Possibly time for a T350C
Discussion
I am currently enjoying an Alfa GT diesel, yes I put diesel and enjoying in the same sentence 
but I have wanted a T350C for a long time, I have been thinking recently about trading up to the TVR, basically I should do it now before kids etc, or I'll never do it so I have a few questions.
Whats it like on fuel? I guess most don't think about this as they have second cars etc but I don't want a second car, it will be my only car, some weeks I might do 700 miles others around 250ish, I just need a figure just so I can estimate a running cost, I assume about 20mpg for the daily grind, range on a tank woul dbe useful too, I know things can happen and it could cost a lot thats just one of those things that can happen with anything.
Can I expect it to be a reliable daily driver, 15-20k a year? I know I will probably do a lot of cash in servicing/maintainance but can I trust it, I have had a couple of dodgy Italian motors in the past and while things went wrong they always got me home so didn't mind so much, I have of course been warned away by family and friends but these are the same people who told me not to buy that Fiat/Alfa etc. which if I listened I would of course be wealthier but wouldn't of had as much fun and I would have missed out on some truely great motors, flaws included.
I currently do a few trackdays (yes in my diesel
) with no real maintainance bar oil chnage, tyre and brakes check, I assume the TVR can take a repeated spanking with a proper warmup/cooldown procedure? I saw a Sagaris at the Nurburgring at the April/May Bank Hoilday TF and that kind of reignited my interest in the brand again, in the back of my mind though I am thinking that perhaps the Z4M Coupe might be a better proposition, not as pretty but styling and configuration draw many parallels to each other IMO.
Are there any figures on the percentage of owners who have experienced S6 engine failure? am I right in thinking its about 4k to put right?
but I have wanted a T350C for a long time, I have been thinking recently about trading up to the TVR, basically I should do it now before kids etc, or I'll never do it so I have a few questions. Whats it like on fuel? I guess most don't think about this as they have second cars etc but I don't want a second car, it will be my only car, some weeks I might do 700 miles others around 250ish, I just need a figure just so I can estimate a running cost, I assume about 20mpg for the daily grind, range on a tank woul dbe useful too, I know things can happen and it could cost a lot thats just one of those things that can happen with anything.
Can I expect it to be a reliable daily driver, 15-20k a year? I know I will probably do a lot of cash in servicing/maintainance but can I trust it, I have had a couple of dodgy Italian motors in the past and while things went wrong they always got me home so didn't mind so much, I have of course been warned away by family and friends but these are the same people who told me not to buy that Fiat/Alfa etc. which if I listened I would of course be wealthier
but wouldn't of had as much fun and I would have missed out on some truely great motors, flaws included. I currently do a few trackdays (yes in my diesel
) with no real maintainance bar oil chnage, tyre and brakes check, I assume the TVR can take a repeated spanking with a proper warmup/cooldown procedure? I saw a Sagaris at the Nurburgring at the April/May Bank Hoilday TF and that kind of reignited my interest in the brand again, in the back of my mind though I am thinking that perhaps the Z4M Coupe might be a better proposition, not as pretty but styling and configuration draw many parallels to each other IMO. Are there any figures on the percentage of owners who have experienced S6 engine failure? am I right in thinking its about 4k to put right?
Fuel economy - around 22-24mpg. More if you're just punting up and down motorways. Smiles per gallon = 1 million.
Service costs £600 every 6k, £1k every 12k. This will be your major cost (and anything that needs repairing)
Engine % that go pop - I'd say 100% before 50,000 miles. None have made it that far on the orignal yet. Educated guess that 25% go before 20,000 miles, 50% go before 30,000 miles. Get a warranty or pay £5k-£6k for a after market rebuild (supposedly better but too early to tell).
Go for the approved warranty extension which incldues wear and tear - esp. with the miles you're planning.
Have you driven one? Try one - you might not like it (yeah right).
Service costs £600 every 6k, £1k every 12k. This will be your major cost (and anything that needs repairing)
Engine % that go pop - I'd say 100% before 50,000 miles. None have made it that far on the orignal yet. Educated guess that 25% go before 20,000 miles, 50% go before 30,000 miles. Get a warranty or pay £5k-£6k for a after market rebuild (supposedly better but too early to tell).
Go for the approved warranty extension which incldues wear and tear - esp. with the miles you're planning.
Have you driven one? Try one - you might not like it (yeah right).
Cheers Guys, Hmm 100% before 50k, so theres a good chnace I'll have to fork out, guess I should factor in a rebuild each year, if it doesn't happen great, if it does at least I was expecting it 
I have not actually driven a T350 yet though have been in a Tamora which is similar and a Cerbera, I have also sat in a T350 so know my lard arse fits in there not much not to like about the cars really, its just taking that initial plunge, I am sure when I have done it i'll be smitten but at the moment I am sitting on the fence a bit scared of jumping in.
I have not actually driven a T350 yet though have been in a Tamora which is similar and a Cerbera, I have also sat in a T350 so know my lard arse fits in there not much not to like about the cars really, its just taking that initial plunge, I am sure when I have done it i'll be smitten but at the moment I am sitting on the fence a bit scared of jumping in. Edited by sandys on Monday 5th June 22:45
There's no doubt you'll love the car's speed and sense of occasion - don't worry about being 'big', I'm pushing 18 stone and fit in (if not elegantly ).
You'd be hard pushed to find a car more than two years old that hasn't been rebuilt (mine was when I bought it (it cost around £3.5k - I think catching problems early saves a lot on rebuild costs)). But that's the issue, 20mpg (I've had 30 twice) and the 200 mile range really isn't a problem, but having a TVR as your only car is a risk. People do it, but it's NOT going to be easy.
If you buy a £25K T350 you're not gonna lose much in depreciation (how much have you lost on the alfa ???) that gives enough change to buy a second car for running around (e.g. £3K on a golf/rover 75/mondeo etc). If you do the maths, it then ends up being a cheap car to run (I'm not joking). Don't expect 100% reliability and it won't dissapoint - You'll love it. I do.
Let us know what you decide.
). You'd be hard pushed to find a car more than two years old that hasn't been rebuilt (mine was when I bought it (it cost around £3.5k - I think catching problems early saves a lot on rebuild costs)). But that's the issue, 20mpg (I've had 30 twice) and the 200 mile range really isn't a problem, but having a TVR as your only car is a risk. People do it, but it's NOT going to be easy.
If you buy a £25K T350 you're not gonna lose much in depreciation (how much have you lost on the alfa ???) that gives enough change to buy a second car for running around (e.g. £3K on a golf/rover 75/mondeo etc). If you do the maths, it then ends up being a cheap car to run (I'm not joking). Don't expect 100% reliability and it won't dissapoint - You'll love it. I do.
Let us know what you decide.
bigman1 said:
There's no doubt you'll love the car's speed and sense of occasion - don't worry about being 'big', I'm pushing 18 stone and fit in (if not elegantly ).
Yep, I know all to well about the not elegantly part, I'll have to sit in the car until no one is looking and then attempt to get out
bigman1 said:
You'd be hard pushed to find a car more than two years old that hasn't been rebuilt (mine was when I bought it (it cost around £3.5k - I think catching problems early saves a lot on rebuild costs)).
So there is generally a bit of warning if its on its way and you can pre-empt it?, I took a look through the general FAQ and couldn't really see any info on that, have you got any links to solid info on the failures?
bigman1 said:
If you buy a £25K T350 you're not gonna lose much in depreciation (how much have you lost on the alfa ???) that gives enough change to buy a second car for running around (e.g. £3K on a golf/rover 75/mondeo etc). If you do the maths, it then ends up being a cheap car to run (I'm not joking). Don't expect 100% reliability and it won't dissapoint - You'll love it. I do.
Ahhh, Italian cars and depreciation, everyone brings this up, stuff it thats what I say, I am a car enthusiast not an accountant, I buy it be cause I like it, how it looks, how it drives and how it makes me feel, not so that I can save 2k when I sell it in 2-3yrs, once its paid for, its paid for, the day to day running costs then become the most important factor, you know how many meals do the family have to miss to fill the tank or rebuild the engine
I am not really into running two cars I personally find it pointless, why own a nice car if you can't afford to drive it daily, letting a work of art sit in the garage while you trundle to work in a shed is the silliest thing ever, sure if I have a failure and its going to take weeks to fix I'll pick up a banger, plenty of motors out there around £100 with Tax/Mot that'll get you from A to B for a couple of months, gotta love bangernomics.
