T350 / Speed Six - Reassurance Sought Please

[Pharoah]

Hi - new here having had an Elise and an Exige felt it time to move on to something a bit more powerful :cool:.


I am looking for a T350 T but before I take the plunge can I have some reassurance from owners re engine reliabilty on the Speed Six.

I understand the engines are better in the later cars 2003 onwards - is this true?. I was told the valves or something were changed which was a cause of problems in the early Speed Six engines. Are there any owners whom have or haven't had engine problems in their T350 or am I letting myself in for a headache.

It wouldn't be a new car - probably a 53 plate so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Not to concerned about other minor niggles - hey I have had Lotus's for 3 years so used to the odd rattle etc but it the engine that concerns me.

Many Thanks and hope to be an owner soon!

[bjwoods]

Best to check out this forum;

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=152&h=0

Covered in great detail;

[purssey]

I have owned an 02 plated Tamora since mid January have done 7000 miles since then car has 17k on clock. Oil pressure was early concern but have got used to it, went to zero on start-up (although was up to temperature) one day listened carefully drove carefully no problem called Dream Machines they reckoned a dodgy sensor, I agreed, will replace at 18k service. Pressure now settled down have not seen zero again. Does not burn oil as one is told but I keep bottle of water in car to top-up header tank. Might overheat in middle of Sahara so I tend not to go there. Flywheel timing sensor was replaced overnight by Dream M/Cs and no charge after timing went array. Basically 7k ear to ear grinning fabulous miles don't hesitate get one you'll never want anything else. I don't.......... except a Sagaris.

[MW666]

jUST COME FROM AN ELISE TOO AND WANT TO GET INTO A 350T/C. I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS AS THE PREVOIUS POST. CAN ANYONE SAY WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IN QUALITY IS BETWEEN A PRE AND POST WHEELER CAR? SAT IN A NEW SAGARIS ON THURSDAY AND THERE WERE SOME QUALITY ISSUE'S WITH IT!? I CAN PUT UP WITHNTHE ODD CREEK BUT NOT A CAR THQAT WILL SPEND IT'S LIFE IN A GARAGE AS I DO NOT HAVE A LOAD OF CARS AND WANT TO USE THIS ONE REGULARLY. PLEASE ADVISE

[targarama]

Personally my May 2004 car (so Wheeler era) seems identical to a Smolenski era car (post Wheeler era). I see no visual indication of any changes whatsoever.

Many journos tested the Sagaris and said what an advance in quality it is. I drove 2 new Sagaris' (and have drooled and sniffed around many too). Quality seems about the same to me.

So what I'm saying is that a 2003/2004 car is probably as good as a brand new one quality-wise. They're still hand make out of GRP and use the same interior trim panels, windowsm, light cluster assemblies and screws/fastenings as far as I can see.

[chris watton]

targarama said:

Many journos tested the Sagaris and said what an advance in quality it is. I drove 2 new Sagaris' (and have drooled and sniffed around many too). Quality seems about the same to me. .

I have just had a visit and long conversation with an aquaintence of mine who happens to own a TVR approved bodyshop repair company. He said that the T350s/Tams appear to be pretty solid in overall quality and fit, but the amount of brand new Sagaris' he has had do repair work under warranty is quite shocking! 3 in the last week alone!

[chapmancolin]

You're right to ask.After 2 Elise '01+'03,I'm victim of the same dilemma,with two handicaps: I'm living in France , my next dealer is 400 Km away
But after 3 years of reading all threads,3 Continental Meetings, kmpowell and the replies made me crackdown definitively.
Next spring, I'll DO IT