Everyday Tasmin?
Discussion
I’m thinking about buying a Tasmin 280 2 plus 2 as an everyday car – 8-10,000 miles pa and regular short trips i.e. 3 miles to and from work. Not something I’d want to do to my Griff but how would a Tasmin cope? It needs to be cheap to run – is that possible for a TVR?? I have 3 daughters so the rear seats will get used – are they at all practical?
The alternatives all seem so boring! Any advice much appreciated.
The alternatives all seem so boring! Any advice much appreciated.
I got mine in April, have driven it every single day since then. Coming on 3500 miles. When I got it there were a few minor electrical glitches that needed some sorting. Nothing mechanical gone wrong and has never let me down.
The only thing that I can think of that spoils it as a daily driver is that as soon as the temperature drops the whole car steams up like crazy and makes for a fairly unpleansant driving experience. Saying that though, I just picked up some anti-misting stuff from Halfords (seems to be just like Rain-X) and it works great.
As for expense...I drive a 30 mile round trip to and from work mon - fri (including about 30 mins sitting in heavy traffic) and the occasional after work hoon about. Plus usually a couple of hours worth of driving on a weekend and I put in about £25/30 of Optimax per week.
>> Edited by uriel on Tuesday 26th August 21:11
The only thing that I can think of that spoils it as a daily driver is that as soon as the temperature drops the whole car steams up like crazy and makes for a fairly unpleansant driving experience. Saying that though, I just picked up some anti-misting stuff from Halfords (seems to be just like Rain-X) and it works great.
As for expense...I drive a 30 mile round trip to and from work mon - fri (including about 30 mins sitting in heavy traffic) and the occasional after work hoon about. Plus usually a couple of hours worth of driving on a weekend and I put in about £25/30 of Optimax per week.
>> Edited by uriel on Tuesday 26th August 21:11
I can't comment too much on reliability as mine's been off the road for a little while ahem 
undergoing surgery. I did use her for a couple of months when I first bought her, went to ASDA and few decent length journeys. She never failed to start and didn't break down until common sense prevailed and I decided to fix all her many issues!
Get a looked after one which has been regularly used as they seem to develop more problems when sat unused, at least mine has
As far as practical goes, how old are these daughters? If they're young then they'll fit up till about age 8 by all accounts. I've not got any offspring myself so couldn't comment but I can't sit in the back of mine with the seats back. There aren't any seatbelts in the back either.
If they'll fit then go for it
Are you looking at any in particular, there isn't too many about?!
cheers
Dave
undergoing surgery. I did use her for a couple of months when I first bought her, went to ASDA and few decent length journeys. She never failed to start and didn't break down until common sense prevailed and I decided to fix all her many issues! Get a looked after one which has been regularly used as they seem to develop more problems when sat unused, at least mine has
As far as practical goes, how old are these daughters? If they're young then they'll fit up till about age 8 by all accounts. I've not got any offspring myself so couldn't comment but I can't sit in the back of mine with the seats back. There aren't any seatbelts in the back either.
If they'll fit then go for it
Are you looking at any in particular, there isn't too many about?!
cheers
Dave
I bought a 350FHC as an everyday car. Fantastic fun. Clutch is a pain in traffic because you don't want to slip it but if you set off 'normally' then you'll hit the car in front, I try to wait two seconds before setting off to allow a gap to form. Demisting was a problem even though the heater and heated rear window worked - the problem is the door and window seals. Very little grip in the ice - guess how I know...
Mechanically 30,000 with two 350s used as everyday cars there were no problems. UJs and front brake pads wear quickly.
Mechanically 30,000 with two 350s used as everyday cars there were no problems. UJs and front brake pads wear quickly.
I used to use my 350i everyday with with few mods (power steering, modifying de-mister to actually de-mist etc) they are very useable, as the bits that wera out (balljoints, brakes etc) are pretty cheap once you know the origins of the donor.
