Discussion
I have never tried to drive a TVR in the snow - the last time I had one, we didn't have a very snowy winter, and in any case I commuted to London by train.
It looks like we might get an inch or two of snow tomorrow. Should I be worried about driving in this? Should I do all my errands today instead? I can still get to work by train, so can easily leave the car at home on work days - but wondered how much snow was needed before abandoning all attempts to drive.
It looks like we might get an inch or two of snow tomorrow. Should I be worried about driving in this? Should I do all my errands today instead? I can still get to work by train, so can easily leave the car at home on work days - but wondered how much snow was needed before abandoning all attempts to drive.
I haven't done it, but the combination of fat tyres, low weight (especially over driven wheels) and buckets full of torque isn't going to make it any fun.
I'd leave it parked if there's any snow at all on the road or prospect you'll get caught in it. I got caught, in the centre of London, in the snow last year in an MR2 and its was a nightmare. 5 hours to cross the city.
I'd leave it parked if there's any snow at all on the road or prospect you'll get caught in it. I got caught, in the centre of London, in the snow last year in an MR2 and its was a nightmare. 5 hours to cross the city.
I've driven mine numerous times in the snow and it was ok. You do have to be very light with your right foot and keep your speed down (as you would in any car!)
There will always be times when the snow is too deep and the front splitter acts like a snow plough, or you have to go up an ungritted steep hill (which a lot of cars would struggle with) but i have found a couple of inches of, particularly fresh, snow to be ok.
I have never been worried about driving on snow, generally more concerned about other drivers on the road not driving to the conditions!
Most of the time i found that i was only driving short distances on minor roads and once i reached the more major roads they were gritted anyway.
That said, TVRs are obviously not the most practical of cars in the snow - but i like a driving challenge!
There will always be times when the snow is too deep and the front splitter acts like a snow plough, or you have to go up an ungritted steep hill (which a lot of cars would struggle with) but i have found a couple of inches of, particularly fresh, snow to be ok.
I have never been worried about driving on snow, generally more concerned about other drivers on the road not driving to the conditions!
Most of the time i found that i was only driving short distances on minor roads and once i reached the more major roads they were gritted anyway.
That said, TVRs are obviously not the most practical of cars in the snow - but i like a driving challenge!
Edited by Timja on Saturday 27th November 16:00
Rossco2010 said:
I haven't done it, but the combination of fat tyres, low weight (especially over driven wheels) and buckets full of torque isn't going to make it any fun.
I'd leave it parked if there's any snow at all on the road or prospect you'll get caught in it. I got caught, in the centre of London, in the snow last year in an MR2 and its was a nightmare. 5 hours to cross the city.
Yep would tend to agree having driven in the snow before; they are pretty usesless in any deepish snow and certainly on any steep incline or if you get stuck as the rear wheels will simply spin with no grip whatsoever. Plus being stuck in a TVR when it's freezing cold is not fun. I'd leave it parked if there's any snow at all on the road or prospect you'll get caught in it. I got caught, in the centre of London, in the snow last year in an MR2 and its was a nightmare. 5 hours to cross the city.
Rossco2010 said:
I haven't done it, but the combination of fat tyres, low weight (especially over driven wheels) and buckets full of torque isn't going to make it any fun.
Fat tyres, twice as much torque, heavy weight (Merc E class) makes driving in the snow absolutely not fun! Embarassing? Yes!So between the Tiv and the Merc, I won't be going far till the snow goes
Last Tuesday I lent the Chim to my son as transport for him and his g/fr to go for a few days' hol in the wilds of Northumberland.
Last weekend it had been raining a lot, and I gave him advice about not driving through deep standing water, fords, etc. Off he went.
On Thursday and Friday night the North East received 8 inches of the white stuff -almost out of the blue, as it were; the warnings were there, you might say, but only after he had set off in my P&J...
Came today and they were due back; he had had to shovel 25 yds of snow off the lane of the house where they had been staying, just to get the car out...
We had a further blizzard in Gateshead as they homed in on the A1, which had been blocked by slithering lorries at the Angel of the North earlier on. Gateshead is built on steep hills and they are at their steepest in that part where I live. Anyway he mobiles me to say they had just driven up Bellevue Bank, one of the longest, steepest hills in G/head and which Radio Newcastle had announced, shortly before, had been closed to traffic because of the impossible conditions. We rendezvous'd and still had to jetwash it and negotiate a long downward slope and bulldoze/shovel 8" of virgin snow away from the garage before we could shut the car away.
It was nice to see the Chim back and unsullied, although my torment at the thought of those miles of salt infested slush on the A1 had been excruciating.
Postscript: it won't be going out in extreme salt again this winter - or indeed ever, ever again, if I have a say in it! - but of course I'll take it for blasts on clear weekends.
