New to TVR land from Lotus! Hi!
Discussion
Just traded up from an Elise 160 to a 2002 Tamora...
tell me I've done the right thing..pleeeeaaase!
Loved everything about the car so gone for a ruby red metallic they had in Chris Neils.
So...as a regular on the Lotus side hopfully I'll be welcome here!
I run a Lotus outfit, so hopefully be learning a bit about the TVR side too.
cheers
tell me I've done the right thing..pleeeeaaase!
Loved everything about the car so gone for a ruby red metallic they had in Chris Neils.
So...as a regular on the Lotus side hopfully I'll be welcome here!
I run a Lotus outfit, so hopefully be learning a bit about the TVR side too.
cheers
Welcome, and Hi Bruce.
You will love the Tamora (especially the power) if it's anything like my T350T, which I think it will be.
However I still have days when I think to myself I miss the old Lotus
and the wonderfull race car driver feeling you get from blasting down a set of tight twisties.
If only Lotus could capture the TVR noise and thrust.
Having said that the T350T aint to far behind in the handling stakes, it just doesn't quite feel as secure and almost nervous sometimes.
Maybe I've just been spoiled by the best?
Think I'll go and have a sob now.
Don't ask me which I would rather have, the Elise is like a surgeons scalpel, the TVR is more equivalent to an axe.
Both SUPERB cars.
I wish I could afford both.
Lottery night tomorrow !
(fingerscrossedicon)
>> Edited by Mr John on Tuesday 4th November 22:02
You will love the Tamora (especially the power) if it's anything like my T350T, which I think it will be.
However I still have days when I think to myself I miss the old Lotus
and the wonderfull race car driver feeling you get from blasting down a set of tight twisties. If only Lotus could capture the TVR noise and thrust.
Having said that the T350T aint to far behind in the handling stakes, it just doesn't quite feel as secure and almost nervous sometimes.
Maybe I've just been spoiled by the best?
Think I'll go and have a sob now.
Don't ask me which I would rather have, the Elise is like a surgeons scalpel, the TVR is more equivalent to an axe.
Both SUPERB cars.
I wish I could afford both.
Lottery night tomorrow !
(fingerscrossedicon)
>> Edited by Mr John on Tuesday 4th November 22:02
Welcome to a small and very exclusive club, Bruce!
The Tamora will not disappoint you, but it won't haquite as well as the Elise - but the power, noise and interior finish will compensate for that, as will the fact that you don't have to be a contortionist to get in and out.
It's a bit less extreme, or rather a bit more real world than the Elise - but only just....Enjoy!!
The Tamora will not disappoint you, but it won't haquite as well as the Elise - but the power, noise and interior finish will compensate for that, as will the fact that you don't have to be a contortionist to get in and out.
It's a bit less extreme, or rather a bit more real world than the Elise - but only just....Enjoy!!
Thanks guys 
One quick question about the one I'm buying (I guess maybe it's typical and nothing to worry about)...
Looking at the front inner wing (just on the black bit directly behind the headlight) there's a very thin bit of fibreglass which has actually gone paper thin. It's only about the size of a 2p piece. Is this a bad place to have a thin bit...does it point to something more sinister...and do you reckon it'll be ok. Was thinking about just rubbing it down and maybe placing a bit of fibregalss matting / resin on it and repaiting black.. The hole certainly hasn't ben worn through but I think I can see a smidgin of wiring behind the very thin bit..probably the back of the headlight??
Any advice gratefully received..
Maybe I should ask TVR technical ??
thanks for all the kind words.
One quick question about the one I'm buying (I guess maybe it's typical and nothing to worry about)...
Looking at the front inner wing (just on the black bit directly behind the headlight) there's a very thin bit of fibreglass which has actually gone paper thin. It's only about the size of a 2p piece. Is this a bad place to have a thin bit...does it point to something more sinister...and do you reckon it'll be ok. Was thinking about just rubbing it down and maybe placing a bit of fibregalss matting / resin on it and repaiting black.. The hole certainly hasn't ben worn through but I think I can see a smidgin of wiring behind the very thin bit..probably the back of the headlight??
Any advice gratefully received..
Maybe I should ask TVR technical ??
thanks for all the kind words.
Hi Bruce, welcome aboard. I came from the Elise to the Tamora in July. Never regretted it. You will enjoy yourself. Obviously a different driving experience and you'll be amazed at the grunt in top gear as the Elise began to get 'tired' in 5th. The SP6 just keeps going... Be careful in the wet (not that we've had much of that this year). Surely 2003 has been the best ever year for owning a TVR.
Steven
P.S I thought I had got used to people staring at the Elise, but I still can't get used to the reactions to my Tamora in reflex green
Steven
P.S I thought I had got used to people staring at the Elise, but I still can't get used to the reactions to my Tamora in reflex green
People always say that a TVR feels more nervous....
Is it not possible that a Lotus wold feel just as nervous with the same Power to Weight ratio?
If for the sake of argument, a TVR was restricted to the same power to weight ratio of various 'Better handling' cars I think a lot of people would realise taht the chassis is very good... JUST the extra performance makes it a bit more of a handful if used to full potential.
B
Is it not possible that a Lotus wold feel just as nervous with the same Power to Weight ratio?
If for the sake of argument, a TVR was restricted to the same power to weight ratio of various 'Better handling' cars I think a lot of people would realise taht the chassis is very good... JUST the extra performance makes it a bit more of a handful if used to full potential.
B
bjwoods said:
People always say that a TVR feels more nervous....
Is it not possible that a Lotus wold feel just as nervous with the same Power to Weight ratio?
