Ok ....I am gonna do it.....
Discussion
Hello all,
Okay i should know better....I am 33 ,married with kids,& a mortgage....why should i want to go and buy a Wedge TVR?.....Cos i've always wanted one of course. Since selling my 80's 911 Carrera (cos that's what sensible dads-to-be are supposed to do right?) i've missed the noise & performance of my 'toy'.
And as i've always wanted a wedgie (since i was 'blown into the weeds' by a 390SE yonks ago)now seems the right time....having read these pages i know there is a lot of good info about ,but would you guys have any particular advice when looking for a decent 350/390 on a budget of around £6K?
many thanks in advance for any useful advice.
Father Ted (working nights at an airport)
Okay i should know better....I am 33 ,married with kids,& a mortgage....why should i want to go and buy a Wedge TVR?.....Cos i've always wanted one of course. Since selling my 80's 911 Carrera (cos that's what sensible dads-to-be are supposed to do right?) i've missed the noise & performance of my 'toy'.
And as i've always wanted a wedgie (since i was 'blown into the weeds' by a 390SE yonks ago)now seems the right time....having read these pages i know there is a lot of good info about ,but would you guys have any particular advice when looking for a decent 350/390 on a budget of around £6K?
many thanks in advance for any useful advice.
Father Ted (working nights at an airport)
Blimey, you sound just like me a year ago. Although I've never owned a 911, and have wanted a wedge since I started to learn to drive.
This is what I did. I visited these pages every day to find out what the owners thought of their cars, what troubles they had, how much it would cost to run, and exactly how much owners enjoyed their cars (which is a lot). Buy Steve Heaths book, it gives lots of history on the cars, what to look out for, and how to fix most things when they go wrong. Look at the classifieds on Pistonheads, Autotrader, findit.co.uk, and any other internet sites that sell cars, and get an idea of exactly how much to pay. Also have a look at tvrwedgepages to get more info. Finally have look at as many as you can to get a feel of what is good and what is bad. I started to do this, but most wedges for sale at the time were down south, so I enlisted the help of Rob Ingleby (www.findasportscar.co.uk) to do all the running around. His fee was well worth the money, due to the number of cars he looked at, he's also a decent bloke to talk to. I was initially looking for a 350i, but was fortunate to end up with a 390SE, and I'm delighted with it.
This is what I did. I visited these pages every day to find out what the owners thought of their cars, what troubles they had, how much it would cost to run, and exactly how much owners enjoyed their cars (which is a lot). Buy Steve Heaths book, it gives lots of history on the cars, what to look out for, and how to fix most things when they go wrong. Look at the classifieds on Pistonheads, Autotrader, findit.co.uk, and any other internet sites that sell cars, and get an idea of exactly how much to pay. Also have a look at tvrwedgepages to get more info. Finally have look at as many as you can to get a feel of what is good and what is bad. I started to do this, but most wedges for sale at the time were down south, so I enlisted the help of Rob Ingleby (www.findasportscar.co.uk) to do all the running around. His fee was well worth the money, due to the number of cars he looked at, he's also a decent bloke to talk to. I was initially looking for a 350i, but was fortunate to end up with a 390SE, and I'm delighted with it.
My baby is still for sale. I may change my mind though after some recent days out. Off to Goodwood supercar day on Tuesday 
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=12472&sc=CVU4&s=5
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=12472&sc=CVU4&s=5
Why would you want a Wedge? Why would you not?!
Two bits of advice. Get one. Get one with a few miles on it.
I got mine in Februrary, and whilst I don't regret a moment of it, buying a low mileage example has cost me plenty so far, and more costs are looming as we speak (see my profile for more info).
However, do get one. And if you can stretch to a 390, then go for it.
Also, if you are not mechanically comfortable, get it looked at. Some expensive jobs can lurk for the unwary.
>> Edited by plewis66 on Monday 22 September 09:41
Two bits of advice. Get one. Get one with a few miles on it.
I got mine in Februrary, and whilst I don't regret a moment of it, buying a low mileage example has cost me plenty so far, and more costs are looming as we speak (see my profile for more info).
However, do get one. And if you can stretch to a 390, then go for it.
Also, if you are not mechanically comfortable, get it looked at. Some expensive jobs can lurk for the unwary.
>> Edited by plewis66 on Monday 22 September 09:41
Hi,
thanks for all your replies and info - will take all into account when i am ready to splash the 'wedge' on a wedge (sorry,couldn't resist)
Boltontvr mate, the 911 was one of those 'got to have in this lifetime kinda things' and i saved like crazy to buy it...then life changes as it does and you have to re-arrange your realities!
To the chap with the 350 for sale ,if the cash was ready now i would be viewing yours now (probably) looks nice from the piccies! In reality i will be buying in the spring and that's why you guys are my first call for info and advice.
Thanks again to all - I am relatively handy with mechanical issues so am not scared of the foibles that i've read about,my main concerns are corrosion of the chassis and electrical problems that i'd rather not inhereit from day one :-)
P.s. would love to stretch to 390SE or possibly a 400(the mmind boggles!) but the missus as always will have a say!
Father Ted
Craggy Island
thanks for all your replies and info - will take all into account when i am ready to splash the 'wedge' on a wedge (sorry,couldn't resist)
Boltontvr mate, the 911 was one of those 'got to have in this lifetime kinda things' and i saved like crazy to buy it...then life changes as it does and you have to re-arrange your realities!
To the chap with the 350 for sale ,if the cash was ready now i would be viewing yours now (probably) looks nice from the piccies! In reality i will be buying in the spring and that's why you guys are my first call for info and advice.
Thanks again to all - I am relatively handy with mechanical issues so am not scared of the foibles that i've read about,my main concerns are corrosion of the chassis and electrical problems that i'd rather not inhereit from day one :-)
P.s. would love to stretch to 390SE or possibly a 400(the mmind boggles!) but the missus as always will have a say!
Father Ted
Craggy Island
Best advice came recently on these pages when a similar question was posed. "look at as many as possible and try and get the one with plenty of info/history and as good a mechanical condition as possible". However - generally speaking whatever car and however good it looks it'll prbably need some work. Read Duncan's SEAC tale on the tvrwedgepages.
Don't be tempted into the cheap (but needs a couple of jobs) 390/400 route instead of the similar priced but in good nick 350. Keep viewing here as we've got the 280 to SEAC boys & girls who'll tell it like it is. There are some mega deals around if you keep your eyes open. The 450SE on Autotrader recently went for ~£6k and from all reports was/is a good'n. Use the car finder man if needs be. If your in the Warwick/Leamington area I'd be happy to show you round my 350 (Series 1 Trailing arm) and 420 SEAC so you've got some visuals to go with the info given here. - e mail if interested.
GB
Don't be tempted into the cheap (but needs a couple of jobs) 390/400 route instead of the similar priced but in good nick 350. Keep viewing here as we've got the 280 to SEAC boys & girls who'll tell it like it is. There are some mega deals around if you keep your eyes open. The 450SE on Autotrader recently went for ~£6k and from all reports was/is a good'n. Use the car finder man if needs be. If your in the Warwick/Leamington area I'd be happy to show you round my 350 (Series 1 Trailing arm) and 420 SEAC so you've got some visuals to go with the info given here. - e mail if interested.
GB
Broadside ,my son.....the church has an allowance for 'lost souls' within it's flock ! And believe me ,with my past,i am right on the tolerance limit of the good lord........and as Mrs Doyle quite rightly says, if you are eventually to be cast into the fires of eternal damnation....do it in style! to the sounds of that beautiful V8 in a very wicked wedge style!
Amen
P.s. Father Jack would like a copy of SH's 'Bible' and would like to know of the best 'off-licence' to purchase such a godly scripture as he has no faith in these electronic devices ...many thanks on Jack's enebriated behalf for any replies.
Amen
P.s. Father Jack would like a copy of SH's 'Bible' and would like to know of the best 'off-licence' to purchase such a godly scripture as he has no faith in these electronic devices ...many thanks on Jack's enebriated behalf for any replies.
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