Do i need a Garage???

[marcpardoe]

Hi all,

Looking at getting a T350 before the summer comes but have a couple of worries!

Firstly need to know if its sensible to own one without a garage to house her! Having owned a Lotus Elise over 2 winters would think that going to a TVR would require a garage to keep her in tip-top form, i.e battery conditoner, door seals etc... the lotus wasn't the best at keeping dry!!

Secondly, If I can muster up another 10K (i.e Bank loan) would it be suicidal of me to to get a Sagaris. My previous car was an elise 111S that was quick at first but soon got used to! Im a sensible driver (ish).......

Any Suggestions would be appreciated.... Oh and im after one in Grigio Avlon (Gun Metal Grey) if anyone has one up for sale??????

Thanks all, Marc

[GR1FF1F]

With any car a garage is the best way to keep it fresh, but to be honest I don't think it's essential, particularly if you're driving the car on a regular basis. The ones I think suffer from being outside are where they are left for a week at a time without being used. In this case even the inside starts to suffer due to damp and condensation, which you won't get in a garage. But if it's leaks you're worried about this is not a conccern from my experience with both T350c and Sagaris. Can't vouch for the 350T with the roof panels but would think they are also pretty sound.

Battery charge you only need if you're going away for 2 weeks plus. On a week gap I've always come back and no issue at all restarting. Haven't tried it for 2 weeks but reckon that would probably be OK too.

As to the choice, they are both quick and you won't be disappointed whichever you choose. Having said that, I prefer the Sagaris to my old 350. The extra width makes it a little more sure footed, and the larger engine pulls better at lower rev's - my memory of the 350 was that it always needed 2000 on the pull away. The Sagaris damping, as I'm sure you've read, is also superior, and this makes for a more comfortable driving expeience.

Round towns the speed humps are a pain in both; looking at the front of the Sag you think you're just going to dig right into them, but when you get the hang of speed and alignment even these are surmountable. I've scraped the same hump in both cars and it was actually the 350 which came off worse of the two.

Hope this helps some

Cheers

Edited by GR1FF1F on Thursday 11th January 09:13

[doctor_darren]

marcpardoe said:

Hi all,

Looking at getting a T350 before the summer comes but have a couple of worries!

Firstly need to know if its sensible to own one without a garage to house her! Having owned a Lotus Elise over 2 winters would think that going to a TVR would require a garage to keep her in tip-top form, i.e battery conditoner, door seals etc... the lotus wasn't the best at keeping dry!!

Thanks all, Marc

My T350 is approaching 18 months ownership by me outdoors under a car cover and still looks good. Get a good one and it keeps the car nicely sealed from the elements. I find it also helps keep prying eyes away too. Regarding battery conditioner, my driveway location relative to my house makes continuous trickle charging virtually impossible. Instead I just use a regular battery charger to occasionally top up the battery, but have found it happily survives two weeks between runs during winter. I've only been caught once with a flat battery.

I actually thought about a 111S before the idea of a T350 came up. Apart from obviously being faster, it has masses more luggage space, which I find surprisingly practical.

Darren

[cerby4.5]

doctor_darren said:

My T350 is approaching 18 months ownership by me outdoors under a car cover and still looks good. Get a good one and it keeps the car nicely sealed from the elements. I find it also helps keep prying eyes away too. Regarding battery conditioner, my driveway location relative to my house makes continuous trickle charging virtually impossible. Instead I just use a regular battery charger to occasionally top up the battery, but have found it happily survives two weeks between runs during winter. I've only been caught once with a flat battery.

I actually thought about a 111S before the idea of a T350 came up. Apart from obviously being faster, it has masses more luggage space, which I find surprisingly practical.

