Wedge now needed

[KKson]

Steve Heath Wedge workshop manual bought and read. TVR-CC membership paid. Adrian Flux insurance quote all sorted (blimey 350i's are cheap to insure compared with BMW convertible). All I need now is a suitable Wedge. If people are going to, do they generally start selling when the weather (and potential prices) pick up? Looking for a fairly standard 350i with MOT and no major issues. Something that could be a bit tatty but good enough to use on the road straight away. Apart from one up in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland there's not a lot about at the moment. Anyone aware of any out there? Thanks.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate...I know you have seen this one but sometimes bargains are that bit further away, This does look a good honest car...I wouldn't let miles put you off, If i hear of anything i will let you know.

Don't be too impatient and buy a dog...And don't ever feel obliged if you do travel miles to look at one...The right beast will come along...

Cheers...Ziga

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

[Wedg1e]

mrzigazaga said:

Don't be too impatient and buy a dog...

So what happens to the dogs if nobody should ever buy them?

[Mr Tank]

Hi Keith

What is your budget.

Always buy the best you can afford.

It's no good buying a car with a lot of faults just because it's cheap.
To many people on here have done that, and have had nightmares sorting them and in some cases failed.

Unless that's what you want to do, by having a project car and spend time, money sorting it!

What ever you choose then good luck and welcome to the mad world of wedges.

Andy

[jindle]

Delete this thread, your account, and your email address. Once you join the madhouse there's no turning back...

Save yourself while you still can!!!!

[mrzigazaga]

Wedg1e said:

So what happens to the dogs if nobody should ever buy them?

They end up being bought by impatient people who spend a small fortune on them and end up back where they started...Like i did...Except she was a be-atch and not a dog.... ...Although i still have some good memories...

[ElvisWedgely]

Buying a Wedge is like buying anything else. You get what you pay for. As long as you know what you are looking for and where to look, it is possible to buy a basically sound V8 Wedge for little money, say around 3K. However it will need things doing, things that can be very annoying and sometimes very expensive. If you keep pumping the money in and putting in the hours, assuming you are hands on, you will eventually end up with what might be described as a very good Wedge with the added advantage that it will be to your own taste. Many people have taken this route in the past and though it can be very self rewarding, it's not always the cheapest option. It would be like putting down a deposit and paying the rest in instalments, only having some fun or frustration in the process. The alternative is to buy a Wedge that someone else has already rebuilt but is now bored because it's no longer a challenge and they want to move onto something different. This option usually works out cheaper on the long run as the hard work has already been done, but it could set you back around 8 to 10k. This doesn't mean you'll not be spending any more money on it, because a Wedge needs to be maintained and these cars need constant attention. My advise is, spend as much as you can afford on the initial purchase and work your way from there. Take someone with you that is familiar with a V8 Wedge and check it through thoroughly. Don't be afraid to make an offer as if it's refused you can always up it later. Finally, good luck and see you at the BBWF 2014 in your new V8 Wedge.

Tony. TCB.

[wooly350i]

mrzigazaga said:

Wedg1e said:

So what happens to the dogs if nobody should ever buy them?

They end up being bought by impatient people who spend a small fortune on them and end up back where they started...Like i did...Except she was a be-atch and not a dog.... ...Although i still have some good memories...

Ahh, you beat me to it zig!

[Wedg1e]

mrzigazaga said:

Wedg1e said:

So what happens to the dogs if nobody should ever buy them?

They end up being bought by impatient people who spend a small fortune on them and end up back where they started...

Surely not, if the small fortune is spent in the right areas then the car becomes one of the 'minters' that everyone else should then pay top whack for?

[hallsie]

there are still some bargains out there, you just need to look!

Stu

[Mr Tank]

Wedg1e said:

Surely not, if the small fortune is spent in the right areas then the car becomes one of the 'minters' that everyone else should then pay top whack for?

Hi Ian

You are correct in what you say, if you are a person who like you is very handy with your tools and hands plus have the space to do it. Some people like Mark have to do it in the street or aren't great spanner people. So if you are in that postion then buy the best you can and work from there. Even then you will still spend some money keeping it on the road.

Andy

[mrzigazaga]

Mr Tank said:

Some people like Mark have to do it in the street

Which is a right pain..Having somewhere to work on the Wedge is a blessing..Having the right tools and extensive knowledge is also a blessing..But i have learnt loads from my 280 days and I'm learning now about the V8..Perhaps I'm getting too old to be crawling around underneath cars but given the opportunity i still would...I have always been mechanically minded but was never that hands on..Although i enjoy it now...You can save bundles of money doing most of it yourself but you will still end up spending more than its worth but don't let that put you off as the feeling it gives you when you drive it and when its getting positive public attention is worth every penny...Ziga

Long live TVR.

[superwedge]

zig,if your doing in the street,i have to call the police

[V8 Fettler]

KKson said:

Steve Heath Wedge workshop manual bought and read. TVR-CC membership paid. Adrian Flux insurance quote all sorted (blimey 350i's are cheap to insure compared with BMW convertible). All I need now is a suitable Wedge. If people are going to, do they generally start selling when the weather (and potential prices) pick up? Looking for a fairly standard 350i with MOT and no major issues. Something that could be a bit tatty but good enough to use on the road straight away. Apart from one up in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland there's not a lot about at the moment. Anyone aware of any out there? Thanks.

Make sure the chassis is right and has a long MOT. When you get it, change all the fluids (including gearbox and diff oil) unless you're certain they are reasonably fresh. Also fettle the rear brakes, change pre-filter for fuel pump and closely check flexible fuel hoses. Keep a spare ignition amp in the boot!

If you've not driven similar before then be careful on your first drive, these are not civilised cars. Doesn't mean that they are very fast, but can need effort to get where you want to be on the road. Avoid power steering, it's for wimps.

[mrzigazaga]

superwedge said:

zig,if your doing in the street,i have to call the police

Trouble is mate i have a weak bladder and a high production of fluids...Especially after a gallon of tea....Its a good job pole tax was abolished or i'd be paying through a long pink nose..

[wooly350i]

V8 Fettler said:

Avoid power steering, it's for wimps

Uhh, elaborate please

[superwedge]

gotta have it

[KKson]

All, many thanks for all the advice. I'll see what comes up for sale over the next 8 weeks and let you know how I get on. I'm very "hands-on" and have rebuilt a number of cars in the past (Triumphs: Spitfire 1500/Herald 13/60 convertible/TR6 plus Morris Minor. I've got a cracking double garage and all my own gear and pretty proficient with the MIG welder so quite happy for a bit of a project as long as I can use the Wedge in whatever state it is over the Summer. Cheers.

[Wedg1e]

If you're going to wave a MIG welder at a Wedge just remember that glassfibre burns like crazy once ignited...

[matt-man]

Agree with everything above,just get the one you feel happiest with and go from there.its an old car,and a hand built one at that so just love it when it works and fix it when it don't!

Don't think about the money you spend on them,its missing the point in my opinion. I've spent lots of time and cash on mine but I'm never selling it so I don't care what resale it adds..sure its nice to know in case the worst happened but not my motivator!