sagaris or tamora - a new obsession
Discussion
hi guys,
i think i need the help of your combined wisdom.
as a car nut of many years and having owned a number of alfas/bmws/m-bs and a porche i bought an alfa spider last year.well its great as an ornament but rubbish to drive.i've also now got a different car policy in work and now run a panda 100hp(!) in place of a bmw630 as my hack doing about 25k pa.the result is more money to spend on a weekend toy.
so with the alfa destined to go i've been thinking of its replacement - the usual italian suspects or a 997 for example.that all changed on tuesday when i saw a t350t at parva cars as i was passing.it looked fantastic so we stopped for a look and even mrs c liked it.
since then i have been obsessing about getting a tam or a sag but really don't know if they are for me in terms of reliability.the car would do about 4-6k dry miles pa and would be kept in a heated garage.i'm not really up to any significant mechanical maint but would have no prob with taking her along to a specialist once or twice a year for the works.
what worries me is the prospect of an engine going bang simply from the hassle point of view and possible continual problems cropping up which are significant enough to spoil the enjoyment of the car.
i know its too much to expect a problem free tvr but how much day to day hassle can i expect.this would be on the basis that i would like to get a good low miles example and would be at the top end of what is out there.
thanks for your thoughts.
p.s. is there a cure for this obsession - i'm even dreaming of tvrs now not just spending every waking moment wish i had one!
i think i need the help of your combined wisdom.
as a car nut of many years and having owned a number of alfas/bmws/m-bs and a porche i bought an alfa spider last year.well its great as an ornament but rubbish to drive.i've also now got a different car policy in work and now run a panda 100hp(!) in place of a bmw630 as my hack doing about 25k pa.the result is more money to spend on a weekend toy.
so with the alfa destined to go i've been thinking of its replacement - the usual italian suspects or a 997 for example.that all changed on tuesday when i saw a t350t at parva cars as i was passing.it looked fantastic so we stopped for a look and even mrs c liked it.
since then i have been obsessing about getting a tam or a sag but really don't know if they are for me in terms of reliability.the car would do about 4-6k dry miles pa and would be kept in a heated garage.i'm not really up to any significant mechanical maint but would have no prob with taking her along to a specialist once or twice a year for the works.
what worries me is the prospect of an engine going bang simply from the hassle point of view and possible continual problems cropping up which are significant enough to spoil the enjoyment of the car.
i know its too much to expect a problem free tvr but how much day to day hassle can i expect.this would be on the basis that i would like to get a good low miles example and would be at the top end of what is out there.
thanks for your thoughts.
p.s. is there a cure for this obsession - i'm even dreaming of tvrs now not just spending every waking moment wish i had one!
sorry no cure 
I've had a tuscan, tamora, T350 and Sagaris and had the most amazing time
I have taken them all on road trips to Europe, left them all outside in the winter and have to say apart from the Tuscan (early 2000) not missed a beat (engine rebuild on tuscan but 40k on clock and very early engine)
My advice, scratch the itch ... tamora, saragis different cars but both amazing
I've had a tuscan, tamora, T350 and Sagaris and had the most amazing time
I have taken them all on road trips to Europe, left them all outside in the winter and have to say apart from the Tuscan (early 2000) not missed a beat (engine rebuild on tuscan but 40k on clock and very early engine)
My advice, scratch the itch ... tamora, saragis different cars but both amazing
3 wedges (350, 400 & 450), Chimaera, Tamora and now a Sagaris.
A flat battery on the 1st wedge and a knackered fuel pump on the Sagaris are the only issues I've had.
Sagaris better than the Tamora although twice the price and I do miss the "convertibleness" of the Tamora.
Scratch the itch - you only live once and your a long time dead.
A flat battery on the 1st wedge and a knackered fuel pump on the Sagaris are the only issues I've had.
Sagaris better than the Tamora although twice the price and I do miss the "convertibleness" of the Tamora.
Scratch the itch - you only live once and your a long time dead.
Edited by L33 on Friday 21st August 12:46
thanks for the encouragement guys - that itch is really bad now!
the plan is for the alfa to go next may (its on a cheap lease which lasts 2 years so no sale issues).i still have the cash i had allocated to buy when i got the alfa and a bit more so once it is off my hands and the space is in the garage it will be time to buy.until then i suppose it gives me time to get as much info as poss from here and see what is about.
if something irresistable turns up a bit earlier then i doubt that the alfa will stay.
i feel much better about the prospect of buying now - i suppose it is all too easy to fixate on the problems.there also seems to be a good number of specialists about.
i am leaning towards the sag - my toy is usually a soft top but they have not been anything like as exciting as a sag.
thanks again - any other views appreciated.
the plan is for the alfa to go next may (its on a cheap lease which lasts 2 years so no sale issues).i still have the cash i had allocated to buy when i got the alfa and a bit more so once it is off my hands and the space is in the garage it will be time to buy.until then i suppose it gives me time to get as much info as poss from here and see what is about.
if something irresistable turns up a bit earlier then i doubt that the alfa will stay.
i feel much better about the prospect of buying now - i suppose it is all too easy to fixate on the problems.there also seems to be a good number of specialists about.
i am leaning towards the sag - my toy is usually a soft top but they have not been anything like as exciting as a sag.
thanks again - any other views appreciated.
Edited by rooster cogburn on Friday 21st August 13:22
Go for it. Just make sure you buy a cherished car - there seem to be some real sheds out there. Tired looking cars with less than good trim/paint = probably less well respected mechanics (although not always!). Look for one owned by a Pistonhead enthusiast (you can check their post history too for problems ;-) ), or a TVR Car Club member.
P.S. I have a Panda 100HP too - fun little beasties. I get told off by the other half as I drive it harder than our MKV Golf GTi and my TVRs of past
P.S. I have a Panda 100HP too - fun little beasties. I get told off by the other half as I drive it harder than our MKV Golf GTi and my TVRs of past
l33 - your car is stunning - i saw you mention in another post that you may be selling in the future.if its ok with you i'll drop you a line if you still have her when i'm ready to buy.
targa - thanks for the encouragement.yes i agree the 'undredorse as its known here is great fun and just begs for revs.
targa - thanks for the encouragement.yes i agree the 'undredorse as its known here is great fun and just begs for revs.
This car was fate to be honest. Around 3 years ago Chris at Parva cars had this T350T for sale. It was the first time I met Chris and we nearly did a deal taking my S2 Exige in px...just wasn't close enough though Then he had the car back from the customer a year later but I was not in a position to change as had just purchased a Maserati 3200....and now 3 years after first seeing the car a deal was done.....I do like the black and red leather against the Silver...
Edited by Andyt25 on Saturday 22 August 13:29
Edited by Andyt25 on Saturday 22 August 13:32
Edited by Andyt25 on Saturday 22 August 19:58
looks like a great car andy - i was tempted but really didn't know enough for it to be anything other than an impulse purchase.
i've decided to take some time to learn as much as i can before taking the plunge but i have a feeling that i'll regret not buying her as she really does look fantastic.
great car,glad she is with someone who will appreciate her.
i've decided to take some time to learn as much as i can before taking the plunge but i have a feeling that i'll regret not buying her as she really does look fantastic.
great car,glad she is with someone who will appreciate her.
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