What's your "ride" like

[JumboBeef]

Another question from a non-Wedger...

I have now been out in a couple of Wedges, and I am trying to compare them (to each other and other Wedges).

I found the ride to be hard, and somewhat raw. A long drive might vibrate my eyeballs loose in one of them.

Are all Wedges the same? I know they are "sports cars" and so they will be hard, but is there degrees of hardness? oo-er missus

Thanks.

[carob]

I think a wedge may not be for you. you have been out in a couple and still you have not bought one. They are what they are, all different in there own little ways.

Take the leap, what is the worst that can happen, or maybe buy a more modern sports car.

Rob

[JumboBeef]

carob said:

I think a wedge may not be for you. you have been out in a couple and still you have not bought one. They are what they are, all different in there own little ways.

One wasn't for sale. The other is. Trying to get all my facts together before leaping!

What's your ride like?

[Rockettvr]

What do you drive at the moment ? It may be that you are used to a totally different type of car ! When I got my first wedge I found it took me a few weeks to acclimatise and feel comfortable due to the very low seating position and firm suspension. I particularly struggled with the steeply raked screen coming toward Me. After 3 years of wedge ownership I don't even notice it now. Think it's a case of " suck it and see"

[marcus1875]

Mines is fine on long journeys, rather comfy actually. My Audi is no more comfy than my wedge.
I'm with Rob tho, if youre looking for comfort rather than performance then go Japanese.
marcus

[carob]

JumboBeef said:

One wasn't for sale. The other is. Trying to get all my facts together before leaping!

What's your ride like?

Just sold it, you should of bought it, it had 2 grands worth of Nitron dampers on it. Glided along like a magic carpet on acid.

Rob

[Taff_o]

I've had my wedge for 15 years now and yes it is a very firm ride, but it is not uncomfortable and it only vibrates over bad roads (most of Britian now!!) you will soon get used to it. It'll be the pain in your jaw from grinning like an idiot, that will hurt the most

[wedggie]

What you need is a 390! seriously though, the ride is quite soft in mine, unless you happen to hit a pot-hole or lump and it gives a bit of a judder! I'm amazed you didn't buy the one you saw..... Didn't they start the engine for you?!

[400SE Dave]

As others have said it depends what you benchmark is. I think the ride in my 400se is quite soft, especially when I compare it to my Lotus, but hit a pot hole and you know it. However, that is the same for any sports car.

[Waynester]

I think it also depends on what suspension is fitted to cars. If the suspenders are old..worn, then it will feel 'crashy'

Mine feels great, best feel, ride and handling of all my previous Wedges.

Just do it. Wedges are superb TVRs.. give them time, and they really get under your skin. They are addictive! As I said, I have owned 5 Wedges, but only 1 curvy (Chimaera).. says it all!

[marcus1875]

marcus1875 said:

if youre looking for comfort rather than performance then go Japanese.
marcus

Sorry, re-read this and it sounds awful and dismissive.
To be constructive, I've GAZ shocks, polys all round, comfy seats bolted straight to the floor. Around town and cobbled streets its very hard, rough and rattles, but on the country lanes, motorways etc its fine.
The Audi is a mk1 1999 TT, completely factory settings and is equally rough around town but once in the lanes its great ( for a hairdressers car).
Sorry again
marcus

[GV]

My ride needs tweaking. I have GAZs all round it took them ages to give me something I was happy with after the front Steve Heath coil over conversion debacle. The rears I feel need to be re-valved to run a bit softer. When I first got my car it had Konis all round and I found the ride quite comfy compared to my first Wedge which was hard by comparison. I have and Jag XF which is the complete opposite to the Wedge for all the reasons of civility and comfort.

[V8 Fettler]

JumboBeef said:

Another question from a non-Wedger...

I have now been out in a couple of Wedges, and I am trying to compare them (to each other and other Wedges).

I found the ride to be hard, and somewhat raw. A long drive might vibrate my eyeballs loose in one of them.

Are all Wedges the same? I know they are "sports cars" and so they will be hard, but is there degrees of hardness? oo-er missus

Thanks.

If you drive 50k miles per year in a droning yet comfortable diesel, the rawness and the general "watch out, I might bite" is a real eye opener. MX5s are quite comfortable

There must be a league table somewhere of % of interesting cars that are purchased immediately as a result of first test drive. No 1 = Caterham, No 2 = Wedge?

[phillpot]

V8 Fettler said:

There must be a league table somewhere of % of interesting cars that are purchased immediately as a result of first test drive.
No 1 = Caterham
No 2 = S series
No 3 = Wedge?

[V8 Fettler]

[PHJayV8]

400SE Dave said:

As others have said it depends what you benchmark is. I think the ride in my 400se is quite soft, especially when I compare it to my Lotus, but hit a pot hole and you know it. However, that is the same for any sports car.

I have to agree with Dave, I find my current 400SE to be a softer riding beast than my former 350i, however I hasten to add the 350i I think had aftermarket suspension/shocks.

I don't find the 400 bad at all, but then my everyday driver is an M3.....

[carob]

Bide your time, the right wedge will find you.

Rob

[JumboBeef]

Thanks for the replies. Mrcus, no worries, I knew what you meant!

[mrzigazaga]

Mine is firm but a bit bouncy and bottoms out if I'm going too fast over a dip on the motorway...I think the legs are knackered and its riding on the springs...Mind you they are 26 years old...Another job....

[keatsie]

Like zig my 400 is running on knacked shocks so tends to be soft and wallows rather than corners, on the list of things to do... But in general the wedge is stiff and the suspension will always be on the harsh side, it's part of the cars charm