TVR Tamora or Clio V6
Discussion
I am new to the Forums of PH but middle aged to enjoying great cars on a modest budget. While we all bring our own criteria to the table of what makes a great car, I love cars of character, great engineering, history, rarity, a great noise and great looks. Two such cars are on my radar at the moment. The TVR Tamora and Renault Clio V6. My last car was an Alpine A110. I was wanting to experience a more modern classic which I believe both these cars are.
I live in Australia where some makes and some individual models are only here after someone privately imports them. At the moment amongst the many great cars on the market here we have a 2002 TVR Tamora and a 2003 Clio V6 Phase 2. Both are in great condition. The Clio is the only one here and the Tamora is one of 2 here. Being so rare here creates a greater sense of focus in the decision making. I am aware of the TVR speed six engine issues.
With the criteria I mentioned above does anyone have an opinion on the better choice?
I live in Australia where some makes and some individual models are only here after someone privately imports them. At the moment amongst the many great cars on the market here we have a 2002 TVR Tamora and a 2003 Clio V6 Phase 2. Both are in great condition. The Clio is the only one here and the Tamora is one of 2 here. Being so rare here creates a greater sense of focus in the decision making. I am aware of the TVR speed six engine issues.
With the criteria I mentioned above does anyone have an opinion on the better choice?
Should anything happen to the car then the Clio is just running a Laguna v6 engine and is, as one would expect, full of standard Renault Clio parts. The TVR however is not based on a "commodity" engine and is full of non standard parts from a company that no longer exists.
Either car is going to be pretty unique in your context and if there's any aspect of this not being a purely emotional decision I'd go for the Clio on the basis that if/when things stop working properly you're more likely going to be able to sort it out without running into the challenges mentioned in the first paragraph.
Either car is going to be pretty unique in your context and if there's any aspect of this not being a purely emotional decision I'd go for the Clio on the basis that if/when things stop working properly you're more likely going to be able to sort it out without running into the challenges mentioned in the first paragraph.
Thanks for all the input. It seems as if the TVR is the most popular choice. My only concern would be whether it would be possible to deal with the issues explained in the PH TVR forums adequately from Australia. It seems the speed six is still open to development, most recently from Racing Green to make it in any way acceptably reliable. It will only be a weekend/occasional car to me, but everyone needs to know they'll get home! Do you think a TVR might be too hard in my distant situation?
CSM said:
Thanks for all the input. It seems as if the TVR is the most popular choice. My only concern would be whether it would be possible to deal with the issues explained in the PH TVR forums adequately from Australia. It seems the speed six is still open to development, most recently from Racing Green to make it in any way acceptably reliable. It will only be a weekend/occasional car to me, but everyone needs to know they'll get home! Do you think a TVR might be too hard in my distant situation?
That was the point I was trying to make without attracting too much flak from the TVR fans. The engine is notorious for problems, any quick scan of the TVR pages will reveal this. There are solutions being worked on, but in this country, and it seems that the solutions are not in the form of a bolt on kit as such. If the engine fails then you are looking at a rebuild using a local engineering company sourcing parts for an engine from a company that no longer exists or shipping to and from the UK.I tend to agree that at an emotional level the TVR is more appealing; the noise, the looks etc but when taking it to account your location the Clio still offers a unique experience but without the issues mentioned above.
Two totally different cars. The Clio is a heavy mid engined hatch, which in the real world isn't much quicker overall that the 182 models. It's known for it's feeble grip too, although they do have presence.
The Tamora is a different kettle of fish. Leagues ahead in speed and handling...probably the most underrated TVR going. Only thing holding you back is the speed six "issues." All I can add to that is that I know someone who's had a Tam for a couple of years now and with no mechanical issues to report. Goes like stink and suffers from the usual leaks and flat batterys, but nothing major. It is a fragile car, but then when over 300 different people owning something, some are bound to be more reliable than others and I'd bet it's got more to do with the owners who inadvertantly think they're doing good, when they're actually doing bad who cause some of the issues.
Personally, I have a V8 TVR which always starts first time, but thats neither here nor there! Its certainly not in the same league as a speed six in terms of speed, but it wins on noise!
The Tamora is a different kettle of fish. Leagues ahead in speed and handling...probably the most underrated TVR going. Only thing holding you back is the speed six "issues." All I can add to that is that I know someone who's had a Tam for a couple of years now and with no mechanical issues to report. Goes like stink and suffers from the usual leaks and flat batterys, but nothing major. It is a fragile car, but then when over 300 different people owning something, some are bound to be more reliable than others and I'd bet it's got more to do with the owners who inadvertantly think they're doing good, when they're actually doing bad who cause some of the issues.
Personally, I have a V8 TVR which always starts first time, but thats neither here nor there! Its certainly not in the same league as a speed six in terms of speed, but it wins on noise!
Kitchski said:
Two totally different cars. The Clio is a heavy mid engined hatch, which in the real world isn't much quicker overall that the 182 models. It's known for it's feeble grip too, although they do have presence.
The Tamora is a different kettle of fish. Leagues ahead in speed and handling...probably the most underrated TVR going. Only thing holding you back is the speed six "issues." All I can add to that is that I know someone who's had a Tam for a couple of years now and with no mechanical issues to report. Goes like stink and suffers from the usual leaks and flat batterys, but nothing major. It is a fragile car, but then when over 300 different people owning something, some are bound to be more reliable than others and I'd bet it's got more to do with the owners who inadvertantly think they're doing good, when they're actually doing bad who cause some of the issues.
