Oh decisions, decisions!

[gilbo]

I recently put my T350c up for sale to help fund buying a Gallardo but after looking at it last night in the evening sun I'm now having second thoughts! I've been inundated with callers but only one viewing. Said chap was going crazy over my car but never came back with the readies. Now to add even more complications I've spoken to Dan Taylor about Sagaris'! The conundrum continues!
I think I'll have lost all my hair before I've made a decision!

[Biggriff]

I looked at a Gallardo as well, but I checked some of the running costs, which scared me. As a result I went with the Sagaris, which even in my worst nightmares will cost £10k for a new 4.3 engine. A clutch on a Gallardo (and with e-gear they seem to be needed relatively frequently) was £3k, a set of brake pads was £400+ for the carbon disk ones.

[gilbo]

I think really what I need to do is drive both properly to see. The Gallardo is definitely better built but also mass produced. I like the hand built, limited number status of the Tivs.

[blackiepaul]

As long as you are going for one of the latter lambos you wil be ok if not then expect some good sized bills all through your ownership. You need to be buying a 2006 lambo but I know I sound boring remember you will not be running a lambo on TVR money.

Great cars though.

[stimshady]

Friends friend recently bought a Gallardo, only to find it had a aircon problem and an oil leak - Lambo wanted 9K to fix it!!!!!

Nice cars though, but personally i'd stick with the T350

[s6boy]

An ex TVR owner went over to Lamboland I think it was justin220, he might be worth an e-mail to get his opinion.

[Inchpractice]

I love the colour and price of your car gilbo.
If the mileage was lower I'd have bought it tbh.

:-(

[gilbo]

Cheers S6 Boy I've already spoken to him he's been very helpful and he has the exact car I'm after!
Inchpractice, have a look at a few cars then come see mine! This is my 2nd T350, my last I sold with 6k on the clock and my current one really is no different for the extra 20k+ miles. I believe the speed six has an unfortunate reputation because they are race engines that need warming and servicing properly. I know of other t350's on twice and three times the mileage and no problems. I also know of a fellow tvrcc member who's 4k mile car blew and his warranty company wouldn't honour an engine build. I only ever buy on condition and a thorough inspection using my experience

[Zippee]

Inchpractice said:

I love the colour and price of your car gilbo.
If the mileage was lower I'd have bought it tbh.

:-(

I know it's a very hard thing for a newbie to S6 to do but try to ignore mileage and go on condition. There are not that many T350s with engine rebuilds but a lot with a fairly high mileage which should tell you something.

[Inchpractice]

gilbo said:

Inchpractice, have a look at a few cars then come see mine! This is my 2nd T350, my last I sold with 6k on the clock and my current one really is no different for the extra 20k+ miles. I believe the speed six has an unfortunate reputation because they are race engines that need warming and servicing properly. I know of other t350's on twice and three times the mileage and no problems. I also know of a fellow tvrcc member who's 4k mile car blew and his warranty company wouldn't honour an engine build. I only ever buy on condition and a thorough inspection using my experience

My concern over the mileage is not so much that the car will feel worn out when driven or that there'll be any issues with it mechanically.
It's just that TVRs are high performance so obviously they don't go round the clock like a Golf. Correct me if I'm wrong but I wouldn't expect a T350 to last more than 60K in which case your car is half way there already whereas one with 13k on it is less than a quarter of the way there.

If I assume that I'll probably sell the car on after I've put another 20k on it then yours would not be worth much with 49k on it whereas a lower mileage car will still have a decent value.

[gilbo]

On the contrary, there are many speed six's with over 100k and no rebuild. As you say these are high performance engines and as such, they need using and not sitting idle or racking up minimal mileage. If you look at older Tvr's their value is gauged by their condition not mileage. So in five years for example a good condition, high mileage T350 will still be worth more than a low mileage, average/poor condition example. Any engine at any mileage can fail when mistreated and poorly maintained.

[m0ssy]

gilbo said:

On the contrary, there are many speed six's with over 100k and no rebuild. As you say these are high performance engines and as such, they need using and not sitting idle or racking up minimal mileage. If you look at older Tvr's their value is gauged by their condition not mileage. So in five years for example a good condition, high mileage T350 will still be worth more than a low mileage, average/poor condition example. Any engine at any mileage can fail when mistreated and poorly maintained.

"there are many speed six's with over 100k and no rebuild"

Blimey.... can you name me a few please?

