Tamora and a steep drive!!

[justlookin]

Hi I'm new to this forum. My name's Ken and I'm looking to buy a Tamora in the next few months. The only problem that concerns me is whether I can get the car down my steep drive and into my narrow garage.
I would be grateful for any suggestions regarding this problem. Has anyone else encountered this issue and how was it resolved?
Also, to ensure the car will fit into the garage could someone please provide me with the dimensions, including ground clearance, so I can get the old measuring stick out and do some serious measuring up!!!
Thanks, Ken.

[threestacks]

Others may tell me i'm wrong, but the Tamora nose is the lowest of any road car I have driven. Hopefully someone on here has found a solution. Best of luck though, one of the best cars i've ever had for fun factor and drama!

[BuzzBillsberry]

Tamora dimensions

Length overall 3925mm
Width inc. mirrors 1715mm
Height overall 1204 mm
Ground clearance 102mm


Might be worth posting a couple of picks on here to give us some idea


HTH

Buzz

[alex_gray255]

If it is the angle of the drive going down into the garage you are worried about then maybe you should look into a simple solution like a couple of planks or something like that to drive onto and then into the garage. The description is a bit vague of the issue, so only guessing

[Harrow_tam]

I too have a steep drive and understand your problem. The low point is in the centre of the nose, so I built up the parts of the drive that the wheels run along, thus creating clearance in the centre. I already had two lumps at the top of the drive to enable my chimaera's exhaust to clear the kerb, but when the Tamora came along I had to extend these lumps down the length of the drive using a couple of cut down scaffolding boards. I smoothed out the transitions using instant lay macadam from Wickes.
It seems to work well but requires a certain amount of faith as you can't actually see that you are on the boards and they can get a bit slippery when they get icy - which isn't often down here in sunny London.
Hope this all makes sense, I can post some pics if needed.
My nose is one of the lowest I've seen so have faith, there is a solution, just go buy it then you'll have to sort it.

Nick

[madbadger]

My previous house was like this.

I couldn't drive down the drive directly without scraping the underside of the nose. Tried a few strategic concrete lumps to smooth the transition, but no real success.

I could get in by using my neighbours drop curb and reversing into my garage diagonally across the front garden. In the end I got all the curb in front of the house dropped so I could still get out when he parked across his dropcurb. Despite assuring me it was no problem borrowing his curb it was surprising how often he happened to block it. It worked but was a pain in the arse, especially when it was wet, but I did develop good clutch control to avoid ripping up the grass when it was wet.

I would just move. It is easier.

[SergSC]

When I first got my tam I couldnt get into my local M&S, or negotiate certain speed bumps without shaving the nose off. I know areas where I would have been trapped with traffic behind and no way forward... basically I had the ride height set to something sensible shortly after, I did so at the same time as putting nitrons on, no problems since but can still rub on a steep driveway into my local nitro+ supplier if taken too fast.

[justlookin]

Thanks very much for everyone's advice.
Buzz, that helps a lot...I was originally advised the clearance was 150mm !!!
Sorry guys It didn't cross my mind to take a few pictures...next job on the list I think.

Thanks again, Ken.

[Harrow_tam]

BuzzBillsberry said:

Tamora dimensions

Ground clearance 102mm

Buzz

Just measured mine and I only have 80mm clearance under the nose in the centre. Mine still has original shocks and springs but it has always been that height since I bought it in 2007. It does always feel very stable on trackdays.
Here is a pic of my driveway constructions.



It looks a bit messy but there is usually a Ford stood on top of it all.



Nick

[Mr M]

I have a long and not too steep gradient from drive\footpath to road and it took me months to work out how to reverse out without scraping the front, so in standard setting I think you'd find it a bit of a pain to be honest.

[justlookin]

Sorry folks I'm away at the moment back on Saturday I'll sort pic's and see what you think ?

Nick, thanks for your photo's I can certainly see how this is a possibility.

Thanks again to all for your comments/advice. Ken.

[justlookin]

Right folks, pictures as discussed.




The drive is 5.2mtrs long.

[madbadger]

To me it looks like you will have problems.

[justlookin]

Yea ....that's what worries me.

[SteveSPG]

where do you live

maybe someone close will assist and try

[justlookin]

I live in Saddleworth..posh for Oldham

[chris watton]

It doesn't look 'that' bad - I have seen steeper drives, that's for sure. Our previous UK home had a steep driveway upwards to the garage, and the front splitter just missed the tarmac.

I guess you could invest in adjustable suspension and have the ride height increased?

[justlookin]

That's a thought Chris. As it stands I'm awaiting a quote for a three piece "ramp". first section to cover the pavement, second for the drive, and the third for the car to "sit" on in the garage.
The other option is to take it to our place in Tenerife for some serious use,but I'd have to leave the wife here...oh well!

Edited by justlookin on Saturday 29th March 21:59

[madbadger]

Looks to me like the problem will be where you drop down the pavement having gone up the drive. That is why I left my garage and drove over the grass diagonally.

It doesn't look like you can do that from your pics.