Wanted - my next wedge! Yay

[PHJayV8]

Right, the Corvette has been sold, and I'm on the hunt for my next wedge

My budget is £5000, and that's a budget not a target.

Alas, the really nice 390s and 400s are beyond my budget, therefore it seems another 350i is on the cards

I quite like Bespoke Performance's black one on here, grey interior, revolution alloys, anyone know or have any experience with this car?

Of course I'd be open to suggestions or alternatives out there I may have missed on the interweb.

Can't wait to experience TVR again

Look forward to your comments

Jay

PS - get me a good 'un, I'm guaranteed to attend BBWF '14

Edited by PHJayV8 on Sunday 25th August 08:38

[Rockettvr]

Well there's a few to choose from at the moment!! I like the look of the black one too also the blue one in Essex and the red one in Norfolk look well presented and might be worth considering. On the bay is cheddars silver supercharged wedge (although slightly over your budget). With the summer almost over prices should be softening a little too so a good chance to haggle hard for a bargain Good luck

[Number 7]

I used to own the one at bespoke (D337 BCW) - bought it in 1990 and sold it in March 1998 to a chap from Luton. I put the Revolutions on it when I dinged one of the original wheels and couldn't source a straight used one - they're standard size - 7 x 15. I made a few other mods to it over the years - from memory twin radiator fans and a Kenlowe hotstart system. The colour is Nero metallic black with grey half leather. It was also featured in Autocar in '92. If you're interested I'll see what else I can remember.

[c pryor]

I used to own the red one in Norfolk, regretted selling it, waited some years hoping it would appear for sale again, gave up waiting and bought a 350i in June of this year. Casually browsing through PH classifieds a couple of weeks ago and what appears for sale.................

[Wedg1e]

Buy a not-so-nice 390SE and sort it out over time?

[PHJayV8]

Thanks all

Number 7, if I may ask, do you think it's a good buy?

Any problems or faults during your ownership I should be aware of?

Is the chassis good? (lol, I'm going to be sick of asking this last question during my hunt)

Regards

Jay

PS - Comments from others also more than welcome

Rockettvr - that's sound advice, many thanks

c Pryor - that's Sod's law same when you've bought one, then your dream comes available, same questions to you too, if you'd be so kind

Wedg1e - thanks, but I'd prefer as sorted as I can afford

Edited by PHJayV8 on Sunday 25th August 13:25

Edited by PHJayV8 on Sunday 25th August 13:40

[PHJayV8]

Ah, just been advised there is an interested party for the black one, it could be imminently sold :/ I'll keep you updated

[Number 7]

PHJayV8 said:

Thanks all

Number 7, if I may ask, do you think it's a good buy?

Any problems or faults during your ownership I should be aware of?

Is the chassis good? (lol, I'm going to be sick of asking this last question during my hunt)

Regards

Jay

PS - Comments from others also more than welcome

I don't really pay much attention to used values, so it would be a bit unfair of me to comment. It looks pretty much as I remember, although the 400 exhaust rear section and outlet which I fitted has been changed back to a standard 350i version. I never needed the outriggers done, but bear in mind how many years have elapsed since. I had the cam, tappets and timing chain replaced in '93 with a Rovercraft RC87 item. Strange that there are no under bonnet shots. The only significant problems whilst I owned it: I had a clutch friction plate break, so that was replaced, an otter switch fail, but no overheating as a result, and the alloy diff beam broke, which I replaced. I did a lot of maintenance myself, the usual stuff like UJ's, wheel bearings, slave and master cylinders, brake discs and pads, plugs, oil and filters. I was fastidious about warming the car up (partly why I fitted the Hotstart system) and I never exceeded 2,500 RPM until the engine was hot - there was a sticker in the windscreen to remind the driver of that. I also fitted Spax gas adjustable dampers and new springs all round, and braided brake lines all round. I had a professionally fitted remote central locking system and Gamma microwave alarm (allowing it to be armed with the roof down). I did 4 trackdays in the car whilst I owned it, without any problems or incidents. One thing which I would comment on is that the advert says 5 previous owners, although it's not clear whether that includes the last owner - could this be on SOR? Anyway, I've still got a copy of the registration document, and I was the 5th owner, and the chap to whom I sold it in '98 would have been the 6th owner. The advert says last owner for 8 years, i.e. since 2005,so he would be the 7th owner. I would also mention that I replaced the speedo in 1995 after the original failed. The old unit showing about 52K miles was passed on to my buyer. I don't have a note of what the mileage was when I sold the car, but based on previous readings, I would estimate it would have been around 17-20K miles. Obviously mileage and owners are relevant, but condition is paramount. The only other thing I recollect is that a few months after selling it the buyer got in touch enquiring whether it had ever had a gearbox rebuild - which it hadn't - as I think he was looking at getting it done. Hope this helps.

