T350c Reliable new or 2nd hand buy?
Discussion
I'm kinf of new to this forum, although have found the whole community to pretty informative and useful.
I saw the T350c in Evo and on the various tv programmes. I am becoming besotted with the car but have some concerns before buying one.
I used to own a Chimeara 4.5 and had bucket loads of problems that the dealer was never to helpful to resolve. My neaighbour has a Tuscan that seems to be back at the dealer or Blackpool more times than he uses it.
Alot of the posts on here seem to be about ongoing problems with the T350 engine and reliability (ongoing TVR issues).
What guarantees/warranties do you get when buying one?
Is the T350c for me if I want a car that I drive daily without worrying about it braking down or giving me unwanted headaches?
Have TVR's become more reliable post Tuscan era?
Help much appreciated. I swore I would never have another TVR after the Chimeara - Here we go again.....
I saw the T350c in Evo and on the various tv programmes. I am becoming besotted with the car but have some concerns before buying one.
I used to own a Chimeara 4.5 and had bucket loads of problems that the dealer was never to helpful to resolve. My neaighbour has a Tuscan that seems to be back at the dealer or Blackpool more times than he uses it.
Alot of the posts on here seem to be about ongoing problems with the T350 engine and reliability (ongoing TVR issues).
What guarantees/warranties do you get when buying one?
Is the T350c for me if I want a car that I drive daily without worrying about it braking down or giving me unwanted headaches?
Have TVR's become more reliable post Tuscan era?
Help much appreciated. I swore I would never have another TVR after the Chimeara - Here we go again.....
Mudfish,
I run a T350 as my primary everyday car and I can quite honestly say 'I can't get enough of it'.
It is basically the best car that I have every had however...
...this type of machine needs a bit more TLC than a mass produced car, if you are after a car that you can just jump in and out of, rag the nuts off and not even so much as lift the bonnet to check fluids or make sure the tyres are at the right pressure than I suggest you look elsewhere.
By the very nature of a hand-built sports car you will have to put a little bit more in than a run-of-the-mill car, however compared to a great deal of the cars with the same performance (most of which will cost at least twice as much to buy) - by performance I don't mean just 0-60 or 0-100 times but true performance, it is about right.
I am sure that if you read through this forum you will get an impression of the little niggles that need to be worked out of all the cars from new - don't forget though that bad news always travels faster than good news. The Speed Six engine is a very high specific power unit and needs a gentle touch but is an absolute belter.
Owning and running a T350 will cost you more than some of the 'four-pot-two-litre sports cars' (sports in the loosest sense) on the market, but if you have an ounce of petrol running through your veins and can maintain a level of mechanical sympathy and care then you will be buying into something very special.
Good luck.
I run a T350 as my primary everyday car and I can quite honestly say 'I can't get enough of it'.
It is basically the best car that I have every had however...
...this type of machine needs a bit more TLC than a mass produced car, if you are after a car that you can just jump in and out of, rag the nuts off and not even so much as lift the bonnet to check fluids or make sure the tyres are at the right pressure than I suggest you look elsewhere.
By the very nature of a hand-built sports car you will have to put a little bit more in than a run-of-the-mill car, however compared to a great deal of the cars with the same performance (most of which will cost at least twice as much to buy) - by performance I don't mean just 0-60 or 0-100 times but true performance, it is about right.
I am sure that if you read through this forum you will get an impression of the little niggles that need to be worked out of all the cars from new - don't forget though that bad news always travels faster than good news. The Speed Six engine is a very high specific power unit and needs a gentle touch but is an absolute belter.
Owning and running a T350 will cost you more than some of the 'four-pot-two-litre sports cars' (sports in the loosest sense) on the market, but if you have an ounce of petrol running through your veins and can maintain a level of mechanical sympathy and care then you will be buying into something very special.
Good luck.
blueyes said:
Are you going to sell your 6 month old M3 cabrio (why?) or buy a T350 as well?
Hmmm do I detect a Troll?
Jesus your'e a bit quick to jump on someone's case aren't you? He's only just joined, he's put his real name and you can e-mail him through his profile, hardly the usual behaviour of a Troll. Rich...Lets give him the benefit of the doubt eh....
Mudfish. Mechanically this is the best built and most reliable TVR I have ever owned, I had a few minor build quality issues (interior and paint) with mine but now it's all been sorted and I'm absolutley delighted with it.
You can use it and drive it every day quite easily but like the others said, if you are intending to do this you must consider the costs involved which mean a service every 6K. If you went to someone like TVR Power they service S6 engined cars for 450 quid now which isnt too bad.
Also you need to check fluids every couple of days and make sure it gets looked after properly. Its not a Boxster its a TVR and needs a bit more TLC. But what you do get is style and individuality and you actually look forward to opening the garage every day.....
Good luck whatever you decide.
Flash.
Mudfish. Mechanically this is the best built and most reliable TVR I have ever owned, I had a few minor build quality issues (interior and paint) with mine but now it's all been sorted and I'm absolutley delighted with it.
You can use it and drive it every day quite easily but like the others said, if you are intending to do this you must consider the costs involved which mean a service every 6K. If you went to someone like TVR Power they service S6 engined cars for 450 quid now which isnt too bad.
Also you need to check fluids every couple of days and make sure it gets looked after properly. Its not a Boxster its a TVR and needs a bit more TLC. But what you do get is style and individuality and you actually look forward to opening the garage every day.....
Good luck whatever you decide.
Flash.
blueyes said:
Are you going to sell your 6 month old M3 cabrio (why?) or buy a T350 as well?
Hmmm do I detect a Troll?
I have never kept a car longer than 8 months for the last 3 years. A costly excercise in some cases. I will probably sell my M3 to the garage that convinces me I can't live without the T350c and assuming the deal is attractive and I can get the right warranties and assurances the car will be sorted in warp speed should anything go wrong then I might part with my hard earned cash. I here Glenvarigall (Scotland) is taking over TVR up here. They are a well reputed luxury, prestige and high performance dealer - so should be able to get something in blood from them.
Mudfish said:
I here Glenvarigall (Scotland) is taking over TVR up here. They are a well reputed luxury, prestige and high performance dealer - so should be able to get something in blood from them.
Glenvarigill have been TVR dealers since Logik closed, so around May/June I guess. Currently trading in Kirkcaldy, but a move to their complex at Fort Kinnaird [Edinburgh] soon.
WB
RichB said:
Jesus your'e a bit quick to jump on someone's case aren't you?
Jesus... and promptly crucified I see!
C'mon you have to admit, it looked odd that he was swapping an M3 cab after 6 months (even though we know they're hairdressers cars)... and there are only 2 cars on his profile!
I only asked him if he was a troll!
I'll get back up on my cross now.
blueyes said:Sorry old Blueyes, it's just that there seems to be a trend towards jumping on "newbies" when they join Pistonheads these days, unlike a few years ago when they got welcomed with open arms. Cheers Rich...
Jesus your'e a bit quick to jump on someone's case aren't you?
No prob richb.
OOps! Forgot to answer the original question!
Sell your 'playstation' car. Buy a T350c. If you don't like it you'll only have it for 6-8 months so it won't be too much of a pain!
BTW. Please can you order it in bright red with black suede interior.... and then I'll buy it in 6 months time... when it's nicely run in and all the little niggles are sorted. Can't wait!
OOps! Forgot to answer the original question!
Sell your 'playstation' car. Buy a T350c. If you don't like it you'll only have it for 6-8 months so it won't be too much of a pain!
BTW. Please can you order it in bright red with black suede interior.... and then I'll buy it in 6 months time... when it's nicely run in and all the little niggles are sorted. Can't wait!
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