My son (a 911 owner) is full of "a Tiv will be my next car, etc."; he reckons he can say with confidence that the Chim can handle at least any snow that any other car can - bar a Landie, of course; "you have to watch the throttle and match speed/steering input to conditions, but it has good traction and a great heater!"
I have photies which I'll try and get him to post.
So how about that?!
Tim.
Last weekend it had been raining a lot, and I gave him advice about not driving through deep standing water, fords, etc. Off he went.
On Thursday and Friday night the North East received 8 inches of the white stuff -almost out of the blue, as it were; the warnings were there, you might say, but only after he had set off in my P&J...
Came today and they were due back; he had had to shovel 25 yds of snow off the lane of the house where they had been staying, just to get the car out...
We had a further blizzard in Gateshead as they homed in on the A1, which had been blocked by slithering lorries at the Angel of the North earlier on. Gateshead is built on steep hills and they are at their steepest in that part where I live. Anyway he mobiles me to say they had just driven up Bellevue Bank, one of the longest, steepest hills in G/head and which Radio Newcastle had announced, shortly before, had been closed to traffic because of the impossible conditions. We rendezvous'd and still had to jetwash it and negotiate a long downward slope and bulldoze/shovel 8" of virgin snow away from the garage before we could shut the car away.
It was nice to see the Chim back and unsullied, although my torment at the thought of those miles of salt infested slush on the A1 had been excruciating.
Postscript: it won't be going out in extreme salt again this winter - or indeed ever, ever again, if I have a say in it! - but of course I'll take it for blasts on clear weekends.
My son (a 911 owner) is full of "a Tiv will be my next car, etc."; he reckons he can say with confidence that the Chim can handle at least any snow that any other car can - bar a Landie, of course; "you have to watch the throttle and match speed/steering input to conditions, but it has good traction and a great heater!"
I have photies which I'll try and get him to post.
So how about that?!
Tim.
Thanks for everyone's comments, I think the answer is that I will try it in say 2" of fresh snow on local roads if the circumstances arise - but probably not in anything worse or if it has all been compacted to ice. Especially as I have an alternative for getting to work - the train takes longer and is less convenient, but probably worth it to know my P&J is safe at home.
I have tried a few times in the snow. It is very tricky and I'd say dangerous. I got the hang of it on the flat. But,,,,,,I was going down a steep hill very, very gingerly and when it came to a sharp bend, even though I was going under 5mph, the car just swung sideways and gently nudged the bank. Therewas nothing I could do about it and in an instant I had gone from being a driver to merely a passenger. Luckily no harm was done but it could have been a disaster in another situation.
My other car (Audi Quattro) with proper winter tyres just flies up and and down the same hill at normal speeds with barely a twitch. This car is fun in the winter whereas driving the TVR in snow and ice is not for the faint hearted. If you have an alternative to choose then I would take it. IMHO of course.
My other car (Audi Quattro) with proper winter tyres just flies up and and down the same hill at normal speeds with barely a twitch. This car is fun in the winter whereas driving the TVR in snow and ice is not for the faint hearted. If you have an alternative to choose then I would take it. IMHO of course.
Edited by m4rk on Monday 29th November 08:51
I would never take a special car out in the snow.
In bad conditions im amazed at the trouble some drivers get into, causing many problems for themselves and other road users.
Taking every precaution, winter tyres, driver training being very carefull etc will only help you keep control, chances are very high of being hit by one of the many idiots who has not taken any action to avoid problems, and would rather be in something easy to repair when the inevitable happens.
Im lucky to have several cars to choose, but if my tiv was a daily driver I would hire something if needed.
Andy
In bad conditions im amazed at the trouble some drivers get into, causing many problems for themselves and other road users.
Taking every precaution, winter tyres, driver training being very carefull etc will only help you keep control, chances are very high of being hit by one of the many idiots who has not taken any action to avoid problems, and would rather be in something easy to repair when the inevitable happens.
Im lucky to have several cars to choose, but if my tiv was a daily driver I would hire something if needed.
Andy
I went out of my garage last year in about 1,5 inches of wet snow. going back into the garage I have a small 30 cm width by 8 cm height wedge shaped plank because of my forklift. It took me 5 attempts to get the car back in and that was on new( 1500km) tires.
I definately wont drive my TVR in the snow, they are dangerous enough in the wet. I believe it is a drivings challenge but I can live without it, too much TLC went into my car to risk it under such conditions.
I am sure you are going to call me a whimp now...
I definately wont drive my TVR in the snow, they are dangerous enough in the wet. I believe it is a drivings challenge but I can live without it, too much TLC went into my car to risk it under such conditions.
