Thinking about getting a 280i - Any advice?
Discussion
Hi all
I've been toying with the idea of a buying a low priced TVR for a while and am guessing a nice compromise is a 280i with regard to cost of purchase and maintenance.
Plus you dont see many and I love the 80's wedge styling!! :-)
I've not been to physically check any out yet, but have seen a few advertised around the 3k range.
My questions are really
1. Is about 3k ish about the mark for a reasonable one?
2. What kind of things do I need to look out for when viewing them
3. With regard to maintenance, the 280 should be reasonable given it's got a huge amount of Ford content (Capri, granada, cortina)??
4. Any other advice?
Thanks in advance
Neil
I've been toying with the idea of a buying a low priced TVR for a while and am guessing a nice compromise is a 280i with regard to cost of purchase and maintenance.
Plus you dont see many and I love the 80's wedge styling!! :-)
I've not been to physically check any out yet, but have seen a few advertised around the 3k range.
My questions are really
1. Is about 3k ish about the mark for a reasonable one?
2. What kind of things do I need to look out for when viewing them
3. With regard to maintenance, the 280 should be reasonable given it's got a huge amount of Ford content (Capri, granada, cortina)??
4. Any other advice?
Thanks in advance
Neil
Neil,
A good Tasmin/280i would bring you a lot of enjoyment in a TVR if you get a decent example. Before buying one, look at and drive several examples to know how they feel. And pay close attention to the details.
Check out the chassis thoroughly for such things as rusty outriggers, possible accident damage, etc.
Also, it's good to look for one with as complete a service and ownership history as possible so you have a good idea of what kind of life the car has had.
The rule of thumb is by the best car you can afford.
As for the average price range, I'm in the States so I can't advise there. Our prices over here are higher than they are there because of fewer examples. When I sold my Tasmin two years ago after 15 years of ownership, I got almost $12,000 for it, but it was one of the best examples around.
Good luck, hope you find a nice one.
A good Tasmin/280i would bring you a lot of enjoyment in a TVR if you get a decent example. Before buying one, look at and drive several examples to know how they feel. And pay close attention to the details.
Check out the chassis thoroughly for such things as rusty outriggers, possible accident damage, etc.
Also, it's good to look for one with as complete a service and ownership history as possible so you have a good idea of what kind of life the car has had.
The rule of thumb is by the best car you can afford.
As for the average price range, I'm in the States so I can't advise there. Our prices over here are higher than they are there because of fewer examples. When I sold my Tasmin two years ago after 15 years of ownership, I got almost $12,000 for it, but it was one of the best examples around.
Good luck, hope you find a nice one.
Ni Neil,
1. Is about 3k ish about the mark for a reasonable one?
Probably but you may not get a minter for that - but paying more doesn't guarantee it will be a better car.
The cars are now getting quite old, so look very closely for faults and budget at least £500 for immediate repairs after you buy it. Less if you're good with the spanners.
I guarantee you will find more things wrong straight after you've got it home.
Mine was clearly a good car when I bought it last August (it's my third TVR), but I've spent over a grand on it since (not used it over winter) some of the this was factored into the price I paid for it. Some was a suprise.
I'm also a bit of a perfectionist
2. What kind of things do I need to look out for when viewing them
All the ususal things you look at when buying a car, but pay particular attention to the chassis.
3. With regard to maintenance, the 280 should be reasonable given it's got a huge amount of Ford content (Capri, granada, cortina)??
Yep and there's still good support from independents.
4. Any other advice?
I'm toying with the idea of selling mine - make me an offer
Bob.
>> Edited by bobfrance on Wednesday 9th March 13:26
1. Is about 3k ish about the mark for a reasonable one?
Probably but you may not get a minter for that - but paying more doesn't guarantee it will be a better car.
The cars are now getting quite old, so look very closely for faults and budget at least £500 for immediate repairs after you buy it. Less if you're good with the spanners.
I guarantee you will find more things wrong straight after you've got it home.
Mine was clearly a good car when I bought it last August (it's my third TVR), but I've spent over a grand on it since (not used it over winter) some of the this was factored into the price I paid for it. Some was a suprise.
I'm also a bit of a perfectionist
2. What kind of things do I need to look out for when viewing them
All the ususal things you look at when buying a car, but pay particular attention to the chassis.
3. With regard to maintenance, the 280 should be reasonable given it's got a huge amount of Ford content (Capri, granada, cortina)??
Yep and there's still good support from independents.
4. Any other advice?
I'm toying with the idea of selling mine - make me an offer
Bob.
>> Edited by bobfrance on Wednesday 9th March 13:26
Having owned a 280, 350 and 400, I would say go for a 350 DHC if budget allows, preferably with the a frame rear suspension which the c. late 1985 / early 1986 models did not have. There are going to be far more to choose from, running costs will not be significantly more than the V6, but you do get a decent jump in performance with the V8, which would be easy to tune etc. in the future. And I think the RV8 sounds a lot louder and more tuneful (in standard form anyway)than my 280 did.
Neil might well be worth your while checking out
"The Wedge Pages"
www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk
if youve not already done so-found it really helpful before I bought my 400SE.
"The Wedge Pages"
www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk
if youve not already done so-found it really helpful before I bought my 400SE.
280 is a great car, early ones have a 4 speed box which most people dislike but i think it improves the character of the car, great 50-70 overtaking time 4.2 sec IIRC because its all in 2nd gear. You will here talk about a frame suspension v's trailing arm and i'm no techy but i've had a 280 for 12 years with no bother. All in all a fantastic entry into tvr ownership, not sure what you drive now but you can get in a 280 and drive it hard without be sterling moss, as for the noise sure it hasn't got the burble of the V8 but has got the V6 rasp and still claps and bangs on the overrun.
Buy one and if you are unhappy with it when you own it give me a shout i'm sure i could find room for another.
Cheers
Nick
Buy one and if you are unhappy with it when you own it give me a shout i'm sure i could find room for another.
Cheers
Nick
I always though the Ford 4-speed was a much nicer, more precise gearbox than that bucket of cogs that Rover/TVR used.
As stated, you just hold a gear.... then hold it some more while the revs go skywards... then keep holding it till your eardrums split.... THEN change up
I don't remember getting 70 in second though, maybe I never tried hard enough...
Anyway, wave a suitcaseful of money in my direction and I could be persuaded to part with the 390SE...
As stated, you just hold a gear.... then hold it some more while the revs go skywards... then keep holding it till your eardrums split.... THEN change up
I don't remember getting 70 in second though, maybe I never tried hard enough...
Anyway, wave a suitcaseful of money in my direction and I could be persuaded to part with the 390SE...
My 280i is lots of fun, and sounds loud enough to turn heads (maybe because of stainless exhausts?)
You get lots of attention and admiring looks. The average joe doesn't know what's under the bonnet anyway,
but just seems to treat you with a bit of respect.
A thrilling driving experience !
The only car I've owned except Lotus 7's, that I hate putting back in the garage
I would imagine that a 280 would be cheaper to insure, though of course it doesn't make much difference to an old codger like me.
You get lots of attention and admiring looks. The average joe doesn't know what's under the bonnet anyway,
but just seems to treat you with a bit of respect.
A thrilling driving experience !
The only car I've owned except Lotus 7's, that I hate putting back in the garage
I would imagine that a 280 would be cheaper to insure, though of course it doesn't make much difference to an old codger like me.
The 280i is a loverly car and becoming rare, I've never owned a 280i but had plenty of V6 Capris in my youth and loved the engine.
However, I think I would echo other sentiments and stretch your budget to a 350i. The soundtrack will win you over.
You will have far more to choose from and if you buy carefully costs shouldn't be too different.
Have a look on PH classified, there's always a good selection there and as has already been recommended the TVR Wedge Pages is worth taking to bed with you for a good read before you buy.
However, I think I would echo other sentiments and stretch your budget to a 350i. The soundtrack will win you over.
You will have far more to choose from and if you buy carefully costs shouldn't be too different.
Have a look on PH classified, there's always a good selection there and as has already been recommended the TVR Wedge Pages is worth taking to bed with you for a good read before you buy.
wedg1e said:
I always though the Ford 4-speed was a much nicer, more precise gearbox than that bucket of cogs that Rover/TVR used.
As stated, you just hold a gear.... then hold it some more while the revs go skywards... then keep holding it till your eardrums split.... THEN change up
I don't remember getting 70 in second though, maybe I never tried hard enough...
Anyway, wave a suitcaseful of money in my direction and I could be persuaded to part with the 390SE...
Definately good for 70 in second wont quite manage the ton in 3rd though about 96-98. Alot of people will suggest the 350 but as an entry level tiv the 280 is ideal, enough power to make ya grin like an idiot but even an inexperienced driver will be able to get up towards the cars limits with little practice.
Sure you can mod the 350 for further power when you've mastered it in standard form but it is cheaper to start with a 280 then sell it and buy a 350, then onto a 390+ than the money pit tweaking engines can become.
Thats the way i went anyway just forgot to sell the lower power machines along the way.......why??? because i love them and as the monika suggests i prefer the FHC so now to go above a 390 i'm going to have to throw money at modding damn tvr didn't bother making FH 400+ machines.
TVR owners handbook gives (for 4 speed 280i),
68mph in 2nd and 94mph in 3rd at 6,000rpm, so I suppose
70 on the clock in 2nd wouldn't be unreasonable, if a little noisy !
Mine seems to peak way short of that kind of speed on standard wheels and tyres, but progress to 60 is very rapid, so maybe I'll look at the diff ratio.
68mph in 2nd and 94mph in 3rd at 6,000rpm, so I suppose
70 on the clock in 2nd wouldn't be unreasonable, if a little noisy !
Mine seems to peak way short of that kind of speed on standard wheels and tyres, but progress to 60 is very rapid, so maybe I'll look at the diff ratio.
grahamw48 said:
TVR owners handbook gives (for 4 speed 280i),
68mph in 2nd and 94mph in 3rd at 6,000rpm, so I suppose
70 on the clock in 2nd wouldn't be unreasonable, if a little noisy !
Mine seems to peak way short of that kind of speed on standard wheels and tyres, but progress to 60 is very rapid, so maybe I'll look at the diff ratio.
cant remember what the handbook says but when autocar tested it in its day they recorded 44 in 1st 72 in 2nd cant remember 3rd and flat out in 4th at 133, they then went on to give acceleration in gear figures and 50-70 was 2nd all the way. they also gave the speedo reading figures next to these "actuals" cant reember them though.
never had any problems getting the 70 in 2nd and the speedo cant be massively out as years ago when i tried a top speed run i could only get it to record 136 flat out in top in ideal conditions never had the desire to repeat that experience.
I bought a 68000 mile dhc a couple of years ago for under £3500 and have toured Scotland in 03(1200m)and France and Germany (2000m in 8 days)including lapping the Ring last year.Plus lots of fun UK use including a VSCC "training day" at Prescott.26 mpg,a little oil, set of new tyres to replace the "slicks" ,one self inflicted bit of damage to the rear suspension (tyre went down and I hit the kerb sideways)so I replaced all the spring coils and put on new front shocks while I was at it.Everything works and (fingers crossed) never stranded ! Fantastic value,I bought the first one I saw, and only found out about the V8's afterwards! Go for it.
FHCNICK said:
TVR owners handbook gives (for 4 speed 280i),
68mph in 2nd and 94mph in 3rd at 6,000rpm, so I suppose
70 on the clock in 2nd wouldn't be unreasonable, if a little noisy !
Mine seems to peak way short of that kind of speed on standard wheels and tyres, but progress to 60 is very rapid, so maybe I'll look at the diff ratio.
cant remember what the handbook says but when autocar tested it in its day they recorded 44 in 1st 72 in 2nd cant remember 3rd and flat out in 4th at 133, they then went on to give acceleration in gear figures and 50-70 was 2nd all the way. they also gave the speedo reading figures next to these "actuals" cant reember them though.
never had any problems getting the 70 in 2nd and the speedo cant be massively out as years ago when i tried a top speed run i could only get it to record 136 flat out in top in ideal conditions never had the desire to repeat that experience.
Hmmm - where's me car keys ?
Thanks for all the advice chaps.
Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the black example advertised on Pistonheads was sold whilst I was away this weekend. Bit gutted as I really was keen to go see it.
If anyone knows of any good uns knocking about for 3k, please let me know.
Neil
PS - To whoever owns the red 280i in Essex that's up for sale at 5k. It's stunning!!!! Just wish I could afford it.
Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the black example advertised on Pistonheads was sold whilst I was away this weekend. Bit gutted as I really was keen to go see it.
If anyone knows of any good uns knocking about for 3k, please let me know.
Neil
PS - To whoever owns the red 280i in Essex that's up for sale at 5k. It's stunning!!!! Just wish I could afford it.
FHCNICK said:
TVR owners handbook gives (for 4 speed 280i),
68mph in 2nd and 94mph in 3rd at 6,000rpm, so I suppose
70 on the clock in 2nd wouldn't be unreasonable, if a little noisy !
Mine seems to peak way short of that kind of speed on standard wheels and tyres, but progress to 60 is very rapid, so maybe I'll look at the diff ratio.
cant remember what the handbook says but when autocar tested it in its day they recorded 44 in 1st 72 in 2nd cant remember 3rd and flat out in 4th at 133, they then went on to give acceleration in gear figures and 50-70 was 2nd all the way. they also gave the speedo reading figures next to these "actuals" cant reember them though.
never had any problems getting the 70 in 2nd and the speedo cant be massively out as years ago when i tried a top speed run i could only get it to record 136 flat out in top in ideal conditions never had the desire to repeat that experience.
Just been for a quick hurtle down some local lanes,
found an extra 500 revs, and 70 in second.
She's a joy to drive after the suspenders and brake fettling.
Happy Easter hooning folks
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