1989 TVR S2 review from UK and Ireland

Clocks never worked properly on this car, hence I have no idea if the mileage was correct.

Immobilizer failed.

Leaky roof (goes with the territory!) - replaced seals which fixed it temporarily.

Rear brake drums seized (didn't notice because they don't do anything anyway, most braking effort comes from the front discs)

Front ball joints collapsed, surprisingly expensive to fix!

Throttle cable snapped.

Rear differential and drive shafts had to be reconditioned and re-greased (quite common, but v expensive because drive train has to be dropped).

Clutch went after about 5000 miles.

These are great cars, but go in with your eyes wide open. It will be expensive to run, it will leak like a sieve and you should sign up to a breakdown recovery service!

Mine had a very complete service history, previous owners had spared no expense in its upkeep (new shocks, paint touch ups, regular servicing & waxoyling etc) but I still had a heap of receipts after a couple of years of ownership.

However, get the car on a quiet, winding country road and let loose that fantastic exhaust note and it all seems worth while.

More spacious and better equipped than equivalent Caterhams, longish journeys are tolerable. But motorway driving with the roof up becomes a chore because the noise drowns out the stereo and conversation is impossible.

I used the S2 as my every-day car and it performed admirably most of the time. Heavy in traffic and noisy on the motorway it is happiest burbling down country roads at around 50 where it really shines. Get one as a weekend car and look after it and you'll love it!