Can a T350 be a daily driver?

[Englishman]

As someone who used Wedges throughout the year in the '80's and 90's, I find all of the newer cars no problem at all if used all the time. Although no BMW, they are very civilsed compared with earlier cars!!

[anonymous-user]

Englishman said:

As someone who used Wedges throughout the year in the '80's and 90's, I find all of the newer cars no problem at all if used all the time. Although no BMW, they are very civilised compared with earlier cars!!

Clutches are certainly a lot lighter than the one on our first 390SE

[shorts!]

monty quick said:

I love hearing from Shorts about the amazing 300k mile T350 - it gives me more confidence about using my 2006 T350.
I just hope Shorts car isn't like Triggers broom - oh yes the car has done 300k miles, although it has had 5 engines, 3 gearboxes....;)

Obviously I have heard the Trigger's broom comment a few times and whilst many parts have been replaced/repaired/refurbed over the years and miles my car is more than just a collection of parts -it has soul and that can't be replaced! I hope yours is more than a bunch of components too.

[monty quick]

Any car that has covered hundreds of thousands of miles would have needed a significant amount of maintenance. I have nothing but respect for you and your car. I am one of those people that insists TVRs are better if you 'use' them. Although, I am probably trying to convince myself more than anyone else because I use my T350T at every reasonable opportunity!
Your car just helps me believe that this will not necessarily result in loads of huge bills!

[leef44]

monty quick said:

Any car that has covered hundreds of thousands of miles would have needed a significant amount of maintenance. I have nothing but respect for you and your car. I am one of those people that insists TVRs are better if you 'use' them. Although, I am probably trying to convince myself more than anyone else because I use my T350T at every reasonable opportunity!
Your car just helps me believe that this will not necessarily result in loads of huge bills!

Ah, you got there before me. Yes these cars are generally happier when being used regularly but obviously not short stop start journeys. Everything just loosens up and works better when used. The only downside I would say is the heat: engine bay getting too hot and cabin too hot when sitting in traffic.

[Dr_Rick]

leef44 said:

Ah, you got there before me. Yes these cars are generally happier when being used regularly but obviously not short stop start journeys. Everything just loosens up and works better when used. The only downside I would say is the heat: engine bay getting too hot and cabin too hot when sitting in traffic.

See, there I'm on a winner - I live in central belt Scotland so cool ambient temps work both for me in the cabin and intakes for power.

Other than that, I like a car that makes a statement. The alternative being considered at the moment is a Lotus Exige S.

My current steed is a Lexus ISF which makes the noises and goes like the clappers, but is very understated. I've seen people turn round to look for the source of the noise and look right past the black four door saloon car. Can't see that happening with either a TVR or a Lotus.

Edited by Dr_Rick on Monday 10th April 15:01

[rev-erend]

Hey Doc,

How about an alternative.

A Merc Convertible. SLK AMG 55 (R171).

Prices are good. Fantastic roof down car, really quite like a civilised TVR.

I use one as my daily driver.

[leef44]

Dr_Rick said:

leef44 said:

Ah, you got there before me. Yes these cars are generally happier when being used regularly but obviously not short stop start journeys. Everything just loosens up and works better when used. The only downside I would say is the heat: engine bay getting too hot and cabin too hot when sitting in traffic.

See, there I'm on a winner - I live in central belt Scotland so cool ambient temps work both for me in the cabin and intakes for power.

Other than that, I like a car that makes a statement. The alternative being considered at the moment is a Lotus Exige S.

My current steed is a Lexus ISF which makes the noises and goes like the clappers, but is very understated. I've seen people turn round to look for the source of the noise and look right past the black four door saloon car. Can't see that happening with either a TVR or a Lotus.

Edited by Dr_Rick on Monday 10th April 15:01

Then I would say you're ok. I used to have a Targa and I would say that works better. I would have the heaters on full hot heat blowing at the windscreen to help cool the engine and the targa panels off, with the heat rising out the top. Never felt cold in the car even in mid-winter.

[Dr_Rick]

I think I'm going to chicken out. I think the 6k service intervals could get a little wearing if I'm doing that 2 or 3 times a year.

[leef44]

Dr_Rick said:

I think I'm going to chicken out. I think the 6k service intervals could get a little wearing if I'm doing that 2 or 3 times a year.

Actually I would be going to my TVR specialist 2 or 3 times a year anyway to fix gremlins. It does take a degree of commitment to own one. If that visceral involvement is not a requirement then you could consider an SLK AMG as someone else suggested.

[Dr_Rick]

Its OK. I'll probably be going for an Exige S, to follow the Elise S I had a couple of years ago.

[shorts!]

Dr Rick, it sounds like your decision is made, and the Lotus is a good/great car I'm sure. Perhaps not the theatre and drama of TVR but I'm sure it'll be a barrel of laughs.
On the servicing front. I'm sure you could find somewhere to service a TVR 2 or 3 times a year without it being that big a hassle and as Lee said, you may well end up seeing you chosen mechanics that often for those 'little niggles' anyway.
I'm the guys at Bespoke who look after mine think the car is theirs as much as it is mine as we all have so much history with it (and a doubt any SLK55 owner would say the same - though they too are supposed to be good cars!)

[GouramiX]

Hi guys

Somemone pointed me to this thread which I'm so grateful for. Assuming all goes well I'll be taking ownership of a 350 soon. I've been intending to use it as a daily but I think when it gets really tough, ice, salt I've been advised to use a back up.

I'll still be intending to use it as much as I can as a daily so I was wondering, during the winter months do you guys put on winter tyres?

[Speed 3]

GouramiX said:

Hi guys

Somemone pointed me to this thread which I'm so grateful for. Assuming all goes well I'll be taking ownership of a 350 soon. I've been intending to use it as a daily but I think when it gets really tough, ice, salt I've been advised to use a back up.

I'll still be intending to use it as much as I can as a daily so I was wondering, during the winter months do you guys put on winter tyres?

Winter tyres would theoretically be better than summer tyres but there's a whole host of reasons why most people avoid driving them in the winter. The car is so light and with the wrong weight distribution for the serious winter stuff. Assuming you're in the UK, winter tyres are a bit of a moot point anyway as you're just as likely to have temps at the upper end of their working range where they'd be less suitable than summer tyres on that day.

I generally park my Tuscan up and use one of the other cars but it does get out if it's dry and crisp, I still take great care though as low heat in the tyres is a potentially lethal situation. Think of it like a amateurs track car on its first lap. I did use it on a business trip to South Wales last winter and got caught out with an unforecasted cold snap. Driving it below zero down the valleys was not a fun experience. I had alarms going off from the pod all over the place and the electronics certainly didn't like the temp. Also got to remember you need to get the Speed 6 up to temp which will take much longer in winter so if your drives are under 10 miles you'll be rev limited and the engine unhappy.

[GouramiX]

Great advice. Yes uk driver, 40 mile round trip. 45 mins each way.

Good point on the temp. If it's gonna be snow/ice it's only going to be a rare occurannce. In that case I'll take the back up car. Better to be safe than sorry.

[shorts!]

Whilst I don't necessarily choose to venture out in the snow/ice it can be hard to avoid.....
On a serious note though they are not undriveable in such conditions but you need to be super careful and progressive. Which is true of any car I'm sure (not much experience in many other cars). 200 TVR miles on a snowy night taught me some valuable lessons about me, my driving and my car some years ago. I even passed a few abandoned Volvos, BMs and similar . . . ...

[GouramiX]

This is inspiring for a potential daily driver!

[Dr_Rick]

My current steed...



Not an Exige, but a mighty capable GT. I know it's not the supercharged one, but pockets are only so deep. Maybe in the fullness I'll be able to move on to a 400.

Winter tyres might still apply to me too though!