Incidentally I know of a very good 280i FHC thats up for sale its advertised on this site as the 62K miles crystal green example, I can definitly vouch for this car.
Matt
>> Edited by 350matt on Tuesday 26th August 22:14
Incidentally I know of a very good 280i FHC thats up for sale its advertised on this site as the 62K miles crystal green example, I can definitly vouch for this car.
Matt
>> Edited by 350matt on Tuesday 26th August 22:14
I used my 280FHC as my everyday car for 2 years and 24,000 miles, in all weathers etc etc.
Brilliant fun, just make sure you attend to anything immediately rather than letting little problems get worse, grease the UJs regularly and enjoy!
It only let me down when the clutch cabled snapped (twice, but I had a spare the sencond time!)
Cheers
Danny
Brilliant fun, just make sure you attend to anything immediately rather than letting little problems get worse, grease the UJs regularly and enjoy!
It only let me down when the clutch cabled snapped (twice, but I had a spare the sencond time!)
Cheers
Danny
Garry - be aware that the car about which we have corresponded is not a +2, just a 2 str FHC. I've little to add to the comments I emailed you regarding the everyday suitability but would add that if you are looking for a +2, the rear seats are usable only for the very smallest children. My boy is 6 and barely fits although he is tall for his age. The comment about rear seat belts is true although it is relatively easy to fit some - if you want I can email you some photos of the rear belt installation in my 350+2. IIRC, there were 32 280+2s and 5 RHD (now 4 remaining) 350+2s (+1 LHD).
Ralph
Ralph
Thank you very much for your replies. It seems the biggest problem will actually be finding a 2+2. I had no idea there were so few out there.
My eldest daughter is nearly six so the rear seats should have a few years use - rear seat belts will be a must though. Are they expensive to fit? Seen one advertised in Sprint with rear belts but it was a bit more than I wanted to spend.
What about insurance?
Is the one advertised here (crystal green) a 2+2?
My eldest daughter is nearly six so the rear seats should have a few years use - rear seat belts will be a must though. Are they expensive to fit? Seen one advertised in Sprint with rear belts but it was a bit more than I wanted to spend.
What about insurance?
Is the one advertised here (crystal green) a 2+2?
If someone could tell me how to attach photos to messages, I will post some photos of the rear belt installation in my 350+2 which was fitted by a previous owner. If I can't achieve that I'll email Garry with some photos. It would appear to be a bespoke set up but does give 4 point attachments.
Ralph
Ralph
You need to have them on a website and then put something like this in the message to link to them.
[pic] www.website/picture.jpg [/pic]
If you haven't got a website, I can put them on mine and you can put a link to them. So long as I get a portrait of your 2+2 to add to the small collection I'm trying to put together
[pic] www.website/picture.jpg [/pic]
If you haven't got a website, I can put them on mine and you can put a link to them. So long as I get a portrait of your 2+2 to add to the small collection I'm trying to put together
Photos as requested chaps in the ether to you Sorry the email is a bit large - the photos only added up to about 1Mb when I sent it but the total bytes sent counter clocked up nearly 2. Dave if you could point a link to the piccies on your website when they're there I'd be most grateful
For Ralphs photos go to www.dave-chaplin.co.uk/2plus2.htm
Bottom two are thumbnails, linking to larger versions.
I won't link them all here as lots of them can be a pain for some people when reading the threads.
cheers
Dave
>> Edited by york33 on Monday 1st September 00:01
Bottom two are thumbnails, linking to larger versions.
I won't link them all here as lots of them can be a pain for some people when reading the threads.
cheers
Dave
>> Edited by york33 on Monday 1st September 00:01
Hi, I have a 1983 280i 2+2, I am around 5'10 tall and do like to sit well back from the wheel, doing this there is very little room behind the drivers seat, plenty of room on the passenger side though. It is also for sale if you are still looking for something please let me know and I will be pleased to give you some more details.
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