Prospective owner need advice
Discussion
Went to test drove a T350C last Saturday. Coming from my Alfa GTV V6 (reasonably quick car), I was blown away by the performance of the TVR. This is my frist TVR experience, although I always dream to have one. I have heard a lot of story about TVR, and I kind of know what they are. Needless to say, the performance was well up to my expectation. But there were a few thing that surpriesd me. Firstly the ride was a lot better than I expected. I'm impressed. But I'm afraid that's the end of the positive things.
I know they were not well built, and didn't expect to see Porsche buit quality. But the fit and finishes really disappointed me. When I close the door, the noise didn't induce confidence at all, although there's no rattle on the drive, and nothing has fallen off. One of the rear lamp cluster got water ingress. Both head lamp cluster got dust inside. Paint quality was not the best. The needles on both the speedo and rev counter were vibrating constantly. The headrest was rubbing the roll cage. I was sure there were other things I didn't spot on the day. I mean this car was at a TVR dealer, with only 1 previous owner and 6K miles on the clock. I can't imagine what it would be like after a few years. The salesman said these thigs were common and they would fixed them before I get the car.
The other issue was the the steering was really twitchy. And the brake was very firm and dead in feel. It's just completely different to the Alfa. With time I think I can get use to these.
I still love the T350 to bits, but just can't convince myself to own one. I do Continental road trips constantly, and I certainly wouldn't dare to use the TVR for these. If I was a millionire, I would have bought it without a doubt. Unfortunately I'm not, I don't think I can live with the financial burden and the reliability. I'll sad and disappointed. Now I can finally afford my dream car but find out I cannot buy it. Please be gentle on me, I'm not trying to be offensive in anyway. Just want to share my thought and hoping someone to tell me that I'm wrong and convince myself to have one again. Very likely it would be my only car, how would it cope with everyday use in central London stop and go traffic, horrible road surface and monster speed humps? I really don't know. Would the car work in the wet and winter (both drivibility and reliability)? I heard the the electronic would go mad when it rains and the handling is not for novice driver like myself.
I really don't know. Your kind advice and comment are much appreciated.
I know they were not well built, and didn't expect to see Porsche buit quality. But the fit and finishes really disappointed me. When I close the door, the noise didn't induce confidence at all, although there's no rattle on the drive, and nothing has fallen off. One of the rear lamp cluster got water ingress. Both head lamp cluster got dust inside. Paint quality was not the best. The needles on both the speedo and rev counter were vibrating constantly. The headrest was rubbing the roll cage. I was sure there were other things I didn't spot on the day. I mean this car was at a TVR dealer, with only 1 previous owner and 6K miles on the clock. I can't imagine what it would be like after a few years. The salesman said these thigs were common and they would fixed them before I get the car.
The other issue was the the steering was really twitchy. And the brake was very firm and dead in feel. It's just completely different to the Alfa. With time I think I can get use to these.
I still love the T350 to bits, but just can't convince myself to own one. I do Continental road trips constantly, and I certainly wouldn't dare to use the TVR for these. If I was a millionire, I would have bought it without a doubt. Unfortunately I'm not, I don't think I can live with the financial burden and the reliability. I'll sad and disappointed. Now I can finally afford my dream car but find out I cannot buy it. Please be gentle on me, I'm not trying to be offensive in anyway. Just want to share my thought and hoping someone to tell me that I'm wrong and convince myself to have one again. Very likely it would be my only car, how would it cope with everyday use in central London stop and go traffic, horrible road surface and monster speed humps? I really don't know. Would the car work in the wet and winter (both drivibility and reliability)? I heard the the electronic would go mad when it rains and the handling is not for novice driver like myself.
I really don't know. Your kind advice and comment are much appreciated.
You either "get" TVR or you don't.
If you didn't immediately fall head over heels in love and know that you HAD to own one,.....then don't. It's too much money to spend to not be totally content with the whole experience, and shrug off the difficulties and niggles
Can't deny that owning one is an expensive challenge. But you'll never smile as much in another motor. And as for European trips, loads of people use them for that purpose.
Sorry, but it has to be heart over head and it sounds like your head is far too rational. But maybe the time will be right for you at some stage in the future.