Personally, I have a V8 TVR which always starts first time, but thats neither here nor there! Its certainly not in the same league as a speed six in terms of speed, but it wins on noise!
Feeble grip! Have you actually driven one! If anything the V6 is bloody planted! Just a differnt discipline to drive it. I've had mine over a yr and not had one issue...How about your/most TVR's!The Tamora is a different kettle of fish. Leagues ahead in speed and handling...probably the most underrated TVR going. Only thing holding you back is the speed six "issues." All I can add to that is that I know someone who's had a Tam for a couple of years now and with no mechanical issues to report. Goes like stink and suffers from the usual leaks and flat batterys, but nothing major. It is a fragile car, but then when over 300 different people owning something, some are bound to be more reliable than others and I'd bet it's got more to do with the owners who inadvertantly think they're doing good, when they're actually doing bad who cause some of the issues.
Personally, I have a V8 TVR which always starts first time, but thats neither here nor there! Its certainly not in the same league as a speed six in terms of speed, but it wins on noise!
Sure it's faster...Was going to say rarer, but there about the same and the Vee looks 10x better! all Imo.
try both and buy which you prefer. Simple really.
AliV6 said:
Kitchski said:
Two totally different cars. The Clio is a heavy mid engined hatch, which in the real world isn't much quicker overall that the 182 models. It's known for it's feeble grip too, although they do have presence.
The Tamora is a different kettle of fish. Leagues ahead in speed and handling...probably the most underrated TVR going. Only thing holding you back is the speed six "issues." All I can add to that is that I know someone who's had a Tam for a couple of years now and with no mechanical issues to report. Goes like stink and suffers from the usual leaks and flat batterys, but nothing major. It is a fragile car, but then when over 300 different people owning something, some are bound to be more reliable than others and I'd bet it's got more to do with the owners who inadvertantly think they're doing good, when they're actually doing bad who cause some of the issues.
Personally, I have a V8 TVR which always starts first time, but thats neither here nor there! Its certainly not in the same league as a speed six in terms of speed, but it wins on noise!
Feeble grip! Have you actually driven one! If anything the V6 is bloody planted! Just a differnt discipline to drive it. I've had mine over a yr and not had one issue...How about your/most TVR's!The Tamora is a different kettle of fish. Leagues ahead in speed and handling...probably the most underrated TVR going. Only thing holding you back is the speed six "issues." All I can add to that is that I know someone who's had a Tam for a couple of years now and with no mechanical issues to report. Goes like stink and suffers from the usual leaks and flat batterys, but nothing major. It is a fragile car, but then when over 300 different people owning something, some are bound to be more reliable than others and I'd bet it's got more to do with the owners who inadvertantly think they're doing good, when they're actually doing bad who cause some of the issues.
Personally, I have a V8 TVR which always starts first time, but thats neither here nor there! Its certainly not in the same league as a speed six in terms of speed, but it wins on noise!
Sure it's faster...Was going to say rarer, but there about the same and the Vee looks 10x better! all Imo.
try both and buy which you prefer. Simple really.
How many TVR's do you see trying to climb trees. The grip on a V6 is mentionned by people who have come out of front wheel drive hot hatchs and dont have a clue how to drive a RWD car especially with an engine in the wrong place. As long as you dont push the car past its limits or drive it like a mong in the wet, you will be fine. I own a V6 and think it is a great car. A good car is not necesserally the fastest thing on 4 wheels. My Clio V6 got more attention than all the TVR parked opposite me at Le Mans but is slower than most of them.... Had considered a TVR when buying but its not just the horrow stories about the engine you have to worry about. In terms of looks, TVR's are awesome and the sound is near on orgasmic. Both great cars. Down to personal preference. Drive them both and research well before you make your choice.
TVR is all about long summer afternoons in a pub drinking real ale whilst discussing what could have been if only that Russian chap hadn't got involved whilst waiting for the engine to return from it's latest rebuild
Clio is all about the 50/50 gamble you take when you get in the car; the anticipation of not knowing whether you'll get to the B part of your journey or be found pointing backwards in a potato field with an expression that is a combination of both fear and ecstasy
All sarcasm/joking apart lets face either car will be pretty unique in the specific context of your original question - it's going to come down to which pulls hardest at the heart...
Clio is all about the 50/50 gamble you take when you get in the car; the anticipation of not knowing whether you'll get to the B part of your journey or be found pointing backwards in a potato field with an expression that is a combination of both fear and ecstasy
All sarcasm/joking apart lets face either car will be pretty unique in the specific context of your original question - it's going to come down to which pulls hardest at the heart...
GnuBee said:
TVR is all about long summer afternoons in a pub drinking real ale whilst discussing what could have been if only that Russian chap hadn't got involved whilst waiting for the engine to return from it's latest rebuild
Clio is all about the 50/50 gamble you take when you get in the car; the anticipation of not knowing whether you'll get to the B part of your journey or be found pointing backwards in a potato field with an expression that is a combination of both fear and ecstasy
All sarcasm/joking apart lets face either car will be pretty unique in the specific context of your original question - it's going to come down to which pulls hardest at the heart...
We'll agree that there both special...(But imo the Sag would be a special TVR not the tamora);)Clio is all about the 50/50 gamble you take when you get in the car; the anticipation of not knowing whether you'll get to the B part of your journey or be found pointing backwards in a potato field with an expression that is a combination of both fear and ecstasy
All sarcasm/joking apart lets face either car will be pretty unique in the specific context of your original question - it's going to come down to which pulls hardest at the heart...
Gassing Station | French Bred | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff