Hi there guys (and girls??)
Discussion
Hi, first post on these here forums, nice to meet you all 
I've currently got a White Mk1 MR2, and have previously owned a mk2 Golf Driver and an E36 325iSE.
I've only had the MR2 for 6 months but I've recently realised what bang-for-your-buck a Wedge could give me.
I'm thinking either a 350, 390 or 400 as it looks like most people think the 280 is a little underpowered.
I reckon I'll have about £5k to spend on one in a few months so I reckon I should be able to get a fairly tidy example? However I am a little worried about the running costs...
Is it possible to get over 20mpg if driven carefully? And if a few of you could tell me your servicing costs for the last year that would be really useful.
Many thanks for any advice
James
I've currently got a White Mk1 MR2, and have previously owned a mk2 Golf Driver and an E36 325iSE.
I've only had the MR2 for 6 months but I've recently realised what bang-for-your-buck a Wedge could give me.
I'm thinking either a 350, 390 or 400 as it looks like most people think the 280 is a little underpowered.
I reckon I'll have about £5k to spend on one in a few months so I reckon I should be able to get a fairly tidy example? However I am a little worried about the running costs...
Is it possible to get over 20mpg if driven carefully? And if a few of you could tell me your servicing costs for the last year that would be really useful.
Many thanks for any advice
James
Wedges being driven carefully ? Not possible ! Running costs , all sorts of things can play up eg electrics, rust , injection gremlins , stuff wearing out as wedges are now old cars . They are huge fun though and most of us are happy to put up with the odd breakdown for the driving pleasure and v8 sound .
Hi James...welcome to Wedge World.
I've so far had a 280, a 390 and present 400.
IMO you have to view the car purely as a weekend toy, with the odd trip thrown in.
They are not cheap cars to run and maintain properly, though there is lots to be saved by doing your own work.
Personally I'd find it impossible to better 20mpg without falling asleep at the wheel (so why not use the daily driver ?).
...You'll understand that once you've driven any of the V8s.;)
I accept that I'm going to blow a lot of money on fuel every trip, but that may be for only 3,000 miles in a year, so what the hell.
I could throw a lot more away in beer and cigs.
On the other hand insurance is ridiculously cheap on classic car policies.
The only other cars that I've owned which gave so many smiles per mile were
the two Lotus 7s which I owned in the past (before all the clones), but you'll pay a lot more for one of those, and it won't have that NOISE.
ETA: 5 grand should buy you a well sorted car which should at least hold its value, and you'll never be short of help and advice on this forum.
I've so far had a 280, a 390 and present 400.
IMO you have to view the car purely as a weekend toy, with the odd trip thrown in.
They are not cheap cars to run and maintain properly, though there is lots to be saved by doing your own work.
Personally I'd find it impossible to better 20mpg without falling asleep at the wheel (so why not use the daily driver ?).
...You'll understand that once you've driven any of the V8s.;)
I accept that I'm going to blow a lot of money on fuel every trip, but that may be for only 3,000 miles in a year, so what the hell.
I could throw a lot more away in beer and cigs.
On the other hand insurance is ridiculously cheap on classic car policies.
The only other cars that I've owned which gave so many smiles per mile were
the two Lotus 7s which I owned in the past (before all the clones), but you'll pay a lot more for one of those, and it won't have that NOISE.
ETA: 5 grand should buy you a well sorted car which should at least hold its value, and you'll never be short of help and advice on this forum.
Edited by grahamw48 on Tuesday 19th August 22:42
Hi James, welcome to the wedge forum - we're a friendly bunch in here.
Warning: These cars get under your skin, just in case you thought you'd just give them a quick go!
They have prescence, style (subjective of course) but style all the same.
Most of all they make NOISE! Especially if you go V8.
The earlier 350i's (or Tasmins-as they were then known) are the entry level V8 wedges, and you could pick up a bargain here.
You have a choice of earlier series 1, or later series 2 shape.
Series 2's are slightly different shape/style and different interior, rear light etc... go for condition! Check the chassis, namely outriggers for rust/corrosion.
Have a look around here for inspiration and knowledge:
http://www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/welcome.html
Also, there are a few nice cars for sale....some very nice 400's.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/643462.htm
Good luck with your choice.
Warning: These cars get under your skin, just in case you thought you'd just give them a quick go!
They have prescence, style (subjective of course) but style all the same.
Most of all they make NOISE! Especially if you go V8.
The earlier 350i's (or Tasmins-as they were then known) are the entry level V8 wedges, and you could pick up a bargain here.
You have a choice of earlier series 1, or later series 2 shape.
Series 2's are slightly different shape/style and different interior, rear light etc... go for condition! Check the chassis, namely outriggers for rust/corrosion.
Have a look around here for inspiration and knowledge:
http://www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/welcome.html
Also, there are a few nice cars for sale....some very nice 400's.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/643462.htm
Good luck with your choice.
