Commander Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Anybody ever owned a TVR? Ideally, a Tuscan Mk1 S? Just wanted to hear your experience of owning it... I know they're not an every day car, and I know they're not cheap to keep running, but what are they like to drive? Comfy? Noisy? Fun? Engaging? Scary? I've always liked the look of them and I'll soon have the money to buy one if I sell my Zed; I just want to know what they're like... Are they as awesome as the 390bhp / 1100kg / Straight-6 headline would suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Never owned one but it's the reliability that kills it for me. Even though they're not a daily driver it would have you on pins all the time waiting for it to break. Not sure if the fibre glass body has some major issues with the earthing of the electrical system. Sent from my HTC One mini using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 My Dads had a few TVR's but that was back when they where newer and also different models to the one you're looking at. No help I know. Did you see the 240Z with a TVR engine for sale on Pistonheads though that was posted on here? Now there's a car I'd love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Like any car, if it's been looked after then reliability isn't such an issue. They are the age now where most "flaws" have been worked around with aftermarket parts/improvements and lead to a much more reliable package. I've never driven a Tuscan, but I have had a blatt in a T350 and it was equal parts exciting/terrifying. Plenty of TVR experts, and there is a very good buying guide for the Tuscan on PH. Just be sure to research the expert you plan to use as some have better reps than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 This is my mates Sagaris , driven it a few times. Lovely car but not for everyday use. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 That's not a Sagaris....it's a Cerbera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 That's not a Sagaris....it's a Cerbera I bow to your superior knowledge. Its still a lovely car to drive, quick noisy, drinks fuel. Forever visiting the TVR Garage with small niggling problems. Not an everyday car, only gets used in Summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 This is a Sagaris https://www.google.c...932.rmzBclOBBlw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 You mean a Sagaris! :-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 You mean a Sagaris! :-p Typo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 yeah, yeah - we believe you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 This is a Sagaris https://www.google.c...932.rmzBclOBBlw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bockaaarck Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 (edited) Commander, I'm very much thinking along the same lines, in terms of a future car. I've driven a mark 1 Tuscan Red Rose and it was quite an experience. In terms of driver involvement, demands on your attention and something being a visceral experience it ticked all the boxes . They are quite 'pointy' in terms if steering, turn the wheel and the nose will dart that way. It can be a bit unnerving at first but you get used to it. They have loads of 'luggage room' surprisingly, great for weekends away. They can bump steer a bit as well, which again demands you paying attention to the road and driving appropriately. The seating position is good as is the visibility. As you know, there's no traction control but there's lots if travel on the throttle pedal, so I think you'd really have to conciously stamp on it like an idiot to get yourself in trouble. I believe something to look out for in terms of car care is the chassis, as well as making sure the required fettling has a been carried out on the engine, electrics etc. The chassis is tubular steel from recollection, so rot is something to be aware of. A good local specialist is what you're after in terms of servicing, care etc. they should be able to check the state of the chassis. I know it can be a bit of a 'mare' getting to the engine if something fails on the side of the road. But I would hope you could avoid that by getting a specialist to service and care for it. Performance is stunning as you can imagine and you will draw attention. They have a serious presence and driving by village pub gardens in the summer with the popping and overrun causing people to turn and look as you scoot past does put a smile on your face and is surprisingly addictive! It's a proper, old school, hairy chested beast that needs to be treated with respect. Scarey, but in a good way, as long as you treat it with respect (like driving across Dartmoor in a thunderstorm following a Tuscan S, that was 'squeaky bum' time!).As indicated I'm very, very tempted to get one myself. If I was going to buy one I'd be putting £2k a year for service and care. You might not need it, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. Edited April 20, 2014 by Bockaaarck 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bockaaarck Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Commander, not sure where you're based but somewhere like south west sports cars in Taunton (or similar in your area) has to be the next stop surely? Hire one for a weekend, the weather is starting to turn for the better, which is perfect. That'll tell you what you need to know in terms of whether its the right drive for you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsexr Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I would say owning a