It'll be my first - which TVR should I buy???
Discussion
Hi,
After years of drooling and opening the window everytime a TVR overtakes me and enjoying the odd drive of my brothers Chim 450, I think I have just about saved enough to buy and run one as a second car.
I have a purchase budget of about £20-£22k and am interested in the Tamora. Is there anything specific I should be looking for (or to avoid!!) - I have been told that pre 54 plate Speed 6's can be a problematic - but my budget won't stretch to by one that recent??!
Any advice about Tamora would be appreciated or about suitable alternatives that would fit my budget.
Thx
After years of drooling and opening the window everytime a TVR overtakes me and enjoying the odd drive of my brothers Chim 450, I think I have just about saved enough to buy and run one as a second car.
I have a purchase budget of about £20-£22k and am interested in the Tamora. Is there anything specific I should be looking for (or to avoid!!) - I have been told that pre 54 plate Speed 6's can be a problematic - but my budget won't stretch to by one that recent??!
Any advice about Tamora would be appreciated or about suitable alternatives that would fit my budget.
Thx
Tuscan: faster and more practical (much more luggage space).
And a particularly good time to buy after this:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.
And a particularly good time to buy after this:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.
But Tamora reportedly a far nicer, more 'sorted' and balanced, less intimidating handler than Mk1 Tuscans...
If you like the shape enough to live with one, I reckon the Tamora is the pick of the pre-Smolenski era TVRs - particularly as asn entry into the TVR world. Bargain, too.
just for balance
If you like the shape enough to live with one, I reckon the Tamora is the pick of the pre-Smolenski era TVRs - particularly as asn entry into the TVR world. Bargain, too.
just for balance
Peakie1 said:
I have been told that pre 54 plate Speed 6's can be a problematic
I thought 2003 onwards (when the front fogs went in - better look IMHO) was OK re Sp6 issues - gives more scope for your budget. T350 same car but coupe - great for looks but useless if you're tall - I can sit in a Tam comfy as you like, but T350/Sag hit my head getting in/out of car - feels like climbing out of an Elise (almost).
V8 Kieran said:
Peakie1 said:
I have been told that pre 54 plate Speed 6's can be a problematic
I thought 2003 onwards (when the front fogs went in - better look IMHO) was OK re Sp6 issues - gives more scope for your budget. T350 same car but coupe - great for looks but useless if you're tall - I can sit in a Tam comfy as you like, but T350/Sag hit my head getting in/out of car - feels like climbing out of an Elise (almost).
Yep, but if you're a shorty like me (just shy of 6 foot 6) there's still plenty of room in a t350c.
Elises - can't get into one, never mind out again! I did manage it once, though there was no chance I'd ever be able to turn the steering wheel.
D
DJC said:
With that money it would go straight on a certain 4.3BV that has just come up for sale.
I couldn't work out if that was really expensive or really cheap.
At the end of the day, it's a 14yr old car and a 5 year old Griff with better interior, lights etc would be cheaper.
However, it almost sounds like a new car (with a good history, if you value that kind of thing).
D
A TVR is a pretty personal thing so if it were me i would look at a couple of Tamoras and Tuscans and try and get a test drive of each.
I have heard from a few people that the Tamora is the most balanced TVR and i'm rather keen on them. (Austec's one looks the Biz)
You've driven a 450 Chim (like what i've got) so the driving experience of a Griff won't be much different so you know what they are like already.
If you like the Tamora or Tuscan i would shop around for a nice one and to be on the safe side keep a few quid in the bank just in case.. (Having the money there in reserve and never spending it always makes the driving experience less stressfull in my eyes!)
(I like the T350 but i'm in convertible mode at the mo..)
cheers,
Nick
I have heard from a few people that the Tamora is the most balanced TVR and i'm rather keen on them. (Austec's one looks the Biz)
You've driven a 450 Chim (like what i've got) so the driving experience of a Griff won't be much different so you know what they are like already.
If you like the Tamora or Tuscan i would shop around for a nice one and to be on the safe side keep a few quid in the bank just in case.. (Having the money there in reserve and never spending it always makes the driving experience less stressfull in my eyes!)
(I like the T350 but i'm in convertible mode at the mo..)
cheers,
Nick
With 20 - 22k you could get yourself a cracking Tam, I almost purchased one but ended up going for a Tuscan, Tams do seem to sit on the road a little better. But with hindsight, and no doubt about it I would purchase a Cerb, this sounds a little tame but two seats is very restricting for me personally. I would like to use the car more at the weekend but I cant take the misses and my child out - if you have any kids go for the Cerb, then you can all enjoy the car.
900T-R said:
But Tamora reportedly a far nicer, more 'sorted' and balanced, less intimidating handler than Mk1 Tuscans...
I've never found the Tusc to be an intimidating handler; then again, how you have it set up can make a VERY big difference.
You could get a well sorted Tuscan with an '03 rebuild that has had a lot of funds spent recently on the important bits like clutch, brakes, tyres, Nitrons etc. for £18k, and keep the spare £2k-£4k as "just in case" peace of mind money.