Darren

I would echo the above comments, had a Chim and a Cerbera that I kept 'un-garaged' with a Classic Additions 'lightweight breathable cover', and both cars were immaculate when I sold them! The nice thing with this cover is you can put it on even if the car is still wet......many covers you can ONLY put it on a DRY car! Handy given UK weather!
Have bought another for my new car as well!!
Cerby4.5

[custardkid]

mine doesn't leak (i think) but the electrics generally dont like damp weather.

and keeping it outside will mean that you'll have to clean it twice as often

custard

[rpa.janwell]

Sagaris does not like being in the wet and cold. Covered is a possible solution.

But ditto the cleaning, and also passing curiousity may court unwelcome visitors if uncovered / garaged.

[marcpardoe]

Thanks all for the replys, keeping the car clean isn't a real issue as i'll be spending most of my spare time either driving or cleaning her!
Thought about a car cover for the lotus but never got round to it! Always thought it woulds be a pain in the arse cleaning the car and getting it dry before wrapping her up...

Cerby4.5, the outdoor cover your talking about... What kind of money are we looking at? Are they simple to put on etc??? This sounds like it would be a adviseable purchase!!!

[cerby4.5]

marcpardoe said:

Cerby4.5, the outdoor cover your talking about... What kind of money are we looking at? Are they simple to put on etc??? This sounds like it would be a adviseable purchase!!!

Hiya, no probs glad the info was of assistance.
I reckon you will need a Size B cover, which should be around £90 (?) or thereabouts.
Give them a call on: 01938 561717.
Or the web link to the cover I mentioned is here:

www.classicadditions.com/lightweight_car_covers.cfm?CFID=7260115&CFTOKEN=99337934

They fit onto the car by having 'elasticated' hems at each end, and then three straps with clips (one at either end and one in the middle). The straps at either end will sit under the car infront of the front wheels and behind the rear wheels. They also have an optional cable lock so that you can secure the cover in place (useful with these high winds at present).
The only thing I would recommend against is getting a cover with pockets for the door mirrors (which look like ears!). More often than not (as with my Cerbera cover) the pockets are in the wrong place and therefore useless. I just fold in the mirrors and put the cover on.

I hope that helps!
Cerby4.5

[TSS]

rpa.janwell said:

Sagaris does not like being in the wet and cold.

It’s car not a pet!

Mine is absolutely fine living outside. No leaks, no starting problems. The picture on the front cover of January’s Sprint is my Sagaris in the snow. It snowed over night and the car was covered with about 4 inches. Once I'd cleared the windows and doors it started fine, ran normally and was reasonably driveable - although steep hills were slightly tricky.

[richb]

Of course you need a garage, everyone with a passion for cars and petrol in their veins needs a garage

Edited by richb on Thursday 11th January 17:40

[doctor_darren]

TSS said:

The picture on the front cover of January's Sprint is my Sagaris in the snow. It snowed over night and the car was covered with about 4 inches. Once I'd cleared the windows and doors it started fine, ran normally and was reasonably driveable - although steep hills were slightly tricky.

Nice picture btw! But how could you possibly do such a thing, I mean just imagine how cold the poor thing must have been...

Marc, a point to mention with a cover is you really do need to put it on a clean car (but not necessarily dry) otherwise the inside of the cover will get dirty and begin to scratch the car. It's not such hassle once you get into the hang of it.

Rather more pricey at £350, Covercraft do the excellent Weathershield breathable outdoor cover, available tailor-made to fit any TVR model (including ears for the mirrors). I have one on my T350 and would recommend it. Several others on here have this cover too.

Darren

[scotty1]

This is a qs I kept asking myself when looking for a T350, I eventually bought one and do not have a garage. I had initial issues with it not starting whenever it rained but this was resolved and after some TLC....new door seals etc in no longer leaks.

I bought a cover in the end not out of necessity but more out of wanting to care for the car.... there is nothing worse than looking out of the window and watching your pride and joy getting soaked, very sad I know..

My advice would be buy one and get a weather shield cover from covercraft...

[rpa.janwell]

TSS said:

rpa.janwell said:

Sagaris does not like being in the wet and cold.

It’s car not a pet!

