[JonRB]

Hi Dave The only comment I'd make is that after only 4k miles, the car won't have had all its teething problems sorted out yet. Far better to buy a car with a higher mileage as then most of the things that will go wrong will have gone wrong & been fixed. A great many TVRs need some fettling during the first 10k or so of ownership before they are completely sorted, which is why some people shy away from low mileage cars. I'd also add that a car that has only done 4k miles in 18 months is either a weekend special or has broken down a lot! Hope that helps Jon Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 25th September 11:36

[manek]

The reason why the press isn't full of this stuff is the same one that any consumer press isn't full user problems. Unless they are endemic, admitted by the manufacturer and affect a lot of readers, there's little compunction to say anything. TVR owners constitute a tiny handful of motorists though I suspect a slightly larger proprotion of motoring press readers. All the same, there aren't many of us (which is part of the appeal, n'est-ce pas?), and there isn't a 'look, part B on every new TVR needs replacing' type of story. Even if there were, who would care apart from TVR owners? People buy them anyway because the bang per buck ratio is fabulous and put up with the aggravation. The alternative is to buy a Porsche et al for two to three times as much.... -Manek-

[Bob C]

Dave, I'm in the same age bracket as you and bought a two and a half year old 450 back in April, which I'm well pleased with. I did a lot of research beforehand then took a chance and bought privately for a very keen price which touch wood has worked out OK as I've had next to no problems. That said a TVR need a bit more TLC than a GTi which is not a problem for most people because you get so much more connected with them. General concensus is that one with a few miles on the clock is likely to be more reliable than a once a month toy but it's not automatic that a low miler will be unreliable. From what I've observed there seem to be good cars and bad cars, the trick being to pick a good one. A FTVRSH is important but a look at the bills for servicing can be revealing. I agree with you that the Tuscan is OTT and the move upmarket my lose more buyers than it attracts, particularly if reliability doesn't improve soon.

[Docol]

Thanks for the replies so far fellahs. The point about higher mileage cars being more sorted is a good one. I bought from a dealer because of the warranty / come back (2 years TVR approved warranty with car). I wanted a low mileage car because it will still have a lowish mileage when I come to sell. I anticipate 10-15k miles annually. I agree the proportion of TVR owners reading the motoring press will be small, but TVR get big coverage and this implies a lot of interest in the cars from non-owners. I am sure they would be interested to read of owners' experiences, good and bad. The magazines can't fear loss of income from a bad TVR press since I've never seen a TVR advertisement. Two more questions - do I need to use super/premium unleaded, whatever it's called? And do TVR owners flash each other - in the nicest possible way?!

[JonRB]

My Chimaera 500 will run on either, but feels noticably less "lumpy" on super unleaded, so I generally give it this unless I'm about to run out of fuel and the filling station I dive into doesn't do super, in which case it gets a tankful of 95RON premium (ie. ordinary unleaded).

[trefor]

TVR owners always flash each other if they see each other in time. Gets weird when you're in your other car and you wave/flash at a TVR though. I try to stick to waves as it doesn't lead to misinterpretation (big word of the day). Trefor/.

[manek]

You're right -- TVR doesn't advertise, but its dealers do. However, having run a big consumer magazine, can I take a moment to correct the misconception that journalists don't or can't criticise advertisers? In my experience, it's a matter of pride for a journalist to say what he/she thinks and believes to be true. Small magazines from tiny publishing houses are probably less fastidious but this isn't the case for most motoring mags. -Manek- Edited by manek on Tuesday 25th September 20:38

[ATG]

Hi docol ... my geography is suspect, but midway btwn Warwick and Cwmbran ... does that put you anywhere near Worcs? There's an independent (I think) dealership/repair shop that specialises in older TVRs somewhere near Evesham. I'll look up their name if it's useful to you. I tested a TVR S2 there a few years back, and they came across as an honest and enthusiastic bunch.

[Docol]

MANEK - Absolutely, my point exactly. So if TVR are considered arrogant and uncaring by a significant proportion of their customers, why isn't this view reflected in the numerous magazine articles on the cars and the company? Motoring journalists presumably have their fingers on the pulse?

