boxster s into a tuscan/tamora

[andymc]

im currently driving a 2000 boxster S worth approx £15000, would this sort of money get me into a tuscan/tamora, im aware its the bottom end of the market but im after a car thats significantly quicker,
all answers appreciated
andy

[RedTuscan]

You might be into a Tamora/T350 because it is "significantly faster" (although after a Tuscan RR I found the T350 pathetically slow), but you will also find that it is significantly worse that your Boxster.

The handling is much much worse than the Porsche, the build quality is on a par with the Koreans and the reliability - think BL 1970's.

Hire a TVR for the weekend - see what you think.

[Don]

RedTuscan said:

Hire a TVR for the weekend - see what you think.

Frankly if you are used to the Porsche you need to be sure you are cut out to be a TVR owner. Tivs are brilliant fun BUT Teutonic Build Quality they ain't. If you go down the Tamora/T350 route you will be dealing with the speed-six issue (which may or may not ever be a problem to you). You will need to do some research about working out how you will "support" the car. i.e. Who will be doing the servicing. Who will be providing an engine rebuild if you need it etc. All this can be done but not necessarily by anyone conveniently local.

We've had a Boxster S AND a TVR Chimaera for years side by side so I think I know what I'm on about.

[Zippee]

Another thing worth mentioning is your budget. It'd get you into a very early Tuscan (probably not a Tamora) but you will be picking from the bottom end of the market. What sort of budget will you have left as a slush/service fund should something go wrong?

[Jasandjules]

As above, drive a couple first, see what you think if you haven't already done so.

At least purchasing an "older" car will hopefully ensure it has had any niggles ironed out, but I would most certainly get one inspected by a specialist before any purchase.

[tamore]

Don said:

RedTuscan said:

Hire a TVR for the weekend - see what you think.

Frankly if you are used to the Porsche you need to be sure you are cut out to be a TVR owner. Tivs are brilliant fun BUT Teutonic Build Quality they ain't. If you go down the Tamora/T350 route you will be dealing with the speed-six issue (which may or may not ever be a problem to you). You will need to do some research about working out how you will "support" the car. i.e. Who will be doing the servicing. Who will be providing an engine rebuild if you need it etc. All this can be done but not necessarily by anyone conveniently local.

We've had a Boxster S AND a TVR Chimaera for years side by side so I think I know what I'm on about.

Don, I'm not having a go, but what relevance does owning an RV8 powered car have to do with 'living' with an SP6?

Get one that's been rebuilt (as recently as possible), preferably still within the rebuild warrantee, and that's any major 'unreliability' negated.

[LaserTam]

My mate has a boxster S (bit newer that yours but..) and whilst its a very nice car, quick etc etc, for me its too refined and very much an everyday day. I have owned a Tam for over 2 years, had it since new, touch wood nothing really gone wrong with it, but would I want to use it as an everyday car, no probably not. Quick it certainly is, power wise I would say notebly quicker. Handling in the Boxster is very good, my mates benefits from traction control... The Tamora is IMO very good, certainly far better than my old Chim, but perhaps not as good as the Box.

So go in with your eyes open, noting some of the comments above about cost of ownership. But before you do anything, get a test drive from a dealer, that may be make or break time.

Asside from being two seater convertables, they are very different cars.

[Don]

tamore said:

Don said:

RedTuscan said:

Hire a TVR for the weekend - see what you think.

Frankly if you are used to the Porsche you need to be sure you are cut out to be a TVR owner. Tivs are brilliant fun BUT Teutonic Build Quality they ain't. If you go down the Tamora/T350 route you will be dealing with the speed-six issue (which may or may not ever be a problem to you). You will need to do some research about working out how you will "support" the car. i.e. Who will be doing the servicing. Who will be providing an engine rebuild if you need it etc. All this can be done but not necessarily by anyone conveniently local.

We've had a Boxster S AND a TVR Chimaera for years side by side so I think I know what I'm on about.