[Rockettvr]

Another possibility ? http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/tvr-...

[mrzigazaga]

Rockettvr said:

Another possibility ? http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/tvr-...

A bargain at that price!!...Ziga

[tunepipe911]

since I own a 350 myself(and a 3000s),I still believe these cars are a real value for money,
if you see at what prices other cars sell for?
If I only had more space (and money)there would be more off these at home,

[PHJayV8]

tunepipe911 said:

since I own a 350 myself(and a 3000s),I still believe these cars are a real value for money,
if you see at what prices other cars sell for?

You're right and so are Corvettes.... OMG I'm fancying another one, wish I could stick with one thing! lol

[PHJayV8]

I know it's not a wedge, but tempted by this:-

EBay item - 221272745156

[smash]

But it's nowhere near as striking as that black wedge @£5k and it won't do those bangs and pops!

I'm supposed to be keeping track on buying an Esprit but I keep on looking at black wedges and this thread isn't helping! Why oh why did they stick that spoiler (very aptly named) on that black 390SE in Kent

[PHJayV8]

smash said:

But it's nowhere near as striking as that black wedge @£5k and it won't do those bangs and pops!

I'm supposed to be keeping track on buying an Esprit but I keep on looking at black wedges and this thread isn't helping! Why oh why did they stick that spoiler (very aptly named) on that black 390SE in Kent

Sounds like you're in the same quandary as me lol

PS - which black wedges you talking about? One is within my budget

[ElvisWedgely]

I have a black Wedge for sale on PistonHeads. Compared to the other black wedge mine in newer, more powerful, less miles, documented history, original wheels, used daily, fortune spent and the list goes on. Yes, the price is a little higher, but hey, prices can be negotiated.

Tony. TCB.

[Wedg1e]

smash said:

But it's nowhere near as striking as that black wedge @£5k and it won't do those bangs and pops!

I'm supposed to be keeping track on buying an Esprit but I keep on looking at black wedges and this thread isn't helping! Why oh why did they stick that spoiler (very aptly named) on that black 390SE in Kent

The TVR wedge is better value than the overpriced Esprit. I had a S3 2.2 alongside my 390SE and the Esprit just wasn't as much of an occasion to drive. Did its thing very well of course, but there was a distinct lack of excitement for me.

As they all suffer from the same basic faults, a 390SE for not much more than a 350i is the way to go. If nothing else you have the rarity and 1980s power-dressing

I imagine most buyers fear the 390SE will cost them arms and legs if the engine breaks but it's not significantly more expensive to rebuild one of those than a cooking 3.5L; the only real advantage the 350i has is that you can drop an SD1 or RangeRover engine straight in and not notice much difference. Doing the same to a 390SE would be like putting a VW Beetle engine into a 911

[PHJayV8]

Wedg1e - that seems to be the impasse I'm in, I could buy a really nice 350i right now, just like my old one, but then I'll end up with another 350i, I know they're great cars, but would like to try another of the marque or dare I say even a Chimaera.....

There seems to be a jump between these and the 390s and 400s, and I prefer to get a good 'un.

Unfortunately the Corvette didn't sell for as much as I'd hoped, which has dented my disposable budget.

However as the season closes, I can wait for just the right car, and one that I really want, not one that will do for now

Jay

[smash]

Wedg1e said:

The TVR wedge is better value than the overpriced Esprit. I had a S3 2.2 alongside my 390SE and the Esprit just wasn't as much of an occasion to drive. Did its thing very well of course, but there was a distinct lack of excitement for me.

As they all suffer from the same basic faults, a 390SE for not much more than a 350i is the way to go. If nothing else you have the rarity and 1980s power-dressing

I imagine most buyers fear the 390SE will cost them arms and legs if the engine breaks but it's not significantly more expensive to rebuild one of those than a cooking 3.5L; the only real advantage the 350i has is that you can drop an SD1 or RangeRover engine straight in and not notice much difference. Doing the same to a 390SE would be like putting a VW Beetle engine into a 911

Stop it! La-la-la-la-la not listening, lol! I do like the look of that 390SE on car and classic (the whole gold/black thing) but it's just that spoiler, no way could I live with that. Erm....how do they attach?


@PHjayV8 - Besides that £5k Black 350i on PH there's this one up for offers on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-TVR-350i-V8-Metalli... - not keen on the alloys or red pin striping but pin striping is easy fix to silver like Bespoke Performance car and the chassis has had resto supposedly. Just the wheels then!

Edited by smash on Monday 26th August 13:46

[PHJayV8]

smash - I like the spoiler... it's so 80's like the Sierra Cosworth

Not so keen on the price though, no I'm not saying it's not worth that, just that I can't afford it

Thanks for the heads up on the black one, applied to list

Jay

Edited by PHJayV8 on Monday 26th August 13:51