T350 - New member needs advice
Discussion
Evening all,
Nice to see a forum dedicated to these superb cars.
I'm seriously considering buying a second hand T350C and I wondered what the experts on here thought was the best choice between buying a newer model with more mileage or an older model with less mileage.
I'm asking this question because I'm considering various different options and I'm told that the newer (2005) T350s have some of the bugs ironed out and therefore will be less problematic in some areas.
On the other hand there are T350s out there from 2003 that have less than 10,000 miles on them. One assumes that these engines will be less worn.
What do you guys think? Were there that many problems with the earlier models?
Assuming they were the same price and in relatively similar condition would you go for a 2005 one with 18,000 miles or a 2003 with 9,000 miles?
Thanks.
P.s. does anyone know if it's possible to change the colour of the leather trim around the gear stick and doors without spending an arm and a leg?
I wouldn't imagine so but it's worth asking.
Nice to see a forum dedicated to these superb cars.
I'm seriously considering buying a second hand T350C and I wondered what the experts on here thought was the best choice between buying a newer model with more mileage or an older model with less mileage.
I'm asking this question because I'm considering various different options and I'm told that the newer (2005) T350s have some of the bugs ironed out and therefore will be less problematic in some areas.
On the other hand there are T350s out there from 2003 that have less than 10,000 miles on them. One assumes that these engines will be less worn.
What do you guys think? Were there that many problems with the earlier models?
Assuming they were the same price and in relatively similar condition would you go for a 2005 one with 18,000 miles or a 2003 with 9,000 miles?
Thanks.
P.s. does anyone know if it's possible to change the colour of the leather trim around the gear stick and doors without spending an arm and a leg?
I wouldn't imagine so but it's worth asking.
Edited by Inchpractice on Sunday 16th November 18:17
Hello.
I think they sorted most of the problems from 2004 onwards with the T350's. Mileage is not the major factor really its how looked after they are. I have a T350 with 32,000 miles on and it runs like a dream (touch wood) I think the best thing to do is find a buyers guide using the search function and then take it with you when you go to look at the car. Once you have found a car your quite happy with put the reg and pic up in this forum and most of the time someone will know the past on the car. also it may have been owned on here before to. which is a good sign
about replacing the leather. hwat you thinking of replacing it for? I can't see it costing huge amounts myself but depends what your gonna do?
Hope this helps and hope to have you join the club soon
Dan
I think they sorted most of the problems from 2004 onwards with the T350's. Mileage is not the major factor really its how looked after they are. I have a T350 with 32,000 miles on and it runs like a dream (touch wood) I think the best thing to do is find a buyers guide using the search function and then take it with you when you go to look at the car. Once you have found a car your quite happy with put the reg and pic up in this forum and most of the time someone will know the past on the car. also it may have been owned on here before to. which is a good sign
about replacing the leather. hwat you thinking of replacing it for? I can't see it costing huge amounts myself but depends what your gonna do?
Hope this helps and hope to have you join the club soon
Dan
Newer doesnt always mean newer. I know of several 2005 cars that were sitting in showrooms when I bought my May 2004 built car (in June 2004). Also, some of the very last cars were a little bitsa - doesn't mean they're bad cars, just not always standard. To confuse even more, people had earlier models retrofitted with some of the enhancements that TVR made over time.
I would buy on history, service, how the owner treats the car, no long periods without use.
I would buy on history, service, how the owner treats the car, no long periods without use.
TVR Dan said:
Hello.
I think they sorted most of the problems from 2004 onwards with the T350's. Mileage is not the major factor really its how looked after they are. I have a T350 with 32,000 miles on and it runs like a dream (touch wood) I think the best thing to do is find a buyers guide using the search function and then take it with you when you go to look at the car. Once you have found a car your quite happy with put the reg and pic up in this forum and most of the time someone will know the past on the car. also it may have been owned on here before to. which is a good sign
about replacing the leather. hwat you thinking of replacing it for? I can't see it costing huge amounts myself but depends what your gonna do?
