Wedges - driving experience
Discussion
I am thinking about getting at a TVR 350i at the moment, the prices for them seem quite reasonable.
Question is how does the driving experience compare with other more expensive TVR's like the Chimaera / Griffith?
I'm not talking about outright speed or styling, just how fun it is to drive. How does the handling compare in particular?
What I'm trying to get at is does half price (compared to a Chimera) mean half the fun?
(If not, perhaps it's more sensible to buy a wedge than a Chimaera, and have some "wedge" left over to run it?)
PN.
Question is how does the driving experience compare with other more expensive TVR's like the Chimaera / Griffith?
I'm not talking about outright speed or styling, just how fun it is to drive. How does the handling compare in particular?
What I'm trying to get at is does half price (compared to a Chimera) mean half the fun?
(If not, perhaps it's more sensible to buy a wedge than a Chimaera, and have some "wedge" left over to run it?)
PN.
First of all, a lot of people don't buy a Wedge because they don't like the looks...fair enough...beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
If you've overcome that obstacle then it's down to what you require from a sports car and how much you are prepared to spend in your pursuit of (motoring) pleasure.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that because the cars are cheap to buy they are also cheap to run...not so. They are pretty reliable though.
I, and a lot of other Wedge owners can afford to buy and run any model of TVR they choose, but there's just something about the Wedge that appeals to my non-conformist personality, and I suspect this is true of most of my fellow Wedgers. Then there is the sound.....
I have not commented on the driving dynamics of the car, fun factor,etc (I've had 280 FHC, 390SE and now 400SE ) as clearly I'm biased ( and a little short of time this morning
)
Go and drive one, read the forums and decide for yourself.
If you've overcome that obstacle then it's down to what you require from a sports car and how much you are prepared to spend in your pursuit of (motoring) pleasure.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that because the cars are cheap to buy they are also cheap to run...not so. They are pretty reliable though.
I, and a lot of other Wedge owners can afford to buy and run any model of TVR they choose, but there's just something about the Wedge that appeals to my non-conformist personality, and I suspect this is true of most of my fellow Wedgers. Then there is the sound.....
I have not commented on the driving dynamics of the car, fun factor,etc (I've had 280 FHC, 390SE and now 400SE ) as clearly I'm biased ( and a little short of time this morning
)Go and drive one, read the forums and decide for yourself.
Edited by grahamw48 on Tuesday 18th November 10:20
I've just gone from Wedges to a Griff 500. The Griff does everything better from a technical point of view, ride, handling & that brutal 5 litre serp engine........
BUT
I'll be going back to Wedges hopefully very shortly because they've just got that 'X' factor that just gets you. Can't explain it, won't even try, you just have to be in a convoy of Wedges blasting across a mountain road, being hit by the howling exhaust note, the smell of burned oil & un burned fuel from the one in front.........
All for half the price.
Vid
http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/pwd95/Video/...
What are you waiting for.....
BUT
I'll be going back to Wedges hopefully very shortly because they've just got that 'X' factor that just gets you. Can't explain it, won't even try, you just have to be in a convoy of Wedges blasting across a mountain road, being hit by the howling exhaust note, the smell of burned oil & un burned fuel from the one in front......
...All for half the price.
Vid
http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/pwd95/Video/...
What are you waiting for.....
Thanks for the info so far, sounds VERY tempting.
My only experiences of TVR so far have been drives in a Chimaera and a friends V8S. The V8S to my mind, still has the best engine note of any car I have heard (although my Audi S8 rocket powered barge is not sounding too bad now, with a Miltek exhaust - not exactly what people expect from a limo
!)
My only experiences of TVR so far have been drives in a Chimaera and a friends V8S. The V8S to my mind, still has the best engine note of any car I have heard (although my Audi S8 rocket powered barge is not sounding too bad now, with a Miltek exhaust - not exactly what people expect from a limo
!)I had a 350i for 8 years before moving onto a cerb and then a griff
The wedge is great car and one of THE automotive bargains, they handle well, but are more prone to worn parts effecting the handling which is not the case with the Griffmera's.
I would say a well maintained wedge will handle almost as well a griffmera, they do roll more and are a little slower in their responses.
I would say that from a driving experience point the wedge is a little rawer than a griffmera purely from a noise ( more wind and exhaust) point of view, however the wedge is a more stable car due to the longer wheelbase and little more inclined to understeer.
