My Chimaera, which I imagine you could pick up for a song these days, could be brutal but only if you really ragged it. Latterly it was serving as my daily driver and with all that torque, I could pootle about in third in most traffic without worrying I was about to bin it.

As I've said in plenty of previous TVR threads, their unreliability is, IMHO, overstated and is certainly something that can be sorted. I simply couldn't afford the running costs (big tyre and fuel bills) and so had to get rid. However, as I driver's car, I'd have one again at the drop of a hat. Don't forget they're fibreglass, and with a waxoyled chassis, you should be fine in winter ...

 

David, would it get lairy on the kind of "rallycross" you know I am good at finding compared to the S? ie was the fun of a twisty road negated to any extent by brown trouser moments, or was that only if you were stupid?

Tyres and fuel aren't so much of an issue with the planned mileage so I am fortunate in that respect.

The look of the older ones I am not so keen on, but the later models were OK IMO.

(whether I could put up with the endless gags from Andy might be another matter )

 

Only if stupid ...

Can't speak for the newer cars. The Griffith and Chimaera basically used Range Rover mechanicals so were pretty low tech. The Tamoras and T350s (the best looking of the newer cars) had straight sixes which were prone to some problems, IIRC.

 

I don't know enough about (TVRs from personal experience) but given your budget your mileage and your driving requirements surely they tick all the boxes, and they are amazing to look at, they sound amazing and they have tons of character. Brutal is a great word for them, another is scared heh heh ... I still remember clarkson's face when he climbed in one .... but look at this .. oh I want!

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=jbO_CaGJXZ4

 

Couple of random suggestions

Exige:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2328569.htm

370Z:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3315552.htm

350T:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3329679.htm

SLK 55 AMG:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2823337.htm

RS4:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3119134.htm

 

Most of those don't float my boat Billy, but the Tamora and T350 look interesting. Mmmmm....

 

You don't wanna wait for a few months for the GT86?

 

GT86 will be massively slow compared to a tamora or t350. a very cool car but not fast enough for the money

 

Lotus 340R? Not exactly practical but i'm sure it would be great fun in the right hands. Or as an oddball....... Aston Martin DB7 Vantage is in budget, just. Although I'd probably chose a carrera 4S over the Aston.

911 (996) Turbo is in budget.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2342642.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3395549.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3343547.htm

TVR Sagaris would be great but out of budget. I wouldn't hesitate about buying a Noble though!

 

I am unlikely to be making a decision until this comes along, so will be looking at it. The easier ownership experience might offset speed differential - the TVRs are quicker than I need. (mind you, so is my motorbike ...... )