Happy as a dog with two whatsits.

[Mr Grumpy]

After a terrible first month of TVR ownership I am now grinning again. Within the first week the car had starting probs so it went to a TVR dealer in my area (no names mentioned) after a long wait, with service so bad Basil Fawlty could learn a thing or two, I got the car back to find they had changed lead, dizzy and the temp sender (SNB jobbie). Two days later the car kept dying on me on the M25. It would start everytime but then chug, die and just would not rev or maintain engine speed - even stalled whilst driving. As you can imagine I was not happy.

A few days later I got the car to all round genius and nice guy David Batty. David is a true engineer and instead of just throwing parts at the car and getting rid of it he spent time doing a proper fault diagnosis. At the same time he picked up a few other little niggles. After a phonecall when David described the string of problems including AA induced problems (never let an AA man at your plugs - two were cross threaded) David repaired the lot for me. One new Air-flow meter later and the car is sweet as anything. I am now a very happy man and I have learnt a valuable lesson.

To all you newbies out there - find yourself a good independant garage - most of the dealers seem more interested in sales and servicing not fault finding. Personally I shall use David again in the future for servicing as well as anything else.

Now I just need to wait for some nice weather to get the roof down and find the nearest tunnel. Anyone in the Farnborough area know where there are some fun drives?

[Steve_T]

He is indeed a lovely chap, it's a credit to David and Graham that my Chim' continues to pile on the miles. I see no reason why you shouldn't enjoy the same.

Steve.

[jimothy]

Who is this David Batty guy? Sounds like I'm in your area (Farnborough) and he could be a good guy to know...

As for good drives, I do enjoy the A327 to Reading, just as long as there are no other cars around... And don't do it on a Sunday unless you like sitting in the Blackbushe market queue.

[Mr Grumpy]

jimothy said:

Who is this David Batty guy? Sounds like I'm in your area (Farnborough) and he could be a good guy to know...

David Batty has The Garage at Compton. Go onto the Hogs Back A31 to Guildford (from the A331), take the second exit after the Hogs Back Hotel onto the B3000 (Signposted Compton and Puttenham I think ). Follow that road until you reach a roundabout at the A3 - the first roundabout you come to. Turn left at the roundabout. You will see plenty of TVR's and Lotus about.
You can contact David on 01483 811995. I think he works Monday to Friday about 8:30-ish to about 6-ish. Excellent result and reasonable prices.

As you can probably tell I am more than happy with his work.

[WWESTY]

Sounds like you'd better have a name change.......

[jimothy]

Cheers Grumpy. I've driven past that garage many times and seen the TVR's outside (I even poped in there when I was looking to buy one only to find he only repaired them, not sold them) and always wondered if they were good.

[Mr Grumpy]

WWESTY said:

Sounds like you'd better have a name change.......

I guess the is the power of TVR . How about changing to "Mr not so grumpy anymore", Bit long and contrived I think. Anyone got any other suggestions? Best suggestion wins the kudos of being a shining wit.

[charlie sprout]

A good local(ish) road, is the road between Basingstoke and Alton - I think there is a review on this site somewhere. Watch out for the BiB on it though.

[Steve_T]

A339, favourite with bikers too, expect the BiB to be on this road, since there have been fatalities on it in past.

Steve.