Talk to me about 350's
Discussion
Having seen one of these come flying past me today making an epic noise I have been looking through the classifieds with great interest. I've never owned a TVR before but am used to similar machinery; firstly, what are the main differences between early and later cars? I think i've decided that I want a T350t - the targa topped one as I do love having a bit of roof down however, does this detract in any way from the driving experience in other areas and are they notorious for being a bit leaky etc? Next, what on earth is the 'Red Rose' spec and ideally do I want this? What should I really be looking out for when I go to view a car and is it wise for me to get to know my local TVR specialist or are they relatively trouble free in all honesty?
Many thanks for any help and stories of ownership offered up.
Many thanks for any help and stories of ownership offered up.
Rufus said:
Next, what on earth is the 'Red Rose' spec and ideally do I want this? What should I really be looking out for when I go to view a car and is it wise for me to get to know my local TVR specialist or are they relatively trouble free in all honesty?
Many thanks for any help and stories of ownership offered up.
Red Rose spec means its got a 4.0L engine as per the Sagaris. Many thanks for any help and stories of ownership offered up.
0-60 is officially 3.9s rather than 4.4s.
Older cars, newer cars... Doesn't make much difference as long as they've been well looked after. A car used daily should be better.
One that has had a rebuild will go for a bit more money, but if its got past 30k miles without it should be ok anyway. (Either they were built well, or poorly)
If it has had an engie upgrade it will be worth a big chunk more. 3 main upgrade paths - 4.3/4.5 from TVR Power and Str8t Six, and FFF from Racing Green. All give you more power and a 5 year warrenty.
Don't be put off by a car's interior, its easy to change, and if it looks awful you'll probably get a bit of a bargain. Just go for the best one you can afford.
Leave yourself a few quid for repairs / upgrades though. £1000 for a set of tyres, £800 for a major service...
Engine mounts seem to need replacing every 20k miles, and there are a few other bits that are considered consumable on TVR's that you wouldn't normally think about.
All in all, no where near as much trouble as the reputation suggests, and SOOOOOO much fun.
OK thanks chaps, some interesting reading. Sounds to me like these:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3862226.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3634605.htm (yes I know this one isn't a targa but have been thinking maybe that this isn't a necessity)
are the best two out there, despite neither being 'red rose' or upgraded in any way.
Anybody know anything about either of these cars? Also, I drive past Fernhurst TVR very regularly on the way to Goodwood and to the MIL's in Charlton, are they decent enough chaps to deal with, good service etc?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3862226.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3634605.htm (yes I know this one isn't a targa but have been thinking maybe that this isn't a necessity)
are the best two out there, despite neither being 'red rose' or upgraded in any way.
Anybody know anything about either of these cars? Also, I drive past Fernhurst TVR very regularly on the way to Goodwood and to the MIL's in Charlton, are they decent enough chaps to deal with, good service etc?
There is a ton of expertise on PH if you have specific technical questions. I am a mere owner not a tinkerer.
I can echo what you read here most often: Condition is everything. I've had a 3.6L T350c and presently have a Red Rose. There's not a great deal of difference in performance and the occasions when you really have the engine running flat out are rare (for me!) Both are great cars. But now they are all getting on a bit, the individual condition is all.
I bought privately this time but called the supplying dealer and looked at the receipts and service history. As a newcomer to TVR, a dealer vehicle would be best. In addition to looking at the work done, try to establish what needs to be done soon: Brakes; clutch; major service, etc.
Finally, don't let track day use bother you. These cars have race engines and properly treated, eat up track days. A car that has been molly-coddled may be no better than a high mileage one that is well cared for.
Good hunting!
I can echo what you read here most often: Condition is everything. I've had a 3.6L T350c and presently have a Red Rose. There's not a great deal of difference in performance and the occasions when you really have the engine running flat out are rare (for me!) Both are great cars. But now they are all getting on a bit, the individual condition is all.
I bought privately this time but called the supplying dealer and looked at the receipts and service history. As a newcomer to TVR, a dealer vehicle would be best. In addition to looking at the work done, try to establish what needs to be done soon: Brakes; clutch; major service, etc.
Finally, don't let track day use bother you. These cars have race engines and properly treated, eat up track days. A car that has been molly-coddled may be no better than a high mileage one that is well cared for.
Good hunting!
Hi there
If it's any help, I spend the last 18 months researching and looking at loads of different options before deciding on a T350(Noble, 911, Ferrari) but just didn't find anything that felt, looked an sounded as much as an 'event' for me so have just bought my first one too! Hopefully picking up in 13 days, 12 hours, nine minutes.......
There are loads of useful threads on here but nothing quite matches a test drive
I also was initially keen on a targa but ended up with a coupe based on condition so I'd echo the previous posts.
Good luck in the hunt
John
If it's any help, I spend the last 18 months researching and looking at loads of different options before deciding on a T350(Noble, 911, Ferrari) but just didn't find anything that felt, looked an sounded as much as an 'event' for me so have just bought my first one too! Hopefully picking up in 13 days, 12 hours, nine minutes.......
