Discussion
Hi all, after a bit of owner advice to aid in the planning out of my next car.
I am a young motorsport engineer and therefore my road car can't be boring! I have no real responsibilities other than feeding myself so now is the time for something 2-seater, quick and impractical I think!
I've had a read through the sticky threads on here for FAQ's and buying guides but there's still a few questions I'd like to ask.
TVR has been branded into me since my grandad owned a Chimera whilst I was an impressionable young boy through to my early driving years. Unfortunately as my engineering experience grew, the magic of the TVR faded away as I realised how unreliable the electrics were and how awkward the pedal set up was to drive quickly/heel and toe.
The rumours are that these niggles were ironed out with the later generation, 6 cylinder engined cars. Does anyone use a T350/Tamora as a daily driver? I'm not expecting it to drive like an OEM machine but is it bareable if you're stuck in stop/start traffic, does it cruise on the motorway ok, does it hot start reliably and can you leave it for a few days without it being on a trickle charger?
Any input would be appreciated!
Cheers
I am a young motorsport engineer and therefore my road car can't be boring! I have no real responsibilities other than feeding myself so now is the time for something 2-seater, quick and impractical I think!
I've had a read through the sticky threads on here for FAQ's and buying guides but there's still a few questions I'd like to ask.
TVR has been branded into me since my grandad owned a Chimera whilst I was an impressionable young boy through to my early driving years. Unfortunately as my engineering experience grew, the magic of the TVR faded away as I realised how unreliable the electrics were and how awkward the pedal set up was to drive quickly/heel and toe.
The rumours are that these niggles were ironed out with the later generation, 6 cylinder engined cars. Does anyone use a T350/Tamora as a daily driver? I'm not expecting it to drive like an OEM machine but is it bareable if you're stuck in stop/start traffic, does it cruise on the motorway ok, does it hot start reliably and can you leave it for a few days without it being on a trickle charger?
Any input would be appreciated!
Cheers
Hi, first I'd like to mention that I do not use my T350t as a daily driver I drive around 5000 miles a year with it, but anyway this is my pov: It is kind of bareable in stop start traffic. The pedals are quite heavy, the fuel consumption is high in stuck traffic, and if it is a hot day it can get pretty warm in the car. And the clutch wears out faster than average. Nevertheless, if I am to be stuck in traffic I am happiest in the T350t.
Cruising on the motorway is more than ok; in fact it is really easy and with a standard exhaust and cats it is not very noisy at all doing low revs.
Hot starts are no problem. Cold starts can be. Warming up the engine is extremely important, so you will not be able to blast off in the first 10 minutes of driving.
Mine goes for about 2-3 weeks without trickle charger. I do not see this as a problem. If I do not know when I am going to use the car again, I plug in the trickle charger via the cigarrette lighter, it is done within 10 seconds.
Be prepared that the driver's seat bolster will wear out quickly if you use it as a daily drive since it gets a slight beating every time you get in and out of the car. If you will need to hit the road in icy/snowy conditions it is very tricky. Besides that I would not want the salt to get on the car, an ice white road stripe can get you off the road even at low speeds. It has not happened to me but I know of more than one person who had this. Since you are a motorsport engineer I trust you have a certain degree of driving skill, but nevertheless everyone will have moments of lower concentration where the car can catch you out in slippery conditions so you might want to be able to use a simple snow car in those few days of the year.
My experience is that these cars are in fact very reliable if serviced properly and warmed up correctly. Mine has never let me down. After a while you know every sound tha cars makes and feel what needs attention. If you are a motorsport engineer and are able to give the car the love and care it deserves then this will work out. There are a (very) few T350 owners out there who use the car as a daily drive, I hope they will read this topic and give their view.
Cheers,
Wiebe
Cruising on the motorway is more than ok; in fact it is really easy and with a standard exhaust and cats it is not very noisy at all doing low revs.
Hot starts are no problem. Cold starts can be. Warming up the engine is extremely important, so you will not be able to blast off in the first 10 minutes of driving.
Mine goes for about 2-3 weeks without trickle charger. I do not see this as a problem. If I do not know when I am going to use the car again, I plug in the trickle charger via the cigarrette lighter, it is done within 10 seconds.
Be prepared that the driver's seat bolster will wear out quickly if you use it as a daily drive since it gets a slight beating every time you get in and out of the car. If you will need to hit the road in icy/snowy conditions it is very tricky. Besides that I would not want the salt to get on the car, an ice white road stripe can get you off the road even at low speeds. It has not happened to me but I know of more than one person who had this. Since you are a motorsport engineer I trust you have a certain degree of driving skill, but nevertheless everyone will have moments of lower concentration where the car can catch you out in slippery conditions so you might want to be able to use a simple snow car in those few days of the year.
My experience is that these cars are in fact very reliable if serviced properly and warmed up correctly. Mine has never let me down. After a while you know every sound tha cars makes and feel what needs attention. If you are a motorsport engineer and are able to give the car the love and care it deserves then this will work out. There are a (very) few T350 owners out there who use the car as a daily drive, I hope they will read this topic and give their view.
Cheers,
Wiebe
I think if you can say 'no problem' to the following then you should give yourself a green light:
1) I have got the skill to drive a car with no traction control or abs on a daily basis - no scenario unaccounted for. I'll be fine on that wet evening, on that tired morning after a long night, that heart-stopping moment you have to slam on the breaks etc.
As with most TVR drivers, I find that at the end of a days drive I am both physically and mentally drained - your concentration levels must be much higher than when you are driving a conventional euro-box. Every man hole cover, that LHD lorry 3 cars ahead which looks like its ready to pull out for an overtake, puddles etc etc. I absolutely adore every moment driving cars like this but I do often smile to myself the next day when I jump into my daily commuter and its all so easy.
2) I understand that I'll be using a car that frequently consumes items which are expensive and sometime will mean I don't have the car for a few days. I have a back-up car / can operate without one for a few days if the TVR throws a paddy. Furthermore, I have a reserve of cash set aside for such things - clutch potentially every 15-30k miles, rear tyres will wear quick if you have a heavy right foot, engine problems, electrical problems, valve clearances every 12k miles, litre of oil every few thousand miles etc etc. You'll also need to understand that rebuilds are common place and one way or another come in expensive. Having said that some cars are much better than others and the Speed 6 was surprisingly sorted by this stage.
3) I don't live in close proximity to others. These cars are loud regardless of which exhaust system they have and it is not unheard of for owners writing notes to neighbours giving advance warning that they will be taking the car out before 8am / bringing it back after 9pm!
4) It is OK for me to turn up to work / where I'm going slightly hot and smelling ever-so-slightly of engine oil.
5) I won't often need to drive in the dark. The lights are terrible (although if necessary there are modifications that can be done).
6) I will not miss having: heated seats, steering wheel controls, bluetooth, folding mirrors, a proper climate system, parking sensors a good stereo etc.
7) I am prepared for the questions, compliments, abuse and general interaction I will get from the public and happy to take it all on the chin (maybe more relevant if you are in a city)
8) There aren't any situations where I will need to have my car driven by someone else (parking space sharing, valet drop off at the airport etc etc).
9) I understand that people will doubt my ability to make sound decisions after they find out I drive a TVR on a daily basis. Sod them though... just listen to that engine!
1) I have got the skill to drive a car with no traction control or abs on a daily basis - no scenario unaccounted for. I'll be fine on that wet evening, on that tired morning after a long night, that heart-stopping moment you have to slam on the breaks etc.
As with most TVR drivers, I find that at the end of a days drive I am both physically and mentally drained - your concentration levels must be much higher than when you are driving a conventional euro-box. Every man hole cover, that LHD lorry 3 cars ahead which looks like its ready to pull out for an overtake, puddles etc etc. I absolutely adore every moment driving cars like this but I do often smile to myself the next day when I jump into my daily commuter and its all so easy.
2) I understand that I'll be using a car that frequently consumes items which are expensive and sometime will mean I don't have the car for a few days. I have a back-up car / can operate without one for a few days if the TVR throws a paddy. Furthermore, I have a reserve of cash set aside for such things - clutch potentially every 15-30k miles, rear tyres will wear quick if you have a heavy right foot, engine problems, electrical problems, valve clearances every 12k miles, litre of oil every few thousand miles etc etc. You'll also need to understand that rebuilds are common place and one way or another come in expensive. Having said that some cars are much better than others and the Speed 6 was surprisingly sorted by this stage.
3) I don't live in close proximity to others. These cars are loud regardless of which exhaust system they have and it is not unheard of for owners writing notes to neighbours giving advance warning that they will be taking the car out before 8am / bringing it back after 9pm!
4) It is OK for me to turn up to work / where I'm going slightly hot and smelling ever-so-slightly of engine oil.
5) I won't often need to drive in the dark. The lights are terrible (although if necessary there are modifications that can be done).
6) I will not miss having: heated seats, steering wheel controls, bluetooth, folding mirrors, a proper climate system, parking sensors a good stereo etc.
7) I am prepared for the questions, compliments, abuse and general interaction I will get from the public and happy to take it all on the chin (maybe more relevant if you are in a city)
8) There aren't any situations where I will need to have my car driven by someone else (parking space sharing, valet drop off at the airport etc etc).
9) I understand that people will doubt my ability to make sound decisions after they find out I drive a TVR on a daily basis. Sod them though... just listen to that engine!
At different times, I've used both a Griffith 500 and a T350T as my only car albeit not "daily driver". Without upsetting current owners, they really are light years apart and the T350 is the only one that I would consider close to practical. In the Griffith I was housebound in anything worse than very mild drizzle or slight breeze. I've driven the T350 through this last winter, rivers of water streaming across the M1, without crashing or mechanical disaster.
My observations are similar to everyone else:
1) The size and weight are significant issues. Because they're only 1100kg, even the best tyres won't displace a lot of water when it's streaming with rain, you're below the axle line of lorries and buffeting from a nasty sidewind will deflect the car. The track is narrower than many mainstream cars so you won't always be following the dry line down the motorway.
2) The lights are dreadful but not beyond your wit to sort out.
3) As others have said - sports exhaust is essential for the full TVR experience but your neighbours won't appreciate it outside 9-9 so probably stick to the standard pipes.
4) You do need a back up plan for getting to work - be it bus, train or cycle. Failing that I really would set aside 1500 for a taxed and insured <10yr old Fiesta. That would also be handy for B&Q, runs to the tip and snow.
5) TVRs are for people who are interested in driving and engineering. For everyone else, there's the Audi TT. Without mechanical sympathy you will destroy the engine, without respect for Newtonian physics, you'll interface with the first piece of armco you see.
It sounds like you've had the epiphany that precedes TVR ownership. You just need to have contingency plans for the compromises of ownership. None of which you'll remember on a dry day in Scottish highlands, exhaust bellowing off the rockface with a 911 in your mirrors struggling to keep up...
My observations are similar to everyone else:
1) The size and weight are significant issues. Because they're only 1100kg, even the best tyres won't displace a lot of water when it's streaming with rain, you're below the axle line of lorries and buffeting from a nasty sidewind will deflect the car. The track is narrower than many mainstream cars so you won't always be following the dry line down the motorway.
2) The lights are dreadful but not beyond your wit to sort out.
3) As others have said - sports exhaust is essential for the full TVR experience but your neighbours won't appreciate it outside 9-9 so probably stick to the standard pipes.
4) You do need a back up plan for getting to work - be it bus, train or cycle. Failing that I really would set aside 1500 for a taxed and insured <10yr old Fiesta. That would also be handy for B&Q, runs to the tip and snow.
5) TVRs are for people who are interested in driving and engineering. For everyone else, there's the Audi TT. Without mechanical sympathy you will destroy the engine, without respect for Newtonian physics, you'll interface with the first piece of armco you see.
It sounds like you've had the epiphany that precedes TVR ownership. You just need to have contingency plans for the compromises of ownership. None of which you'll remember on a dry day in Scottish highlands, exhaust bellowing off the rockface with a 911 in your mirrors struggling to keep up...
I've seen mentioned quite often about heat inside the car through the transmission tunnel on Speed Six cars etc but curiously with my Tamora I've not experienced this at all even on the warmest of days. The gear stick only ever gets warm and there's no oily\exhaust smells whatsoever - it's perfect in that respect but my 4.2 Cerbera was a different matter entirely. I'm not sure that Tam would be leak proof in the heaviest of downpours throughout the year, but then I'm sure someone will say they don't have any problems with leaks in their Tamora :-).
drove mine daily for 10,000 miles over the course of a year, apart from the obvious servicing/tyre/ fuel costs it was fine. Just make sure all your journeys are longish (>10 miles) to warm the car properly and you'll be fine.
Whether or not you can deal with driving it every day (lack of bluetooth/electric mirror/parking sensors/abs/TCS etc) is completely up to you, so if you feel you can do it don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.
I don't use my T350 every day anymore because I found I was planning my journeys around making sure the car was properly warmed up so this prevented me popping down the shops and using it to pick up friends from the station etc, so I bought a little Clio and now its the perfect set up for me, the TVR feels more special when I drive it and a nice little bonus too from lack of costs.
I would absolutely do it all again if i had the choice, there's nothing like driving a TVR every day whether just commuting to work in traffic or honing at 6am on a sunday morning.
hope this helps, good luck!
Whether or not you can deal with driving it every day (lack of bluetooth/electric mirror/parking sensors/abs/TCS etc) is completely up to you, so if you feel you can do it don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.
I don't use my T350 every day anymore because I found I was planning my journeys around making sure the car was properly warmed up so this prevented me popping down the shops and using it to pick up friends from the station etc, so I bought a little Clio and now its the perfect set up for me, the TVR feels more special when I drive it and a nice little bonus too from lack of costs.
I would absolutely do it all again if i had the choice, there's nothing like driving a TVR every day whether just commuting to work in traffic or honing at 6am on a sunday morning.
hope this helps, good luck!
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