40k mileage SP6 engine advice

[DBSV8]

Read through a lot of threads regarding Speed 6 engine and seen variable reports on major engine failures ...and low mileages

bottom line

whats the concensus on a 40k car year (early 2000 model) with tappet adjustments performed , but no major engine rebuild , is it a ticking timebomb

and could you use this to significantly reduce the price

[targarama]

Timebomb. 5k discount please.

Well thats what I would do. No disrespect to anyone with 40k Speed Sixes (in fact, well done!).

[beano500]

My car's nearly done 40k. It had "some work*" done at about 24k, but there's no sign that it's about to blow up - in fact no reason to think that, providing it's treated appropriately and checked over well at service time, it won't continue to please for every future mile like the last ones....


Don't be swayed by doom-mongerers, make an objective decision when a TVR expert (someone you trust) has given it an inspection.

There are no guarantees in life, so it may blow up next week - just like any performance car - well no guarantees apart from the fact that if you don't commit and buy one you'll be missing out on a fantastic experience.

*I've no idea what - it was never documented, but it has run fine since then by my and previous owner's accounts

[targarama]

Question is Beano, would you buy a 40k speed six without thinking this?

I agree, speak to an expert for a proper opinion.

[beano500]

targarama said:

Question is Beano, would you buy a 40k speed six without thinking this?

Nope - I'd still think about it. Just keep it objective

[targarama]

beano500 said:

targarama said:

Question is Beano, would you buy a 40k speed six without thinking this?

Nope - I'd still think about it. Just keep it objective

But I bet the concensus (which he asked for) would be ...

[trackcar]

Thing is you'll not know if it was the right decision until you buy it and run it .. you obviously know something of the general TVR Sp6 engine history so only *you* can make the decision really.

Question is : can you afford to fix it *if* it goes wrong? if the answer is "yes" then buy it .. if the answer is "no" then don't ...

[DBSV8]

thanks
for the replies , I have been following the threads especially related to the study on engine failures ,
what caught my attention specificaly was the consensus that the majority of cars require major work around 30k miles mark equating to bills of at least 4k , therefore a 40k car with no major problems has a higher probability to fail .

really love the Tuscan , but dont want to get stung straight away ,

on another note , on depreciation I have a Lexus 300 sportcross 02 which i would need to sell / part x , This car has been rock steady reliable Lexus are probably the best car manufactures for customer care ...........
however the depreciation over the year owned would be similar to possible Tuscan ( repair bills) around 4k. and Im used to unreliability issues having grown up with Fords / Lotus etc. Enjoy tinkering with cars .

Real passion was when I had a ride in a friends Tuscan S ...stunning !!!

At a guess i should be looking at anyone whos starting a family and now needs to part x for a reliable lux family car .........with cash equivellent

cheers for the advice

[nubbin]

DBSV8 said:

the majority of cars require major work around 30k miles mark ....a 40k car with no major problems has a higher probability to fail

I would say the reverse is true - look at your statement - an engine with no major work, already on 40k miles, presumably FTVRSH, will have had it's top end looked at 4k miles ago, and any problems SHOULD have been spotted. It sounds like a solid car to me. The hysteria on PH about the Speed Six is undeniable, but how many owners are prepared to give full chapter and verse on their engines? No-one actually knows how many Speed Sixes there are out there, so any "majority" is a PH reading and replying majority, not necessarily an actual share of Speed Six owners. Plus, how many times does an owner come on here just to say how reliable their car has been? It hardly ever happens, unless in response to a "My engine's crap" thread. PH does not hold chapter and verse on the Speed Six saga, so my advice would be to make your mind up based on the history of the individual car you are looking at, not on a percentage.

Why not ask the seller to go halves on a full TVR warranty check? That way you can be sure any faults will be found out, plus you can spend money on a waranty.

Personally, I believe that if the car has been well looked after, particularly with regard to oil checks and general mechanical sympathy, there is no certainty that the engine will fail. Equally, there is no certainty that it won't, but you should be able to negotiate a good price.

The other thing to consider is maintenance costs. Can you afford to keep the car in good condition? If the engine did go, would you be able to pay for a repair? If not, forget it.

Edited by nubbin on Monday 31st July 09:48

[DBSV8]

nubbin said:

DBSV8 said:

the majority of cars require major work around 30k miles mark ....a 40k car with no major problems has a higher probability to fail

Why not ask the seller to go halves on a full TVR warranty check? That way you can be sure any faults will be found out, plus you can spend money on a waranty.

The other thing to consider is maintenance costs. Can you afford to keep the car in good condition? If the engine did go, would you be able to pay for a repair? If not, forget it.

