Discussion
ok sorry because its THAT question.
i may have an interested person in buying my car and im looking towards
a t350, but im scared of the engine, i have read the sp6 engine forum,
but in plane english, is a 2003 engine better than say a tuscan 1999/2000
engine, as all i hear and read is they die at around 20,000 miles, this is
the reason i want a t350 as there doesnt "seem" to be as many horror stories,
and i think they look the amazing, but havent got the 5k for a rebuild. ive
done 23k in the lotus in 4 years btw
also:-
a very good friend of mine owns his own garage buisness and does all my car
repairs totally free (lucky i know), trade price on parts only, so is it
possible to do all this work, tappet adjustment/engine work etc etc without
taking it to mr 200gbp a hour guy, and buy parts from a independant dealer
like i do with my lotus. example brake pads lotus dealer 200gbp supplied, same pads
from a different source 20gbp fitted. as im thinking a engine is a engine and
a good proper mechanic "not a ford oh the computer says nnooo" mechanic can
sort it. (bet you can tell i know nothing about engines lol)
i may have an interested person in buying my car and im looking towards
a t350, but im scared of the engine, i have read the sp6 engine forum,
but in plane english, is a 2003 engine better than say a tuscan 1999/2000
engine, as all i hear and read is they die at around 20,000 miles, this is
the reason i want a t350 as there doesnt "seem" to be as many horror stories,
and i think they look the amazing, but havent got the 5k for a rebuild. ive
done 23k in the lotus in 4 years btw
also:-
a very good friend of mine owns his own garage buisness and does all my car
repairs totally free (lucky i know), trade price on parts only, so is it
possible to do all this work, tappet adjustment/engine work etc etc without
taking it to mr 200gbp a hour guy, and buy parts from a independant dealer
like i do with my lotus. example brake pads lotus dealer 200gbp supplied, same pads
from a different source 20gbp fitted. as im thinking a engine is a engine and
a good proper mechanic "not a ford oh the computer says nnooo" mechanic can
sort it. (bet you can tell i know nothing about engines lol)
Hi,
It doesn't really matter whether the engine goes bang the day you buy it or later becasue you would have bought a full warranty with the car.
If you can't afford a warranty, you can't afford the car.
They are a fantastic vehicle but engine risks can all be hedged out too easily for any of this to be an issue.
£1,500 seems to be the typical annual cost. Buyers market so again, it won't actually cost you any money in the first year as you'd negotiate it into the price.
It doesn't really matter whether the engine goes bang the day you buy it or later becasue you would have bought a full warranty with the car.
If you can't afford a warranty, you can't afford the car.
They are a fantastic vehicle but engine risks can all be hedged out too easily for any of this to be an issue.
£1,500 seems to be the typical annual cost. Buyers market so again, it won't actually cost you any money in the first year as you'd negotiate it into the price.
1500 is that for a FULL rebuild warranty, nothing hidden where
there going to say "oh sorry thats not covered as it a wearable part"
eg. the whole engine is a wearable part.
really would like a t350 but edging toward 4.5 v8 all the time, there
isnt anything else out there for minus 20k apart from a tvr thats really
different. oh the stress lol
there going to say "oh sorry thats not covered as it a wearable part"
eg. the whole engine is a wearable part.
really would like a t350 but edging toward 4.5 v8 all the time, there
isnt anything else out there for minus 20k apart from a tvr thats really
different. oh the stress lol
I've just bought a Moonraker black T350C, from Dream Machines. I had the same worries BUT I bought mine on condition - it's done 30K miles and is as sound as a pound. Oil pressure is fine, temp is fine. It's been used everyday so in my opinion this sometimes makes for a better buy. It had a new clutch at 29K. I got a wear and tear warranty with it so if anything happens (which I don't actually expect to) I've got peace of mind. If you look after it, it will look after you. The problem I think is getting one you know has been looked after...but you are probably right, there seem to be less horror stories from T350 owners...
