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.
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.
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 need4power said:
High performance cars cost money...fact. TVRs are no more expensive than the other supercars available...may even be cheaper!!!
I cannot believe people are complaining about the warm-up procedure. You can drive at 2,000 rpm -2,500 rpm, which is quite fast for most roads. In this weather it not likely you will be driving too fast anyway. There are some benefits for having a warm-up period, getting the tyres up to temperature, and getting used to driving it again, before you start hooning it!!!
“Why do people keep saying it’s not like the ....Lotus, Porsche I used to have. “
Sorry to break the news to you but you have bought a....TVR!!!! A completely different car (engine in the front);)
Once the weather as warmed up I think you guys will all have a change of heart, and think completely different.
But, that’s just my view.
Just to respond to a couple of your points - I've owned a Chimaera for 4 years and so am well used to creaks, rattles, bangs, wind noise, trim falling off etc. and so was under no impressions whatsoever that I'd be expecting Porsche build quality. In fact I have no problem with that at all on the 350 - it's actually a MASSIVE step up from the Chim in that respect.I cannot believe people are complaining about the warm-up procedure. You can drive at 2,000 rpm -2,500 rpm, which is quite fast for most roads. In this weather it not likely you will be driving too fast anyway. There are some benefits for having a warm-up period, getting the tyres up to temperature, and getting used to driving it again, before you start hooning it!!!
“Why do people keep saying it’s not like the ....Lotus, Porsche I used to have. “
Sorry to break the news to you but you have bought a....TVR!!!! A completely different car (engine in the front);)
Once the weather as warmed up I think you guys will all have a change of heart, and think completely different.
But, that’s just my view.
The warm up is just a niggle not a complaint. The RV8 used to also need warming up, just didn't take so long - even in the cold weather.
Running costs are also not a concern and in fact I don't believe I mentioned it once. The S6 is a big concern but I really think it's more to do with me not yet knowing what to listen/feel for and when to be concerned. At present anything that seems a little odd I panic about. As you mention this should get better as I get to know the car further.
Just for some reason though I don't get the feeling I want to go for a drive like I did in the Chim. Not sure why and I really do hope that when the weather changes for the better this will be overcome.
I guess it's like women - love isn't instant and takes time to develop, hopefully it's the same with the T350.
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