If you didn't immediately fall head over heels in love and know that you HAD to own one,.....then don't. It's too much money to spend to not be totally content with the whole experience, and shrug off the difficulties and niggles
Can't deny that owning one is an expensive challenge. But you'll never smile as much in another motor. And as for European trips, loads of people use them for that purpose.
Sorry, but it has to be heart over head and it sounds like your head is far too rational. But maybe the time will be right for you at some stage in the future.
Horses for courses...
TVRs are flawed beasts - near supercar performance for not a lot of dosh. But there's always a price to pay...
Want a daily driver? Pay a hell of a lot more or accept a hell of a lot less performance...
TVR is stripped-to-the-bone British sportscar - yes, it's not got German build quality, but what it DOES have is... The answer to that is whether or not you buy one!!
TVRs are flawed beasts - near supercar performance for not a lot of dosh. But there's always a price to pay...
Want a daily driver? Pay a hell of a lot more or accept a hell of a lot less performance...
TVR is stripped-to-the-bone British sportscar - yes, it's not got German build quality, but what it DOES have is... The answer to that is whether or not you buy one!!
Hi black_rex,
As already mentioned people do regularly take their cars on continental trips.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Are you specifically interested in the newer TVR's. You could try an older model, just as much fun, if not more
cheaper and many of the niggles would have been ironed out..
Just a thought?
G
As already mentioned people do regularly take their cars on continental trips.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Are you specifically interested in the newer TVR's. You could try an older model, just as much fun, if not more
cheaper and many of the niggles would have been ironed out..Just a thought?
G
The T350 is, essentially, a Tamora with a roof. I've driven both cars, although not extensively, and I think that, if the steering felt in any way twitchy, then there's something amiss with the setup, tyres or similar. I've found the steering to be one of the delights of the T350/Tam. It can take a little getting used to but then I'm only talking ten miles or so.
I'd suggest going to another dealer and driving a different one.
See this month's (November's) Sprint for a number of owners' views of the T350 including some of the warts.
On talking to the stunt drivers at an MPH show, probably 04, they said it was the best handling car they had ever driven. A quality GT racing driver, employed by Racing Green, said that in his opinion it was the best TVR to own, even over and above the Sagaris, for rewarding driving.
If I had the money then I'd go for a Tam/T350. But, as the others have said, if you don't 'get it' then you should either: a/ drive it some more, or b/ buy something else.
Derek
I'd suggest going to another dealer and driving a different one.
See this month's (November's) Sprint for a number of owners' views of the T350 including some of the warts.
On talking to the stunt drivers at an MPH show, probably 04, they said it was the best handling car they had ever driven. A quality GT racing driver, employed by Racing Green, said that in his opinion it was the best TVR to own, even over and above the Sagaris, for rewarding driving.
If I had the money then I'd go for a Tam/T350. But, as the others have said, if you don't 'get it' then you should either: a/ drive it some more, or b/ buy something else.
Derek
T40ORA said:
You either "get" TVR or you don't.
If you didn't immediately fall head over heels in love and know that you HAD to own one,.....then don't. It's too much money to spend to not be totally content with the whole experience, and shrug off the difficulties and niggles
Can't deny that owning one is an expensive challenge. But you'll never smile as much in another motor. And as for European trips, loads of people use them for that purpose.
Sorry, but it has to be heart over head and it sounds like your head is far too rational. But maybe the time will be right for you at some stage in the future.
This is SO right.If you didn't immediately fall head over heels in love and know that you HAD to own one,.....then don't. It's too much money to spend to not be totally content with the whole experience, and shrug off the difficulties and niggles
Can't deny that owning one is an expensive challenge. But you'll never smile as much in another motor. And as for European trips, loads of people use them for that purpose.
Sorry, but it has to be heart over head and it sounds like your head is far too rational. But maybe the time will be right for you at some stage in the future.
If you expect the TVR to be a buy and forget car then don't do it. If you want to love the car and accept it's faults and quirks the buy it.
I've done 12k miles in my Griffth this year which included two 1200 mile journeys and it ran faultlessly.
Yes it will bang and crash but, if you love it you will always lock it, walk away and look back
black_rex said:
The other issue was the the steering was really twitchy. And the brake was very firm and dead in feel. It's just completely different to the Alfa. With time I think I can get use to these.
