T350 - initial thoughts 3 weeks in!
Discussion
It's been 3 weeks now and 800 miles since picking up my first S6 - a 54 plate T350T.
Having come from 4 years ownership of a 400 Chimaera my first impression is how much more solid it feels and especially how much safer you feel in it knowing theres a full cage around you.
Next comes the speed - the Chim was by no means a slow car but at the same time not hugely fast in 400 form. The 350 is in another league, not so much low down torque but when you hit 4000rpm - wow!!!
Handling - corners I'd take at 45-50 in the Chim and feel on edge feel like I'm on rails in the 350. I had gaz golds on the chim and whilst an improvement are nothing compared to the standard 350 set-up. The steering is far more sensitive and take a while to get used to, we won't go there with the turning circle though.
It's a bugger to get in/out of though - hit my head on that bloody roof quite a few times now and getting out I can see myself wearing through that side bolster pretty quickly. It's more comfortable to drive fast than the Chim but not as nice to cruise in. The Chim is a far more relaxed place to be at cruising speeds.
Warm up is a royal PITA! Especially in this weather with the oil temp rarely getting up there due to the cold airflow. As is checking the oil level, nearly burnt my head/had/arm on that sodding engine several times now. I also find myself panicking far more over temps and pressures than I ever did in the Chim.
Fuelling is a b*stard! guage is to say the least - pants! hard to get it in and takes an age to fill.
Noise (std exhaust) is not as loud as my Chim (sleeved V8) but does sound more supercar esque, especially under power. Can't wait to hear a sports exhaust!
So after 3 weeks I can say I like it, it's more up to date, has looks to die for, gets sooo much attention, is quick, handles well etc.
BUT - for some reason I can't put my finger on at this stage I don't love it. Almost to the point whereby if someone made me a good cash offer now I'd sell.
What's wrong with me? I'm a TVR man through & through (at least I thought I was) until this. It's a very good car so I guess it's just me. Didanyone else feel the same? How did you overcome it? I really don't want this to become a very expensive mistake.
Having come from 4 years ownership of a 400 Chimaera my first impression is how much more solid it feels and especially how much safer you feel in it knowing theres a full cage around you.
Next comes the speed - the Chim was by no means a slow car but at the same time not hugely fast in 400 form. The 350 is in another league, not so much low down torque but when you hit 4000rpm - wow!!!
Handling - corners I'd take at 45-50 in the Chim and feel on edge feel like I'm on rails in the 350. I had gaz golds on the chim and whilst an improvement are nothing compared to the standard 350 set-up. The steering is far more sensitive and take a while to get used to, we won't go there with the turning circle though.
It's a bugger to get in/out of though - hit my head on that bloody roof quite a few times now and getting out I can see myself wearing through that side bolster pretty quickly. It's more comfortable to drive fast than the Chim but not as nice to cruise in. The Chim is a far more relaxed place to be at cruising speeds.
Warm up is a royal PITA! Especially in this weather with the oil temp rarely getting up there due to the cold airflow. As is checking the oil level, nearly burnt my head/had/arm on that sodding engine several times now. I also find myself panicking far more over temps and pressures than I ever did in the Chim.
Fuelling is a b*stard! guage is to say the least - pants! hard to get it in and takes an age to fill.
Noise (std exhaust) is not as loud as my Chim (sleeved V8) but does sound more supercar esque, especially under power. Can't wait to hear a sports exhaust!
So after 3 weeks I can say I like it, it's more up to date, has looks to die for, gets sooo much attention, is quick, handles well etc.
BUT - for some reason I can't put my finger on at this stage I don't love it. Almost to the point whereby if someone made me a good cash offer now I'd sell.
What's wrong with me? I'm a TVR man through & through (at least I thought I was) until this. It's a very good car so I guess it's just me. Didanyone else feel the same? How did you overcome it? I really don't want this to become a very expensive mistake.
I felt exactly the same, I came from an Exige (which I loved!) but it was too impractical, too noisy, too small a boot etc. So the T350 seemed to fit the bill nicely.. Bigger, Faster, Comfier, Better sized boot.
But the first month, I never really 'loved' it, and almost got rid quite quickly. Now though, the only thing I can see me changing for is a Sagaris. There is just nothing else which tempts me. ITs awesome.
Its garaged now, but im already looking forward to firing her up when the weather improves!
