Prices of modern-era TVRs are due to skyrocket

[chriswt]

An interesting comment made by Steve Cropley in Autocar this week.

I'm not sure if I share his optimise that prices will double the year after next but I certainly agree that they are cars of a bygone era, will never be repeated and will one day have their day.

Are there any TVR fans or experts out there that would care to comment before I speak to the bank manager tomorrow about a sound investment proposal?

 

[Stig2082]

Is interesting. I owned a Chimera a few years back, which was fun though slightly scared me as it is so raw and you need to know what you are doing to avoid landing in hedges. The sound of the V8 was so intoxicating that I occasionally glance at PistonHeads to see what they are going for and they do seem to be holding their value (if you compare to likes of Porsche Boxster and S2000 etc). No idea about investing though...

 

[wemorgan]

A couple of friends have TVR Chimera. I get what they're all about, but not quite sure I can bring myself to buy one.

Double in value? Can't see it myself either. Maybe just slow depreciators for low mileage rust free examples.

Not the same type of car I know, but British, S1 Lotus Elise have held their values firmly for quite a few years now and some variants are now worth strong money.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

My friend sold his Tuscan earlier this year after two years of ownership at a profit of about £2k (not including servicing costs) and it sold within two days to the first person that viewed it.

Fantastically ridiculous cars, you need to be a brave sort to buy one, but if you're (scandalously) going to keep it in storage then it shouldn't cost you a bean.

 

[ming]

Sold my Tuscan 2 years ago
3 engine rebuilds, 2 clutches and a gear box. Lovely car when it worked ( not often)
And it' was on it's fourth rebuild shortly after sale
34k miles and 10 years old
You have to be brave or stupid

 

[chriswt]

Just found this thread on Pistonheads:

TVR market buoyant?

Some interesting views and it seems the Sagaris is the one to watch.

If I had a few spare quid kicking around I think I'd take the punt, however I haven't so I'll have to watch their values increase from the side line.

 

[chriswt]

please delete

 

[MercFanUk]

I still lust after a Cerbera. When I was younger a neighbour had one, although it was permanently on ramps being tinkered/fixed. Beautiful cars, and an exhaust note to die for.

He had a friend who had a Ferrari (can't remember which variety), and when they pulled off together you couldn't hear the Ferrari at all

 

[Chrishazle]

Always thought that a Chimera would be my optimum toy - convertible, V8 soundtrack but enough luggage space for a week or more away. Then i went for a test drive - and I have never been so dissapointed! Just getting from the (Dream Machines Heathfield) car park to the main road as a passenger, I knew that, had my wife been in the passenger seat, first time the car stopped she would have got out. Hard suspension - understatement of the year! Kidnesys bouncing from toes to nose.

Then I got behind the wheel - and at first it was wonderful. Eventually we got onto a long straight road, top gear 60mph - relax, now where do I put my left foot. Hmmmmm - no room at the side of the clutch pedal, so foot left dangling - and withon a mile thigh was screaming!

Got back into my 968 coupe and thought "this is so comfortable, capable and roomy, why do I want to swop??" I did eventually - for a 968 cabriolet!

 

[grober]

Here you go.[YOUTUBE]_xjuFWl9Q-0[/YOUTUBE]

 

[moonloops]

I'd probably look at a few Griffiths and then buy a Noble

 

[chriswt]

Got back into my 968 coupe and thought "this is so comfortable, capable and roomy, why do I want to swop??" I did eventually - for a 968 cabriolet!

The Germans will always win the head over heart argument but anyone who's brave or stupid enough to own a TVR always gets a nod of approval from me.

P.S - Also the only time my missus has ever said that a car engine sounds 'amazing' was when it was idling under the bonnet of a TVR.

 

[BTB 500]

I decided I simply couldn't afford the luxury of a car that might or might not get me to my destination and back again. Hence I ended up with the R129 rather than a Chimaera, which was plan A.

I would love my SL to sound like a TVR V8 but that's about it. I've been on trips in the SL where the weather has turned and it hasn't batted an eyelid. Drove home from Birmingham at -12C on summer tyres after an overnight stop, another time I went to a conference ... came out and saw this

Think I'd have been phoning the RAC if I had a TVR

Driven it it torrential rain etc. many times, no problem.

I was out early one chilly Sunday morning, touch of frost maybe but sunny and the roads were completely clear. Hardly anybody else around, going quite steadily I rapidly caught up with a Cerbera ... which was slowing down to bicycle pace for every bend! I assumed he'd previously had a bit of a scare.

 

[chriswt]

I decided I simply couldn't afford the luxury of a car that might or might not get me to my destination and back again. Hence I ended up with the R129 rather than a Chimaera, which was plan A.

I would love my SL to sound like a TVR V8 but that's about it. I've been on trips in the SL where the weather has turned and it hasn't batted an eyelid. Drove home from Birmingham at -12C on summer tyres after an overnight stop, another time I went to a conference ... came out and saw this

Think I'd have been phoning the RAC if I had a TVR

Driven it it torrential rain etc. many times, no problem.

I was out early one chilly Sunday morning, touch of frost maybe but sunny and the roads were completely clear. Hardly anybody else around, going quite steadily I rapidly caught up with a Cerbera ... which was slowing down to bicycle pace for every bend! I assumed he'd previously had a bit of a scare.

'Bet your wife wasn't expecting you home in that weather'?

Reminds me of D-W124's favorite advert:

Commercial - Mercedes Benz E-Class 4Matic - YouTube

 

[BTB 500]

LOL I remember that, great ad.!

 

[Fady]

Sold my Tuscan 2 years ago
3 engine rebuilds, 2 clutches and a gear box. Lovely car when it worked ( not often)
And it' was on it's fourth rebuild shortly after sale
34k miles and 10 years old
You have to be brave or stupid

I still have a soft spot for one of these and did a great deal of umming and arring despite hearing similar tails of woe. Love the beauty, raw power, absence of frills and sound. In the end I decided I really don't have the time to fully enjoy running and playing with one of these. Plus I think I've grown out of the need for stupendous speed, not least with something that needs to be treated with utmost respect! The plan was to get a later model with someone else having sorted out the rebuild and other gremlins - yours sounds like it needed more attention than most??? Still at the back of mind though

 

[englishdas]

TVR and maserati are the only cars I wind the windows down to listen to them go past. Truly gorgeous sounding engines. I love how annoyed they sound when they're stood at traffic lights.

 

[Ian Donkin]

Some of the woes you hear about these make Lotus sound like the paragon of reliability!

Always loved the sound of them (and the very late cars looked awesome), but I think I'd rather hire one for a weekend than invest my hard earned in buying one.

 

[andyrno1]

I think always keep a tool kit in the boot or your breakdown membership up to date is good advice for Tvr owners.
Sound sexy but really how long can you put up with the drone before its annoying inside?
Stick to German metal it will last longer.........

 

[MD5]

Like Bill, I went for an SL instead of a TVR, so it's an unscratched itch, but I haven't seen many around this year - maybe because we haven't really had the weather, or is this why they are going up?