Picked up my T350 yesterday - a dream destroyed
Discussion
After owning a Griff and a Cerb I was somewhat reluctant to go down the 'newer car' route due to the well documented 'issues'.
I was torn between an SE Griff 500 (I loved my Griff) but ultimately decided to try something new but vowed to get a Griff at a later date.
So, I bit the bullet and bought a 10 month old T350c. After it being serviced and generally tarted up by Racing Green I collected the car yesterday.
What can I say - it's absolutely fantasic. So easy to drive and handles like a go kart. I had the geometry changed to the latest factory settings and it was sure footed even in torrential rain on my 200 mile journey home yesterday.
The Speed 6 is such a smooth and tractable engine I'm beginning to understand why people defend it, and why TVR have decided it's the future of their marque.
The 10 years difference between the RV8 cars and the t350 certainly shows (being a geek, I love the display) and I'm afraid I cannot see me ever swapping it for a Griff, SE or otherwise. My dream of a 2001 Griff, burbling along with the top down - gone forever!
The car's not perfect (I had a load of trim issues fixed before collection, the headlights steam up and the speedo sensor seems decidedly dodgy) but it's such a leap forwards I'll forgive it that. Like most TVR's, it just needs a little bit of attention to get it right.
Thanks to everyone involved in the sale and especially Martin at Racing Green who did a great job of the preparation.
Right, I'm off outside (in the rain) to wash it
I was torn between an SE Griff 500 (I loved my Griff) but ultimately decided to try something new but vowed to get a Griff at a later date.
So, I bit the bullet and bought a 10 month old T350c. After it being serviced and generally tarted up by Racing Green I collected the car yesterday.
What can I say - it's absolutely fantasic. So easy to drive and handles like a go kart. I had the geometry changed to the latest factory settings and it was sure footed even in torrential rain on my 200 mile journey home yesterday.
The Speed 6 is such a smooth and tractable engine I'm beginning to understand why people defend it, and why TVR have decided it's the future of their marque.
The 10 years difference between the RV8 cars and the t350 certainly shows (being a geek, I love the display) and I'm afraid I cannot see me ever swapping it for a Griff, SE or otherwise. My dream of a 2001 Griff, burbling along with the top down - gone forever!
The car's not perfect (I had a load of trim issues fixed before collection, the headlights steam up and the speedo sensor seems decidedly dodgy) but it's such a leap forwards I'll forgive it that. Like most TVR's, it just needs a little bit of attention to get it right.
Thanks to everyone involved in the sale and especially Martin at Racing Green who did a great job of the preparation.
Right, I'm off outside (in the rain) to wash it
trevorw said:
Sounds great, any piccies?? After you have washed it of course.
I haven't got any yet - it's a miserable day and a picture wouldn't do the paint justice (it's black, purple and green in the sunlight).
I've just got to figure out where I should go today now! I did 250 miles yesterday but am really looking forward to a warmer day when I can explore the performance....
Congratulations DeeJay 
I think there have been quite a few of us who umm'd and 'arrd about changing from a V8 to a S6, but once bitten, it's nigh on impossible to look back, the handling and power are definitely in a different league, and if you fit a sports exhaust too, you have the aural pleasure in the same vein of the V8, and then some!
I think there have been quite a few of us who umm'd and 'arrd about changing from a V8 to a S6, but once bitten, it's nigh on impossible to look back, the handling and power are definitely in a different league, and if you fit a sports exhaust too, you have the aural pleasure in the same vein of the V8, and then some!
niteowl said:
Great news glad to hear you're loving the car. The performance is awesome as you say.
I notice you have Reflex Charcoal ... same colour as mine !
What colour interior do you have ?
Judging from the picture on your profile, the same as you. It's basically green/cream (predominantly green though). I'll lookup the exact colours...
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Saturday 16th April 15:28
Well done that man. Its a great decision and one i took this time last year, and have never looked back.
Surely you,ve been out in it today, good weather good roads and lots of grins. I couldnt stop smiling last year when i drove mine home after buying it and still feel the same a year on.
where in yorkshire are you
Surely you,ve been out in it today, good weather good roads and lots of grins. I couldnt stop smiling last year when i drove mine home after buying it and still feel the same a year on.
where in yorkshire are you
nickfb1 said:
Well done that man. Its a great decision and one i took this time last year, and have never looked back.
Surely you,ve been out in it today, good weather good roads and lots of grins. I couldnt stop smiling last year when i drove mine home after buying it and still feel the same a year on.
where in yorkshire are you
I've had a quick drive out today - I'm on babysitting duty so couldn't go too far/quickly.
I'm in N.Yorks, but don't spend much time here (more Norfolk/London).
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Sunday 17th April 23:46
admoss said:
nice one DJ. I know exactly how you feel, having come here via S and Chimaera. World apart these newer motors... never look back.
I do like the newer cars, however having sat in DeeJay's yesterday, it feels so much more cramped than my Griffith. Just didn't seem to have the space to stretch my arms our enough, nor have straight enough legs. And headroom,
Guess if I upgrade to a newer TVR in the future it'll have to be the Saggyass, with the extra headroom lump
gingerprince said:
I do like the newer cars, however having sat in DeeJay's yesterday, it feels so much more cramped than my Griffith. Just didn't seem to have the space to stretch my arms our enough, nor have straight enough legs. And headroom,
Guess if I upgrade to a newer TVR in the future it'll have to be the Saggyass, with the extra headroom lump
Get a Targa - more headroom. Or remove the seat cushion/get a thinner cuhsion made.
The new cars also have a lot more room on the passenger side than the Griffith/Chimaera.
gingerprince said:
admoss said:
I do like the newer cars, however having sat in DeeJay's yesterday, it feels so much more cramped than my Griffith. Just didn't seem to have the space to stretch my arms our enough, nor have straight enough legs. And headroom,
Guess if I upgrade to a newer TVR in the future it'll have to be the Saggyass, with the extra headroom lump
You could always just put the seat back....
Mine's 2 clicks off the back (to avoid the squeaking caused by rubbing between the seat and the roll cage).
Had a good drive out today. The list of niggles is growing, but I like it more every time I drive it.
My speedo sensor is definately on its way out, the electric read out loses the plot entirely after about 110 (kph obviously).
So, niggles so far:
1) Speedo sensor
2) Catch on the compartment in the boot (which is crap). Looks adjustable though - this may even be fixable with my limited technical capacity!
3) Drivers window (doesn't seal correctly and rattles/squeaks)
Found a previous attmempted fix (a strip of velcro).
Racing Green fixed the same problem on the other side without the need for velcro so it was probably a bodge!
4) Headlight condensation (a lot) on both sides.
5) Gear gater falling off and is torn (new one on order)
6) Alarm - seems not to disable the immoboliser. Today I was sat in a car park attempting to start it with the engine turning over and fuel pump primed with no joy. Lock the car and unlock it again and it was fine
7) Drivers side emergency door release doesn't.
Erm, yes it does, didn't pull it hard enough!
I'm tempted to attempt to sort the drivers door out myself but don't want to make it any worse. I presume it'll need silicon sealing again once the door card is removed?
Hopefully the rest will be resolved on its next dealer visit and not reoccur. It would seem they're all common problems (but probably not on the same car at the same time).
Mechanically, it feels great - the engine, gearbox and steering and spot on (it a little light at the front end at high speed)
D (whose off to find a cinema far enough away to take the car - my local one is about 1/2 mile away).
Just had someone knock on the door to collect one of those free catalogues. He wanted to know if the car on the drive was an Aston Martin or a Ferrari (he thought TVR was the model!). When I told him he said the only other car he'd seem that was as beautiful was an e-type Jag.
edited to correct myself!
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Sunday 17th April 17:17
gingerprince said:
Why would I be any more likely to tollerate a squeak than you?
Tolerate? You couldn't even spell it (and you drive a Griff so will have gotten used to them
) I've just taken the seat cushion out (it's velcro'd in) and it does create a lot more headroom and isn't uncomfortable. I've also put the seat one notch further back and tilted the seat further upright to give more legroom so you'll have to try it at some point.
