My first long(ish) drive in the TVR

[Mrs BlueCerbera]

Ok, tomorrow I'm driving from Northampton to Mossley (Lancashire somewhere) to see a friend. It's approx. 300 mile round trip. I figure, as it's supposed to be a nice day, I should take the Cerb as I've not had a lot of time behind it's wheel since we got it (other than a very scarey encounter following GCerbera and TVR Slag down the A5 which had me trembling and husband shouting "Go on, foot on the floor" ).

So, what do you experienced drivers think - is a 300 mile round trip for a TVR novice ok, or am I likely to breakdown, or disintegrate into a heap due to extended over-concentration .

Last time I went, my friend suggested I go up the M1, off somewhere near Barnsley, and through Holmfirth etc., which I remember being quite a pleasant drive. Does anyone know this neck of the woods, and any nice roads I should try out ? AA route finder suggests I just take the M6, but that sounds pretty dull !

So, any advice or suggestions ?

[chim500nj]

If the weather is going to be good I would say yes, as long as you are not going to sitting in rush hour traffic..

Just take it easy and if you feel tired stop for a rest as for a non-regular driver of a TVR they can be mentally taxing to drive especially on twisty bits..

Take a litre of oil just in case and a couple of litres of water just in case oh and take a mobile with yoru breakdown service providers number...I tell my wife this when she travels long distances by herself anyway...

TVR's were made to be driven so go out and enjoy it...

[jamesuk28]

Take the TVR, you'll be OK.

End of the day it's a TVR not a Ferrari Enzo

[gbbird]

take the Cerbera. I regularly take mine up to Leeds from Milton Keynes, and it is fine (just pray for no nasty traffic jams on the nasty motorway).

In fact, a nice long run will probably do it a world of good.

[UpTheIron]

jamesuk28 said:

Take the TVR, you'll be OK. End of the day it's a TVR not a Ferrari Enzo

And if it was an Enzo...take it anyway!

[the dodger]

Get a good atlas, or go on multimaup/similar and plan your route first. Keep the copies to hand but don't read and drive. Avoid motorways as much as you can if the time is your own - oh, and town centres. I don't know that neck of the woods at all so can't help with directions.

Yes, take a can of oil and some water. Don't worry about anything for the car as that would be tempting fate. Mobile should suffice.

Dodge.

[Mrs BlueCerbera]

Right them, weather permitting, it'll be the Cerb. Am really looking forward to it. Just hope my friend won't be too upset when I only stop 5 mins for a cuppa and then tell her I want to get back on the road !

[rjben]

It will only ever do what you tell it to. Keep you enthusiasm within the limits of your ability and you’ll be fine!

[jamessim]

Hi Penny,
If I was your husband I would be so worried that after the first 100 or so miles you'll be enjoying it so much, that you'll just want to drive and drive and not come back?
Best of luck with the journey,

James Sim.

[Trefor]

Just drive it - TVRs like to be driven and they roll along nicely on the motorway. My old Chimaera was really comfortable for long runs, if a little LOUD.

[Hoover33]

Just taken my S2 from Herts to Torquay and back over the weekend.... never missed a beat, no oil used, mainly done 90 mph most the way.... totally reliable

However hours to get ringing out of ears from exhaust

[bogie]

just drive it and use it like a normal car...obviously check the oil/water/tyre pressures etc prior to a long journey...but basically dont worry..just use it and worry about things going wrong when (if) they happen...enjoy it it when its running fine..and if you have probs then just sort it out and carry on...dont worry about doing long journeys etc

[aaandy]

Totally agree with bogie. Just use it. Suggest check the oil and other fluid levels before you leave, and treat it to a full tank of petrol but apart from that just go for it. As long as your car is regularly maintained there is no reason to think that anything will go wrong, after all it's only 300 miles.

And novice or not as long as you take it easy and only go as fast as you are comfortable with there is no reason to worry or be apprehensive. Sure enough you own a great car and which has the potential to be go very fast, but it is only fast if you bury the throttle.

Just enjoy!

[wedget]

Dont forget to check your tyre pressures when cold, and take a high visibility jacket if you have one, Came in very usefull for me when my new company car broke down on the motorway, Breakdowns only tend to happen to very old cars or very new cars, so i wouldnt worry anyway just plan for the unexpected

The furthest i have been in my car is BBWF about 150 miles with no problems at all, If anything it deffinately runs better now its cleared its throght properly

>> Edited by wedget on Thursday 22 July 13:22

[GCerbera]

Mrs BlueCerbera said:

I've not had a lot of time behind it's wheel since we got it (other than a very scarey encounter following GCerbera and TVR Slag down the A5 which had me trembling and husband shouting "Go on, foot on the floor" )

All within the speed limit if I recall...


Still feel bad about that, didn't know it was your first outing at the time
and I hope we didn't put you off.

Glad to hear you took the car today.

My (late) advice would be to take an easy route to start with just to build
your confidence and then perhaps be more adventurous on the return.

Looking forward to hearing how you got on and hope to see you all soon.

[Ding]

Just don't leave it alone in Mossley!!!!!!

enjoy the drive though.

I took my Griff from Manchester to Le Mans and back. Not a hiccup all the way.
unless you count the boot catch needing adjusting

Ellie