Wedges are also quite heavy (1150 ishKg) as a lot of fibreglass was used and they have door bars so they are probably safer in a crash.
Mine was also very reliable I did 80K in it and the car was on 150K when I sold it ( admittedly I rebuilt the engine , new gearbox, shocks etc)
As a starter TVR they are a very good buy, however the heating / ventilation is not the best and the later 400's are the pick of the bunch for being the most sorted.
Matt
The wedge is great car and one of THE automotive bargains, they handle well, but are more prone to worn parts effecting the handling which is not the case with the Griffmera's.
I would say a well maintained wedge will handle almost as well a griffmera, they do roll more and are a little slower in their responses.
I would say that from a driving experience point the wedge is a little rawer than a griffmera purely from a noise ( more wind and exhaust) point of view, however the wedge is a more stable car due to the longer wheelbase and little more inclined to understeer.
Wedges are also quite heavy (1150 ishKg) as a lot of fibreglass was used and they have door bars so they are probably safer in a crash.
Mine was also very reliable I did 80K in it and the car was on 150K when I sold it ( admittedly I rebuilt the engine , new gearbox, shocks etc)
As a starter TVR they are a very good buy, however the heating / ventilation is not the best and the later 400's are the pick of the bunch for being the most sorted.
Matt
I currently have a 280i Wedge and am VERY happy with it.
I call it a "grand little car" seeing as I only paid £1k for it!
I reckon you'd be VERY hard pushed to have more fun per pound than with a wedge.
The 280i is not the fastest even if you only compare it to other wedges but it is such a hoot to drive. Definate "silly grin factor" in spades. I like the 280i a lot as its NOT as much of a handfull in the wet as some TVRs can be, but is still a thrill to drive.
I have traditionally had Jaguars (XJ's mainly but including and XJ12C 2 door coupe with a V12 5.3L engine!) and had more fun in a few months in the wedge than in years of driving Jaguars.
I do admit the looks of the wedge are a bit "Marmite" (you either love them or hate them) but as a driving experience they are great fun.
I have considered "upgrading" to an S but I'm going to put that on the back burner while I'm enjoying the wedge.
If you want to see more about my wedge goto http://www.tvrwedge.co.uk
I call it a "grand little car" seeing as I only paid £1k for it!
I reckon you'd be VERY hard pushed to have more fun per pound than with a wedge.
The 280i is not the fastest even if you only compare it to other wedges but it is such a hoot to drive. Definate "silly grin factor" in spades. I like the 280i a lot as its NOT as much of a handfull in the wet as some TVRs can be, but is still a thrill to drive.
I have traditionally had Jaguars (XJ's mainly but including and XJ12C 2 door coupe with a V12 5.3L engine!) and had more fun in a few months in the wedge than in years of driving Jaguars.
I do admit the looks of the wedge are a bit "Marmite" (you either love them or hate them) but as a driving experience they are great fun.
I have considered "upgrading" to an S but I'm going to put that on the back burner while I'm enjoying the wedge.
If you want to see more about my wedge goto http://www.tvrwedge.co.uk
Edited by wedgeinald on Tuesday 18th November 12:52
Phil,
A 350i feels quicker than it actually is, best thing to do is check the chassis, then check the chassis, then, just to be sure check the chassis.
When I first got mine the handling was a little bit ropey.
However, new ARB bushes, a new steering column bush (best mod ever) a new set of springs, a few shims to adjust the rear wheel camber and a 4 wheel alignment and she feels like a totally different animal. Total cost of the above was around £250.
The noise is just out of this world, progress can be made fairly rapidly.
The models with the old 'flapper' injection system make a few more pops and bangs than the later hotwire cars.
I'd agree with the guys re ventilation, mine is pretty crap. So much so that I never put the roof up when driving it, then again neither do most other 'wedgers', although there has been the occasional 'mullet' spotted. (driving with the rear section erect!).
Wedgers are the black sheep of the TVR family, it's a fairly close knit and very helpful community.
It might be a good idea to get over to a local TVRCC meeting and have a chat with some of the guys.
A 350i feels quicker than it actually is, best thing to do is check the chassis, then check the chassis, then, just to be sure check the chassis.
When I first got mine the handling was a little bit ropey.
However, new ARB bushes, a new steering column bush (best mod ever) a new set of springs, a few shims to adjust the rear wheel camber and a 4 wheel alignment and she feels like a totally different animal. Total cost of the above was around £250.