Hope this helps and hope to have you join the club soon
Dan
Hi Dan, I think they sorted most of the problems from 2004 onwards with the T350's. Mileage is not the major factor really its how looked after they are. I have a T350 with 32,000 miles on and it runs like a dream (touch wood) I think the best thing to do is find a buyers guide using the search function and then take it with you when you go to look at the car. Once you have found a car your quite happy with put the reg and pic up in this forum and most of the time someone will know the past on the car. also it may have been owned on here before to. which is a good sign
about replacing the leather. hwat you thinking of replacing it for? I can't see it costing huge amounts myself but depends what your gonna do?
Hope this helps and hope to have you join the club soon
Dan
Thanks for your advice.
The reason I really want a low-mileage TVR is because I was told by a TVR dealer that high performance cars like these only last until 60,000 miles before they'll need a complete engine rebuild.
So if I buy one with 20,000 miles on it a third of it's life is over.
Maybe I shouldn't worry so much about these things, I may have sold it long before then anyway but that's what I was told.
To answer your question about the trim I want to change the colour for a different colour leather because some of the cars I've looked at are an excellent colour on the outside but the interior trim is awful.
I know this seems like a minor point and not the reason that you buy a TVR but the way I look at it is this - if I'm going to spend £20k on a car I have to be absolutely delighted with every single part of it.
It's all or nothing in that sense.
Targarama said:
Newer doesnt always mean newer. I know of several 2005 cars that were sitting in showrooms when I bought my May 2004 built car (in June 2004). Also, some of the very last cars were a little bitsa - doesn't mean they're bad cars, just not always standard. To confuse even more, people had earlier models retrofitted with some of the enhancements that TVR made over time.
I would buy on history, service, how the owner treats the car, no long periods without use.
Thanks for that.I would buy on history, service, how the owner treats the car, no long periods without use.
How easy is it to upgrade a 2003 T350 so that it has the newer versions of the dodgy parts? Would that cost an arm and a leg do you think?
By the way what does 'bitsa' mean or is that a typo?
Thanks.
Inchpractice said:
The reason I really want a low-mileage TVR is because I was told by a TVR dealer that high performance cars like these only last until 60,000 miles before they'll need a complete engine rebuild.
Wouldn't mind knowing what dealer told you this! Some will, many won't. IIRC the engines received small enhancements from 04 on, so when I bought mine I tried to get a late 2004 car. However, there are plenty of 2003s for sale with 20-30k and no rebuild.
Just make sure you thoroughly do your homework on the engine and the car before buying.
When I purchased mine (a while ago now). I drove over 20 different T350's, from 03's with 2k on the clock to an 06 with 2k on the clock and everything in between. I drove as high as Scotland and as far south as flaming Devon! My honest opinion (and again only my opinion), however I've driven and seen a lot of these cars is to get one as late as possible on the factory run. (05, 06) - That's with regards to build quality!
There were numerous refinments made late 04 onwards both engine and interior.
With regards to the engine there are 03 engined cars out there with high mileage that are better than 05'06's with far less mileage. Its all down to the previous owners, how well they have been looked after, warmed up (and a little bit to do with the hands there were dealt in the factory from birth). Fact is SOME of these are just better cars / engines than others out there.
Find out as much about the previous owners, service garages, info on here etc as possible. If there is one thing that's easy to track and find out about its the history of most TVR's due to this PH community and the fact that there a rare breed.
Also don't do what I did and read pretty much every single post on this forum trying to find out as much about these cars as possible, as it will scare the living crap out of you. It did me! Fact is a lot of people use these forums to find solutions / answers to problematic issues.
Best purchase I ever made! My best advice would be to get a proper check on the car prior to making a cash offer, I'm not talking an AA bend down and look at the tyre tread inspection. Get a full proper 3 hour approved TVR inspection that they make the cars go through prior to getting a TVR Approved Warranty.
