Still frightened of my Tiv?

[UKBob]

Ive only been driving 7 months, and drive a 4.5 Cerbera. IMHO it boils down to how you drive, more than what you drive. I stay in my comfort zone which means below the NSL if thats what feels safest in the wet etc.

Boring to some, but Im left feeling safe and in control, which is what I would want from other drivers sharing the same roads, leaving nothing to be frightened of (except dogs, deer, the shoddy hand brake, and chavs at petrol stations).

[K1 CERB]

When I had my Griff, I could only drive it after taking Red Bull intraveniously! Luverly car but scared the Cr4p out of me!

I bought a Cerb instead same fun - less stress!

K1 CERB

[TeGriffic]

First time I had a wobble was simply changing lanes on a dual carriagway - as soon as the tyres ran over the central which lines. I think you just have to be more obvservant of your road surfaces and ensure that you are aware of potential changes in friction coefficients as you go. I do push mine around the quieter (out of town) roads and observe the above. I've really only had three upsets and all of those were minor ones whereby the back end came back fairly quickly. Mind you, it's only a 4.3 . I certainly have learnt though that cold tyres are an absolutely different charactistic to warm ones.

>> Edited by TeGriffic on Wednesday 16th February 02:43

[andy400]

Go and do a RideDrive course. I had a full day (+airfield) on damp roads and my confidence has increased dramatically. (There's still an element of fear in my TVR driving psyche, though, and I for one think that's probably a good thing).

[guydw]

I think having a high degree of respect is a good thing redardless of experience.

I think that you need to get 10-20k TVR miles under your belt to really start getting to grips with it, or experience on other very powerful cars that don't have an on board computer.

UKBob - you only been driving for 7 months ? Good on you - however, be VERY careful, I reckon it took me 2 years to start getting experienced.

I reckon all kinds of driver training will help - I too intend to do the AIM things when I have time.

I have over 60K miles in TVRs, yet I found myself at 45 degrees across a french motorway in the snow at the weekend - I got it back, just, but it was a sobering experience !

[DJC]

jeff miles said:

I've spent many years doing exciting things for my fun and intend to spend many more years yet. I was 20 when I had my Coventry Climax engined Lotus 7 in 1962, which taught me great respect for road conditions, as did my Velocette Venom. Over the years I've climbed, dived (sea and sky), soldiered, flown (and built) ultralights. Many lessons, some mistakes (lucky enough to walk away) but still alive. Above all make sure your kit is in good order and you know how to use it, and where it's and your limits are. I have no qualms about exploiting the power of my 4L wet or dry. However I adapt my style accordingly. When I got the car I made sure I took it out in all weathers, starting out cautiously and building experience. Slow in, fast out is the rule, and very satisfying and exciting it can be. Brutal use of the right foot in second or third out of a bend in the wet and you will lose it, and deserve to. I drive my car every week, all weathers and urge you to do so. If you do not have 'previous' then I also urge you to get onto a track and start to explore the potential, dry and wet. There used to be a very good skid control course at Silverstone, which I found very helpful and confidence building. Above all do not be drawn or provoked into getting into situations on the road outside your experience - there's nothing that has to be 'proved'. However given the respect due, the road holding is very good indeed and you need not be nervous or apprehensive - use it, get used to it and have really great fun. Sorry for the rather pompous lecture, but I do mean it sincerely Jeff

Absolutely agree.
If you are scared of your car, then frankly you shouldnt be driving it as you are dangerous to yourself and other users. Respect is not the same as fear. If you are fearful then you are not in control and more to the point you dont know why you arent in control nor how to exercise that control.

I dont fear Gruff, never have done, never will and that includes when I was driving him in the blizzard on Xmas Eve. I do however absolutely respect him and what he will do to me if I forget that. The only difference between wet and dry driving is the amount of concentration and skill needed at any set speed.

[guydw]

agree with DJC etc.

I just had my own driving in the snow drama - it was the worst blizzard I've ever been in, right up on the swiss/french border.

Let me tell you, in proper slush / snow on the road the Cerb WILL NOT allow you to give it even a tiny amount of gas without pushing the back out. I was very close to spinning at one point - in itself this wouldn't have been a major problem, but the other traffic which wasn't having the same trouble, was a major problem. So I had to stop and sit it out - no fun !

[V8 Archie]

andy400 said:

Go and do a RideDrive course. I had a full day (+airfield) on damp roads and my confidence has increased dramatically. (There's still an element of fear in my TVR driving psyche, though, and I for one think that's probably a good thing).

I'll second that. I did it because I knew I wasn't driving it properly or safely. A half day made a huge difference.

I now drive it properly and... let's just stick to properly eh?

[lady topaz]

Fear + TVR = disaster
Respect and care under all conditions = the most pleasureable driving experience you can have. I came out of a Boxster two and a half years ago, pressed into TVR ownership by my hubby. The night before I picked up the Tusc I cried I was sooo scared. Now I leave my enjoyment for dry roads and drive the beast with the utmost caution in the winter. I may be classed as a wuss, but I realise that in snow and ice the car can bite. Driving every day helps a lot, and my confidence grows with every journey. I have driven in adverse conditions for any car but know my limitations. I agree with those on here re a driving day. I have done a Porsche one and intend to do a one to one with the Tiv soon. And yes I am a 150mph plus driver and not just a girlie who uses a flash car for shopping.

[selmer]

i think when you cease to be aware/ lose respect for any car like this, that's when you run into trouble.

[Don]

lady topaz said:

I came out of a Boxster two and a half years ago

And if provoked a Boxster will bite, too. I know. I've provoked mine quite deliberately and greatly enjoyed the results (given loads of room to get it wrong in).

ANY RWD car can bite in difficult circumstances.

Tivs need care in particular as they are useless in poor conditions. Its not their fault - its a function of light weight (particularly over the drive wheels), wide tyres and a LOT of bhp. That very combination which is fantastic in the summer is an absolute liability in nasty conditions.

But, as with all cars, the buck stops with the driver.

Although I simply could not get our Tiv up the drive to our house without two mates sat on the boot pushing last year - soooooo embarrassing!

[srebbe64]

When I say "frightened", that's probably an over statement. "Nervous" would be a better description. But remember, I bought the Tiv in the Autumn and practised through the winter. A baptism of fire, I call it. Hopefully I'll enjoy it to the full in the spring/summer.

[rooster]

lady topaz said:

Fear + TVR = disaster Respect and care under all conditions = the most pleasureable driving experience you can have. I came out of a Boxster two and a half years ago, pressed into TVR ownership by my hubby. The night before I picked up the Tusc I cried I was sooo scared. Now I leave my enjoyment for dry roads and drive the beast with the utmost caution in the winter. I may be classed as a wuss, but I realise that in snow and ice the car can bite. Driving every day helps a lot, and my confidence grows with every journey. I have driven in adverse conditions for any car but know my limitations. I agree with those on here re a driving day. I have done a Porsche one and intend to do a one to one with the Tiv soon. And yes I am a 150mph plus driver and not just a girlie who uses a flash car for shopping.

fantastic a like minded lady!!!! like you just driving it has made me confident in it and like you I cried before taking it out the first time but after that there is no stopping me, in fact my husband say I am a TVR bore!!!

[Bennem]

Having only had my TVR chim 500 since June '04 I think the best piece of advice I can give is respect the car and it will respect you. The car won't do anything untoward unless you provoke it. But there lies the heart of the problem for most people. If you don't push your operating boundaries, and thereby the cars, to find out under what circumstances the car will misbehave then you will always be wondering.......... am I close to a moment or not.

Find a quiet place, preferably private, and stamp on the accelerator and see what happens. Do a slow turn and push the accelerator down and see what happens. Find a damp bit of tarmac and at slow speed press on the accelerator see what happens.

The main point to remember that the accelerator is not an on off switch it is a progressive device. The more you press the more trouble you can get yourself into if it is wet, damp, cold, your on white lines, still in a corner, etc.

As a Scot the best training ground for self taught learning about car handling I found was snow, ice and a forestry commision/supermarket car park.

But the best solution by far is to get yourelf on a driving course.

I was worried by everyone on this board talking about spinning here, crashing there, not enging braking, etc. in a TVR. But the reality is if you drive sensibly, not as though you are track racing, the car will behave and you will get from A to B fabulously. Yes I have had my moments when the back end has stepped out a little when I have been nipping across a crossroads, or pushing on too early out of a corner..... the reality is that these moments were all caused by too much accelerator pressing.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Bennem said:

The main point to remember that the accelerator is not an on off switch it is a progressive device.

Nah, it's either on or off!!!!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Presume you've got more confident now?

(and understand the full beam thing )

[rigga]

You're on a mission to resurrect some old threads .....

[Sardonicus]

rigga said:

You're on a mission to resurrect some old threads .....

10 years and its a st one