Would love a TVR but
Discussion
I have been reading everyone's posts on here for a couple of weeks now, and I was nearly convinced on buying a Chim or Griff but now I am not so sure.
Little or no residuals, TVR factory struggling by all accounts, and dealers dropping off doesn't give me confidence.
I know a Boxster is a safer bet, but it is slower, doesn't sound the same and it doesn't feel like a real sports car like a TVR.
Can anyone convince me they everything isn't that bad, and it won't cost a fortune to maintain.
Little or no residuals, TVR factory struggling by all accounts, and dealers dropping off doesn't give me confidence.
I know a Boxster is a safer bet, but it is slower, doesn't sound the same and it doesn't feel like a real sports car like a TVR.
Can anyone convince me they everything isn't that bad, and it won't cost a fortune to maintain.
Iam on my 3rd tvr,griff 500 99. I admit its not my main car which some people say makes them less reliable, however apart from hideous servicing bills, i have had maybe a couple of faults, but never had to ask a dealer to fix them, thats what sundays are for. I think the dealers will soon have to be realistic with their costs as more and more people are going to independent guys, 2.5k to put the car right, i said just change the oil and charge me 500.I have as my main car, the donor car for the tvr engine, 4.6 rangie and i certainly have more probs with that.
David
David
I would say that ther's never been a better time to buy a Griff / Chimp etc. I don't think that the prices are going to fall any lower and as you'll only be paying about 14-17K for a 5ltr sports car which someone else has taken through all the teething troubles then where's the risk? Also unless you're mad keen to have TVR dealership service history there's plenty of people out there who'll service the cars a d#mn site cheaper. Finally you cannot buy anything else which offers so many smiles per mile for this amount of money, you'll even enjoy it sitting in a traffic jam, try saying that about a Boxster.
Matt
Matt
Of course I will naturally defend TVRs due to owning one. However, they are not as bad as some people that post on Pistonheads may indicate...
The residuals are not as bad as you might think. Although some people have had problems selling theirs, there are so many factors that need to be accounted for and you basically have to take each one on merit. For example on a different thread someone tried 3 times to sell theirs for a reasonable price (sorry forgotten who). Not fair and unfortunate. However, Adrian Blyth TVR have just sold their 100th car from their new showrooms since March - two sides of the coin here. Some people have loads of sucess and some dont. This is a strange time for car prices and be prepared for more upset - and this is not just on TVR's.
Reliability - yes, they are not perfect. You pays your money and you takes your choice. Get a decent one after looking around (thats the good part) and it will serve you well. If you want reliability then go for a known and trusted model - like a Chimaera 4.0. This is the most popular model (by far) and therefore there are more parts and specialists to help you out. Going for newer and more specialised cars will naturally mean higher costs - less people know what could be wrong and hence higher prices.... Do expect to tinker and you must keep on top of things and it will be fine.
Servicing isnt that bad, as is insurance. But like every specialist car - shop around. Get a decent relationship with suppliers and specialists and you should be Ok.
If the thought of owning a TVR fills you with dread then dont get one. They are there to be enjoyed and not to be feared. There are plenty of people that will say they are great, while plenty of people that will say that they are crap - and they all seem to post on this website! However, you should go with what you feel happy with - dont hate your purchase, enjoy it. It is not often that we get a chance to own something like a TVR, make the best of it. If you feel happier with a Porsche, get one - it doesnt reflect badly on you or your choice. Dont forget that we are talking specialist cars here so NEVER assume that it will be cheap - even a Boxster can cost you an arm and a leg....
With whatever choice you make - enjoy it.
Cheers,
Paul
The residuals are not as bad as you might think. Although some people have had problems selling theirs, there are so many factors that need to be accounted for and you basically have to take each one on merit. For example on a different thread someone tried 3 times to sell theirs for a reasonable price (sorry forgotten who). Not fair and unfortunate. However, Adrian Blyth TVR have just sold their 100th car from their new showrooms since March - two sides of the coin here. Some people have loads of sucess and some dont. This is a strange time for car prices and be prepared for more upset - and this is not just on TVR's.
Reliability - yes, they are not perfect. You pays your money and you takes your choice. Get a decent one after looking around (thats the good part) and it will serve you well. If you want reliability then go for a known and trusted model - like a Chimaera 4.0. This is the most popular model (by far) and therefore there are more parts and specialists to help you out. Going for newer and more specialised cars will naturally mean higher costs - less people know what could be wrong and hence higher prices.... Do expect to tinker and you must keep on top of things and it will be fine.
