Advice needed - do I take the plunge
Discussion
I need help....I have lusted after TVR's for years and I am now in a position where I can start to think about a Chimp (c.£14.5k) - am I going to have my wallet drained regularly? or are the rewards going to outweigh this (I think I know the answer...!)
Is the servicing extortion? Who's good? HELP PLEASE!
For the record I am in Suffolk (Woodbridge) and is there anyone local I can use for advice etc.
All help gratefully rec'd!
Is the servicing extortion? Who's good? HELP PLEASE!
For the record I am in Suffolk (Woodbridge) and is there anyone local I can use for advice etc.
All help gratefully rec'd!
Chris, Just go for it I have a 98R and have not had my wallet emptyed, just have a good look around and work out what you really want i.e.4.0/4.3/4.5/5.0 non power/power what ever suits you !!! and go for it don't listen to te TVR boars just do it !!! If you are in any doubt come down to Surrey and I will take you out in a 4.0L chim (full sports exhaust) and I am sure that will make up your mind.
Lets put it this way you only come this way once and it might as well be in a Tvr !!!!
Edited by jna on Wednesday 23 January 23:00
Edited by jna on Wednesday 23 January 23:00
Lets put it this way you only come this way once and it might as well be in a Tvr !!!!
Edited by jna on Wednesday 23 January 23:00
Edited by jna on Wednesday 23 January 23:00
quote:
Lets put it this way you only come this way once and it might as well be in a Tvr !!!!
spot on jna. My sentiments exactly. Chris, just work your way through this TVR gassing section for an hour or two and you'll learn more from here than from anywhere else. All your queries and doubts are fullt answered in the threads on here. This is the best free source of TVR advice that I am aware of on the net. (Ted's trainee ad salesman).
Good luck in your search.
Chris it is people like jna that make owning a TVR something special, no matter what model old or new you tend to get an acknowledgement as you pass each other or meet in the car park. As for your question my second TVR was a 4.3 Griffith main dealer servicing no more expensive than most modern larger tin boxes, lots of specialist about to cater for bits/pieces, saved pounds by shopping around for tyres etc. The Grif only let me down once, a 5 quid piece and I was away again, as for help if you can take up jna's offer it is the way to go but if distance is an issue suggest you visit the TVRCC website and investigate contacting a local member. This is a good time of year to purchase a TVR, buyers market at this time of year and for the money you are talking about you will be able to purchase a fairly new model. Let us know how you get on through these pages.
Good hunting !
Good hunting !
Go for it! Many people on this forum have had several TVRs in succession, I know a (rich) guy who currently owns a Chim, AND a Griff and AND a Cerbera (and I hate him!). 
They are addictive and you won't regret taking the plunge.
I have had my car since 1998 and I love it. It has not been a frightening/costly experience. Yes, they need servicing, yes they need tyres - but careful ownership can give you good value for money, and nothing else on the market can match the thrill/performance for the money. As for reliability, I have had to fit a new battery (£65 from TVR dealer), and a new clutch master cylinder (£43 from TVR, fitted during a service there). So just over £100 spent on non-service items in 3 years - I cannot complain. I got my tyres, a complete set of the correct Bridgestone SO2s for £450 - from Halfords! (About £680 quoted by a TVR dealer for the same thing!!!).
This will sound corny, but the TVR is a member of our family. We have taken it all over the country and into France on holidays. When I am a 80 years old, I will look forward to showing my photos to my grandchildren / greatchildren and be pleased that I had a TVR. No regrets............
They are addictive and you won't regret taking the plunge. I have had my car since 1998 and I love it. It has not been a frightening/costly experience. Yes, they need servicing, yes they need tyres - but careful ownership can give you good value for money, and nothing else on the market can match the thrill/performance for the money. As for reliability, I have had to fit a new battery (£65 from TVR dealer), and a new clutch master cylinder (£43 from TVR, fitted during a service there). So just over £100 spent on non-service items in 3 years - I cannot complain. I got my tyres, a complete set of the correct Bridgestone SO2s for £450 - from Halfords! (About £680 quoted by a TVR dealer for the same thing!!!).
This will sound corny, but the TVR is a member of our family. We have taken it all over the country and into France on holidays. When I am a 80 years old, I will look forward to showing my photos to my grandchildren / greatchildren and be pleased that I had a TVR. No regrets............
quote:
Go for it! Many people on this forum have had several TVRs in succession, I know a (rich) guy who currently owns a Chim, AND a Griff and AND a Cerbera (and I hate him!).
I have had my car since 1998 and I love it. It has not been a frightening/costly experience. Yes, they need servicing, yes they need tyres - but careful ownership can give you good value for money, and nothing else on the market can match the thrill/performance for the money. As for reliability, I have had to fit a new battery (£65 from TVR dealer), and a new clutch master cylinder (£43 from TVR, fitted during a service there). So just over £100 spent on non-service items in 3 years - I cannot complain. I got my tyres, a complete set of the correct Bridgestone SO2s for £450 - from Halfords! (About £680 quoted by a TVR dealer for the same thing!!!).
This will sound corny, but the TVR is a member of our family. We have taken it all over the country and into France on holidays. When I am a 80 years old, I will look forward to showing my photos to my grandchildren / greatchildren and be pleased that I had a TVR. No regrets............
Don't sit on the fence bryan, tell him if you like it ...
Edited by MikeyT on Thursday 24th January 09:22
I uhhmmed and ahhhhhhed for a LONG time.
Took the plunge 3 months ago and I dont imagine that I will ever drive any model from any other manufacturer EVER again.
Do it, you wont regret it, they are marvellous and everything else now by comparision just sounds anaemic and computerised.
Matt.
Took the plunge 3 months ago and I dont imagine that I will ever drive any model from any other manufacturer EVER again.
Do it, you wont regret it, they are marvellous and everything else now by comparision just sounds anaemic and computerised.
Matt.
Go for it - I took the plunge on Tuesday and my face is still aching from grinning so much!!
Find a good independent specialist in your area, get the car inspected before hand so you'll know what to budget for, and just service it regularly.....
Mine has some rather terrifying recepits from Mole Valley (main dealer) but the work done could have been done at well under half the price if he'd used somewhere like Dave Batty....
I too have always wanted one, and despite the fuel gauage moving rather too quickly fo rmy liking, I just love it!!!
Find a good independent specialist in your area, get the car inspected before hand so you'll know what to budget for, and just service it regularly.....
Mine has some rather terrifying recepits from Mole Valley (main dealer) but the work done could have been done at well under half the price if he'd used somewhere like Dave Batty....
I too have always wanted one, and despite the fuel gauage moving rather too quickly fo rmy liking, I just love it!!!
Perhaps I should add to my previous pro-TVR posting, that having the car has brought me and my girlfriend a whole 'family' of TVR enthusiast friends through the TVRCC. Track days, Back Home, treasure hunt, Mania, various car shows, TVR picnics etc. Next month a group of us are going to a TVRCC member's wedding in Poland. When we plan our wedding, I want a long line of TVRs outside that church!! Not sure you can have as much fun with anyother marque? I think Jeremy Clarkson said "TVR don't sell cars to customers, they are bought by fans."
I hope that you didn't expect any answers on a TVR entusiast website that were balanced!
I took the view that in 20 years or so cars like TVRs will probably be banned for all sorts of well-intentioned reasons, but at least at that point you will be able to look back and say that you had one of the most outrageous production cars, in terms of looks and power. with respect to the euroboxes, you won't remember them in 20 years.
Do it. Yes, it may empty your wallet, but at least put a smile on your face.
R
Edited by yum on Thursday 24th January 18:17
I took the view that in 20 years or so cars like TVRs will probably be banned for all sorts of well-intentioned reasons, but at least at that point you will be able to look back and say that you had one of the most outrageous production cars, in terms of looks and power. with respect to the euroboxes, you won't remember them in 20 years.
Do it. Yes, it may empty your wallet, but at least put a smile on your face.
R
Edited by yum on Thursday 24th January 18:17
In the 4 months, 4,400 miles of ownership I have occasionally suffered from insomnia brought about by worrying about what the next service might cost me, or what serious problems might be found, especially as I'm using my 1993L Chim as my everyday (only) car.
Am I the only one?
But I also worry that I should have bought a 5L instead of a 4.0, but that is a different story, and probably one to be addressed very soon! After all, it's only money. And money well spent at that!
Am I the only one?
But I also worry that I should have bought a 5L instead of a 4.0, but that is a different story, and probably one to be addressed very soon! After all, it's only money. And money well spent at that!
:idea Thanks all..You have just reafimirmed my fears (well, not mine but my bank manager / girlfriend / neighbours / etc :argue) the search is on...WANTED 4.0 Chimp, must be M reg, ideally BRG with tan (cue the collective sighs for lack of originality!!!). Can anyone point me in the direction of such a beast bearing in mind my budget is biased more towards beer than champagne! Also how do these cars drive with/without PAS. All comments rec'd gratefully. Chris.
hi chris
i bought a '93 L reg chimp recently for around 11.5k, 64k miles on the clock. i am just getting the 12,000 mile service done even tho' it was serviced by a non tvr place 85 miles ago (i didnt trust 'em and i want a full compliment of stamps in my book!)and am possibly going to pay for them to do EVERY other adjustment and refinement that the beast needs to be as completely pristine as the bodywork and interior already are. this could take the expenditure up to £13.5k ..... u know what.....sometimes i wish i had just bought it form a sodding tvr garage where these bits would have been done b4 i got the car...
bear this in mind (oh and make me an offer hahahaha
)
i bought a '93 L reg chimp recently for around 11.5k, 64k miles on the clock. i am just getting the 12,000 mile service done even tho' it was serviced by a non tvr place 85 miles ago (i didnt trust 'em and i want a full compliment of stamps in my book!)and am possibly going to pay for them to do EVERY other adjustment and refinement that the beast needs to be as completely pristine as the bodywork and interior already are. this could take the expenditure up to £13.5k ..... u know what.....sometimes i wish i had just bought it form a sodding tvr garage where these bits would have been done b4 i got the car...
bear this in mind (oh and make me an offer hahahaha
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