How's the driving licence these days?Hi, all still intact lol.
thats the thing the lotus is super reliable, never goes wrong, and
im worried i will buy a tvr and it will break and sit in the garage
forever. its a toss up really, as its a shame to have a warranty and
not use it, when i have a mechanic that works for free 5 mins down the
road. why oh why didnt they make a engine that worked lol. well saying
that it does work really well thats why i want one lol
thats the thing the lotus is super reliable, never goes wrong, and
im worried i will buy a tvr and it will break and sit in the garage
forever. its a toss up really, as its a shame to have a warranty and
not use it, when i have a mechanic that works for free 5 mins down the
road. why oh why didnt they make a engine that worked lol. well saying
that it does work really well thats why i want one lol
I've read lots about how the SP6 got its bad name from the early engines and things improved by the time the T350 was introduced. Although read a few stories of the later cars going bang also. Think the key is probably warming her up properly, regular fluid level checks, etc, etc. Having said that, perhaps I just told myself all that cos I'm at 15k with no warranty cover so hoping things won't go pear shaped anytime soon!!
Engine is a fabulous bit of kit. Never so much as misfired in 5,000-ish miles.
But I'm under no illusions. It's a Speed Six. It will need rebuilding at some point, and probably before 30k. It will undoubtedly need a clutch before that. I just make sure there's cash set aside for it. Just imagine you're spending more on purchase price.
But I'm under no illusions. It's a Speed Six. It will need rebuilding at some point, and probably before 30k. It will undoubtedly need a clutch before that. I just make sure there's cash set aside for it. Just imagine you're spending more on purchase price.
even looking towards tuscan, as there cheaper and i would have around 1500gbp
left over if it goes boom, just crap thinking everyday you start it, it could
go bang, destroys the enjoyment just a little i think. i even considered owning
one for 6 months and then selling it, didnt want to push my luck lol.
left over if it goes boom, just crap thinking everyday you start it, it could
go bang, destroys the enjoyment just a little i think. i even considered owning
one for 6 months and then selling it, didnt want to push my luck lol.
karluk29 said:
even looking towards tuscan, as there cheaper and i would have around 1500gbp
left over if it goes boom, just crap thinking everyday you start it, it could
go bang, destroys the enjoyment just a little i think. i even considered owning
one for 6 months and then selling it, didnt want to push my luck lol.
left over if it goes boom, just crap thinking everyday you start it, it could
go bang, destroys the enjoyment just a little i think. i even considered owning
one for 6 months and then selling it, didnt want to push my luck lol.
i used to think that, now i just get excited when it goes pop pop bang on fireup! great cars, great engine, have a little faith.
I bought mine last May and everything went wrong including the engine, I was kind of lucky because the factory done a goodwill rebuild in Nov 06. Although I still had to pay for the engine removal refit and carriage 2k..
I would say you have two options
1) Put 5-6k aside in case
2) Get an aftermarket warranty, although I am still not sure if the TVR dealer warranty is independant of what was TVR, and I looked around for an aftermarket warranty that was not TVR related and no one would touch it...
good luck, once you have one there is nothing quite like it
I would say you have two options
1) Put 5-6k aside in case
2) Get an aftermarket warranty, although I am still not sure if the TVR dealer warranty is independant of what was TVR, and I looked around for an aftermarket warranty that was not TVR related and no one would touch it...
good luck, once you have one there is nothing quite like it
thats my point i dont have 5k just to put aside, wish i had
5p to put aside. so annoying, the looks are great the power the noise
but it could go at any minute. think im going off the idea by
the second. cerb is the only answer if i want tvr. so so annoying,
sod it i will get a covette BAHAHAHAHA.
5p to put aside. so annoying, the looks are great the power the noise
but it could go at any minute. think im going off the idea by
the second. cerb is the only answer if i want tvr. so so annoying,
sod it i will get a covette BAHAHAHAHA.
karluk29 said:
thats my point i dont have 5k just to put aside, wish i had
5p to put aside. so annoying, the looks are great the power the noise
but it could go at any minute. think im going off the idea by
the second. cerb is the only answer if i want tvr. so so annoying,
sod it i will get a covette BAHAHAHAHA.
5p to put aside. so annoying, the looks are great the power the noise
but it could go at any minute. think im going off the idea by
the second. cerb is the only answer if i want tvr. so so annoying,
sod it i will get a covette BAHAHAHAHA.
I went through all the thoughts you are going through, but did it anyway, if your anything like me you will look around and see absolutley nothing else compares....(plus I wanted a TVR by the time I was 30)
still it is a nice choice to have to make ... look at it that way
Given that you have a friendly mechanic why not study some actual prices instead of £1500pa for a warranty? www.autocraftsve.co.uk/
hi
thanx, this was my point, basically a rebuild is £3500 it
looks like, BUT how much of that is labour, as i assume its
just a matter of replacing knackared parts. not upto speed
at all on what goes wrong, all you hear is engine rebuild
bla bla. cant it be done in stages for instance? or does
the engine just kill everything at once, seems strange to
me, but im more a looks pretty and goes fast kind of a bloke
than hands dirty and engines lol.
thanx, this was my point, basically a rebuild is £3500 it
looks like, BUT how much of that is labour, as i assume its
just a matter of replacing knackared parts. not upto speed
at all on what goes wrong, all you hear is engine rebuild
bla bla. cant it be done in stages for instance? or does
the engine just kill everything at once, seems strange to
me, but im more a looks pretty and goes fast kind of a bloke
than hands dirty and engines lol.
karluk29 said:
hi thanx, this was my point, basically a rebuild is £3500 it
looks like,
looks like,
For the head, double that for the full engine.
karluk29 said:
BUT how much of that is labour,
You could probably assume 50/50
karluk29 said:
as i assume its just a matter of replacing knackared parts.
Not necessarily; depends upon the condition of your engine and what you want to do.
karluk29 said:
not upto speed at all on what goes wrong, all you hear is engine rebuild
bla bla. cant it be done in stages for instance?
bla bla. cant it be done in stages for instance?
Yes; head and block.
karluk29 said:
or does the engine just kill everything at once, seems strange to
me, but im more a looks pretty and goes fast kind of a bloke
than hands dirty and engines lol.
me, but im more a looks pretty and goes fast kind of a bloke
than hands dirty and engines lol.
Maybe just think of it as £3500 and £7000 for half and full job.
thanx for that, it really is a insane price, i understand its
alot of work but i am truley am thinking "why". also now looking
into a tuscan, i could buy one for say 15,500 with full engine rebuild
just done. thats gotta be good for say 20k, then sell when i have done 10k.
makes me think twice about the whole tvr brand to be fair, i love the noise
abd the speed but not into throwing cash i havent got at it just to make
it the same. i like to throw cash at a car and make it different not just
mend it all the time. dont get me wrong there stunning cars, my car has
cost me in repairing it in "4 years" around 800 quid, thats it, supposed
i have been spoiled on that score.
alot of work but i am truley am thinking "why". also now looking
into a tuscan, i could buy one for say 15,500 with full engine rebuild
just done. thats gotta be good for say 20k, then sell when i have done 10k.
makes me think twice about the whole tvr brand to be fair, i love the noise
abd the speed but not into throwing cash i havent got at it just to make
it the same. i like to throw cash at a car and make it different not just
mend it all the time. dont get me wrong there stunning cars, my car has
cost me in repairing it in "4 years" around 800 quid, thats it, supposed
i have been spoiled on that score.
karluk29 said:
thanx for that, it really is a insane price, i understand its
alot of work but i am truley am thinking "why". also now looking
into a tuscan, i could buy one for say 15,500 with full engine rebuild
just done. thats gotta be good for say 20k, then sell when i have done 10k.
makes me think twice about the whole tvr brand to be fair, i love the noise
abd the speed but not into throwing cash i havent got at it just to make
it the same. i like to throw cash at a car and make it different not just
mend it all the time. dont get me wrong there stunning cars, my car has
cost me in repairing it in "4 years" around 800 quid, thats it, supposed
i have been spoiled on that score.
alot of work but i am truley am thinking "why". also now looking
into a tuscan, i could buy one for say 15,500 with full engine rebuild
just done. thats gotta be good for say 20k, then sell when i have done 10k.
makes me think twice about the whole tvr brand to be fair, i love the noise
abd the speed but not into throwing cash i havent got at it just to make
it the same. i like to throw cash at a car and make it different not just
mend it all the time. dont get me wrong there stunning cars, my car has
cost me in repairing it in "4 years" around 800 quid, thats it, supposed
i have been spoiled on that score.
Hi,
I really don't mean to sound rude but if you haven't got cash reserves to run a TVR then it isn't the car for you.
£1,500 for a warranty isn't exactly much of a price to pay, especially as the seller would be paying for it to get the sale.
What you need to do is go out there and negotiate. The market is yours and you'll find someone who will seel you a car at a good discount and pay for the first years warranty.
If you're not willing to push hard on the purchase of the thing then it is is going to be a costly exercise.
Go out there, get punchy and get yourself a fabulous car
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