What TVR?
Author
Discussion

neilbertson

Original Poster:

3 posts

240 months

Sunday 29th November 2009
quotequote all
Hello all.

I'm seriously considering buying a TVR next year on return from operations in Afghanistan as a treat to myself and I am wondering which one is going to be the easiest/cheapest to maintain or the most rewarding? I've always lusted over the coupes, Cerbera was one of my first love cars, and whilst I understand that these are never going to be easy to look after or cheap to run, I am fortunate that I will only use it on dry weekends or meets. I test drove a 4.0l Chimera earlier this year at Fernhurst and dissapointingly it left me a little flat. I guess I expected more from it.

I am hoping to have around £15k to spend and don't mind forking a few grand every year, but would prefer not to have to spend a small fortune keeping it on the road. Does anyone have any advice? Is the T350 more reliable than the Cerbie? Would a Tuscan be easier to look after than an older Griff or Chim?

Cheers

the jollyrodger

569 posts

207 months

Sunday 29th November 2009
quotequote all
hi neil,1st,id like to say,keep up the good work in Afghanistan,God knows,you need a treat when you get home.
for the money,about 15k,you have to spend,i think a good t350 is out.you could find a tuscan but do your homework first as you indeed need to do on all models.you could pick up a nice griff,i would get some-one like james agger to find you one,it could take a few months for it to turn up,but,its better waiting on a good one.a few grand a year to maintain it should be more than enough,especially if you dont do big milage,but be warned,to wont be able to keep yourself out of it.thumbup

leemarkadams

859 posts

244 months

Sunday 29th November 2009
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Hello mate, where in Hants are you as I have a Cerb and live in emsworth so you could come and have a look and a chat if you wanted, by the way it is NOT for sale just trying to help!

Am also in the Forces and been out there a few times so know how you feel......

Lee

BLUETHUNDER

7,881 posts

289 months

Monday 30th November 2009
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The most rewarding will be a Cerbera. The easiest to maintain would be a Chimaera or Griff.Best of both worlds would be to go for a 5.0ltr Chimaera or Griff. Keep safethumbup

Chris71

21,549 posts

271 months

Monday 30th November 2009
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...very nice V8S and a stack of change? Should be as quick as the equivalent Griff/Chim and a bit more raw if you found the Chimaera a bit sanitised.

I gather the T350 is still a little beyond £15k, but would you be able to get a respectable Tamora for that maybe?

Gazzab

21,640 posts

311 months

LordGrover

34,164 posts

241 months

Monday 30th November 2009
quotequote all
Coupes don't do it for me, but for raw bang-per-buck I'd say a cerb is a no-brainer. If you're not familiar with TVRs maybe getting someone with experience to help in the search would be a good idea.
Your budget should get you an okay one and a couple of thousand a year for servicing etc. sounds about right. Just watch out for the occasional biggy - we all get them from time to time. A small price to pay for the grin factor.

G20RG B

2,749 posts

260 months

Monday 30th November 2009
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Hi There, Full Respect to all you guys out there,

I had a tuscan 2001 for 12 months and it was fantastic great looking car with the flexibility of getting the roof of when the sun comes out. Never had any issues with it apart from replacing the battery. Highly reccomended..and the SP6 engine is a cracker.

I'm now in a Cerb as I neaded rear seats for my twin boys its an SP6 engine also and its also a great car. I dont think it is as dramatic as the tuscan but it feels like more car for the money with the dramatic interior. I've only had it a few months but so far so good. Ive had to do a few small jobs and ive also replaced and tidied up a few areas but haven't spent any big bucks most expensive bill so far is the £100 for front pads but fitted them myself so save a few quid there.

The Pistonheads boys are a helpfull bunch and will keep you right if you have to do any DIY on your chosen car to help keep the costs down. However you might get a big bill at any time Clutch £1k/engine rebuild on SP6 £5-6k and the same for AJP8. Dont let the AJP V8 cerb boys convince you they dont have engine problems THEY DO.

In many ways its a bit of a gamble buying a TVR but its hugly rewarding and the power/performance/sound and styling make it all worth while.

I drove a 08 Porsche Carrera a few weeks ago and while build quality is exceptional it was just BORING, FAST but boring, more of an everyday car than a TVR right enough but NO WAY is it as much of a thrill.

Theres a nice silver Cerb in the classifieds for £15500 it looks in good nick and has been well looked after certainly worth concidering.

George