Discussion
Hi - I'm in the market for a T350. I've been for a test drive in this car already but I did think it looked a bit shabby round the edges, i'm guessing this is why it's a bit cheaper than some of the others. Does anyone on here know this car?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3782184.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3782184.htm
x100tus said:
Hi - I'm in the market for a T350. I've been for a test drive in this car already but I did think it looked a bit shabby round the edges, i'm guessing this is why it's a bit cheaper than some of the others. Does anyone on here know this car?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3782184.htm
That's very interesting. I've been planning to go and have a look at it for the last couple of weeks but kept dithering and never got around to it - mainly because of the interior. What was shabby? How did it drive? But sorry I don't actually know anything about it! http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3782184.htm
It was the thing that put me off in the photos too but I was in the area so dropped in to see it. Interior was definitely past its best, a few minor marks on the paintwork and kerbed offside alloy (I wasn't that keen on the alloys either), i'm sure he would sort this before sale though. It drove great but it's the first one i've driven so don't know what to compare against.
It's got some expensive extras - Nitrons, carbon airbox, Quaife diff, SP12 wheels. Tattiness is more likely a sign of use rather than neglect, a car can look stunning but be a dog underneath so make sure you're not passing up a stunning mechanical example. That said for a couple of k more you may get the best of both. However, I really don't like the interior and it is only half hide, bear in mind this is the most common place that YOU will see so it must be right for you.
Has it actually had a rebuild or a replacement engine? Might be an obvious answer but the ad doen't soecifically state rebuild.
I don't like the carbon centre console - I use that a lot as an armrest and can see carbon being bloody uncomfortable.
The ad also doesn't state if it has air-con as IMHO the heatsoak in these cars is immense and it's essential, even with a targa. Also bear in mind if the paintwork is tatty, spectraflair is harder and more expensive to touch up than standard paints. It's also not a colour I particularly like but again thats personal preference.
Has it actually had a rebuild or a replacement engine? Might be an obvious answer but the ad doen't soecifically state rebuild.
I don't like the carbon centre console - I use that a lot as an armrest and can see carbon being bloody uncomfortable.
The ad also doesn't state if it has air-con as IMHO the heatsoak in these cars is immense and it's essential, even with a targa. Also bear in mind if the paintwork is tatty, spectraflair is harder and more expensive to touch up than standard paints. It's also not a colour I particularly like but again thats personal preference.
I think that sounds like pretty damned good value!
Nitrons are £1,500 fitted (+VAT) and worth every penny.
The 4.0L Power engine (whether its a rebuild or not) is a huge plus point.
Personally, I like the exterior colour...
The interior on the other hand is absolutely foul, however, bear this in mind... All these cars are getting on for 7-10 years old, and all the interiors (good colours or bad) were poor to begin with and are now looking shabby.
I'm in the process of getting my T350 re-trimmed. To do the entire car, in whatever colours you want, seats, doors, dash, carpets the lot, 100%, is about £3,000.
You'll then have the most perfect car you can imagine. It will even smell like a new car.
If you get the colour right, you'll almost certainly recoup a fair chunk of the money when you come to sell it too.
I don't pretend to know as much as most on here about the cars, but the whole ownership thing is different to other cars. You will feel far more attached to this than probably anything else you've ever had, and will want to change this and that anyway.
Also, bear in mind that these cars' values are more dependent on spec level and maintenance history than age or mileage.
Any other £20k sports car you can buy will cost you £3k a year (or more) in depreceiation. These are actually appreciating. (Whilst that's not a reason to buy one, it does make you feel better as you spend money on upgrades each year).
Nitrons are £1,500 fitted (+VAT) and worth every penny.
The 4.0L Power engine (whether its a rebuild or not) is a huge plus point.
Personally, I like the exterior colour...
The interior on the other hand is absolutely foul, however, bear this in mind... All these cars are getting on for 7-10 years old, and all the interiors (good colours or bad) were poor to begin with and are now looking shabby.
I'm in the process of getting my T350 re-trimmed. To do the entire car, in whatever colours you want, seats, doors, dash, carpets the lot, 100%, is about £3,000.
You'll then have the most perfect car you can imagine. It will even smell like a new car.
If you get the colour right, you'll almost certainly recoup a fair chunk of the money when you come to sell it too.
I don't pretend to know as much as most on here about the cars, but the whole ownership thing is different to other cars. You will feel far more attached to this than probably anything else you've ever had, and will want to change this and that anyway.
Also, bear in mind that these cars' values are more dependent on spec level and maintenance history than age or mileage.
Any other £20k sports car you can buy will cost you £3k a year (or more) in depreceiation. These are actually appreciating. (Whilst that's not a reason to buy one, it does make you feel better as you spend money on upgrades each year).
Personally don;t know anything about the car, but if it's history stacks up, seems like a lot of car for the money with all the right mods done. Had a T350C without aircon, now got a Sag with aircon, and it's important in these cars, although maybe the Targa compensates for this ?? It can be fitted for about £2k tho.
As above, if it's mechanically sound, and with all those upgrades, then the trim and paint condition are easy to sort and at £3k for a completely leather and new carpet re-trim in the colours you like (red and black will work really well), you'll have an amazing car you chose the interior yourself..
As above, if it's mechanically sound, and with all those upgrades, then the trim and paint condition are easy to sort and at £3k for a completely leather and new carpet re-trim in the colours you like (red and black will work really well), you'll have an amazing car you chose the interior yourself..
Unlike Zippee, for me the targa makes up just fine for having no aircon. Every time over 15 degrees I take the panels off anyway because I love the diffrence in driving experience that it makes. The only time when the heat leaking into the cabin is too much is in a serious traffic jam with 25+ degrees. It happened to me only once because I do not generally drive the car on traffic prone highways or big jammed cities. Just think about how when and where you will use the car and based on that an aircon might or might not be needed.
x100tus said:
Hi - I'm in the market for a T350. I've been for a test drive in this car already but I did think it looked a bit shabby round the edges, i'm guessing this is why it's a bit cheaper than some of the others. Does anyone on here know this car?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3782184.htm
Hello mate http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3782184.htm
The guy who had that car is a piston head member swampi. Si is his name he has quite a few posting on here he sold it now a BMW owner hope this helps
Thanks for all the advice guys...decided to go for it today. Mechanically the car seemed top notch. It's had the TVR power rebuild to 4.0 and the carbon airbox. As you all say, the interior can be replaced which is what i'll probably do if I get sick of it. RedSpike66 that's the kind of interior i'd like to get. Do you know of any companies that do this kind of interior?
There's a few 'trim' threads on here, see if the search works !
D&C trim, probably regarded as the best, and the most expensive I think.
TrackVRoad know of a very good trimmer, great alternative, a fair bit cheaper..
Dave the Trimmer had an open day earlier this month... Milton Keynes way.. look in TVR Events for the recent thread
Member egoold had his car re-trimmed up Scotland way a few months ago..
And there's a few other good trimmers about from some recent threads in the TVR forums..
Leather for TVRs typically comes from Andrew Muirhead (Scotland) - top supplier apparently
D&C trim, probably regarded as the best, and the most expensive I think.
TrackVRoad know of a very good trimmer, great alternative, a fair bit cheaper..
Dave the Trimmer had an open day earlier this month... Milton Keynes way.. look in TVR Events for the recent thread
Member egoold had his car re-trimmed up Scotland way a few months ago..
And there's a few other good trimmers about from some recent threads in the TVR forums..
Leather for TVRs typically comes from Andrew Muirhead (Scotland) - top supplier apparently
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