Buying a Tamora
Discussion
Good morning people,
I'm looking at chopping my Elise in and have a couple of options - but my favourites are either a TVR Tamora or a Honda NSX. Obviously this is the wrong forum for Hondas, but you might know a thing or two about the Tam!
Apologies if this has been done before - I can't seem to get the search function working.
I'll be looking at a fairly early example, purely for cost reasons, and have my eyes fairly wide open.
Build quality issues don't really concern me as I'm assuming most niggles will have been sorted by the time the car comes to me. However the infamous speed6 issues are of concern (although I see Tams are considered a much safer bet than similar Tuscans)
So, some questions:
1. Are there any documented mechanical fixes I need to make sure have been done?
2. I read about a problem which commonly occurs around 3k miles, and another at 15k miles - what are these?
3. Is the factory the ONLY place to get engine work done (either actually the only people who will do it, or the only people who are ever trusted to do it).
4. Being a mechanical numpty this might be a daft question - but when/if an engine goes 'pop' is it normally the same problem? What is a good budget to set aside for a rebuild?
5. More general: Is there any items of spec which are considered essential?
6. Have their been any major model revisions - when?
7. Do the factory, or any other specialists, do pre-purchase checks? Are these likely to pick up an impending engine rebuild?
8. Is it possible to buy an aftermarket warranty, and are they even worth it?
Well, thats all I can think of at the moment. I hope I'm not coming accross as too negative - I really want one, but want to make an informed descision!
Cheers guys/girls.
Max
I'm looking at chopping my Elise in and have a couple of options - but my favourites are either a TVR Tamora or a Honda NSX. Obviously this is the wrong forum for Hondas, but you might know a thing or two about the Tam!
Apologies if this has been done before - I can't seem to get the search function working.
I'll be looking at a fairly early example, purely for cost reasons, and have my eyes fairly wide open.
Build quality issues don't really concern me as I'm assuming most niggles will have been sorted by the time the car comes to me. However the infamous speed6 issues are of concern (although I see Tams are considered a much safer bet than similar Tuscans)
So, some questions:
1. Are there any documented mechanical fixes I need to make sure have been done?
2. I read about a problem which commonly occurs around 3k miles, and another at 15k miles - what are these?
3. Is the factory the ONLY place to get engine work done (either actually the only people who will do it, or the only people who are ever trusted to do it).
4. Being a mechanical numpty this might be a daft question - but when/if an engine goes 'pop' is it normally the same problem? What is a good budget to set aside for a rebuild?
5. More general: Is there any items of spec which are considered essential?
6. Have their been any major model revisions - when?
7. Do the factory, or any other specialists, do pre-purchase checks? Are these likely to pick up an impending engine rebuild?
8. Is it possible to buy an aftermarket warranty, and are they even worth it?
Well, thats all I can think of at the moment. I hope I'm not coming accross as too negative - I really want one, but want to make an informed descision!
Cheers guys/girls.
Max
maxf said:
1. Are there any documented mechanical fixes I need to make sure have been done?
Ask the owner about rebuilds - unlikely in a Tamora - the owner is likely to be reasonably forthcoming, but ask if you can check with the dealer about previous work.
maxf said:
2. I read about a problem which commonly occurs around 3k miles, and another at 15k miles - what are these?
Not sure about these - may be to do with speed 6 rebuilds.
maxf said:
3. Is the factory the ONLY place to get engine work done (either actually the only people who will do it, or the only people who are ever trusted to do it).
Any dealer or independent will service your car. TVR Power supply the engines, and are the best for work, but take advice from your local dealer.
maxf said:
4. Being a mechanical numpty this might be a daft question - but when/if an engine goes 'pop' is it normally the same problem? What is a good budget to set aside for a rebuild?
£3-5k!!
maxf said:
5. More general: Is there any items of spec which are considered essential?
Some say Air-con, some not. Leather trim is a good idea, as the false leathers (especially Bison) don't wear very well. Sports exhaust, obviously.
maxf said:
6. Have their been any major model revisions - when?
There was a change to front and rear lights in 2003, but they don't affect resale value. As usual with TVR, there have been multiple small upgrades, like the aluminium handbrake surround. try to get a car without the black areas around the bonnet vents, and with the rear under tray spoiler colour-coded - It looks a lot better!
maxf said:
7. Do the factory, or any other specialists, do pre-purchase checks? Are these likely to pick up an impending engine rebuild?
It would need a TVR specialist examination of valve guides and cams to detect the wear associated with a rebuild - Probably worth it if the owner will let you, but it wouldn't be cheap.
maxf said:
8. Is it possible to buy an aftermarket warranty, and are they even worth it?
Yes, but TVR may be intrducing an after market warranty of their own soon, so hang fire on that one.
fly boy said:
maxf said:
8. Is it possible to buy an aftermarket warranty, and are they even worth it?
Yes, but TVR may be intrducing an after market warranty of their own soon, so hang fire on that one.
Where did you here this from N?
It was implied in the thread about the 3yr new car warranty (something about a future announcement regarding pre 05 cars).
D
_DeeJay_ said:
nubbin said:
maxf said:
8. Is it possible to buy an aftermarket warranty, and are they even worth it?
Yes, but TVR may be intrducing an after market warranty of their own soon, so hang fire on that one.
Where did you here this from N?
It was implied in the thread about the 3yr new car warranty (something about a future announcement regarding pre 05 cars).
D
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