Can a T350c be used as a main everyday car?
Discussion
Sorry to jump into this forum, but I need some advice from current T350 owners.
I have had a Chimaera 500 for 3 years, but it is my second car and due to that does not get used as much as I would like.
So I am thinking of getting a 2004 T350c to replace both my everyday car and the Chimaera.
Am I being realistic, will I be able to use the T350c as an everyday car doing approx 10-15k miles a year. I have read many posts about the speed 6 and I am a little nervous about the engine problems.
I have had only minor niggles with the Chimaera over the past 3 years and I admit the sound of the V8 through the sports exhaust is very addictive. Will I miss this with the T350c or does the sound of the speed 6 get just as addictive?
Most days I will be doing 20-30 miles, but approx once a week I will be done 200-300 miles in the day, sometimes a bit more. The T350 will come with a TVR wear and tear warranty, but it is the reliability that I really need to know about, so who better to ask about this than current T350 owners.
Any help or advice will be much appreciated.
Thanks B-L
I have had a Chimaera 500 for 3 years, but it is my second car and due to that does not get used as much as I would like.
So I am thinking of getting a 2004 T350c to replace both my everyday car and the Chimaera.
Am I being realistic, will I be able to use the T350c as an everyday car doing approx 10-15k miles a year. I have read many posts about the speed 6 and I am a little nervous about the engine problems.
I have had only minor niggles with the Chimaera over the past 3 years and I admit the sound of the V8 through the sports exhaust is very addictive. Will I miss this with the T350c or does the sound of the speed 6 get just as addictive?
Most days I will be doing 20-30 miles, but approx once a week I will be done 200-300 miles in the day, sometimes a bit more. The T350 will come with a TVR wear and tear warranty, but it is the reliability that I really need to know about, so who better to ask about this than current T350 owners.
Any help or advice will be much appreciated.
Thanks B-L
I ran a t350c for a year doing very similar trips to those you describe.
It was great as an everyday car - I throughly enjoyed the experience and it was very, very reliable. The only fault I had was a flat battery and that was when I'd left it for a few weeks having bought a runaround.
But (and it's a Jennifer Lopez size one) the depreciation you'll suffer by adding 15k miles will be huge. Over a year and 14k miles I reckon mine cost me about £8,000 in 3 services and depreciation.
At the time, my earnings meant it didn't bother me too much. However, it's a lot of money to lose and I couldn't really justify doing it again!
D
It was great as an everyday car - I throughly enjoyed the experience and it was very, very reliable. The only fault I had was a flat battery and that was when I'd left it for a few weeks having bought a runaround.
But (and it's a Jennifer Lopez size one) the depreciation you'll suffer by adding 15k miles will be huge. Over a year and 14k miles I reckon mine cost me about £8,000 in 3 services and depreciation.
At the time, my earnings meant it didn't bother me too much. However, it's a lot of money to lose and I couldn't really justify doing it again!
D
Yes the T350c can be used as an every day car. Ive had mine from new and its been my daily ride for the last 18months & 17k miles.
You will be hard pressed to find a more exciting every day drive, but there is more reliable & cheaper ones.
Alway buy a TVR with your eyes & wallet wide open.
You will be hard pressed to find a more exciting every day drive, but there is more reliable & cheaper ones.
Alway buy a TVR with your eyes & wallet wide open.
i drive my t350t on a daily basis, had it two months doing roughly 30-50 miles a day with a 200-300 mile trip every second weekend, it has 12500 miles on a 53 plate, minor oil leak from oil tank and a couple of bits of trim i sorted myself and noisy roof panels but touch wood its fine and doesnt seem to be bothered by the miles and never stop smiling, the sports exhaust is a must! got a bargain when i bought the car and had just been serviced so it has been very good financially so far and far far cheaper than buying similar performance from another marque. great car, buy one!!!!!!!!!
I have to say, had my 04 T350t for about a month and a thousand miles. Mine has been fine except for some minor electrical niggles that come and go - never prevented me from using the car but for example, sometimes the speedo/rev counter needles don't reset correctly....not an issue as it has a digital display also.
