Advice Needed Tam vs T350

[jonboy_100]

Hi,

Looking at venturing into TVR territory and looking for a bit of friendly advice. I have budget of sub £20k not sure whether this is sizeable for the Tamora or T350 arena. I have seen these two: -

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/303221.htm

http://www.racinggreentvr.com/carsforsale/details....

Im favouring the Viper GTS Blue one as can get 1 year warrenty with it. Never had a TVR before not really sure what im looking for in terms of faults, issues, concerns, but am aware of possible engine rebuilds and reliability issues on early models esp pre 2005. I know not all cars are built the same with some more reliable than others but what are peoples opinions of the above two?

Many thanks,

John.

[T66ORA]

Deciding between a Tamora or a T350 would depend on whether you want a full convertible or a small 2 seat coupe, under the skin they are identical, my car is a second car run at weekends and summer evenings so the choice was simple it HAD to be a Tamora, i have owned a Chim, a Tuscan with Red Rose bits and bobs,and i can honestly say the Tamora is the most sorted out of the bunch. It is TVRs best kept secret, if you can live with the "Marmite" looks you won`t regret buying a Tam.
I can vouch for the blue Tam at RG it is owned by a long standing PHer and TVRCC member who has maintained it very well,and the last time i saw the car it looked superb, why not contact him via his profile and get the full rundown?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

[TGJR]

Both the Tamora and T350 are great fun cars. I would think that you should find a Tamora for a couple of grand less than a T350 but as mentioned already, it really depends if you want a soft top or coupe. They are the same chassis and both handle equally well.

The GTS blue car looks nice and has the advantage of coming with warranty from a TVR dealer. You WILL need to get a few niggles sorted so it is a definate advantage having a garage to return to - unless you like to dabble in a bit of fix-it work yourself at home

You will not find anything to touch a TVR for fun factor at sub £20k in my opinion. Good luck!

[jonboy_100]

what about engine? All these horror stories of engines going pop then a couple of grand on a rebuild are the Tamoras affected by this and being 2002 models should it be of concern to me?

[earlyriser]

jonboy_100 said:

what about engine? All these horror stories of engines going pop then a couple of grand on a rebuild are the Tamoras affected by this and being 2002 models should it be of concern to me?

Rebuilds are likely more than 2k I'm afraid. Many of the earlier cars will have had engine work - consensus seems to be post 2005 is best for this. I'd buy (carefully) based on known history/care

[Dicky]

Hi John

would go for a tamora to be honest....but then again I am slightly bias towards it

[jonboy_100]

Hi Dicky,

Like the car, would like to know more on the history if poss. pm if you want.

Thanks,

John.

[jonboy_100]

Hi Dicky,

Like the car, would like to know more on the history if poss. pm if you want.

Thanks,

John.

[PYNEY]

hi john, had my tam now for just over two months, i love it, its special !!!
i know you will worry over costs such as engine rebuilds etc but its part of having a very special car
every day i think of things that might go wrong but thats the joy of having a very fast tvr sports car
i've had a westfield, vx220, and a boxster,but the tvr tops them all,its not your every day car , just use it weekends and for pleasure
keep it well maintained and enjoy it
i think the 350 c or t are great cars and better looking, but the tam is convertable so i went for that
let us know how you get on all the best keith

[Dicky]

jonboy_100 said:

Hi Dicky,

Like the car, would like to know more on the history if poss. pm if you want.

Thanks,

John.

hopefully if i can work out cyberspace you have mail John

[gary_de_tam]

Hi,

Well I had the same dilemma nearly 2 years ago, tested the
Tam and the T350T. Liked the idea of a coupe but the boot
space aint all that plus I found the roof panels to fiddly.

The roof of the TAM is far more efficient in my opinion plus
boot space is not too much of a hit, big without roof panel.

So I thought, if I am going for a 2 seater sports car, might
as well go the full monty and go for the open top glory.
Do a South of France tour in the spring or summer and you
will know why you chose it.

Looks, well I would probably say the T350 is a better looking
car so shame they did not make a roof off T350 but the TAM is
still an eye catcher, !@#$ all over S2k's, Koxster's and Z4's.

Go with your heart and you will not be disappointed....

HTH, gt...

[love_my_tamora]

I THINK TAMORA, because when it gets sunny and hot and you're in your TVR, you would want to take the roof off, and it takes less than a minute and can be done alone.

BUT at high speeds i have noticed it to vibrate slightly(and so do the windscreen vipers probably with all TVRs)

Another BUT, mines a 2002 one too, and on these early ones the dashboard mechanism is known to break and the flap just stays up because of the spring tension.(sticky tape does help)

Ive had my Tamora since august and since then, its had a new battery, a new 100amp fuse, a serivce, it needs a new speed sensor(because after a nice drive it sometimes shows the speed at 0 and at the digital ones goes upto 600MPH)

Just thought it would be a good idea to tell u what to expect.

Apart from all this its perfect, wicked to drive, looks amazing compared to any other car for that price!! GOOD LUCK

EDIT: mines done 23,000 miles and hasnt had a rebuld ive heard your fine until 27,000 miles???

Edited by love_my_tamora on Wednesday 26th December 21:49

[benventura]

Hiya,

I had the same dilemma back in October when I moved from the Chim. In the end it was the fact I like driving with me top off that made me opt for the Tam. After a couple of months of ownership I'm still like a big kid over the Tam - so I'd say go for it, hang the expense and enjoy it!

All best,
Neville

[T40ORA]

I second all that's been said. I use mine almost as a daily driver, and one other thing to factor in is the cost of servicing.

Fuel costs aren't that bad if you use as a daily driver; you really don't thrash it every day and you can get 27mpg out of it on a run and still have a blast. I think my consumption figures range from about 17 - 30 (not including being on a track when you really don't check!)

As for roof-off-ness, well that's why I chose the Tamora. I just had to have a full convertible. However, just think about how much you will actually take the roof off. Unless you really are a dedicated topless driver (my wife and I are - out yesterday and the roof was off until it rained) then maybe it isn't such an important factor.

But matey - whichever you buy you will really, really, really be grinning when you drive it.

As the salesman said to me (at RG actually) "You don't NEED this car." But if you want it, then hell - you only live once and these cars making living a whole lot more fun....

[Spoonman]

Don't buy one if you're in any hope of running it on a tight budget. The performance, looks, handling and noise are equivalent to anything costing twice the price - so the payoff is potential for rebuilds, new clutches and such like at 20-30,000 miles.

I've read (on here, mainly) that an '04 car is better than an '03, and an '05 better than an '04, but I've no evidence to suggest that's true. I've also been told (by a specialist) that the 3.6 "won't go bang."

My '02 Tamora is on about 18,000 miles and in approaching two years has needed little more than a couple of radiator caps and an oil pressure sender.

As for T350 v Tamora, I'd advise to choose on condition rather than model. I considered a T350T (because it's prettier than the Tamora), but you have to see them in the flesh to appreciate they're both stunning to behold.

I'd say both the cars you're looking at are utter bargains. What else could you have for the cash? A new Mini, or something? No thanks...

[SEN 18]

I've had both,had to get another Tam full stop.

[THOR thunder god]

I have had my Tamora 4 3 months now one word Awesome

Again was the open top driving that clinched it

get the latest model you can afford

If you are worried about potential issues then get it checked out by a dealer + there are warranties available

only minor niggles on my 04model

good luck which ever you choose you will smiling every time you drive