Everyday car?

[PPPMAT]

I'm new guys - be gentle

I currently run a Lotus elise S2 for weekends and some trackdays and have a diesel shed for work.

I'd love a T350t and have thought about chopping in the two cars and getting just one. I know the car will be great for the weekend, but how will it fair being used as an everyday car (I do about 15,000 miles a year)

Thanks

Matt

[TSS]

If you service it and maintain it you shouldn’t have many problems. TVR’s are generally more reliable when they're used regularly. I ran a Tuscan for 2 years as an only car doing a similar mileage to you. I have a Sagaris arriving shortly which will also be my only car.

[alt]

My Tamora's my everyday car.
Done 27000 miles in three years so not as many as you'd do.
Used to do 8 miles a day but now do 40.
No problems.
Go for it....

[AlexRWD]

I'd certainly agree you can use it daily, as I just did for about 8 months, but I've now bought a blandmobile for my daily 25 miles, and must say I'm relieved!

It's just so much easier to drive a Ford for what is always going to be a boring drive in stop-start traffic, ending up in a car park where with the Tam I had to be v careful not to catch front lip when driving down the ramps, and worrying about overheating etc.

Also makes driving the Tam at weekends more of a special occassion, as you are then reminded what an effing fast car it is.

[PPPMAT]

Thanks for the response guys. I know what you mean about having the car for the weekend - it is a buzz but I am just not using the Lotus anywhere near enough to warrant it and its not big enough to carry my stuff for work. I also can't afford a t350 and an everyday car

I also miss the power of my previous M3 (which should be quite a bit slower than a t350)

might go and have a look - are TMS anygood in Melton Mowbray?

[TheHobbit]

MrsHobbit and I have a T350t as a daily driver, and its fine so far. It does about 15k a year. Obviously services come around a bit more often, but to be honest, I think they're better when they're driven every day.

[swifty T350]

i went from an S2 elise to a T350 ... and use it everyday. All is good so far. The T350 i find is much more of an everyday car the the Elise.

[chris watton]

My Tam's used almost everyday, no probs at all; as I have said before, if the car's used like any other, ie; not constantly thraped, it should serve you well.

[blueyes]

Aye 24k, 2 years, no problems, but not cheap to run.

[sideways mostly]

I had a mark 1 Elise and used it everyday for 3 years-Now I have a T350 and would recomend it highly.

Road holding is as good as a mk1 providing you are careful with the power,handling is comparable too. I had a Tuscan before the T350-wonderful car but didn't have the handling of a Lotus.
It draws as many looks and compliments as the Lotus and, for the realy important bits for an Elise owner....

Its far more comfortable than the Elise-especialy on dark wet winter mornings

Its quieter than the Lotus-still not Focus quiet but very acceptable if you keep the revs low in town-you can actually hear the radio!!!!

You can cancel the regular appoinment with the osteopath

Your partner/wife will not have to adopt the lotus position to get in-which can be a downside of course but reduces the ear ache considerably

People will asume you are a millionaire

Very few drivers will even dream about trying to beat you away from the lights-and you will know you have such a crushing advantage you won't be bothered by the numbies who try

Motorbikers will nod at you in an approving way

You will look back at the car everytime you walk away

Go for it -you will be happy





>> Edited by sideways mostly on Saturday 21st May 22:16

[GOM]

We went from S2 Elise Type 72 to T350T. I'd love to drive the T350 as everyday car. In fact I'd like to drive it 24 hours a day every day, but Mrs GOM says NO!(I bought it for her birthday so she hates me driving it anyway). I prefer the Tiv for two reasons, brute force and ignorance. It is also easier for an old git like me to get in and out. That said, I have driven the S2 Exige (VVT Toyota) and it is a bloody good half way house between Elise and T350.

I can't comment on everday use cos I do 40-45k a year which would do very serious wallet damage in the T350. The only thing I would say is if you have a good road to work - GO FOR IT - but be very careful with the loud pedal in the winter.

You will have more fun with a Tiv than any other car you'll ever own.

Happy hooning

[chapmancolin]

I'm also new, guys, and ...French!

It's a great moment for me because it's my first posting ever.
I'd 2 Elises S2 since 2001, and the biggest and (hoping) best moment is approaching > after 2 years reading your threads and dreaming 24h/24, 2 Continental Meetings in Zolder, the TVR WORLD is coming very soon...
This last thread convinced me totally, and now, ladies and gentlemen, let's be concrete!

1)Tusc'Mk2 or T350S ?

2)My nearest dealer (in germany) : 350km ... Realistic with the reliability of the car ?

Thanks to help me

[TVRspirit]

Hi Chapman colin, i'm french too!
Check your mail i sent something.

[kmpowell]

I'm in the process of moving from an S2000 to a T350T, and i shall be using it everyday.

[Fish]

Chapman

I ran both a Tuscan and a T350c as an everyday car for over 3 yrs. The T350 is easier to use day to day. I used to service mine 200miles away from where I live ao 350 km shouldn't be too much of a problem. I used to meet half way and swap to a courtesy car then collect the car on Saturday with a pleasent drive up and day out.

They are good cars and you will enjoy it. If you do live a long way from a dealer and something goes wrong it does help to be mechanicaly minded. Although I was never let down by them it was the odd trim niggles...which can wait till services anyway.

[PPPMAT]

So, it appears you can use one everyday - but it will cost !! Can't be more expensive than running 2 cars, servicing them, fuelling them and insuring them (one being a Lotus)

might have to have a test drive !!!

[hobo]

Oh, them running costs don't half add up though.

Not trying to put you off, as I run a T350 everyday, but just making sure you are aware of 'all' aspects of ownership.

I do approx. 12k per annum, thats 2 services (1 major, 1 minor), new tyres all around.

It is a year ago tomorrow that I bought the car, and in that time have spent around £3k in servicing, and the car has been off the road for 3 months of this time, albeit 90% of this being my fault. Still, TVR didn't give me a hire car, and hence had to fork out for a hire car myself as well.

So, assuming you're ok with the above then go ahead, awesome cars.

oh, make sure you get a warranty as well, thats about another £1k per annum

[shorts!]

Definitely, definitely do it. I do around 20k to 24k a year in my only car, a T350 and every drive is a joy. Even after a ridiculously long day at work the hour to drive home is still fun and I'm sure most people in most cars wont say that. However as Hobo points out there is plenty of expense involved. For me; 3 or 4 services a year, at least £3k, a set and a half of tyres, £900, and almost 2 tanks of fuel a week, £4k of petrol! Chuck in another thousand each for a warranty and insurance and that's about £10,000 a year. I don't know how much it costs to run a normal car (never tried one) but if the running costs don't scare you I don't think you'll regret it.
Final word of warning though is that the engine oil takes some time to warm up sufficiently. Lots of short journeys will probably have a more damaging effect overall than mega mileage so I tend to avoid them or take the long way home. . . .

[AlexRWD]

shorts! said:

and that's about £10,000 a year.

Blimey! If that doesn't put anyone off, I don't know what will