Wedge or V8S - Dilemma!
Discussion
Well I suppose with the greater variance in the wedge 'range', you get more choice. If you can live with the wacky or love-it-or hate-it styling, then you have either stock 3.5 up to SEAC's to choose from. The price of a sorted V8S will be roughly that of a sorted 390SE or 400SE I suppose (correct me if I'm wrong).
As for mechanics and electrics, I'll let the more experienced and knowledgable answer.
But put it this way, if I'd had decided to fork out about £8500 - £10000, I'd still be wedge-shaped
As for mechanics and electrics, I'll let the more experienced and knowledgable answer.
But put it this way, if I'd had decided to fork out about £8500 - £10000, I'd still be wedge-shaped
Exactly, V8S or 390/400? I like bits of all of them. e.g. 400 dash is a big improvement on 350.
I am a big fan of good handling and a rewarding drive, is there much between them? I found my brother's Chim and Griff very different.
Also having had a 3.9 V8 in my Westie I would prefer not to go back to a 3.5
I am a big fan of good handling and a rewarding drive, is there much between them? I found my brother's Chim and Griff very different.
Also having had a 3.9 V8 in my Westie I would prefer not to go back to a 3.5
To tell you the truth, a nice V8S was my personal goal when I started looking. For a very short time though.
Even with a 350i that's been kept original (well, as original as they get), you still have that whole stand out image and noise.
After about 3 weeks of owning mine, I had washed it and walked down the village only to come back into our back alley 'forgetting' I had left it out. When I clocked it as i just rounded the corner, I thought for an instant, "Fcucking nice car that mate!"
I know you're now less likely to take advice from someone who talks to themselves but they do look lovely from the front. Stonechips notwithstanding.
Even with a 350i that's been kept original (well, as original as they get), you still have that whole stand out image and noise.
After about 3 weeks of owning mine, I had washed it and walked down the village only to come back into our back alley 'forgetting' I had left it out. When I clocked it as i just rounded the corner, I thought for an instant, "Fcucking nice car that mate!"
I know you're now less likely to take advice from someone who talks to themselves but they do look lovely from the front. Stonechips notwithstanding.
I started TVR life with a wedge (1984 350i) and moved to a V8S. I still love the wedge, and appreciate that later wedges had many improvements. It is a much better put together car in terms of finish than the S which suffers from having started life as a 'cheaper' entry level TVR.
I enjoyed the brick sh*thouse nature of the wedge, but when my wife suggested that I look for something a bit newer, with more efficient brakes and a handbrake that worked the V8S was an obvious choice - just couldn't be without a V8 burble. The S hasn't got the crackle and pop of the wedge as the later air flow meter prevented that.
My wife found the wedge easier to drive, with better vision and seat position for reaching the pedals. Also it was more comfortable for a pony tail than the S!
The S handles much better than the wedge and is more fun to push to the limit, it gives better feedback, is more sympathetic before letting go and is lighter and quicker.
Taking off and stowing the roof is much better in the wedge, with space for a couple of bags in the boot too. The roof fills the boot in the S.
They are two very different cars with different fortes, it's a difficult call. I would go for the V8S but I could see myself going back to a wedge in the future. It would be a toss up between say a 450SE and a Griffith.
Steve
I enjoyed the brick sh*thouse nature of the wedge, but when my wife suggested that I look for something a bit newer, with more efficient brakes and a handbrake that worked the V8S was an obvious choice - just couldn't be without a V8 burble. The S hasn't got the crackle and pop of the wedge as the later air flow meter prevented that.
My wife found the wedge easier to drive, with better vision and seat position for reaching the pedals. Also it was more comfortable for a pony tail than the S!
The S handles much better than the wedge and is more fun to push to the limit, it gives better feedback, is more sympathetic before letting go and is lighter and quicker.
Taking off and stowing the roof is much better in the wedge, with space for a couple of bags in the boot too. The roof fills the boot in the S.
They are two very different cars with different fortes, it's a difficult call. I would go for the V8S but I could see myself going back to a wedge in the future. It would be a toss up between say a 450SE and a Griffith.
Steve
seb400 said:
I started TVR life with a wedge (1984 350i) and moved to a V8S. I still love the wedge, and appreciate that later wedges had many improvements. It is a much better put together car in terms of finish than the S which suffers from having started life as a 'cheaper' entry level TVR.
I enjoyed the brick sh*thouse nature of the wedge, but when my wife suggested that I look for something a bit newer, with more efficient brakes and a handbrake that worked the V8S was an obvious choice - just couldn't be without a V8 burble. The S hasn't got the crackle and pop of the wedge as the later air flow meter prevented that.
My wife found the wedge easier to drive, with better vision and seat position for reaching the pedals. Also it was more comfortable for a pony tail than the S!
The S handles much better than the wedge and is more fun to push to the limit, it gives better feedback, is more sympathetic before letting go and is lighter and quicker.
Taking off and stowing the roof is much better in the wedge, with space for a couple of bags in the boot too. The roof fills the boot in the S.
They are two very different cars with different fortes, it's a difficult call. I would go for the V8S but I could see myself going back to a wedge in the future. It would be a toss up between say a 450SE and a Griffith.
Steve
Have a look at my Griff at the Wedgefest and decide.
No, Wol's not for sale.
I'd just drive as many as you can/are allowed too 
and go for the best you can find wedge or V8S IMHO. I wouldn't unhappy with any of the SE's or SEACs, but have a sorted V8S myself and TBH nothing this side of a sorted 500 is that much quicker or more importantly fun to drive .
That last point is to me the essence of wedges and S's, they not overly expensive to buy, maintain and depreciate very slowly now. Most are FUN second/third cars and as such should bring a smile to your face from when you get it out of the garage to when you put it back, what ever one does that for you buy.
Harry
and go for the best you can find wedge or V8S IMHO. I wouldn't unhappy with any of the SE's or SEACs, but have a sorted V8S myself and TBH nothing this side of a sorted 500 is that much quicker or more importantly fun to drive . That last point is to me the essence of wedges and S's, they not overly expensive to buy, maintain and depreciate very slowly now. Most are FUN second/third cars and as such should bring a smile to your face from when you get it out of the garage to when you put it back, what ever one does that for you buy
. Harry
I don't think TVR ever matched the exhaust note of a big bad V8 wedge. Personally the looks don't do anything for me, and I think that chassis and suspension design has moved on since then. A V8S is lighter, it'll go better and handle better, it's newer and therefore more likely to be reliable and easier to find parts for. Technically, the V8S looks like the better car. But if the wedge sound and looks do it for you then all this becomes irrelevent as soon as you blip the throttle.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff