T350 or Sagaris?
Author
Discussion

gilbo

Original Poster:

460 posts

229 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and after selling my T350c a year ago I am now in the market for another.
I'm sure this has been covered before, so I appologise in advance, but is a Sagaris worth the extra outlay over a T350?
I much prefer the looks of the T350 but I also appreciate the drama of the Sag's styling.
It will be my weekend toy and used for track days and sprints so I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has driven/owned both and/or had both on track.
Cheers guysbiggrin

TGJR

750 posts

257 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
I have owned a Sagaris and a Tamora (which I guess is similar to a T350 to drive) and the Sag was much better on the road, especially on less than perfect A and B roads. It felt more composed and less nervous, much of which was down to steering set up.

On track I found my Tamora as much fun as the Sag and not a significant performance difference (though I am not one for hammering my cars on track). I think the Sag steps up in terms of performance if you have the 3.7 or 3.9 diff which seems to make a big difference.

If I wanted another TVR as a weekend toy and track day car would I spend the £30k+ needed for a decent Sag or £20k for a decent T350? Probably the latter.

gilbo

Original Poster:

460 posts

229 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Thanks TGJR, I think I had pretty much come to the same conclusion, it's just nice to hear it from someone else!

bogie

17,073 posts

301 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Well the price difference isnt that great anymore is it?

say a top end T350 is about £25K isnt it?

and you can get a Sag for £32K ish

I guess its personal preference really - will you always be wondering whether you should have got the Sag, or will you be happy with the 350? ...if you think you wont be happy until youve owned one, then save up more for the Sag right off...as changing cars later always costs money

..if its just the performance of Sag you are after, then you can always throw money at a T350 to make it similar...but if its purely a financial decision, then you are probably better off getting the Sag in the first place too


gilbo

Original Poster:

460 posts

229 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Cost isn't an issue, it's more thinking with my head and not my heart! I prefer the looks of the T350 but if the Sag is the better car both from a driving perspective and maybe investment perspective then that would be the better choice. I just find it hard to get my head around the idea of spending an extra 10k (give or take) on a car I don't find as attractive and that is very similar under the skin.
I do agree with your sentiment though about wondering what if.
Maybe the Sagaris itch needs scratching!

willtvr

1,099 posts

226 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
gilbo said:
Cost isn't an issue, it's more thinking with my head and not my heart! I prefer the looks of the T350 but if the Sag is the better car both from a driving perspective and maybe investment perspective then that would be the better choice. I just find it hard to get my head around the idea of spending an extra 10k (give or take) on a car I don't find as attractive and that is very similar under the skin.
I do agree with your sentiment though about wondering what if.
Maybe the Sagaris itch needs scratching!
If you are lucky you might even find a Sag engined T350 like mine cool

Toobin

1,222 posts

263 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Had both and not wanting to offend but the T350 was not a patch on the Sag ... it is quicker (noticeably so) handles much better, corners and all and for sheer sense of driving occasion it is second to none... its a total no brainer, if money is no issue get the sag every day

willtvr

1,099 posts

226 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Toobin said:
Had both and not wanting to offend but the T350 was not a patch on the Sag ... it is quicker (noticeably so) handles much better, corners and all and for sheer sense of driving occasion it is second to none... its a total no brainer, if money is no issue get the sag every day
Not quite sure why it would be quicker unless running different diff ratio?

Don1

16,795 posts

237 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Faster in, through, and out of corners?

I can't really say compared to a T350, but the my Sag is the finest handling car I have ever driven.

Targarama

14,784 posts

312 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
willtvr said:
Toobin said:
Had both and not wanting to offend but the T350 was not a patch on the Sag ... it is quicker (noticeably so) handles much better, corners and all and for sheer sense of driving occasion it is second to none... its a total no brainer, if money is no issue get the sag every day
Not quite sure why it would be quicker unless running different diff ratio?
Agreed. There isn't much in it in terms of pure speed. In fact I bet a 4.0L T350 has a higher top speed due to less drag. Gearing, Diff ratios and torque giving that initial 'boost' feeling may make them feel different though.