Don, I'm not having a go, but what relevance does owning an RV8 powered car have to do with 'living' with an SP6?

Get one that's been rebuilt (as recently as possible), preferably still within the rebuild warrantee, and that's any major 'unreliability' negated.

The speed-six thing is an additional issue I don't have first-hand experience of. I DO, however, have years of first hand experience of living with a TVR, the kind of things that go wrong and need fixing, the sort of support one can expect from the good independent garages and what were once main dealers. I also understand how the cars *age* as I have kept the same one over an extended period.

What I can say is that before getting into a Tiv you need to understand how you will look after it - who your local dealer/independent is. And, importantly, what sort of budget for annual maintenance you will be looking at. My Chim, on average and for example, has eaten around £2K per year maintenance and servicing.

Tiv enthusiasts take all that in their stride...and usually run an everyday car as well!

If one is simply looking for a car that for the same purchase cost provides better acceleration I would consider other vehicles, frankly. IMO (and that's all it is) Tivs are best owned by people that love them. If one is prepared for that - GO FOR IT! They are fab!

[Far Eastender]

I've driven many Boxters and they are pretty 'tame' by Porsche standards. I would agree that hiring a TVR for a weekend would be a very good idea, as I think it would come as something of a shock (albeit a pleasant one).

[TheGriffalo]

I love my Griff... It's the motoring equivalent of a cheap street slut but there's now't wrong with that if it's what takes your fancy.

Very very different to owning a Boxster but if owning a TVR gets under your skin you'll be hooked

Does help if you're handy with the spanners because they are so easy to work on.

[tamore]

Don said:

tamore said:

Don said:

RedTuscan said:

Hire a TVR for the weekend - see what you think.

Frankly if you are used to the Porsche you need to be sure you are cut out to be a TVR owner. Tivs are brilliant fun BUT Teutonic Build Quality they ain't. If you go down the Tamora/T350 route you will be dealing with the speed-six issue (which may or may not ever be a problem to you). You will need to do some research about working out how you will "support" the car. i.e. Who will be doing the servicing. Who will be providing an engine rebuild if you need it etc. All this can be done but not necessarily by anyone conveniently local.

We've had a Boxster S AND a TVR Chimaera for years side by side so I think I know what I'm on about.

Don, I'm not having a go, but what relevance does owning an RV8 powered car have to do with 'living' with an SP6?

Get one that's been rebuilt (as recently as possible), preferably still within the rebuild warrantee, and that's any major 'unreliability' negated.

The speed-six thing is an additional issue I don't have first-hand experience of. I DO, however, have years of first hand experience of living with a TVR, the kind of things that go wrong and need fixing, the sort of support one can expect from the good independent garages and what were once main dealers. I also understand how the cars *age* as I have kept the same one over an extended period.

What I can say is that before getting into a Tiv you need to understand how you will look after it - who your local dealer/independent is. And, importantly, what sort of budget for annual maintenance you will be looking at. My Chim, on average and for example, has eaten around £2K per year maintenance and servicing.

Tiv enthusiasts take all that in their stride...and usually run an everyday car as well!

If one is simply looking for a car that for the same purchase cost provides better acceleration I would consider other vehicles, frankly. IMO (and that's all it is) Tivs are best owned by people that love them. If one is prepared for that - GO FOR IT! They are fab!

absolutely spot on. anyone who thinks TVRs are a 'budget' choice could be in for a nasty shock if they spend every penny they have on buying the thing.

i saw a magazine touting the cerbera as a £9k performance bargain. if i bought a cerb for £9k, i'd make sure i had the same again to spend in the first 18 months of ownership! admittedly, i didn't read the artice, which may have said the same thing.

[mr sagoo]

RedTuscan said:

You might be into a Tamora/T350 because it is "significantly faster" (although after a Tuscan RR I found the T350 pathetically slow), but you will also find that it is significantly worse that your Boxster.

The handling is much much worse than the Porsche, the build quality is on a par with the Koreans and the reliability - think BL 1970's.