Just my opinions though....
There were numerous refinments made late 04 onwards both engine and interior.
With regards to the engine there are 03 engined cars out there with high mileage that are better than 05'06's with far less mileage. Its all down to the previous owners, how well they have been looked after, warmed up (and a little bit to do with the hands there were dealt in the factory from birth). Fact is SOME of these are just better cars / engines than others out there.
Find out as much about the previous owners, service garages, info on here etc as possible. If there is one thing that's easy to track and find out about its the history of most TVR's due to this PH community and the fact that there a rare breed.
Also don't do what I did and read pretty much every single post on this forum trying to find out as much about these cars as possible, as it will scare the living crap out of you. It did me! Fact is a lot of people use these forums to find solutions / answers to problematic issues.
Best purchase I ever made! My best advice would be to get a proper check on the car prior to making a cash offer, I'm not talking an AA bend down and look at the tyre tread inspection. Get a full proper 3 hour approved TVR inspection that they make the cars go through prior to getting a TVR Approved Warranty.
Just my opinions though....
Edited by FEE 50 on Monday 17th November 09:41
The dealer was the TVR centre in Arkley, Barnet.
Thanks for your advice.
IIRC the engines received small enhancements from 04 on, so when I bought mine I tried to get a late 2004 car. However, there are plenty of 2003s for sale with 20-30k and no rebuild.
Just make sure you thoroughly do your homework on the engine and the car before buying.
Thanks for your advice.
Zippee said:
Inchpractice said:
The reason I really want a low-mileage TVR is because I was told by a TVR dealer that high performance cars like these only last until 60,000 miles before they'll need a complete engine rebuild.
Wouldn't mind knowing what dealer told you this! Some will, many won't. IIRC the engines received small enhancements from 04 on, so when I bought mine I tried to get a late 2004 car. However, there are plenty of 2003s for sale with 20-30k and no rebuild.
Just make sure you thoroughly do your homework on the engine and the car before buying.
TVR Dan said:
Once you have found a car your quite happy with put the reg and pic up in this forum and most of the time someone will know the past on the car. also it may have been owned on here before to. which is a good sign
Ok, what about this one then?http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/787693.htm
Anyone know the owner/history?
I'm tempted to go all that way and have a look at it but before I'd buy it I'd want a TVR dealer to give it a full health check first. Can't find one near there though...?
Edited by Inchpractice on Friday 21st November 10:52
If its any help I bought a 2003 T350 with about 22,500 miles on early in the year.
4,500 miles done so far and the engine has been superb! Just had problems with a few niggles around the engine. Easily sorted, but from what I have read on this forum happens to all age/millage TVRs. Its what adds the charactor to these cars!
4,500 miles done so far and the engine has been superb! Just had problems with a few niggles around the engine. Easily sorted, but from what I have read on this forum happens to all age/millage TVRs. Its what adds the charactor to these cars!
Hi...
I agree with Kevin's comment - I own a 2003 T350C, bought it with 17K on the clock from CastleTVR, my daily drive for almost a year and now at 23K.
With the exception of overheating on a couple of occasions (required x2 temp sensors) the car has been faultless (touch wood on all that), engine/gearbox/clutch/electrics are all perfect (for now).
I wouldn't wory too much about the year, just get one which has excellent history and been loved.
Good luck with the purchase, awesome cars.
I agree with Kevin's comment - I own a 2003 T350C, bought it with 17K on the clock from CastleTVR, my daily drive for almost a year and now at 23K.
With the exception of overheating on a couple of occasions (required x2 temp sensors) the car has been faultless (touch wood on all that), engine/gearbox/clutch/electrics are all perfect (for now).
I wouldn't wory too much about the year, just get one which has excellent history and been loved.
Good luck with the purchase, awesome cars.