Yes I should (sorry!) declare a vested interest: www.pistonheads.com/sales/71221.htm. But you'd be very welcome to come and see it and at the very least you would gain more knowledge about the Tuscan and how it should be looked after. I love talking about it!
cheeky said:
Tuscan: faster
I don't think that is true unless it's a Tuscan S - the regular Mk 1 Tuscan is quoted as having about 10 bhp more while the Tamora is slightly lighter. At the end of the day they're both v fast, while the Tam is supposed to be better handling than the Mk1 Tusc, so in the real world if anything you'll be able to exploit more of the Tamora performance.
cheeky said:
and more practical (much more luggage space).
true, but Tam still has a good size boot, and v useful space behind the seats.
Your budget should buy you a very good Tam, go for the most recent one you can get.
Mine is an '02, and has generally been good, but the engine did need a rebuild, thankfully while still under warranty, so if buying privately make sure you get yourself a decent warranty. This applies equally to Tuscan as same engine.
You should try to come along to Supercar Sunday this week - probably the largest ever gathering of Tams going to be there:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=243185&f=7&h=0&p=7
AlexRWD said:
cheeky said:
Tuscan: faster
I don't think that is true unless it's a Tuscan S - the regular Mk 1 Tuscan is quoted as having about 10 bhp more while the Tamora is slightly lighter. At the end of the day they're both v fast, while the Tam is supposed to be better handling than the Mk1 Tusc, so in the real world if anything you'll be able to exploit more of the Tamora performance.
cheeky said:
and more practical (much more luggage space).
true, but Tam still has a good size boot, and v useful space behind the seats.
Your budget should buy you a very good Tam, go for the most recent one you can get.
Mine is an '02, and has generally been good, but the engine did need a rebuild, thankfully while still under warranty, so if buying privately make sure you get yourself a decent warranty. This applies equally to Tuscan as same engine.
You should try to come along to Supercar Sunday this week - probably the largest ever gathering of Tams going to be there:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=243185&f=7&h=0&p=7
I still belive the Tamora is the best out of the box car TVR have ever built. Its wonderful if you can live with the styling.
cheeky said:
900T-R said:
But Tamora reportedly a far nicer, more 'sorted' and balanced, less intimidating handler than Mk1 Tuscans...
I've never found the Tusc to be an intimidating handler; then again, how you have it set up can make a VERY big difference.
Well yes, if you include aftermarket mods into the picture, said picture of course changes.
But the box-stock '03 Tuscan I drove, while one of the most awesome automtive experiences bar none for me (which in my case does count for something) did feel a bit on the nervous side and not really 'planted' at somewhat higher speeds - it was very sensitive to surface irregularities and camber changes for starters. It's a cumulative effect of ultra-quick steering, wide, ultra low-profile tyres, and less than optimal suspension control. I would guess that a better suspension set up with a properly adjusted alignment would make all the difference. dinkel said:
I guess if you want to feel 'secure' you don't want to drive a TVR . . . If you are sure about your driving skills then you should . . . but then, never drove one 
Not entirely true Dinkel - I felt I could drive the pants off Matt Faulks' modified Chimaera (not that I did - but I could...
) even when it was on relatively lowly tyres (Kumho's on the rear, Marshalls(?) at the front) - as stated before, it's mostly if not all in the suspension set up. From the sounds of it, the Sagaris is a major step forward in this regard, but before that I'd reckon the Tamora would take it. Edited by 900T-R on Thursday 15th June 15:38
900T-R said:
dinkel said:
I guess if you want to feel 'secure' you don't want to drive a TVR . . . If you are sure about your driving skills then you should . . . but then, never drove one
Not entirely true Dinkel - I felt I could drive the pants off Matt Faulks' modified Chimaera (not that I did - but I could...
) even when it was on relatively lowly tyres (Kumho's on the rear, Marshalls(?) at the front) - as stated before, it's mostly if not all in the suspension set up. From the sounds of it, the Sagaris is a major step forward in this regard, but before that I'd reckon the Tamora would take it. Edited by 900T-R on Thursday 15th June 15:38
I'm with dinkel - if you don't fell like you are going to die at every corner you are not driving it properly.
LTD EDition Griff 500 is the TVR to go for without doubt. Not sure you could get one for £22000, But you could get a top standard one for that and it has that great TVR/RV V8 and is still the best looking/Sounding TVR of all time. Hold money better than other TVRs as well. If you can afford it a Sag looks a good buy now, you can get one now for about £38000 if you have the cash with all the toys with 2 years warranty still remaining.
Edited by Uncle Bulgaria on Thursday 15th June 19:26
900T-R said:
cheeky said:
900T-R said:
But Tamora reportedly a far nicer, more 'sorted' and balanced, less intimidating handler than Mk1 Tuscans...
I've never found the Tusc to be an intimidating handler; then again, how you have it set up can make a VERY big difference.
Well yes, if you include aftermarket mods into the picture, said picture of course changes.
But the box-stock '03 Tuscan I drove, while one of the most awesome automtive experiences bar none for me (which in my case does count for something) did feel a bit on the nervous side and not really 'planted' at somewhat higher speeds - it was very sensitive to surface irregularities and camber changes for starters. It's a cumulative effect of ultra-quick steering, wide, ultra low-profile tyres, and less than optimal suspension control. I would guess that a better suspension set up with a properly adjusted alignment would make all the difference.You are quite right.I loved my mark 1 Tuscan S but the T350 handles far better and is rock solid at 14 units and higher.
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