Hire a TVR for the weekend - see what you think.

Do you purposely lurk on Tvr forums to spout your scaremongering drivel, Your posts never seem to offer any constructive advice, this has been commented on many times previously on PH, Why don't you leave the comments to the true Tvr fans and go and troll another forum.

[s6boy]

mr sagoo said:

RedTuscan said:

You might be into a Tamora/T350 because it is "significantly faster" (although after a Tuscan RR I found the T350 pathetically slow), but you will also find that it is significantly worse that your Boxster.

The handling is much much worse than the Porsche, the build quality is on a par with the Koreans and the reliability - think BL 1970's.

Hire a TVR for the weekend - see what you think.

Do you purposely lurk on Tvr forums to spout your scaremongering drivel, Your posts never seem to offer any constructive advice, this has been commented on many times previously on PH, Why don't you leave the comments to the true Tvr fans and go and troll another forum.

Oh, NOTHING positive to say - say nothing

[RWA28]

I had 2 Chimaera's then moved to a Porsche Boxster S (2003) I've now gone back to TVR (a Tuscan) and you instantly get a grin back on your face. The Porsche in the end is like jumping into an everyday hatchback due to its practicality which eventually just became boring. The Tuscan on the other hand is an event every journey and you just can't wait to get in to go for the next drive! (Just my own experience)

[mallyc]

I had a 99 boxster and was in and out of the overpriced dealership on a regular basis and was probably the worst car i've owned.

I bought a Tuscan 2 months ago with my eyes open and expecting the worst. I've been very pleasantly surprised!

if you buy one, you wont regret it.

[Paxo1]

RedTuscan said:

You might be into a Tamora/T350 because it is "significantly faster" (although after a Tuscan RR I found the T350 pathetically slow), but you will also find that it is significantly worse that your Boxster.

The handling is much much worse than the Porsche, the build quality is on a par with the Koreans and the reliability - think BL 1970's.

Hire a TVR for the weekend - see what you think.

You obviously had something very seriously wrong with your TVR if the acceleration was that bad..........have you have ever actually owned a TVR after reading your post?....maybe you are on the wrong forum ?

build quality certainly aint porsche quality by a loooooong way but to compare to BL 1970's or korean......errm i dont think so....again have you actually been in one ? seeing one in a magazine doesnt count by the way

[TeaVR]

I used to have a Boxster S. Nice care - but not really that special to drive. A - B, I'm sure a Boxster will give many a TVR a run for money. However, driving a TVR is simply more fun - just the noise, the pops - the bangs.

After the Boxster S, I test drove a 5 litre Griff - and I couldn't believe the straight line acceleration. Ended up buying a 5 litre Chimaera. I enjoyed that car much more than the Porsche.

However, be aware that TVR ownership is not like Porsche ownership. Your TVR will probably need much more attention, but will also provide bigger rewards in between. You'll also be part of the TVR familiy.

Cheers.

TeaVR

[Fume Troll]

andymc said:

im currently driving a 2000 boxster S worth approx £15000, would this sort of money get me into a tuscan/tamora, im aware its the bottom end of the market but im after a car thats significantly quicker,
all answers appreciated
andy

Go drive one, see how you like it!

Significantly quicker? Well on paper yes, but I'd expect that for the average driver on the average road in average weather will be able to get more out of the Porsche, meaning any difference A-B would be minimal.

They are completely different cars, and I love my Tuscan, but I wouldn't reccomend buying one because it's "quicker".

Cheers,

FT.

[andymc]

thanks people, i appreciate your honesty

[Spoonman]

RedTuscan said:

You might be into a Tamora/T350 because it is "significantly faster" (although after a Tuscan RR I found the T350 pathetically slow), but you will also find that it is significantly worse that your Boxster.

The handling is much much worse than the Porsche

Biggest pile of drivel I've read in a long, long time. And I get to read a lot of drivel.

Ever driven a Tamora/T350 or a Boxster flat out, on track? No, you clearly haven't.