how much should you pay for a 280i/350i?
Discussion
Hi everyone, really hoping to get a Wedge soon but having kept an eye on the classifieds over the last couple of months I'm a bit unsure of what to think about price. There have been a few 280s (all in need of a bit of love!) at about £1000 but after that there seem to be quite a few ready to go 280s at roughly the same price as a couple of the 350s. Is this a case of caveat empor for the 350s or over optimistic pricing on the 280s? Or am I missing the point slightly? I'm under the impression that a 350 is a step up from a 280 but should I consider them as desirable in their own right?
As an example there is this 280 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/372859.htm and this 350 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/344956.htm (apologies if I'm treading on anyones toes).
I'm also wondering what an example of each (in good condition) should cost? While no mechanic myself I do have access to a workshop and a couple of mechanics so do you think it would be worth looking at cheaper models with a few problems and taking the time to get them fixed?
Also, if distance was no object then this is the colour scheme I love above all others!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/354703.htm
As an example there is this 280 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/372859.htm and this 350 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/344956.htm (apologies if I'm treading on anyones toes).
I'm also wondering what an example of each (in good condition) should cost? While no mechanic myself I do have access to a workshop and a couple of mechanics so do you think it would be worth looking at cheaper models with a few problems and taking the time to get them fixed?
Also, if distance was no object then this is the colour scheme I love above all others!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/354703.htm
Well how long is a piece of string?
A whole book can, and has been, written about the various benefits and arguments for and against each model.
But firstly congratulations on choosing a Wedge in the first place - it will change your life! As for pricing their are no hard and fast rules but as a rule of thumb the more it costs the better its overall condition should be, and condition is everything particularly the chassis!
So therefore in the case of like for like models seperated by say a thousand pounds the cheaper one may well need £1000 spending on new outriggers etc and the more expensive one may have had that work already carried out.
So if you are unsure try and get an independant inspection carried out by someone who knows Wedges.
If you are in no hurry you could pop along to BBWF in July where you can view virtually every model and see some of the finest examples on the road - usually a fair few for sale on the day too.
In the meantime have a look at www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk
Happy hunting I hope you find the one for you.
A whole book can, and has been, written about the various benefits and arguments for and against each model.
But firstly congratulations on choosing a Wedge in the first place - it will change your life! As for pricing their are no hard and fast rules but as a rule of thumb the more it costs the better its overall condition should be, and condition is everything particularly the chassis!
So therefore in the case of like for like models seperated by say a thousand pounds the cheaper one may well need £1000 spending on new outriggers etc and the more expensive one may have had that work already carried out.
So if you are unsure try and get an independant inspection carried out by someone who knows Wedges.
If you are in no hurry you could pop along to BBWF in July where you can view virtually every model and see some of the finest examples on the road - usually a fair few for sale on the day too.
In the meantime have a look at www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk
Happy hunting I hope you find the one for you.
Edited by Gandalf on Wednesday 13th February 19:56
apocalypso said:
Is this a case of caveat empor for the 350s ...? Or am I missing the point slightly? I'm under the impression that a 350 is a step up from a 280 but should I consider them as desirable in their own
I'd say caveat emptor for any TVR. The parts are all relatively cheap but the labour involved can be a lot - the chassis being the classic example.First go and drive them. I was going to buy a 280i/Tasmin and drove a few then stopped off at Harrogate one day and drove a 350i which meant the end of my 280i thoughts.
Also remember that 350i s are great cars but can never be economically up graded to 400+SEs etc.
Try to write down all of the faults on each car and add a bit for those that you miss. Bushes, dampers, radiators, it all adds up. Try to buy the best example that you can afford since the restoration route is rarely wise.
Happy hunting.
apocalypso , IMHO , v8's sound fantastic , are faster , but are thirsty , the outriggers are the most prone rust area on all tvr's ; suggestion , drive a 400se , a 350i and a 280i , then you will know what you desire !
Edited by combine on Wednesday 13th February 19:13
Edited by combine on Wednesday 13th February 19:14
Gandalf said:
mikeb said:
BBQF, ezamples?
Been sniffing the boat fuel again G? ;-)
MikeyB
Its the a a a after eeeeeffectx of dryving that bloody 450SE it takes 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 hours for your hands to stop shayyyyking Been sniffing the boat fuel again G? ;-)
MikeyB
....now I just get out fancying a game of golf, a new hair-do and watching a few hours of QVC's tanzanite hour - Fracking Griefs! :-0
MikeyB
MikeyB
I have a 2.8 and a 3.5 at the moment (Don't ask!).
IMHO they do have different characters.
The 3.5 has a great rumble with a quite unstressed lazy-ish feel to it. (Although it depends how you drive it.)Whereas the 2.8 feels more "revy" and urgent to me. Perhaps it encourages you to drive a bit more like this to get the best out of the performance whereas the 3.5 doesn't have to try as hard. My 3.5 rides noticeably higher than the 2.8 (particularly noticeable at the front) but of course you could adjust the suspension to suit. My 2.8 has poly bushes which again makes it feel 'tighter' than the 3.5 but of course you could change that too. The 3.5 runs an inch larger wheels than the 2.8.
I guess that like the advice from others - there's no substitute for trying cars out. And their set up / history plays a significant role. I have owned a couple of other 2.8s and they were slightly different to each other. But the change when I swap from 3.5 and 2.8 driving seats is quite noticeable. They actually make me drive differently!
(Anyway I guess you are after a convertible from the links you posted but my 2+2 FHC is for sale if you are interested.)
IMHO they do have different characters.
The 3.5 has a great rumble with a quite unstressed lazy-ish feel to it. (Although it depends how you drive it.)Whereas the 2.8 feels more "revy" and urgent to me. Perhaps it encourages you to drive a bit more like this to get the best out of the performance whereas the 3.5 doesn't have to try as hard. My 3.5 rides noticeably higher than the 2.8 (particularly noticeable at the front) but of course you could adjust the suspension to suit. My 2.8 has poly bushes which again makes it feel 'tighter' than the 3.5 but of course you could change that too. The 3.5 runs an inch larger wheels than the 2.8.
I guess that like the advice from others - there's no substitute for trying cars out. And their set up / history plays a significant role. I have owned a couple of other 2.8s and they were slightly different to each other. But the change when I swap from 3.5 and 2.8 driving seats is quite noticeable. They actually make me drive differently!
(Anyway I guess you are after a convertible from the links you posted but my 2+2 FHC is for sale if you are interested.)
Consider the steering too.
I had the pleasure of owning both an early 280FHC and a series 2 390SE at the same time.
TOTALLY different animals.
Steering the 280 at parking speeds was like trying to manhandle a boulder around,
and even with the brand new suspension I had fitted, on country roads it reminded me of the sensations experienced in the cab of a dumptruck.
Still a great driving experience though.
The big (convertible) Wedges feel much more compliant, by comparison, but brakes do not really inspire confidence, even with the overhauled 4 pots that my current car wears.
280 did about 20mpg. Maybe you tend to push them more.
400SE, I daren't even try to work it out.
Ideally, I'd like a 350i FHC for bad weather, and my present car.
280 you're never satisfied with, powerwise.
I had the pleasure of owning both an early 280FHC and a series 2 390SE at the same time.
TOTALLY different animals.
Steering the 280 at parking speeds was like trying to manhandle a boulder around,
and even with the brand new suspension I had fitted, on country roads it reminded me of the sensations experienced in the cab of a dumptruck.
Still a great driving experience though.
The big (convertible) Wedges feel much more compliant, by comparison, but brakes do not really inspire confidence, even with the overhauled 4 pots that my current car wears.
280 did about 20mpg. Maybe you tend to push them more.
400SE, I daren't even try to work it out.
Ideally, I'd like a 350i FHC for bad weather, and my present car.
280 you're never satisfied with, powerwise.
I agree about the steering. I had one 280 which was reasonable at slow speeds but the other 2 gave me a hard workout when parking. I never got to the bottom of why one was OK. Perhaps it had a different rack. My V8 is also without PS and so isn't much fun when parking either.
My 280 does about 25mpg but then I don't live in town and there aren't many traffic problems usually.
280 does struggle against modern competition for pace I suppose. James has fitted a Cosworth lump in his 280 and I suppose there are a few turbos around if you can find a way to get rid of the heat).
Brakes and lights are iffy on both the V6 and V8. But having driven an Excel - there is no comparisson. TVR every time - either type.
My 280 does about 25mpg but then I don't live in town and there aren't many traffic problems usually.
280 does struggle against modern competition for pace I suppose. James has fitted a Cosworth lump in his 280 and I suppose there are a few turbos around if you can find a way to get rid of the heat).
Brakes and lights are iffy on both the V6 and V8. But having driven an Excel - there is no comparisson. TVR every time - either type.
Edited by Nads on Sunday 20th April 18:36
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