Help with my buying dilemma!

[simon2o_oo]

First of all hello everyone, I'm new on here!

I have decided that I would like to buy a TVR. I have liked wedges since the eighties as I knew someone that had one and still remember the noise till this day!.

I work in central London so have no need for a 'reliable, everyday car' (like my current Focus) but obviously don't want a car that will break down every time I take it out.

I've recently looked at a Chimera as originally I thought about financing a car. It was wonderful to drive but lacked the noise that I have always associated with a TVR.

Wedges seem to be fantastic value and I have just seen a stunning grey 350i for sale in the classified section on Pistonheads for £3500. I don't mind spending up to £2000 a year on servicing and the occasional 'problem' but obviously I don't want a money pit!

What I'm really looking for is a bit of advice. I'm not in a rush to buy a car (the other half is using my current 'shopping trolley' to get to work and back until she gets a new job in London) and I know from reading posts on here that buying a wedge is something that you shouldn't rush into (but if the right car turns up.....!).

So all you wedge owners, do you think I should join you???

[19560]

Hi Simon. £2K sounds on the high side for a good car. For an owner what's expensive? Fibreglass repairs and chassis repairs, unless you value your time at nil. Re-bushing is time consuming also. I wouldn't worry too much about the mechanical side as long as you allow for it in the price it's all fairly straight forward. The manifolds and clutch are disproportionately expensive to have fitted though. Probably the best bit of advice is to try to find someone willing to look over the car with you.
Good luck, J

[laup99]

simon2o_oo said:

So all you wedge owners, do you think I should join you???

Hello..

and yes.

[Gerry Attrick]

The most expensive things when owning a Wedge are the replacement of tyres and UJs, and the plastic surgery to remove the permanent grin from your face

[badredwedge]

WOW are we in some kind of Wedge revival, This is GREAT.

COME ON JOIN THE FUN

[adam quantrill]

I've just sorted through the bills on mine and I don't think I've spent more than £200 to £300 a year.

You don't need a TVR dealer to do this, any garage with Ford and Rover V8 experience is fine.

When the prices are as low as £3500, and falling from there, there isn't much point in keeping up with dealer stamps in the service book either.

Go for it!

[grahamw48]

Hello Simon !

I'd say buy one (of course).

These cars are very special, and DIFFERENT.

I have two now, and they do seem to have taken over my life somewhat, but in a very pleasant way.

Financially, considering today's market, and the qualities and performance they offer, they cost peanuts, and shouldn't cost any more to run than any other car of similar age. If you can do your own tinkering, so much the better.

On this forum I'm sure you will find, as I have, some of the friendliest and most helpful people around.

Go ahead and buy that car !

[simon2o_oo]

Cheers guys, sounds like the way to go!

I've just sent an email to the guy selling the grey one to find out some more info. It says on the advert that it has an uprated rear driveshaft. Is this a common problem area?

[Gerry Attrick]

simon2o_oo said:

It says on the advert that it has an uprated rear driveshaft. Is this a common problem area?

Yes. They are almost consumable items, like spark plugs.

[leorest]

Welcome (hopefully)
1st thing is buy the Steve Heath wedge bible www.tvrbooks.co.uk/ if you haven't already
2nd thing bookmark this site www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/
3rd join the TVRCC for the classified adds.
4th keep reading this forum…

simon2o_oo said:

I've just sent an email to the guy selling the grey one to find out some more info. It says on the advert that it has an uprated rear driveshaft. Is this a common problem area?

As can be seen in the bible the rear suspension (both early and late) uses the driveshaft as the top link. This provides extra stress on the driveshafts as they have to transmit the torque of the engine whilst working as suspension. Added to this, the inboard breaks (jag diff) mean the driveshafts also have to provide retardation. These three functions provided by one highly stressed component means low unsprung weight but at the expense of long term reliability. In the five years of ownership I have replaced universal joints on the driveshafts three times (annually) with fairly docile driving manner. A few thousand miles after the last UJ service interval the driveshaft broke at the yoke (there's a pun in there if you want it) the suspension collapsed and the remaining 2 miles home was on the back of a breakdown truck After some searching (on this forum) I discovered a company called Proptech (Kidderminster) who were able to make me a set of up-rated driveshafts which used the splined ends of my originals (now slightly soiled). They did a superb job at a very reasonable price and I had the comfort of knowing that they would fit because they made the originals for TVR. They even showed me the fax from TVR detailing the drawing change for the up-rating of UJs. Over a year since the upgrade and everything is still fine and clonk free. It's the best couple of hundred quid spent on the car yet!

As stated before most of the mechanicals are cheap and particularly the suspension will need to be overhauled if it is original equipment.
Hope this information helps.

Going back five years, if I was asked to do it again I wouldn't change a thing.
Buy a Wedge?
HELL YES
Leo

[leorest]

Gerry Attrick said:

simon2o_oo said: It says on the advert that it has an uprated rear driveshaft. Is this a common problem area? Yes. They are almost consumable items, like spark plugs.

I need to change my plugs more frequently then

[nigel_350i]

I agree they are fantastic value (V8 sports car with great noise and looks and exclusivity for £3500 can't be bad)
Makes even more sense if you don't mind doing work like servicing yourself..
The guys on here are very friendly and extremly helpful.
I've had mine for about ten months and think it's great.
So I'd say go for it, but remeber what you are buying..a older, handbuilt, british car so don't expect it to behave like the Focus (thankfully)

Having a knowledgable person to view with you wouldn't be a bad idea.

[grahamw48]

LOL!

Suddenly I had this vision of an assembled 'Wedge Buyers Advisory Committee' - about 15 of them, all ready to march up the unfortunate seller's drive to 'assist' the prospective purchaser.

[mightymouse]

Yeah go for it. Buy one !!!!!!!
As a newbie I still can't get over the "bang for your buck" fun factor and constant grin during and after a blat.
So far no regrets in coming over to the dark side.

[firefox1712]

Jump in at the deep end - that's the best policy. And enjoy!