36 replies to this topic

[The Batman]

are they really as un-reliable as people say or do they just get bad press because of previous tvr issues?

[euphoria]

they look serious

[techieboy]

Do it! Good ones and bad ones, as with all cars.

[Seb.F]

Afaik most TVR's do have fairly short service intervals. Rosso Rebel on here who used to have a black VXT has a chimaera I think. Felt good to drive in, but I know they do cost a hellalot more than a VX to maintain, and aren't anywhere near as responsive in bends.

[SteveA]

I looked into a T350 a while back, I went on a TVR track day and every owner I spoke to told me they were about as bad as TVR's got when it came to reliability. This put me right off. Plus on track they were only slightly faster that my car on the straights but massively slower through the twisties. I hear the Sagaris is much better in both respects.

[The Batman]

cant afford a sagaris

does vocky do tvr engine rebuilds?

[siztenboots]

quoted power outputs very optimistic , more like 290bhp

[LazyDonkey]

Speak to Turbo Tomato. IIRC he lost £17k in 6 months on one

[The Batman]

so anyone got a vx for sale then

[forgotmepassword]

IIRC he lost £17k in 6 months on one

Surely that's wrong!

[The Batman]

at there current prices i cant see them depreicated that much, which is where TT lost all his money hmmm super vx or standard t350

[Mangham54]

so anyone got a vx for sale then

You so'n'so..... I seriously have a TVR itch to scratch.... Had looked at a Cerbera (4.2) and a Griffith 500 and the noise was enough to make the 'baby jesus cry'. However they just didn't feel as well planted and had a tendancy to be very twitchy and snappy round the bends.

In the end it was the fuel cost that put me off.... If it was just a play thing then it would be a different matter, but with the amount I commute I just couldn't make the numbers work.

An alternative the Joe could be an older Atom . But you really couldn't do much tinkering with that as there isn't anything to play with. Another alternative could be a XJR (4.2 already SC'd) or a XK8 - Strip one of those down and I could imgine they could be an absolute riot.

[J4EY D]

I dont know about the T350, but my bro inlaw has got a tamora (uses alot of the same parts) and hasnt had a single problem. Massively quick on the straights but still handles well in the bends... not as well as the Vx though Does cost alot more than the vx to maintain though, services are about £750!!! Definitely cant run a TVR on a fiver!! Edit: only annoying thing is that they tend to have a problem starting when they are hot, so they are not great for town driving as you will have to wait for it to cool down a bit before starting again... annoying if you have pulled in for petrol after being stuck in traffic

Edited by J4EY D, 10 September 2010 - 11:25 AM.

[Sutol]

defo would not have another TVR, the build quality on mine was shocking. My car cost 18k new, got rid after a year and got 12k The Lotus garage i was buying the Elan from didn't even want to p/x

[J4EY D]

Edit: only annoying thing is that they tend to have a problem starting when they are hot, so they are not great for town driving as you will have to wait for it to cool down a bit before starting again... annoying if you have pulled in for petrol after being stuck in traffic

I never had that problem.

Ah, might only apply to curtain models, or have you got a bigger battery? Apparently that helps alot.

As i dont own one im only going by my bro inlaw and Dan Taylor (Taylor TVRs). For all i know i might be talking out my arse Wouldnt be the first time

[muckyman]

Edit: only annoying thing is that they tend to have a problem starting when they are hot, so they are not great for town driving as you will have to wait for it to cool down a bit before starting again... annoying if you have pulled in for petrol after being stuck in traffic

I never had that problem.

Ah, might only apply to curtain models, or have you got a bigger battery? Apparently that helps alot.

As i dont own one im only going by my bro inlaw and Dan Taylor (Taylor TVRs). For all i know i might be talking out my arse Wouldnt be the first time

the "hot start" problem applies to the TVRs with a Rover V8 engine. Not all of them though.
My Chimaera 450 never had a problem but I fitted a "hot start kit" during the summer just in case. The solution is only £25 and a doddle to fit.

Edited by muckyman, 10 September 2010 - 11:41 AM.

[J4EY D]

Edit: only annoying thing is that they tend to have a problem starting when they are hot, so they are not great for town driving as you will have to wait for it to cool down a bit before starting again... annoying if you have pulled in for petrol after being stuck in traffic

I never had that problem.

Ah, might only apply to curtain models, or have you got a bigger battery? Apparently that helps alot.

As i dont own one im only going by my bro inlaw and Dan Taylor (Taylor TVRs). For all i know i might be talking out my arse Wouldnt be the first time

the "hot start" problem applies to the TVRs with a Rover V8 engine. Not all of them though.
My Chimaera 450 never had a problem but I fitted a "hot start kit" during the summer just in case. The solution is only £25 and a doddle to fit.

Oooo thats good to know, i'll let him know.

Thanks buddy