But the first month, I never really 'loved' it, and almost got rid quite quickly. Now though, the only thing I can see me changing for is a Sagaris. There is just nothing else which tempts me. ITs awesome.
Its garaged now, but im already looking forward to firing her up when the weather improves!
Oh no Zip, that is such a shame. 
I would say now in my 3rd week of ownership (just behind you) I love mine even more than I imagined, I just want to get home (I travel quite a lot with work) so I can go driving - even if its grey and pi$$ing with rain ! OK I agree with the standard niggles you mention, but I find the rest of the package more than outweighs the probs.
Out of interest do you drive the car every day, or do you have another 'normal' car ?
I would say now in my 3rd week of ownership (just behind you) I love mine even more than I imagined, I just want to get home (I travel quite a lot with work) so I can go driving - even if its grey and pi$$ing with rain ! OK I agree with the standard niggles you mention, but I find the rest of the package more than outweighs the probs.
Out of interest do you drive the car every day, or do you have another 'normal' car ?
I went from a Noble which I absolutley adored to my T350, and I have to say I never fell for the TVR. I just felt that every outing was an EVENT and i'd spend every minute worrying about temps and pressures etc.
The truth is the car only ever let me down once due to a fuse blowing, but all the bad press the speed6 gets just meant i couldn't enjoy it!!
I eventually sold mine as getting married etc and although i miss the power and turning heads it got, I don't think i'd be getting another!!
LJM
The truth is the car only ever let me down once due to a fuse blowing, but all the bad press the speed6 gets just meant i couldn't enjoy it!!
I eventually sold mine as getting married etc and although i miss the power and turning heads it got, I don't think i'd be getting another!!
LJM
Well i've had mine just 4 days!
I don't get what the problem is filling them up with fuel, even the guy i got it from said its a PITA.
First time i filled up, put 40 ltrs in and pump never clicked off once. Maybe beginers luck.
The looks & sound from sport exhaust is very addictive
Can see me getting to know my local petrol station staff quite well, might even get a xmas card.
I don't get what the problem is filling them up with fuel, even the guy i got it from said its a PITA.
First time i filled up, put 40 ltrs in and pump never clicked off once. Maybe beginers luck.
The looks & sound from sport exhaust is very addictive
Can see me getting to know my local petrol station staff quite well, might even get a xmas card.
Don1 said:
I went from a Chim to a Sag. And that is like nothing else.
Same here. Chimaera 500 -> Sagaris. I love the Sag and when on song it is AWESOMELY fast. But, damn, I miss the low-down torque and noise of that old V8.Don1 said:
Yes, the filling isn't great (even with the mod).
The Sagaris is leagues ahead of the T350 on fuel filling. Or are you talking about the T350?Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 11th November 00:14
I don't see what the big issue is with refuelling. Apart from filling slightly slower than a 'normal' car then there is no difference.
The only thing to realise is that once its nearly full and it clicks off, do not try and put more fuel in. Otherwise it may end up on your feet. I check the fuel gauge (which works just fine in my car) and calculate how many litres it needs to get it to 50. The tank is supposed to hold a few more than that, but I've only ever got 53 in max. I slow right down when its got 45+ litres in. Click. Finished.
The only thing to realise is that once its nearly full and it clicks off, do not try and put more fuel in. Otherwise it may end up on your feet. I check the fuel gauge (which works just fine in my car) and calculate how many litres it needs to get it to 50. The tank is supposed to hold a few more than that, but I've only ever got 53 in max. I slow right down when its got 45+ litres in. Click. Finished.
For me it was always a bugger to get the nozzle in (ooer) with the Chimaera but it goes in without a fuss on the Sag. So in that respect the Sag is better than my Chimaera.
And, as already said, if you fill carefully you can avoid the spillover. Although, having said that, I did get it wrong last night and have one. But most garages have paper towel on the forecourt and you can mop up easily enough.
And, as already said, if you fill carefully you can avoid the spillover. Although, having said that, I did get it wrong last night and have one. But most garages have paper towel on the forecourt and you can mop up easily enough.
I don`t have too many problems filling the Sag but then again i`d been warned to fill her more slowly than a normal car and I`ve only had one "burp" of petrol onto the paintwork (removed instantly as I`d .. the breather holes inside the petrol tube seem to make things good - However, I thought all Sagaris' had this system.
J
J
LJM said:
i'd spend every minute worrying about temps and pressures etc.
