choosing between a wedge and an S
Discussion
Hi
I've had my heart set on a wedge for quite a while and I've found one I'm interested in (a 280i 2+2). I was chatting to a friend about it though and he suggested that an S might be a better car to go with as they were a bit easier to maintain and, being about ten years younger, quite a bit more modern. I was just after some advice from anyone who's lived with one (or both) on what to be aware of and to look out for with either model. I've never owned a car like this before so I don't have any experience keeping them running and on the road and although I'm willing to learn what I need to know, and I have access to a garage/tools and a pit, I want to enjoy owning the car rather than feel daunted by it.
I've had my heart set on a wedge for quite a while and I've found one I'm interested in (a 280i 2+2). I was chatting to a friend about it though and he suggested that an S might be a better car to go with as they were a bit easier to maintain and, being about ten years younger, quite a bit more modern. I was just after some advice from anyone who's lived with one (or both) on what to be aware of and to look out for with either model. I've never owned a car like this before so I don't have any experience keeping them running and on the road and although I'm willing to learn what I need to know, and I have access to a garage/tools and a pit, I want to enjoy owning the car rather than feel daunted by it.
If you have those facilities and some experience with spanners, then you'll find that both cars are very simple to maintain...little different to a family saloon of their era.
I haven't had an 'S', but I've had three Wedges, including a 280 FHC and 2 soft tops.
Certainly the FHC will be more useable year-round, so that's something to consider.
The 'S' is a lighter, perhaps more nimble car, but was also considerably cheaper new, so expect the Wedge to be a bit better equipped and more solidly put together.
The 280i + 2 is a rare car even by TVR standards, so could be a good investment too.
You can easily fit the later 2.9 engines into the Wedge ...or a V8.
I haven't had an 'S', but I've had three Wedges, including a 280 FHC and 2 soft tops.
Certainly the FHC will be more useable year-round, so that's something to consider.
The 'S' is a lighter, perhaps more nimble car, but was also considerably cheaper new, so expect the Wedge to be a bit better equipped and more solidly put together.
The 280i + 2 is a rare car even by TVR standards, so could be a good investment too.
You can easily fit the later 2.9 engines into the Wedge ...or a V8.
I went through this dilemma, and to cut a long story short I found my preconceptions of the two cars (brawny V8 wedge against slightly wet, slower V6 S) were completely wrong, so I would say get a ride - and better still, drive - several of each before comitting.
Performance wise, I haven't been in a V6 wedge, but the S is considerably lighter, to the point where a 2.9 S has a better power to weight ratio than a 350i I believe. From being in a couple of V8s I'd say you'd have to be exceeding the national speed limit before you'd notice a huge difference in performance, so a V6 wedge would probably be appreciably slower.
The S is also a relatively nimble car, quite forgiving to drive quickly and capable of providing extremely good feedback. I can't comment first hand on the wedge, but I get the impression they're a bit more of a handful.
Both have excellent groups of owners. The wedge is arguably more of a cult car, but it's not as if any TVR will leave you short of support.
The coupe and 2+2 options on the wedge are obviously a major plus point if you plan to use it year round. They are however rare as the proverbial - I know, I've looked!
Excuse the blatant bias, but my defining memory of shopping for TVRs was my fear that the wedge would be a 'proper TVR' and the S (which I secretly preferred the look of) would be some sort of cheap junior offering. That (the latter at least) couldn't have been further from the truth and I'd say neither has a fundamental advantage, it comes down to preference.
Performance wise, I haven't been in a V6 wedge, but the S is considerably lighter, to the point where a 2.9 S has a better power to weight ratio than a 350i I believe. From being in a couple of V8s I'd say you'd have to be exceeding the national speed limit before you'd notice a huge difference in performance, so a V6 wedge would probably be appreciably slower.
The S is also a relatively nimble car, quite forgiving to drive quickly and capable of providing extremely good feedback. I can't comment first hand on the wedge, but I get the impression they're a bit more of a handful.
Both have excellent groups of owners. The wedge is arguably more of a cult car, but it's not as if any TVR will leave you short of support.
The coupe and 2+2 options on the wedge are obviously a major plus point if you plan to use it year round. They are however rare as the proverbial - I know, I've looked!
Excuse the blatant bias, but my defining memory of shopping for TVRs was my fear that the wedge would be a 'proper TVR' and the S (which I secretly preferred the look of) would be some sort of cheap junior offering. That (the latter at least) couldn't have been further from the truth and I'd say neither has a fundamental advantage, it comes down to preference.
Thanks everyone - I've been taken out in both before (although I haven't had the chance to drive either yet) so I'll try and drive at least one of each before I decide. I had a good think about it last night though and there's just something about Wedges that appeals to me. I just have a feeling I would be more excited to see a Wedge rather than an S parked on my drive every morning although that might change once I've driven them! I'll let you know how I get on...
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