T350t test drive impressiona
Discussion
I tested a T 350 Targa 2006 "06" Silver Metallic, Black & Portland Hide, 18" Spider Alloys, 1,700 Miles at Mole Valley yesterday. Now I will actually be looking for a higher mileage older example due to finances but I was in the area and got a drive! I have had a Griff for the past 3 years so very impressed with the T350 albeit I didnt get a chance to take it any higher than about 4k!
But a couple of issues that I noticed straight away; The seat seemed really uncomfortable both in the lower back (not much support)and also on the sides (again not enough support) and I found myself sliding around a bit in corners that I was taking gently. Also the steering seemed to lack much feel and was very light...but I am coming from my Griff which gives plenty and has no power assist. Just curious to hear peoples responses......
Cheers
But a couple of issues that I noticed straight away; The seat seemed really uncomfortable both in the lower back (not much support)and also on the sides (again not enough support) and I found myself sliding around a bit in corners that I was taking gently. Also the steering seemed to lack much feel and was very light...but I am coming from my Griff which gives plenty and has no power assist. Just curious to hear peoples responses......
Cheers
V-GOM said:
IMHO the older seats are better. Light steering may be due to tyre pressures. Better at 24 all round - dealers tend to use/recommend 28 but it's too high. Plenty of other threads on this.
Ah ok sounds likely then. still not as feelsome as the griff though...whats the feedback like when cornering hard?
laz11 said:
V-GOM said:
IMHO the older seats are better. Light steering may be due to tyre pressures. Better at 24 all round - dealers tend to use/recommend 28 but it's too high. Plenty of other threads on this.
Ah ok sounds likely then. still not as feelsome as the griff though...whats the feedback like when cornering hard?
My Chim had no power steering, you could feel the steering load up in the corners, it was great on track. In the T350 there isn't any real feel through the steering wheel, it just does what you tell it. When pushing hard you can feel what the front is doing through the chassis but I found it took some time to find the limit. For me the big difference is gauging how much grip you have at any one time. In the chim the steering would begin to lighten if it began to understeer, In the T350 you have to "feel" the front washing out.
[quote=vyt
My Chim had no power steering, you could feel the steering load up in the corners, it was great on track. In the T350 there isn't any real feel through the steering wheel, it just does what you tell it. When pushing hard you can feel what the front is doing through the chassis but I found it took some time to find the limit. For me the big difference is gauging how much grip you have at any one time. In the chim the steering would begin to lighten if it began to understeer, In the T350 you have to "feel" the front washing out.[/quote]
Mmm not really what I wanted to hear as your description of the steering in your Chim is exactly how my Griff feels and it's lovely! Sounds like seat of the pants feel is more of an indication of how the wheels are reacting to the road on the T350. Be interested to hear other peoples views....
My Chim had no power steering, you could feel the steering load up in the corners, it was great on track. In the T350 there isn't any real feel through the steering wheel, it just does what you tell it. When pushing hard you can feel what the front is doing through the chassis but I found it took some time to find the limit. For me the big difference is gauging how much grip you have at any one time. In the chim the steering would begin to lighten if it began to understeer, In the T350 you have to "feel" the front washing out.[/quote]
Mmm not really what I wanted to hear as your description of the steering in your Chim is exactly how my Griff feels and it's lovely! Sounds like seat of the pants feel is more of an indication of how the wheels are reacting to the road on the T350. Be interested to hear other peoples views....
laz11 said:
[quote=vyt
My Chim had no power steering, you could feel the steering load up in the corners, it was great on track. In the T350 there isn't any real feel through the steering wheel, it just does what you tell it. When pushing hard you can feel what the front is doing through the chassis but I found it took some time to find the limit. For me the big difference is gauging how much grip you have at any one time. In the chim the steering would begin to lighten if it began to understeer, In the T350 you have to "feel" the front washing out.
My Chim had no power steering, you could feel the steering load up in the corners, it was great on track. In the T350 there isn't any real feel through the steering wheel, it just does what you tell it. When pushing hard you can feel what the front is doing through the chassis but I found it took some time to find the limit. For me the big difference is gauging how much grip you have at any one time. In the chim the steering would begin to lighten if it began to understeer, In the T350 you have to "feel" the front washing out.
Mmm not really what I wanted to hear as your description of the steering in your Chim is exactly how my Griff feels and it's lovely! Sounds like seat of the pants feel is more of an indication of how the wheels are reacting to the road on the T350. Be interested to hear other peoples views....[/quote]
Can't comment on the Chim comparison but I find there is plenty of feel and have owned an Elise before where the feedack through the steering wheel was excellent.Although the T350's tiller isn't THAT talkative there is still plenty IMHO
My Chimaera certainly communicates more than the t350 did.
I suppose that's largely due to the quicker rack on the t350 and power assistance.
However, the t350 still lets you know exactly what's going on albeit at much higher speeds than in the Chimaera.
The chances are, if you drove the t350 relatively sedately you won't have seen the best of it; the power really picks up after 4k revs and you really need to be going much quicker before you'll get any warnings about grip from the chassis.
I used to do several late night 200 mile trips in my t350c and frequently got near the grip limit (2am roundabouts) and found the handling extremely predictable and it gave more than enough communication to ensure I got home without any real drama.
Silverstone performance used to offer test drives on the track (IIRC). That's the only place you'll get to explore the performance on a test drive and really assess the handing!
I suppose that's largely due to the quicker rack on the t350 and power assistance.
However, the t350 still lets you know exactly what's going on albeit at much higher speeds than in the Chimaera.
The chances are, if you drove the t350 relatively sedately you won't have seen the best of it; the power really picks up after 4k revs and you really need to be going much quicker before you'll get any warnings about grip from the chassis.
I used to do several late night 200 mile trips in my t350c and frequently got near the grip limit (2am roundabouts) and found the handling extremely predictable and it gave more than enough communication to ensure I got home without any real drama.
Silverstone performance used to offer test drives on the track (IIRC). That's the only place you'll get to explore the performance on a test drive and really assess the handing!
J_S_G said:
Tuscan seats that they're now fitting to T350s don't give much support at all - was never really a fan. The older more "angular" seats feel much, much better... Until I've had a few pies...
Got to agree Tuscan seats never did realy seemed to hold me tight but the old style T350 seats seem to do the trick
Unless i have put a lot weight on since i sold me Tusc
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