Going from Tamora to T350 - De Switch

[gary_de_tam]

Anyone done such a change and would say there are pro's / con's !?

[GT TVR]

hi Gary,

Don't think there are any advantages. Some say the Tam is (one of) the best handling TVR's. Why do you want to change? If you want extra performance drop in a 4.3 and/or a CR box + 3.91 diff. Sorted.
Or a Sag maybe? You've got a 3.6, right? 4.0 upgrade?

Edited by GT TVR on Thursday 3rd September 08:30

[amtam]

Hmmmmmm, I recently bought a Tamora having been determined to buy a T350. Don't want to diss the T350 which I think is absolutely gorgeous to look at but FOR ME found the T350 roofline claustrophobic and that the extra tautness of the chassis detracted from the fluidity of the Tamora on B roads. Also, the roof off thing has proved to be important to me, in a way that the Targa can't offer me. The Tamora made the grin, the T350 made me stressy. I was so ticked off that the T350 didn't press the buttons for me I almost didn't buy the Tamora. I did though, and WOW, what a car! So glad I bought it, a terrific drive. A keeper.
This is just a personal opinion, but then TVR's are very personal sort of cars...

[Targarama]

Well you know all about what is under the skin. It is simple a question of roof or no roof (with targas somewhere inbetween). Looks of the Tamora vs T350 are subjective.

However, since you're considering a swap I suspect you really prefer the T350. So go with your heart. The usual buy carefully caveats apply.

BTW, how about a T350 front end on a Tamora? It has been done...

[Targarama]

amtam said:

Hmmmmmm, I recently bought a Tamora having been determined to buy a T350. Don't want to diss the T350 which I think is absolutely gorgeous to look at but FOR ME found the T350 roofline claustrophobic and that the extra tautness of the chassis detracted from the fluidity of the Tamora on B roads. Also, the roof off thing has proved to be important to me, in a way that the Targa can't offer me. The Tamora made the grin, the T350 made me stressy. I was so ticked off that the T350 didn't press the buttons for me I almost didn't buy the Tamora. I did though, and WOW, what a car! So glad I bought it, a terrific drive. A keeper.
This is just a personal opinion, but then TVR's are very personal sort of cars...

Fair enough, the Tamora is lovely.

How tall are you? The T350 has more room than most other 2 seater roadster/coupe type cars I've ever sat in.

[amtam]

Not tall, only five seven, it was about perception rather than physical lack of space. I'm going to stress again though - this was just how I found things. I'm just contributing an opinion and have absolutely no desire to tick off the T350 owners who love their TVR's.

[Targarama]

amtam said:

Not tall, only five seven, it was about perception rather than physical lack of space. I'm going to stress again though - this was just how I found things. I'm just contributing an opinion and have absolutely no desire to tick off the T350 owners who love their TVR's.

I know, just wondered. Don't ever sit in a Z4 Coupe!

[gary_de_tam]

from initial feedback, sounds like I have confused.com myself !,
not looking for anymore power but just a change in look really
and to me the T350 is a slightly better looking car...

I am not tall so headroom would not be an issue, although before
buying the Tam, I did feel a little closed in on the T350 cabin
when taking a test drive.

But yes, do I want open top motoring still, with the weather
recently, not a hard decision is it !

[Zippee]

I've only driven a Tam once so can't offer too much of an opinion on both but for me the looks of the T350 won it! The Tam felt a little softer and more compliant, the full cage in the 350 making it feel stiffer and a little more skittish but this can be changed with a different suspension set-up.
I agree with comments about feeling a little closed in hence the reason I eventually settled on a targa and with the panels out it does feel very open. Lighter coloured interiors also help to alleviate this (obviously).
The Tam is more practical in terms of luggage space though you can still pack a lot into a 350.
To be honest it reallly does come down to which car you like the look of most.

[Hunter T]

Its simple, a Tam will do everything a T350 will and has the advantage of open air motoring. My Tams front end looks like a cross between a 350 and a Tam. I love it!!!

Edited by Hunter T on Thursday 3rd September 11:14

[madbadger]

There is this on too.

[stimshady]

Hunter T said:

Its simple, a Tam will do everything a T350 will and has the advantage of open air motoring. My Tams front end looks like a cross between a 350 and a Tam. I love it!!!

Edited by Hunter T on Thursday 3rd September 11:14

That's nice! Where did you get that done?

[icraigmy]

I thought about changing my Tamora to a T350 or Sag, mainly because I suffer from hay fever alot in the last few years, and have to keep the roof on some days. This looks a bit odd as it's a spanking day and I have the roof on .

But now I've had the engine rebuilt to 4.0L and nitrons fitted (and plenty of hay fever pills) does'nt seem worth it anymore, because i don't think a T350 or Sag would be any better than my Tamora.

[Targarama]

icraigmy said:

I thought about changing my Tamora to a T350 or Sag, mainly because I suffer from hay fever alot in the last few years, and have to keep the roof on some days. This looks a bit odd as it's a spanking day and I have the roof on .

But now I've had the engine rebuilt to 4.0L and nitrons fitted (and plenty of hay fever pills) does'nt seem worth it anymore, because i don't think a T350 or Sag would be any better than my Tamora.

Obviously driving too fast for the fluffies to catch you now

[Skipe]

Both would seem to be great - my personal opinion is the T350 is stunning looking and no-one argues with this (IMHO easily the best looking car TVR ever made - but I'm not starting that debate!) I've never really thought the same about the Tam but it's obviously a great looker and great car as they all are!

Good luck whatever you decide.

[s5tvr]

amtam said:

but FOR ME found the T350 roofline claustrophobic and that the extra tautness of the chassis detracted from the fluidity of the Tamora on B roads.

It's the additional rigidity and the "closed in" feeling that makes you feel that you're in a car that was made for the track and not in a car that was made for cruising in which is what my old Chim 500 was made for and felt like.

[Zippee]

s5tvr said:

amtam said:

but FOR ME found the T350 roofline claustrophobic and that the extra tautness of the chassis detracted from the fluidity of the Tamora on B roads.

It's the additional rigidity and the "closed in" feeling that makes you feel that you're in a car that was made for the track and not in a car that was made for cruising in which is what my old Chim 500 was made for and felt like.

Perfect description and the main reason it took me a few months to fall in love with the 350 having come from a Chim as well.

[Hunter T]

stimshady said:

Hunter T said:

Its simple, a Tam will do everything a T350 will and has the advantage of open air motoring. My Tams front end looks like a cross between a 350 and a Tam. I love it!!!

Edited by Hunter T on Thursday 3rd September 11:14

That's nice! Where did you get that done?

A company called fiberon did it. They advertise in Sprint.

[Targarama]

Hunter T said:

stimshady said:

Hunter T said:

Its simple, a Tam will do everything a T350 will and has the advantage of open air motoring. My Tams front end looks like a cross between a 350 and a Tam. I love it!!!

Edited by Hunter T on Thursday 3rd September 11:14

That's nice! Where did you get that done?

A company called fiberon did it. They advertise in Sprint.

That makes a massive difference to my views on the Tamora's looks. With the round lights IMHO it looked a bit too old-school like my old Chimaera (not that there is anything wrong with that, but it just didn't gel with the rest of the car's ambitions IMO).

How's the new motor running Hunter? How does Speed Six ownership compare with a) Z4 straight six ownership and b) your old Cerb?

[Hunter T]

Hiya mate, the Tam hasnt missed a beat and is in a totally different league to the Z, no comparison atall. The attention you get in the Tam is unbelievable. People trying to overtake so they can take a picture, porsches giving you the thumbs up. Just great all round. It hasnt got the torque of the Cerb but if you keep the revs up its spectaculary fast. In some ways it drives like a monster version of a honda s2000 in the way the engine delivers its best performance. I need to get some paint on it at the mo but im struggling to locate the exact paint thats on it.
Also iv been using the Tam as my Daily driver up till yesterday ( bought a Fiat punto sporting ) and its been easy to drive around town ect. The warm up period isnt a problem as in town ect you never have to rev above 3K anyway. I would recomend a Tamora every time.I was in traffic behind an R8 today and he must of been pissed because everyone was pointing at the loud bright yellow Tam!!!!

Edited by Hunter T on Thursday 3rd September 15:41