Is an old TVR suitable
Discussion
Having driven various M bmws, s2000, vx220 etc. through Scottish winters all have survived and been relatively pain free. Good summer tyres and a soft right foot plus sometimes some extra weight over the driven wheels and a roll of carpet to help get you moving. Need some encouragement that an older TRV would be perfectly reliable and easy to drive in the wet/cold.
How bad would a Griffith be as a daily driver in rural Scotland? Would it be happy left outside without a cover or is there likely to be water ingress or worse (know blisters from freezing effected the paint on some lotus/vx220)? Is winter salt/grime a big issue if the chassis has already had some work recently and repainted?
Had to watch from a distance as my neighbor reversed into my car four times at the weekend (left in gear with the hand brake off and the number plate holder is the first thing anything hits so thankfully it just rocked and bounced off with no damage but would that likely crack the fiber glass on a older TVR?
Do I just have to wait till I get a house with a garage and use it on dry sunny days?
How bad would a Griffith be as a daily driver in rural Scotland? Would it be happy left outside without a cover or is there likely to be water ingress or worse (know blisters from freezing effected the paint on some lotus/vx220)? Is winter salt/grime a big issue if the chassis has already had some work recently and repainted?
Had to watch from a distance as my neighbor reversed into my car four times at the weekend (left in gear with the hand brake off and the number plate holder is the first thing anything hits so thankfully it just rocked and bounced off with no damage but would that likely crack the fiber glass on a older TVR?
Do I just have to wait till I get a house with a garage and use it on dry sunny days?
Older TVR? I assume you mean a '90s Griffith as opposed to a '60s one?
My Griffith was bought in 2006, is my daily and lived outside for 2 years, mostly uncovered, apart from the Leven hood cover on the odd occasion when it was frosty or snow. I think full covers cause more issues than they prevent, such as damage to paint, the blistering you mentioned and other sweat/damp trapping issues.
The paint didn't suffer as it was well protected by a decent amount of attention and waxing. Leaking isn't an issue if you have attended to the common ingress points and mine never leaked.
Chassis probably needs some cleaning and maybe Waxoyl but again my car didn't suffer.
The car had 19k miles on it when purchased in late 2006 and now has just passed 73k. Only let me down a couple of times with proper servicing and attention to pre-emptive replacement of parts.
Some will say a TVR should be kept for weekends and sunny days and that the 'special' feeling goes if you use them too much. I disagree. The grin and feeling of driving something special is still there every time I start the engine.
Go for it.
ETA I'd be having a word with your neighbour if that was my car. Perhaps cones might be an idea? If slow speed then you're less likely to get dents and such from someone backing into a metal car but obviously it'll still mark.
My Griffith was bought in 2006, is my daily and lived outside for 2 years, mostly uncovered, apart from the Leven hood cover on the odd occasion when it was frosty or snow. I think full covers cause more issues than they prevent, such as damage to paint, the blistering you mentioned and other sweat/damp trapping issues.
The paint didn't suffer as it was well protected by a decent amount of attention and waxing. Leaking isn't an issue if you have attended to the common ingress points and mine never leaked.
Chassis probably needs some cleaning and maybe Waxoyl but again my car didn't suffer.
The car had 19k miles on it when purchased in late 2006 and now has just passed 73k. Only let me down a couple of times with proper servicing and attention to pre-emptive replacement of parts.
Some will say a TVR should be kept for weekends and sunny days and that the 'special' feeling goes if you use them too much. I disagree. The grin and feeling of driving something special is still there every time I start the engine.
Go for it.
ETA I'd be having a word with your neighbour if that was my car. Perhaps cones might be an idea? If slow speed then you're less likely to get dents and such from someone backing into a metal car but obviously it'll still mark.
Edited by V8 GRF on Tuesday 7th October 13:59
Any opinion on this one (other than put the original wheels back on)
http://www.tvrecosse.co.uk/tvr-car-details.aspx?Ca...
Close to me so guess I would be using them for servicing and maintenance.
http://www.tvrecosse.co.uk/tvr-car-details.aspx?Ca...
Close to me so guess I would be using them for servicing and maintenance.
Crusoe said:
Any opinion on this one (other than put the original wheels back on)
http://www.tvrecosse.co.uk/tvr-car-details.aspx?Ca...
Close to me so guess I would be using them for servicing and maintenance.
Looks quite nice. Not the worst aftermarket wheels I've seen, probably trying to fit a modern take on the Estorils.http://www.tvrecosse.co.uk/tvr-car-details.aspx?Ca...
Close to me so guess I would be using them for servicing and maintenance.
It doesn't look like they've fitted bigger discs but it might be worth checking that standard wheels will still fit over the brakes if they have.
Interior looks good but I'm not keen on the new (stainless) dash which of course would originally been veneer.
Overall looks quite nice, price seems quite strong for a pre-cat but maybe that is reflected in the condition and that it's at a dealer, who I believe have quite a good reputation.
Crusoe said:
...How bad would a Griffith be as a daily driver in rural Scotland? Would it be happy left outside without a cover or is there likely to be water ingress...
Lots of chat from enthusiats on this thread about what's for sale but very few answers to your question and realistically the answer if no, it will leak, the carpets will smell, the back window will get frosted over and the door buttons will freeze - generally it won't like it. 
I am lucky enough to have a garage and a daily snotter. The rain on the chassis doesn't bother me but it leaks in the rain through the sides which soaks the carpets.
This makes condensation a pain in the arse. With time I am sure I could sort this but as it's a weekend/dry weather car so I haven't bothered.
This makes condensation a pain in the arse. With time I am sure I could sort this but as it's a weekend/dry weather car so I haven't bothered.
RichB said:
it will leak, the carpets will smell, the back window will get frosted over and the door buttons will freeze - generally it won't like it.
Totally disagree. Mine sat outside for two years, it didn't and doesn't leak, my carpets never smelt of anything and if it's frosty use a Leven hood cover.
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