Car Choice Dilema - Need Advice
Discussion
Hi,
Pretty new to this site and would like "proper" advice from users rather than the "stuff" that can be sometimes fed from your local dealer.....!!
Dilema is : I am looking to buy either a 993 (sorry for such foul language) or a TVR (Tuscan, Tamora, T350) which will be used as a 2nd/3rd car. Now the 993 has the build quality, looks, and is preety fun to drive but, the interior has just been transplanted from a 1970's Morris Marina, whereas, at least the TVR's show that bit of design sophistication that indicates your in a 30k car from the inside, which is where you are going to spend most of your time.....!!
What i am really after is what sort of "true problems" to expect from TVR...??
Rubber bits falling off...??
Electrical Problems....??
Bits coming loose...??
Massive deprciation....??
High anual budgets to keep on the road...??
Are these all true or are most issues now "old wives tales" which has just stuck unfairly.....??
I'm spending 30k and for that i want something that looks 30k from every possible angle (under the skin, the interior to the exterior). And also to still be worth something in a few years.
It's the pedigree of a "Rotweiller" V's unpredictability of a "Bulldog".
But how costly and unpredicatable is the "Bulldog"
Pretty new to this site and would like "proper" advice from users rather than the "stuff" that can be sometimes fed from your local dealer.....!!
Dilema is : I am looking to buy either a 993 (sorry for such foul language) or a TVR (Tuscan, Tamora, T350) which will be used as a 2nd/3rd car. Now the 993 has the build quality, looks, and is preety fun to drive but, the interior has just been transplanted from a 1970's Morris Marina, whereas, at least the TVR's show that bit of design sophistication that indicates your in a 30k car from the inside, which is where you are going to spend most of your time.....!!
What i am really after is what sort of "true problems" to expect from TVR...??
Rubber bits falling off...??
Electrical Problems....??
Bits coming loose...??
Massive deprciation....??
High anual budgets to keep on the road...??
Are these all true or are most issues now "old wives tales" which has just stuck unfairly.....??
I'm spending 30k and for that i want something that looks 30k from every possible angle (under the skin, the interior to the exterior). And also to still be worth something in a few years.
It's the pedigree of a "Rotweiller" V's unpredictability of a "Bulldog".
But how costly and unpredicatable is the "Bulldog"
For £30k you will be looking at 2nd hand so depreciation should not be a big issue.
As for reliability, you may be the odd little niggles but on the whole they are very reliable. Don't believe the rumours, they are usually spread by people who have never owned and will never own a TVR.
Go for it. Much more fun than a porker, and quicker!
As for reliability, you may be the odd little niggles but on the whole they are very reliable. Don't believe the rumours, they are usually spread by people who have never owned and will never own a TVR.
Go for it. Much more fun than a porker, and quicker!
If you want flash, get a Tuscan - people will certainly stare, and it does have the most exotic interior, so youo'll be in no doubt about the "specialness" of what you're driving.
T350 will also turn heads, and has the nice understated interior of the Tamora, plus these two have the handling ability!
TVR has worked hard to make the cars reliable, and quality control is certainly improving, so the newer the car the better for reliability. A £30k Tuscan will not be as new as a £30k Tamora - you should get a facelift model from 2003 for that money - if it's a 2nd/3rd. car, then you need a rag top - so it has to be a Tamora!
T350 will also turn heads, and has the nice understated interior of the Tamora, plus these two have the handling ability!
TVR has worked hard to make the cars reliable, and quality control is certainly improving, so the newer the car the better for reliability. A £30k Tuscan will not be as new as a £30k Tamora - you should get a facelift model from 2003 for that money - if it's a 2nd/3rd. car, then you need a rag top - so it has to be a Tamora!
Muscles,
I've recently taken the TVR plunge with a similar budget for a 2nd car.
I choose a 2nd hand Tamora firstly as its a convertible (which I think is a must for a second car - sounds like Nubbin agree's) and secondly, I think its the best looking car of the current TVR crop
As well as all that, its performance and handling is incredible as I'm sure you've read in other posts.
My initial impressions on TVR ownership - always seem to be a few little niggles with the car but nothing that can't be lived with (or fixed under 2 year MBI - make sure you get it). Roof trim sometimes comes loose, stalls a bit when cold, fluctuating fuel gauge readings, broken heater etc., but all these give the car its character.....!
I plan to sell it in 2/3 years time and if I can pick up £20K+, then its the sort of depreciation (2/3K per year) I can cope with (ie. similar to a brand new Mondeo!)
Oh yeah, and everyone loves it. Thumbs up from people on streets, randoms asking you to start her up, people always trying to beat you off the lights (and failing).
Anyway, thats my vote for the Tamora!
I've recently taken the TVR plunge with a similar budget for a 2nd car.
I choose a 2nd hand Tamora firstly as its a convertible (which I think is a must for a second car - sounds like Nubbin agree's) and secondly, I think its the best looking car of the current TVR crop
As well as all that, its performance and handling is incredible as I'm sure you've read in other posts.
My initial impressions on TVR ownership - always seem to be a few little niggles with the car but nothing that can't be lived with (or fixed under 2 year MBI - make sure you get it). Roof trim sometimes comes loose, stalls a bit when cold, fluctuating fuel gauge readings, broken heater etc., but all these give the car its character.....!
I plan to sell it in 2/3 years time and if I can pick up £20K+, then its the sort of depreciation (2/3K per year) I can cope with (ie. similar to a brand new Mondeo!)
Oh yeah, and everyone loves it. Thumbs up from people on streets, randoms asking you to start her up, people always trying to beat you off the lights (and failing).
Anyway, thats my vote for the Tamora!
A few feedbacks so far all going with what my heart and gut is saying....... Tamora or T350C. I took the Tuscan out at the weekend and maybe it was a bad example but although the drive was as i expected there was parts of the interior shaking off going down the "B" roads...!! (The car was at Christopher Neil - Northwich and they have a good reputation so i am led to believe).
After this experience it is why my head is gunning for the build quality of the 993 (also i'm a fussy bugger and bits coming loose would tend to wind me up a little.....!!!).
A TVR is more my style, "in ya face butch with the grunt to go with it"...
Are these so called "niggles" just that in that you can still get in it and drive the thing......?? as it will be purely a weekend car.
After this experience it is why my head is gunning for the build quality of the 993 (also i'm a fussy bugger and bits coming loose would tend to wind me up a little.....!!!).
A TVR is more my style, "in ya face butch with the grunt to go with it"...
Are these so called "niggles" just that in that you can still get in it and drive the thing......?? as it will be purely a weekend car.
Muscles!
I had the same dilemma 1 year ago and plumped for a 2000 X tuscan (starmist blue and light grey interior) over a 1995 porker 993. Mainly because the tuscan's roof comes off, the inside and outside looks the dogs bollox, it sounds awesome (does have sports exhaust), had only done 9000 miles (whereas the porshe had done 60,000)and it was in abslotely mint condition. So far it has needed a new set of rear tyres (hahahha)and the heater has needing fixing (£200). As its my 2nd car, I can put up with the odd electrical gremlin. Go for it: do want something sensible or something that you really want??? Simon
I had the same dilemma 1 year ago and plumped for a 2000 X tuscan (starmist blue and light grey interior) over a 1995 porker 993. Mainly because the tuscan's roof comes off, the inside and outside looks the dogs bollox, it sounds awesome (does have sports exhaust), had only done 9000 miles (whereas the porshe had done 60,000)and it was in abslotely mint condition. So far it has needed a new set of rear tyres (hahahha)and the heater has needing fixing (£200). As its my 2nd car, I can put up with the odd electrical gremlin. Go for it: do want something sensible or something that you really want??? Simon
Muscles,
I am in a sort of similar position to you. I've owned a Boxster S for two years from new and it's coming up to time to change. I really wanted to like TVRs, I love the looks and power but I don't see why I should have to put up with the 'niggles' involved - it's only a 2nd car but even so I want it to work properly on the days I choose to use it. Like you I drove a Tuscan S the other day and it had the same wobbling dashboard - on a fifty thousand pound car?????? On the other hand the Porsches (Boxster or 993) are so solid and reliable (mine has had nothing go wrong in two years) I think it's going to have to be another Porsche!
I am in a sort of similar position to you. I've owned a Boxster S for two years from new and it's coming up to time to change. I really wanted to like TVRs, I love the looks and power but I don't see why I should have to put up with the 'niggles' involved - it's only a 2nd car but even so I want it to work properly on the days I choose to use it. Like you I drove a Tuscan S the other day and it had the same wobbling dashboard - on a fifty thousand pound car?????? On the other hand the Porsches (Boxster or 993) are so solid and reliable (mine has had nothing go wrong in two years) I think it's going to have to be another Porsche!
Yet another opportunity to say "They all do that, Sir!" Like you, I'm a bit of a fussy bloke but you really have to experience ownership of a TVR to appreciate that any niggles pale into insiginificance. They're over hyped in any case and to own a T350C is just bliss and the occasional problem does not (honestly) detract from the grin factor. Even if I wasn't restricted by budget I would not swap. Porsches are seen everywhere and are just too common. Go for the TVR you really won't regret it! Take a look at my profile and associated website and tell me you still want a Porsche!
Snakes said:
Like you, I'm a bit of a fussy bloke but you really have to experience ownership of a TVR to appreciate that any niggles pale into insiginificance. They're over hyped in any case and to own a T350C is just bliss and the occasional problem does not (honestly) detract from the grin factor. Even if I wasn't restricted by budget I would not swap. Porsches are seen everywhere and are just too common. Go for the TVR you really won't regret it! Take a look at my profile and associated website and tell me you still want a Porsche!
I agree except I have just bought a Tamora - awesome! Do you want to drive or do you want to be driven...? Former = TVR, Latter = Porsche. No competition! Go for it!!
I find that Porsches are fast becoming an all too common site. A Porsche rarely turns my head (I was offered a gt2 for a good price (less that my forthcoming Tamora) but the thing is a TVR always turns my head, hence why I await with glee the ups and downs of ownership.
If I look back at my cars in the last 8 years all of them have had major niggles in some shape of form, MG F VVC - leaked like crazy and broke down almost as frequently, BMW 328 Coupe recalled for engine replacement - manufacturing fault, BMW 328 convertible - recalled for engine replacement - manufacturing fault (and they say the speed 6 is bad!!!), Audi TT 225 Coupe - recalled suspension issues, stability issues and shipped back to Germany for 2 months.
If I look back at my cars in the last 8 years all of them have had major niggles in some shape of form, MG F VVC - leaked like crazy and broke down almost as frequently, BMW 328 Coupe recalled for engine replacement - manufacturing fault, BMW 328 convertible - recalled for engine replacement - manufacturing fault (and they say the speed 6 is bad!!!), Audi TT 225 Coupe - recalled suspension issues, stability issues and shipped back to Germany for 2 months.
Rotaree said:
Muscles,
I am in a sort of similar position to you. I've owned a Boxster S for two years from new and it's coming up to time to change. I really wanted to like TVRs, I love the looks and power but I don't see why I should have to put up with the 'niggles' involved - it's only a 2nd car but even so I want it to work properly on the days I choose to use it. Like you I drove a Tuscan S the other day and it had the same wobbling dashboard - on a fifty thousand pound car?????? On the other hand the Porsches (Boxster or 993) are so solid and reliable (mine has had nothing go wrong in two years) I think it's going to have to be another Porsche!
mmm bad example in your case me thinks....I have said fifty thousand pound car and no wobbles on mine
but then I do have a 2003 plate. Alan.
Thanks everyone for their honest input. From what i have seen in the show room the Tamora & T350 do seem to have a better build quality.
I guess i just need to keep one eye on any local dealers that have either model available for test drives.
I just want something that's rarish, reliable, will turn heads,will growel while going past the local "fast & the furious sticker boys" (who've invested more money in plastic bolt on bits for their 1.0 corsa it's now twice the original weight).
BUT most of all - "FUN".
Will keep you posted..!!(could be another TVR junkie in the making...!!).
I guess i just need to keep one eye on any local dealers that have either model available for test drives.
I just want something that's rarish, reliable, will turn heads,will growel while going past the local "fast & the furious sticker boys" (who've invested more money in plastic bolt on bits for their 1.0 corsa it's now twice the original weight).
BUT most of all - "FUN".
Will keep you posted..!!(could be another TVR junkie in the making...!!).
I think its also worth pointing out that its new cars that tend to have the bits fall off. I bought my Tamora from new 18 months ago or so and yes, for the first few weeks, bits fell off and it was back to the dealer to have them glued back on...
But come on, this is a handbuilt car - bits are going to fall off when new. Since my initial niggles were sorted out I have had no issues whatsoever, so with a second hander you're fine. And as someone mentioned above, actual relability in terms of getting from A to B is extremely good. Its almost always all cosmetics.
Get one now!
But come on, this is a handbuilt car - bits are going to fall off when new. Since my initial niggles were sorted out I have had no issues whatsoever, so with a second hander you're fine. And as someone mentioned above, actual relability in terms of getting from A to B is extremely good. Its almost always all cosmetics.
Get one now!
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