There are loads of useful threads on here but nothing quite matches a test drive
I also was initially keen on a targa but ended up with a coupe based on condition so I'd echo the previous posts. Good luck in the hunt
John
Rufus said:
Having seen one of these come flying past me today making an epic noise I have been looking through the classifieds with great interest. I've never owned a TVR before but am used to similar machinery; firstly, what are the main differences between early and later cars? I think i've decided that I want a T350t - the targa topped one as I do love having a bit of roof down however, does this detract in any way from the driving experience in other areas and are they notorious for being a bit leaky etc? Next, what on earth is the 'Red Rose' spec and ideally do I want this? What should I really be looking out for when I go to view a car and is it wise for me to get to know my local TVR specialist or are they relatively trouble free in all honesty?
Many thanks for any help and stories of ownership offered up.
Hiya - first off, good choice of car!Many thanks for any help and stories of ownership offered up.
If you want a targa, theres only around 80-90 on the road so a rare car and factory red rose cars (both in c & t form) number pretty much in the single digits so you may have a job there. The targa really does feel very open though isn't quite the same as full cabrio.
The post 04 engines are supposedly a little stronger, though personally I'd look for history and condition above this. A low mileage late car will not necessarily be a better buy than a well cared for but higher mileage early model.
late 03/early 04 saw a few changes, rear roller blind, recess in the boot, slightly revised engine, better mounts on the targa panels etc.
I would NOT want one without air-con, though I'm sure many without are happy.
Look out for uprated shocks (Nitrons, R/Reds are good), ally rads (originals are prone to leaks), new clutch and slave (£1200 to replace), FSH including tappets every 12k and also check for other work done around service time. It's rare for every service to be that only with no additional work - for example, engine mounts are pretty much as 12k or 2 year service item.
Full leather is a very nice to have, many cars are advertised with leather but in reality it's bison (vinyl).
As for rebuilds, there aren't 'that'many T350s with rebuilds which hopefully will tell you something. Warm them up properly and service them on time and they should be pretty strong.
I bought mine as a stop gap while the Griff project was being finished!
Now i can't part with the car period! Looks like a drop of water leaving a tap!
Sounds like Zues with a temper, decated with a sports exhaust!
Pipe and slipper's has a nice red rose which has just been reduced in price!
Piece of art with an engine, simples
Get yourself down to str8six on Saturday for their open day, should be some nice examples there and as much knowledge as any owner needs.
Good luck
Now i can't part with the car period! Looks like a drop of water leaving a tap!
Sounds like Zues with a temper, decated with a sports exhaust!
Pipe and slipper's has a nice red rose which has just been reduced in price!
Piece of art with an engine, simples
Get yourself down to str8six on Saturday for their open day, should be some nice examples there and as much knowledge as any owner needs.
Good luck
black11s said:
...£1000 for a set of tyres...
Really? The Toyos on mine work out at less than £600 a set fitted, Goodyears much the same - what are you fitting to yours? Just curious...I guess 888s or R1Rs are getting on for that money but they're not standard fitment!
Edited by darkmark07 on Thursday 17th May 20:19
jonesy said:
Not strictly true, there are a few 3.6RR engines. The RR spec means it has larger injectors and I think the factory cars left with big bore exhausts and a Tuscan S brake upgrades.
J.
having done extensive research on this i have been informed that the early cars were in fact blue printed engines[ PR excercise] with this proving to be a very costly move! With the later cars just being sent out as 4 Lt cars even though the log book said 3.6 red rose!J.
The injectors, brakes and exhaust were also uprated as stated, with the exhaust being welded as opposed to clamped at the rear section.
I am in the process of checking such a car, a late 2005 3.6RR. Str8six will be measuring the crank to confirm 3.6 or 4Lt.
Am happy to be corrected only going on info from ex factory boys!
I also bought on condition rather than age or mileage. For me it was important to have fully serviced to date with TVR specialists and invoices to back it up. This led me to a Targa although I was not intentionally looking for one. However with the open air feel and external engine/exhaust sound I would not swap her for a coupe. Also I incorrectly thought a rebuild was a necessity but appreciate now that it's al about keeping it well maintained and looked after e.g. Warming up properly
darkmark07 said:
Really? The Toyos on mine work out at less than £600 a set fitted, Goodyears much the same - what are you fitting to yours? Just curious...
I guess 888s or R1Rs are getting on for that money but they're not standard fitment!
I put on a set of Continetal Conti Sports. I think they were about £160 each at the front, and £180 at the back. Then VAT of course...I guess 888s or R1Rs are getting on for that money but they're not standard fitment!
Edited by darkmark07 on Thursday 17th May 20:19
If Toyo's are that much cheaper then I will be going that route next time!!
Conti's are good, but I hear Toyo's are too.
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