newbie needs alittle push to buy a t350!
Discussion
Hi guys been lurking gin the forum for a couple of years now and just cant shake the attraction and need for a t350 much longer, just always been scared of rebuilds, reliability ect blah blah sorry to bore you guys
I have what I think is quite a healthy budget 25K
I would only do around 1000-1500 miles a year
Guess what I’m trying to ask is will the car break me in terms of savings?
What should I expect it to cost yearly
Is this sort of mileage going to do more harm then good?
Thanks in advance
I have what I think is quite a healthy budget 25K
I would only do around 1000-1500 miles a year
Guess what I’m trying to ask is will the car break me in terms of savings?
What should I expect it to cost yearly
Is this sort of mileage going to do more harm then good?
Thanks in advance
I would'nt bother if you are only going to do 1000 - 1500 miles a year. If you were to buy one though, then you would find it hard to do just 1500 a year as you would enjoy driving it so much that it would be irresistable to keep out of it.
Don't be put off with rebuilds, I got a rebuild and upgrade to 4.0L and have never looked back.
Go on and go for it, you will be bitten by the TVR experience.
Don't be put off with rebuilds, I got a rebuild and upgrade to 4.0L and have never looked back.
Go on and go for it, you will be bitten by the TVR experience.
Would you spend 20-25k on a Porsche 911 or a Maserati without thinking about the potential cost if things go wrong? A T350 is no different. In fact I'll wager parts are cheaper on the TVR, including the engine, gearbox, clutch, differential. Is a TVR more likely to pop its engine than a Porsche or Maserati? Probably not. Think of the type of owners an older model is likely to have suffered.
Do you have a pension plan you're saving into for when you retire? What happens if you get a terminal disease and have 6 months left to live. Correct, you need to live for today as well as tomorrow - life is about balancing those things.
So stop worrying and enjoy.
P.S. Have you even driven a late model TVR? (just wondering...)
Do you have a pension plan you're saving into for when you retire? What happens if you get a terminal disease and have 6 months left to live. Correct, you need to live for today as well as tomorrow - life is about balancing those things.
So stop worrying and enjoy.
P.S. Have you even driven a late model TVR? (just wondering...)
cool thanks guys keep the advice coming, i never driven a TVR or any sort and retirement is a long way off, i'm only 25.
i recentley sold my 3.2 911 c reg, was a lovely car and hassle free but i just want a TVR bad lol, however it has taken me a long time to save up the money and i dont want to regret it.
is it bad if you dont drive them regular as in if i lay it up for the winter months?
i quite like the look of the yellow one on piston heads at the mo but its alot of money.
i'm very fussy and like truley mint cars so it might tick those boxes.......
i recentley sold my 3.2 911 c reg, was a lovely car and hassle free but i just want a TVR bad lol, however it has taken me a long time to save up the money and i dont want to regret it.
is it bad if you dont drive them regular as in if i lay it up for the winter months?
i quite like the look of the yellow one on piston heads at the mo but its alot of money.
i'm very fussy and like truley mint cars so it might tick those boxes.......
i bought mine a year ago (i was 28) and like you worried about bits going wrong etc. I havent needed anything major as yet (the biggest thing was a faulty starter motor which is rare anyway and was only about £100).
I have the 'big' (12K) service coming up which is a bit pricey, but only once every other year (or 12K miles).
You will have some things which need sorting, but any car will. Like Zippy says, spending 22/23K on one and then keep the rest just in case.
The absolute key thing with these cars, which should avoid huge bills is WARM THEM UP.
Just get her hot before you nail her and she'll love you long time!
...are you still reading this - get out there and buy one!
I have the 'big' (12K) service coming up which is a bit pricey, but only once every other year (or 12K miles).
You will have some things which need sorting, but any car will. Like Zippy says, spending 22/23K on one and then keep the rest just in case.
The absolute key thing with these cars, which should avoid huge bills is WARM THEM UP.
Just get her hot before you nail her and she'll love you long time!
