Owning a T350 ..... in Spain
Discussion
Firstly, just wanted to say hi to everybody in the forum, have been reading silently and have finally decided to post.
And I have a good reason too! After years of longing for and loving TVR's the T350C has really caught my imagination, powerfull, light and undeniably cool, so I have finally decided to own one!
or almost...
I live in Spain. This means no official TVR dealers...
and you can forget about independant specialists. Plus the car will be very regularly used. Can a good mechanic that knows nothing of TVR's maintain one (I think not). I can always ferry it accross for every checkup but the ferry is 350km (218.75 miles 
) away from Madrid... I like England but the trips to check up could become a tad too often for my tastes...
So what milege are we looking at? I do 30.000 km (18.750 miles) a year, but of course I'd do less than half of them in the TVR, things could get out of hand in the fuel department (ouch).
So what do you think? Comments, suggestions, am I crazy or is that just a common trait for all TVR drivers??
Thanks in advance!!
And I have a good reason too! After years of longing for and loving TVR's the T350C has really caught my imagination, powerfull, light and undeniably cool, so I have finally decided to own one!
or almost... I live in Spain. This means no official TVR dealers...
and you can forget about independant specialists. Plus the car will be very regularly used. Can a good mechanic that knows nothing of TVR's maintain one (I think not). I can always ferry it accross for every checkup but the ferry is 350km (218.75 miles ) away from Madrid... I like England but the trips to check up could become a tad too often for my tastes... So what milege are we looking at? I do 30.000 km (18.750 miles) a year, but of course I'd do less than half of them in the TVR, things could get out of hand in the fuel department (ouch).
So what do you think? Comments, suggestions, am I crazy or is that just a common trait for all TVR drivers??
Thanks in advance!!
.... don't buy a UK spec one. Once the temp gets over 22 degrees they start to unglue themselves.
On a serious note and risking being lynched I'd weigh it up very carefully. Your heart quite rightly says yes (looks, noise, performance etc etc) but its a bit of a risk surely to be so far out on a limb.
I think a poll around most owners (T350) would show they have had a few issues with thier cars. Thats fair enough if you can skoot down to your local dealer and let them try and sort it but for you that as you states isn't so easy.
On a serious note and risking being lynched I'd weigh it up very carefully. Your heart quite rightly says yes (looks, noise, performance etc etc) but its a bit of a risk surely to be so far out on a limb.
I think a poll around most owners (T350) would show they have had a few issues with thier cars. Thats fair enough if you can skoot down to your local dealer and let them try and sort it but for you that as you states isn't so easy.
oh so there are non UK spec TVR's? What is the difference? I know something has to be done about the lights to be able to drive on the other side of the road but I didn't think TVR worried about those things. Plus there is the small issue of the steering wheel being on the passenger's side but I think I can manage. 
I don't mind people honestly saying they think it's a bad idea! After all, I did ask for your opinions.
I don't mind people honestly saying they think it's a bad idea! After all, I did ask for your opinions.
bad idea!!
If you want a T350 in Spain go for the T350t or Tamora you must go topless in Spain!!
Dont forget how much servicing these cars require are there any TVR mechanics in Spain?
If you can be bothered to come back to get your car sorted then buy one as no other car has the feel and drive of a TVR,but be prepared to come back to the uk on a regular basis.
PS.hot in the uk today,it took 10mins before the car became very uncomfortable.
>> Edited by tin man on Monday 4th August 17:01
If you want a T350 in Spain go for the T350t or Tamora you must go topless in Spain!!
Dont forget how much servicing these cars require are there any TVR mechanics in Spain?
If you can be bothered to come back to get your car sorted then buy one as no other car has the feel and drive of a TVR,but be prepared to come back to the uk on a regular basis.
PS.hot in the uk today,it took 10mins before the car became very uncomfortable.
>> Edited by tin man on Monday 4th August 17:01
Knowing how often these cars visit the dealer I'd have to say you were utterly mad to buy almost any TVR.
An exception might be a well-sorted Rover V8 engined car like a Griff or Chimaera. You can buy "the Bible" (Steve Heath's book) and give it as a present to your local favoured independent mechanic.
