ownership realities
Discussion
I am thinking about returning to the TVR community. I have owned a couple of TVR's and loved them. The Chim 450 was used daily (over 10k miles per year) and all was fine but I didn't have the guts to try to use an early T350 on a daily basis plus I needed 4 seats fairly often so I went for a Mazda RX8. I will replace the RX8 in about 6months. I need to know realistically how practical a T350 could be. The choices will be; a nearly new T350 used most of the time (with my wife's car as the alternative when 4 seats are required) or an older T350 as a weekend car and some boring-mobile daily hack.
I welcome your comments.
I welcome your comments.
monty quick said:
I am thinking about returning to the TVR community. I have owned a couple of TVR's and loved them. The Chim 450 was used daily (over 10k miles per year) and all was fine but I didn't have the guts to try to use an early T350 on a daily basis plus I needed 4 seats fairly often so I went for a Mazda RX8. I will replace the RX8 in about 6months. I need to know realistically how practical a T350 could be. The choices will be; a nearly new T350 used most of the time (with my wife's car as the alternative when 4 seats are required) or an older T350 as a weekend car and some boring-mobile daily hack.
I welcome your comments.
I welcome your comments.
The T350 is about a million times more reliable than an Chim...
honahont350 said:
monty quick said:
I am thinking about returning to the TVR community. I have owned a couple of TVR's and loved them. The Chim 450 was used daily (over 10k miles per year) and all was fine but I didn't have the guts to try to use an early T350 on a daily basis plus I needed 4 seats fairly often so I went for a Mazda RX8. I will replace the RX8 in about 6months. I need to know realistically how practical a T350 could be. The choices will be; a nearly new T350 used most of the time (with my wife's car as the alternative when 4 seats are required) or an older T350 as a weekend car and some boring-mobile daily hack.
I welcome your comments.
I welcome your comments.
The T350 is about a million times more reliable than an Chim...
Yes, much more reliable. It's the bomb proof engine, 100k mile clutches etc etc that really impresses.
My t350 did prove reliable, but had similar niggles to my earlier Griff and now Chimaera.
However, get a '05 car that is under warranty would act as a decent daily driver (mine was for 12k miles).
An early car would have more issues, in my opinion.
Edited by _deejay_ on Wednesday 6th September 16:31
Owned my 05 plate T350 for about 3 weeks now.
Drive it into work occasionaly, always out in it on the weekends.
Only having had it for a shirt time no issues to report, apart from a rubber grommet flying off the rear tailgate.
Practicality wise I find it very useful. Can fit almost anything you'd need in the boot.
Even did a shopping trip to ikea, everything fitted ok along with the targa panels.
Drive it into work occasionaly, always out in it on the weekends.
Only having had it for a shirt time no issues to report, apart from a rubber grommet flying off the rear tailgate.
Practicality wise I find it very useful. Can fit almost anything you'd need in the boot.
Even did a shopping trip to ikea, everything fitted ok along with the targa panels.
I took delivery of my T350 2 years and 20,000 miles ago, almost to the day.
My only car and needed 7/7 to get to work each day (7 miles) and get home and back at the weekends (200 miles).
Here's the history:
A/C fixed now colder than my fridge!
Oil sensor (twice) - now no beeps!
Drivers door ECU replaced - now I can get out (have you ever tried getting in via the boot?)
Battery failed and replaced - ermmm I can drive it
Engine rebuit (Spun #5 main bearing) - ditto
Alternator fuse blown twice - ditto
Reverse switch failed - fixed and failed again (Must get it fixed or get a "beep, beep, beep" or a "This vehicle is reversing" thing fitted)
That may seem a lot of problems to some but it's part of the TVR thing and it's never put me off ownership.
Take this scenario:
Eurobox:
Obligatory scowl required at all times:
1) Open door
2) Get in
3) Insert key
4) Start car
5) Select gear
6) Drive off hard
7) Ask yourself "What car am I driving?"
8) Scowl an even harder scowl
TVR:
Obligatory Big Grin required at all times:
1) Open Door
2) Get in
3) Insert key and turn
4) Watch dials
5) Check guages
6) Press button on keyfob because you were too busy enjoying the surroundings in step 2
7) Start car
8) Listen to engine and exhaust
9) Check guages
10) Listen to engine and exhaust
11) Let it warm up for a few more seconds
12) Listen to engine and exhaust
13) Gently ease away and potter about until warmed up
14) Burn off the Euroboxes which are too busy thinking about why they're driving what they are driving
15) Grin an even bigger Grin!
