Prospective T350 purchase
Discussion
Some of you may have seen my initial thread regarding a move from Porsche back to TVR:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=43...
Basically I'm trying to decide on a Cerbera 4.5 or a T350 and gain some background of what to look out for. So far it seems a rebuild or later engine is advisable - as is a later clutch and sensor replacement - possibly different wheels due to buckling issues on the 18" TVR alloys? Are the roof panels on the Targa really very noisy? I'd be going for something like this:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/228838.htm
James Agger has a similar car but with a darker interior that seems reasonably priced:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/232996.htm
Any newbie advice?
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=43...
Basically I'm trying to decide on a Cerbera 4.5 or a T350 and gain some background of what to look out for. So far it seems a rebuild or later engine is advisable - as is a later clutch and sensor replacement - possibly different wheels due to buckling issues on the 18" TVR alloys? Are the roof panels on the Targa really very noisy? I'd be going for something like this:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/228838.htm
James Agger has a similar car but with a darker interior that seems reasonably priced:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/232996.htm
Any newbie advice?
Personally I love my T350, but then I've never had a Cerbera. However the 2 cars you are looking at are very different colours. See if you can get a better picture of a nebula paint job as they are quite 'distinctive'. You'll either love it or hate it, I expect, whereas the other one is a bit more stealthy.
Not sure about wheel buckling. I've done 70,000 miles on my wheels and only buckled one hitting a rock in the road. Any wheel would have been damaged by that one.
Targa panels do get noisy but not until illegal speeds, though this does vary from car to car.
Not sure about wheel buckling. I've done 70,000 miles on my wheels and only buckled one hitting a rock in the road. Any wheel would have been damaged by that one.
Targa panels do get noisy but not until illegal speeds, though this does vary from car to car.
Edited by shorts! on Monday 3rd September 17:14
Edited by shorts! on Tuesday 4th September 10:18
Had my T350 for about four months, love it. I looked for about a year for the car. I wanted an 05 car but ended up with an 04 as it was the spec I wanted. It had just had an engine rebuild and a few upgrades. I initially wanted spectraflair paint but got worried about the availability of the paints as well as some info I found on changing laws with regard to the use of certain chemicals, this could be rubbish though. So I ended up with a tungsten colour.
Went for the coupe because of the fitting issues with the targa roofs.
I also found it through my local dealer who is walking distance from me, however looking back and knowing a little more I would buy from who has the best example and use an independant company for servicing. The dealers do add quite a large premium for the cars and servicing but then there is peace of mind.
I made sure I had a full year warranty as well as a wear and tear one.
Went for the coupe because of the fitting issues with the targa roofs.
I also found it through my local dealer who is walking distance from me, however looking back and knowing a little more I would buy from who has the best example and use an independant company for servicing. The dealers do add quite a large premium for the cars and servicing but then there is peace of mind.
I made sure I had a full year warranty as well as a wear and tear one.
I had a short list of Cerb, Tuscan and T350 and virtually everyone I spoke to said go for the T350 as the more recent model. Coming from a Porker a T350 will feel more civilised than a Cerb I would think. At the time I got mine, you could also get a younger T350 than a Cerb 4.5 for the same money. They're very different in the cabin, I didn't like the driver's footwell in the Cerb, very narrow and offset pedals. Could probably have got used to it, but the T350 with floor mounted pedals felt right instantly.
I'd question the car advertised with 'the latest clutch'. I thought there was only one factory clutch. Some indies have started selling uprated cluthes, but I think it's too early to tell if they offer extended life.
Dr D
I'd question the car advertised with 'the latest clutch'. I thought there was only one factory clutch. Some indies have started selling uprated cluthes, but I think it's too early to tell if they offer extended life.
Dr D
I've discounted the James Agger car as the colour isn't what I expected 
How much confidence do you have in the T350 - reliability wise? Are you worried about sitting in traffic - whether it will start one day? Bits falling off? I remember the plastic bonnet pins on the Cerbera snapping on the M25 and watching the bonnet bounce around - the boot used to pop open too.. Quirks rather than anything too serious though it refused to start when hot and locked you in sometimes.
How much confidence do you have in the T350 - reliability wise? Are you worried about sitting in traffic - whether it will start one day? Bits falling off? I remember the plastic bonnet pins on the Cerbera snapping on the M25 and watching the bonnet bounce around - the boot used to pop open too.. Quirks rather than anything too serious though it refused to start when hot and locked you in sometimes.
Edited by stats007 on Monday 3rd September 20:56
Jeez, you sound like you are building up the courage to ask that stunning blonde out but can't stop worrying about what might go wrong when you end up in the sack! You know you want it and it will be fantastic. Each time you come to the end of a ride you'll be smiling. Just remember to warm her up thoroughly beforehand and to use her regularly and you'll have no problems.
Seriously, I've had my T350C (the most incredible looking TVR) for over four years and have done 25k miles and had only a few minor problems and it has never, ever let me down.
Seriously, I've had my T350C (the most incredible looking TVR) for over four years and have done 25k miles and had only a few minor problems and it has never, ever let me down.
stats007 said:
I've discounted the James Agger car as the colour isn't what I expected
How much confidence do you have in the T350 - reliability wise? Are you worried about sitting in traffic - whether it will start one day? Bits falling off? I remember the plastic bonnet pins on the Cerbera snapping on the M25 and watching the bonnet bounce around - the boot used to pop open too.. Quirks rather than anything too serious though it refused to start when hot and locked you in sometimes.
I prefer the "c" variant of the T350 as IMHO the targa panels spoil the lines a little bit. Also, I would go for the red rose version if you can find one as it should give noticeably quicker performance. I changed the spiders to the SP12's with Eagle F1's. This has made a huge improvement to the cars handling - more grip as I now have 265's on the rear and the car just feels far more planted, plus it puts the power down better. Reliability-wise I have had few problems (corroded engine wiring loom only). Over-heating is not an issue as mine has an additional coolant reservoir, which I think may have been standard on the later models. The SP6 engine really benefits from a de-cat and re-map (see my post on the SP6 forum re Austec re-map results).How much confidence do you have in the T350 - reliability wise? Are you worried about sitting in traffic - whether it will start one day? Bits falling off? I remember the plastic bonnet pins on the Cerbera snapping on the M25 and watching the bonnet bounce around - the boot used to pop open too.. Quirks rather than anything too serious though it refused to start when hot and locked you in sometimes.
Edited by stats007 on Monday 3rd September 20:56
Performance-wise I would imagine the T350 handles much better than a Cerb and don't be fooled into thinking the Cerb is quicker in a straight line either - have a look at how the SP6 cars stacked up over the Cerbs in the Fighting Torque event (see Cerb forum) a few weeks back - basically a 3/4 mile drag strip on a runway.
Whoa! I agree with Snakes, you seem to be wanting someone to tell you they've had a real horrid ownership to convince you not to buy one! Well you've come to the right place, yes there is the odd horror story on here, but there are many good stories. Two years has cost me two services, an oil temp sensor and fixing a jammed hand brake. OK I now shortly need a clutch and pair of dampers, but hey that's wear and tear. Go on do tell us how much do your Porker services cost?
If sitting in traffic really worries here's my experience: stuck for three hours on the M40 (HGV fire), I lost count of how many 3 series BMW's I past by the wayside. London Thunder, three hours to go 15 miles through London, no problem. On my way to Diamond Rock, three hours to go 15 miles to get to the M1. OK the cabin got bloody hot, but no problem, not a complaint from the car. It's never failed to start, never locked me out or in. I have a few trim problems, but they're slower getting sorted. And the boot 'll never pop open!
Dr D
If sitting in traffic really worries here's my experience: stuck for three hours on the M40 (HGV fire), I lost count of how many 3 series BMW's I past by the wayside. London Thunder, three hours to go 15 miles through London, no problem. On my way to Diamond Rock, three hours to go 15 miles to get to the M1. OK the cabin got bloody hot, but no problem, not a complaint from the car. It's never failed to start, never locked me out or in. I have a few trim problems, but they're slower getting sorted. And the boot 'll never pop open!
Dr D
You couldn't be further from the truth.
As I said I love TVRs - however I'm not stupid - I know what the ownership prospect is like - I'm just trying to balance things out.
The 996 has by no means been trouble free - but it's something I wanted to do.
The Mercs have cost me about £500 a year - that's including all running costs, insurance and petrol for 5.0l V8s. Buy sensibly and you can even make money.
As I said I love TVRs - however I'm not stupid - I know what the ownership prospect is like - I'm just trying to balance things out.
The 996 has by no means been trouble free - but it's something I wanted to do.
The Mercs have cost me about £500 a year - that's including all running costs, insurance and petrol for 5.0l V8s. Buy sensibly and you can even make money.
.Toady1 said:
shorts! said:
. I've done 70,000 miles on my wheels and only buckled one hitting a rock in the road.
youve done over 70k in your 350?? I take it thats had an engine rebuild at least once? thats an amazing figure tho!Edited by shorts! on Monday 3rd September 17:14
It was on it's original engine until a few weeks ago, but at 66,000 it was about to give up the ghost so it was treated to a major rebuild, which will hopefully see it well past the 100,000 mile mark. I'm guessing it will be the first to do that, unless anyone knows different. . . . .
Whilst the engine was out I also had a new clutch (to replace the 2nd one I had at 40k). Also at 40k I had the diff reconditioned and Nitrons fitted but apart from those major items the car has coped with the miles pretty well. Obviously a few sets of tyres and 11 services in 3 and a half years though.
It is my only car and gets used as such. Traffic jams, Central London, motorway miles and 4 or 5 trackdays a year. Don't be put off by cars with a bit of mileage, in my experience of the sp6 engine (this one and a tuscan before) they feel sweeter with at least 10k on the clock. To be honest I'd prefer to buy a car that had seen regular use than one with low mileage which may have been sat stationary for longer periods.
Whilst the engine was out I also had a new clutch (to replace the 2nd one I had at 40k). Also at 40k I had the diff reconditioned and Nitrons fitted but apart from those major items the car has coped with the miles pretty well. Obviously a few sets of tyres and 11 services in 3 and a half years though.
It is my only car and gets used as such. Traffic jams, Central London, motorway miles and 4 or 5 trackdays a year. Don't be put off by cars with a bit of mileage, in my experience of the sp6 engine (this one and a tuscan before) they feel sweeter with at least 10k on the clock. To be honest I'd prefer to buy a car that had seen regular use than one with low mileage which may have been sat stationary for longer periods.
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