First T350T test drive.
Discussion
I finally had a test drive in a T350. Was thinking about changing my Exige S2 for one back last April and now i have finally driven one...WOW what a car. It blew me away. It was an '04' car in Spectraflair silver with red and black leather and had the red rose on as well. The gob full of power just made me want to never give it back. It was a bit nervous compaired to the Exige but learning to drive it would be part of the fun.
The car had 13000 miles on it, two owners, immaculate and a warrenty for 6 months and was up for £25,495 at Parva cars in Chepstow. The car was apparently PX for a Porsche at the local Porsche dealer and Parva bought it off them.
I have two concerns, 1st is that the dealer is not a TVR specialist or main dealer so probably doesn't now the ins and out of TVR cars and two the amount of money I've been offered for my Exige. My car is 10 months old with only 3000 miles on the clock and it would seem I've lost the best part of 10k...no more new cars for me.....so will have to put the Exige on Piston Heads etc and see what happens.
In the mean time I will have a look at a few more T350 for around 23k to 24k as there are a number of cars in this price range for sale at the moment a number of which were for sale when I was looking in April...does this mean they are no good or is it that the market is just not there for the T350.
The car had 13000 miles on it, two owners, immaculate and a warrenty for 6 months and was up for £25,495 at Parva cars in Chepstow. The car was apparently PX for a Porsche at the local Porsche dealer and Parva bought it off them.
I have two concerns, 1st is that the dealer is not a TVR specialist or main dealer so probably doesn't now the ins and out of TVR cars and two the amount of money I've been offered for my Exige. My car is 10 months old with only 3000 miles on the clock and it would seem I've lost the best part of 10k...no more new cars for me.....so will have to put the Exige on Piston Heads etc and see what happens.
In the mean time I will have a look at a few more T350 for around 23k to 24k as there are a number of cars in this price range for sale at the moment a number of which were for sale when I was looking in April...does this mean they are no good or is it that the market is just not there for the T350.
In my opinion the T350 is one of the most under-rated cars of all time. There is a quantum jump between the V8 Griffiths/Chimaeras and the T350. There is much less of a difference between the Sagaris and the T350. The T350 is a road-going race car, although it does not have the street presence of the Sagaris. There has been so much shouting by Sagaris owners about the Sagaris, many of whom have neither driven let alone owned a T350, the latter has been almost overlooked. It represents staggering value for money in terms of looks, performance and experience. And I waited until I sold mine before I made that comment.
They certainly are fun. They look a lot tighter and sexy than a Sagaris too, which is TVR's Noble/Halfords bolt-on special in the looks department.
Prices are only depressed due to a lack of buyers. Even if the cars you mention were 20k they probably wouldn't sell any faster.
I'd suggest if you buy private or from a dealer that you get an inspection carried out by a TVR dealer with the plan to take out a TVR extended warranty on the car if you buy it. Even if you don't take the warranty out the inspection would show up any issues.
The best warranty is TVR's extended one which can include wear and tear (option). Its expensive though. There are many aftermarket warranties for less but they won't cover you so well.
Prices are only depressed due to a lack of buyers. Even if the cars you mention were 20k they probably wouldn't sell any faster.
I'd suggest if you buy private or from a dealer that you get an inspection carried out by a TVR dealer with the plan to take out a TVR extended warranty on the car if you buy it. Even if you don't take the warranty out the inspection would show up any issues.
The best warranty is TVR's extended one which can include wear and tear (option). Its expensive though. There are many aftermarket warranties for less but they won't cover you so well.
You would love a TVR i recently changed from a 111R to a T350C, you are right in that they do not handle as well as a Lotus, but road presence i think, and performance is better and the interiour is far superior.
I recently fitted a set of Nitron shocks, this has made the car far more stable.
My Lotus was for sale for a whole year with no takers i ended up trading it at Wilsons down in Romford Essex, the only dealer offering realistic money, but still hurt, alot! I to had my arm cut of with its value.
Have you seen how many 111Rs and Exiges are for sale on PHs! and dealers are swomped in genneral with new cars by Lotus, this has a effect on resale. Specialist cars such as TVRs and Lotus will always be difficult to sell, or slower as there is only a limited market with being what they are.
I also would never buy a new car, i am in busness to make money and not to give it away, but sometimes you have no choice you have to just lower the risk, buy nealy new!
Like said, a 350 is a fabulous car and very underated and worth every penny.
I recently fitted a set of Nitron shocks, this has made the car far more stable.
My Lotus was for sale for a whole year with no takers i ended up trading it at Wilsons down in Romford Essex, the only dealer offering realistic money, but still hurt, alot! I to had my arm cut of with its value.
Have you seen how many 111Rs and Exiges are for sale on PHs! and dealers are swomped in genneral with new cars by Lotus, this has a effect on resale. Specialist cars such as TVRs and Lotus will always be difficult to sell, or slower as there is only a limited market with being what they are.
I also would never buy a new car, i am in busness to make money and not to give it away, but sometimes you have no choice you have to just lower the risk, buy nealy new!
Like said, a 350 is a fabulous car and very underated and worth every penny.
Agreed on the new car comment. I bought my T350 new, but only because I wanted a Targa, in a colour I liked and they were still only just out at the time. Mind you, I saved £2k on list even then :-)
My girlfriend buys new cars, but then keeps them for a long time. We bought our TT new and kept it for over 6 years. Depreciation p.a. shrinks over time. I suspect she will keep the Golf GTi we're picking up in 2 weeks for a long time too.
Only reason to buy a new car otherwise is either because you 'have' to look like you're rich by owning a new plate (some people are like that), its the only way to get the car in you preferred shocking pink with red leather, or you're leasing. Leasing is a great way to drive a car you can't afford (IYKWIM), but I'd be oh so pi55ed off if I was paying over £500 a month for a car to sit at the garage being repaired.
My girlfriend buys new cars, but then keeps them for a long time. We bought our TT new and kept it for over 6 years. Depreciation p.a. shrinks over time. I suspect she will keep the Golf GTi we're picking up in 2 weeks for a long time too.
Only reason to buy a new car otherwise is either because you 'have' to look like you're rich by owning a new plate (some people are like that), its the only way to get the car in you preferred shocking pink with red leather, or you're leasing. Leasing is a great way to drive a car you can't afford (IYKWIM), but I'd be oh so pi55ed off if I was paying over £500 a month for a car to sit at the garage being repaired.
I've decided to keep mine for many years, adding a few tasty mods, after buying it new for same reasons as Targa.
It's excellent fun to drive on the road even at low speed, and with a few mods mine wins on the track too, usually quicker but rather easier & less risky than other TVR's
It's excellent fun to drive on the road even at low speed, and with a few mods mine wins on the track too, usually quicker but rather easier & less risky than other TVR's
Dare i say it but we will be collecting a brand new T350T over the weekend!
Promised that we would not buy a new car again when we brought the TT new but i've been tempted by a very good hard to resist price as this was ordered for someone else and has sat in the dealers unregistered!
A little worried as i have not seen the car in the flesh yet & i have just sold my beloved RR Tuscan for this!
Promised that we would not buy a new car again when we brought the TT new but i've been tempted by a very good hard to resist price as this was ordered for someone else and has sat in the dealers unregistered!
A little worried as i have not seen the car in the flesh yet & i have just sold my beloved RR Tuscan for this!
Went from a Tuscan to a T350. Handling is way better and more forgiving.My Tuscan was a mk 1 and build on the T350 was a lot lot better. You may find torque is down but get it above 4k and its a very fine ride indeed.
Dumb practical stuff.
Its a hatch back.I have not had a hatch for years and had forgotten how practical they were.
Poser bulletin
It will get noticed as much as the Tuscan in town and about.
Over time a sneaky feeling will steal over you that the T350 is the more subtly designed car-not better-just less in your face.
Which in the long term pleases more...
I'll get my coat.
Dumb practical stuff.
Its a hatch back.I have not had a hatch for years and had forgotten how practical they were.
Poser bulletin
It will get noticed as much as the Tuscan in town and about.
Over time a sneaky feeling will steal over you that the T350 is the more subtly designed car-not better-just less in your face.
Which in the long term pleases more...
I'll get my coat.
Off to test drive another T350T at Peninsula tomorrow. This one has that all important 12 months warrenty. I think this car has been for sale with them for a while. They tell me it was last serviced in March 05 so it would require one before it before it was sold. Are the servicing intervals
every 6000 miles or yearly depending on what comes first.
They owned the car then it has had one more owner. The only thing that puts me off is the interior colour I prefer the darker colours but we shall see.
www.peninsula-cars.co.uk/pages_tvr/carsforsale_detail.asp?ID=230
Anyone now of this car?
every 6000 miles or yearly depending on what comes first.
They owned the car then it has had one more owner. The only thing that puts me off is the interior colour I prefer the darker colours but we shall see.
www.peninsula-cars.co.uk/pages_tvr/carsforsale_detail.asp?ID=230
Anyone now of this car?
The T350 is a road-going race car, although it does not have the street presence of the Sagaris.[/quote]
I'm afraid i beg to differ on the road presence thing. The T350C/T has road presance buy the bucket load, and in my eyes it has just as much presence as the saggy, horses for courses and all that !!
Dave
I'm afraid i beg to differ on the road presence thing. The T350C/T has road presance buy the bucket load, and in my eyes it has just as much presence as the saggy, horses for courses and all that !!
Dave
I know that silver T350 at Peninsular. I've never driven it, but they had it for sale just off their demo fleet in May 2004 when I was looking for mine. If its the same car it looks lovely, but has the earlier design targa panels - not so easy to get tight. The dealer might have solved this of course. The interior on this car was too light and insipid for my liking - that blue just doesn't work for me.
It was for sale for a long time, not sure who owned it but it can't have been for very long as I don't remember it being off their 'for sale' list.
Oh, and for az 53 plate car that isn't cheap IMO.
Enjoy the test drive.
T/.
It was for sale for a long time, not sure who owned it but it can't have been for very long as I don't remember it being off their 'for sale' list.
Oh, and for az 53 plate car that isn't cheap IMO.
Enjoy the test drive.
T/.
valhalla said:
The T350 is a road-going race car, although it does not have the street presence of the Sagaris.
I'm afraid i beg to differ on the road presence thing. The T350C/T has road presance buy the bucket load, and in my eyes it has just as much presence as the saggy, horses for courses and all that !!
Dave
I'm afraid i beg to differ on the road presence thing. The T350C/T has road presance buy the bucket load, and in my eyes it has just as much presence as the saggy, horses for courses and all that !!
Dave
Glad you're still enjoying yours - enthusiastic write ups from yourself , Nubbin etc with the early cars were what led me to try one, then of course I just had to buy one...
Just bought a T350C. What a car!!!! Proper barn door engineering.. I love my new car to bits. Sometimes just go in my garage, light a fag and just count how lucky i am to own one. Mine is tunksten grey. My prevouis car which is now for sale was a Scooby WRX STi 03 with prodrive. Would say scooby is a little quicker 0-60 but the T350 is a different ball game. And my T350 is by far the most comfortable car i have ever driven. Its amazingingly comfortable.
I am one happy happy and lucky man. I can now see why people get hooked on TVR's. Proper english built sports cars with wind noise for free. Fantastic!!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!
Justyn G
I am one happy happy and lucky man. I can now see why people get hooked on TVR's. Proper english built sports cars with wind noise for free. Fantastic!!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!
Justyn G
Andy You never know i might bump into you down there?
I thought about that one but the brand new one for £29,995 caught my eye!
Could'nt resist the 3 year warranty and brand new car feel, however like Targarama i'm not oversure about the interior either as mines got the same colour scheme!
I thought about that one but the brand new one for £29,995 caught my eye!
Could'nt resist the 3 year warranty and brand new car feel, however like Targarama i'm not oversure about the interior either as mines got the same colour scheme!
Speed Buzz said:
Andy You never know i might bump into you down there?
I thought about that one but the brand new one for £29,995 caught my eye!
Could'nt resist the 3 year warranty and brand new car feel, however like Targarama i'm not oversure about the interior either as mines got the same colour scheme!
I thought about that one but the brand new one for £29,995 caught my eye!
Could'nt resist the 3 year warranty and brand new car feel, however like Targarama i'm not oversure about the interior either as mines got the same colour scheme!
£29,995
. I definitely got ripped off at £40k
Speed Buzz said:
Andy You never know i might bump into you down there?
I thought about that one but the brand new one for £29,995 caught my eye!
Could'nt resist the 3 year warranty and brand new car feel, however like Targarama i'm not oversure about the interior either as mines got the same colour scheme!
I thought about that one but the brand new one for £29,995 caught my eye!
Could'nt resist the 3 year warranty and brand new car feel, however like Targarama i'm not oversure about the interior either as mines got the same colour scheme!
If you see a grey Exige with private plate that will be me...come and say hello
I'm also thinking of this one. Like the colour combo just needs anthracite wheels, but don't know much about the dealer. Interesting that you say £23995 is too much for a 53 plate car even from a main dealer. I will bear that in mind.
www.newlunperformance.com/stocklistt350c.htm
There is also a Lazer Blue car with 28000 mile son the clock at Somerset specialist cars for £21995 which looks OK but this one has been for sale for about a year I think.
www.specialistcarsofsomerset.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=20244&pageid=2
Any thought on these cars?
www.newlunperformance.com/stocklistt350c.htm
There is also a Lazer Blue car with 28000 mile son the clock at Somerset specialist cars for £21995 which looks OK but this one has been for sale for about a year I think.
www.specialistcarsofsomerset.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=20244&pageid=2
Any thought on these cars?
Andy - thats my personal view. IMHO for an early targa the price should be nearer 27k, one like mine is worth closer to 30k. There is a lovely looking Spec Silver T350T at Henley Heritage on sale for under 29k. Nicer interior combo, but still older still roof panels. I've not been in it/driven it, but it certainly looked OK from the outside.
Speed Buzz said:
I thought about that one but the brand new one for £29,995 caught my eye!
Could'nt resist the 3 year warranty and brand new car feel, however like Targarama i'm not oversure about the interior either as mines got the same colour scheme!
Could'nt resist the 3 year warranty and brand new car feel, however like Targarama i'm not oversure about the interior either as mines got the same colour scheme!
Shame it's not a new one though. The car is a Feb 2004 which was just never registered until now.
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