TVR T350C to V8 Vantage

[stub101]

Hi all

I'm new to the AM part of the forum as I currently spend most of my time in the TVR section as I own a TVR T350C which I love to bits but I am now looking at changing it for a V8 Vantage.

The two cars are very different propositions I know but I wondered how many people had made a similar switch from a TVR and whether I could get their thoughts and comments etc.. I have no problems re: fuel economy and running both cars as the TVR will likely cost more anyway.

I have been to look at a number of Vantages so far and I must say they have been a bit of a mixed bag. Admittedly I am looking at the lower end of the used market (up to £50k) but from the short test drives I have been on it is also so difficult to get a feel for the car to be able to fully compare and make my decision.

I live in Leeds and JCT600 AM have been very good, but I did see the 2006 Sportshift in Harrogate with GC motors - what are peoples reviews on the 2006 sportshift models?

Thanks in advance,

[bogie]

2006 models are fine, sportshift is an aquired taste/preference...some people love them, others are manual only people like myself

we have both - Vantage and Sagaris, both are very different cars, and both have bags of character. You will probably find the Vantage actually cheaper to run to be honest, just due to 10K service intervals rather than 6K ones ..(of course only if you do over 10K a year!)

Performance wise the Vantage is a bit slower if you are bothered about 0-60 and 0-100 times that is, actually point to point in the real world, nothing in it, same as most performance cars once you get to a certain amount of performance, unless you are tracking them of course.

For long journeys the Vantage wins every time though, much easier to spend 8-10 hours in and get out still fresh than the TVR

anyway, you wont regret it - make sure to test drive with a "de-corked" car - sounds like a SP6 at startup from cold then, just with an extra 2 cylinders

[m33ufo]

I made the same change although it was T350t via M3 CSL and Boxster to the V8V just a couple of weeks ago. The T350 is a fab car and I always loved driving mine although the main reason I sold (with just 11,000 miles on the clock) was that I was always expecting it to break! Mine had been substantially sorted but I was just waiting for the engine to go pop or something electrical to manifest. I don't get that feeling in the Aston although I know they have "issues" to.

You don't get the same raw feel in the Aston - you know it when you're doing 130mph in the TVR!! But overall it's quite a similar prospect in that both offer a great sense of occasion when driving them. They both feel special. When I first saw the Aston there was no going back, I had to have it - it's the most beautiful car I think I have ever seen. No regrets, there is nothing I would change it for right now and it has to be the most prestigious badge on the planet.

Oh, did I mention the noise...better than a TVR!

[whoami]

stub101 said:

I have been to look at a number of Vantages so far and I must say they have been a bit of a mixed bag.

What sort of differences have you found?

[stub101]

Thanks for the initial posts - very useful and informative.

The differences I have found with the ones I looked at purely relate to how they have been looked after (or not as the case was). They really were terrible. I dont know if its because us TVR owners HAVE to take good care of our cars but those V8V's were very tired looking for 2.5 yrs old.

Wouldnt mind a bit of an in depth chat with a couple of owners in Leeds if possible????

[m33ufo]

Mine is almost 2.5 years old wih 16K miles and aside from a little scuff to the drivers seat bolster (which I'll have to get sorted) is pretty much mint. You just need to keep looking.

[thorfun]

i found a 2.5 year old 06 plate with only 6k on the clock. immaculate condition! as m33ufo says, you just have to keep looking. they are beautiful cars. i was looking at TVRs before i decided on the Aston and my worry was the reliability side of the TVR but i don't get that feeling in the V8V. 'tis a wonderful car with a wonderful sound!

[whoami]

stub101 said:

Thanks for the initial posts - very useful and informative.

The differences I have found with the ones I looked at purely relate to how they have been looked after (or not as the case was). They really were terrible. I dont know if its because us TVR owners HAVE to take good care of our cars but those V8V's were very tired looking for 2.5 yrs old.

Wouldnt mind a bit of an in depth chat with a couple of owners in Leeds if possible????

I'm fairly local and deal with JCT (my old car is actually for sale there too).

Happy to chat if it helps.

[Tonto]

I went from a Tamora to a V8 Vantage.
I also looked at JCT600 in Leeds. Ended up buying from GC Motors. Good bunch of people to deal with. I didn't go for a car they had in stock. Instead, I gave them the spec I wanted and asked them to source me a car, which they did within a couple of weeks.

[MADT350]

I went from a 06 T350 to a V8V and never looked back...i loved the performance on the T350 in a straight line and thats all i miss.......do it you will love it...

[Captain Beaky]

I went from a Cerbera 4.5 to a Vantage and they're very different cars.

I loved the Cerb, kept it for 7 years and did all kinds of work on it (well, Jools at TCS did). I do miss the raw feel and outright speed sometimes but the Vantage is just such a great place to be. Lovely steering feel, excellent brakes and an engine noise to better even the Cerbera.

I live and work in Leeds if you want a chat.

[Lucozade]

Still got my Tuscan S although it's with a dealer on a sale or return(shameless plug):

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/835041.htm

I use my 06 plate V8 Vantage everyday and second what other people have said.

Not much in it performance wise, Tuscan S delivers power is scary amounts. V8 Vantage is just nice but could do with a tiny bit more in my opinion (engine upgrade getting booked soon!)

Comfort levels are vastly different. The Aston is head-and-shoulders above the TVR. I love the bespoke nature of the Tuscan interior but the seats in the Aston don't give me any discomfort even after long drives.

Good luck.

[stub101]

Thanks for all the offers and advice guys. I'm gonna try have a chat with a few people and dig a little further.

I actually havent checked of the Vantage will even fit in my garage yet!!!!!!

[Lucozade]

stub101 said:

Thanks for all the offers and advice guys. I'm gonna try have a chat with a few people and dig a little further.

I actually havent checked of the Vantage will even fit in my garage yet!!!!!!

My Tuscan was always garaged and had a reasonable amount of room down the sides and back. The Vantage is a tight squeeze but thanks to it's clever door opening I still manage to get it into the garage. Although, folding mirrors are essential !