The one thing I can't figure out is that I'm taller than you, yet you need more head AND leg room
As already suggested, a Saggy-ass, t350t or Tamora will give you more headroom....
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Sunday 17th April 17:42
_DeeJay_ said:
You could always just put the seat back....
Mine's 2 clicks off the back (to avoid the squeaking caused by rubbing between the seat and the roll cage).
I stuck two small felt feet on the roll cage trim where the seat touches - stopped all squeaks.
_DeeJay_ said:
My speedo sensor is definately on its way out, the electric read out loses the plot entirely after about 110 (kph obviously).
A new sensor should solve this. Plus correct adjustment.
_DeeJay_ said:
2) Catch on the compartment in the boot (which is crap). Looks adjustable though - this may even be fixable with my limited technical capacity!
Mine works OK, but I can see how it could easily not (does that make sense?).
_DeeJay_ said:
3) Drivers window (doesn't seal correctly and rattles/squeaks)
Found a previous attmempted fix (a strip of velcro).
Racing Green fixed the same problem on the other side without the need for velcro so it was probably a bodge!
I hear this problem quite often. Guess I'm very lucky as mine are perfickly sealed. Removing the door seal once for cleaning (me, sad? yep!), I noticed there was a strip of ruber stuck to the b pillar under the seal, kind of forcing the seal to push outwards more along the top/rear side of the door glass. It was put there by the factory. Maybe something like this will help cure the problem.
_DeeJay_ said:
5) Gear gater falling off and is torn (new one on order)
Another common problem. Crap design and heat means the gaitor comes unstuck.
_DeeJay_ said:
Just had someone knock on the door to collect one of those free catalogues. He wanted to know if the car on the drive was an Aston Martin or a Ferrari (he thought TVR was the model!). When I told him he said the only other car he'd seem that was as beautiful was an e-type Jag.
Yeah, but he obviously knew flock all about cars.
They're all fixable, and don't stress me too much (apart from the headlights which aren't great in the dark now).
I was going to soundproof the door as well as adjust the window (but if I understand what you're saying, I'll need some silicon sealant too).
The compartment in the boot has a latch attached, which has a metal brace to hold it in place. Mine wasn't adjusted properly, so I removed the brace, moved it and tightened it. So that one's sorted.
It sounds like they all can be fixed in the next dealer visit who I must say were great with the niggles I spotted on the test drive. They've also ordered a leather gear gater to replace the fake leather on the old one (and matching handbrake trim) which was really surprising, and it was covered under warranty!
It seems like the original owner didn't return the car to be tweaked (he replaced it with a BMW M3 so perhaps it wasn't his cup of tea). I figure I'm having to iron out the new car gremlins which is fine. I've got a load of warranty left so it should be painless, wallet wise!
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Sunday 17th April 18:43
I was going to soundproof the door as well as adjust the window (but if I understand what you're saying, I'll need some silicon sealant too).
The compartment in the boot has a latch attached, which has a metal brace to hold it in place. Mine wasn't adjusted properly, so I removed the brace, moved it and tightened it. So that one's sorted.
It sounds like they all can be fixed in the next dealer visit who I must say were great with the niggles I spotted on the test drive. They've also ordered a leather gear gater to replace the fake leather on the old one (and matching handbrake trim) which was really surprising, and it was covered under warranty!
It seems like the original owner didn't return the car to be tweaked (he replaced it with a BMW M3 so perhaps it wasn't his cup of tea). I figure I'm having to iron out the new car gremlins which is fine. I've got a load of warranty left so it should be painless, wallet wise!
>> Edited by _DeeJay_ on Sunday 17th April 18:43
Despite the niggles its clear you are loving the car and have no regrets about changing. The car DOES look the dogs bks - what a nice colour (mine was the cooper s with kids gawping out the back on the A64 yesterday -although according to them the t350 looks too girly from the front!!!).
Congrats on making the decision - If you ever really miss that V8 burble I will be first in line to do a swap for a weekend.
Congrats on making the decision - If you ever really miss that V8 burble I will be first in line to do a swap for a weekend.
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