718 Caymen or TVR T350C
Discussion
My heart says TVR. But when I was faced with the same conundrum in 2011 I went with a 2006 Z4M.
I loved the TVR's but as my wife pointed out it looks great until you get within 10 feet of it. A solid argument.. although the only T350C I've ever seen looked perfect.
Porsches have never really floated my boat either especially in 4 pot turbo form.
I like flawed brilliant cars so I'd probably go T350C if I was given your choice today.
A 718 Cayman is such a different car to really any TVR or Z4M just because of the age.
I guess it comes down to whether you want Carplay or ragged fun.
I loved the TVR's but as my wife pointed out it looks great until you get within 10 feet of it. A solid argument.. although the only T350C I've ever seen looked perfect.
Porsches have never really floated my boat either especially in 4 pot turbo form.
I like flawed brilliant cars so I'd probably go T350C if I was given your choice today.
A 718 Cayman is such a different car to really any TVR or Z4M just because of the age.
I guess it comes down to whether you want Carplay or ragged fun.
That is quite an extreme gap between those two!
As a previous TVR owner and fanboy, can i suggest an Evora as the sweet spot between the bonkers excitement of the TVR and the worthy practicality and sensible Porsche?
Toyota running gear, big boot, rear seat space, looks, exclusivity, handling, noise (with a 2bular) and steering that is PCOTY winning...
But if an Evora is not your thing, then the T350C. What a hoot, every drive an adventure!
As a previous TVR owner and fanboy, can i suggest an Evora as the sweet spot between the bonkers excitement of the TVR and the worthy practicality and sensible Porsche?
Toyota running gear, big boot, rear seat space, looks, exclusivity, handling, noise (with a 2bular) and steering that is PCOTY winning...
But if an Evora is not your thing, then the T350C. What a hoot, every drive an adventure!
a340driver said:
My heart says TVR. But when I was faced with the same conundrum in 2011 I went with a 2006 Z4M.
I'm a fellow Z4M owner. 
I never considered a Porsche because everything I have read about them suggests they are just too competent, whereas the Z4M is slightly edgy which I like.
Never driven a TVR but by all accounts they probably make a Z4M seem civilised, and you don't get a safety net. On that basis I'd take the TVR every time!
Mr Tidy said:
I'm a fellow Z4M owner.
I never considered a Porsche because everything I have read about them suggests they are just too competent, whereas the Z4M is slightly edgy which I like.
Never driven a TVR but by all accounts they probably make a Z4M seem civilised, and you don't get a safety net. On that basis I'd take the TVR every time!
Well summarised Mr Tidy, except you might be surprised that something like a Griff also makes a comfortable tourer. About time you got yourself a TVR.I never considered a Porsche because everything I have read about them suggests they are just too competent, whereas the Z4M is slightly edgy which I like.
Never driven a TVR but by all accounts they probably make a Z4M seem civilised, and you don't get a safety net. On that basis I'd take the TVR every time!
TVRBRZ said:
That is quite an extreme gap between those two!
As a previous TVR owner and fanboy, can i suggest an Evora as the sweet spot between the bonkers excitement of the TVR and the worthy practicality and sensible Porsche?
Toyota running gear, big boot, rear seat space, looks, exclusivity, handling, noise (with a 2bular) and steering that is PCOTY winning...
But if an Evora is not your thing, then the T350C. What a hoot, every drive an adventure!
Having had 4 TVR’s and 2 Nobles before my recent Evora purchase you are bang on the money.As a previous TVR owner and fanboy, can i suggest an Evora as the sweet spot between the bonkers excitement of the TVR and the worthy practicality and sensible Porsche?
Toyota running gear, big boot, rear seat space, looks, exclusivity, handling, noise (with a 2bular) and steering that is PCOTY winning...
But if an Evora is not your thing, then the T350C. What a hoot, every drive an adventure!
Actually I may be a bit wrong. The Evora is very accomplished (almost too good as a driver) and arguably a lot closer to the Porsche.
Making an Evora more TVR like requires a silly aftermarket exhaust, bald rear tyres and traction control off at all times....
