T350 easy to live with?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm interested in getting a T350 and wandered how hard they are to live with on an everyday basis. I'm a TVR virgin, but a friend of mine has a griffith which lives up to the TVR sterotypes in the fact that it spends a lot of time at the garage.
I think the T350 is beautiful, and would love to use it as much as possible. Is this possible?
Any help would be appreciated!
I'm interested in getting a T350 and wandered how hard they are to live with on an everyday basis. I'm a TVR virgin, but a friend of mine has a griffith which lives up to the TVR sterotypes in the fact that it spends a lot of time at the garage.
I think the T350 is beautiful, and would love to use it as much as possible. Is this possible?
Any help would be appreciated!
It all depends on what your expectations are. It is no Lexus, but it is no Lotus Elise or Caterham either. I like having another car for nipping to the gym/station/shops in and not worrying about speed bumps, parking dings etc. However, the recent TVRs are very easy to drive in most weathers.
As for reliability - well that is a whole different discussion. Lots less things go wrong than with the older models (esp. considering the older models are, er, older). But again, they are no Lexus.
As for reliability - well that is a whole different discussion. Lots less things go wrong than with the older models (esp. considering the older models are, er, older). But again, they are no Lexus.
sirtyro said:
I cant wait. I think from reading other peoples posts that I wouldnt mind also looking at the sagaris. But not sure if I could really afford the extra money to be honest 
All depends on what you have in the budget for the T350? The real cost is running the thing...Also think about the resale there are fewer Sags about so the depreciation might be less than a T350 so in the long run if you have the capital available the sag might not cost you any more... go and test drive them and you will become a TVR owner... ( Not many TVR dealers open on a sunday...)sidewayz said:
There are b**g*r all T350's in the grand scheme of things as well.
I have run my tiv's every day for nearly four years now.That makes me a complete novice compared to many on here.I have never bothered with a second car and never needed one.
Have you had many problems with yours?I have run my tiv's every day for nearly four years now.That makes me a complete novice compared to many on here.I have never bothered with a second car and never needed one.
If you can afford it, go for a 2005 car. My underdtanding is that there were quite a few updates over the time they were made and it made a big difference. Other than for service, the 2005 car I have has only ever gone into the garage on two occasions, both for a faulty temp guage.... I'm selling it now but not because it's too much hassle, just need to free up some cash. On the last service, not a thing needed doing! I was quite impressed!
sirtyro said:
sidewayz said:
There are b**g*r all T350's in the grand scheme of things as well.
I have run my tiv's every day for nearly four years now.That makes me a complete novice compared to many on here.I have never bothered with a second car and never needed one.
Have you had many problems with yours?I have run my tiv's every day for nearly four years now.That makes me a complete novice compared to many on here.I have never bothered with a second car and never needed one.
I had the stupid oil sender problem when there was a bad batch-I got through three .
It popped fuses ( three times) but that was down to a bad connection.
Recently the heater flap failed.
That's all really.
At the last service at 24k the top end got a clean bill of health and subjectively the beastie still gets stronger and smoother.
Its a joy to own one
I think you will be pleasantly surprised how easy they are to live with. They do need care and attention but IMHO I think they prefer to be driven regulary. Cars don't like to be sat around doing nothing and I have found that my T350 likes to be driven at least 3 times a week. Though I do manage find excuses to drive it more sometimes.
My car is a 2004 car and throughout its life has only had minor problems. Fuses, oil temp sender, leaky radiator and broken alternator. I would recommend getting a warranty though. You can buy privately if needed. I bought one and they cover most things for not much money. They will even pay for a full engine rebuild if needed.
My car is a 2004 car and throughout its life has only had minor problems. Fuses, oil temp sender, leaky radiator and broken alternator. I would recommend getting a warranty though. You can buy privately if needed. I bought one and they cover most things for not much money. They will even pay for a full engine rebuild if needed.
Have found an 03 plate T350 - 13000 miles - fsh, great spec - am sorely tempted!!
Would have to use it as a daily drive for a 56mile roud trip - is it a sensible choice for this amount of use?
Only thing that puts me off the idea is fear of speed six engine reliability and availability of parts - is the spd6 motor reaching 20k miles without the need for a full rebuild a myth?
I would invest in a warranty and the car would be serviced religiously at the required intervals so this would give me piece of mind, does anyone else use their T350c as their only drive?
Would have to use it as a daily drive for a 56mile roud trip - is it a sensible choice for this amount of use?
Only thing that puts me off the idea is fear of speed six engine reliability and availability of parts - is the spd6 motor reaching 20k miles without the need for a full rebuild a myth?
I would invest in a warranty and the car would be serviced religiously at the required intervals so this would give me piece of mind, does anyone else use their T350c as their only drive?
Demonix said:
... is the spd6 motor reaching 20k miles without the need for a full rebuild a myth?
Well mine is up to 19,000 (in 18 months) with only minor problems.I've just come back from a fantastic 2,000 mile trip down to the Alps. I really do think that they do much better for being driven daily.
John
I found my T350 to be the most practical TVR I've owned simply because its a hatchback! You would be surprised how much extra gear you can get in there as you can stuff long things between the front seats extending into the rear.
I drove my daily for the time I had it. I had two problems with the engine, one of which was self inflicted. The other was silly (a nut came loose and a bit fell out).
My only problem with them was that the styling wasn't in-your-face enough
And, buy a sports exhaust - you won't regret it.
I drove my daily for the time I had it. I had two problems with the engine, one of which was self inflicted. The other was silly (a nut came loose and a bit fell out).
My only problem with them was that the styling wasn't in-your-face enough
And, buy a sports exhaust - you won't regret it.
Demonix said:
Well - if only minor niggles are the only thing to worry about I reckon it's worth taking the plunge 
What is the availability of parts like now that TVR as a firm is deceased? don't fancy waiting 6 months for clutch/gearbox/engine if unlucky enogh to have those bits go bang...
Looking at your current fleet you have a Merc E class and a Golf. Are you really prepared for a TVR in terms of rawness for day-to-day use? The amount of feedback a TVR gives is too much for some people (an Impreza owning colleague couldn't believe it when I took him for a stroll, and I didn't even get to give it some welly). I suggest test driving quite a few just to get some driving time. Even try driving one on your commute route in traffic etc. They are not hard to drive, just very different to your current cars.What is the availability of parts like now that TVR as a firm is deceased? don't fancy waiting 6 months for clutch/gearbox/engine if unlucky enogh to have those bits go bang...
Edited by Targarama on Wednesday 21st November 22:40
It's the raw driving experience I'm looking for.. yes the Merc is a comfy german barge and the Golf is a mildly modified hot hatch, my other wheels are an R1 so I fancy the TVR for a challenging/rewarding drive 
I have tested chims - not quite focused enough,griff 500 - excellent power and handling but getting a bit long in the tooth though do seem to be the "sensible" TVR choice, cerb - lovely sound/performance but also ageing so I now look at the T350 as I like it's performance and handling and price.
I have tested chims - not quite focused enough,griff 500 - excellent power and handling but getting a bit long in the tooth though do seem to be the "sensible" TVR choice, cerb - lovely sound/performance but also ageing so I now look at the T350 as I like it's performance and handling and price.
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff