1st Time nerves!
Discussion
I’m finally in a position to achieve my goal of buying my first TVR! First off, does anyone know of a specialist in the Dorset/Hampshire area who can check a car over prior to buying? I begrudge paying the AA best part of £300 to give it a non-specialist once over. Said specialist would also be required for ongoing maintenance.
Second up I’m in two minds what to get. 350I is my hearts desire - V8 noise and grunt, but tales of rotting chassis and things falling off have made me nervous. The other alternative is an S2, as from what I gather they are slightly more reliable, problem is no V8. I know you don’t buy either without expecting something(s) to break, but don’t have an unending pile of cash to throw at it (who does?), so I want to get it right. I am on a budget of £6-7k and would welcome some guidance!
Second up I’m in two minds what to get. 350I is my hearts desire - V8 noise and grunt, but tales of rotting chassis and things falling off have made me nervous. The other alternative is an S2, as from what I gather they are slightly more reliable, problem is no V8. I know you don’t buy either without expecting something(s) to break, but don’t have an unending pile of cash to throw at it (who does?), so I want to get it right. I am on a budget of £6-7k and would welcome some guidance!
Split the difference then: buy a V8S!! That's right: an 'S' with a V8 in... 
Wedge chassis only corrode at the edges and are generally not THAT hard to fix. Once you've done it, it should be another decade before you have any more problems.
Plenty of cars have already been sorted in that department anyway; ask for photos from the seller.
I think there is an article somewhere on the web that tells you how to do the work yourself...
Ian
Wedge chassis only corrode at the edges and are generally not THAT hard to fix. Once you've done it, it should be another decade before you have any more problems.
Plenty of cars have already been sorted in that department anyway; ask for photos from the seller.
I think there is an article somewhere on the web that tells you how to do the work yourself...
Ian
Buyers guide in here
www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/
Also search the wedges section for key words or thread names.
Also some questions asked/answered here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15733&f=13&h=0
www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/
Also search the wedges section for key words or thread names.
Also some questions asked/answered here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15733&f=13&h=0
thanks chaps,
V8S
is a little above my price range, bummer. have done a lot of reading 
up, handy site called 'wedge pages' has been useful. I suppose it's about time I joined the TVRCC and annoyed a few memebers for a ride. Anyonknow of a specialist in my area of the coutry who could do an inspection?
V8S
is a little above my price range, bummer. have done a lot of reading up, handy site called 'wedge pages' has been useful. I suppose it's about time I joined the TVRCC and annoyed a few memebers for a ride. Anyonknow of a specialist in my area of the coutry who could do an inspection?quote:
Second up I’m in two minds what to get. 350I is my hearts desire - V8 noise and grunt, but tales of rotting chassis and things falling off have made me nervous.
some of its true too...
quote:
The other alternative is an S2, as from what I gather they are slightly more reliable,
..mines no less reliable than the puma !
quote:
problem is no V8.
why is this such a problem.. johno manages 107db out of his V6
quote:
I know you don’t buy either without expecting something(s) to break, but don’t have an unending pile of cash to throw at it (who does?), so I want to get it right. I am on a budget of £6-7k and would welcome some guidance!
Buy an S2.. for 6k you'll get one thats looked after with a good history... cheap to run, cheap(ish) to insure, and looks lurvley..
Cheers
Matt.
quote:
Split the difference then: buy a V8S!! That's right: an 'S' with a V8 in...
Yip, but for 6-7 K you won't get a V8S.
Brands, I was in a similar position a couple of months back. I bought an S3, because I prefer the look of the S series and my budget wouldn't stretch to a V8S either
So far, I am REALLY happy with it. At first, I expected things to go wrong all the time, but it's been great so far.
Performance wise an S is one of the slower TVRs, but it's still a fast car and pretty satisfying on normal roads. The only time I wished for a bit more 'ooomph' was at a track day a few weeks back. (Mind you, the car was still 'faster' than the driver...)
Oh, and I'm quite happy with the 'soundtrack' as well.
Just my experience....
Good luck and take your time, the right car's out there!
Hope you find the right car soon.
I don't know any specialists down in the Dorset area but in Hampshire there is APM Automotive (don't know their work but Andy, the owner, reads Pistonheads) based in Liphook. There is also Thames Valley Racetech near Reading if thats any good.
I can get you phone numbers if the locatons are useful to you.
Good luck,
Ian
Red 4.3 Griff - E945 TVR
I don't know any specialists down in the Dorset area but in Hampshire there is APM Automotive (don't know their work but Andy, the owner, reads Pistonheads) based in Liphook. There is also Thames Valley Racetech near Reading if thats any good.
I can get you phone numbers if the locatons are useful to you.
Good luck,
Ian
Red 4.3 Griff - E945 TVR
quote:
I don't know any specialists down in the Dorset area but in Hampshire there is APM Automotive (don't know their work but Andy, the owner, reads Pistonheads) based in Liphook.
I can recommend Andy at APM. He does my car and no complaints. 01420 473931 or 07740 723673.
May be a bit far from Dorset, but it's a good excuse for a 40 mile blast.
Brands - was in your position about 6 months ago. Bought an S3 and cant recommend it enough. Fantastic
I am in Southampton and couldnt find any local cars at all so your off to a good start already.
For inspection - cannot recommend Rob Ingleby enough. He knows the cars very well, cheaper than the AA and prepares a lovely report for you to pass on if you want to sell the car. Great bloke too. I think he will travel as far as necessary to inspect. For me, the important difference over the AA/RAC was that Rob specifically knew what to look for that may go wrong in an S, such as rear wishbones etc etc, rather than just tell me the bodywork had not had any car park knocks!
Whilst he normally provides the whole service to find a suitable car, inspect and report back, he will also just inspect if you have found the car yourself, as was the case with me. The price is obviously far different.
if you want his number/details, let me know, although someone else on here is bound to have them to hand!
Good luck and go for it. You will not regret it.
I am in Southampton and couldnt find any local cars at all so your off to a good start already.
For inspection - cannot recommend Rob Ingleby enough. He knows the cars very well, cheaper than the AA and prepares a lovely report for you to pass on if you want to sell the car. Great bloke too. I think he will travel as far as necessary to inspect. For me, the important difference over the AA/RAC was that Rob specifically knew what to look for that may go wrong in an S, such as rear wishbones etc etc, rather than just tell me the bodywork had not had any car park knocks!
Whilst he normally provides the whole service to find a suitable car, inspect and report back, he will also just inspect if you have found the car yourself, as was the case with me. The price is obviously far different.
if you want his number/details, let me know, although someone else on here is bound to have them to hand!
Good luck and go for it. You will not regret it.
quote:
.............Rob specifically knew what to look for that may go wrong in an S, such as rear wishbones etc etc, rather than just tell me the bodywork had not had any car park knocks!
...........................
Good luck and go for it. You will not regret it.
Blimey Shnozz if your S has rear wishbones you'd better keep it quiet or Peter H will be along to check it out
. Must be about the only mod not fitted to the daddy of the S's 
from that you can probably read that it can't be done, rest assured that it probably has been investigated though. Harry
I don't think you can go far wrong if you follow your hearts' desire. After all, you've already decided on a TVR which is the first step. It was a goal of mine over 5 years ago to have a 350i, so I bought one. No regrets at all. Sure I've spent some money on it but mainly just normal running costs etc.
My big problem is only just starting now after 5 years of ownership, that problem being that I know I'm going to buy a Griff soon and I'll have to part with the plastic bullet. I know it will be a sad day when I wave it goodbye, only the arrival of another TVR will soften the heartache !
goodbye 350i
hello Griff
My big problem is only just starting now after 5 years of ownership, that problem being that I know I'm going to buy a Griff soon and I'll have to part with the plastic bullet. I know it will be a sad day when I wave it goodbye, only the arrival of another TVR will soften the heartache !
goodbye 350i hello Griff
mechanics! oooops - Harry - meant rear trailing arms! good job I got someone else to check the car out with my knowledge of anything mechanical!
PS - did you get my text message yesterday? Are you coming along to the Romsey meet? need to give your car cover back at some stage!
Brands - will look out Rob's details today if poss - if not tonight at home
PS - did you get my text message yesterday? Are you coming along to the Romsey meet? need to give your car cover back at some stage!
Brands - will look out Rob's details today if poss - if not tonight at home
Last year I had the same dilema and int he end got a 350, love the performance and the soundtrack, only it could do with more ooomph on a dry track. The looks grow on you and certainly still turn a few heads. Next dilema is a griff or seac. A year ago this would have been an easy choice but is now becoming more tricky. If you can wait until you can afford what you really desire it makes sense to do so.
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