New Sagaris owner

[robsco]

A boyhood dream you might say... John and Linda Simpson's old car, one of the lowest mileage Sags in the world I'd hasten to say. It was a tough decision to let both my Tuscan 2S and Griff 500 go, and a tough negotiation with the previous owner, but after much to'ing and fro'ing she's back home in the garage. I believe it's the only Spectraflair Grey Sag built, the mileage is just 5900 and the car is virtually faultless which is how it will remain.

[robsco]

Thanks for the well wishes all. I've had the car around a month now, it's done perhaps 150 miles or so. The car is getting to the point now where I feel she is best preserved and cherished as a low mileage, standard car. In the last couple of years I've done European road trips in my T350T and Tuscan respectively, if truth be told I don't think that the Sag will ever be used for such a thing. It's giving me as much enjoyment as the other cars did just by looking at it, cleaning it and being its custodian. Ideally I'd like to drive it more and not feel as guilty, but this is always the danger of buying such a low mileage car. Certainly had I bought a 25000 mile car, I'd be driving it a lot more.

On the plus side, the car is almost flawless in its condition, in all areas. The chassis looks to have never seen rain, the exterior has one small stone chip just above the PPF on the nose. The engine bay is absolutely factory standard and perfectly maintained, even the engine bay stickers have been replaced and look like new. The water rails have the slightest surface corrosion coming through, and perhaps the PAS bracket is a bit scabby. The seats have been retrimmed with double quilted white stitch; I'm not a fan of quilting normally, but the car is just so bloody nice it doesn't matter!

[robsco]

I'm not entirely sure, the car has the associated invoice in the file at around 3k miles. My hunch is that the car perhaps came supplied with the (inferior) Tuscan seats from new and these were installed afterwards, though I couldn't say for sure. The quilted stitching is also present below the removable cushion which is a nice touch.

[robsco]

TVRMs said:

ray von said:

robsco said:

I'm not entirely sure, the car has the associated invoice in the file at around 3k miles. My hunch is that the car perhaps came supplied with the (inferior) Tuscan seats from new and these were installed afterwards, though I couldn't say for sure. The quilted stitching is also present below the removable cushion which is a nice touch.

Yes that's what HHC told me when it was there iirc it was John Simpson who did it, he may be along to confirm it.
To be honest when the car was in the showroom it looked a meh colour but when it's outside it looks fantastic

Not guilty. ‘‘Twas the owner after me that swapped them. Car had leather black Tuscan seats (carbon effect) originally but tall drivers and Sags with Tuscan seats do not go well together.

No other reason they were changed.

BTW Owner after me was 6-5 ish...

Sorry Cammy if I under sold you

Edited by TVRMs on Saturday 13th July 19:29

Thanks John. I don't like the Tuscan seats anyway, I find them terribly unsupportive and secondly, I think using them for the later T350s/Sags was purely cost cutting. That said, if some Tuscan seats come up I'll snatch them up and get them re-trimmed back to original, so the car at least has them.

[robsco]

Chim450 said:

robsco said:

Thanks for the well wishes all. I've had the car around a month now, it's done perhaps 150 miles or so. The car is getting to the point now where I feel she is best preserved and cherished as a low mileage, standard car. In the last couple of years I've done European road trips in my T350T and Tuscan respectively, if truth be told I don't think that the Sag will ever be used for such a thing. It's giving me as much enjoyment as the other cars did just by looking at it, cleaning it and being its custodian. Ideally I'd like to drive it more and not feel as guilty, but this is always the danger of buying such a low mileage car. Certainly had I bought a 25000 mile car, I'd be driving it a lot more.

That’s a shame. You sold 2 TVRs to buy this one and won’t get to drive it much. Personally I’ve never got keeping cars low mileage unless you are worried about re-sale value. My Tuscan has 70,000 on the clock (55,000 in my ownership) and is in A1 condition, albeit spending a small fortune getting it that way. I cherish every drive in it.

I am worried about resale to an extent as I spent every spare penny I have earned on this car; it's hard earned. Secondly, the cars are becoming rarer by the day and there is a degree of responsibility in keeping it as good as it is.

[robsco]

I'd like to tell you all... I drove the car 15 miles last night. I loved every second, but boy the car is so damned nice, the thought of a stone chip gives me palpitations!

[robsco]

Well, it's been shortlived... but I've made the decision to let the car go. I haven't gotten around to advertising yet, but I feel it's time to move on and try a 355, which is something I've been looking at for a while but never followed through with. I'm sure I'll be back to TVR in the future!

[robsco]

glow worm said:

Even with a low mileage , a history of a large number of owners will drive the price down .

An owner every 3 years on average, hardly excessive. Thanks for your input Keith.

[robsco]

julian64 said:

No one asking the obvious question?

okay then just me.

Why did you decide to sell after such a short period of time?

Ten TVRs in 8 years... time to move on, Julian. I fancied a 355 before I bought the Sag but ignored it and put it to the back of my mind. I think a 355 is the most likely route for me.

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julian64 said:

robsco said:

Ten TVRs in 8 years... time to move on, Julian. I fancied a 355 before I bought the Sag but ignored it and put it to the back of my mind. I think a 355 is the most likely route for me.

From all 8 TVRs you've owned, do any highlights stand out?

There are only two I truly regret selling. One would be a red glow T350T, the other was an early Chianti Starmist Cerbera 4.2. I've always had itchy feet with cars, I've just been struck faster than usual this time!

[robsco]

Wodanaz said:

robsco said:

There are only two I truly regret selling. One would be a red glow T350T, the other was an early Chianti Starmist Cerbera 4.2. I've always had itchy feet with cars, I've just been struck faster than usual this time!

Any more info on why you rate the T350T so highly? (after having owned a Sag?)

Also, it's just my two cents and I've never driven a S6 engined TVR (only a Cerbera 4.5) but if you enjoy a torquey engine with a quick response the 355 is a disappointment

It was the first Fcar I actually spent time with and you always had to squeeze those last few RPM out of it in order to get some proper go

Can't argue with the looks though

I think the 3.6 Speed Six is a sweeter engine than the 4 litre, despite being a little down on low end torque. That T350 was also just a great car, well screwed together (as well as could be expected), great colour combination, reliable and so pretty. I also really liked the targa set up in the T350.

[robsco]

In the meantime I'm looking at sports exhaust options, I will decat also but I would like more noise. Clive F doesn't make Sag backboxes anymore and there doesn't seem to be an alternative! What have other owners gone for?

[robsco]

alex_gray255 said:

http://www.jrfabrications.co.uk/

^^ Julian can

Thanks Alex. I've emailed but they don't have anything "off the shelf", which is what I want. I was hoping they would have done one before and therefore have the "template", so to speak. ACT offer a full system but I think this is unnecessary, a sports backbox would do the trick if it's just for noise.