ME Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Having got rid of a reliable German sports car and now driving a Range Rover I have become accustomed to disappointing reliability, large repair bills and crazy running costs. Whilst I am in this place, I am thinking that my next purchase should be a TVR. I have always wanted one and the summer will be here before you can say "mid life crisis". So, learned people of PW, which TVR is the one to have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I had a 4.5 Chimaera for a few years, and because I bought it tax free I sold it for more than I paid for it. I had no reliabilty issues at all with it. It was comfortable and classy inside though devoid of gadgets, frighteningly quick with an awesome engine note. Handling was interesting! Generally stuck to the road like **** to a blanket but the back end could step out with very little warning if leathering it. The V8 bubble was awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry flashman Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 In had a '96 plate chimaera and it was a shocker, never ran right and cost me a lot of time and money. I love TVR's but never again. If you really want to take the risk I would see how many times it's changed hands, if it seems a lot it's prob because it's got a recurring fault like mine. And if you find a silver N reg one you like drop me a pm to make sure it's not the dog that I got rid of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I had a 99 Chimaera 500, while it was awfully fun i could never truely enjoy it through fear of it breaking. I had a few problems with mine, power steering pump went and a few other niggly bits. As others have said they are so much fun to drive and so raw and simple in nature, non of this fancy hi tech lark, handling can be lively especially in the wet My uncle bought a sagaris brand spankers, kept it for a good few years but was always going back for work ended up getting rid and replacing with a porsche ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peek-at Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Would have to be the Cerbera for me.....drool........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3vert Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I came very very close to purchasing the Tuscan which I still think is the nicest looking TVR produced, however seen the light at the last minute and gladly got the M3. The clinchers for me were the following: 1. Called up to enquire about a lovely Rolex blue Tuscan that a private seller had advertised, after some chit chat the guy ended up telling me he had nothing but hassle with it and had spent thousands keeping it going. I thought this was very nice of him especially when his parting words were "Dont buy this one mate!" 2. Called the nearest TVR specialist garage for some advice on buying the Tuscan and after spending around 20mins telling what goes wrong with them, his final comments were "GOOD LUCK FINDING A GOOD ONE!" Not exactly selling it to me!!! 3. When in Horseless Carriages garage I asked why there was silver gaffer tape around the rear window? Reply "Because they leak mate! but dont worry we will sort it before you take it away" mmm in that case why not sort it before I came to view it?? There was also more than a few pieces of trim not quite where TVR had intended them to be! i.e. they had fallen off! Anyway I now have a very boring in comparison 340bhp rear wheel drive soft top that if I choose I can turn off the traction control systems. It also has the following boring systems that TVR never got round to fitting lol ABS, multiple airbags, crumple zones and rollover protection Dont get me wrong it aint going to put a point in your pecker like the TVR but it aint half bad If you have cash to spare and dont mind your motor letting you down on a semi regular basis then go ahead, if its reliability your after forget it LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 And don't drive 'em in the rain. Hold the road like butter and soft-tops leak like yer nan's knickers!! They're a great concept, but a disappointing reality......man!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petethegeek Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 The V8 bubble was awesome. I remember some years ago reading a piece by the revered JC, who described TVRs as sounding like 'a pair of lesbians in a bucket'. It's a metaphor that I have spent countless odd hours contemplating without ever concluding if I have fully understood it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 my best mate had a chimera and it went like a rocket and getting the back end out was very very fun, i cant remember it being too much hassle for him. Best bit we were only 19 when he had it as he insured it as a kit car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canthitathing Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Had a Griffith 500 a few years ago. Huuuugge fun great noise Kit car build quality and truly terrifying in anything other than bone dry conditions Would definately recommend one Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 The one to have is the early Griffith and with the biggest engine. I used to defend lots of TVR claims for a dealership that shall remain nameless. They look good, sound great but they are dog ***** without a doubt. I understand your hankering and wish you luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Ive got 12 TRV's one on each of the radiators...no reliability isues to date... I always thought the 4.2 Cerbera was the Nicest looking TVR and apparently had least reliability issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuji Shooter Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Owned a 420 SEAC from new. Spent more time on the back of a low loader than I spent driving it so sold it after 2 years. Last of the great wedge models with bits from at least a dozen other cars inc Capri door handles and XR3i indicator stalks. But when it was running the noise was awesum. Saw it for sale last year again last year and went to buy it back as weekend fun car but arrived late and the dealer had sold it. Best advice when using anything like this is the most expensive one you buy will be the cheapest you will own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88b Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 A friend had several models over the years in the end he gave up and bought a Maserati Gran Tourismo, he says he misses the constant repair bills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TbirdX Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Join the TVR owners club and push your car to one of our meetings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddyman Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 TVRs? I recommend you get a pile of £20 notes and put them on the floor in front of you. Set them alight and pull up a chair so you can watch them burning. THAT'S the feeling you get when you own a TVR! (very) ex Chimaera owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Don't do it. Learn to play the guitar or similar to get over the crisis. I am fairly handy with cars and I would think very long and hard about before buying a TVR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ped Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Whilst they are undoubtedly huge fun when running well (I've driven griffs, chimeras and cerberas) they are truly scary in the wet. My mate used to sell them for a living and the warranty work levels were staggering, one even caught fire in a customers garage and destroyed the guys other car and kitchen - traced to an electrical fault. Have you thought about a Westfield? Much more reliable and also silly fast. Ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I had a 450 SEAC years ago. What a car! Utterly unreliable, drank petrol like Ollie Read drank whisky, was a nightmare in the mildly damp and undriveable in the wet, leaked a bit and as said had all the build quality of a British Leyland Metro!!! :blink: Bu **** me, I'd have another one in the blink of an eye and still regularly kick myself for selling mine!!!! Of all the cars I've owned that is the one that stirs the loins, the roar and tone of that engine when you hit the loud pedal, the raw acceleration, the on the edge handling are all things of a bygone age and something I deeply miss! I looked at getting another, but £17k for a weekend car was too rich for my tastes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Get a Caterham if you are going down that route, but and sell at the right times of year and you will get your money back, maybe even make money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 (edited) Have you thought about a Westfield? Much more reliable and also silly fast. Ped Or a Caterham, also impractical, basic and stupidly quick, but with pin sharp handling and reasonably reliable (mine was anyway). Edit: Too slow, but Dunkield and I are on the same sheet. Edited January 15, 2012 by -Mongrel- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I had a Lotus 7 years ago, as a birthday treat last year a mate of mine bought a days hire of a Caterham 7 - 150bhp duratech Ford brought all the memories flooding back, it took days to get the smile off my face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axor Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 TVR = Tow, Very, regularly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Join the TVR owners club and push your car to one of our meetings Oh come on!!!! He could get a taxi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diceman Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I had a 450 SEAC years ago. What a car! Utterly unreliable, drank petrol like Ollie Read drank whisky, was a nightmare in the mildly damp and undriveable in the wet, leaked a bit and as said had all the build quality of a British Leyland Metro!!! :blink: Bu **** me, I'd have another one in the blink of an eye and still regularly kick myself for selling mine!!!! Of all the cars I've owned that is the one that stirs the loins, the roar and tone of that engine when you hit the loud pedal, the raw acceleration, the on the edge handling are all things of a bygone age and something I deeply miss! I looked at getting another, but £17k for a weekend car was too rich for my tastes! I think this is absoulutely the point. TVRs are terrible, but awesome. Buy with your eyes open and enjoy every minute it is working. I love the wedgies (Had a mate with a 280 many years go, owned from new and run it as a daily car, never let him down in 4 years) but the Cerbera is the prettiest by far, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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