Can a T350 be a daily driver?
Poll: Can a T350 be a daily driver?
Total Members Polled: 38
Discussion
So, ruminating about the next car. Always like left field steeds; had a Lotus Elise S, a D90, an S4, currently have a Lexus ISF.
Thinking about a TVR as the next car, but it would be a daily driver. Currently 60 miles a day, but I may relocate office, which would be a walk only.
Can't stretch to a Sagaris (but would love one), something about the back end of a Tamora doesn't sit right for me, Cerbera was my first love of TVR having seen on at a car sow somewhere, a T350 appeals.
So could it be done?
Thinking about a TVR as the next car, but it would be a daily driver. Currently 60 miles a day, but I may relocate office, which would be a walk only.
Can't stretch to a Sagaris (but would love one), something about the back end of a Tamora doesn't sit right for me, Cerbera was my first love of TVR having seen on at a car sow somewhere, a T350 appeals.
So could it be done?
Hi
I used my T350 everyday for a year.
12K miles in one year.
It has many advantages like the image, driving experience, good attention, tuneful exhaust (sports exhaust is compulsory), the odd fun road, most are actually too crowed to overtake anyone, so ultimately it can be frustrating.
There is a negative side: ride is harsh for everyday, fuel cost, servicing is frequent at 6k miles and servicing is expensive, low ride height is annoying day to day (kerbs are high), I was less inclined to use it at weekends and enjoy those less crowed roads, for the laydees getting in and out in a skirt can be a challenge to their dignity
Overall its well worth it - go for it
I used my T350 everyday for a year.
12K miles in one year.
It has many advantages like the image, driving experience, good attention, tuneful exhaust (sports exhaust is compulsory), the odd fun road, most are actually too crowed to overtake anyone, so ultimately it can be frustrating.
There is a negative side: ride is harsh for everyday, fuel cost, servicing is frequent at 6k miles and servicing is expensive, low ride height is annoying day to day (kerbs are high), I was less inclined to use it at weekends and enjoy those less crowed roads, for the laydees getting in and out in a skirt can be a challenge to their dignity
Overall its well worth it - go for it
rev-erend said:
Hi
I used my T350 everyday for a year.
12K miles in one year.
It has many advantages like the image, driving experience, good attention, tuneful exhaust (sports exhaust is compulsory), the odd fun road, most are actually too crowed to overtake anyone, so ultimately it can be frustrating.
There is a negative side: ride is harsh for everyday, fuel cost, servicing is frequent at 6k miles and servicing is expensive, low ride height is annoying day to day (kerbs are high), I was less inclined to use it at weekends and enjoy those less crowed roads, for the laydees getting in and out in a skirt can be a challenge to their dignity
Overall its well worth it - go for it
Fair enough. I did 18k in a year between Edinburgh and Glasgow in the Lotus. And right now I've got a 5.0 V8 so fuel expenses aren't unusual. Hadn't realised the 6k intervals for servicing. Is it possible to do that at home?I used my T350 everyday for a year.
12K miles in one year.
It has many advantages like the image, driving experience, good attention, tuneful exhaust (sports exhaust is compulsory), the odd fun road, most are actually too crowed to overtake anyone, so ultimately it can be frustrating.
There is a negative side: ride is harsh for everyday, fuel cost, servicing is frequent at 6k miles and servicing is expensive, low ride height is annoying day to day (kerbs are high), I was less inclined to use it at weekends and enjoy those less crowed roads, for the laydees getting in and out in a skirt can be a challenge to their dignity
Overall its well worth it - go for it
I use mine every day.. not a t350 mind... the only caveat I would add is consider how you would cope without it for a couple of weeks (or more...) can you work from home or get public transport.. should the worst happen.?
I've never been let down but have had to walk to work while having bits done on the car..
Good luck
Damian S3
I've never been let down but have had to walk to work while having bits done on the car..
Good luck
Damian S3
Well my current (daft) situation is that I drive for call it an hour from Edinburgh to just outside Glasgow, past our Edinburgh office. No public transport between home and the Glasgow office but I'd put my case for working from Edinburgh. So not a problem really.
That aside, and I know these cars are effectively hand built (I've had an MGB) but how reliable are T350's? I've seen the stories of Cerbera body off rebuilds, but are these slightly later cars the same? My current Lexus ISF is practically bombproof.
That aside, and I know these cars are effectively hand built (I've had an MGB) but how reliable are T350's? I've seen the stories of Cerbera body off rebuilds, but are these slightly later cars the same? My current Lexus ISF is practically bombproof.
The 6k service is an oil and filter change, albeit with lots of checks. It's the 12k service that includes tappet check and adjustment. If a car was doing 12k in a year, a self serviced 6k oil change would be fine in my book.
The cerbera had a different chassis coating and was therefore a common bodyboff repair issue.
I'd love to use my t350 daily, I just leave home too early in the morning so it's my Carbon-offsetting Renault Zoe instead!
Good luck with the search 👍
The cerbera had a different chassis coating and was therefore a common bodyboff repair issue.
I'd love to use my t350 daily, I just leave home too early in the morning so it's my Carbon-offsetting Renault Zoe instead!
Good luck with the search 👍
I use my chim everyday, it's just fine, I'd imagine a T350 would be better, lighter clutch, better steering etc, but I'm not sure how well the straight 6 engines cope with shorter journeys?? The need warming up properly (As do all engines) But my understanding, which is limited is that it's more crucial with the straight 6s.
I was told by non TVR owners, before I bought my car, "You won't be able to use that every day" I said, "You can, It has lights, a roof, windscreen wipers etc. Sometimes in traffic it's difficult, but most of the time it's perfectly OK.
I was told by non TVR owners, before I bought my car, "You won't be able to use that every day" I said, "You can, It has lights, a roof, windscreen wipers etc. Sometimes in traffic it's difficult, but most of the time it's perfectly OK.
TBH many would have the opinion that sort of mileage is the best thing you can do to a TVR rather than occasional use. Several people on here have done significant miles and used daily. I did run a Chimaera as a daily for 3 years / 65k in the 90's and in that case it became a bit wearing and I sort of fell out of love with it. The bills back then with main dealers became pretty eye-watering. 2017 is a different proposition with a lot of the prior "issues" having solutions, a good indie network and active forum on here. The T350 generation has the better build Speed 6 so you would be unlucky to have a major failure but there are ones out there with rebuilds (some needed, other precautionary/upgrade). All the maintenance is doable yourself if you are competent and have access to facilities. My 2004 Tuscan was used for a similar commute by its first owner and he didn't report too many problems (less trouble than his then-wife was my favourite quote). Its now on 57k without any big issues developing. Winter weather needs care (driving and cleaning) but the T-car gen chassis generally better then the C-car gen.
In summary the car can do it, its more whether you can !
In summary the car can do it, its more whether you can !
Reading the conclusions - I would say that a daily driver needs to be a combination of reliabitity and exciting but the T350 and any older TVR for that matter would require a lot of work to keep it reliable so might lead to a lot of frustration but that being said it sure would be exciting.
Dr_Rick said:
Yeah, the carbon offsetting thing has kind of passed me by (despite working for an environmental regulator). Current garage is a Disco 4 (pre stop-start) and the aforementioned 5.0 petrol ISF.
Not sure I could make the move to a Zoe.
The Zoe's been a brilliant buy. I rarely get any kind of range anxiety as I just do the same commute in it. Done 15k mikes in 15months, so easy to drive and makes the T350 an event when I get the chance!! Oh and it costs next to nothing to run!Not sure I could make the move to a Zoe.
If you understand "daily driver" as parking the car after use in the rain on the street and don't care for it between the annual service then : no.
If you have space and time to look for it at home to verify that all bits are still fixed, check up fluids regularly, have enough time and road the get the engine warm, do not use tight city parking garages etc than: yes.
I use the T350 during summer on an "almost" daily basis but that needs to care for it and check the bits.
If you have space and time to look for it at home to verify that all bits are still fixed, check up fluids regularly, have enough time and road the get the engine warm, do not use tight city parking garages etc than: yes.
I use the T350 during summer on an "almost" daily basis but that needs to care for it and check the bits.
Edited by Granturadriver on Monday 20th March 22:43
The bottom line is Yes, you can use any TVR as a daily.
So long as your prepared to throw money at it. At the best of times 3k a year for running costs is a good budjet on a weekend car, so as a daily? Hmmm, I wouldn't like to guess.
My biggest concern would be a good solid engine, if its been rebuilt by the Likes Of Powers, then you would have no worries.
The other weak points in my experience, clutch fingers, slave cylinder seals. Regardless of who makes them and who fits them, they all leak. Although RP slaves seem to fail "mostly" less. Its just totally random and luck of the draw I think!
Apart from that, nothing really fails on a regular basis.
So long as your prepared to throw money at it. At the best of times 3k a year for running costs is a good budjet on a weekend car, so as a daily? Hmmm, I wouldn't like to guess.
My biggest concern would be a good solid engine, if its been rebuilt by the Likes Of Powers, then you would have no worries.
The other weak points in my experience, clutch fingers, slave cylinder seals. Regardless of who makes them and who fits them, they all leak. Although RP slaves seem to fail "mostly" less. Its just totally random and luck of the draw I think!
Apart from that, nothing really fails on a regular basis.
Willfin said:
Oh and isn't there someone on here with over 250k miles on s T350?
Seriously impressive and definitely got there money's worth!
That'd be me.Seriously impressive and definitely got there money's worth!
T350 was my only car for 12 years and did about 20k a year. And a few track days a year too. I would avoid very short journeys (bike, walk or run)and be fairly careful with the revs until the oil temp was up. I finally bought a run around a couple of years ago to use for some of the London and M25 schlepping and to reduce the annual mileage to 15k or so. Sadly the dash recently died at 263k, otherwise it would be on 300k sometime relatively soon.
If you used an Elise as your regular transport you will have no problem with a T350. Your definition of what is a consumable may need to be adjusted with regular use though, Clutches every couple of years, and no one expected the wiper motor to do so many TVR miles in the rain.
But after all these miles there is no other car I'd rather be in and every time I drive it is an 'occasion'.
Do it.
Depends on how tolerant you are.
IMO, it will be challenging. The car will suffer during the winter due to poor coatings and you will get frustrated by the long warming-up procedure in the winter.
Two services a year minimum (fun mileage included) 6K is valve clearance check, not just oils and levels. Your car won't go 6K between services without the need for a visit to a Service centre with a laptop to give it a tune up. You may have to increase visit frequency to the dentist if the roads you travel on are in need of TLC
Caveat.
If are determined, you can do most things I guess.
Hope you find a good one and enjoy the challenge
IMO, it will be challenging. The car will suffer during the winter due to poor coatings and you will get frustrated by the long warming-up procedure in the winter.
Two services a year minimum (fun mileage included) 6K is valve clearance check, not just oils and levels. Your car won't go 6K between services without the need for a visit to a Service centre with a laptop to give it a tune up. You may have to increase visit frequency to the dentist if the roads you travel on are in need of TLC
Caveat.
If are determined, you can do most things I guess.
Hope you find a good one and enjoy the challenge
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 30th March 12:40
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