Edited by Waynester on Wednesday 20th August 07:44
The only thing I would add to the above guys
is that if you want over 20mpg then go for the 350i
My 1989 350i was great fun and managed 25mpg overall in the 2 years I had it
Any 400 is now averaging (or is that haemorraging) about 18mpg at best
For 90% of the time (on the road) the 350 is nearly as quick as a 400,
and are fast enough, it is the difference in looks and exclusivity (only 242 built)
that make the 400s much better IMHO
HTH
Richard
is that if you want over 20mpg then go for the 350i
My 1989 350i was great fun and managed 25mpg overall in the 2 years I had it
Any 400 is now averaging (or is that haemorraging) about 18mpg at best
For 90% of the time (on the road) the 350 is nearly as quick as a 400,
and are fast enough, it is the difference in looks and exclusivity (only 242 built)
that make the 400s much better IMHO
HTH
Richard
Trickie Dickie said:
The only thing I would add to the above guys
is that if you want over 20mpg then go for the 350i
My 1989 350i was great fun and managed 25mpg overall in the 2 years I had it
Any 400 is now averaging (or is that haemorraging) about 18mpg at best
For 90% of the time (on the road) the 350 is nearly as quick as a 400,
and are fast enough, it is the difference in looks and exclusivity (only 242 built)
that make the 400s much better IMHO
HTH
Richard
Wah wah wahis that if you want over 20mpg then go for the 350i
My 1989 350i was great fun and managed 25mpg overall in the 2 years I had it
Any 400 is now averaging (or is that haemorraging) about 18mpg at best
For 90% of the time (on the road) the 350 is nearly as quick as a 400,
and are fast enough, it is the difference in looks and exclusivity (only 242 built)
that make the 400s much better IMHO
HTH
Richard
What did you pull on the way to Ettington?
I seem to recall murmers of 25mpg on a run???????
What Wedge you want depends on your personality and how much wedge you have in your skyrocket
If you're a performance freak, then a 280 wouldn't be for you, but if you like a good, cheap, classic motor...it's 280 all the way.
I'm a leadfoot by nature (ask Trickie) and would LOVE to go for a series 1/1.5/2 280 FHC just for the sound and the styling!
However, I would probably get a bit weary and end up going for something bigger, because it's in my nature
The 350 is a cracking car and can return a respectable MPG figure (well, relatively compared to what I'm returning)
The styling is love or loathe, but I've never heard a single bad comment when driving around with Trickie in his Wedges
They're a good price and seem to be quite stable given the circumstances.
Buy the best one you can find and afford and never look back
If you want a bit more exclusivity over the standard 350i, look for a 350SE - very rare, decent engine and sought after
I have (recent aquisition - appx 1 month) a TVR Tasmin 280i series 1.
I'm sure they seem underpowered when compared to the bigger wedges, but when your sat in a 280i you really don't notice it. Its still a chunk quicker than most other traffic. The V6 sound is different to a V8, but its not worse just different. I think you'll find the 280i is more manageable in the wet too. However you'll need you have your brain switched on at all times when behind the wheel of a TVR. They are fun to drive but you HAVE to drive them and keep your wits about you.
Without trying to be economic with the fuel I manage between 25 and 30mpg not that fuel is an issue for a fun car.
Whatever wedge you go for I'm sure you'll have lots of fun in it.
I've had more fun in the month I've owned a TVR than in a year of owning some vehicles, and I thought I'd been having fun in them.
Let us know what you get.
Norman
I'm sure they seem underpowered when compared to the bigger wedges, but when your sat in a 280i you really don't notice it. Its still a chunk quicker than most other traffic. The V6 sound is different to a V8, but its not worse just different. I think you'll find the 280i is more manageable in the wet too. However you'll need you have your brain switched on at all times when behind the wheel of a TVR. They are fun to drive but you HAVE to drive them and keep your wits about you.
Without trying to be economic with the fuel I manage between 25 and 30mpg not that fuel is an issue for a fun car.
Whatever wedge you go for I'm sure you'll have lots of fun in it.
I've had more fun in the month I've owned a TVR than in a year of owning some vehicles, and I thought I'd been having fun in them.
Let us know what you get.
Norman
James - well, I think you can get a pretty good wedge for 5K..
Top 350i
good 390se
average/poor 400se
450se/seac .. no chance
Would it be used every day - possible with a 5K budget but you need to shop around carefully.
Servicing - yourself or specialist (about £800 / year servicing and the odd fault) ..
20 mpg is fairly normal .. unless you are racing a Ferrari or motor bike
Top 350i
good 390se
average/poor 400se
450se/seac .. no chance
Would it be used every day - possible with a 5K budget but you need to shop around carefully.
Servicing - yourself or specialist (about £800 / year servicing and the odd fault) ..
20 mpg is fairly normal .. unless you are racing a Ferrari or motor bike
Thanks for all the advice.
I don't drive a lot of miles so the MPG wouldn't be a huge issue but I think the sting of sub-20 could be bit much for my bank balance to take.
If a 350 is really going to be a difference over the 390 then that's probably the one I should go for. I don't mind taking a bit of a power hit, as long as I get that earth-shattering rumble especially as I will get a tidyer one for the same money.
As for the insurance... would I still be able to get a good deal on classic cover even though I'm only 22? Elephant quoted me about £800 (which I don't think is bad, all things considered).
I don't drive a lot of miles so the MPG wouldn't be a huge issue but I think the sting of sub-20 could be bit much for my bank balance to take.
If a 350 is really going to be a difference over the 390 then that's probably the one I should go for. I don't mind taking a bit of a power hit, as long as I get that earth-shattering rumble
especially as I will get a tidyer one for the same money.As for the insurance... would I still be able to get a good deal on classic cover even though I'm only 22? Elephant quoted me about £800 (which I don't think is bad, all things considered).
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