No point having a TVR if no garage/trickle charger?
Discussion
Hello all
I'm looking at getting a TVR (any one, circa £20k) as a 2nd car for a bit of fun, but I'm not sure if I can make a case for ownership:
- I've no garage, only on-street parking
- I've not got a nearby electrical socket for a trickle charger. I've heard the latter would rule out TVR ownership - any thoughts? I'd probably drive it ten times a month.
- I'm not handy with a spanner.
Maybe I should just buy a 996 after all....
This TVR noob thanks you for your help.....
I'm looking at getting a TVR (any one, circa £20k) as a 2nd car for a bit of fun, but I'm not sure if I can make a case for ownership:
- I've no garage, only on-street parking
- I've not got a nearby electrical socket for a trickle charger. I've heard the latter would rule out TVR ownership - any thoughts? I'd probably drive it ten times a month.
- I'm not handy with a spanner.
Maybe I should just buy a 996 after all....
This TVR noob thanks you for your help.....
You shouldn't need a trickle charger if you're using it a couple of times a week. Unless of course there's an underlying excessive electrical draining problem, the battery won't hold charge or the alternator isn't charging the battery properly. It depends on the time of year too. If you are going to use it a lot less in winter, down to weather etc., then it's likely you're going to have problems.
Edited by YRRunner on Sunday 9th March 13:15
Edited by YRRunner on Sunday 9th March 13:16
I would 'happily' park mine for up to 3-4 weeks without worry.
To be honest it is rarely parked that long.
The only time I ever had a problem was a door courtesy light switch not working properly in combination with a battery on it's last legs.
Battery changed, door tightened a smidgen and all was fine again.
There are a lot of silly rumours about these cars, and that is one of them.
If you can't park it for 2 weeks, then you have a fault to be diagnosed.
As a last resort (and many people's first resort), a battery kill switch is favourite.
There are lots of threads on that subject in here.
Another plus; TVRs are a lot less likely to be vandalised when parked.
To be honest it is rarely parked that long.
The only time I ever had a problem was a door courtesy light switch not working properly in combination with a battery on it's last legs.
Battery changed, door tightened a smidgen and all was fine again.
There are a lot of silly rumours about these cars, and that is one of them.
If you can't park it for 2 weeks, then you have a fault to be diagnosed.
As a last resort (and many people's first resort), a battery kill switch is favourite.
There are lots of threads on that subject in here.
Another plus; TVRs are a lot less likely to be vandalised when parked.
I've a no garage either, but do have a drive. A decent cover helps over the winter but they have tended to blow off and tear in high winds(im on my third in two years).
Mines is an old wedge with a v6 cologne engine, I'm not the best with a spanner but the majority of tinkering is possible if you have decent tools and a bit of sense.
And the noise and performance...well, that makes up for any difficulties.
Go for it mate.
marcus
Mines is an old wedge with a v6 cologne engine, I'm not the best with a spanner but the majority of tinkering is possible if you have decent tools and a bit of sense.
And the noise and performance...well, that makes up for any difficulties.
Go for it mate.
marcus
My car has lived on my drive for the last 5 years, I don't have a trickle charger and I do no spannering myself.
If work needs doing I take it to my nearest specialist which is STR8SIX.
It stays dry on the inside, always starts even when left for a few weeks without being run.
In short it is not an issue not having a garage and a trickle charger.
If work needs doing I take it to my nearest specialist which is STR8SIX.
It stays dry on the inside, always starts even when left for a few weeks without being run.
In short it is not an issue not having a garage and a trickle charger.
If you get one of those remote controlled battery dis-connector gadgets you will not have to worry about a flat battery.
My old Chim was a swine for flattening batteries so I think it all depends on the individual car. I was lucky enough to have a power point near the car so could just attach a trickle charger but I would definately have used a disconnector otherwise.
My old Chim was a swine for flattening batteries so I think it all depends on the individual car. I was lucky enough to have a power point near the car so could just attach a trickle charger but I would definately have used a disconnector otherwise.
I've got no trickle charger either. I do tend to get damp carpets when it's parked outside for a few really stormy days, but they lift out easily and I take them indoors to dry. Any water in the footwells gets sucked out with our Vax vacuum cleaner using the carpet washing dish thing. Being a fibreglass body, this causes me no grief whatsoever.
If I left mine parked for 3-4 weeks over winter it would need a jump start, but then again my battery was past its best and has just been replaced too. Drive it occassionally and it'll be fine. If you're worried about it, buy one of those booster packs from Halfords.
I do some of my own spannering. I'm competent to do whatever I please if that doesn't sound too much like a knob, but I only do it when I feel like it as I call it a hobby. They're simple cars to work on, which could either make it novice-friendly if you wanted to give it a go, or keep bills manageable if you want someone else to do it for you.
Your biggest issue is probably that you mentioned a 996. It's hard to imagine two brands further apart in what they are and what they do. Why not pop along to your nearest club monthly meet and see/sit it/go for a passenger ride in a few different types. Comparing TVRs to a 996 as you are, you'll either come away smitten or horrified. Either way, you shouldn't have a TVR vs Porsche dilema afterwards!
If I left mine parked for 3-4 weeks over winter it would need a jump start, but then again my battery was past its best and has just been replaced too. Drive it occassionally and it'll be fine. If you're worried about it, buy one of those booster packs from Halfords.