...are you still reading this - get out there and buy one!
dojodubber said:
sorry some more silly questions but whats an average engine rebuild cost?
and just wondering what sort of MPG can one expect
Look at TVR Power's website for rebuild costs.and just wondering what sort of MPG can one expect
There are not that many mint cars out there, but you have to hunt them down. Don't be disappointed if you see a shoddy one (esp. at a dealer).
As Targarama said take a look at Powers website for rebuild costs but around 6k is where they start, rising to circa 9k for the 4.3 upgrade with 5 year warranty.
Mine required a bottom end rebuild at the start of this year due to a faulty bearing and cost of this from Power was around 3.5k. The top end was fully stripped and inspected at the time and found to be in very good condition hence the reason I didn't opt for a full build - nice to have that peace of mind.
There are a lot of shoddy cars out there (god knows I looked at some before settling on mine) so please do your homework before buying. I asked on here for opionions/experience of pretty much every car in the classifieds when I bought and it did save me from a couple of lemons.
Even the car I settled on needed a few bits doing to tidy it up (inc the bottom end under warranty) but it's now pretty much perfect and I get work done as soon as it's needed. The main expense with these cars is from ignoring problems and letting a cheap fix turn into a costly repair later on - preventative maintenance is key!
Don't be swayed by fancy paintwork either - one I looked at in reflex purple looked stunning but was a dog underneath. Mine is in brilliant silver and has the sought after full hide (bison is cheap vinyl FYI) and air-con, it's not as stand-outish as I originally wanted but in the end I traded off flashness for quality.
I'm based in Cambs near the Beds border if you're ever around that way and fancy a zero pressure chat about the cars.
Mine required a bottom end rebuild at the start of this year due to a faulty bearing and cost of this from Power was around 3.5k. The top end was fully stripped and inspected at the time and found to be in very good condition hence the reason I didn't opt for a full build - nice to have that peace of mind.
There are a lot of shoddy cars out there (god knows I looked at some before settling on mine) so please do your homework before buying. I asked on here for opionions/experience of pretty much every car in the classifieds when I bought and it did save me from a couple of lemons.
Even the car I settled on needed a few bits doing to tidy it up (inc the bottom end under warranty) but it's now pretty much perfect and I get work done as soon as it's needed. The main expense with these cars is from ignoring problems and letting a cheap fix turn into a costly repair later on - preventative maintenance is key!
Don't be swayed by fancy paintwork either - one I looked at in reflex purple looked stunning but was a dog underneath. Mine is in brilliant silver and has the sought after full hide (bison is cheap vinyl FYI) and air-con, it's not as stand-outish as I originally wanted but in the end I traded off flashness for quality.
I'm based in Cambs near the Beds border if you're ever around that way and fancy a zero pressure chat about the cars.
As has been said here, you WILL find reason to use the car a lot more than you think! They are great every day cars! Mine's my only car, so I do about 10K a year, which means two services a year. That can get pricey, but it also means that all issues are spotted and fixed regularly (not that there are lots of issues, but it's always nice to know!). Where are you based? Happy to let you have a poke around mine if you're not too far away (I'm St.Albans) and, unlike Zippee, I might be willing to apply some hard pressure sales tactics, as my 8 week old son has suggested I should perhaps think about something with four seats. Spoilsport!
good man for wanting to finally join the group lol.
when i brought my t350 i wasnt even looking for a car, my frinds misses was, and i saw how good they looked in the auto trader, and how good the prices r gor the porformance ur getting, and that was it, i had to get one
just like u i was worried about the engine and the rebuilds, and my budget was 18-20, but when i saw the one i brought i coulnt resit,a little bit more, although buying from a garage u get the assurance of a waranty, i know u pay a little more but this put my mind at ease as it said rebuilds were covered as long as the damage wasnt caused though neglet, and i was also provided with the 5 star cover.
oh i should mention i was 25 at the time with 6 points on my license and drink driving and with break down assisance my policy is 1500, some companies wanted up to 5k and that included the specialst ones
i have had no break downs at all and y only intentionns was to drive it on weekends but i drive it all the time over my astra, i also read tvrs rny better if drove frequently
sorry if this is a little long winded,ive had a beer. lol
when i brought my t350 i wasnt even looking for a car, my frinds misses was, and i saw how good they looked in the auto trader, and how good the prices r gor the porformance ur getting, and that was it, i had to get one
just like u i was worried about the engine and the rebuilds, and my budget was 18-20, but when i saw the one i brought i coulnt resit,a little bit more, although buying from a garage u get the assurance of a waranty, i know u pay a little more but this put my mind at ease as it said rebuilds were covered as long as the damage wasnt caused though neglet, and i was also provided with the 5 star cover.
oh i should mention i was 25 at the time with 6 points on my license and drink driving and with break down assisance my policy is 1500, some companies wanted up to 5k and that included the specialst ones
i have had no break downs at all and y only intentionns was to drive it on weekends but i drive it all the time over my astra, i also read tvrs rny better if drove frequently
sorry if this is a little long winded,ive had a beer. lol
dojodubber said:
and just wondering what sort of MPG can one expect
Cant add much to whats been said, other than you wont be dissapointed. Go get a drive in one, that will help to make your mind up. A dealer will take you out!MPG - depends how you drive it, pushing in through the lanes, wont see much higher than 18, longer runs this will stretch to upper twenties. I took my Tamora from the south east to Scotland and back (motorways up and down, pushing it round the A roads while I was there) and got 28.5 for the trip IIRC, which I was impressed with. But then you dont buy cars like this for their 'saving the planet' credentials!
dojodubber said:
thanks for all the advice and words of encouragement, not that i need alot lol!
thanks for the offers guys, i'm based in bexleyheath south east. anyone near me?....
I am near you - I split my time between West Dulwich and Essex. I just bought my first T350 on Tuesday. I'm 24 but I turn 25 in 1 week. I am waiting until I turn 25 and I get my first year's NCB (26th Sep) before I insure the car (MUCH cheaper insurance terms). So until then i have to walk past "El toro" everyday and its killing me!thanks for the offers guys, i'm based in bexleyheath south east. anyone near me?....
I have the same worries about rebuilds, upkeep etc. and I dont have 6/7 grand in reserve to deal with that. But hey, you only live once
If you ever want to meet holler at me
I would ahve thought that only a small number needs rebuilds against the amount that are OK....Reading through what owners are saying it really depends on how you treat you car...warm it up and don't give it some untill everything is nice and hot and aim for a 2004 plus car and things look brighter....
Just enjoy I say.....I picked mine up last Wednesday and would sleep in her if I could. Great car but will take a little longer to master than cars I've had in the past...But thats the challenge and enjoyment.
Just enjoy I say.....I picked mine up last Wednesday and would sleep in her if I could. Great car but will take a little longer to master than cars I've had in the past...But thats the challenge and enjoyment.
You younger guys must have been bought up on more sensible pills than i was as ,i'm a little older than you !!!. When i bought my 2004 Tamora 2.5 years ago i did'nt even drive it, the engine was started up,and the sound from the sports exhaust sold it to me, she had 5000 K on the clock right colour and trim, and 28000 k later is going as strong as ever, issue's i've had, new cluch and master cylinder around 22000 k 100 AMP fuse which i would advise you move to a getatable place in the engine bay, anyone who has had to change this will know what a faff it is ie airbox etc. new starter motor, an new alternator both just been done.
Now i'm not suggesting you go out and buy the first one you see like i did, but all those miles later which includes
several trips Spain with a very disreputable bunch of TVR owners,;) several trackdays and ordinary use she is as good now as she was when i bought her, as others have mentioned warm her up properly, service on time and address any little niggles as soon as poss, i have my oil changed every 3-4000K as recomended by a very respected member and friend on PH and i'm sure you wont look back. TVRs are not just cars they are a way of life, good luck.
Ken.
Now i'm not suggesting you go out and buy the first one you see like i did, but all those miles later which includes
several trips Spain with a very disreputable bunch of TVR owners,;) several trackdays and ordinary use she is as good now as she was when i bought her, as others have mentioned warm her up properly, service on time and address any little niggles as soon as poss, i have my oil changed every 3-4000K as recomended by a very respected member and friend on PH and i'm sure you wont look back. TVRs are not just cars they are a way of life, good luck.
Ken.
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