She's gone.... T350 sent off to a new home.

[Richales]

It's just been driven away... I enjoyed it whilst it lasted but my gorgeous T350 and I have parted company.

Only had it advertised a week, which makes me wonder whether I underpriced it, but better the money in the bank than the car sitting around depreciating and not being used.

Just got to decide what to get next. Got about £30-35K to spend on a new car which is going to be just as much fun as the Tiv. Car has to be new as I'm moving to Germany and so buying tax-free. I'll no doubt get flamed on this forum but I'm looking at Porker Gaymans at moment!!!

Any suggestions folks?

[espresso]

Nissan 350Z
Audi TT (mazing though it is to admit - I had an old one and it was absolute rubbish but the new ones are pretty good.

Or, if I were you I'd go for a BMW Z4M coupe. There are some amazing deals on these at the moment and you may well be able to squeeze a new one in under your budget.
In lots of ways they are very similar to TVRs (a little mad, very raw).
In white they look fab.

[Richales]

Yeah a Z4M would be a good alternative. Had an M3 and loved the engine, but just a bit too sensible for me. Not sure I'll be able to manage to get one within budget though. It'd be a pretty poverty spec one at least.

Always been tempted by the 350Z. Need to test drive I think.

[swanny71]

A week?
I had my eye on it when it was at Dream Machines at begining of July. Lovely car but just not right for me. The photos whilst at Dream machines where shit, I reckon it must have gotten much more interest since you put some good 'uns up on PH with a good description of the car.
Good luck with the new job (draft?) in Germany.
Z4M - good

[Daftlad]

Z4M has had some very mixed reviews and is currently depreciating like a stone. M3 CSL, if you can get a nice one, would be an excellent home for your money.

[TGJR]

I've tried a Cayman 3.4 and a Cayman 2.7 on a few occasions at Porsche drive days. The cars are excellent and if I was ever needing to get a usuable sports car that offers the sort of fun I get from my TVR then they would be top of my list. Obviously no where near the grunt of a TVR but the chassis is superb and better balanced than a 911 (996 variety - not tried a 997 yet!). Strangely, I actually prefer the 2.7 Cayman. It felt lighter, more nimble and equally as sluggish as the 3.4 compared to a TVR

[Richales]

I mean I managed to sell it within a week of me advertising it privately. Dream Machines sat on it for about 7 weeks and I agree the photos didn't do it justice. There was little interest so that's why i had it back and decided to sell privately.

To be honest, I'm not sure what advantage buying from a dealer would be. I sold it for at least 4 grand less than the dealer was asking and it still had Wear and Tear Warranty outstanding on it. The buyer of mine is going to extend the warranty for a year which admittedly will cost him £1500 but that's still a heck of a saving for a car that is fairly immaculate.

My advice to those looking at Tivs at the moment... check out the private sales. Get a 101 point inspection done and a Autoprotect warranty and save yourself a bucket load by not lining dealers pockets. Just my tuppence-worth, and the guy buying mine agrees.

Z4M depreciation worries me though, is that the case? I must admit, I'll probably only keep the car for 12 months or so and don't really fancy loosing too much. Ideally I'd like to break-even if possible having bought a VAT-free car for the Germany move. Think Cayman is topping the list of possibilities at the moment, although hate the fortune you have to pay for extras to make the car half road-worthy!