Presumably you have independent specialists in sports cars of other marques? Why not go ask one of them if they'd be interested in supporting your vehicle? You never know - you might foster the startup of the very first Spanish TVR independent!
Having a tech who can speak excellent English and knows the telephone number of TVR in Blackpool would be an asset.
An exception might be a well-sorted Rover V8 engined car like a Griff or Chimaera. You can buy "the Bible" (Steve Heath's book) and give it as a present to your local favoured independent mechanic.
Presumably you have independent specialists in sports cars of other marques? Why not go ask one of them if they'd be interested in supporting your vehicle? You never know - you might foster the startup of the very first Spanish TVR independent!
Having a tech who can speak excellent English and knows the telephone number of TVR in Blackpool would be an asset.
no,thats with a/c!!!
You should by a tvr but I would agree with the other post go for a v8 (chim/griff)in Spain.
The speed six in the t350 is fantastic but i coulnt hand on heart trust it over a v8 outside the uk,in my opinion.
However, TVR are sorting out the air-con in a couple of months. If you were in the uk I would say buy a t350 as its the best tvr to date.
>> Edited by tin man on Monday 4th August 19:26
You should by a tvr but I would agree with the other post go for a v8 (chim/griff)in Spain.
The speed six in the t350 is fantastic but i coulnt hand on heart trust it over a v8 outside the uk,in my opinion.
However, TVR are sorting out the air-con in a couple of months. If you were in the uk I would say buy a t350 as its the best tvr to date.
>> Edited by tin man on Monday 4th August 19:26
tin man said:
bad idea!!
If you want a T350 in Spain go for the T350t or Tamora you must go topless in Spain!!
you have to be kidding - how many convertibles do you see there - it is just way too hot. I know the bloke that used to own Team Central now lives near Granada - he has a race track there or something I think...
"Borrowed" a friends Boxter and have been driving it around, I never would have thought I'd be top up in a convertible, it felt like driving through the Sahara!! :roastedchickensmiley: It's really nice at night though.
Think the T350 is meaner than a Tamora anyways.
It seems there are legal issues importing it!! Type aproval in Britain seems to be a lot easyer than in Spain (not compatible, at least not the low volume one TVR uses). Philip is looking into that, seems he has got it (almost) under control. Anybody thinking on legalizing a TVR in Spain should get in touch with him
>> Edited by Recman on Wednesday 6th August 12:29
Think the T350 is meaner than a Tamora anyways.
It seems there are legal issues importing it!! Type aproval in Britain seems to be a lot easyer than in Spain (not compatible, at least not the low volume one TVR uses). Philip is looking into that, seems he has got it (almost) under control.
Anybody thinking on legalizing a TVR in Spain should get in touch with him >> Edited by Recman on Wednesday 6th August 12:29
you got to have balls of steel to want to drive a TVR around in madrid! Parking dinks and general crap driving...
It'll need bodywork every service interval. Nice idea though, and the Spanish won't have seen anything like it. You'll be everyone's best friend!!
Whereabouts in Madrid are you? We've got a place near Castellena (sp?), if you do get the TVR, I'll keep an eye out for you whenever I'm there, and wave as you impress the masses!
Good luck whatever you decide.
It'll need bodywork every service interval. Nice idea though, and the Spanish won't have seen anything like it. You'll be everyone's best friend!!
Whereabouts in Madrid are you? We've got a place near Castellena (sp?), if you do get the TVR, I'll keep an eye out for you whenever I'm there, and wave as you impress the masses!
Good luck whatever you decide.
Hehe, right ninja, even the lowliest fiesta has parktronic in Madrid (reverse, hear the crunch, then go forwards and repeat 
)
I really think it won't cause such a great sensation, nobody will have any idea about what car it is. If its black, then you have the perfect weapon for toasting all of those insolent Porches
Anyways, toast or no toast, it's gotta be fun!!
) I really think it won't cause such a great sensation, nobody will have any idea about what car it is. If its black, then you have the perfect weapon for toasting all of those insolent Porches
Anyways, toast or no toast, it's gotta be fun!!
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