[gilbo]

I used to have a Tuscan with 110k on the clock. Both Jason at str8 six and Dan Taylor will both be able to tell you of other such vehicles with similar mileages. Seriously people need to stop knocking these engines and start singing their praises. If one wants a car you can thrash from cold, do 100k without an oil change and never have to lift the bonnet buy a BMW. But even then expect a few big bills/break downs. This thread was not posted to open up the age old speed six reliability can of worms! Rant over

[madbadger]

m0ssy said:

gilbo said:

On the contrary, there are many speed six's with over 100k and no rebuild. As you say these are high performance engines and as such, they need using and not sitting idle or racking up minimal mileage. If you look at older Tvr's their value is gauged by their condition not mileage. So in five years for example a good condition, high mileage T350 will still be worth more than a low mileage, average/poor condition example. Any engine at any mileage can fail when mistreated and poorly maintained.

"there are many speed six's with over 100k and no rebuild"

Blimey.... can you name me a few please?

Nor sure about the no rebuild criteria but the milage can definately be done.

Shorts! for one. He's probably nearer 150k now.

[m0ssy]

gilbo said:

I used to have a Tuscan with 110k on the clock. Both Jason at str8 six and Dan Taylor will both be able to tell you of other such vehicles with similar mileages. Seriously people need to stop knocking these engines and start singing their praises. If one wants a car you can thrash from cold, do 100k without an oil change and never have to lift the bonnet buy a BMW. But even then expect a few big bills/break downs. This thread was not posted to open up the age old speed six reliability can of worms! Rant over

I'm not knocking the engine.... especially as I have one. Mine has 17000 on it and I would love it to make 150000 with no re-build. But I am prepared for a re-build regardless of my warm up procedure and regular servicing.

So.... apart from yours, can the previous poster name a 'few' with over 110k on the clock with no rebuild as previously stated to give me piece of mind???

Edited by m0ssy on Friday 25th September 14:37

[madbadger]

Can't find the details but there is at least one Tam with over 100k.

I was a bit off on Doms.

shorts! said:

I got 60K, before a rebuild. Another 60k (almost) since. 2004 T350t Red Rose.

Edited by shorts! on Thursday 17th September 12:43

But that was two weeks ago so he could be on 150k now.

The biggest issue with there not being loads of 100k S6s is there aren't that many people who consistently do 20+k a year.

Mine is a baby on 60k.

[m0ssy]

madbadger said:

Can't find the details but there is at least one Tam with over 100k.

I was a bit off on Doms.

shorts! said:

I got 60K, before a rebuild. Another 60k (almost) since. 2004 T350t Red Rose.

Edited by shorts! on Thursday 17th September 12:43

But that was two weeks ago so he could be on 150k now.

The biggest issue with there not being loads of 100k S6s is there aren't that many people who consistently do 20+k a year.

Mine is a baby on 60k.

Fantastic and long may it continue

So far so good for me, I do all the correct procedures, and when warm she loves to be driven 'with spirit'. Drove to Le-Mans and back and didn't use a drop of oil, in fact... it rarely does! 17,000 only but am hoping for 100k

Edited by m0ssy on Friday 25th September 15:18

[the jollyrodger]

if you do decide on the lambo,check around the paintwork around side windows,ive recently seen two starting to bubble,both cars about 3 year old......

[kevin lampe]

Buy a Sagaris!!!!

I recently brought mine and had all the same questions going through my head about SP6 Engine going pop!

But do your reserach and you will see that the Sagaris SP6 Engine problem along will any 2005 onward TVR is almost gone! (try and count how many horror stories you find on the Sagaris going pop)....you will still be on one hand!

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY- Okay, worse case- you engine goes and it costs you 7K to fix...your sagaris will probally be worth what you paid in a years time ...a Lambo /Ferrari etc will have DEPRECIATED by double that anyway!
so your still quids in!!!!!!

if you then include huge servicing costs/ huge spares costs and suddenly the lambo isnt such an apealing buy! (unless you stinking rich,then what the hell!)

I adore my Sagaris and am so glad i made that desicion!...sounds amazing looks like no other car on the planet and anyone saying they want more power is plain mad (or Lewis Hamilton)

If you get a car that keeps its value and you enjoy everytime you get in it, then youve hit the jackpot!

One day if im lucky ill have a Lambo...but for now....;-)

[gilbo]

Hi kevin, I like you, am aware of the s6 virtues. Especially as my T350 is an 05 model. I see you're in Kent? Maybe you'd let me come and have a nose at your sag?