Advice / Opinion
Discussion
Hey guys
Simple one here
Low Mileage totally unmodified 4.0 late year or higher mileage s (both Mk1)
4.0 has better colour, cleaner interior.... The S is well..its an S
4.0 is obviously better looking.......S has more power (never drove either so i dont know how different they are)
both late cars so handling should be on a par
Will be a car to go touring and weekend drives...no track days
Simple one here
Low Mileage totally unmodified 4.0 late year or higher mileage s (both Mk1)
4.0 has better colour, cleaner interior.... The S is well..its an S
4.0 is obviously better looking.......S has more power (never drove either so i dont know how different they are)
both late cars so handling should be on a par
Will be a car to go touring and weekend drives...no track days
We'll, to me, the S adds absolutely nothing these days.
Bigger power? Majority of non-S cars will have been rebuilt and are now putting out a genuine strong figure, not far away from an S.
DAB radio? Most will have changed and upgraded headunits by now.
HID headlights? Just get a conversion kit for the projectors.
Better springs and dampers? Again most non-S cars will now be on Nitrons / Gaz or similar.
You do get a set of spoilers that look like an after thought, taking away from the original sculpture (subjective, I know).
You also loose the cool high-level LED indicators on the rear, and have additional lamps in what was originally a lovely smooth rear-end. Again to the point of taking away from the original design.
The only advantage I can see is the rarity. But that's not always a plus, as you have less choice in the market.
Just my opinion, sure I'm about to be shot down!
Bigger power? Majority of non-S cars will have been rebuilt and are now putting out a genuine strong figure, not far away from an S.
DAB radio? Most will have changed and upgraded headunits by now.
HID headlights? Just get a conversion kit for the projectors.
Better springs and dampers? Again most non-S cars will now be on Nitrons / Gaz or similar.
You do get a set of spoilers that look like an after thought, taking away from the original sculpture (subjective, I know).
You also loose the cool high-level LED indicators on the rear, and have additional lamps in what was originally a lovely smooth rear-end. Again to the point of taking away from the original design.
The only advantage I can see is the rarity. But that's not always a plus, as you have less choice in the market.
Just my opinion, sure I'm about to be shot down!
As above, performance wise there isn’t a gulf between 4.0 standard and an S. Looks wise it is subjective but I personally prefer the cleaner lines of the standard.
Bottom line though is get the best one you can afford in the colour and trim that you prefer. Do make sure though that it is thoroughly inspected before purchase especially the chassis. All these cars are getting on now. My 4.0 standard (now 4.3), is currently having a body off chassis refurb, the state of the chassis was quite shocking.
Bottom line though is get the best one you can afford in the colour and trim that you prefer. Do make sure though that it is thoroughly inspected before purchase especially the chassis. All these cars are getting on now. My 4.0 standard (now 4.3), is currently having a body off chassis refurb, the state of the chassis was quite shocking.
Im looking at 3,all full history cars
A 23k standard 4.0 but looks very clean, good colour, that is at a non TVR dealer (sell Lambos etc) but not had a rebuild
A 38k "S" same age as the car above i like the Colour but interior im not sure about, from a respected TVR dealer, no mention of rebuild
A 56k "S" two years older, more subtle colour inside and out, from respected TVR dealer, has had rebuild, and few mods
Which one guys? its so difficult.................
A 23k standard 4.0 but looks very clean, good colour, that is at a non TVR dealer (sell Lambos etc) but not had a rebuild
A 38k "S" same age as the car above i like the Colour but interior im not sure about, from a respected TVR dealer, no mention of rebuild
A 56k "S" two years older, more subtle colour inside and out, from respected TVR dealer, has had rebuild, and few mods
Which one guys? its so difficult.................
From the brief description of both I'd go for the non-S, based on condition. In addition to the points raised by others, I'd check the number of owners as, in my experience, a lower number of owners means a better car as people have stuck with them longer.
Also, get an independent opinion of the engine from one of the top experts, e.g. Hexham, Neil Garner, Bespoke, Str8six. Powers Performance. I was in a similar position to you a few years ago and bought an example without an engine rebuild which has proved to be absolutely fine. As I was advised at the time, they were not all bad and engines that have made it this far without a rebuild are normally pretty good!
Also, get an independent opinion of the engine from one of the top experts, e.g. Hexham, Neil Garner, Bespoke, Str8six. Powers Performance. I was in a similar position to you a few years ago and bought an example without an engine rebuild which has proved to be absolutely fine. As I was advised at the time, they were not all bad and engines that have made it this far without a rebuild are normally pretty good!
Englishman said:
From the brief description of both I'd go for the non-S, based on condition. In addition to the points raised by others, I'd check the number of owners as, in my experience, a lower number of owners means a better car as people have stuck with them longer.
Also, get an independent opinion of the engine from one of the top experts, e.g. Hexham, Neil Garner, Bespoke, Str8six. Powers Performance. I was in a similar position to you a few years ago and bought an example without an engine rebuild which has proved to be absolutely fine. As I was advised at the time, they were not all bad and engines that have made it this far without a rebuild are normally pretty good!
Ironically the 2 "s" models are from two of the dealers on your list..the non S is the one that is non TVR lolAlso, get an independent opinion of the engine from one of the top experts, e.g. Hexham, Neil Garner, Bespoke, Str8six. Powers Performance. I was in a similar position to you a few years ago and bought an example without an engine rebuild which has proved to be absolutely fine. As I was advised at the time, they were not all bad and engines that have made it this far without a rebuild are normally pretty good!
Hunter T said:
Its in classifieds on here
I can't see one fitting that description, only the two 2004 standard cars at Tony Gilbert (liking the price on those given I paid £18k for mine less than 4 years ago).My twopenneth:
Standard car all day long, the Mk1 S is ruined at the back for me. I have a 2004 standard car with Nitrons and its still on its original engine at 58k, puling like a train. I would still buy the same car again given a choice. Agree with all the posters above for the same reasons.
Edited by Speed 3 on Sunday 1st October 16:06
Hunter T said:
Would i miss the extra oomph? and the add ons? and if i did want extra go from a standard 4l is it easy to achieve and how expensive is it to get?
Why would you miss it if you never had it in the first place ? Drive both and make your mind up, we can’t do that for you.Upgrades on power are fairly limited unless you go for more displacement which is going to be a 5-figure sum at Powers or Str8Six.
Speed 3 said:
Why would you miss it if you never had it in the first place ? Drive both and make your mind up, we can’t do that for you.
Upgrades on power are fairly limited unless you go for more displacement which is going to be a 5-figure sum at Powers or Str8Six.
I might miss it because my 4.5 Cerb was quite quick, but i also found my Tamora quick and that was after coming out of a M3 and a 640bhp R33 GTR. Upgrades on power are fairly limited unless you go for more displacement which is going to be a 5-figure sum at Powers or Str8Six.
The reason i ask...i don't want to feel like i short changed myself further down the line....you know your sat at the lights loving your car and then you look over and you see the model one spec up from yours sat next to you. I totally prefer the ass end of the standard 4.0 but obviously like the thought of having extra power even though in real life il never use it.
Oh and I'm going to be buying on trust as I'm in the middle east working and won't have the opportunity to try before i buy. My time in the uk at the moment is limited to a few days at a time...thats why I'm relying on you guys to help me out...Thats one of the main reasons i want to buy from a company with a good rep within the TVR world.
Over 10k for extra power?
Edited by Hunter T on Sunday 1st October 16:44
Hunter T said:
Speed 3 said:
Why would you miss it if you never had it in the first place ? Drive both and make your mind up, we can’t do that for you.
Upgrades on power are fairly limited unless you go for more displacement which is going to be a 5-figure sum at Powers or Str8Six.
Over 10k for extra power?Upgrades on power are fairly limited unless you go for more displacement which is going to be a 5-figure sum at Powers or Str8Six.
Edited by Hunter T on Sunday 1st October 16:44
Last year when looking for a Tuscan I viewed many, drove 3 S' and a standard. I couldn't tell the difference in performance between the S' and standard 4.0.
I went for the best example and that was a standard 4.0. So go for the standard 4.0 and budget / save for a 4.3 or 4.5 rebuild when or if the time ever comes ;-)
I went for the best example and that was a standard 4.0. So go for the standard 4.0 and budget / save for a 4.3 or 4.5 rebuild when or if the time ever comes ;-)
Big GT said:
Last year when looking for a Tuscan I viewed many, drove 3 S' and a standard. I couldn't tell the difference in performance between the S' and standard 4.0.
I went for the best example and that was a standard 4.0. So go for the standard 4.0 and budget / save for a 4.3 or 4.5 rebuild when or if the time ever comes ;-)
There's so much variation between cars that you may find the standard car actually puts out more power than the S. I went for the best example and that was a standard 4.0. So go for the standard 4.0 and budget / save for a 4.3 or 4.5 rebuild when or if the time ever comes ;-)
OP I believe one of the S cars you are considering (2002 with 56 k miles in a subtle colour) used to be mine from 2009 to 2010. I sold it to my Dad who then owned it 2010 to 2016. I know the car very well and happy to answer any questions you may have about it.
It was a very well sorted car when it was traded in last year and I was the unfortunate chap who ended up forking out for the Powers' rebuild.
It was a very well sorted car when it was traded in last year and I was the unfortunate chap who ended up forking out for the Powers' rebuild.
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