ir_fuel Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Ok, I know the company went bust, but imho some of their cars look amazing (Tuscan 1, 350, Sagaris). I was wondering, since you guys are in the UK, whats up with the current TVRs which are (when not broken down ) still on the road? How does it work now to have spare parts, to fix stuff on the engine etc etc. It would be pretty cool to have one, not as a daily drive of course, because i think it is technically not possible considering their reliability, but if parts are impossible to source it might end up being a gigantic money pit that will never be used again once it breaks down. Give your opinions Also, are there models that are more reliable than others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 your looking at a total engine rebuild at every 30,000 miles at £7000. do love the T350c and the Sagris but can't justify the overheads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 There seems to be a healthy parts supply and an even healthier industry rebuilding engines (with warranties). The problem with TVRs is that they have more issues the less you use them. Still fine cars if you go into ownership with your eyes (very) wide open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GC350z Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 There seems to be a healthy parts supply and an even healthier industry rebuilding engines (with warranties). The problem with TVRs is that they have more issues the less you use them. Still fine cars if you go into ownership with your eyes (very) wide open. That's what I've been hearing. Been looking closely at buying a 350 or a Sagaris but the vast majority seem to of been weekend cars. It seems the daily drivers are the ones that don't develop problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl114 Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 read the pistonheads forums and you will get an idea of the problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ir_fuel Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 your looking at a total engine rebuild at every 30,000 miles at £7000. And then 2 posts further i read about "daily drives"? Eh how can you use it as a daily drive if it needs an engine rebuild after 30.000 miles? Dunno, it was something that crossed my mind. Instead of selling the Z and getting some other "trusty" sports-coupé (gtr? ) within 1-2 years, why not keep it and get something more exotic? I really love the look of the Sagaris, but then again, there are only 10 of them in LHD apparently. And i found a new one for 92.000€ which is a bit over budget I wonder how big of a nuisance it is to have a RHD overhere in LHD country, because of the 350 there are NO LHD versions afaik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 just repeating what Bigphil said in a past post seeing as he's had first hand experience Speed six engine which is used in the Tuscan,T350 and Sagaris has an average life of around 30k miles and needs a full rebuild at that point at around £7k dependig on who dose it but would only really trust TVR Power. Be prepared for constant niggles with bits comming unglued. Engine still not fully sorted with major issues around 30k miles (rebuild £8k) They don't like sitting around either wth problems with seals on slave cylinders if they do. After Nissan reliability it will drive you mad. Not a car you turn the key and go, engine needs to be warmed and oil temp up before leaving each day, no cold start either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ir_fuel Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 And when they rebuild it cant they make it more reliable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 think it more of a key design problem with the speed six engine and the way it's lubricated. Bigphil probably knows more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl114 Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Rickya also owned a one, he knows a thing or two about it. In fact i seem to remember he didnt have it long and about 2/3 of the time it spent in the garage being fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickya Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Stay clear if u know whats good for u!!!! I had a Chimaera for a couple of years, nothing but a moneypit. My mate still has his & cant get himself to sell it because of the stupid amount of money he's put into it over the last 5 years!! If u want something exotic/more reliable & LHD try & find a used Weissman. Or a RHD Morgan or less exotic a Z4M coupe/roadster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmmackfc Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Stay clear of P1 Scoobys too... just heard thats a rebuild after 60k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ir_fuel Posted April 4, 2008 Author Share Posted April 4, 2008 a Wiessman is quite a different price-bracket (but then again, maybe not if you take into account TVR cost of ownership ) aldough it is my favorite car by far, and if it is to buy a Z4M coupé it might as well be a replacement for the Z as it isnt really something "special". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 wiessman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickya Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Theres a review of the Weisman in this months Evo which I just bought. Will make a cracking used car bargain in a few years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GC350z Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 wiessman +1 Gorgeous car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ir_fuel Posted April 4, 2008 Author Share Posted April 4, 2008 Prefer the one without the spoiler But as I said, if you want a new one we are talking about 150.000€ Even second hand it stays a quite expensive piece of kit. You can buy 2 Z4M coupés for that price Thats why i started about TVR, its a bit less silly price-wise (that is, if you park it in your house just to look at it ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 agree with you ir_fuel on the spoiler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkW Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 From time to time I think about owning a TVR........ ......I love the idea, but hate the reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev-the-Rev Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Read the letters page in this month's EVO and that will change your mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I read it last night. ^^^ Pretty good and sums it up! I'm just glad the Zed is jap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ir_fuel Posted April 4, 2008 Author Share Posted April 4, 2008 dont have EVO overhere, what does it say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev-the-Rev Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 It's not exactly complementary; I quote "The TVR ownership experience redefines the word extreme. The T350 is the biggest heap of unreliable junk around.......... the road holding is appaling - blink and it bites. As an everyday proposition it falls apart and wears out in seconds. As a weekend toy the lack of use directly compounds the appalling reliability." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 But does it not go on to say that the guy still loved it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev-the-Rev Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I'll concede he himself refers to it as "cheap brilliance", but he also concludes by stating that "if you are not completely mad, just look, sigh woefully and move on." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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