Might buy a Tasmin 2.0....should I?
Discussion
Hi there fellas ,
A chap down the road from me is selling a tasmin 2.0 ( ford pinto I guess ) convertible. It's fairly cheap ( around 1K I reckon ) , service history , 70Kish , and he's prepared to MOT for 12 months. It's clearly been sitting around for a while as it's pretty wet inside ( is that a major problem?)
I reckon the outriggers must be ok as he will MOT it ( its a garage ) , so , erm , well what do you think? I've not driven it yet ( I know I know , don't buy before you drive - but will do so tomorrow ). Has anyone ever actually driven a 2.0litre one?
Bearing in mind I come from a long history of owning MGBs ( please don't mock ) , I reckon it will feel fast , but the idea of simple four-pot engine does appeal and the body seems straight. Hmmm looks like I have convinced myself !
A chap down the road from me is selling a tasmin 2.0 ( ford pinto I guess ) convertible. It's fairly cheap ( around 1K I reckon ) , service history , 70Kish , and he's prepared to MOT for 12 months. It's clearly been sitting around for a while as it's pretty wet inside ( is that a major problem?)
I reckon the outriggers must be ok as he will MOT it ( its a garage ) , so , erm , well what do you think? I've not driven it yet ( I know I know , don't buy before you drive - but will do so tomorrow ). Has anyone ever actually driven a 2.0litre one?
Bearing in mind I come from a long history of owning MGBs ( please don't mock ) , I reckon it will feel fast , but the idea of simple four-pot engine does appeal and the body seems straight. Hmmm looks like I have convinced myself !
dazzg19 said:
Hi there fellas ,
A chap down the road from me is selling a tasmin 2.0 ( ford pinto I guess ) convertible. It's fairly cheap ( around 1K I reckon ) , service history , 70Kish , and he's prepared to MOT for 12 months. It's clearly been sitting around for a while as it's pretty wet inside ( is that a major problem?)
I reckon the outriggers must be ok as he will MOT it ( its a garage ) , so , erm , well what do you think? I've not driven it yet ( I know I know , don't buy before you drive - but will do so tomorrow ). Has anyone ever actually driven a 2.0litre one?
Bearing in mind I come from a long history of owning MGBs ( please don't mock ) , I reckon it will feel fast , but the idea of simple four-pot engine does appeal and the body seems straight. Hmmm looks like I have convinced myself !
Could be a perfect candidate for a nice V8 conversion! A chap down the road from me is selling a tasmin 2.0 ( ford pinto I guess ) convertible. It's fairly cheap ( around 1K I reckon ) , service history , 70Kish , and he's prepared to MOT for 12 months. It's clearly been sitting around for a while as it's pretty wet inside ( is that a major problem?)
I reckon the outriggers must be ok as he will MOT it ( its a garage ) , so , erm , well what do you think? I've not driven it yet ( I know I know , don't buy before you drive - but will do so tomorrow ). Has anyone ever actually driven a 2.0litre one?
Bearing in mind I come from a long history of owning MGBs ( please don't mock ) , I reckon it will feel fast , but the idea of simple four-pot engine does appeal and the body seems straight. Hmmm looks like I have convinced myself !
Chassis is all-important, and expensive to fix.
That would be my priority.
Have a good look at the outriggers, particularly at the front, where they take all the crap off the front wheels.
If you go over to tvrwedgepages.co.uk, you'll find a lot of useful info' there, and I think there's a pic of a bare chassis so you'll make some sense of that tangle of metal tubes under the rustfree fibreglass body.
Whether the garage passes it or not, if they don't understand what they're dealing with they may miss something that could end up costing you lots.
Everything else on the car is pretty easily fixable (though hoods are not cheap or easy).
In my experience (have had 280i,390SE and 400SE) there is never enough power, but is insurance a factor ?
If not, there are plenty of decent 280s around for less than two grand, and with proper sports car performance.
You could also consider fitting a Cossie 2 litre if you like 4-pots.
One of the members here has one, and a lovely motor it is.
I believe the early chassis with sub-V8 engines have narrower engine bays, so not easy to upgrade beyond 2.8.
To conclude: Don't buy it just cos it's cheap. There are plenty about, and easy enough to replace a V6 with a pinto if you're that determined.
That would be my priority.
Have a good look at the outriggers, particularly at the front, where they take all the crap off the front wheels.
If you go over to tvrwedgepages.co.uk, you'll find a lot of useful info' there, and I think there's a pic of a bare chassis so you'll make some sense of that tangle of metal tubes under the rustfree fibreglass body.
Whether the garage passes it or not, if they don't understand what they're dealing with they may miss something that could end up costing you lots.