If for the sake of argument, a TVR was restricted to the same power to weight ratio of various 'Better handling' cars I think a lot of people would realise taht the chassis is very good... JUST the extra performance makes it a bit more of a handful if used to full potential.
B
Fair point !
GOOD GOD. 
What a fantastic car - anyone even thinking about it you will not regret it.
Granted it's only been one afternoon thus far but from what I've seen / heard / felt this is going to be a good relationship!
Few rattles and loose trim but otherwise seems ok...the cornering is obviously not quite elise-like but the straight line acceleration is nothing short of thunderous.
What a fantastic car - anyone even thinking about it you will not regret it.
Granted it's only been one afternoon thus far but from what I've seen / heard / felt this is going to be a good relationship!
Few rattles and loose trim but otherwise seems ok...the cornering is obviously not quite elise-like but the straight line acceleration is nothing short of thunderous.
Mr John said:
If only Lotus could capture the TVR noise and thrust.
Oh I think they manage okay with the noise so far as the Exige goes...
You're right, having both is the only answer. Our Tuscan and Exige are like chalk and cheese.
(I'm not convinced by the "extra power making it feel more nervous" argument, I have to say)
I'm not sying the extra power makes the TVR more nervous. BUT that if you gave the LOtus the extra power to match the TVR power/weight ratio I believe the Lotus (other car) would be a lot more nervous - Chassis stays the same.
i.e if don't drive the TVR to absolute limits (dangerous on public road)you are still going a lot quicker round corners than most other cars, and the chassis is less nervous.
Does it reall matter. if car is nervous on 'absolute' limit.
Did you see Autocar's handling test a few weeks ago.
On the pretty tight Rockingham national circuit.
The T350C (tamora pretty much underneath) beat everthing road legal, including all but the most insane road legal track day specials.
Only cars quicker round track were JP1 (f3 car in disguise) and ariel atom.
T350c quicker than 911 GT3 (+0.8s), Noble m12R (+1.2s), Caterham R400(1.6s), elise 135r(1.6s), VX220 sprint(2.1s), westfield XTR2(2.4s), RAdical2.4s), Murcielgao(2.8s), Zonda(3.3s), impreza Type C(3.4s) Evo VIII(3.8s)
So you could actually back off a whole second a lap in a T350C, and still beat all the above, bar the GT3 (abeit by only 0.2s) and GT3 costs roughtly double a T350C.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Sunday 16th November 13:41
>> Edited by bjwoods on Sunday 16th November 13:42
i.e if don't drive the TVR to absolute limits (dangerous on public road)you are still going a lot quicker round corners than most other cars, and the chassis is less nervous.
Does it reall matter. if car is nervous on 'absolute' limit.
Did you see Autocar's handling test a few weeks ago.
On the pretty tight Rockingham national circuit.
The T350C (tamora pretty much underneath) beat everthing road legal, including all but the most insane road legal track day specials.
Only cars quicker round track were JP1 (f3 car in disguise) and ariel atom.
T350c quicker than 911 GT3 (+0.8s), Noble m12R (+1.2s), Caterham R400(1.6s), elise 135r(1.6s), VX220 sprint(2.1s), westfield XTR2(2.4s), RAdical2.4s), Murcielgao(2.8s), Zonda(3.3s), impreza Type C(3.4s) Evo VIII(3.8s)
So you could actually back off a whole second a lap in a T350C, and still beat all the above, bar the GT3 (abeit by only 0.2s) and GT3 costs roughtly double a T350C.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Sunday 16th November 13:41
>> Edited by bjwoods on Sunday 16th November 13:42
Yep I know what you meant, but I still don't agree.
I've been in a 270bhp Exige, that's a higher power/weight ratio than our Tuscan S and it was FAR more stable, no more nervous than our 190bhp Exige.
Even taking it relatively easy in the Tuscan it's more nervous than an Exige at 10/10ths.
I'm not saying the TVRs are bad cars, but having driven them back to back at Donington I'm pretty sure about this.
I can't say I really enjoyed the Tuscan much the first time, but I have to say the last time I thought it was utterly fantastic!
Takes some getting used to and demands a lot more thought and care than the Exige, but rewards when you get it right.
Changing down under braking you MUST get the heel and toe right or the rear wheels instantly lock up, but the pedals are perfect to do it.
Still gets beaten round Donington for laptime by an Exige though.
Mark
I've been in a 270bhp Exige, that's a higher power/weight ratio than our Tuscan S and it was FAR more stable, no more nervous than our 190bhp Exige.
Even taking it relatively easy in the Tuscan it's more nervous than an Exige at 10/10ths.
I'm not saying the TVRs are bad cars, but having driven them back to back at Donington I'm pretty sure about this.
I can't say I really enjoyed the Tuscan much the first time, but I have to say the last time I thought it was utterly fantastic!
Takes some getting used to and demands a lot more thought and care than the Exige, but rewards when you get it right.
Changing down under braking you MUST get the heel and toe right or the rear wheels instantly lock up, but the pedals are perfect to do it.
Still gets beaten round Donington for laptime by an Exige though.
Mark
But we are not talking about the tuscan. Just tamora/t350
The comparison above is with tamora/t350 which all the motoring mags reckon handles better than a tuscan (particulary the early tuscans).
My real point was that the autocar test showed how much potential the car had, even if you backed of a second or so a lap... Probably v diff in the wet though.
B
The comparison above is with tamora/t350 which all the motoring mags reckon handles better than a tuscan (particulary the early tuscans).
My real point was that the autocar test showed how much potential the car had, even if you backed of a second or so a lap... Probably v diff in the wet though.
B
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff