Reasonable mileage expectation

[Timvw]

Hi

I am looking at selling both my BMW and Caterham and buying a single more sporting car as a daily driver.

I would love to include the 350t in my list of possibles, but I need the car of choice to be able to clock up 20k+ miles per year without then needing an annual rebuild.(I don't mind extensive servicing, but it has to be of the 'done in a day or two' kind not the 'takes a month' kind)

Is this feasible from the 350t (or any of the newer TVR's) or, being realistic, should I look elsewhere while I need to do this kind of mileage?

What is 'high' mileage on a 350, tuscan etc?

Thanks

Tim

[shorts!]

I do approx 20k a year in my T350, as I did in my Tuscan before that and Chimaeras before that. Servicing can usually be sorted in a couple of days or at least the guys in Barnet manage to turn mine around that quickly. Whoever you use you will get to see quite a bit with 3 or 4 services a year, so perhaps you will get preferential service as a regular customer!
T350s can certainly go on your list, though I'm not sure what else could join them.

[smithyl23]

I own a t350 RR, and to be honest if i was going to do that kind of mileage a year i wouldn't buy a tvr.A few do that mileage on here but i personally wouldn't. I'm going to cause a stir here but i'm totally unbiased, I would buy a noble M12. IMO it's not as nice looking or nice sounding but the pace is very similar plus the handling is amazing, and i'd imagine the noble would stand up to the mileage better being a dare i say it a ford engine.

[Timvw]

Interesting, two completely opposing views.

Any more so I can get a concencus?

Thanks for the input.

[Getsis]

I Agree with Smitthyl. I wouldn't want to do that kind of milage in the Tamora but has been said before some do. I find the suspension too hard for the roads around me but it's fine on the motorway. If I had to do large mileage in a speed 6 car I would change the suspension (raise it up and make it softer). The seats in my Tamora are fine for about 1.1/2 hours but mine are TVR one offs so can't say what the normal seats are like over time. But I would definately change or re-pad mine.

As a toy mine is fine! apart from being too low for some ramps and speed bumps. I will be raising the car with new shocks when I'm back into Blighty.

By the way the engine will be fine if you look after it and service it as scheduled.

[EnjyBenjy]

Balls! I do 15K a year in mine and I think it's better for it. The Noble comment is perfectly legit though. Every car I've had has been fairly unusual (Marcos, Marcos, Lotus, Lotus, TVR) and I've done 10-15K a year in all of them. Just make sure you keep them serviced.

[hollowpockets]

i done 15k in a year of ownership, if i had the time i would do more! go for it!

[TOV!E]

hollowpockets said:

i done 15k in a year of ownership, if i had the time i would do more! go for it!

Ditto, the more you use them the better they are, it is a car not an ornament.

[Daftlad]

TOV!E said:

hollowpockets said:

i done 15k in a year of ownership, if i had the time i would do more! go for it!

Ditto, the more you use them the better they are, it is a car not an ornament.

The more I see that, or similar refernces to small mileage use, the more I laugh.

[Timvw]

Daftlad said:

TOV!E said:

hollowpockets said:

i done 15k in a year of ownership, if i had the time i would do more! go for it!

Ditto, the more you use them the better they are, it is a car not an ornament.

The more I see that, or similar refernces to small mileage use, the more I laugh.

Meaning what?

15k is not really many miles p.a. or, that the cars should be capable of more?

[Daftlad]

Timvw said:

Daftlad said:

TOV!E said:

hollowpockets said:

i done 15k in a year of ownership, if i had the time i would do more! go for it!

Ditto, the more you use them the better they are, it is a car not an ornament.

The more I see that, or similar refernces to small mileage use, the more I laugh.

Meaning what?

15k is not really many miles p.a. or, that the cars should be capable of more?

They are capable cars. They can do 20,000 miles per year if the owner is sadistic enough to choose so to do.

My main point was that I am ammused that folk think that use is a large factor in condition or functionality. I disagree hugely.

20K or more is possible per year, given the above caveat.

