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Wedge 60 miles in the TR8 today!

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sammyb

Luke Skywalker
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It finally stopped raining here in the Northwest, so I scheduled a tour with the driving "association" (made up of people who read my column.)

I decided yesterday that I was going to fix that dang tranny problem on the TR8 and drive it. After buying it and driving it 60 miles home, I had only really driven it once or twice in five months.

So yesterday I tinkered and tinkered until I couldn't tinker any more. Then I drove it down to my friend's shop to finally admit defeat and pay him to fix it for me. He wasn't there, but one of the guys there said "yeah, that TR8 we had here with the engine work also wouldn't let you select second gear until it was warm."

On the way back from the shop (four miles from my house,) second gear started engaging! Yup, it's like a Ferrari, no 2nd gear until the oil warms up in the tranny. I'm wondering if the fluid in there is too thick (like 90wt or something.)

So today I took it out for the drive, and it took about five minutes before second came in. Still can be a little hard to engage (as can fourth,) but it ran like a champ.

Although I must admit, the car isn't as much fun as the TR7. Too numb for my tastes. Sure the added torque is nice, but you lose so much steering and brake feel. Plus the taller rear end gives a more GT car feel. But, there's that great exhaust note!

But it's actually so nice to get it out and /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Hey, I have heard that you should use automatic transmission fluid to solve the 2nd 4th gear issue. I have never had the problem, but I have read it in my repair manual from england.
 
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Although I must admit, the car isn't as much fun as the TR7. Too numb for my tastes. Sure the added torque is nice, but you lose so much steering and brake feel. Plus the taller rear end gives a more GT car feel.


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Sammy, I am sorry that you are disappointed in your TR8 and just to make you feel better about your foolish decision to purchase it, I will take it off your hands for a fair price. But, as you well know, buyer's remorse should lower the market value of the car, just so you don't forget. In fact, if you drive it to New Orleans, I will pay your bus ticket back home. Generous of me, huh?

Bill
 
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But, as you well know, buyer's remorse should lower the market value of the car

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Errrr....I guess that's the same logic that brings us a coastal city built under sea level /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif...

...My feelings would never affect market value -- only a market-altering condition can do that. My feelings only affect what I'd pay for one in the future, and can contribute with other factors for what I'd sell it.
 
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But, as you well know, buyer's remorse should lower the market value of the car

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Errrr....I guess that's the same logic that brings us a coastal city built under sea level /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif...



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Huh? Oh, never mind.

Bill
 
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But, as you well know, buyer's remorse should lower the market value of the car

[/ QUOTE ]

Errrr....I guess that's the same logic that brings us a coastal city built under sea level /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif...

...My feelings would never affect market value -- only a market-altering condition can do that. My feelings only affect what I'd pay for one in the future, and can contribute with other factors for what I'd sell it.

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Smart guy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif Just because I don't like a particular car doesn't mean I wouldn't sell it for fair-market value. I think I'd like a TR-8 though. But then again I haven't driven enough real sportscars (at their limits or even close) to make an educated guess at how they handle. I'd guess that a TR-8 is a little nose heavy (but not that much - the alloy v-8 is pretty light), and I've yet to own a car without power brakes (except one ford van).


But, If I'd driven a certain car I might not buy another one if I wasn't impressed. So far, My B fit's that, but, maybe after I replace all the worn/original front suspension bushings, have her repainted, and maybe the rear bushings, front wheel bearings, and a proper alignment...

Hmmm. It's really not easy to judge a car from the original feel from driving it... is it? I'd guess even in perfect shape - a stock vehicle could even be made better.
 
Actually, the TR8 handles pretty well...it just FEELS very numb compared to the TR7. In terms of just raw numbers, there's no doubt that it is a better car than any other TR, but that feel in your fingers, feet and seat of the pants -- well, it's just not as alive.

It's one of the reasons I tend not to like muscle and pony cars -- that numb American feeling.

It's not to say that the TR8 is a bad car by any stretch of the imagination! It's a pretty great car, certainly for the era. It's comfortable and very capable. It just runs into not delivering the type of driving experience that speaks to my heart. Whereas everytime I got into the TR7, I felt like flinging it around 90-degree bends, the TR8 is better suited for cruising fast back roads or freeways.
 
hey sammy, is that your tr8 on the seattle craig's list for $8500? 1980 edition with air conditioning and 4 barrel carb. My brother sent me the advert, says its in the olympia area.
 
Yup, that's it. You can see I'm really "motivated" to sell it, as the asking price ensures that nobody will buy it.

I guess you all have to understand my brain -- I nitpick at why I don't like one of my cars until I put it up for sale, at which point I start loving it. If someone actually paid full ask, I'd sell it and find something else to fill its space. But don't read too much into it, other than I can tell my wife "yes honey, I have it listed."

That, and I have the automotive version of ADD! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I guess it's a good thing you don't live closer,& I don't have more money.

- Doug
 
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