1979 Triumph TR7 Sprint conversion 2.0 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A great car and prices that are giving them away..!

Faults:

A great sporty car.

If you look to buy a TR7 you should try and obtain a vehicle with a good body.

Many of the panels are readily available, however panel prices can be very expensive.

Even some repair panels for the floor which are fairly small in size can be expensive.

I have some panels to replace and some floor work to carry out.

Headlamp problems are owners biggest problem, getting them to work properly or even at all..!

General Comments:

Nice and quick for it's age, an 80's car.

Suspension issues need addressing with the TR7. They tend to be a little 'loose' on the back end. Uprated suspension bushes can fix this problem.

Up rate the suspension with replacement shock absorbers and road springs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st October, 2002

1979 Triumph TR7 from North America

Summary:

Woefully deficient

Faults:

Carburetor linkage dislocation.

Oil pressure sensor fell out.

Miscellaneous door handles, knobs, fittings fell apart, disintegrated, etc.

Wet weather, even if it was in the long range forecast, kept this car from starting.

Cold weather kept this car from starting.

Snow kept it from going forward or reverse, but was not a hindrance to sideways motion.

Ignition system needed constant attention.

General Comments:

Definitely not a car for a cold climate, utterly deadly on slick roads.

A General Motors electrical system in it would have been an IMPROVEMENT.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd March, 2002

1979 Triumph TR7 Convertible 2.0 4 from North America

Summary:

Not what you would call a thoroughbred performer, but a very pleasant and satisfying vehicle

Faults:

On the way home from the dealer the alternator hot wire grounded on the chassis and fried the wiring harness. It took the dealer a month to get the loom, and a week to replace it.

The ignition module worked erratically, and a Jaguar dealer (Triumph was out of business by then) eventually replaced it with a Ford unit (still under warranty, under California emissions provisions).

The fuel pump worked one of its mounting bolts loose and it seemed to be running out of fuel, erratically. Took me a week to find the problem and screw it down tight.

When the battery died, the Sears replacement battery was too tall, and I had to make longer J-bolts by bending and threading some rods.

General Comments:

It was a little heavy for its power, a little soft for high performance auto-cross work, but quite comfortable and economical as a commuter and on extended jaunts.

You can see its picture in the second edition of Fred Puhn's "How To Make Your Car Handle", page 25 or so, if I recall.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th April, 2001

1979 Triumph TR7 2.0L petrol from North America

Summary:

Although much maligned, the TR7 is a sophisticated and rewarding auto to own

Faults:

Uh - Starter went.

Rust is starting.

Water pump failed (belching coolant all over a local park).

Alternator failed (3 times).

Electrics erratic (when I got it, you had to have the fan turned to level 2 before the right hand stereo speaker would work).

Transmission mount failed.

Fuel tank rusted allowing water in the tank one winter.

A/C compressor seized.

Carbs are constantly out of sync.

Until now, unsolvable shimmy at speeds between 50 and 60 MPH.

General Comments:

Wonderful car, if you have the patience. Actually, fairly sophisticated for a British sports car, and visually stunning (if the Wedge lines don't stun you, the yellow outside and green plaid inside will - came from the factory that way - I'm serious).

When you get down to it, it needs attention, but what British car doesn't. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 2001

5th Jun 2001, 13:23

What British car doesn't??!! Your talking about a car designed over 25 years ago.

Are you saying that every Rolls, Bentley, Jag, Aston Martin and every car built in the UK needs attention?

Look at some of the fantastically unreliable things Ford have built, even today.