I am sure you are going to call me a whimp now...
Krautchimaera said:
I went out of my garage last year in about 1,5 inches of wet snow. going back into the garage I have a small 30 cm width by 8 cm height wedge shaped plank because of my forklift. It took me 5 attempts to get the car back in and that was on new( 1500km) tires.
I definately wont drive my TVR in the snow, they are dangerous enough in the wet. I believe it is a drivings challenge but I can live without it, too much TLC went into my car to risk it under such conditions.
I am sure you are going to call me a whimp now...
your a "whimp now"I definately wont drive my TVR in the snow, they are dangerous enough in the wet. I believe it is a drivings challenge but I can live without it, too much TLC went into my car to risk it under such conditions.
I am sure you are going to call me a whimp now...
...but its a good club!;)drove in the snow a bit last year, but not recommended, the back end tends to want to overtake you.
on a different note, i took my smart on a snowy car-park and managed (fighting against the traction control (which i hate) to acheive a "snownut" got some smiles from the people standing around :-D
on a different note, i took my smart on a snowy car-park and managed (fighting against the traction control (which i hate) to acheive a "snownut" got some smiles from the people standing around :-D
Forget it if there is anything more than a dusting IMHO.
I drive my 450 every day to work and have done so for 8 years, so I think I'm pretty used to it !
But driving in snow is very hard work. To say you have to use light throttle is an understatement. You need to use no throttle wherever possible. Braking is not great and turn the steering wheel too quickly on a corner and you'll lose traction. I have Toyo tyres, which are pretty good in wet weather and have loads of tread left. If someone in front brakes hard, you need a lot more room to stop than they do usually.
Mine is at home today. If you have to use it, fill the fuel tank and put some weight in the boot and do all clutch changes, throttle changes and steering changes as slowly and smoothly as you can.
Wet weather is fine on Toyos you can actually put a good proportion of the power down but snow and definitely ice is something else.
Matt
I drive my 450 every day to work and have done so for 8 years, so I think I'm pretty used to it !
But driving in snow is very hard work. To say you have to use light throttle is an understatement. You need to use no throttle wherever possible. Braking is not great and turn the steering wheel too quickly on a corner and you'll lose traction. I have Toyo tyres, which are pretty good in wet weather and have loads of tread left. If someone in front brakes hard, you need a lot more room to stop than they do usually.
Mine is at home today. If you have to use it, fill the fuel tank and put some weight in the boot and do all clutch changes, throttle changes and steering changes as slowly and smoothly as you can.
Wet weather is fine on Toyos you can actually put a good proportion of the power down but snow and definitely ice is something else.
Matt
During my 5 years of ownership, I drove the Chimaera in all conditions. I particularly loved rain on Avon ZZ1s. 
One thing I concluded was that the older Chimaeras with the door button placed on the rear quarters was a cunning idea and a subtle hint. If you were unable to push it down, the conditions were probably not safe to be driving in. 
One thing I concluded was that the older Chimaeras with the door button placed on the rear quarters was a cunning idea and a subtle hint. If you were unable to push it down, the conditions were probably not safe to be driving in. It's times like this i would love an Evo IX, diff set to Snow and with Winter tyres fitted. But, a already mentioned above, it's all the other idiots on the road with cheap worn out tyres, no driver skills and who just expect their cars to work in the snow that are the problem.
Last year, i was walking home from the station. I was on an island in the middle of the road, waiting for a BMW to pass which as it was approaching the almost 90 degree corner, was indicating to come my way. Snow had only just fallen that afternoon. Just watching the car, i knew this was not right - i took several steps backward. Sure enough, the BMW failed to reduce its speed, understeered straight up onto the island where i was standing previously, then crashed into a sign post. The driver looked very confused as to what had happened
Last year, i was walking home from the station. I was on an island in the middle of the road, waiting for a BMW to pass which as it was approaching the almost 90 degree corner, was indicating to come my way. Snow had only just fallen that afternoon. Just watching the car, i knew this was not right - i took several steps backward. Sure enough, the BMW failed to reduce its speed, understeered straight up onto the island where i was standing previously, then crashed into a sign post. The driver looked very confused as to what had happened
"News just in" - The council in Surrey are resulting in using a TVR as a snow plow!
Best part of my day - seeing a Sagaris trying to get out of a drive in West Wickham...in about 12-14 inches of snow, even with the snow chains on, it was going nowhere! Anyone owning up to this amazing spectacle?
Best part of my day - seeing a Sagaris trying to get out of a drive in West Wickham...in about 12-14 inches of snow, even with the snow chains on, it was going nowhere! Anyone owning up to this amazing spectacle?
Edited by MattLux on Thursday 2nd December 14:58
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