TVR is ok if your....how can i put.....Keen. They all sound nice though just a shame they have such a bad rep for reliability and rusty chassis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jp606 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) I kept looking at the same models as you recently, really awesome cars. From what I have read, as long as you find a model that's had all the common faults ironed out then you're good to go. However the odd expensive bill can come up. I'm still considering one, I do love my Z but it would have to go to fund a Tuscan. In an ideal world I'd have both but it's not really financially viable at the moment. I do use my Z at weekends only at the moment but also go on trips away around the UK at weekends etc and the unreliability/unpractical nature (noise etc) of a Tuscan puts me off a bit. (I can't imagine firing it up just to go up the shops sort of thing.) I managed to talk myself out of one until a blue Tuscan S rolled up next to me at the petrol station a few weeks ago! Spoke to the owner briefly about it and he gave it some beans as he left, sounded awesome. Edited April 21, 2014 by Jp606 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jp606 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Commander, not sure where you're based but somewhere like south west sports cars in Taunton (or similar in your area) has to be the next stop surely? Hire one for a weekend, the weather is starting to turn for the better, which is perfect. That'll tell you what you need to know in terms of whether its the right drive for you. Didn't think of hiring one, that's a really good idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted April 23, 2014 Author Share Posted April 23, 2014 Commander, not sure where you're based but somewhere like south west sports cars in Taunton (or similar in your area) has to be the next stop surely? Hire one for a weekend, the weather is starting to turn for the better, which is perfect. That'll tell you what you need to know in terms of whether its the right drive for you. THIS, is a great idea... thanks. The problem now is that I've realised just how many awesome cars you can get for <£25k, I'm beginning to doubt my commitment to the TVR idea! It'll only be a weekender, and it'll be garaged, but look at all the possibilities... Help! Aston DB7 Looks a bit old? Not really that fast... but it's got a V12! Future classic? Aston Vantage High-ish mileage for the money, but cool as owt, rare enough, should be a good drive. E90 M3 Common, but most reliable and most day-to-day usable of this whole list... Which somehow makes it less favourable?! M5 / M6 Not sure I want something quite this big? Powerful and practical though... Various Porkers Common + Engine problems? Should be a great drive though... If I fit in it (6ft 4, 15st 12) Jag XKR Looks a bit old? Not really that fast. Supercharged V8 though. Various Mercs / Merc AMGs Don't really do anything for me Various TVRs Look awesome, realiability concerns. Ariel Atom Track-only really... But Honda engine and very rapid. Lotus Will I fit? Noble M12-GTO More practical than the Atom. Looks awesome and gets good reviews. Ford V6 - should be reliable. Still no good for a weekend away. Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Engine is almost reason enough, but it's probably too much cruiser and not enough racer Audi RS4 Big, practical, powerful - 4WD might make it less fun? Maserati Bit like the XKR - too old / slow? VX220 It's a Vauxhall... and a poor man's Lotus? VXR8 It's a Vauxhall... Lexus IS F Don't know anything about them. Probably boring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsexr Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Decisions, Decisions Decisions Stick with the zed mate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemansim Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 If you drive a 5ltr XKR you wont be calling it slow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Tvr is one of the only cars I wouldn't trust my own judgement on and would probably get a ppi done by a specialist, money well spent imo 25k weekender .. The possibilities are endless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 What about a 370Z and a Lotus Elise/7 for the weekends?! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bockaaarck Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) £25K is a good budget Commander and you've highlighted some interesting cars as choices. What about a 996 Turbo? Would be amazing if you could find an X50 version, which is 450bhp from recollection, might be a bit over your budget to be fair. What about a Ferrari Mondial T, same engine as the 348, chassis is supposed to be terrific and is, from what I've read, a great handling car, although not super quick, it is a Ferrari and seemingly very solid. You could of course go for the 370Z, we know this is a great car or a DB7 V12, another car I have been tempted with, they still look lovely I think and it is an Aston (Commander to Mrs Commander: "Darling, shall we take the Aston today...." - sounds nice) . The other option is something like the SL55 AMG, but I know that they can seem a bit boring (the SL55 is pretty good fun!). Or if it really is a weekend car then go for the TVR and with the spare change get a little TR6 as well - Bingo! Edited April 23, 2014 by Bockaaarck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Corvette C5 nice one can be picked up for about £15k, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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