A rather worrying thread

[kmpowell]

One of the cars on my S2000 replacement list is a Series 2 Exige, and whilst on the SELOC forum this week researching, this thread* appeared...

http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=47095 (you have to quickly register to view)

To be honest the thread has not inspired any confidence in me for a possible T350 purchase and has left quite a bitter taste in the mouth of quite a few people who have had direct contact with TVR.

What are your opinions on some of the things being said or are they really that bad and are owned just 'for teh love of it'? Is there such a thing as a 'fine' Speed Six engine?

Cheers
Kevin

* PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont register just to do the 'my car is better than your car' response! Forums warring does nothing constructive for the places involved.

[_Deejay_]

That topic has been done to death on numerous occasions.

I'd advise you to use the search function to find them.

Having said that, if that topic scares you it might be fruitless reading the Speed 6 threads on here!

New cars have a 3 year engine warranty and older cars had a 2 year engine warranty. If you're that worried you could get a newer car?

[chris watton]

Kevin, what you have to bear in mind is that, when people use any forum, it is 'usually' for a gripe of one sort or another, now I have seen BMW and Audi forums with owners slating their cars because of one thing or another; there was even a dedicated website for the AudiTT set up because many were so unhappy with the car!
Likewise, when you search the forum, you will find a lot of material relating to people wanting help or advice because of a problem they have. It isn't just TVR, its accross the car manufacturers' board!
I think the general feeling is that the 3.6 Speed Six is, on the whole, pretty reliable considering the power output it produces, and for the power, the services ar not that extortionate. There are a lot of people on here that use their car on a regular basis, and they seem all the better for it, again, this is 'on the whole'
Hope that helps, a little

[targarama]

I didn't register to read the thread but it sounds like it is about the Speed Six being a dog. The early Speed Six engines were certainly very highly prone to going bang. Let's not worry about why, the issue is that TVR released a beta version of the engine onto the market in my opinion. This completely ruined the Tuscan's reputation.

Every year's production seemed to bring about an improvement in the engine's reliability - since the advent of the T350/Tamora I've not read about many going wrong at all. Probably about the same number of Elise engines (in their various K series outputs - not the Toyota engine - I assume this is reliable).

2003/2004 onwards cars seem to be sorted mechanically. For instance, I know it's early days but my car has now done 7,500 miles in 8 months and is getting stronger and stronger.

Only time will tell if TVR have sorted the problem, but many of us think it's sorted enough now.

I think the Lotus owners are a bit jealous that TVR are actually making a better car that competes in handling terms with their cars while blowing (most of their models) away in all other areas.

[chris watton]

Oh, yes, also, other car marques' forums love to slate other marques other than their own, however, if you look at the Lotus BBS forum, there is a long history of problems with Lotus cars, HGF being quite prominent, but that would not stop me buying an Elise if I wanted one, as the problems are relatively few and far between - cold comfort for the unlucky owners, but these are the ones that shout loudest (and I would too if it happened to me!), and make the most impact, whilst the thousands of owners who have never had a prob do not say a word!

[blueyes]

Hmmm.. I read the thread and frankly, we've had much more exciting S6 arguments than that!

My only comment is:

2003 T350c, 24k miles, no problems.

You can have it for 25k but only because the accountant is bugging me about having too many cars.

[kmpowell]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I suppose my worries are becasue the cars are either REALLY bad or REALLY good in terms of reliability in the engines, there is nothing in between. I really dont want to get lumbered with a bad car that i cant shift.

What has made me query it in mind even more is when we were at Williams Automobiles yesterday picking up my mates brand new S2 Exige. They used to be an Authorised TVR dealer and when i queried if they did them anymore, they said no and they were glad to be rid. I mentioned i was thinking of getting a T350 and they said that the S6 engine was fine for about 10k milea and then would need a rebuild!?

All in all i am recognising the risks now and am weighing them up against the pros.

Cheers again
Kevin

>> Edited by kmpowell on Monday 2nd May 19:53

[targarama]

kmpowell said:

Thanks for the replies guys. I suppose my worries are becasue the cars are either REALLY bad or REALLY good in terms of reliability in the engines, there is nothing in between. I really dont want to get lumbered with a bad car that i cant shift. What has made me query it in mind even more is when we were at Williams Automobiles yesterday picking up my mates brand new S2 Exige. They used to be an Authorised TVR dealer and when i queried if they did them anymore, they said no and they were glad to be rid. I mentioned i was thinking of getting a T350 and they said that the S6 engine was fine for about 10k milea and then would need a rebuild!? All in all i am recognising the risks now and am weighing them up against the pros. Cheers again Kevin >> Edited by kmpowell on Monday 2nd May 19:53

I think in the early days of the speed six you had to be VERY lucky to get a really good engine (in terms of lasting more than 20-25k miles). Nowadays I am of the opinion you would have to be really unlucky to get a really bad engine.

I'm sure many dealers were hit hard by angry customers threatening litigation etc. in the early days.

[matty_boy]

I won't say too much about it, but I wouldn't listen to Williams too closely. I bought my TVR from them and, apart from their friendly and attentive service, was very dissapointed, especially with their level of knowledge and, er... honesty. I've spoken to TVR Blackpool about them as well, and advise you not to be overly concerned about Williams's criticisms of the marque.

Regarding reliability, while mine's an AJPV8, I'd agree that TVRs are generally hit and miss. I've gone 16k miles and, although I've had a fair few problems, the pleasure far outweighs the occasional technical hiccup. Mine's at Power now and although it's there because it broke down, I still can't wait to get it back and drive it again!

[blueyes]

kmpowell said:

What has made me query it in mind even more is when we were at Williams Automobiles yesterday picking up my mates brand new S2 Exige. They used to be an Authorised TVR dealer and when i queried if they did them anymore, they said no and they were glad to be rid. I mentioned i was thinking of getting a T350 and they said that the S6 engine was fine for about 10k milea and then would need a rebuild!?

Think about it. You were a potential customer for one of their cars and were thinking about buying something they don't sell. What else would they say?

[stevenleith]

kmpowell said:

One of the cars on my S2000 replacement list ....

Didn't you nearly buy my S2000 off me about a year ago? I have a T350 now - bought new last September and absolutely no mechanical problems so far (touch wood!) apart from the usual speedo problems!!

Good luck with any purchase...!

>> Edited by stevenleith on Thursday 5th May 18:35

[kmpowell]

stevenleith said:

kmpowell said: One of the cars on my S2000 replacement list .... Didn't you nearly buy my S2000 off me about a year ago? I have a T350 now - bought new last September and absolutely no mechanical problems so far (touch wood!) apart from the usual speedo problems!! Good luck with any purchase...! >> Edited by stevenleith on Thursday 5th May 18:35

Hi Steven

Yes thats me who nearly bought your car. I ended up with this one in the end that is now for sale. www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=39386&s=327

I have been looking at T350's (see my other threads) and am 99% sure im going for one now