I have just added the TVR power sports exhaust and it's like having a whole new car (just love the sound!!!). You do need this modification.
I guess only time will tell if it's going to be reliable or cost me an arm and a leg, but everytime I get into that car I have a huge smile on my face (hopefully not literally!). Buy one, you just have to!
I have just added the TVR power sports exhaust and it's like having a whole new car (just love the sound!!!). You do need this modification.
I guess only time will tell if it's going to be reliable or cost me an arm and a leg, but everytime I get into that car I have a huge smile on my face (hopefully not literally!). Buy one, you just have to!
Any car can be used as an everyday car. You will just need a deeper wallet and take on board that the resale value will plummit. Its quite an interesting subject since TVR brought out the 3 year warranty. Most new owners now days seem to have an attitude towards lets get the most out of her while we are in warranty where as the older cars seem to have been bought for more pleasure weekends etc. I guess there will be lots of high milage Sagaris and Tuscans coming up for sale soon, i wonder how this will affect the resale market. A Tvr with 40 to 50k on the clock is not for the faint hearted.
I wonder how much a new TVR would cost per mile all in over 3 years if driven every day, say 45k on the clock after 3 years. And add a clutch to the sum.
I wonder how much a new TVR would cost per mile all in over 3 years if driven every day, say 45k on the clock after 3 years. And add a clutch to the sum.
Edited by yi8tvr on Sunday 18th June 17:32
Edited by yi8tvr on Sunday 18th June 17:58
zooooom said:
Yes the T350c can be used as an every day car. Ive had mine from new and its been my daily ride for the last 18months & 17k miles.
You will be hard pressed to find a more exciting every day drive, but there is more reliable & cheaper ones.
Alway buy a TVR with your eyes & wallet wide open.
You will be hard pressed to find a more exciting every day drive, but there is more reliable & cheaper ones.
Alway buy a TVR with your eyes & wallet wide open.
Oh and I forgot to say a very very understanding wife
Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm glad that I am not the only one that would like to use the TVR every day.
My nearest TVR dealer is just over 100 miles away, so this could been an issue if there was a need to get the car there even if it was drivable.
My current everyday car has deprciated by £13k over the last 2 years and the Chimaera by about £10k in the last 3 years, so this is going to be similar on the T350, I have been told that it will probaly loose £15-18k over the next 3 years.
The more reliable and cheaper option that I have been looking at is the M3, having had one as a daily drive in the past I found that it was in the garage quiet often, but luckily they were only accross the road and it would have cost me a small fortune if I didnt have the extended BMW warranty. In my opinion the M3 doesn't have the same thrill factor and no where near the same grin factor as a TVR.
So what sports exhaust option are there, as I get the impression that this should be the first thing that I get done.
The resale value seems to plummit on all the high milage everyday cars that i have had. The M3 that I had lost nearly £10k in the first year. So I hope the T350 wont be quiet as bad as that.
[quote=zooooom]Oh and I forgot to say a very very understanding wife
scottwade said:
One of the main probs I have found in my short time of ownership is the distance to my nearest dealer, if your local to one then its not such an issue...
My nearest TVR dealer is just over 100 miles away, so this could been an issue if there was a need to get the car there even if it was drivable.
_Deejay_ said:
But (and it's a Jennifer Lopez size one) the depreciation you'll suffer by adding 15k miles will be huge. Over a year and 14k miles I reckon mine cost me about £8,000 in 3 services and depreciation.
My current everyday car has deprciated by £13k over the last 2 years and the Chimaera by about £10k in the last 3 years, so this is going to be similar on the T350, I have been told that it will probaly loose £15-18k over the next 3 years.
zooooom said:
You will be hard pressed to find a more exciting every day drive, but there is more reliable & cheaper ones.
Alway buy a TVR with your eyes & wallet wide open.
Alway buy a TVR with your eyes & wallet wide open.