[manek]

Docol Speculating from what I know of consumer journalism the explanation of why TVR doesn't get what we might think of as truthful coverage of TVR's misdemeanours is a) because it's of interest to a very small proportion of readers and b) because it's a hell of a lot of work to substantiate such a disparate set of events -- ie each with a different problem. If they all had eg the same brake problem, that would make news. -Manek-

[RichB]

quote:So if TVR are considered arrogant and uncaring by a significant proportion of their customers

I suggest it's only a very small proportion of owners who have problems but because they have an issue they air it constantly The significant number of owners are most likely delighted with their TVRs. However - people don't tend to post a thread along the lines of "had a great drive today and nothing went wrong" I bet it's true though Why would the TVRCC be popular, this site frequented so much, drivers wave to each other etc. etc. if they were all p!55ed off? Think about it...

[Docol]

RichB - Hope you're right about the silent majority. Hopefully I'll become one of them! Is the TVRCC worth joining? ATG - Thanks for the info. I'm situated near the Herefordshire / Gloucestershire border. I've vaguely heard of the outfit you mention, although I was going to use franchised dealers - "full TVRSH" and all that.

[trefor]

"However - people don't tend to post a thread along the lines of "had a great drive today and nothing went wrong" I bet it's true though" Well I had a brilliant drive yesterday up to Oxfordshire ... found a nice new (to me) fast road towards Banbury, the A4100. Even managed to buzz a police cruiser passing him at seriously naughty speeds going the opposite direction :-) Nothing went wrong and I didnt expect it to. The grin factor still hasn't worn off 3.5 years since buying the car! BTW - An independent TVR specialist is as good as and often better than a main dealer at servicing and spotting worn parts/fixing things. I use independents all the time now, cheaper and more friendly. Trefor/.

[manek]

I 'discovered' the A4100 recently too -- after Ted posted it as a good driving road on this very site -- and it is a splendid piece of tarmac, spoiled only by signs warning of mobile cameras.... -Manek-

[Docol]

Trefor - I'm sure you're right about independents doing as good as or better service work than dealers for less money. Unfortunately I suspect a non-TVR service history won't impress first-time buyers into the marque as much as a "FTVRSH" would. It might(?) knock trade-in value with a dealer as well. Mind you, once a car reaches a critical age this probably doesn't apply, so if you plan to keep the car a long time then an "independent" service history should hopefully be OK. Bob C - Thanks for the reply, it's nice to know there's at least one other TVR driver out there who remembers the Beatles! Just out of interest, who do you insure with? My best quote by far is from Norwich Union direct - over £200 cheaper than the brokers I've tried.

[HARFIEST]

Dave - Interesting to read your post as I also bought a Lotus in 1975. It was a 73 Elan plus 2 S130/5 which I kept for 11 years, mainly because they stopped making them at about that time and I couldn't afford a Ferrari Dino. For one reason or another, I then went on to owning several saloon cars, until last November, at the age of 52, I purchased a 93 4.3 Chimaera. It came with FTVR service history and had 42.5k on the clock. It has now done 47k and has been perfectly reliable. I have had it serviced by Noel Flannery, who used to work for Brandon Motors in Edinburgh. He knows the cars inside out plus I get the advantage of getting the service record book stamped by a TVR specialist. It is really the best car I have ever driven and have no regrets at all. I will probably keep it for a couple more years and then go for a Tuscan or more likely a newer 5ltr Chim. As for insurance the best quote I had was with Privilege (Tel. [phone]) and I paid £378.00 - living in the Scottish Highlands does help keep the price down. I am, a member of the TVRCC . There is a meeting once a month and I find it interesting to meet with other owners. They also arrange various outings, ie track days, indoor and outdoor karting, a ‘Back Home’ trip to the factory in Blackpool, and other events. I am sure you will not regret your purchase and will have lots of fun. Steve Edited by HARFIEST on Friday 28th September 21:37

[Docol]

Steve - thanks for your comments, I'm beginning to feel reassured! I'll give Privilege a call re: insurance. Interesting to hear about your Lotus, I had a mate with an Elan plus 2, great car. I also kept the Lotus a long time, approx. 15 years and sold it for more than I paid. That's inflation for you! I too lusted after the Dino, and also the Lambo Miura, a great looking car for its (or any) time.

[Bob C]

Doc - I'm insured with Royal & Sun Alliance through Sunninghill 01276 474844, they were the cheapest for me. £530, proected NCD, green card, track day cover,RAC membership, legal protection. I have a clean licence, full NCD and live in the NW.