What car? (An interesting one, i promise! TVR or Lotus)
Discussion
Ive been umming and ahhing for months and months now, hoping i wouldnt have to post this thread.
The reason being, ive had an apprenticeship application going through, it was looking hopeful but now it seems increasingly as though i am not going to get it.
My plan was, if i get the apprenticeship id move to Southampton and buy a Triumph Sprint ST with topbox and panniers.
If i didnt, id get a massively impractical daily drive car thats bound to drink like a fish and spend more time being repaired than it spends on the road.
So, assuming i dont get the apprenticeship, i work 45 minutes from where i live and leave home at 5:10 in the morning for an A road commute.
I would be moving to within walking distance of where i work if i dont get an apprenticeship so id be continuing the commute for 2 months at most.
Ive spent since March fawning over TVR Wedges/Tasmins but more recently I started looking at Lotus Excels.
Pics below
They both seem to have undeserved reputations for poor reliability, although i am more than happy to splash out some money repairing either.
I love the idea of fiberglass body work. Rusty bodywork just causes stress.
The Wedge would have to be a V8. Preferably a 400SE if i could sneak one in budget.
The Lotus would ideally be a later SE, but condition would be more important.
Im 22 with no financial commitments.
Budget is £6-7k. Preferably less. But could run to more with finance for a perfect example.
What would you do?
Has anyone had any experience of either cars?
The reason being, ive had an apprenticeship application going through, it was looking hopeful but now it seems increasingly as though i am not going to get it.
My plan was, if i get the apprenticeship id move to Southampton and buy a Triumph Sprint ST with topbox and panniers.
If i didnt, id get a massively impractical daily drive car thats bound to drink like a fish and spend more time being repaired than it spends on the road.
So, assuming i dont get the apprenticeship, i work 45 minutes from where i live and leave home at 5:10 in the morning for an A road commute.
I would be moving to within walking distance of where i work if i dont get an apprenticeship so id be continuing the commute for 2 months at most.
Ive spent since March fawning over TVR Wedges/Tasmins but more recently I started looking at Lotus Excels.
Pics below
They both seem to have undeserved reputations for poor reliability, although i am more than happy to splash out some money repairing either.
I love the idea of fiberglass body work. Rusty bodywork just causes stress.
The Wedge would have to be a V8. Preferably a 400SE if i could sneak one in budget.
The Lotus would ideally be a later SE, but condition would be more important.
Im 22 with no financial commitments.
Budget is £6-7k. Preferably less. But could run to more with finance for a perfect example.
What would you do?
Has anyone had any experience of either cars?
Edited by Benbay001 on Friday 15th August 18:04
A purely personal view only but I have had two wedges, both quite modified, and enjoyed them hugely and I had one Lotus which I later learnt to detest
Just my two penuth but I nice choice to make
I remember being a callow youth in the late 1970s and a chap in the village having a new Esprit which was something almost alien at the time and as exotic as a country boy could imagine
Good luck with your choice either way
Just my two penuth but I nice choice to make
I remember being a callow youth in the late 1970s and a chap in the village having a new Esprit which was something almost alien at the time and as exotic as a country boy could imagine
Good luck with your choice either way
Doubt you'll get a reasonable Wedge (400SE) for that budget now, maybe 2 years ago. Have you looked at Chimaeras as they are simple enough to work on with plenty of parts suppliers and you get the V8 soundtrack. Not something I would normally suggest owning 2 Griffs.
They're not as unreliable as the bloke down the pub thinks (who has generally probably never seen one never mind owned one).
FFG
They're not as unreliable as the bloke down the pub thinks (who has generally probably never seen one never mind owned one).
FFG
Having owned 5 Wedge TVR's & 1 Excel back in 93/94 I can tell you that the Excel will go around corners faster than you would ever consider attempting in any TVR. It has a Galv chassis etc so all you have to do is service the moving parts. Awesome concept & a great car........
However... once you have bin bitten by the TVR Wedge bug, you will be hooked for life...
If you get to test drive a 400/450SE with a healthy engine etc you'll be hooked. You'll have to be extra careful in the corners etc, but the soundtrack & thrust will more than make up for any other drawback.
Good luck.
However... once you have bin bitten by the TVR Wedge bug, you will be hooked for life...
If you get to test drive a 400/450SE with a healthy engine etc you'll be hooked. You'll have to be extra careful in the corners etc, but the soundtrack & thrust will more than make up for any other drawback.
Good luck.
FreeLitres said:
Nice shortlist OP!
I presume you have allocated cash each year for keeping either of these on the road?
(Insurance, fuel, servicing, etc)
Yep.I presume you have allocated cash each year for keeping either of these on the road?
(Insurance, fuel, servicing, etc)
Got an untouched credit card with a £3k limit for anything unexpected. But of course id rather buy something reliable in the first place.
And both cars have mega super-duper cheap tyre sizes so win win!
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