Cheers
Patsy/Chris - Sweeping generalisation. Sorry
As for depreciation, don't ignore it, it's the best argument I know for buying a TVR/Ferrari etc.
The TVR will cost more to maintain, but if you include depreciation, it makes it cheaper to own (trust me I'm an economist).
Finally, two cars ?? My old nail is a BMW 728 which is only worth £3k (it's still excellent but has high mileage). There are times I'd much prefer to be in that than in my TVR. It still works out a lot cheaper having both than say having one (more sensible) car like a Nissan 350 etc.
As for depreciation, don't ignore it, it's the best argument I know for buying a TVR/Ferrari etc.
The TVR will cost more to maintain, but if you include depreciation, it makes it cheaper to own (trust me I'm an economist
). Finally, two cars ?? My old nail is a BMW 728 which is only worth £3k (it's still excellent but has high mileage). There are times I'd much prefer to be in that than in my TVR. It still works out a lot cheaper having both than say having one (more sensible) car like a Nissan 350 etc.
icraigmy said:
Oy Sandy, Just go for it and get it today without delay 
If you want to drive mine, pop round
If you want to drive mine, pop round
Be careful Ian I might take you up on it
I am very tempted by one, even the missus has signed off on it, she's obviously had enough of me and sees it as an easy way out Edited by sandys on Tuesday 6th June 13:04
Sandy,
I recently had my Tamora serviced at David Hendry. It cost £800 for the service. I had tappets adjusted and all fluids changed. Basically a full service. Andrew Hendry did say thet found nothing wrong with the engine (Touch wood).
Each time I take the Tamora out for a drive my confidence in its reliability increases.
I have had no problems since the power steering mechanism change as you already know about. I have done about 2000 miles in it and have had no problems with the engine.
I'm glad that I purchased the Tamora (on your recommendation) and certainly re-recommend you get the T350.
I recently had my Tamora serviced at David Hendry. It cost £800 for the service. I had tappets adjusted and all fluids changed. Basically a full service. Andrew Hendry did say thet found nothing wrong with the engine (Touch wood).
Each time I take the Tamora out for a drive my confidence in its reliability increases.
I have had no problems since the power steering mechanism change as you already know about. I have done about 2000 miles in it and have had no problems with the engine.
I'm glad that I purchased the Tamora (on your recommendation) and certainly re-recommend you get the T350.
If the Sagaris at the 'ring was iced titanium it was mine. If so, I'm glad it restored your faith in the marque. It's been terrific to date and has been all over Europe already. Did you see me go round or just in the car park? I spent the whole of the monday lapping in the wet and it was unforgettable fun and deeply impressive. Unlike a 911 TVRs are beautifully balanced and the S6 cars put their power down incredibly well given the power/weight.
I had a t350 loan car while I was waiting for it to be built and it was awesome. It's an awfully large amount of performance car for £25k. Get a warranty and then get on with it!
I had a t350 loan car while I was waiting for it to be built and it was awesome. It's an awfully large amount of performance car for £25k. Get a warranty and then get on with it!
Probably yours, 505/SOS something or other, very nice, only saw it in the car park I had hoped to meet up on a lap just to hear it go but never seemed to sync up with my laps, I was going to go and have a chat but the car seemed to be getting enough attention and I didn't want to seem like an excited schoolkid
Shame the weather was a bit crap that weekend but it did lead to a couple of memorable laps in the wet/snow and no queueing which was nice.
Shame the weather was a bit crap that weekend but it did lead to a couple of memorable laps in the wet/snow and no queueing which was nice.
'twas mine then. As mentioned earlier on this forum I had formation flying lap with a Tuscan S owner which I'd love to have seen. He was really going for it and I had to frighten my passenger a little just to keep him in sight! He came away in awe of his car, as did I. They work very well on a track. Now if you'd have had your T350 by then....
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