The more reliable and cheaper option that I have been looking at is the M3, having had one as a daily drive in the past I found that it was in the garage quiet often, but luckily they were only accross the road and it would have cost me a small fortune if I didnt have the extended BMW warranty. In my opinion the M3 doesn't have the same thrill factor and no where near the same grin factor as a TVR.
hollowlegs said:
the sports exhaust is a must!
far far cheaper than buying similar performance from another marque. great car, buy one!!!!!!!!!
far far cheaper than buying similar performance from another marque. great car, buy one!!!!!!!!!
m33ufo said:
I have just added the TVR power sports exhaust and it's like having a whole new car (just love the sound!!!). You do need this modification.
Buy one, you just have to!
Buy one, you just have to!
So what sports exhaust option are there, as I get the impression that this should be the first thing that I get done.
yi8tvr said:
Any car can be used as an everyday car. You will just need a deeper wallet and take on board that the resale value will plummit.
The resale value seems to plummit on all the high milage everyday cars that i have had. The M3 that I had lost nearly £10k in the first year. So I hope the T350 wont be quiet as bad as that.
[quote=zooooom]Oh and I forgot to say a very very understanding wife
Well Im lucky there, my girlfriend has been bitten by the TVR bug and loves the T350.
So do I go with my head or go with my heart. M3 or T350.
The deal on the T350 is hard to resist, but I wont to try and take everybodies views on board, at the moment I think the comments are more positive.
Does any have/used the TVR wear and tear warranty on their second TVR, as in the past the only warranty that I have found to be worth the money is the BMW M3 one, as I didn't have to put my hand in my pocket for any of the problems I experienced, even the complete new suspension as the car was sitting 15mm lower one side and this was done twice without an problems. If the speed 6 goes bang will I be covered for a rebuild????
Thanks again for all your help, it is very much appreciated.
Blue-Lightning
Edited by blue-lightning on Sunday 18th June 20:55
Edited by blue-lightning on Sunday 18th June 20:56
I use a T350 for daily use around and about London plus regular trips to Liverpool.If you are getting an 04 car I suggest you consider the extended warranty option from a TVR dealer.Costs and details on this site if you do a search.The dealer will do a 100 point check and if all is ok you will gt cover for a year renewable annualy for up to 5 years .For a bit more you can include wear and tear.
If you do a lot of long distance trips you might not want the sports exhaust -I have opted not too as the standard one is plenty loud enough on a long run.(Plus you really need to listen to them from ouside the car-they make a very nice noise,better than in the cabin)
The performance increase over an M3 is not subtle.
If you do a lot of long distance trips you might not want the sports exhaust -I have opted not too as the standard one is plenty loud enough on a long run.(Plus you really need to listen to them from ouside the car-they make a very nice noise,better than in the cabin)
The performance increase over an M3 is not subtle.
Hi Sideways,
The car that I have my eye on is on a 54 plate, it comes with a 12 month TVR warranty and the wear and tear option can be added.
Will try the car out before I decide about the sports exhaust, but just wanted to know what options are available, when and if I decided to opt for one.
Have you been able to compare the T350 to an M3?
Thanks for your reply it is very much appreciated.
Blue-Lightning
The car that I have my eye on is on a 54 plate, it comes with a 12 month TVR warranty and the wear and tear option can be added.
Will try the car out before I decide about the sports exhaust, but just wanted to know what options are available, when and if I decided to opt for one.
sideways mostly said:
The performance increase over an M3 is not subtle.
Have you been able to compare the T350 to an M3?
Thanks for your reply it is very much appreciated.
Blue-Lightning
blue-lightning said:
Hi Sideways,
The car that I have my eye on is on a 54 plate, it comes with a 12 month TVR warranty and the wear and tear option can be added.
Will try the car out before I decide about the sports exhaust, but just wanted to know what options are available, when and if I decided to opt for one.
Have you been able to compare the T350 to an M3?
Thanks for your reply it is very much appreciated.
Blue-Lightning
The car that I have my eye on is on a 54 plate, it comes with a 12 month TVR warranty and the wear and tear option can be added.
Will try the car out before I decide about the sports exhaust, but just wanted to know what options are available, when and if I decided to opt for one.
sideways mostly said:
The performance increase over an M3 is not subtle.
Have you been able to compare the T350 to an M3?
Thanks for your reply it is very much appreciated.
Blue-Lightning
There's a video somewhere (on PH) of a Tuscan and a M3 doing sprints up on down an airfield.
The Tuscan was substantially quicker.
However, for a 15k/year car, I'd buy the M3.
Of course you can use a T350 as an everyday car. In a little over 2 years I've covered 42,000 miles in mine with no real engine problems. A few less serious problems recently, mainly electrical, and a new clutch at 40,000 though no speed six horror story to tell. Every drive in your TVR is an event, one which can't but help but make you smile, even if it's your commute or at the end of a long day. If you don't find this to be the case your smile muscles may need some attention. Though I can't imagine the BMW will exercise them anywhere near as much.
shorts! said:
In a little over 2 years I've covered 42,000 miles in mine with no real engine problems.
Thats very encouraging and quiet a lot of miles. The M3 doesnt have the same appeal thats why its the second option at the moment and with the positive comments that I have had back on here, there may only be one option.
Will I regret buying it, or will I regret it more if I dont give it a go......
If I use a Sagaris as my daily drive, I see no reason why you cant use a 350. As opposed to seeing no reason whatsoever to buy an M3 in general. 2 seats too many, 300Kgs too heavy and its a BMW. A BMW is a bit like a Gucci watch, there is absolutely no good reason to ever buy one considering what else is available for the money.
Have you had a test drive?
If you are at all unsure about getting a t350 then DON't have a test drive because once you have diven one you will just have to buy it.
I've had mine for three months with no serious problems. The plan was to use it as a second car "just for fun", but I just seem to find an excuse to use it every day and have now covered 3500 miles. I've just worked out that I get an average of 21.2mpg. It makes an excellent everday car.
Good luck.
John
If you are at all unsure about getting a t350 then DON't have a test drive because once you have diven one you will just have to buy it.
I've had mine for three months with no serious problems. The plan was to use it as a second car "just for fun", but I just seem to find an excuse to use it every day and have now covered 3500 miles. I've just worked out that I get an average of 21.2mpg. It makes an excellent everday car.
Good luck.
John
Had mine over a year now and use it everyday. Obviously you have to factor in that you'll need 2 services a year at about £800+ each. If you can afford the bit extra for running costs etc then i would say you should go for it. I've spent quite a lot on mine but don't regret it for one minute because it's been such an experience! The previous owner had only done 3000 miles in a year and a half and it's cost a few bob to put things right because of that, so they definitely benefit from being used daily.
As for the sports exhaust, IMHO the TVR power super sports exhaust is the one to go for. It'll give the closest sound to a V8.
P.S. I drove my mates M3 last month and it's a nice car but just doesn't compare for the thrill and excitement of the T350. The noise is pants too!!
P.P.S. It's also pretty important to have the new warranty just in case. I took the warranty + wear and tear out in february and have already had a new radiator out of it! Plus i think i'm right in saying it covers you for a full rebuild if needed, unlike some warranties which will only cover you for the first couple of thousand pounds worth.
Go for it, you know you want to!!
As for the sports exhaust, IMHO the TVR power super sports exhaust is the one to go for. It'll give the closest sound to a V8.
P.S. I drove my mates M3 last month and it's a nice car but just doesn't compare for the thrill and excitement of the T350. The noise is pants too!!
P.P.S. It's also pretty important to have the new warranty just in case. I took the warranty + wear and tear out in february and have already had a new radiator out of it! Plus i think i'm right in saying it covers you for a full rebuild if needed, unlike some warranties which will only cover you for the first couple of thousand pounds worth.
Go for it, you know you want to!!
Edited by holmsie on Monday 19th June 11:11
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