TVR to family car
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Just sold my tvr because of my rapidly growing family
I now have a wife, baby on the way and a large golden retriever.
I feel like something completely different, Volvo XC90, new disco 3 etc for about 35k ish are BMW X5s any good or are they a bit 'footballers' wives'?
Needs to be reliable
any recommendations?....
Just sold my tvr because of my rapidly growing family
I now have a wife, baby on the way and a large golden retriever.
I feel like something completely different, Volvo XC90, new disco 3 etc for about 35k ish are BMW X5s any good or are they a bit 'footballers' wives'?
Needs to be reliable
any recommendations?.... My completely re-engineered 5-door Saab 900 Turbo has been described as a "Swedish TVR, but with reliability (and somewhat more benign FWD dynamics for all-weather capability, I might add) 
" - surely, apart from being a bit more stealthy when parked, she is almost shockingly raw, loud and exciting much in the way of the finest Blackpudlian export. A power/weight ratio of well over 200 (real, not B(lackpool)) hp/tonne helps, too. 
FWD not so much a factor when the set up has more in common with a BTCC car than your average shopping trolley, albeit with a bit more lateral comliance to aid traction and keep the driver informed about how far he's working the available grip. Might have to be toned down a bit further to cope with British roads, tho' .
The specification (consisting of only the finest motorsport components and including niceties like a lightweight, audiophile spec hi fi system) could be replicated for £10K or so (on your side of the Channel Matt_T16 might be of help), it holds more stuff than the majority of estates (1.6 cubic metres to be precise) and it certainly would pose a more interesting choice than a Chelsea tractor. WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) might pose a problem though, especially if she's of the snobby type cq desperate to keep up with the Joneses...
If you can't get over the fact that it's FWD and/ or need a still bigger car with all the modern safety doodahs now that you're a family man, how about lifting the oily bits out of a donor E39 M5 and putting them in a Touring shell? I bet there'd be no sohrtage of BMW specialists gagging to do this for you in exchange for a lump of cash... You might want to get rid of some excess soundproofing and/or opt for bespoke exhaust options for the full-fat V8 experience, though.
A step down the lunatic factor ladder we'll find things like a supercharged Beemer 3- or 5-series touring, or you could do a PetrolTed and go for the Alpina version. Nice, high quality, respectable choice, but a bit boring after your Tiv. More so in the case of an Audi S4 or (yawn) Volvo V70R.
If the above is rather too leftfield for you, how about an MG ZT-T 260? It's as close to a family car version of a Tiv as they come, although I wouldn't pay list, and 155 bhp/tonne might be a bit too modest for your tastes (where are the promised 385 bhp versions?).
Anything to keep you out of a Chelsea tractor, Sir! As you are getting rid of your sports car rather than keep it besides your family transport, you will deeply regret it. And when you do, given your proposed £35K price level, you will have taken a depreciation hit the size of a decent early Chimaera in no time.
But if you must, the X5 is still the best of the bunch. Just make sure to wear a paper bag or at least add privacy glass to the spec, 'cause it is more than a bit 'footballers wife, and that is the more respectable end of its image envelope...
And while we're at it - if you're keen on banning the adrenalin factor out of your motoring life forgood, but still need something that is capable of more than just hauling kids, diapers and all associated stuff, and has a more friendly and respectable image, look at a Scooby Legacy Touring Wagon (or Outback, if it must be) instead.
" - surely, apart from being a bit more stealthy when parked, she is almost shockingly raw, loud and exciting much in the way of the finest Blackpudlian export. A power/weight ratio of well over 200 (real, not B(lackpool)) hp/tonne helps, too. FWD not so much a factor when the set up has more in common with a BTCC car than your average shopping trolley, albeit with a bit more lateral comliance to aid traction and keep the driver informed about how far he's working the available grip. Might have to be toned down a bit further to cope with British roads, tho' . The specification (consisting of only the finest motorsport components and including niceties like a lightweight, audiophile spec hi fi system) could be replicated for £10K or so (on your side of the Channel Matt_T16 might be of help), it holds more stuff than the majority of estates (1.6 cubic metres to be precise) and it certainly would pose a more interesting choice than a Chelsea tractor. WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) might pose a problem though, especially if she's of the snobby type cq desperate to keep up with the Joneses...
If you can't get over the fact that it's FWD and/ or need a still bigger car with all the modern safety doodahs now that you're a family man, how about lifting the oily bits out of a donor E39 M5 and putting them in a Touring shell? I bet there'd be no sohrtage of BMW specialists gagging to do this for you in exchange for a lump of cash... You might want to get rid of some excess soundproofing and/or opt for bespoke exhaust options for the full-fat V8 experience, though.
A step down the lunatic factor ladder we'll find things like a supercharged Beemer 3- or 5-series touring, or you could do a PetrolTed and go for the Alpina version. Nice, high quality, respectable choice, but a bit boring after your Tiv. More so in the case of an Audi S4 or (yawn) Volvo V70R.
If the above is rather too leftfield for you, how about an MG ZT-T 260? It's as close to a family car version of a Tiv as they come, although I wouldn't pay list, and 155 bhp/tonne might be a bit too modest for your tastes (where are the promised 385 bhp versions?).
Anything to keep you out of a Chelsea tractor, Sir! As you are getting rid of your sports car rather than keep it besides your family transport, you will deeply regret it. And when you do, given your proposed £35K price level, you will have taken a depreciation hit the size of a decent early Chimaera in no time.
But if you must, the X5 is still the best of the bunch. Just make sure to wear a paper bag or at least add privacy glass to the spec, 'cause it is more than a bit 'footballers wife, and that is the more respectable end of its image envelope...
And while we're at it - if you're keen on banning the adrenalin factor out of your motoring life forgood, but still need something that is capable of more than just hauling kids, diapers and all associated stuff, and has a more friendly and respectable image, look at a Scooby Legacy Touring Wagon (or Outback, if it must be) instead.
We tried the 4x4 route when the family expanded. They are very nice....but
You will get bored with the dynamics, even the X5 which does drive really well for a 4x4.
We changed to an E class estate with seven seats. Its a great drive, loads of space, better on fuel, quieter and altogether just better than a 4x4.
Each to their own, but even though we still look at 4x4's and genuinely hanker after them, the Merc is staying.
You will get bored with the dynamics, even the X5 which does drive really well for a 4x4.
We changed to an E class estate with seven seats. Its a great drive, loads of space, better on fuel, quieter and altogether just better than a 4x4.
Each to their own, but even though we still look at 4x4's and genuinely hanker after them, the Merc is staying.
Get a 2 year old RS4 - plenty of space, 4wd and serious pace and Q car looks, or late used S6 avant or the 4.2 V8 avant, both of which will have done initial depreciation and are great performers yet very practical
Scoobies always a sound choice and are great value
I have wife and dog but no bambinos yet so have a 911 as our "family car"
- am enjoying it whilst it lasts!!
Scoobies always a sound choice and are great value
I have wife and dog but no bambinos yet so have a 911 as our "family car"
- am enjoying it whilst it lasts!!HSV- no contest. I bought mine after 4 TVRs because the children came along.Tried everything before I decided on one and haven't regretted it for a second. It was the ONLY car that gave me anywhere near the driving pleasure of the TVRs (but without the pain!) It also gets a lot of (nice) attention.My particular one is a GTS-R,410BHP,6 speed, switchable traction,ABS,airbags,10CD and the most comfortable front seats ever according to Autocar! Unfortunately it's used as a third car and I am about to receive a company car so I'll probably be selling but after 3 years (the longest I've kept any "fun" car) it will be a big wrench. Whoops sorry, the above isn't meant to sound like an advert, it's just that I was in your position 3 years ago. Enjoy the hunting.
We've spent the last few years trying to get the fleet into shape for the two children - and are finally on the way to getting it sorted.
Top-spec new Grand Scenic for my wife as the family car, not too OTT, drives well as smoothly - not too exciting mind, unless I'm a passenger and making use of the cooled glovebox for beers
Unlike some of the 4x4s (and even MPVs) its also designed for children as passengers rather than adults.
Cerbera for me, as if required we can take the kids in it and my wife is more likely to drive one than my current S.
I spent ages looking for a fun, fast family car for myself, tried the MT-ZT260 and wasn't impressed - an M5, Holden or Skyline seemed the only option, but didn't have the charisma I wanted, so I'll stick to TVR for now.
Top-spec new Grand Scenic for my wife as the family car, not too OTT, drives well as smoothly - not too exciting mind, unless I'm a passenger and making use of the cooled glovebox for beers
Unlike some of the 4x4s (and even MPVs) its also designed for children as passengers rather than adults. Cerbera for me, as if required we can take the kids in it and my wife is more likely to drive one than my current S.
I spent ages looking for a fun, fast family car for myself, tried the MT-ZT260 and wasn't impressed - an M5, Holden or Skyline seemed the only option, but didn't have the charisma I wanted, so I'll stick to TVR for now.
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