Updated blog/runnning costs for any newbies interested

[Zippee]

As you can probably guess I'm bored so I've just updated my T350s blog with my running costs over the last 2 1/2 years or so. Should help give any newbies an idea as to what these cars can cost to run. http://pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?carId=8...
I see mine as a very good and well looked after example, wants for nothing though isn't perfect cosmetically. Some will obviously cost a lot less and others a lot more but mine is what I'd term average in those respects. Hope it helps anyway.

[GG33]

£3200 per year for servicing and repairs seems a tad on the high side?

[Targarama]

Look beyond the summary pages. He's had a few upgrades too, which are built into much of the costs, and things like the engine/gearbox work is rather unusual to need doing so early in a T car's life.

[Robertjp]

GG33 said:

£3200 per year for servicing and repairs seems a tad on the high side?

Not THAT high if you factor a rebuild

My 2002 Tuscan needed a rebuild plus a few other 'bits'
My first year of ownership saw £1000 a month consumed....fortunately some of that was warranty, and some of this was upgrades.
Year 2 was about £110 a month.
Year 3 im hoping will be similar to year 2 if not cheaper

[Lensey]

GG33 said:

£3200 per year for servicing and repairs seems a tad on the high side?

Don't look at mine then

[Robertjp]

I guess upgrades are a personal thing and shouldnt really count, if i took those out and averaged over the time i have had the car, its still over £5k a year in servicing and repairs.

I would really hope that drops significantly now (runs for the nearest 'wood' to touch...) But still, i will need to own it a long time for that average to drop below £3k a year!!

Anyway, thanks to the OP for being brave enough to post...i always feel torn and so far i havent, its a double egded sword, spending huge amounts of money on a car is sometimes used as a bragging right (im not suggesting that for a second here tho!) but at the same time you want people to know what they are letting themselves in for honestly and openly.

There is also a risk that my OH may find the site and realise just how much i have spent....thats an absolute

[Zippee]

Targarama said:

Look beyond the summary pages. He's had a few upgrades too, which are built into much of the costs, and things like the engine/gearbox work is rather unusual to need doing so early in a T car's life.

Exactly, I've tried to give an honest apraisal of a typical owner. I'm not rich and sometimes struggle a little with a big bill but I never scrimp on maintenance. The gearbox was down to worn synchros rather than the actual cogs. The engine rebuild due to a faulty big end bearing that would have been fitted incorrectly from the factory, this caused the engine to have little or no oil pressure at idle and resulted in a bottom end rebuild and top end strip down at Power, covered under warranty from Castle whom I bought the car from. Dom gave the top end a full check at the time and passed it with flying colours, 15'000 miles later and it's needed virtually no shim adjustment and compression check at last weeks service was also strong - touch wood she'll be trouble free.
Upgrades, whilst they aren't essential they're nice to haves, especially the JP. Any prospective owners will also likely notice a couple of faults traced back to wiring and electrics the bain of a TVR ownes life Simple faults but often very time consuming to find and diagnose.

[aubrey9160]

Zippee can you explain a bit more on your engine build as im having a lot of trouble with mine at the moment. No oil pressure now but it started with 12 at idle and very quickly gone down to nowt. Ive had the woodruff key replaced along with other bits which sorted it for a day and now gone again.

[Targarama]

aubrey9160 said:

Zippee can you explain a bit more on your engine build as im having a lot of trouble with mine at the moment. No oil pressure now but it started with 12 at idle and very quickly gone down to nowt. Ive had the woodruff key replaced along with other bits which sorted it for a day and now gone again.

Who has been looking at the engine? I'd suggest getting it to an expert on these engines for their opinion - TVR Power, Str8Six, Dulfords (since you're out West).

[Zippee]

Targarama said:

aubrey9160 said:

Zippee can you explain a bit more on your engine build as im having a lot of trouble with mine at the moment. No oil pressure now but it started with 12 at idle and very quickly gone down to nowt. Ive had the woodruff key replaced along with other bits which sorted it for a day and now gone again.

Who has been looking at the engine? I'd suggest getting it to an expert on these engines for their opinion - TVR Power, Str8Six, Dulfords (since you're out West).

As trefor said - I'm no expert and I'd hate to give wrong info out. The only adive I can give is that you need to get it chcked by an expert sooner rather than later. touch wood it's nothing too serious.