Servicing isnt that bad, as is insurance. But like every specialist car - shop around. Get a decent relationship with suppliers and specialists and you should be Ok.
If the thought of owning a TVR fills you with dread then dont get one. They are there to be enjoyed and not to be feared. There are plenty of people that will say they are great, while plenty of people that will say that they are crap - and they all seem to post on this website! However, you should go with what you feel happy with - dont hate your purchase, enjoy it. It is not often that we get a chance to own something like a TVR, make the best of it. If you feel happier with a Porsche, get one - it doesnt reflect badly on you or your choice. Dont forget that we are talking specialist cars here so NEVER assume that it will be cheap - even a Boxster can cost you an arm and a leg....
With whatever choice you make - enjoy it.
Cheers,
Paul
I previously had two 911's before being drawn back to TVR(had a 350i years ago)
I've had a Griff 500 and now have a Tuscan and yes there have been problems with both but they pale into insignificance by the pleasure in driving/sitting in/just looking at a TVR,as has already been mentioned traffic jams are fun even if you do get welded to your seat.I can honestly say I never felt this with either 911.BUY IT!
I've had a Griff 500 and now have a Tuscan and yes there have been problems with both but they pale into insignificance by the pleasure in driving/sitting in/just looking at a TVR,as has already been mentioned traffic jams are fun even if you do get welded to your seat.I can honestly say I never felt this with either 911.BUY IT!
I have been running TVR Wedges for 9 years now - 350, 400, and now 420SEAC and have NEVER had one break-down on me (at one point I had to jump start a PEUGOT - I know I wont buy a French pile of SH**T again - on a regular basis from the 350!) Thats not to say things wont go wrong (but not as much as some people make out!!) and they do need TLC so if you want something you can just get into 365 days a year and drive without thinking about, get a German tin can - but I'll see you in my rear view mirror!
But if you want a car you can ENJOY get TVR. If it helps my brother met my 400 and has now had a 4.0l Chimp as his every day car for the last 2 years!
Buy one but be careful where it comes from - REPUTABLE dealer or owners club recommended!
But if you want a car you can ENJOY get TVR. If it helps my brother met my 400 and has now had a 4.0l Chimp as his every day car for the last 2 years!
Buy one but be careful where it comes from - REPUTABLE dealer or owners club recommended!
quote:
Can anyone convince me they everything isn't that bad, and it won't cost a fortune to maintain.
Go to a TVR club meet, see/hear the cars, and the looks of love on the owners faces. Then go to a Porsche meet and see the difference. (Where did I put that Asbestos suit ?)
It may cause you some problems, but so can any car.The TVR will be worth it. It may lose some money, but then so do most cars, are you buying it as an investment or for the pleasure (Don`t shoot me to bits here cause I am upset that mine is now worth 13k or so when I paid 21k 2.5yrs ago, but it does also mean that a T reg can be had for 22k or so I can still upgrade)
Why not buy a late model wedge such as a 400se?
True, they don't look quite as good as a Griff, but you do get all the advantages of V8 TVR ownership (performance, noise, make the neighborhood jealous) plus they are a bit cheaper than the later stuff. £8 or £10k should get you a mint low mileage 400se for example and these are pretty reliable once sorted.
I'm taking mine to Le Mans next year, plus I used it as my everyday car for 12 months or so (1999) rain and snow, 25k miles, and it never broke down once over that time. Had a Chim before that and did 32k miles in 18 months. Never broke down once, in fact was more reliable than my partners Audi A4 Tdi!
The secret is to get a sorted one, budget a bit for the enexpected and keep an ear open for problems so you fix them early (and cheap) before its too late (and expensive)
Like I said in an earlier post, Just buy a TVR and you really won't regret it.
Andy 400se
True, they don't look quite as good as a Griff, but you do get all the advantages of V8 TVR ownership (performance, noise, make the neighborhood jealous) plus they are a bit cheaper than the later stuff. £8 or £10k should get you a mint low mileage 400se for example and these are pretty reliable once sorted.
I'm taking mine to Le Mans next year, plus I used it as my everyday car for 12 months or so (1999) rain and snow, 25k miles, and it never broke down once over that time. Had a Chim before that and did 32k miles in 18 months. Never broke down once, in fact was more reliable than my partners Audi A4 Tdi!
The secret is to get a sorted one, budget a bit for the enexpected and keep an ear open for problems so you fix them early (and cheap) before its too late (and expensive)
Like I said in an earlier post, Just buy a TVR and you really won't regret it.
Andy 400se
Thanks for the all the posts guys, I feel a bit better.
My biggest problem is that I want to export the car to Oz when I go back.
A TVR back there would be assume, have seen a couple, but everyone would be looking, and it would go well on the roads over there.
Problem is there is no dealer network or specialists over there to fix the niggles.
A Porsche or a M3 have dealer networks to fix problems and service cars.
Haven't decided yet, and every time the guy in my building takes out his Griff I watch with envy.
Any more posts would be gratefully received....
Dave.
My biggest problem is that I want to export the car to Oz when I go back.
A TVR back there would be assume, have seen a couple, but everyone would be looking, and it would go well on the roads over there.
Problem is there is no dealer network or specialists over there to fix the niggles.
A Porsche or a M3 have dealer networks to fix problems and service cars.
Haven't decided yet, and every time the guy in my building takes out his Griff I watch with envy.
Any more posts would be gratefully received....
Dave.
quote:
I have been reading everyone's posts on here for a couple of weeks now, and I was nearly convinced on buying a Chim or Griff but now I am not so sure.
Dave,
Hopefully my post 'A whinge' hasn't contributed to your doubts over a TVR too much. Have to admit the last week has been the worst time in my TVR driving life (all of 2 years) - not helped at all by the fact that on the way down to a dealer on Friday morning to get a quote the bloody clutch went.
So now I'm stuck trying to sell a car with a hooky clutch into a market with slightly less liquidity than an Enron retirement fund.
The thing that has occured to me big time over the last few days however is when I remind myself about my reasonings about buying the car in the first place. I knew it was not going to be as reliable as a Porsche (has performed better that I expected) I knew it was going to be expensive to run (cheaper than I expected, apart from the insurance...) and I knew that when I wanted to go for a spin it would go like a ferret with a firework up its arse (?) So no surprises there. I also knew that TVR sell a minute number of cars to a minute number of enthusiasts. Who can I blame then when I have trouble selling such a vehicle in the weeks leading up to Christmas while the global economy tetters on the brink of meltdown? The reason I need to is because my circumstances have changed, the car hasn't - apart from the aforementioned clutch :-(
Work out whether you can afford the time and money in keeping a sportscar in the manner its accustomed to. If you can then go for it. If you can't then buy a Porsche, write w**ker on your forehead and get an account at Selfridges.
Buy one, you'll not regret it - don't suppose you're interested in a 5 litre Chim with a 'personalised' clutch.....
Btom
Most of your comments are true abot TVR having owned a Cerbera Speed Six have seen the good and bad sides of the car.
Comments about all Porsche drivers.. Well I would suggest the Tuscan driver that tried to blow me away on a damp roundabout and ended up facing the other way was the one with the comments on his head
my 996 C4 with a few mods is more than a match for most Tiv's
TVR or Porsche ??
TVR was £35k
Porsche £70k with mods
TVR for enjoyment and noise.
Porsche for every day life with fun thrown in too..
Most of your comments are true abot TVR having owned a Cerbera Speed Six have seen the good and bad sides of the car.
Comments about all Porsche drivers.. Well I would suggest the Tuscan driver that tried to blow me away on a damp roundabout and ended up facing the other way was the one with the comments on his head
my 996 C4 with a few mods is more than a match for most Tiv's TVR or Porsche ??
TVR was £35k
Porsche £70k with mods
TVR for enjoyment and noise.
Porsche for every day life with fun thrown in too..
Firstly, Porsche is a different (read boring) beast to a TVR.OK there are some serious Porkers, but they weigh in at SERIOUS money.TVR wins. As for residuals/ resales etc, I have been trying to sell a mint 98 BMW sport coupe for the better part of two months with ONE phone call......no one wants to buy a £10k + car unless its from a dealer is the only assumption I can make from this. I have now P/Xed the BeeEm for a lovely lovely Cerbera Speed Six.Lost £14k over 3years on the BeeEm tho'.
i went to see a S6 Tuscan yesterday, it is just 12 months old and is circa £16,000 under what it cost new. Thats about £1300 a month depreciation.
the depreciation on your BMW was only £350ish a month, that is reasonable!!
Agree with below my 996 C2 was a very close match up to about 130mph to a Cerby 4.2 when I tested it with a mate, you would be suprised how well they go!
Ben
Edited by bennno on Monday 17th December 00:13
the depreciation on your BMW was only £350ish a month, that is reasonable!!
Agree with below my 996 C2 was a very close match up to about 130mph to a Cerby 4.2 when I tested it with a mate, you would be suprised how well they go!
Ben
Edited by bennno on Monday 17th December 00:13
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff