Twice the price, twice the car?
Discussion
Hi, finally at age 50 I am in position to buy myself my lifelong dream car. I've been following the Wedge scene on and off forever but up here in the north of Scotland I don't have much to view or test drive which puts the usual buying a car mantra of 'drive as many as you can till you find the right one' very difficult.
Anyhow, my budget was set around £10k and there's this which looks fair for £8k
https://www.norton-automotive.co.uk/used/tvr/350i/...
Or should I push myself for this at £15.5k
https://www.amoreautos.co.uk/car-listings/tvr-400s...
Is that 400SE really twice the car that 350i is?
I'm not much of a mechanic other than service items and don't even have a garage to keep my wedge in. It will be a weekend car and I doubt I will be keeping it long term, 2/3 years probably. I fully realise they are different beasts and the price difference should make it a clear decision for me but I'm concerned 350 will cost more in upkeep whereas the sorted 400 could be less troublesome. On the other hand the 350 is below budget and wouldn't feel like such an extravagance. What would you do?
Anyhow, my budget was set around £10k and there's this which looks fair for £8k
https://www.norton-automotive.co.uk/used/tvr/350i/...
Or should I push myself for this at £15.5k
https://www.amoreautos.co.uk/car-listings/tvr-400s...
Is that 400SE really twice the car that 350i is?
I'm not much of a mechanic other than service items and don't even have a garage to keep my wedge in. It will be a weekend car and I doubt I will be keeping it long term, 2/3 years probably. I fully realise they are different beasts and the price difference should make it a clear decision for me but I'm concerned 350 will cost more in upkeep whereas the sorted 400 could be less troublesome. On the other hand the 350 is below budget and wouldn't feel like such an extravagance. What would you do?
The cars are in different budget leagues for sure. Personally (if you can stretch to it) I would be looking into the 400SE, based on it having a body off and engine rebuild. Ask Amore what was carried out during the body off / who performed it / how long ago etc.
It is quite likely that the refurbished car has had the asking price spent on it in recent years.
Bristol is a long way for you to travel so not sure how much value the 6 month warranty has to you. If I was serious about buying the Amore car and lived as far away as you do I would be making a holiday of it and drive the car a lot for a week to see if anything crops up that is covered by the warranty.
I can assure you that you will be smiling all the way home and I doubt your enthusiasm will wain in a couple of years so you may as well look into building a garage now!
It is quite likely that the refurbished car has had the asking price spent on it in recent years.
Bristol is a long way for you to travel so not sure how much value the 6 month warranty has to you. If I was serious about buying the Amore car and lived as far away as you do I would be making a holiday of it and drive the car a lot for a week to see if anything crops up that is covered by the warranty.
I can assure you that you will be smiling all the way home and I doubt your enthusiasm will wain in a couple of years so you may as well look into building a garage now!
Think given you arent looking to keep it i would try and get in at a low price point with a mechanically sound car
I bought a Wedge a few months back with the same goal - the paintwork isnt the best (although looks stunning from a few feet) but barring a little spotting of oil its a solid car ive done 1000miles in it so far trouble free.
As long as the outriggers have been done and there's a decent history file of sorts then should be ok the engines contrary to the press are pretty reliable units - certainly no less so than any other car of that era
I bought a Wedge a few months back with the same goal - the paintwork isnt the best (although looks stunning from a few feet) but barring a little spotting of oil its a solid car ive done 1000miles in it so far trouble free.
As long as the outriggers have been done and there's a decent history file of sorts then should be ok the engines contrary to the press are pretty reliable units - certainly no less so than any other car of that era
I advise you to use the DVLA "Check MoT" tool to look at the mileage recorded for the 350 since 2007. It's all over the shop - 27k, down to 2k, back up to 35k, 67k at one point, then down to 6k, etc. Unless the owner was regularly driving huge distances, it appears that there was a defect, causing what look like random numbers.
Alternatively, if those readings are correct, that would mean the mileometer has gone around the clock several times since 2007 and the actual mileage is over 300k.
The dealer's text says that a new Smiths speedo was fitted in 2003 - BEFORE that weird sequence of readings - and he says that the mileage is now "approximately 76,000". But with those weird numbers on its MoT history, I don't see how he can possibly back that up. The only accurate statement would be "true mileage unknown". I assume that's one of the reasons why it seems to be priced fairly low.
There are no similar MoT concerns about the 400 ; the DVLA website shows it as doing only 10,000 miles since 2005.
The reg plate is concealed by Amore on most of the photos, but the TVRCC magazine cover shows that it is G681 MEO – which for me is an amazing coincidence, as it’s the very next one after mine. My S2 was originally G680 MEO, registered by Haughins as a press demo car and featured on the cover of Fast Lane magazine in 1989.
Alternatively, if those readings are correct, that would mean the mileometer has gone around the clock several times since 2007 and the actual mileage is over 300k.
The dealer's text says that a new Smiths speedo was fitted in 2003 - BEFORE that weird sequence of readings - and he says that the mileage is now "approximately 76,000". But with those weird numbers on its MoT history, I don't see how he can possibly back that up. The only accurate statement would be "true mileage unknown". I assume that's one of the reasons why it seems to be priced fairly low.
There are no similar MoT concerns about the 400 ; the DVLA website shows it as doing only 10,000 miles since 2005.
The reg plate is concealed by Amore on most of the photos, but the TVRCC magazine cover shows that it is G681 MEO – which for me is an amazing coincidence, as it’s the very next one after mine. My S2 was originally G680 MEO, registered by Haughins as a press demo car and featured on the cover of Fast Lane magazine in 1989.
Thank you for your helpful replies. Regarding me selling after a couple of years...I said that because I have never kept any car for more than 3-4 years [I get bored] and I therefore expect this to be the same, but who knows?...maybe the wedge will be a keeper after all. Can you get bored of a wedge? Actually, many people must because I often see 30 odd year old wedges with 10 owners.
FHCNICK - Good points for me to ponder. The condition of the 400SE really does appeal more than the 350i
phillpot - This is what I cannot make my mind up over. Maybe I should buy cheap and just get my dream car ticked off and out of my system. Then sell for whatever [can't loose too much on a £8k car surely?].
Rodddimus - Similar to what I say to phillpot. Glad you're loving yours.
frontfloater - Very helpful information indeed. Many thanks for posting that.
FHCNICK - Good points for me to ponder. The condition of the 400SE really does appeal more than the 350i
phillpot - This is what I cannot make my mind up over. Maybe I should buy cheap and just get my dream car ticked off and out of my system. Then sell for whatever [can't loose too much on a £8k car surely?].
Rodddimus - Similar to what I say to phillpot. Glad you're loving yours.
frontfloater - Very helpful information indeed. Many thanks for posting that.
Maybe the other 350i on sale with the same dealer might be a better option ; 104k miles seems to be correct, and supplied with a new roof ready to fit :
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115438179090
No mention of chassis restoration, so that would definitely be something to enquire about.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115438179090
No mention of chassis restoration, so that would definitely be something to enquire about.
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