Everything else on the car is pretty easily fixable (though hoods are not cheap or easy).
In my experience (have had 280i,390SE and 400SE) there is never enough power, but is insurance a factor ?
If not, there are plenty of decent 280s around for less than two grand, and with proper sports car performance.
You could also consider fitting a Cossie 2 litre if you like 4-pots.
One of the members here has one, and a lovely motor it is.
I believe the early chassis with sub-V8 engines have narrower engine bays, so not easy to upgrade beyond 2.8.
To conclude: Don't buy it just cos it's cheap. There are plenty about, and easy enough to replace a V6 with a pinto if you're that determined.
For rarity value and exclusivity - I thing there are about 3 200's around ...
Not TVR's finest hour - as at the time it was said that they had to smugle them out the back door when Peter Wheeler was not around.
The are plenty of V6 engined cars around for the same money.
My advice would be to go to the BBWF and talk with others before you buy - you will bet honest and very passionate advice.
Not TVR's finest hour - as at the time it was said that they had to smugle them out the back door when Peter Wheeler was not around.
The are plenty of V6 engined cars around for the same money.
My advice would be to go to the BBWF and talk with others before you buy - you will bet honest and very passionate advice.
Having owned a 200 for a number of years from standard I would definitely drive one before you buy. The Standard Pinto pushes out around 105BHP and contrary to popular belief a Wedge is not the lightest of fibreglass cars. They are very rare and for this reason I wouldn't really buy one to drop in a 2.8 or v8 as it will only make it something that is already around for the same money. The car is simple to work on and a Pinto engine is easy to work on and upgrade. Chassis condition is very important, if it's like mine with a light grey powder coating you may find it's in better condition than some of the later cars, but don't buy without checking. Condition of Interior and hood is important as these can be relatively expensive to sort out. If you want more info drop me an email. Cheers Steve
Hey thanks for the replies...
The chassis does look in great condition, whilst the interior is ok...the seal on the window ( and I guess the targa ) are shot as the interior is wet ( the car has been stood for while ). The garage are sorting it out battery wise and going to stick 12 months mot on it , so will get a proper look hopefully tomorrow. I like the idea of a simple engine to be honest and given that I live in london an out an out speedster is not really needed!
Will keep you posted.
The chassis does look in great condition, whilst the interior is ok...the seal on the window ( and I guess the targa ) are shot as the interior is wet ( the car has been stood for while ). The garage are sorting it out battery wise and going to stick 12 months mot on it , so will get a proper look hopefully tomorrow. I like the idea of a simple engine to be honest and given that I live in london an out an out speedster is not really needed!
Will keep you posted.
RV8 is as simple as it gets I would think.
Do not want to spoil your pleasure at all, just as feedback on your comment (always two sides to a story?).
The RV8 being simple was at least one of the main reasons to go for a 350i myself.
Whatever type of wedge it will be you will end up, if it runs it is a lot of fun. If not it can be a lot of simple work you can mostly do yourself.
Rob
Do not want to spoil your pleasure at all, just as feedback on your comment (always two sides to a story?).
The RV8 being simple was at least one of the main reasons to go for a 350i myself.
Whatever type of wedge it will be you will end up, if it runs it is a lot of fun. If not it can be a lot of simple work you can mostly do yourself.
Rob
To be honest I am almost scared of getting a V8 , they seem to be akin to crack - once you have a V8 you don't ever drive anything else. However I have a cure to your V8 addictions....its called the Triumph Stag! I owned one of these a few years ago - beautiful white manual - but possibly was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. It NEVER worked , I mean NEVER. Eventually it was stolen and I went back to humble 4 cyl engines. 8 cylinders bad , 4 cylinders good!
dazzg19 said:
To be honest I am almost scared of getting a V8 , they seem to be akin to crack - once you have a V8 you don't ever drive anything else. However I have a cure to your V8 addictions....its called the Triumph Stag! I owned one of these a few years ago - beautiful white manual - but possibly was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. It NEVER worked , I mean NEVER. Eventually it was stolen and I went back to humble 4 cyl engines. 8 cylinders bad , 4 cylinders good!
...and what were most of the troublesome Stag V8s normally replaced with ?...the reliable old RV8. (touchwood)
The RV8's proving ground was the millions of miles it was driven on business (and Police) use in a host of cars like Rover P5s, P6s, and of course the SD1.
Oh not forgetting...Range Rover, V8 Landie, Ambulances, Morgan Plus 8....,etc.
Just to throw my tuppence worth in.......the Triumph V8 lump was not actually that bad a design or troublesome. Just that back in the day they were topped up with incorrect coolant and the waterways rusted and blocked up causing overheating problems. Most that have survived are actually not bad.
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