The truth is the car only ever let me down once due to a fuse blowing, but all the bad press the speed6 gets just meant i couldn't enjoy it!!
If I'm honest I think this is a lot of the reason behind my feelings. It's a 54 plate with only 9000 miles on it so I know it should (in theory) last another 15-20k before a potential rebuild but I can't seem to shake the niggles away and enjoy the car for what it is.The truth is the car only ever let me down once due to a fuse blowing, but all the bad press the speed6 gets just meant i couldn't enjoy it!!
My 2nd choice was a Z4M coupe with third choice being a C6 Vette, in a way I keep wishing I'd gone down one of those routes instead!
Hopefully come spring and the better weather I'll be able to enjoy the car a little more and push a little harder.
Zippee said:
What's wrong with me? I'm a TVR man through & through (at least I thought I was) until this. It's a very good car so I guess it's just me. Didanyone else feel the same? How did you overcome it? I really don't want this to become a very expensive mistake.
The roof may have something to do with it. I really fancy a Cerb as it means we can go out in it as a family, but as soon and I am in one the roof tells me I could never love it like the Griff - I would miss those roof off, sun going down evening blasts around the countryside for no other reason than 'I can' to much RIP_puffsorted2 said:
Zippee said:
What's wrong with me? I'm a TVR man through & through (at least I thought I was) until this. It's a very good car so I guess it's just me. Didanyone else feel the same? How did you overcome it? I really don't want this to become a very expensive mistake.
The roof may have something to do with it. I really fancy a Cerb as it means we can go out in it as a family, but as soon and I am in one the roof tells me I could never love it like the Griff - I would miss those roof off, sun going down evening blasts around the countryside for no other reason than 'I can' to much To be honest, I never really got the roof-off thing and would have been happy with a Chimaera Coupe. So I love the Sag.
I also don't miss all the twunts telling me I should put the roof down the moment the sun peeps behind the clouds for 2 seconds or how hardcore they are for driving top-down in the snow.
I also don't miss all the twunts telling me I should put the roof down the moment the sun peeps behind the clouds for 2 seconds or how hardcore they are for driving top-down in the snow.
Zippee said:
Handling - corners I'd take at 45-50 in the Chim and feel on edge feel like I'm on rails in the 350. I had gaz golds on the chim and whilst an improvement are nothing compared to the standard 350 set-up. The steering is far more sensitive and take a while to get used to, we won't go there with the turning circle though.
turning circle is easy, its what your right foot was invented for
Hi Zippee
I sort of felt the same changing from a 111R to my first TVR, a T350.
When you hear so many issues on S6 engines this takes the enjoyment out of the ownership, and cause's constant worry when driving.
For me i bought a 350 of a chap who had upgraded to a Sagaris, at his house i could not take my eye's of the Sag and felt disapointed with the 350 in comparison.
But i bought the 350 and drove this car for a good while not taking my eye's of the instument panel worrying about temps and pressures, and yes they are a bit of pain to refuel but if you take your time filling there not a problem !
In time all the concern's pass as you get to trust the car, as you say they look so good, get heaps of attention, are fast and are for me a pleasure in the cockpit.
My advise is to get to live with the niggles and just concentrate on all the positive aspects of the car, which do out weigh the niggles.
Then you will start to enjoy and love it far more!
Two years after i bought the 350 (July this year) i ended up trading it in for the same colour compination as the Sagaris i couldn't take my eye's off!
Then again i drove it worried for a few weeks, now i love it to death !
I sort of felt the same changing from a 111R to my first TVR, a T350.
When you hear so many issues on S6 engines this takes the enjoyment out of the ownership, and cause's constant worry when driving.
For me i bought a 350 of a chap who had upgraded to a Sagaris, at his house i could not take my eye's of the Sag and felt disapointed with the 350 in comparison.
But i bought the 350 and drove this car for a good while not taking my eye's of the instument panel worrying about temps and pressures, and yes they are a bit of pain to refuel but if you take your time filling there not a problem !
In time all the concern's pass as you get to trust the car, as you say they look so good, get heaps of attention, are fast and are for me a pleasure in the cockpit.
My advise is to get to live with the niggles and just concentrate on all the positive aspects of the car, which do out weigh the niggles.
Then you will start to enjoy and love it far more!
Two years after i bought the 350 (July this year) i ended up trading it in for the same colour compination as the Sagaris i couldn't take my eye's off!
Then again i drove it worried for a few weeks, now i love it to death !
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