I do some of my own spannering. I'm competent to do whatever I please if that doesn't sound too much like a knob, but I only do it when I feel like it as I call it a hobby. They're simple cars to work on, which could either make it novice-friendly if you wanted to give it a go, or keep bills manageable if you want someone else to do it for you.
Your biggest issue is probably that you mentioned a 996. It's hard to imagine two brands further apart in what they are and what they do. Why not pop along to your nearest club monthly meet and see/sit it/go for a passenger ride in a few different types. Comparing TVRs to a 996 as you are, you'll either come away smitten or horrified. Either way, you shouldn't have a TVR vs Porsche dilema afterwards!
thatsprettyshady said:
Solar charger possible?
I looked into this and decided that it really wasn't worth it, I don't think you can generate enough current to be effective.QBee said:
It's a car.
It has a battery.
The battery has a six year life.
If it's knackered, change it.
It's a car.
Drive it.
Simple.
Unless it's in a Cerbera, then it lasts 3 years!!It has a battery.
The battery has a six year life.
If it's knackered, change it.
It's a car.
Drive it.
Simple.
Edited by Boatbuoy on Monday 10th March 09:43
Boatbuoy said:
thatsprettyshady said:
Solar charger possible?
I looked into this and decided that it really wasn't worth it, I don't think you can generate enough current to be effective.QBee said:
It's a car.
It has a battery.
The battery has a six year life.
If it's knackered, change it.
It's a car.
Drive it.
Simple.
Unless it's in a Cerbera, then it lasts 3 years!!It has a battery.
The battery has a six year life.
If it's knackered, change it.
It's a car.
Drive it.
Simple.
Edited by Boatbuoy on Monday 10th March 09:43
Points well made chaps....but the OP says he will drive it ten times a month and is worrying about not having a trickle charger.
I have never owned a trickle charger, drive mine about 10 times a month all year round, and the only time it didn't start in the last 15,000 miles was when the battery was fooked (technical term).
Strangely, my Audi wouldn't start a few months ago.....turned out the battery was fooked. Ditto my son-in-law's Saab...
Batteries have a limited life - that's all there is to it.
TVRs are reliable. Fact.
I have never owned a trickle charger, drive mine about 10 times a month all year round, and the only time it didn't start in the last 15,000 miles was when the battery was fooked (technical term).
Strangely, my Audi wouldn't start a few months ago.....turned out the battery was fooked. Ditto my son-in-law's Saab...
Batteries have a limited life - that's all there is to it.
TVRs are reliable. Fact.
QBee said:
Points well made chaps....but the OP says he will drive it ten times a month and is worrying about not having a trickle charger.
I have never owned a trickle charger, drive mine about 10 times a month all year round, and the only time it didn't start in the last 15,000 miles was when the battery was fooked (technical term).
Strangely, my Audi wouldn't start a few months ago.....turned out the battery was fooked. Ditto my son-in-law's Saab...
Batteries have a limited life - that's all there is to it.
TVRs are reliable. Fact.
^^ +1 ^^I have never owned a trickle charger, drive mine about 10 times a month all year round, and the only time it didn't start in the last 15,000 miles was when the battery was fooked (technical term).
Strangely, my Audi wouldn't start a few months ago.....turned out the battery was fooked. Ditto my son-in-law's Saab...
Batteries have a limited life - that's all there is to it.
TVRs are reliable. Fact.
Hi,
I live in London, use a Vespa as a daily driver and my TVR does not get used much anymore, especially since last May when we had our baby and now the Chimaera (that was used mainly at weekends / holidays) is missing a seat…. ;-).
Get a battery Brain: http://www.batterybrain.co.uk/2ndgen.php
And you will have no issues at all: the best £50.00 I spend on my car about 3 years ago…
It work, a few of us have it fitted on TVRs or other cars that are not used too often…
All the best.
Eric
I live in London, use a Vespa as a daily driver and my TVR does not get used much anymore, especially since last May when we had our baby and now the Chimaera (that was used mainly at weekends / holidays) is missing a seat…. ;-).
Get a battery Brain: http://www.batterybrain.co.uk/2ndgen.php
And you will have no issues at all: the best £50.00 I spend on my car about 3 years ago…
It work, a few of us have it fitted on TVRs or other cars that are not used too often…
All the best.
Eric
jasdun said:
Hello all
I'm looking at getting a TVR (any one, circa £20k) as a 2nd car for a bit of fun, but I'm not sure if I can make a case for ownership:
- I've no garage, only on-street parking
- I've not got a nearby electrical socket for a trickle charger. I've heard the latter would rule out TVR ownership - any thoughts? I'd probably drive it ten times a month.
- I'm not handy with a spanner.
Maybe I should just buy a 996 after all....
This TVR noob thanks you for your help.....
-On street parking no issue.I'm looking at getting a TVR (any one, circa £20k) as a 2nd car for a bit of fun, but I'm not sure if I can make a case for ownership:
- I've no garage, only on-street parking
- I've not got a nearby electrical socket for a trickle charger. I've heard the latter would rule out TVR ownership - any thoughts? I'd probably drive it ten times a month.
- I'm not handy with a spanner.
Maybe I should just buy a 996 after all....
This TVR noob thanks you for your help.....
-You will never need a tickle charger if driving 10 times a month. Once a month you might have issues.
-being handy with a spanner does not matter. Buy your first from a garage like str8six with a warranty. They cover everything and will look after you amazingly well. By the second year you will have a better lie of the land and have a sorted car with any potential issues ironed out by them in the first year.
I loved my 911 but as a weekend car, it is very very difficult to beat a TVR.
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