Discussion
Gents,
It seems from my other thread that a TVR may not be completely beyond my reach insurance wise, so I'm now having to re-examine my 'shopping' list for next spring when I have a few pennies for a new fun car.....
My budget is strictly below £7k, preferably by some margin, which restricts it to V6 S or a wedge of some description (say a 350i)
The question is which one?
And the question for me I suppose is either? I want something with a reasonable chance of getting me to work everyday. Also, I'd like something that I can play with to a certain extent and I'm a bit worried a tiv will just send me into the hedge! Don't get me wrong, I have a vague idea what I'm doing and plenty of respect for something that can turn round and bite me, but I want something that will give plenty of feedback and a predictable, docile response. How do they really handle and has anyone driven both to comment on the differences between the two?
Many thanks
It seems from my other thread that a TVR may not be completely beyond my reach insurance wise, so I'm now having to re-examine my 'shopping' list for next spring when I have a few pennies for a new fun car.....
My budget is strictly below £7k, preferably by some margin, which restricts it to V6 S or a wedge of some description (say a 350i)
The question is which one?
And the question for me I suppose is either? I want something with a reasonable chance of getting me to work everyday. Also, I'd like something that I can play with to a certain extent and I'm a bit worried a tiv will just send me into the hedge! Don't get me wrong, I have a vague idea what I'm doing and plenty of respect for something that can turn round and bite me, but I want something that will give plenty of feedback and a predictable, docile response. How do they really handle and has anyone driven both to comment on the differences between the two?
Many thanks
I've had a V6 S3 and a wedge 390se,both fantastic cars but completely different.The S3 drove like a go-cart but it was quite hard going if used alot.I've never known any other car attract as much attention as the 390,people could hear it coming miles away,it was a much easier car to drive with softer suspention and powered steering.
As with most handbuilt cars, and particularly those that have been around a few years, identical-looking TVRs may not feel the same. Most S and Wedges are no longer on their original spring/damper units and these are usually set up to the current owners requirements.
So, while S's may be generally more involving, there are some pretty "demanding" wedges out there too.
So, while S's may be generally more involving, there are some pretty "demanding" wedges out there too.
I prefer the look of the S, but I also quite like the wedge (I know some people find them a bit of an aqquired taste!)
Have to say its the first time I've heard a TVR described as go-kart like. My dad's M-series (which is a vaguley similar chasis I suppose) was very twitchy but benefitted greatly from a rebuilt steering rack which gave far more feedback and made it a bit mroe controllable.
Like you say, it depends on condition and the current spec, but can someone give a general guide?
I've always assumed they had slightly scary handling to match the muscle car image, if so I might go for something a little more forgiving, but is it a myth?
Have to say its the first time I've heard a TVR described as go-kart like. My dad's M-series (which is a vaguley similar chasis I suppose) was very twitchy but benefitted greatly from a rebuilt steering rack which gave far more feedback and made it a bit mroe controllable.
Like you say, it depends on condition and the current spec, but can someone give a general guide?
I've always assumed they had slightly scary handling to match the muscle car image, if so I might go for something a little more forgiving, but is it a myth?
Its fair to say that whichever you choose you will have fun, its really down to personal preference really, I chose the S but am sure I would have enjoyed the wedge experience too. I prefer the look of the S and IMHO it also handles better, the S is a bit go-kart like in that generally it handles great, can be a little twitchy on the limit but is very easy to control/correct!
I would drive a few of each and go with the one that makes you feel better. The wedge is a bit of an acquired taste, compared the the S, that is true, but I am sure for the wedge lovers that is part of the appeal.
IMHO
Mike
I would drive a few of each and go with the one that makes you feel better. The wedge is a bit of an acquired taste, compared the the S, that is true, but I am sure for the wedge lovers that is part of the appeal.
IMHO
Mike
I had a 1986 350i. Loved it and wish I could have kept it when I got the Griffith.
It was a quick car and IMO, handled very well even when pushed hard.
Its gonna come down to your personal choice on looks. The Wedges are great looking cars to me, and that V8 sound.
Heavenly !
Reliable ?
Get it bought !
It was a quick car and IMO, handled very well even when pushed hard.
Its gonna come down to your personal choice on looks. The Wedges are great looking cars to me, and that V8 sound.
Heavenly ! Reliable ?
Get it bought !
Well, having languished in the "too expensive" pile, an S3 has shot up to the top of my wish list.
The general consensus (not least on the PH write up I managed to locate!) is that the S's are in fact relatively benign and not quite the fearsome beasts they're sometimes made out to be. Wedge tempts me on the grounds of having an affordable V8 and being significantly quicker it appears.
Anything to choose in terms of MPG and reliability between the V6 and V8? Any general comments on everyday usability? Well, anything else I suppose....
Chris
The general consensus (not least on the PH write up I managed to locate!) is that the S's are in fact relatively benign and not quite the fearsome beasts they're sometimes made out to be. Wedge tempts me on the grounds of having an affordable V8 and being significantly quicker it appears.
Anything to choose in terms of MPG and reliability between the V6 and V8? Any general comments on everyday usability? Well, anything else I suppose....
Chris
A std 350i will do about 28 mpg and will sound a lot better than the V6, they also have a more usable boot and side impact bars when compared to the 's'.
They are however a good 150-200Kg heavier so in terms of pace there is not much to choose between them. That said the V8 is much more tuneable and if you can strech to a 400SE then no doubt about it go for the wedge
Matt
They are however a good 150-200Kg heavier so in terms of pace there is not much to choose between them. That said the V8 is much more tuneable and if you can strech to a 400SE then no doubt about it go for the wedge
Matt
Chris71 said:
The general consensus (not least on the PH write up I managed to locate!) is that the S's are in fact relatively benign and not quite the fearsome beasts they're sometimes made out to be. Wedge
True.. very "fun" with it though
I'd go S Series, or as you mentioned it.. how about a restored M Series..?
I pontificated this very subject many moons ago....
Something pulled me to the
darker side, even though I thought the S was the better looker. The only practical difference I noted was that ground clearance on the Wedge was better than the "S" I tested. Looking back over the last six years. Do I have any regrets? Would I go the other way given the chance?
Hell NO!
Big Bad Wedge every time for me!
Something pulled me to the
darker side, even though I thought the S was the better looker. The only practical difference I noted was that ground clearance on the Wedge was better than the "S" I tested. Looking back over the last six years. Do I have any regrets? Would I go the other way given the chance? Hell NO!
Big Bad Wedge every time for me!
I also think the S is very go-karty and handles really well. I have never driven a wedge to compare though.
At the time, I bought the S because I didn't want to go too old, and I preferred its looks over the wedge - the "tradition british sports car" look.
It was the original Tasmin wedges that drew my attention to TVR as a manufacturer rather than the "kit car" image of some of the older models (sorry, I know they're not, I like the older ones too - I was tempted by a Taimar at one stage). I remember following and listening to a nearly brand new 280 Tasmin in the mid 1980s and thinking, at that moment, "I got to get me one of those..."
I do really like the wedges though and if I was changing my S for another TVR, I'd be far more likely to go older, to a V8 wedge, than newer, to a Chim or Griff. I also like Cerbs though....
I can just tell that those words will come back to haunt me one day.
At the time, I bought the S because I didn't want to go too old, and I preferred its looks over the wedge - the "tradition british sports car" look.
It was the original Tasmin wedges that drew my attention to TVR as a manufacturer rather than the "kit car" image of some of the older models (sorry, I know they're not, I like the older ones too - I was tempted by a Taimar at one stage). I remember following and listening to a nearly brand new 280 Tasmin in the mid 1980s and thinking, at that moment, "I got to get me one of those..."
I do really like the wedges though and if I was changing my S for another TVR, I'd be far more likely to go older, to a V8 wedge, than newer, to a Chim or Griff. I also like Cerbs though....
I can just tell that those words will come back to haunt me one day.
I must admit I love the sound of the V8 wedges but prefer the look of the S's, I believe the handling of my S3's was more like a go-cart and if you don't go stupid on spring rates they are fine for long journeys as well.
Whatever you go for, just make sure the chassis is good.
Get it checked out by an expert.
Whatever you go for, just make sure the chassis is good.
Get it checked out by an expert.
M@H said:
funkyol said:
If you're a bit of a 'have a go hero / handy mechanic' then you could get a cheap Chim for £6-7k and spend the winter and much of the spring doing a "body off" job and replacing sections of the chassis....... just a thought.
Haha, yeah, although if you know the right people - welder, shotblaster, powder coater and mechanic, it can be a very cheap / viable option! hahaha
M@H said:
Chris71 said:
The general consensus (not least on the PH write up I managed to locate!) is that the S's are in fact relatively benign and not quite the fearsome beasts they're sometimes made out to be. Wedge
True.. very "fun" with it though
I'd go S Series, or as you mentioned it.. how about a restored M Series..?Got one sat in the garage at home! One of the first cars I ever went in was a 1600M, now possibly the best surviving example - allegedly quicker cross country than the 3000M because of its balance. Also not far off the power output with a nice tunable cross flow.
Anyway I digress. The idea behind an S (or for that matter a wedge) is that they're newer and also that they're available as convertibles. It strikes me (despite poser accusations!) that the oppurtunities for a white knuckled opposite lock'ing drive are getting scaircer all the time (particularly now I've moved to civilisation and spend most of my time stuck behind somebody!) so something which has the wind in your hair and your eardrums being ruptured by the exhaust maintains some sense of occasion when the drive itself isn't so thrilling.
As for the Chimera or V8S, I'd love to, but the cars are out of my budget (£6k tops really, ideally less) and the insurance would probably cost about the same as the car at my age. Its a shame because my last couple of cars have had vaguely comparable straightline performance, but haven't attracted the premiums because they lack the dreaded TVR badge.
I'm waffling. Anyway, the S (or possible a 350i) sounds like a fine handling relatively rapid sportscar. If the insurance people are feeling nice when I have the cash in my pocket, I may well end up getting one.
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