Couple of questions about a prospective purchase

[Skyedriver]

Been viewing a 350 this afternoon, a bit tired but not irrepairable.
However as well as the poorly fitted doors, leaking boot and unstuck interior trim there were a couple of other more worrying concerns.

The accelerator and brake pedal were roughly the same height but the clutch pedal was noticibly higher - my knee hit the steering wheel trying to get my foot onto it. Clutch operation seemed ok.

The gearstick seemed sort of "loose". The change itself was clean, the spring loading ok, it just didn't feel "right"
Any ideas on either malady, not sure TBH whether to proceed or wait for a better one.

[Skyedriver]

maston said:

Every wedge has a to do list, what sort of money was the sellerr hoping for ?
The loose feel in the gearstick will be the bushes nothing to worry about.

Are they accessible from the top?
Or is it a box out job?

[Skyedriver]

If this has worked, you can see the difference in height with the clutch pedal



Oh and how easy is the handbrake to adjust as the lever nearly extends to vertical?

[Skyedriver]

Number 7 said:

There is a degree of adjustment of the pushrod on the master cylinder - maybe its been wound right out?

For someone with a left lag 6" shorter than the right?

Just cannot decide whether to go with it and do the repairs or wait. Everything is fixable, I've done plenty of pretty major jobs in the past (44 years) but the garage I have at the minute isn't wide enough to allow doors to open more than a smidge so everything needs to be done in the front path.

[Skyedriver]

simonwedge said:

I've always found that it's like buying a house - you'll know when you've found the right car for you. If it doesn't feel right then wait for the next one.

This

[Skyedriver]

simonwedge said:

it's generally cheaper in the long run to buy a nice car to start with than to buy one that's a bit rough and get it up to scratch

and this.

[Skyedriver]

ElvisWedgely said:

In my opinion the car does look nice and is a good colour combination that suits the Wedge. Yes, there are things to be put right, but you could spend double that amount and still have things to do. After all, it is a TVR. There are things on that car that is not original and it is an earlier model with the early rear suspension and separate twin exhausts. The spoiler and mirrors are modified but I'd clasify them as improvements. All the work needed and the modified stuff are all doable, as on all TVR's, but there is the cost issue. So to summerise.

Plus points:- Looks good. Reasonably priced.Reasonably tidy. Drives well. Reasonably factory specification. Sensible improvements. Requires only expected work for its age. Good history.

Negative points:- Needs some work. Non standard items may need reinstating. Rear brakes may need attention.

Negative minus the positive points, it doesn't sound too bad. If the chassis is good and the engine is healthy and there is no slack or whine in the drive, I would go for it. However, only you can decide if it suits your needs. The only advise to add, is that they are getting harder and harder to find, especially in good condition for this kind of money. This is only my opinion and others may see it differently. Good luck, and I hope my advice helps you to decide.

Tony.TCB.

Thanks Tony
Chassis not bad, been repaired, interior - red doesn't do it for me so was going to recolour and it needs a good clean and a bit of evo stik here and there. Engine never been touched apparently, runs cleanly, no smoke, g'box seems ok except prev mentioned prob, couldn't drive it (was offered but I had young son with me) doors don't shut very cleanly and rear quarter needs repacking as door gap not true. Hood in reasonable condition, few scuffs but no tears, sort of khaki colour. Boot untidy and leaks.
The upgraded brakes and shocks date back to 1998, the car was apparently laid up from then until a year or so ago.
For the price it is definitely worth thinking about as a project, if you have the space to work around it.
But it's what I find when I start to delve into it plus the work I'm going to have to farm out due to lack of space. I guess you know which car it is due to the wording of your post.

[Skyedriver]

Number 7 said:

A car that's been laid up for 16 years is going to need quite a bit of attention.

I know, it has an MoT etc but I've had a few cars like this, and garage queens, and once you use them regularly, there's all sorts of issues arise.

[Skyedriver]

adam quantrill said:

Clutch pedal height is adjustable in 10-15 minutes. You need to get used to lying on your back in the footwell though!

Rear jag handbrake - if the split pins in the adjusters come out easy then similar 15-20 minute job. Otherwise spray the pins and leave them for the next weekend. The handbrake is largely ornamental anyway....

Cheers
Handbrake on my last 350 and both my Chimaera were pretty good TBH.
Have you ever had a Lotus Elan......