OP, why such diverse choice?
Making an Evora more TVR like requires a silly aftermarket exhaust, bald rear tyres and traction control off at all times....
OP, why such diverse choice?
sjc said:
TVRBRZ said:
That is quite an extreme gap between those two!
As a previous TVR owner and fanboy, can i suggest an Evora as the sweet spot between the bonkers excitement of the TVR and the worthy practicality and sensible Porsche?
Toyota running gear, big boot, rear seat space, looks, exclusivity, handling, noise (with a 2bular) and steering that is PCOTY winning...
But if an Evora is not your thing, then the T350C. What a hoot, every drive an adventure!
Having had 4 TVR s and 2 Nobles before my recent Evora purchase you are bang on the money.As a previous TVR owner and fanboy, can i suggest an Evora as the sweet spot between the bonkers excitement of the TVR and the worthy practicality and sensible Porsche?
Toyota running gear, big boot, rear seat space, looks, exclusivity, handling, noise (with a 2bular) and steering that is PCOTY winning...
But if an Evora is not your thing, then the T350C. What a hoot, every drive an adventure!
Even Evo agree once they look beyond practicality, which should always be low on the weekend list.
An XKR also worthy. Bonkers engine, in a good way.
TVRBRZ said:
Actually I may be a bit wrong. The Evora is very accomplished (almost too good as a driver) and arguably a lot closer to the Porsche.
Making an Evora more TVR like requires a silly aftermarket exhaust, bald rear tyres and traction control off at all times....
OP, why such diverse choice?
TVRBRZ Its based totally on looks, I LOVE the look of the TVR, But the porker looks good too. Sound-wise the TVR wins my heart everytime. The interior seems a little more hard-wearing in the porker, but I'm getting increasingly pee'd of with intrusive driver convenience like apple carplay and android auto. So much so that I now refuse to connect my phone to the Kodiaq and only listen to the radio. Making an Evora more TVR like requires a silly aftermarket exhaust, bald rear tyres and traction control off at all times....
OP, why such diverse choice?
The TVR is going to take a bit of spannering and looking after. The Porsche will need a service once every 2 years hopefully. If your happy to give the car a load of TLC and are happy with the quirks then get the TVR. If you want something that just works and can be left standing then get the Porsche.
Me I'd get something in between like a GT4.
Me I'd get something in between like a GT4.
Depends on useage in all honesty, they are absolute polar opposites to both own and drive. I had a T350t for 10 years and also owned a Cayman S (987) for a while.
Cayman is civilised, comfy and handles like it's on rails. However, unless you are at 90% plus it just never feels special.
The 350 is alive under you, feels special at idle, 20 mph and at speed. It does need careful fettling, religious warming up and an understanding of its quirks but they are amazing machines
Cayman is civilised, comfy and handles like it's on rails. However, unless you are at 90% plus it just never feels special.
The 350 is alive under you, feels special at idle, 20 mph and at speed. It does need careful fettling, religious warming up and an understanding of its quirks but they are amazing machines
Interesting two choices OP!
May I suggest, before you leap, try the more analogue 987.2 3.4S Cayman. The 718 is a 4 pot (unless you are getting the GT4!), the 918 is a great car but has electronic steering. The 987.2 is the sweet spot and has the choice of manual or PDK double clutch gearbox. It is far more analogue than the others in the Cayman range.
As for the T250; proper mental of course, as you would expect, but barely comparable to the Cayman. It'll bite yer 'arris off as soon as ya like and takes some getting used to. Mate of mine brought his new, to him, T350C on a Eurohoon and it skidded on a lightly wet hillside road (at a speed less that 30mph) and it was basically totalled. He did this on day one and spent the rest of the tour in a beige Audi A3 sort of thing.
If it were me, I'd look more closely at the 987.2 Cayman S or the R version, if you have the funds. The Tiv is a very different animal.
May I suggest, before you leap, try the more analogue 987.2 3.4S Cayman. The 718 is a 4 pot (unless you are getting the GT4!), the 918 is a great car but has electronic steering. The 987.2 is the sweet spot and has the choice of manual or PDK double clutch gearbox. It is far more analogue than the others in the Cayman range.
As for the T250; proper mental of course, as you would expect, but barely comparable to the Cayman. It'll bite yer 'arris off as soon as ya like and takes some getting used to. Mate of mine brought his new, to him, T350C on a Eurohoon and it skidded on a lightly wet hillside road (at a speed less that 30mph) and it was basically totalled. He did this on day one and spent the rest of the tour in a beige Audi A3 sort of thing.
If it were me, I'd look more closely at the 987.2 Cayman S or the R version, if you have the funds. The Tiv is a very different animal.
Johnniem said:
As for the T250; proper mental of course, as you would expect, but barely comparable to the Cayman. It'll bite yer 'arris off as soon as ya like and takes some getting used to. Mate of mine brought his new, to him, T350C on a Eurohoon and it skidded on a lightly wet hillside road (at a speed less that 30mph) and it was basically totalled. He did this on day one and spent the rest of the tour in a beige Audi A3 sort of thing.
l.
Sorry, but thats rubbish. They are one of the easiest TVRs to drive both sedately and on the limit. Mine was a 4.3 engine which comes with way more torque than standard and I drove that across Europe and Scotland as part of fairly lets say, quick, tours and in all weathers with no issues at all.l.
Edited by TTB on Monday 27th October 16:21
Johnniem said:
Interesting two choices OP!
May I suggest, before you leap, try the more analogue 987.2 3.4S Cayman. The 718 is a 4 pot (unless you are getting the GT4!), the 918 is a great car but has electronic steering. The 987.2 is the sweet spot and has the choice of manual or PDK double clutch gearbox. It is far more analogue than the others in the Cayman range.
It doesn't have top be a GT4 to get the flat six. The GTS 4.0 also has it. I've driven it and it's excellent. Sadly it doesn't sound as good as the previous generations and that't the only reason I didn't buy one - sound is everything for me!May I suggest, before you leap, try the more analogue 987.2 3.4S Cayman. The 718 is a 4 pot (unless you are getting the GT4!), the 918 is a great car but has electronic steering. The 987.2 is the sweet spot and has the choice of manual or PDK double clutch gearbox. It is far more analogue than the others in the Cayman range.
LunarOne said:
Johnniem said:
Interesting two choices OP!
May I suggest, before you leap, try the more analogue 987.2 3.4S Cayman. The 718 is a 4 pot (unless you are getting the GT4!), the 918 is a great car but has electronic steering. The 987.2 is the sweet spot and has the choice of manual or PDK double clutch gearbox. It is far more analogue than the others in the Cayman range.
It doesn't have top be a GT4 to get the flat six. The GTS 4.0 also has it. I've driven it and it's excellent. Sadly it doesn't sound as good as the previous generations and that't the only reason I didn't buy one - sound is everything for me!May I suggest, before you leap, try the more analogue 987.2 3.4S Cayman. The 718 is a 4 pot (unless you are getting the GT4!), the 918 is a great car but has electronic steering. The 987.2 is the sweet spot and has the choice of manual or PDK double clutch gearbox. It is far more analogue than the others in the Cayman range.
JM
Edited by Johnniem on Monday 27th October 15:53
LunarOne said:
Johnniem said:
Interesting two choices OP!
May I suggest, before you leap, try the more analogue 987.2 3.4S Cayman. The 718 is a 4 pot (unless you are getting the GT4!), the 918 is a great car but has electronic steering. The 987.2 is the sweet spot and has the choice of manual or PDK double clutch gearbox. It is far more analogue than the others in the Cayman range.
It doesn't have top be a GT4 to get the flat six. The GTS 4.0 also has it. I've driven it and it's excellent. Sadly it doesn't sound as good as the previous generations and that't the only reason I didn't buy one - sound is everything for me!May I suggest, before you leap, try the more analogue 987.2 3.4S Cayman. The 718 is a 4 pot (unless you are getting the GT4!), the 918 is a great car but has electronic steering. The 987.2 is the sweet spot and has the choice of manual or PDK double clutch gearbox. It is far more analogue than the others in the Cayman range.
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