Having owned both a Tamora and a T350 (plus others), I thing I know what you are referring to regarding the steering. TVR's have really quick steering and it doesn't take much turning of the wheel to have a huge effect on the direction of travel. In fact at speed on a motorway, you can find yourself moving about the lane just through doing minor corrections.It's not really noticeable once you are used to it, but coming from a GTV which has far slower steering, you probably feel a bit uneasy with it. Once you are used to it though, you will appreciate the rewards it has to offer.
eesbad said:
Horses for courses...
TVRs are flawed beasts - near supercar performance for not a lot of dosh. But there's always a price to pay...
Want a daily driver? Pay a hell of a lot more or accept a hell of a lot less performance...
TVR is stripped-to-the-bone British sportscar - yes, it's not got German build quality, but what it DOES have is... The answer to that is whether or not you buy one!!
TVRs are flawed beasts - near supercar performance for not a lot of dosh. But there's always a price to pay...
Want a daily driver? Pay a hell of a lot more or accept a hell of a lot less performance...
TVR is stripped-to-the-bone British sportscar - yes, it's not got German build quality, but what it DOES have is... The answer to that is whether or not you buy one!!
Spot on.
The previous posters are spot on, if you have fallen for TVR you will buy one and to hell with the consequences. As to Europe, i took my Griff to France this summer for it's holidays. After a service by Fernhurst and the purchase of spares they advised me to carry, off I went. 3000 miles later, which included some heavy alpine hooning, the major fault we developed was a blown fuse on the cigarette lighter. The sat nav was being powered by it. Oh and the indicator light on the nearside blew.
It strikes me with that list of "niggles", that you looked at a bad one. It is true that TVRs are not Porsche type build quality but they are not Porsche type prices and the driving experience is totally different. If you like that driving experience you become hooked and you forgive the car its foibles and accept that you won't get that level of performance anywhere else for the money.
If you want a TVR, go and look at some more and then decide if it's for you. If you don't want one, just walk away.
If you want a TVR, go and look at some more and then decide if it's for you. If you don't want one, just walk away.
It strikes me with that list of "niggles", that you looked at a bad one. walk away.
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I don't think he "looked a a bad one" having read most posts about T350's faults on here. The problems with that car seem very common with lots of T350's
How are the doors supposed to sound on closing ?? its a fibreglass car, so you will never get the sound of an everyday car door closing.
My passenger seat rubs on the roll cage, quick fix with some graffite spray and it last for weeks. show me a T350 that don't have dust in the head lights, or the odd light that steams up when the sun shines on it.Before you all correct me on the above faults, i do realise there are bound to be a few out there that don't have them.
regarding the needles vibrating, well i think that due to the nature of the beast, it a race car built for the road ffc!
I've had my T350C now for over four and a half years. Its most definitly not been without its problems, especially the first two years (thank god for the warranty)which saved me a fortune.
There were times when i wanted to get shot of the damn thing, but i had grown to live with problems, and realised there were going to be more, which there were on numerous occations, but the car is well sorted now.
So my advice as from a bloke who wanted a TVR for the last thirty years is, If you don't mind niggles get one. And if you dont want niggles the don't get one.
On here you will quite often read a phrase that goes "They all do that sir" well thats correct but not always in the same order.
I think you should get one anyway, if you don't like it? sell it!! life's to short, so have a bit of TVR life, you may not regret it. one last bit of advice is ....Shop around.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.......Dave
[/quote]
I don't think he "looked a a bad one" having read most posts about T350's faults on here. The problems with that car seem very common with lots of T350's
How are the doors supposed to sound on closing ?? its a fibreglass car, so you will never get the sound of an everyday car door closing.
My passenger seat rubs on the roll cage, quick fix with some graffite spray and it last for weeks. show me a T350 that don't have dust in the head lights, or the odd light that steams up when the sun shines on it.Before you all correct me on the above faults, i do realise there are bound to be a few out there that don't have them.
regarding the needles vibrating, well i think that due to the nature of the beast, it a race car built for the road ffc!
I've had my T350C now for over four and a half years. Its most definitly not been without its problems, especially the first two years (thank god for the warranty)which saved me a fortune.
There were times when i wanted to get shot of the damn thing, but i had grown to live with problems, and realised there were going to be more, which there were on numerous occations, but the car is well sorted now.
So my advice as from a bloke who wanted a TVR for the last thirty years is, If you don't mind niggles get one. And if you dont want niggles the don't get one.
On here you will quite often read a phrase that goes "They all do that sir" well thats correct but not always in the same order.
I think you should get one anyway, if you don't like it? sell it!! life's to short, so have a bit of TVR life, you may not regret it. one last bit of advice is ....Shop around.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.......Dave
Thanks people for the advice. Most of you are telling me the same things. Either I accept the niggles and enjoy the car for what it is, or walk away and have a dull but troubleness car. As I said, I really like the T350. And really want to love it. So I'm not giving up just yet. I think I would try another few example before I'll make my mind up. I can live with minor niggles but not major break down every now and then. Firstly because it'll be my only car. And secondly I can't afford the financial burden. Heard too many horrible stories about the Speed 6 engine. A rebuilt is an eye poping £5K! I can't afford this kind of money and my wife would want a divorce. Also heard story that the cars broke down while in Europe. This really sared me. It seems like the older models with V8 tend to be more reliable (I may be wrong)? And they are cheaper to buy too. But I really like the shape of the T350.
I heard stories on Alfa and their reputation of un-reliability. Still I'm having my second one now. And they really cost a lot to maintain. So I'm not that rational as some of you guys may think. But I guess a TVR would be a hell lot worst if I get a lemon.
The dealer offer a free 2 year tire and wear warranty. This sounds very good and a complete peace of mind. But he said this warranty is not national and cannot be transferred to another dealer. So I need to bond with this dealer even if they are horrible (I don't know yet) and if they closed down (I guess this is quite common since the foctory has closed down), I'll have nothing. Actually the car is slightly overpriced, so I'm not quite sure if this is a good deal.
I heard stories on Alfa and their reputation of un-reliability. Still I'm having my second one now. And they really cost a lot to maintain. So I'm not that rational as some of you guys may think. But I guess a TVR would be a hell lot worst if I get a lemon.
The dealer offer a free 2 year tire and wear warranty. This sounds very good and a complete peace of mind. But he said this warranty is not national and cannot be transferred to another dealer. So I need to bond with this dealer even if they are horrible (I don't know yet) and if they closed down (I guess this is quite common since the foctory has closed down), I'll have nothing. Actually the car is slightly overpriced, so I'm not quite sure if this is a good deal.
It seems like the older models with V8 tend to be more reliable (I may be wrong)? And they are cheaper to buy too.
Thats true comparing cars that have been well maintained. But for older TVRs i think chassis condition is more of a concern than mechanicals. Mechanically rover-v8 tvrs are much cheaper to service and repair
The dealer offer a free 2 year tire and wear warranty. This sounds very good and a complete peace of mind. But he said this warranty is not national and cannot be transferred to another dealer. So I need to bond with this dealer even if they are horrible (I don't know yet) and if they closed down (I guess this is quite common since the foctory has closed down), I'll have nothing. Actually the car is slightly overpriced, so I'm not quite sure if this is a good deal.
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This all depends on who the dealer is, whats covered in the warranty, the price premium of the car, and what do they charge for servicing. You may be better off buying a well maintained cheaper car privately, and if something went wrong with it use the money you saved to repair it. You could also get it professionally inspected before you buy for some piece of mind.
Thats true comparing cars that have been well maintained. But for older TVRs i think chassis condition is more of a concern than mechanicals. Mechanically rover-v8 tvrs are much cheaper to service and repair
The dealer offer a free 2 year tire and wear warranty. This sounds very good and a complete peace of mind. But he said this warranty is not national and cannot be transferred to another dealer. So I need to bond with this dealer even if they are horrible (I don't know yet) and if they closed down (I guess this is quite common since the foctory has closed down), I'll have nothing. Actually the car is slightly overpriced, so I'm not quite sure if this is a good deal.
[/quote]
This all depends on who the dealer is, whats covered in the warranty, the price premium of the car, and what do they charge for servicing. You may be better off buying a well maintained cheaper car privately, and if something went wrong with it use the money you saved to repair it. You could also get it professionally inspected before you buy for some piece of mind.
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