I drive a T350T from 2003 (daily for some time 2007 and now as a second car), bought with 28000 miles now closer to 36 k. No probs with engine so far (I am touching the wooden desk next to me and mumbling) and ow new rad, few electric nibbles and brake pads required- greates motor ever (and the one you mentioned is a looker)
If you want a probably cheaper check up from a well respected independent I recommened this Gentleman
www.apmautomotive.co.uk, not directly hampshire but probably close enough.
Great place to service your beauty lateron as well imo
Good Luck
If you want a probably cheaper check up from a well respected independent I recommened this Gentleman
www.apmautomotive.co.uk, not directly hampshire but probably close enough.
Great place to service your beauty lateron as well imo
Good Luck
Thanks for all the advice.
Unfortunately I'm not much closer to making a decision.
Some of you have said that age is important, some have said it isn't and some said it depends on the individual car.
If I could add a poll to this thread I would, that way there would only be two options.
I appreciate that every T350 has a different history and all owners treat the cars differently but let's assume for a moment that both cars pass the health check with flying colours and drive like a dream.
With a gun to your head which option would you choose?
A 2005 T350 with 25,000 miles or:
A 2003 T350 with 9,000 miles
They're both exactly the same price.
Obviously you'll own the lower mileage car for longer as it's demise is a long long way off, but the newer car should have less niggles having been corrected by the factory prior to production.
Come on, no more sensible intelligent answers it has to be one or the other.
Unfortunately I'm not much closer to making a decision.
Some of you have said that age is important, some have said it isn't and some said it depends on the individual car.
If I could add a poll to this thread I would, that way there would only be two options.
I appreciate that every T350 has a different history and all owners treat the cars differently but let's assume for a moment that both cars pass the health check with flying colours and drive like a dream.
With a gun to your head which option would you choose?
A 2005 T350 with 25,000 miles or:
A 2003 T350 with 9,000 miles
They're both exactly the same price.
Obviously you'll own the lower mileage car for longer as it's demise is a long long way off, but the newer car should have less niggles having been corrected by the factory prior to production.
Come on, no more sensible intelligent answers it has to be one or the other.
In all honesty, and with the cars being identical colours/trim each in fantastic condition and FSH I'd go for the 2005. Newer model so help with resale, will have all the updated bits and changes of spec and the more up to date engine.
I know there are loads of 2003 cars still going strong with good engines BUT for my own piece of mind I tried to get the newest car I could when purchasing mine and for me that meant a late 2004 model which according to many has the more up to date engine (though once again I know this is no guarantee)
Plus an 03 with 9000 means only 1500 miles a year, no-where near enough to keep one of these cars running properly IMHO. My personal feeling is that these cars are better the more the're used rather than standing around as garage queens.
I know there are loads of 2003 cars still going strong with good engines BUT for my own piece of mind I tried to get the newest car I could when purchasing mine and for me that meant a late 2004 model which according to many has the more up to date engine (though once again I know this is no guarantee)
Plus an 03 with 9000 means only 1500 miles a year, no-where near enough to keep one of these cars running properly IMHO. My personal feeling is that these cars are better the more the're used rather than standing around as garage queens.
How can a 5 year old TVR have only 9K miles on it? This car seems to have spent a lot of time doing nothing. For what ever reason. Doubt that this car is a well loved example, sounds like it's been a bit neglected, certainly not driven enough. IMO.
Assuming you are happy with how you think the owner(s) of the newer car has treated it (warming up, maintenance, etc) that would get my vote. Newer cars, generally, are the better ones; 25k miles in 3 years not a scary amount - enough to get any niggles sorted and an annual 6k service.
Assuming you are happy with how you think the owner(s) of the newer car has treated it (warming up, maintenance, etc) that would get my vote. Newer cars, generally, are the better ones; 25k miles in 3 years not a scary amount - enough to get any niggles sorted and an annual 6k service.
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