pitfalls of buying a wedge
Discussion
what are the pitfalls of buying a wedge, i used to own a chimaera 4.3 but am now looking at buying a 1990/91 wedge se , whats the ventilation like from the heater , and is there as much heat soak as the chimaera , and what are the main faults to look for ie do they suffer from any nasty things that are worse than a chim , am looking to spend about 8k on one , and whats the performance and comfort like compared to a chim..............
I don't know about Chims, but my advice would be to buy my Wedge
www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=10235&sc=RC8M&s=5
and save yourself a few quid
www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=10235&sc=RC8M&s=5
and save yourself a few quid
ssc1 - read hge wedge pages on the web then read trhe treads on here
Ive got a wedge and loved it
Has done most of what Ive asked of her (more than the wife ever did!)
They are beasts which required love and attention - find one that has had the L+A and your in good company
Al sorts out there - beware
Get a good one (loads of reciepts - services every year whether mileage was enough or not) and youlll love it
Have a look around and dont be affraid to ask here for advice
Ive got a wedge and loved it
Has done most of what Ive asked of her (more than the wife ever did!)
They are beasts which required love and attention - find one that has had the L+A and your in good company
Al sorts out there - beware
Get a good one (loads of reciepts - services every year whether mileage was enough or not) and youlll love it
Have a look around and dont be affraid to ask here for advice
mungo said: Thats an awesome looking wedge!
Jesus at that price it's tempting even me - and I'll be in the North West the latter half of this week too
Well you're welcome to come and have look Mungo.
I'm about 20 mins out of the centre of Manchester.
And you never know - It might stop raining for once!
mungo said: Why are you selling? ... if I may ask?
I've been asking myself that same question
. But the simple answer is Practicality & Property.
The 400 has been my only car for the past year and whilst I find it immesurbly better than my old 280 I think I need something a tad more practical and better for cruising long distance in all weathers.
I'm considering a Toyota Supra or a Jaguar XJR-S at the moment, so you see the term practical is purely relative
. Secondly I thought it's time I bought a house and resisted the temptation to spend my savings on a Cerbera, so my car plans will have to go on hold for the moment.
(Although there is a small chance I may weaken at the last moment and buy a another TVR anyway
) >> Edited by bobfrance on Monday 26th May 18:45
SSC1, Chimp to a Wedge - Good man 
I've driven several Chims but not owned one. Friends have owned them though. They are generally a tad more reliable and better put together than the Wedge but are very Tame in comparison. In a Wedge it's easier to find the limit so you can drive to it IMHO (on the track of course). IMHO the Wedge has more character, rarety value, not as nickable (general public don't know what they are - Chimp's and Grif's have made the Brand more familiar). Same issues as Chimps to consider when buying a Wedge:- History (FSH essential), Tidy inside, outside and underneath (few will be immacualate -remember it'll be >10yrs old), check chassis for rust, check bushes, check numbers match, drive and check no vibrations (if they is then UJ's or other may need changing - bargaining point), check engine as you'd do for a chimp. Check carpets for signs of a leaking roof (also you can tell from the smell - Musty (Leak) V's leather!). Bob's car looks good from the photo. Mine was a sold coloured 400SE G plate with detailed FSH and 39k miles. Needed the dash and door veneer doing, a good tune after the cam change and a set of tyres and it went for £8K. So on paper Bob's looks like a good deal - definitely worth a call/look. There seems to be some 400's about for 7-8k but shop around. Float your thoughts here and the trusty Wedgies will let you know!
GB
I've driven several Chims but not owned one. Friends have owned them though. They are generally a tad more reliable and better put together than the Wedge but are very Tame in comparison. In a Wedge it's easier to find the limit so you can drive to it IMHO (on the track of course). IMHO the Wedge has more character, rarety value, not as nickable (general public don't know what they are - Chimp's and Grif's have made the Brand more familiar). Same issues as Chimps to consider when buying a Wedge:- History (FSH essential), Tidy inside, outside and underneath (few will be immacualate -remember it'll be >10yrs old), check chassis for rust, check bushes, check numbers match, drive and check no vibrations (if they is then UJ's or other may need changing - bargaining point), check engine as you'd do for a chimp. Check carpets for signs of a leaking roof (also you can tell from the smell - Musty (Leak) V's leather!). Bob's car looks good from the photo. Mine was a sold coloured 400SE G plate with detailed FSH and 39k miles. Needed the dash and door veneer doing, a good tune after the cam change and a set of tyres and it went for £8K. So on paper Bob's looks like a good deal - definitely worth a call/look. There seems to be some 400's about for 7-8k but shop around. Float your thoughts here and the trusty Wedgies will let you know! GB
Did exactly that. Swapped the 4.3 Chimp for a 400se and some dosh. Better noise, rarer and I even like the 70's shape - proper sports cars should have lights that pop up. Usual probs that I've found are old age related - uj's, chassis, bushes etc but most you can do at home. bit cheeper on parts and insurance but not much as my Chimp was a 93.
well i'm torn between going for a 400se or a 450se but not quite sure which would be best , but looks and condition are very important to me rather than engine size as the ones on here look very nice and the 450se's are for sale in the autotrader for a little bit more price wise .what is thw heating and ventilation like on the wedges with the roof up and how does a 400/450se compare with a chimaera in the performance and handling department cos i have never tried a wdge as yet...........ian
Ian,
450 v's 400, uum
. 450's Rarity value, generally later cars and often higher spec'd - may even have AC. If you can afford it go for the 450 if you can get one, IMHO. Grunt wise and in comparison to Chimp - couldn't comment - sound wise - no comparison. Handling ultimately won't be as good when comparing standard cars due to the drive-shaft upper link Wedge set up V's Chimp layout but IMHO the Wedge is far more predicatble and fun (Lively) to drive, Wedge with Polybushes and rear roll bar are V Good. HVAC (Heating, etc) works adequately unless the car is damp inside - or perhaps I've been lucky
.
Cheers,
GB,
450 v's 400, uum
. 450's Rarity value, generally later cars and often higher spec'd - may even have AC. If you can afford it go for the 450 if you can get one, IMHO. Grunt wise and in comparison to Chimp - couldn't comment - sound wise - no comparison. Handling ultimately won't be as good when comparing standard cars due to the drive-shaft upper link Wedge set up V's Chimp layout but IMHO the Wedge is far more predicatble and fun (Lively) to drive, Wedge with Polybushes and rear roll bar are V Good. HVAC (Heating, etc) works adequately unless the car is damp inside - or perhaps I've been lucky. Cheers,
GB,
jmorgan said:Also it is poss to stop them leaking.....stop larfin.....
It's true!
Mine lives outside without a cover and has been used all year round. And even through the torrential rain we've had lately, it's stayed lovely and dry.
I find the heater very good - too good in fact.
And the blowers are very powerful, so I've never had the need for rain-ex
I've considered fitting an extra valve on the return pipe from the heater matrix in an attempt to stop it warming up when I don't want it to.
Although the only time it's a problem is during heavy rain on a very hot day. Which doesn't happen very often. (very hot days that is
) >> Edited by bobfrance on Friday 30th May 09:43
I suppose I am in the category of owner who has gone from Chiaera back to wedge having bought my original 280 back after 2 years of Chimaera ownership back in the mid 90s and more recently buying a 350+2 as well.
Why did I do it? The Chimaera was fantastic - couldn't really find fault with it and it proved to be the most reliable car that I think I have ever owned. But I just didn';t use it enough to justify the £30K that I had tied up in it and since I reckoned the Chimaera/Grifith prioces were going to tumble, I sold it after 2 years and lost just over £2K.
Anyway, moving back into the wedge, what differences did I note, apart from the lak of grunt which you will not notice if you are contemplating a 400/450. Well as has been said before, the handling is rawer although a well sorted late wedge will stay with any Griff/Chimaera on a fast A road.
As for haeting/ventilation, it depends from car to car. My 280 is cr*p - when it rains you have to open a window to help clear the windscreen yet the 350 that ises exactly the same design clears the screen in seconds. I've driven a late 400 that was like the 280 and a 450 SEAC that was like the 350. The heat soak is both of mine is no worse that the Chimaera.
Someone earlier suggested checking the chassis. Essential to have a good poke around inside the front end of the sill box as all the water and mud gets thrown up there from the front wheels and sits in the sill slowly (and in somecases quickly) corroding the outriggers. I remember publishing a technical letter some years ago when editing TVR Sprint from a member who'd had to have a body off on a 7 year old wedge to cure chassis corrosion. The outriggers can be done without taking the body off but it's not cheap unless you're handy with a Mig welder.
The areas to check the carpet for leaks are in the little wells by the lower outboard seat belt mounts (where the water runs down from the back of the window) But again, it's not consistent. I know there are some very well sorted and looked after 400s that don't leak...aad equally there are some that do.
Hope this helps
Ralph
Why did I do it? The Chimaera was fantastic - couldn't really find fault with it and it proved to be the most reliable car that I think I have ever owned. But I just didn';t use it enough to justify the £30K that I had tied up in it and since I reckoned the Chimaera/Grifith prioces were going to tumble, I sold it after 2 years and lost just over £2K.
Anyway, moving back into the wedge, what differences did I note, apart from the lak of grunt which you will not notice if you are contemplating a 400/450. Well as has been said before, the handling is rawer although a well sorted late wedge will stay with any Griff/Chimaera on a fast A road.
As for haeting/ventilation, it depends from car to car. My 280 is cr*p - when it rains you have to open a window to help clear the windscreen yet the 350 that ises exactly the same design clears the screen in seconds. I've driven a late 400 that was like the 280 and a 450 SEAC that was like the 350. The heat soak is both of mine is no worse that the Chimaera.
Someone earlier suggested checking the chassis. Essential to have a good poke around inside the front end of the sill box as all the water and mud gets thrown up there from the front wheels and sits in the sill slowly (and in somecases quickly) corroding the outriggers. I remember publishing a technical letter some years ago when editing TVR Sprint from a member who'd had to have a body off on a 7 year old wedge to cure chassis corrosion. The outriggers can be done without taking the body off but it's not cheap unless you're handy with a Mig welder.
The areas to check the carpet for leaks are in the little wells by the lower outboard seat belt mounts (where the water runs down from the back of the window) But again, it's not consistent. I know there are some very well sorted and looked after 400s that don't leak...aad equally there are some that do.
Hope this helps
Ralph
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