I think the big problem with TVR's is that they only get used as weekend cars, so people forget how they feel and don't notice stuff, or just leave problems until it is too late rather than getting them fixed as soon as they show up.

I have had my Chimaera for about 3.5 years now, and have not had any real problems with it, I didn't do long trips lkike you (mine were max 1 month) but other than a flat battery when I got home there was nothing wrong, and mine used to live outside all year round. The car has been stood for a year since I moved to the states, but it has just been serviced before being shipped over here, and there was nothing out of the usual found, the car should be here once customs gets itself sorted out, and then it will get used a lot more again

As for insurance, I was paying 700 pounds a year, fully comp with trackdays, not bad for a 28 year old with full no claims.

If you have any more questions let me know.