Parking TVRs in public car parks
Discussion
I am planning on getting a TVR this year as I have wanted one for ages and my wife is fed up of me going on about them. Last night though, I was wondering how much I will actually use the car (would be a 2nd car). I imagine taking the TVR out for day trips, but my main concern would be leaving such a beautiful, unusual car parked up in public car parks.
My question to the PH TVR owners is – what are the arrangements around taking your TVR out for a run?
Is it always a case of- take it out of the garage, drive it around for a couple of hours then drive it straight home? Or are you happy to leave it parked up in random public car parks for a few hours?
Interested to hear your views.
My question to the PH TVR owners is – what are the arrangements around taking your TVR out for a run?
Is it always a case of- take it out of the garage, drive it around for a couple of hours then drive it straight home? Or are you happy to leave it parked up in random public car parks for a few hours?
Interested to hear your views.
I just make sure I park at the end away from the majority of people and in clear, open and well lit areas. I have had some Pikeys try to have my wheels away, but that was on an occasion where I had to park in a secluded spot as there was no alternative.
Crux is if you have a good alarm and immobiliser what more can you do, other than not own one, and if some scroat decides to run a key down the side in jealousy then that is the way of the world these days and thats why you have insurance. Sad but a fact of life, although to be honest I think a TIV is less likely to be damaged maliciously than a Porker, Merc or Beemer as they seem to be regarded as enthusiasts cars and not the playthings of the rich so don't attract the same jealousy response.
Crux is if you have a good alarm and immobiliser what more can you do, other than not own one, and if some scroat decides to run a key down the side in jealousy then that is the way of the world these days and thats why you have insurance. Sad but a fact of life, although to be honest I think a TIV is less likely to be damaged maliciously than a Porker, Merc or Beemer as they seem to be regarded as enthusiasts cars and not the playthings of the rich so don't attract the same jealousy response.
I sometimes park on public car parks...usually careful about the space I use..far away from other cars,preferably with oneside where no one can park....Then when I return I always find someone has parked right next to me 
So one day, I asked the person why had they choosen to park right next to me, when there were hundreds of other spaces available....The answer..."Because I wanted to look at your car"... So you can't win, but I don't mind if they appreciate the car. 
So one day, I asked the person why had they choosen to park right next to me, when there were hundreds of other spaces available....The answer..."Because I wanted to look at your car"... So you can't win, but I don't mind if they appreciate the car. 
glow worm said:
I sometimes park on public car parks...usually careful about the space I use..far away from other cars,preferably with oneside where no one can park....Then when I return I always find someone has parked right next to me So one day, I asked the person why had they choosen to park right next to me, when there were hundreds of other spaces available....The answer..."Because I wanted to look at your car"... So you can't win, but I don't mind if they appreciate the car.
Some people even leave their keys in their Tiv when they park it in public... So one day, I asked the person why had they choosen to park right next to me, when there were hundreds of other spaces available....The answer..."Because I wanted to look at your car"... So you can't win, but I don't mind if they appreciate the car. drove my car as everyday car for 2 years so parking in public unnavoidable. I'm always picky about where i will park, e.g. park furthest spaces away in a suprmarket carpark where it is quieter, but as mentioned usually someone seems to park next to you despite all the other spaces available.
I tend to avoid parking near very tatty cars (as i work on the basis they probably don't care about hitting other people) and avoid parking next to cars like people carriers or where it looks like children are in the car as i expect them to be less careful or the parents to be more likely to hit my car when getting kids in/out the car.
innevitably, if you park in public you take the risks of damage from peoples doors or lack of ability to park a car.
I have found a couple of minor parking dings when returning to my car which is very annoying, but then again i'd be annoyed regardless of what car it is i am driving as i like to look after my cars.
I think in general the public respect the cars and there isnt a negative opinion towards the drivers, so i'd like to think that you wouldn't get deliberate damage, just usual careless people that you would risk with other cars.
1 more point - Be careful in carparks with 4x4's. A couple of times i have had drivers of 4x4's (presumably looking in their rear view mirror) reverse out a space towards me (cue me reving and beeping my horn so they know i'm there!). I imagine as the TVR is so low it looks like nothing is there when they go to back out(i wish they would use mirrors too)!!
I tend to avoid parking near very tatty cars (as i work on the basis they probably don't care about hitting other people) and avoid parking next to cars like people carriers or where it looks like children are in the car as i expect them to be less careful or the parents to be more likely to hit my car when getting kids in/out the car.
innevitably, if you park in public you take the risks of damage from peoples doors or lack of ability to park a car.
I have found a couple of minor parking dings when returning to my car which is very annoying, but then again i'd be annoyed regardless of what car it is i am driving as i like to look after my cars.
I think in general the public respect the cars and there isnt a negative opinion towards the drivers, so i'd like to think that you wouldn't get deliberate damage, just usual careless people that you would risk with other cars.
