Warranty clarification

[jimw350]

I'm thinking about going for a T350 having test driven one last year - if you're not hooked after that then you must be dead! I've been looking through the forums to try and get a steer on what to look out for. I'm going to buy second hand and will appreciate some advice as to the warranty situation (I'm sure the SP6 won't go bang but it pays to be careful). Specifically answers to the following will be most gratefully received:

1. Has the warranty altered for 2005 cars - some people are talking about 3 yr warranties - others about one on the car and two years on the engine? If there has been a change and the warranty is transferrable do you know when the change occurred?

2. If I buy privately is the balance of the warranty transferrable?

3. Can I extend the warranty at all & if so what are the conditions?

That'll do for now. Thanks in advance.

Jim

[targarama]

The factory warranty on T350s before 1/3/05 was 2 years engine/drivetrain (whatever this really means) and 1 year bumper to bumper. After this date it is 3 years bumper to bumper.

I'm not convinced of the value of any aftermarket warranty.

To the best of my knowledge the factory warranty is transferable.

As for Speed Sixes going bang - you really should go into ownership with your eyes open. Chances are that it will go bang. Question is, at 20k or 50k miles? (I think we could all accept 50k).

One other thing - low miles do not mean a better car. Some cars with 20k in the first 2 years are probably better mechanically than ones with 5k on the clock. TVRs, like all sports cars thrive on being used. Lock them up and they spit the dummy out.

There are some serious bargains out there at the moment - you can afford to get a car which is perfect - don't accept knackered carpets/scratches/tired looking examples. Mine is as tight as new (OK, a few stone chips on the front but YKWIM) and so should any other carefully owned exmaple be!

[targarama]

BTW, Jim - to coin a phrase of Harry Enfield's "So, what are we driving these days?"

Might be good to see what you're moving from so we can tell what is better/worse ;-)

[jimw350]

Thanks for you reply - just what I was looking for. Any pointers gratefully received. As for current vehicles these are:

Audi V6 TT with DSG - fabulous build quality - don't care for DSG much but great tourer.

Renault MPV - got to put the kids somewhere - hate this a lot esp the crappy automatic parking brake - has a mind of its own.

Yamaha R1

and the car I am moving from for the TVR is a S1 Elise - sadly demised on my local moors.

I expect the T350 to be a fantastic drive - to have pretty poor build quality and to explode at some point ( as you say hopefully later rather than sooner). However nothing else comes close for me - like an elise with grunt - my perfect car.

Regards

Jim

[targarama]

A TT - ah. We have a TT in the stable too. Chalk and cheese.

TVRs do not have that bad build quality - some people make it sound like they fall to bits all the time. I've done 11,000 miles in 13 months and nothing has fallen off. I have had a few trim problems with rear lights needing resealing, door panels needing recovering, gear lever gaitor tearing (replaced now). Not the end of the world. Nothing stopped the car from running. In fact the mechanics have been faultless.

[jimw350]

Good to hear - it's just a shame that TVR couldn't put that little bit of extra effort in - the glovebox lid (what were they thinking...), the 350 boot badge and the grubby fingerprint glue marks here and there doesn't bother me though - still got to have one.

[targarama]

I never had an issue with the glovebox (mine is straight and doesn't pop open) or the rear badge (I've heard of these 'peeling').

I did have a lot of surplus glue on the trim. A wipe with white spirit sorted it ina few minutes for the whole car (I saw it as a bonding process ).

Get a car with at least the load cover mod if you can - that nice silver targa won't be hanging around long at Fernhursts by the look of it! Mind you, the interior is a bit dodgy IMO.

[kickass]

I thought the warranty on 2005 cars was 3 years engine but only 1 year bodywork!!

[jimw350]

Yes it looks nice - have to agree about the interior though. Just need to ask you about the 'load mod' - I have to show my ignorance here - will you enlighten me?

[targarama]

In the boot, the early cars had no cover for your luggage. Later ones do. It works like a roller blind and clips into place just below the rear window, thus hiding your laptop from scrotes.

[jimw350]

Ok - thanks for all your help.

Jim

>> Edited by jimw350 on Tuesday 19th July 15:51

[widjit]

jimw350 said:

Thanks for you reply - just what I was looking for. Any pointers gratefully received. As for current vehicles these are: Audi V6 TT with DSG - fabulous build quality - don't care for DSG much but great tourer. Renault MPV - got to put the kids somewhere - hate this a lot esp the crappy automatic parking brake - has a mind of its own. Yamaha R1 and the car I am moving from for the TVR is a S1 Elise - sadly demised on my local moors. I expect the T350 to be a fantastic drive - to have pretty poor build quality and to explode at some point ( as you say hopefully later rather than sooner). However nothing else comes close for me - like an elise with grunt - my perfect car. Regards Jim

Hi Jim,

I also moved from a TT (225 coupe) to a T350c. Best car move I made. Various ppl tried to persuade me to go 2nd user Porche. Tried a few and found they were a bit dull (rather like the Audi - and I agree a v. good motorway cruiser). Tried a t350 and was hooked.

As for expenses - well my last service was £900+ but I had more warrenty issues, mechanical failures and tatty bits of plastic trim fall off in the Audi than the TVR.
In 18 months of ownership the Audi had a split heater swich, rattles everywhere, broken wheel bearing, very horid notchy gearbox, 2 recalls, etc..

The TVR has had a few replacement oil sensors in 24 months.

I'm not saying they are all super reliable - but if you want the thrills go for the Tiv!

[targarama]

Widjit - tell the dweebs on the TT forum this. They make silly comments, yet most have never driven a TVR.

[jimw350]

widjit said:

jimw350 said: Thanks for you reply - just what I was looking for. Any pointers gratefully received. As for current vehicles these are: Audi V6 TT with DSG - fabulous build quality - don't care for DSG much but great tourer. Renault MPV - got to put the kids somewhere - hate this a lot esp the crappy automatic parking brake - has a mind of its own. Yamaha R1 and the car I am moving from for the TVR is a S1 Elise - sadly demised on my local moors. I expect the T350 to be a fantastic drive - to have pretty poor build quality and to explode at some point ( as you say hopefully later rather than sooner). However nothing else comes close for me - like an elise with grunt - my perfect car. Regards Jim Hi Jim, I also moved from a TT (225 coupe) to a T350c. Best car move I made. Various ppl tried to persuade me to go 2nd user Porche. Tried a few and found they were a bit dull (rather like the Audi - and I agree a v. good motorway cruiser). Tried a t350 and was hooked. As for expenses - well my last service was £900+ but I had more warrenty issues, mechanical failures and tatty bits of plastic trim fall off in the Audi than the TVR. In 18 months of ownership the Audi had a split heater swich, rattles everywhere, broken wheel bearing, very horid notchy gearbox, 2 recalls, etc.. The TVR has had a few replacement oil sensors in 24 months. I'm not saying they are all super reliable - but if you want the thrills go for the Tiv!

Thanks Jim,

I tried second hand Porkers too but was a bit disappointed - agree a bit too bland IMO - only test drove though so maybe better if given longer - however one drive in a T350 and it was clearly for me. I really wanted to like the Porsche so I didn't have to have 3 cars but just couldn't do it. By the way is £900 a typical service cost?