The noise is just out of this world, progress can be made fairly rapidly.
The models with the old 'flapper' injection system make a few more pops and bangs than the later hotwire cars.
I'd agree with the guys re ventilation, mine is pretty crap. So much so that I never put the roof up when driving it, then again neither do most other 'wedgers', although there has been the occasional 'mullet' spotted. (driving with the rear section erect!).
Wedgers are the black sheep of the TVR family, it's a fairly close knit and very helpful community.
It might be a good idea to get over to a local TVRCC meeting and have a chat with some of the guys.
I agree with everthing above. I'm on my 2nd 350i and love it to bits. It's amazing how many Wedge owners trade up to the other Tivs in the range and back down again. I like my car for all sorts of reasons - nothing gives me more of a buzz than starting up and waiting for the experience to begin.
I think they are highly under rated and considering they don't cost a forutne to fix - they represent excellent value for money. As for driving - they epitomise point and squirt driving and out on a straight - nothing compares...
Go on - get one and you will be hooked...forever lol
I think they are highly under rated and considering they don't cost a forutne to fix - they represent excellent value for money. As for driving - they epitomise point and squirt driving and out on a straight - nothing compares...
Go on - get one and you will be hooked...forever lol
My first was a 350i. MEGA, MEGA, MEGA car as a first TVR.
In my honest opinion, on standard suspension it was better than my current Griff (still on originals). It gave more confidence and was predictably chuckable.
They sound ace, look great (a personal thing) and are cheaper than chips.
I'm tempted to buy one again, just for a laugh. They're THAT good.
In my honest opinion, on standard suspension it was better than my current Griff (still on originals). It gave more confidence and was predictably chuckable.
They sound ace, look great (a personal thing) and are cheaper than chips.
I'm tempted to buy one again, just for a laugh. They're THAT good.
Edited by lazyitus on Tuesday 18th November 20:20
I must admit that I'm not a fan of the looks (but it is growing on me from certain angles), but it was the cheapest way into TVR-dom for me, especially as mine came without an engine!
It has taken me a lot longer to get it on the road than originally anticipated, but it was worth the wait!
Not particually quick (low compression 3.5 Range Rover engine, masses of torque though), but is sounds gorgeous and is a great experience to drive.
Simple mechanics (a dead Range Rover is your friend ) and plenty of scope to improve/tweak as you please.
I was lucky as my chassis is in good nick, but the out-riggers have been done at some stage. My suspension bushes were all completely worn out, resulting in a bizarre shopping trolley like handling. Replacements were cheap enough and fairly easy to change.
Bigger engine to follow
It has taken me a lot longer to get it on the road than originally anticipated, but it was worth the wait!
Not particually quick (low compression 3.5 Range Rover engine, masses of torque though), but is sounds gorgeous and is a great experience to drive.
Simple mechanics (a dead Range Rover is your friend
) and plenty of scope to improve/tweak as you please.I was lucky as my chassis is in good nick, but the out-riggers have been done at some stage. My suspension bushes were all completely worn out, resulting in a bizarre shopping trolley like handling. Replacements were cheap enough and fairly easy to change.
Bigger engine to follow
Wedges - love 'em, look great, sound great, can keep up with the quick stuff (or lead if required) but you find out when you move on too something more modern and faster that you have more fun more of the time in a wedge cos you have to drive it all the time when hooning!
Would have another tomorrow.
Would have another tomorrow.
It really does depend on what you want..
When i was looking, my choice was a range of s series, wedges or chims...
A friend had a chim (great car but too many on the road as far as i was concerned - plus he had one!) and the s was just too....Small and the smaller model of a wedge - sorry to s owners!
The wedge has the 'love or loathe' looks and just works in all applications.
Sounds ace, gets tons of looks and the all important 'what the fook is that???' from random passers at the pub!!
When i was looking, my choice was a range of s series, wedges or chims...
A friend had a chim (great car but too many on the road as far as i was concerned - plus he had one!) and the s was just too....Small and the smaller model of a wedge - sorry to s owners!
The wedge has the 'love or loathe' looks and just works in all applications.
Sounds ace, gets tons of looks and the all important 'what the fook is that???' from random passers at the pub!!
Edited by matt-man on Wednesday 19th November 00:31
ks! I feel a car purchase coming on! 
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