Anyone owned a TVR??

[coullstar 0]

I know they dont have the best rep for reliability but are they as bad as people make out in particular the Cerbera. I believe there was issue with the speed six as quite a few seem to have had engine rebuilds.

 

Reason Im asking is that there are some right bargin Cerbera's going about at the moment and ive always wanted one.

[Leonard 0]

Great car but I would be too terrified to buy one. Unless I had enough money to look after it properly. But then if I had that I would buy a Porsche!

[HiAsAKite 0]

Yup- Chimaera 400 for the past year. There are a couple of others on here who own Chimaera 500's and Corrado's (JonRB for one)- do a search on Chimaera and it should pull them up.

 

All I would say is do your research carefully- in nutshell its condition, condition, condition, and its the running costs you need to look at rather than the purchase cost-

 

RV8 cars are 'relatively' cheap to run (Griffith, Chimaera) (eg budget £1K per year for 5000 miles+ keep a £2K emergency fund ready- which may not be used (I haven't needed it yet)

S6 cars are reasonably cheap to run - however there is the risk of an engine rebuild being required (could be £4-8K depending who you speak to. S6 cars are the Tuscan, Tamora, T350, 4 litre Cerbera and Sagaris-

AJP8 cars- flat-plane V8- relatively reliable (perhaps not quite as much as the RV8 engines) I'm told running costs are an order of magnitude greater than RV8 engines. Some early AJP8s had crankshaft issues, but I'm told this isn't an issue now.. AJP8 only features in the cerbera 4.2 and 4.5. AJP8 parts not as easy to get hold of as RV8 parts as these were a TVR only engine, and only featured in the Cerb.

 

 

 

So in short- Cerbera's are expensive to run compare to other TVRs- (although cheap as chips for the performance- bear in mind you talking Italian and German exotica) - the AJP8 is probably the better engine to go for- however its condition condition condition.

 

also- bear in mind chassis rust (in particular outrigger) may be an issue on all of the above cars - get it inspected by someone who knows what they are looking for-

 

 

Hope that helps- nutshell, cracking cars, by on condition, and have your eyes open about the running cost, they are in a different league to most stuff, and if you are worried about the speed6 engine go for the AJP8

 

Seriously suggest you have hunt around http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&f=6&mid=27647 - and it may also be worth tagging along to some TVR meets - either through PH or through the TVR club- people are generally pretty helpful if someone shows a genuine interest in their car..

 

 

Whatever you do, do your research, and keep your eyes open about the running costs of these things.

 

PS:- Cerbs have rather cool wing mirrors too :wink:

[HiAsAKite 0]

One other thing (forgot to add)- if it is a second car, you are over 25, limit the mileage to 5000 and have access to garage, classic insurance will be an option (eg with Hagerty, ManningUK or RH specialists)- think £200-£300 annual premium-

[coullstar 0]

Thanks for the reply. IF I look at one it wont be for a wee while or if I give up the bike racing for one reason or another.

TBH if I went for it I would sell the Corrado, couldnt justify having a daily, Corrado, TVR and road bike. Thats just taking the p*ss. I kind of feel guilty have two cars at the moment.

 

Not really a fan of soft tops hence why Im not keen on the Chimera / Griffith. Running costs do seem a big step up but then you cant have everything.

I just want a silly / stupid / impractical car while I still can.

[HiAsAKite 0]

Fair enough- as said in terms of performance, they are absolute beasts, just make sure you go in with your eyes open with respect to the TLC/running costs they need.

 

Also forgot to mention that they shoud all (including post 2001 speed 6 models) be registered as PLG with the DVLA, not petrol car, which means £185 road tax :-)

 

They have pretty 'special' (in a good way I think) interiors too..