Mine is absolutely fine living outside. No leaks, no starting problems. The picture on the front cover of January’s Sprint is my Sagaris in the snow. It snowed over night and the car was covered with about 4 inches. Once I'd cleared the windows and doors it started fine, ran normally and was reasonably driveable - although steep hills were slightly tricky.

I live in Scotland - oddly enough we do get a little snow every now and then: and I quite agree with you, snow is not a problem.
My point is that the Sagaris does not appreciate being out in the cold and WET on a consistent basis. They are better off garaged where you have that choice.

And I wish our Cerb had been garaged today - then I would not be replacing the windscreen and having a body repair where a couple of hundred kg's of branch landed on it becuase of the gales. Nuff said.

[marcpardoe]

Sorry to hear about the cerb rpa.janwell, hoepfully not too much damage!!

TSS, i'd have to disagree! A TVR would be the best pet i could ever have!

Think i'll be adding a Covershied cover onto the list of accessories needed for the car when i find the wright one that is! I've too spent many a time watching my old elise getting a soaking, its not nice!!

Lastly how the hell do you drive a Sagaris in the snow. Went out once in the elise during a blizzard, there was only a couple of inches but it turned into a snake and would not go in a straight line (Think this may be down to it being quite a lightweight tho!!)

[TSS]

marcpardoe said:

Lastly how the hell do you drive a Sagaris in the snow. Went out once in the elise during a blizzard, there was only a couple of inches but it turned into a snake and would not go in a straight line (Think this may be down to it being quite a lightweight tho!!)

The trick is not to necessarily try and stay in a straight line, but focus on looking ahead for obstacles and staying in control. I find the thing naturally wants to go a bit sideways all the time so let it. Once the back is at a bit of an angle it’s actually easier to control and you sort of “crab” everywhere. Obviously you don’t go more than about 10-15mph! The road from my house to the main road is up a slight slope and one winter in my Tuscan I “crabbed” about 200m on full lock just controlling the angle with the throttle.

Also, pull away in 2nd gear and be very, very smooth and gentle on the controls. If you meet anything coming the other way ease right off so it straightens up and go past dead slow. Use engine braking for going down hills but release the clutch extremely carefully when doing so.

It is surprisingly easy when you get the hang of it. The day that photo was taken I had to get somewhere so had no choice but to drive. It took 20 minutes to do 5 miles. The expressions of other road users when they saw me (especially some guy in a Landover) were quite amusing.

[rpa.janwell]

TSS said:

marcpardoe said:

Lastly how the hell do you drive a Sagaris in the snow. Went out once in the elise during a blizzard, there was only a couple of inches but it turned into a snake and would not go in a straight line (Think this may be down to it being quite a lightweight tho!!)

The trick is not to necessarily try and stay in a straight line, but focus on looking ahead for obstacles and staying in control. I find the thing naturally wants to go a bit sideways all the time so let it. Once the back is at a bit of an angle it’s actually easier to control and you sort of “crab” everywhere. Obviously you don’t go more than about 10-15mph! The road from my house to the main road is up a slight slope and one winter in my Tuscan I “crabbed” about 200m on full lock just controlling the angle with the throttle.

Also, pull away in 2nd gear and be very, very smooth and gentle on the controls. If you meet anything coming the other way ease right off so it straightens up and go past dead slow. Use engine braking for going down hills but release the clutch extremely carefully when doing so.

It is surprisingly easy when you get the hang of it. The day that photo was taken I had to get somewhere so had no choice but to drive. It took 20 minutes to do 5 miles. The expressions of other road users when they saw me (especially some guy in a Landover) were quite amusing.

Agree with that - only missed 3 days in the winter last year, and enjoyed every minute of the slushy/ice/snow driving.
It does bring home what an amazing car the Sagaris is - I have the same type of slope on the drive leading up to gates - lots of fun!!
Main principle is to stay off the gas, move off in 2nd gear, and enjoy!!

Edited by rpa.janwell on Friday 12th January 10:23