1 more point - Be careful in carparks with 4x4's. A couple of times i have had drivers of 4x4's (presumably looking in their rear view mirror) reverse out a space towards me (cue me reving and beeping my horn so they know i'm there!). I imagine as the TVR is so low it looks like nothing is there when they go to back out(i wish they would use mirrors too)!!
BliarOut said:
Some people even leave their keys in their Tiv when they park it in public...
You are kidding, right?!Although, I have heard that some TVR owners leave the car unlocked when parked in public places. If someone wants to reach in and rummage through the glove box, its better let them do that and see that there is nothing worth nicking rather than them putting the window through or cutting through the roof.
Without wishing to tempt fate, not had any real problems (1st Tiv about 1975). However, as above if I go to supermarkets I park away from the rest but usually find something parked near me when I return, I like to have one side where nobody can park. When young in the 70s I'd leave a car overnight at the pub if I fancied a drink but the world is different now. I still leave the roof off at some places if I'm lucky enough to go out on a dry dry.
In the cerb it is more of an issue as the doors are very long and if people park a bit close it can be hard to get in!
In the cerb it is more of an issue as the doors are very long and if people park a bit close it can be hard to get in!
FreeLitres said:
BliarOut said:
Some people even leave their keys in their Tiv when they park it in public...
You are kidding, right?!Although, I have heard that some TVR owners leave the car unlocked when parked in public places. If someone wants to reach in and rummage through the glove box, its better let them do that and see that there is nothing worth nicking rather than them putting the window through or cutting through the roof.
i leave mine parked with the top down also and people tend to admire rather than atempt to have it away. but if someone wants to steal your car they will wherever its parked
FreeLitres said:
BliarOut said:
Some people even leave their keys in their Tiv when they park it in public...
You are kidding, right?!Although, I have heard that some TVR owners leave the car unlocked when parked in public places. If someone wants to reach in and rummage through the glove box, its better let them do that and see that there is nothing worth nicking rather than them putting the window through or cutting through the roof.
BliarOut said:
FreeLitres said:
BliarOut said:
Some people even leave their keys in their Tiv when they park it in public...
You are kidding, right?!Although, I have heard that some TVR owners leave the car unlocked when parked in public places. If someone wants to reach in and rummage through the glove box, its better let them do that and see that there is nothing worth nicking rather than them putting the window through or cutting through the roof.
I was always a little wary, because I'm in a roughish part of North London, but in general TVRs seem to fair a lot better than other 'equally flash' cars.
They're a bit like Astons in that respect. Park a Ferrari or a top end Porsche and all the local scrotes want to mug you; park an Aston or TVR and even the chavvy urchins seem to respect it.
At least the targa hood is pretty secure by sports car standards too. I wouldn't park a Caterham with a fabric hood and flappy side doors outside work.
They're a bit like Astons in that respect. Park a Ferrari or a top end Porsche and all the local scrotes want to mug you; park an Aston or TVR and even the chavvy urchins seem to respect it.
At least the targa hood is pretty secure by sports car standards too. I wouldn't park a Caterham with a fabric hood and flappy side doors outside work.
parker mine out and about in a very public part of blackpool last night!!! the Cinima!!! I never worryed about my car so much and even went to check on it after we had out meal!!!
everything was fine with it.... I never park away from everyone just for the fact that my nana who could'nt park to save her life parks away from the door!!!!
everything was fine with it.... I never park away from everyone just for the fact that my nana who could'nt park to save her life parks away from the door!!!!
not wanting to temp fate, but i have never had anything taken from the tvrs,in 20 years, the only problem we had, was one year in le mans.
worst thing you get in public car parks is sicky fingerprints on your windows.
remove your radio front , make sure nothing left in view , common sense practice .
roof up or down, depends how long your leaving the car parked for, biggest worry is bird droppings !
worst thing you get in public car parks is sicky fingerprints on your windows.
remove your radio front , make sure nothing left in view , common sense practice .
roof up or down, depends how long your leaving the car parked for, biggest worry is bird droppings !
Dont worry about it. They do well in car parks as they dont ding. I was once sitting in one of my TVRs when the person next to me just opened theyre door very hard and banged against my door. I was a little angry, they didnt even apologise, but as GRP there wasnt even a mark.
The only bad things that have happened to me in 13 yrs of TVR ownership is - being spat at in my Chim in Reading (what do you expect), 'coffee bean' hand gestures in Matlock (again what do you expect) and a lit fag flicked into my Chim outside my house (and burning a hole in the seat). You get some jealous people - but less than you might get with a Porsche or suchlike I guess.
The only bad things that have happened to me in 13 yrs of TVR ownership is - being spat at in my Chim in Reading (what do you expect), 'coffee bean' hand gestures in Matlock (again what do you expect) and a lit fag flicked into my Chim outside my house (and burning a hole in the seat). You get some jealous people - but less than you might get with a Porsche or suchlike I guess.
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