts

248 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
Im Guessing its 6 of one and half a dozen of the other then!!!

Its does seem strange how the prices fluctuate between cars...some seem like great value and some dont!

Sods law also says that the cars are never local!!! Work wont be happy if i 'vanish' in the afternoons!!!

shithotfast

1,134 posts

297 months

Monday 16th January 2006
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A question for you all.

I have my eye on a S1 and also a S2. I know the physical differences, like the bonnet shut, the wheels etc and also that the S1 is a 2.8 and the S2 is 2.9...whats the power difference? Is it noticeable?

Many thanks all!

dougc

8,241 posts

294 months

Monday 16th January 2006
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The bible quotes 160bhp@6000rpm and 162lbs/ft@4300rpm for the 2.8 and 168bhp@6000rpm and 170lbs/ft@3000rpm for the 2.9. I've never driven a 2.8 engined S so I can't really tell you what the actual difference feels like I'm afraid. From those figures though (especially the torque) I'd say the 2.9 gets into it's stride sooner and won't need as much revving to make progress in gear.

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
shithotfast said:
A question for you all.

I have my eye on a S1 and also a S2. I know the physical differences, like the bonnet shut, the wheels etc and also that the S1 is a 2.8 and the S2 is 2.9...whats the power difference? Is it noticeable?

Many thanks all!


According to TVR about 10BHP but some claim that the S1 trailing arms needed a bit of improvement, which was carried out on later models.
I like S1's but for the ease of getting my 6'3" and my old body in and out, I went for the S3.

shithotfast

1,134 posts

297 months

Monday 16th January 2006
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Yeah, i have noticed that its not a huge car! Im 6.0 ft which is tight enough i think!

My dads 6.3 ft so i think he will have to stick to his ultima...shame! Ill wanna so swapsies!