Ok an exageration. I don't grin all the time - my cheeks would hurt.
In fact of all the cars I've owned, both the Tam and T350 have been the the most enjoyable ones to own.
So there!
PS: I showed a work mate the Tiv and even let him start it - the look on his face! I drove him home and the last thing he said to me was:
"Doesn't it bother you that everyone stares at you?"
LOL. We'd only driven 1/2 a mile to his house!
The answer.
No!
My only car and needed 7/7 to get to work each day (7 miles) and get home and back at the weekends (200 miles).
Here's the history:
A/C fixed now colder than my fridge!
Oil sensor (twice) - now no beeps!
Drivers door ECU replaced - now I can get out (have you ever tried getting in via the boot?)
Battery failed and replaced - ermmm I can drive it
Engine rebuit (Spun #5 main bearing) - ditto
Alternator fuse blown twice - ditto
Reverse switch failed - fixed and failed again (Must get it fixed or get a "beep, beep, beep" or a "This vehicle is reversing" thing fitted)
That may seem a lot of problems to some but it's part of the TVR thing and it's never put me off ownership.
Take this scenario:
Eurobox:
Obligatory scowl required at all times:
1) Open door
2) Get in
3) Insert key
4) Start car
5) Select gear
6) Drive off hard
7) Ask yourself "What car am I driving?"
8) Scowl an even harder scowl
TVR:
Obligatory Big Grin required at all times:
1) Open Door
2) Get in
3) Insert key and turn
4) Watch dials
5) Check guages
6) Press button on keyfob because you were too busy enjoying the surroundings in step 2
7) Start car
8) Listen to engine and exhaust
9) Check guages
10) Listen to engine and exhaust
11) Let it warm up for a few more seconds
12) Listen to engine and exhaust
13) Gently ease away and potter about until warmed up
14) Burn off the Euroboxes which are too busy thinking about why they're driving what they are driving
15) Grin an even bigger Grin!
Ok an exageration. I don't grin all the time - my cheeks would hurt.
In fact of all the cars I've owned, both the Tam and T350 have been the the most enjoyable ones to own.
So there!
PS: I showed a work mate the Tiv and even let him start it - the look on his face! I drove him home and the last thing he said to me was:
"Doesn't it bother you that everyone stares at you?"
LOL. We'd only driven 1/2 a mile to his house!
The answer.
No!
Fairclp - very true. I have had my 53 plate 14k for 3 months now. Love it to bits. Had a few niggles such as inaccurate oil and water sensor, plus the speedo stopped working (you need a road angel in these cars and that gives your speed so not a big issue). These were little jobs the dealer sorted out under warranty.
I would say it is worth buying through a dealer. Pay a little extra but you get a 1 year warranty thrown in and they have to do the 105 point check to make sure everything is right before the warranty will be issued.
I love the car so much, this is my first TVR, i am only 27 and had Lotus and Boxster S and this is just amazing.... I LOVE IT !!!
GET ONE !!!
I would say it is worth buying through a dealer. Pay a little extra but you get a 1 year warranty thrown in and they have to do the 105 point check to make sure everything is right before the warranty will be issued.
I love the car so much, this is my first TVR, i am only 27 and had Lotus and Boxster S and this is just amazing.... I LOVE IT !!!
GET ONE !!!
It's strange isn't it?
If things go wrong with our bland Euroboxes, we are furious.
A few little issues with our Tivs and that's "character"
I'm exactly the same. I get furious if people ask me if I have relaibility problems.
It's like they are being overly personal and have no right to ask.
The simple fact is - I have a T350 and it is fantastic. Definitely use it every day - your life will be richer (emotionally, perhaps not financially sadly)
If things go wrong with our bland Euroboxes, we are furious.
A few little issues with our Tivs and that's "character"
I'm exactly the same. I get furious if people ask me if I have relaibility problems.
It's like they are being overly personal and have no right to ask.
The simple fact is - I have a T350 and it is fantastic. Definitely use it every day - your life will be richer (emotionally, perhaps not financially sadly)
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