Would I want to do 20K per year in a TVR as an everyday car -
Certainly not - lots of cars deal with humdrum better than a Tiv and survive winters better.

[Timvw]

I suppose that pretty much any car 'can' do 20k miles, or more, per year if you are prepared to put up with whatever individual failings it may have. Probably even my Caterham.

The reason that I posed the question was that the 350t 'looks' like a practical-ish proposition combining performance, targa, space behind the seats etc. in much the same way as my Porsche 944 coupe. (a car I that I have seen fairly often with 175k miles on with no real problems and which can lug four wheel with slicks carried inside the car for track days, or two adults, two kids and camping equipment on PCGB events) Reports even suggest that the ride and handling are refined compared to earlier cars.

Care to elaborate on your comment 'My main point was that I am ammused that folk think that use is a large factor in condition or functionality. I disagree hugely' - interested is all.

[espresso]

I bought a T350 to use it as a daily drive and soon gave up when the winter came along.
It's all very well us all ranting on about the 'character' and 'emotional enjoyment' etc, but on cold, drizzling M1 in the middle of January - you just want a car that isn't going to let you down.

Mine cost more to run than an M3,M5,Elise,911 and come to think of it, any other car I've ever owned.

In my opinion, what seems delightful in June, seems less so in the middle of February.
I think TVRs are toys - not cars you can rack the miles on. Lots of people disagree of course; that's the fun of PistonHeads...

[Tamster.]

Timvw,I have had several T-series cars over the last four years and do approx 12/14k a year,servicing costs are around 1k a year,ensure your dealer has courtesy cars available should the worst happen and buy a good comprehensive wear/tear warranty,every mile is a pleasure,the more used the better they are,if in doubt budget for a one year trial period,my back up pram is used one day every three months on average to see if it still runs,would have no hesitation in running the Tiv for 20k a year,if only my commute was further away!

[T40ORA]

30k in 18 months. Meant to do only 12k per year.

Why have I done more?

Never found a journey I would NOT prefer to do in the Tamora.

Yep - problem with speed humps in some places, and poor road surfaces bugger the wheels. But that aside, it's perfect as a daily drive. Just depends on what you expect. Luxury saloon soft suspension you don't get. A buzz from every journey (except in bad snow or ice) you DO get. Just gets expensive to run.

[allyt]

T40ORA said:

30k in 18 months. Meant to do only 12k per year.

Why have I done more?

Never found a journey I would NOT prefer to do in the Tamora.

Yep - problem with speed humps in some places, and poor road surfaces bugger the wheels. But that aside, it's perfect as a daily drive. Just depends on what you expect. Luxury saloon soft suspension you don't get. A buzz from every journey (except in bad snow or ice) you DO get. Just gets expensive to run.

I agree 100%, 15k miles last year, 2 services on, hardly any problems (a faulty water temp sensor).

[Paxo1]

espresso said:

I bought a T350 to use it as a daily drive and soon gave up when the winter came along.
It's all very well us all ranting on about the 'character' and 'emotional enjoyment' etc, but on cold, drizzling M1 in the middle of January - you just want a car that isn't going to let you down.
In my opinion, what seems delightful in June, seems less so in the middle of February.
I think TVRs are toys - not cars you can rack the miles on. Lots of people disagree of course; that's the fun of PistonHeads...

Have to say i disagree. Ive ran TVR's as everyday cars for over 10 years, ive had other cars at the same time but if you have a TVR why drive something 'ordinary' in the winter when the weather is depressing enough....dark cold damp morning and going to work....drive the TVR to work and arrive with a smile!!! Well serviced and maintained ( and with regular use !!!) there is no reason it will let you down more than anything else. i have a T350trr which is better put together than any TVR ive ever owned. There are frustrating things like the annoying warm up procedure that has to be followed (you get used to it...still annoying though)and the 100A fuse that may or may not blow at some point...carry a spare and the tools to change it..its an easy quick fix. Like every car made if you do a lot of miles things will wear out and fail or need replacing. Just remember you cant pop into your local motor factor and get the parts same day though. Most things are available mail order but could mean the car is off the road in the meantime. 20k a year will affect the residual value of the car without a doubt and something to bear in mind before purchasing....for no other reason than there are always a lot of low mileage TVR's around as there seems to be a lot of TVR owners these days who prefer to polish them rather than drive them...all IMO of course

[Timvw]

Interesting replies

I guess I asked the question mainly from a reliability POV.

I accept that low volume / performance cars will variously cost more initially, need servicing more frequently and probably suffer more interms of depreciaition due to high milage.

All of this I can make an easy decision on - i.e can I and do I want to afford it.

The fact that the ride, equipment and usability might be compromised again is quite an easy decision to make based on past experience - i.e am I prepared to suffer those compromises.

Reliability is more difficult and while things like the 100amp fuse, warm up procedure, glovebox lid etc are not a problem, being unable to use the car may damage my business and if high mileage is going to adversely affect the chance of being off the road then that is important to know.

From what I have read it seems to me that provided the cars are serviced regularly and not mistreated i.e warmed up properly, fluids checked etc then it comes down to a decision based on my first two factors.

Does this seem fair?

[Getsis]

allyt said:

T40ORA said:

30k in 18 months. Meant to do only 12k per year.

Why have I done more?

Never found a journey I would NOT prefer to do in the Tamora.

Yep - problem with speed humps in some places, and poor road surfaces bugger the wheels. But that aside, it's perfect as a daily drive. Just depends on what you expect. Luxury saloon soft suspension you don't get. A buzz from every journey (except in bad snow or ice) you DO get. Just gets expensive to run.

I agree 100%, 15k miles last year, 2 services on, hardly any problems (a faulty water temp sensor).

I don't think the question here is all about reliability because If you take care of it it can do the milage without too much fuss. My problem is it's not a very "Easy" car to spend too many hours in at once IMHO. I have a golf that is far more comfier and quieter for long dismal days, the TVR is better as a play thing which the golf isn't. I hate driving the TVR in the wet as I spend too much time concentrating on keeping the back end in control on fast A & B roads . It's like riding my motorbike, the concentration you use tires me out.

A TVR isn't an "all rounder" and never should be. Those that do use them as this I applaud you I could never live with a TVR as my only mode of transport.

[allyt]

Getsis said:

allyt said:

T40ORA said:

30k in 18 months. Meant to do only 12k per year.

Why have I done more?

Never found a journey I would NOT prefer to do in the Tamora.

Yep - problem with speed humps in some places, and poor road surfaces bugger the wheels. But that aside, it's perfect as a daily drive. Just depends on what you expect. Luxury saloon soft suspension you don't get. A buzz from every journey (except in bad snow or ice) you DO get. Just gets expensive to run.

I agree 100%, 15k miles last year, 2 services on, hardly any problems (a faulty water temp sensor).

I don't think the question here is all about reliability because If you take care of it it can do the milage without too much fuss. My problem is it's not a very "Easy" car to spend too many hours in at once IMHO. I have a golf that is far more comfier and quieter for long dismal days, the TVR is better as a play thing which the golf isn't. I hate driving the TVR in the wet as I spend too much time concentrating on keeping the back end in control on fast A & B roads . It's like riding my motorbike, the concentration you use tires me out.

A TVR isn't an "all rounder" and never should be. Those that do use them as this I applaud you I could never live with a TVR as my only mode of transport.

Fair point and I do agree to an extent. The end of the day reliability is a big factor (due to bad/unfair press), and I agree that a Golf has a few extra creature comforts for the long distances. However, the fact was that I couldn't afford to spend £25k on the TVR, and another £10k on a another car. I took the plunge, and I drive from Newcastle to Leeds most weekends, all over the North East and Cumbria during the week, and we did a PH event in the spring where we did in excess of 1000 miles in 3 days.... no problem (the weather was awful though).

IMHO if you have the funds to run it, it all comes down to personal preference, I love driving it and while the mileage does worry me, my £ per smile/happiness ratio is perfect