Handling is different though. Same driver, not The Stig - Sagaris.

Toobin

1,222 posts

263 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
willtvr said:
Toobin said:
Had both and not wanting to offend but the T350 was not a patch on the Sag ... it is quicker (noticeably so) handles much better, corners and all and for sheer sense of driving occasion it is second to none... its a total no brainer, if money is no issue get the sag every day
Not quite sure why it would be quicker unless running different diff ratio?
plus one is a 3.6 360bhp (0-60 4.4)the other a 4.0 400+bhp (0-60 3.8) .... puzzles me biggrin

willtvr

1,099 posts

226 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Toobin said:
willtvr said:
Toobin said:
Had both and not wanting to offend but the T350 was not a patch on the Sag ... it is quicker (noticeably so) handles much better, corners and all and for sheer sense of driving occasion it is second to none... its a total no brainer, if money is no issue get the sag every day
Not quite sure why it would be quicker unless running different diff ratio?
plus one is a 3.6 360bhp (0-60 4.4)the other a 4.0 400+bhp (0-60 3.8) .... puzzles me biggrin
You obviously mis-read my original post rolleyes

Toobin

1,222 posts

263 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Yip got that after I hit submit ... biggrin oops

s5tvr

1,239 posts

262 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Toobin said:
plus one is a 3.6 360bhp (0-60 4.4)the other a 4.0 400+bhp (0-60 3.8) .... puzzles me biggrin
First off you won't find many (if any) Sags making 400+bhp and I'd like to see one hit 0-60 in 3.8 in the hands of a mere mortal, bearing in mind that's Nissan GT-R and GT2 territory. I doubt the better handling of the Sag can truly be exploited on public roads anyway and as for top speed the rear spoiler must surely slow the car down compared to the T350.

TVR_owner

3,349 posts

220 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
T350 is a very nice car, it's not a Sagaris though.

There is still a big price difference between similar cars. 25K will get you a mint low mileage T350, 32K will get you a high mileage Sagaris.

Sagaris is a much more sorted car and with the correct gearing is significantly quicker than a T350.

Sagaris bough correctly will be a better investment than a T350 bought correctly.

So...if you can get to grips with the Sags slightly OTT looks, then the rest is really about what cars are available on the market. You will need to spend time looking as there is some real tat out there that is advertised as mint and odes not quite fit the description.

Jonny TVR

4,551 posts

310 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
bogie said:
Well the price difference isnt that great anymore is it?

say a top end T350 is about £25K isnt it?

and you can get a Sag for £32K ish

I guess its personal preference really - will you always be wondering whether you should have got the Sag, or will you be happy with the 350? ...if you think you wont be happy until youve owned one, then save up more for the Sag right off...as changing cars later always costs money

..if its just the performance of Sag you are after, then you can always throw money at a T350 to make it similar...but if its purely a financial decision, then you are probably better off getting the Sag in the first place too
I know someone who just bought a very nice Sagaris for £25K. There are deals out there in these difficult times.

stimshady

1,323 posts

216 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
i wonder how many people really notice the difference off the track, especially with all the 'traffic calming' measures (and traffic!) everywhere now, you really have to be on the back roads to open them up and then it's a lot of slower (not slow!) bends... i say forget the investment side and go with what you want!

gilbo

Original Poster:

460 posts

229 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
In a bizzar twist of fate I've just spoken to the chap I sold my old T350 to because he has written it off! He also has a Sag and claims from behind the wheel the difference is slim. He said he prefered my T350 to his Sag as It felt tighter and directionally more responsive. As the common consensus seems to be....buy what you like and enjoy it!

TVR_owner

3,349 posts

220 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
gilbo said:
He also has a Sag and claims from behind the wheel the difference is slim. He said he prefered my T350 to his Sag as It felt tighter and directionally more responsive.
Did he say which form of drugs he was using?

gilbo

Original Poster:

460 posts

229 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
Haha, I think the only way I'm going to settle this is if I get behind the wheel of a Sag myself. I test drove a heap of a T350 at the weekend but even that felt good! So it will be very interesting to finally drive a Sag, if I can just get my head round the looks!