Edited by nubbin on Monday 31st July 09:48

Thanks nubbin , good advice on the Warrenty check any ideas of the cost of this ?

I envisaged a budget of 3k a year as a reasonable figure , however because of work comittments the car would be idle for 7 out of 10

dont see many TVRs in Siberia !!!

yes i can afford to maintain the car overseas work pays very well!!.......just dont want to get possible big bills early into TVR ownership !!
but really like the Tuscan ive seen
cheers

Edited by DBSV8 on Monday 31st July 11:24

[nubbin]

Warranty check is £150 IIRC, the warranty itself about £1200 a year! But the check is very comprhensive, and would show up any faults which would have to be rectified before the warranty would be granted - so there's possibly some dealing to be done with the vendor. But don't be frightened about the ownership prospect - they're not bad cars!

DBSV8 said:

because of work comittments the car would be idle for 7 out of 10

7 out of 10 what? Months? Crikey, I knew Siberian days were short, but I didn't realise the years were only 10 months as well! No wonder Siberians live to a great age!!

Edited by nubbin on Monday 31st July 12:18

[DBSV8]

nubbin said:

Warranty check is £150 IIRC, the warranty itself about £1200 a year! But the check is very comprhensive, and would show up any faults which would have to be rectified before the warranty would be granted - so there's possibly some dealing to be done with the vendor. But don't be frightened about the ownership prospect - they're not bad cars!

DBSV8 said:

because of work comittments the car would be idle for 7 out of 10

7 out of 10 what? Months? Crikey, I knew Siberian days were short, but I didn't realise the years were only 10 months as well! No wonder Siberians live to a great age!!

Edited by nubbin on Monday 31st July 12:18

ha ha ...we are in perpetual daylight ......end of white nights !!!
yes its 7 weeks ...........although weather is bloody awfull........getting ready to go for a run......( on foot ....)temperature yesterday was in the high 30cs............huge thunderstorm last night ..........now 15c !!!

definitely check out the warrenty check..when i get home........

..bugger still got 6 weeks out here !!

[cosmos 350]

I'm no expert but any engine NA producing close to 100bhp per litre is a stressed bit of kit and aint going to last for ever. I expect porsche etc expect major work upwards of 60K and these aint no Porsche enginered lumps. If the engines never been over 3000rpm ie driven by my dad it would trundle on for a bit I'm sure.

[gridgway]

the simple answer has got to be that you can't tell. It must however be quite likely that it'll need major and probably expensive work in the nearish future. So if that is ok, then plan on it and go for it, if not then don't!

[macdeb]

Could it be you've stumbled upon a 'Melling original', being an early 2000 car with good miles?

[Mustang Baz]

DBSV8 said:

Thanks nubbin , good advice on the Warrenty check any ideas of the cost of this ?

Edited by DBSV8 on Monday 31st July 11:24

As nubbin says, check is £150-£200, cost of warranty itself £1,347 (incl VAT), and then the cost of any additional work on top to rectify issues prior to the sign off. I took mine out the day after my 1yr rebuild warranty expired to ensure coverage. A thought - I seem to remember the warranty stretches to a max of an 8yr old car, and then not sure thereafter. A 2000 would already be 5-6 yrs old, so you could be limiting the amt of warranty availability going forward.

Only other comments - I may be concerned about the battery holding charge if not used for 7 week stretches so an Accumate charger from Leven may be a good purchase. Also - not sure you have considered the clutch and the age of this, as general experience on PH indicates many need replacing at 20k. Mine needed replacement at 10k at the same time as my rebuild...

[basil brush]

The only downside I can see is if it's going to sit idle for 7 weeks out of every 10. The cars seem to behave better when used regularly and the times I've had most annoying issues have been when the car's been sat at the dealers for a few weeks waiting for parts. The miles wouldn't put me off as long as the price is right.

[Wilder]

My late 2001 spd 6 Cerbies done just short of 26K. Never needed anything (apart from a new rad & some hoses) -boys at the TVR factory tell me the worst thing you can do is use them infrequently & leave them in the garage for days/weeks on end. If you can use them regularly they are likely to be more reliable. I do, & all I can vouch for, is mine needed nada so far.

[icb]

Just had TVR Power inspection for warranty. £195 £1300 for warranty.

[allyt]

I have a T350 with 19k on the clock, I bought from a dealer and have the warranty, going to buy a new wear and tear warranty from the dealer in June. If the dealer advises a top end rebuild would the warranty cover this ??

Edited by allyt on Thursday 21st December 09:04