the childhood dream (owning a TVR)
Discussion
Hi to all
Ok it has been a long time coming but i have got myself to a point where i can full fill a dream and get myself a tvr!!!!
i am just starting to look through page after page of previous posts to build up my knowledge,
i am looking at getting a cerbera or tuscan but what i need is some advice on which s the better of the two etc
i hope some people can take the time to shed a little more light on the subject for me. i love both the models but obviously can only afford to buy one.
regarding the cerbera i have been told that the 4.2 is a better more reliable variant compared to the straight 6 and over the 4.5 is this correct?
i know the tuscan is newer and therefore should be better but is this the case as i have read that the straight 6 is not the strongest of engine blocks and if i was to get one go fro a later version ao atleast one that has been rebuilt after 2004 as the chances are it woul have be re-built with the stronger internals. out of the two cars which is more likely to be more reliable?
also i am awre of the problems regarding relaibilty and faulty electrics etc but are the horror stories as bad as they are made out? what are common problems and things to look out for?
is there a buying guide or anytthing similar to help not to buy a dog of a car!
please any help, pointers or redirection to web pages etc would be really appreciated.
many thanks for your time
steve
Ok it has been a long time coming but i have got myself to a point where i can full fill a dream and get myself a tvr!!!!
i am just starting to look through page after page of previous posts to build up my knowledge,
i am looking at getting a cerbera or tuscan but what i need is some advice on which s the better of the two etc
i hope some people can take the time to shed a little more light on the subject for me. i love both the models but obviously can only afford to buy one.
regarding the cerbera i have been told that the 4.2 is a better more reliable variant compared to the straight 6 and over the 4.5 is this correct?
i know the tuscan is newer and therefore should be better but is this the case as i have read that the straight 6 is not the strongest of engine blocks and if i was to get one go fro a later version ao atleast one that has been rebuilt after 2004 as the chances are it woul have be re-built with the stronger internals. out of the two cars which is more likely to be more reliable?
also i am awre of the problems regarding relaibilty and faulty electrics etc but are the horror stories as bad as they are made out? what are common problems and things to look out for?
is there a buying guide or anytthing similar to help not to buy a dog of a car!
please any help, pointers or redirection to web pages etc would be really appreciated.
many thanks for your time
steve
Hi Steve and welcome to the fringe of madness
but seriously the best advice would be to join the TVRCC and get along to your local meet where you can see and hear from owners of both models which will be invaluable in helping your quest for the right car.
Club can be found at www.tvrcc.com
but seriously the best advice would be to join the TVRCC and get along to your local meet where you can see and hear from owners of both models which will be invaluable in helping your quest for the right car.
Club can be found at www.tvrcc.com
Edited by Gandalf on Monday 12th November 10:05
Hi Steve and welcome.
I was in the same position you are over a year ago with very similar thoughts.
I eventually went for a 2000 Tuscan from a reputable TVR Dealer. Like you i was concerned about reliability and cost which was why i went to a garage instead of using the classifieds on here or Top Marques.
I've had the Tuscan 11 month with only 1 problem, the clutch slave cylinder went which was very quickly dealt with under the warranty by the dealer.
People will talk about rebuilds and i agree that the speed 6 should have a rebuild no earlier than 2003 but after that as long as the car is looked after and warmed up religously then it most say that it should be pretty reliable.
Do you have a budget in mind?
Nev
I was in the same position you are over a year ago with very similar thoughts.
I eventually went for a 2000 Tuscan from a reputable TVR Dealer. Like you i was concerned about reliability and cost which was why i went to a garage instead of using the classifieds on here or Top Marques.
I've had the Tuscan 11 month with only 1 problem, the clutch slave cylinder went which was very quickly dealt with under the warranty by the dealer.
People will talk about rebuilds and i agree that the speed 6 should have a rebuild no earlier than 2003 but after that as long as the car is looked after and warmed up religously then it most say that it should be pretty reliable.
Do you have a budget in mind?
Nev
Although this is slightly hijacking the thread, I think it would be of use to anyone in the same position as the OP.
Is there any reliable record / estimate of the percentage of Speed 6's requiring rebuilds as it was obvious that not all did but the rumours have decimated its reputation.
Is there any reliable record / estimate of the percentage of Speed 6's requiring rebuilds as it was obvious that not all did but the rumours have decimated its reputation.
Stevie - I assume you are 25 from your log-in name.
Please don't take this as patronising but have you any experience of powerful cars ? If not, it may be a good idea to go for a less powerful TVR as an introduction to the marque. Perhaps a V8S or a 4.0 Chim / Griff ?
These cars are hideously quick and are dangerous as hell to the unwary.
For all I know, you have great driving skills and are used to powerful cars. If that's the case, please ignore my post.
I started with a 350i in my 20's and graduated to a Griffith 500. The power difference is massive and to be honest, I thought the 350i was ballistic before I drove the Griff.
Whichever you end up with, good luck and enjoy. They really are fab cars.
Please don't take this as patronising but have you any experience of powerful cars ? If not, it may be a good idea to go for a less powerful TVR as an introduction to the marque. Perhaps a V8S or a 4.0 Chim / Griff ?
These cars are hideously quick and are dangerous as hell to the unwary.
For all I know, you have great driving skills and are used to powerful cars. If that's the case, please ignore my post.
I started with a 350i in my 20's and graduated to a Griffith 500. The power difference is massive and to be honest, I thought the 350i was ballistic before I drove the Griff.
Whichever you end up with, good luck and enjoy. They really are fab cars.
Edited by lazyitus on Monday 12th November 12:00
thanks for all your advice guys i wll check out the owners club etc
i know they are different cars but i have had a supra tt, and 4 imprezas to date the last being a p1 which i tuned to 350bhp and similar tourque.
i am aware these are evry un forgiving cars bu ti am no mad man, and have agreat respect for driving within my limits.
has anyone got an view on which may be the better moe reliable car i have to say i sway more to the tuscan in looks but my thinking was that with a cerbera if there had been any major issues any electric problems as they are slighlty older that they may have been all put right. i assume the engines are a bit stronger to as i ahve not seen many with rebuilds comapred to the tuscan
steve
i know they are different cars but i have had a supra tt, and 4 imprezas to date the last being a p1 which i tuned to 350bhp and similar tourque.
i am aware these are evry un forgiving cars bu ti am no mad man, and have agreat respect for driving within my limits.
has anyone got an view on which may be the better moe reliable car i have to say i sway more to the tuscan in looks but my thinking was that with a cerbera if there had been any major issues any electric problems as they are slighlty older that they may have been all put right. i assume the engines are a bit stronger to as i ahve not seen many with rebuilds comapred to the tuscan
steve
lazyitus said:
These cars are hideously quick and are dangerous as hell to the unwary.
Just want to echoe this point really.... I went from a 1.6 Honda to Griff 500. The power difference between the two is obvious and I knew even before I picked the Griff up that it could be a handful. The dealer even joked that you should never drive a TVR if you're in a seriously bad mood.I took it really easy for the first few months until I'd gotten used to the car but..... I still had some tricky moments when, if I'm honest, it all could have gone horribly wrong, and I consider myself Very lucky to have ended up with egg on my face rather than in a hedge.
You have to fulfill your childhood dreams but... if you're not used to the performance I seriously recommend doing a handling course of some sort. I know I will be in the near future..
G
Stevie,
a) what is your purchase budget?
b) What can you comfortably afford a year to run the car?
c) Do you want open roof motoring?
These three points will probably be the most important factors.
Assuming both are "good" cars (as good as can be hoped for) then the Cerbera should be slightly cheaper to buy, and the 4.2 is indeed regarded as the safest bet ... although the 4.5 is a stonking engine when in fine fettle.
However, Tuscans have been in freefall on the second hand market because of the well publicised Speed 6 problems. Buy one that has already had a rebuild and you may get a cracking deal ... however, there will always be the risk that you may need a rebuild again 20k miles after the first, it really is a bit of a lottery I'm afraid.
One view is, because you can buy a Tuscan so cheap, buy one £3k below your budget and stick the £3k cash in the bank to cover any rebuild that may be required.
In summary, either car could be as good or bad as the other, it is down to luck and history. Get the one that stirs your soul the most
a) what is your purchase budget?
b) What can you comfortably afford a year to run the car?
c) Do you want open roof motoring?
These three points will probably be the most important factors.
Assuming both are "good" cars (as good as can be hoped for) then the Cerbera should be slightly cheaper to buy, and the 4.2 is indeed regarded as the safest bet ... although the 4.5 is a stonking engine when in fine fettle.
However, Tuscans have been in freefall on the second hand market because of the well publicised Speed 6 problems. Buy one that has already had a rebuild and you may get a cracking deal ... however, there will always be the risk that you may need a rebuild again 20k miles after the first, it really is a bit of a lottery I'm afraid.
One view is, because you can buy a Tuscan so cheap, buy one £3k below your budget and stick the £3k cash in the bank to cover any rebuild that may be required.
In summary, either car could be as good or bad as the other, it is down to luck and history. Get the one that stirs your soul the most
Hear hear Burriana. Face facts - buying a TVR is not a rational decision. I went through the same process as you and ended up with a Cerb Speed 6, which I love, love, love. 
The Speed 6 doom-mongering has been done to death - see the Speed 6 forum on here for plenty of details - but in my very humble opinion it is a more manageable and tractable engine than the V8s, and it sounds better too. (Stands by to be contradicted
). As a side benefit I have had better fuel economy than the Focus ST or the Honda S2000 I ran previously!
Follow your heart, then buy the best example you can find. Whichever you choose, get the latest, best cared for example you can, then put some cash aside for rainy days.....
The Speed 6 doom-mongering has been done to death - see the Speed 6 forum on here for plenty of details - but in my very humble opinion it is a more manageable and tractable engine than the V8s, and it sounds better too. (Stands by to be contradicted
). As a side benefit I have had better fuel economy than the Focus ST or the Honda S2000 I ran previously! Follow your heart, then buy the best example you can find. Whichever you choose, get the latest, best cared for example you can, then put some cash aside for rainy days.....
You need to test drive both cars and I'd suggest a few of each as no 2 TVRs are the same. You'll know the car for you when you drive it. And once you know the variant you want, come back and post again for typical running costs and problems. But here's a little taster...
No modern TVR is cheap to buy or run. And the older they get, the more likely things wear and need to be replaced. When you encounter a problem, it's best to get it fixed as they soon mount up if you dont. I find that there is always something that needs doing or that I want to do, to make her perfect. You can keep running costs down by doing a bit of DIY. However, if you lead a busy life then you're looking at a specialist doing the work, and I've never walked away with a bill lest than £400. You also have to factor in being without your TVR is she's your only drive. And a membership to the RAC or AA is essential imo. A clutch normally lasts around 25k miles - £1400 (My Cerb has just had her 2nd done). She's just had new suspension (3rd set now - well she's coming up for 8 years old) at a cost of £1800 (Ohlins - as they can be rebuilt). She's been resprayed, twice - £3500+ a pop. And I haven't had a service that's been less than £1k. They are not cheap cars to run.
Having said all that, once you get TVR under your skin, it's very hard to shake!
Good Luck.
No modern TVR is cheap to buy or run. And the older they get, the more likely things wear and need to be replaced. When you encounter a problem, it's best to get it fixed as they soon mount up if you dont. I find that there is always something that needs doing or that I want to do, to make her perfect. You can keep running costs down by doing a bit of DIY. However, if you lead a busy life then you're looking at a specialist doing the work, and I've never walked away with a bill lest than £400. You also have to factor in being without your TVR is she's your only drive. And a membership to the RAC or AA is essential imo. A clutch normally lasts around 25k miles - £1400 (My Cerb has just had her 2nd done). She's just had new suspension (3rd set now - well she's coming up for 8 years old) at a cost of £1800 (Ohlins - as they can be rebuilt). She's been resprayed, twice - £3500+ a pop. And I haven't had a service that's been less than £1k. They are not cheap cars to run.
Having said all that, once you get TVR under your skin, it's very hard to shake!
Good Luck.
the p1 i had was not the most reliable car it did in fact cost me a fair bit, and like the tvr the engine rebuild was always a concern, luckt for me i bought one that had a 4.5k rebuild 4 monmths b4 i bought it, bu tit was always in the back of my mind taht it coul dgo again.
again most time i visited my local dealer or specalist it cost $00 and upwards, suspension wnet and upgraded it with a £1k upgrade.
cars have always been my passion and if i have to spend money on them i dont really mind as cars are my vice, some people drink loads, soem do drugs others spend untold amounts on music anmd vinals etc so having to soend money on something you love is not a big deal to me, i lost my father last year nd a few days b4 he past away we got talkin gabout all the things he should of doen or wanted to do and that the fact is he could never get the chance to do them , his last peace of advice was to regret doing soemthing and not to regret not doing it as there would come a point in your life that no matter what you wanted you were or would not be able to ful fill it. sorry to go off in one but i hope it make sense, hense why i bought the most unrelaible of imprezas but imo the best looking, which nmow leads me to the tvr, i dont have a morgage my monthly bills are less than £300 and i earN £24k a year plus comission so now is proberly the best and only time i wil have the chance to get one and i dont want to regret not doing it when i have a house and kids and no spare money etc etc
but back to the car, this is my biggest problem i will have near to £20k to spend but was thinkin gof spending around £15-16k an dleaving the rest in the bank for a rainy (engine blown up kind of day) i am not too sure if this is a good plan but as soemone has said knock ff a few grand of the money you want to spend so you have a fall back if things go wrong.
hard or soft top still in two minds i am just not sure on which car my money would be best spent on. my thoughs were that th ebuying the older cerbera that any problem swould of been fixed but the guy had a good point that bits would be wearing out.
has anyone driven both or even better owned both and have a opinion they would like to give.
also sorry for any of my spelling mistakes
steve
again most time i visited my local dealer or specalist it cost $00 and upwards, suspension wnet and upgraded it with a £1k upgrade.
cars have always been my passion and if i have to spend money on them i dont really mind as cars are my vice, some people drink loads, soem do drugs others spend untold amounts on music anmd vinals etc so having to soend money on something you love is not a big deal to me, i lost my father last year nd a few days b4 he past away we got talkin gabout all the things he should of doen or wanted to do and that the fact is he could never get the chance to do them , his last peace of advice was to regret doing soemthing and not to regret not doing it as there would come a point in your life that no matter what you wanted you were or would not be able to ful fill it. sorry to go off in one but i hope it make sense, hense why i bought the most unrelaible of imprezas but imo the best looking, which nmow leads me to the tvr, i dont have a morgage my monthly bills are less than £300 and i earN £24k a year plus comission so now is proberly the best and only time i wil have the chance to get one and i dont want to regret not doing it when i have a house and kids and no spare money etc etc
but back to the car, this is my biggest problem i will have near to £20k to spend but was thinkin gof spending around £15-16k an dleaving the rest in the bank for a rainy (engine blown up kind of day) i am not too sure if this is a good plan but as soemone has said knock ff a few grand of the money you want to spend so you have a fall back if things go wrong.
hard or soft top still in two minds i am just not sure on which car my money would be best spent on. my thoughs were that th ebuying the older cerbera that any problem swould of been fixed but the guy had a good point that bits would be wearing out.
has anyone driven both or even better owned both and have a opinion they would like to give.
also sorry for any of my spelling mistakes
steve
Steve you sound in exactly the position I was in when I got mine in Feb. Your right you only live once and its too easy to be regretting things. BUT they are expensive! Oh and FUN. I went for a Tuscan after looking at cerbs and dreaming of one, mainly because I liked the image of the Tuscan more, the roof off option and the less 90s shape of the cerb. (know that one wont go down well by my view). Well check my blog for the costs and you see the car even though it was purchased with fresh rebuild still has needed quite a few things. But I have done almost 11k since owning it so more than most, breaking down the annual costs if your doing less. I still love going out in the car, the looks the noise everything really. But sometimes lately I have been thinking "do I really need to take the Tuscan"? Thats mainly because of the leaky slave cylinder and lack of working ehater right now playing in my mind!
Anyway overall I would say get the Tuscan, prices are on the Buyers side now and enjoy the new year and spring when it comes.
Anyway overall I would say get the Tuscan, prices are on the Buyers side now and enjoy the new year and spring when it comes.
Steve
get your self down to your local TVR club meet.
get to have a look around the variuos cars & try & blag a ride.
The difference between marks is like chalk & cheese.
If you were closer I'd offer you a ride- but i think you might baulk at the commute Norf...
i don't know what your budget is but i'd go for a late '05 spce Tamora or T350 if funds allow...
Chris
get your self down to your local TVR club meet.
get to have a look around the variuos cars & try & blag a ride.
The difference between marks is like chalk & cheese.
If you were closer I'd offer you a ride- but i think you might baulk at the commute Norf...
i don't know what your budget is but i'd go for a late '05 spce Tamora or T350 if funds allow...
Chris
Edited by Fly Boy on Monday 12th November 22:28
burriana said:
Stevie,
Assuming both are "good" cars (as good as can be hoped for) then the Cerbera should be slightly cheaper to buy, and the 4.2 is indeed regarded as the safest bet ... although the 4.5 is a stonking engine when in fine fettle.
I think you'll find that it's the 4.2s that snap crankshafts, not the 4.5s. Assuming both are "good" cars (as good as can be hoped for) then the Cerbera should be slightly cheaper to buy, and the 4.2 is indeed regarded as the safest bet ... although the 4.5 is a stonking engine when in fine fettle.
I await correction.....
thanks for all your help guys,
the servicing does not sound as bad as i once thought to be honest especialy for it being a tvr i always imagined it being a lot more, as for the fuel per year i never pay attention to it as it is a part of driving it cost what it cost to fuel the car you wnat to drive.
what sort of costs are you looking at for things like clutch? brakes? exhaust?
also i live in maidenhead in berkshire can anyone tell me where the nearest meet is held and any idea of when?
i am swaying towards the tuscan always have to be honest but are the engines in the cerbera a bit stronger and less likely to give out comapred to the stright 6 in the tuscan? as this is really my main concern, as for the cost of repairs i guess they have the same chance of similar things going wrong?
with my budget i can look at early cerbreas from 96 up to 2001 and i can only get a tuscan arund 2000-2001 (with a rebuild) what are your opinions on getting the early cebera and leaving the cash in the bank? going for a later 01 model but with a credit card as a reserve? or getting the best tuscan for the money i have(again credit card as reserve atleast untill i save some backup cash)?
which wuld you guys think is the better option as you own these cars already? is there any pro's to buying a newer model or get one slightly older with some cash to fall back on! but in doing so would the older model cost more on keepimg it on the road?
thanks
steve
the servicing does not sound as bad as i once thought to be honest especialy for it being a tvr i always imagined it being a lot more, as for the fuel per year i never pay attention to it as it is a part of driving it cost what it cost to fuel the car you wnat to drive.
what sort of costs are you looking at for things like clutch? brakes? exhaust?
also i live in maidenhead in berkshire can anyone tell me where the nearest meet is held and any idea of when?
i am swaying towards the tuscan always have to be honest but are the engines in the cerbera a bit stronger and less likely to give out comapred to the stright 6 in the tuscan? as this is really my main concern, as for the cost of repairs i guess they have the same chance of similar things going wrong?
with my budget i can look at early cerbreas from 96 up to 2001 and i can only get a tuscan arund 2000-2001 (with a rebuild) what are your opinions on getting the early cebera and leaving the cash in the bank? going for a later 01 model but with a credit card as a reserve? or getting the best tuscan for the money i have(again credit card as reserve atleast untill i save some backup cash)?
which wuld you guys think is the better option as you own these cars already? is there any pro's to buying a newer model or get one slightly older with some cash to fall back on! but in doing so would the older model cost more on keepimg it on the road?
thanks
steve
Ignore advice re buying from a garage. A reputable and known private car is the way to go. The difference in price could cover a year of running costs and you know the history rather than a car without an ‘owner’, S6s are a bigger gamble than a V8 re rebuilds. Saying that the AJP V8s are now racking up the miles so (IMHO) the number of rebuilds is increasing. Saying that you can still expect 50K without a rebuild (significantly better than S6 engines).
If you have 20K ish I think a T350 should be a strong contender?
The Cerb is the most expensive TVR to run. Even people on 6 figure salaries wince at the bills.
Personally I find it hard to resist buying another and may given in at some point.
The best advice with a cerb (IMHO) is to buy as late a car as you can afford – lower miles, better chassis treatment etc…..
I woudnt rely on credit cards to pay for running costs – that suggests you cant afford to run one!
If you have 20K ish I think a T350 should be a strong contender?
The Cerb is the most expensive TVR to run. Even people on 6 figure salaries wince at the bills.
Personally I find it hard to resist buying another and may given in at some point.
The best advice with a cerb (IMHO) is to buy as late a car as you can afford – lower miles, better chassis treatment etc…..
I woudnt rely on credit cards to pay for running costs – that suggests you cant afford to run one!
Hi Steve,
I'm surprised you have waited this long, if you can afford a Tuscan T350 or a Cerb, then you could have afforded a Rover V8 car years ago, unless you have just become old enough to insure one, or come into some money, I'm curious why you did not get one earlier.
I got my 400SE when I was 25 (13 years ago), and had to get a 5 year loan to buy it. I still have the same car, and still love driving it. best thing I have either bought comes a close 2nd to buying a house, at 29.
Currently building a Tasmin race car for next year's season.
Leigh
BBWRacing
I'm surprised you have waited this long, if you can afford a Tuscan T350 or a Cerb, then you could have afforded a Rover V8 car years ago, unless you have just become old enough to insure one, or come into some money, I'm curious why you did not get one earlier.
I got my 400SE when I was 25 (13 years ago), and had to get a 5 year loan to buy it. I still have the same car, and still love driving it. best thing I have either bought comes a close 2nd to buying a house, at 29.
Currently building a Tasmin race car for next year's season.
Leigh
BBWRacing
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