£25k to spend - what to buy ?!!

[jonolondon]

Hi everyone - apologies in advance for 'spam' but I could appreciate some advice and trawling through this forum, as you seem like a knowledgable and enthusiastic lot !.

So, I've got some cash coming this month and I was busy trawling through autotrader online when I realised what incredible bargains TVRs now appear to be... I'm looking to spend £20-£30k on a 'fun' car and started out looking for a used 911 but prices for decent ones still look awfully strong. Looking at the classifieds, you can buy an awful lot of TVR for the same money !.

I live in London and will probably struggle to put on 5-8k miles a year and I really fancy something that will be fun/an event to drive. In the past I've owned an Integrale, 200sx, 968, 993 C4, etc and now have an X5 for the wife and kiddies but have not had a decent fast car for years.

So, what does everyone recommend ? I'm looking for something fast, fun but that wont kill me on a wet roundabout ! Also something that can make it to the South of France and back without breaking down ! A Tuscan ? Is there a big difference between S1 and S2 versions ? Is a T350 a better bet ?. I haven't driven a TVR for 15 years so could use some guidance !

Many thanks for your replies and sorry if this 'spams' the forum in any way.

Jonathan..

Edited by jonolondon on Sunday 6th January 03:31

[bobd]

Anything manufactured in the year 2005 as build quality was substantially better. Sag will give you grief on speed bumps in London. I would recommend a Tuscan 2 Convertible or a T350 or a Tamora all in your price band for an 05 but the Tuscan will need a wee stretch further! Good Luck

[Bomber Denton]

4.5 Lightweight Cerbera.

[Dave 500]

Bomber Denton said:

4.5 Lightweight Cerbera.

2nd

[tbdgriff500]

bobd said
Anything manufactured in the year 2005 as build quality was substantially better. Sag will give you grief on speed bumps in London. I would recommend a Tuscan 2 Convertible or a T350 or a Tamora all in your price band for an 05 but the Tuscan will need a wee stretch further! Good Luck[ /quote] any of the above, get yourself down to your local dealer who has one of each and go testing to see which one grabs you!! that is the only way to buy a toy!! you will instantly know which one when you get out in them. but dont rule out any of the early v8 cars for pure driving experience,if you want the wow factor everytime you turn the key,its hard to beat a griff or v8 cerb
(decatted of course)
enjoy the search!

Edited by tbdgriff500 on Sunday 6th January 10:20

[so called]

I would start by making a split between convertables and semi convertables against fixed heads.
That gives you a clear seperation between Tuscan 1 & 2 and Tamoras etc against Cerbera's, Sag's and T350's

Personally I love the fact that I can stick the lid in the boot, gives a completely different dimension.
I love my Tuscan 1 because I can take the rear screen out but leave the roof on. Again a totally different driving experience.

What ever you get, check out as many different models as you can so that you can understand the differences.

As far as long trips, plenty of people on here head for France Switzerland, Italy etc. I'm of to Germany today for the 4th time in the last 12 months and not including touring northern France and Belgium last summer.

Good luck.
T

[V8 GRF]

You could also get a very good, late plate Griffith for that money as well.

[jeffsy]

V8 GRF said:

You could also get a very good, late plate Griffith for that money as well.

...or even a very,very tricked up R Reg one

[The AJP Griff]

V8 GRF said:

You could also get a very good, late plate Griffith for that money as well.

.
To be fair to the OP though,i reckon a Tuscan is his best bet.I'm not too sure he should be looking at TVR's at all if he's worried about the 'wet roundabout experience' though!

[Uncle Fester]

The AJP Griff said:

V8 GRF said:

You could also get a very good, late plate Griffith for that money as well.

.
To be fair to the OP though,i reckon a Tuscan is his best bet.I'm not too sure he should be looking at TVR's at all if he's worried about the 'wet roundabout experience' though!

Is “wet roundabout experience” some sort of euphemism for soiled underwear moment?

[The AJP Griff]

Uncle Fester said:

The AJP Griff said:

V8 GRF said:

You could also get a very good, late plate Griffith for that money as well.

.
To be fair to the OP though,i reckon a Tuscan is his best bet.I'm not too sure he should be looking at TVR's at all if he's worried about the 'wet roundabout experience' though!

Is “wet roundabout experience” some sort of euphemism for soiled underwear moment?

.Hows yours running Fester?

[V8 GRF]

jeffsy said:

V8 GRF said:

You could also get a very good, late plate Griffith for that money as well.

...or even a very,very tricked up R Reg one

...is that code for mine's for sale?

PS Have you had time to put pen to paper for me yet?

[jonolondon]

Many thanks guys for all the speedy and informative replies I'll get myself along to a dealer next weekend for a spin - Henley seem to have a few used Tuscan 2s in stock. Is the instrument cluster in the Mk1 vs Mk2 any better or worse ?

- Is London TVR in business does anyone know ? Web site is up, but no cars in stock as far as I can tell.... Also, are there any engines to stay away from - Looks like certain speed 6 engines needed £7k rebuilds ?!
Cheers - thanks everyone again for all your responses on a Sunday !
Jonathan.

[caduceus]

jonolondon said:

I'm looking for something fun but that wont kill me on a wet roundabout !

An MX5

[ncs]

Im not sure where in London you are, but if you fancy joining us south of the water sometime feel free to come along & have a chat with some local owners, they will be more than happy to share their experiences & even take you for a spin.

All the best

Nick
SE London & NW Kent TVRCC

[cloggy]

jonolondon said:

but that wont kill me on a wet roundabout

Go for a girly Porsche.

[b2tus]

Got to be a Tuscan, particularly if you are doing long runs in France with a bit of luggage. Huge boot and loadsa room for wine on the way back.
Mine has been to mid/south of France twice and will be heading that way again in July after Classic Le Mans.

[jonolondon]

Tuscan sounds good - looks like Mk2s are for sale from £25-£30k... I'll see if I can bag a drive this weekend from the TVR centre, etc... Thanks again for the advice

- Nick, I may take you up on the invite to the TVR club...
Cheers,
Jonathan.

[SEN 18]

jonolondon said:

Tuscan sounds good - looks like Mk2s are for sale from £25-£30k... I'll see if I can bag a drive this weekend from the TVR centre, etc... Thanks again for the advice

- Nick, I may take you up on the invite to the TVR club...
Cheers,
Jonathan.

Could not help myself put your 25K into bricks and morter at least you'll make money on your investment when you sell.

Edited by SEN 18 on Thursday 10th January 15:43

[Andyb4.5]

Hi,
Just a few thoughts from me, based on your original comments:

"I really fancy something that will be fun/an event to drive."
A TVR will definitely meet and exceed this.

"I'm looking for something fast, fun"
Again a TVR is perfect.

"but that wont kill me on a wet roundabout !"
Of the thousands of cars around, TVRs have to be very high on the list for cars that could easily cause an inattentive/over ambitious driver problems on a wet roundabout

"Also something that can make it to the South of France and back without breaking down !"
TVRs can clearly make it to the South of France and back, but if you buy one, it will let you down at some point...

If you get into TVR ownership, make sure you go into it with open eyes. And enjoy every minute!