Picking up Chimaera tomorrow
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm picking up my first TVR tomorrow afternoon (1997 4.0), this forum has been a fantastic knowledge-base to look through before purchasing and generally researching.
Obviously I'll post pics after pickup but in the meantime I have a quick question for you all.
I have 100 miles to drive back home (through lovely roads), is there anything I should be aware of as a first time owner say little tips, tricks or foibles which might catch me out?
Any responses much appreciated!
I'm picking up my first TVR tomorrow afternoon (1997 4.0), this forum has been a fantastic knowledge-base to look through before purchasing and generally researching.
Obviously I'll post pics after pickup but in the meantime I have a quick question for you all.
I have 100 miles to drive back home (through lovely roads), is there anything I should be aware of as a first time owner say little tips, tricks or foibles which might catch me out?
Any responses much appreciated!
Congratulations! These are great cars and will serve you well if maintained properly. Guaranteed smiles per gallon. Just remember these cars are old now and have no air bags, side impact bars, anti-lock brakes etc; Treat it with respect and drive within your and the car's limits. I've owned my 450 for 19 years and it still puts a smile on my face every time I look at it, never mind drive it. Its never broken down and there's no reason why these cars should give any grief. Just keep on top of any issues and find a friendly, knowledgeable garage.
Most importantly enjoy it.
Most importantly enjoy it.
congratulations on the new motor, no doubt you will be stopping in scenic spots for photos, and then post up for us all to admire.
assuming your car is in decent fettle, with decent tyres you should have a great drive. Dont bother with the radio, open the windows and take the roof off (be careful feeding the targa into the boot - its easy to catch a corner on the boot opening)
if you are still out in the dark, beware if the button by your left knee - it turns the dash lights off!
but mainly - Enjoy
assuming your car is in decent fettle, with decent tyres you should have a great drive. Dont bother with the radio, open the windows and take the roof off (be careful feeding the targa into the boot - its easy to catch a corner on the boot opening)
if you are still out in the dark, beware if the button by your left knee - it turns the dash lights off!
but mainly - Enjoy
sawman said:
and take the roof off (be careful feeding the targa into the boot - its easy to catch a corner on the boot opening)
- Enjoy
A big point to note! If you've not wrestled with the process before, ask the current owner to show you. It's hard to describe the process in words. Both my Chims have had the rear wings paintwork damaged by careless previous owners.- Enjoy
Congratulations. I could hardly sleep the night before i picked mine up back in 2000.
Mine is a 450. The previous owner told me: "to start with, don't floor it in anything lower than 3rd and then only in a straight line".
Good advice, especially as my previous car was a front-wheel drive 1.3-litre Rover 213S with probably around 60bhp.
Accelerate progressively and let the car 'talk' to you. Don't accelerate hard in corners unless you are very skilled at quickly catching back ends. I'm not and when I have caught it, not sure whether it was skill or luck.
If you want to use any power at all in the wet, get some A-rated wet-grip tyres on it, like Uniroyal Rainsports.
Stay safe and enjoy.
Mine is a 450. The previous owner told me: "to start with, don't floor it in anything lower than 3rd and then only in a straight line".
Good advice, especially as my previous car was a front-wheel drive 1.3-litre Rover 213S with probably around 60bhp.
Accelerate progressively and let the car 'talk' to you. Don't accelerate hard in corners unless you are very skilled at quickly catching back ends. I'm not and when I have caught it, not sure whether it was skill or luck.
If you want to use any power at all in the wet, get some A-rated wet-grip tyres on it, like Uniroyal Rainsports.
Stay safe and enjoy.
Edited by taylormj4 on Friday 9th May 10:51
Drive under as many bridges as you can with the roof off or windows down.
Fall in love with the sound of it.
You'll no doubt start looking for tweaks and upgrades, go steady as some are cheap and easy, whilst others will put a hole in your wallet.
But a lot of it is DIY-able if you're handy.
I had never done anything car mechanic-wise before owning mine, but my background in 3D design and confidence with a tool in hand has led me to be able to do some fairly major work on my car with solid results (of course everyone is going to say that!). And a healthy portion of tha has been by choice before necessity
They are very simple cars under that lovely draping body form.
And drive it like a Rover 213S in the wet. There's just no point in finding the limit like that.
Fall in love with the sound of it.
You'll no doubt start looking for tweaks and upgrades, go steady as some are cheap and easy, whilst others will put a hole in your wallet.
But a lot of it is DIY-able if you're handy.
I had never done anything car mechanic-wise before owning mine, but my background in 3D design and confidence with a tool in hand has led me to be able to do some fairly major work on my car with solid results (of course everyone is going to say that!). And a healthy portion of tha has been by choice before necessity
They are very simple cars under that lovely draping body form.
And drive it like a Rover 213S in the wet. There's just no point in finding the limit like that.
.andrewcliffe said:
if the later gearbox, If trying to find reverse, engage 5th first.
get in the habit of putting it in gear when parked, the handbrakes aren't great (if it will naturally want to roll forwards, use a forwards gear, if it wants to roll backwards, use reverse)
get in the habit of putting it in gear when parked, the handbrakes aren't great (if it will naturally want to roll forwards, use a forwards gear, if it wants to roll backwards, use reverse)
Always put your seatbelt on before you shut the door
When the dash lights don't work check the button by your left knee
It'll use 1 litre of oil every 1,000 miles if healthy
Don't put the keys in your jacket pocket & then put in boot
Have fun
Leaving it in gear when parked is definitely a top tip as they have a tendency to roll away on a slope as the rear brakes cool.
I would also say, don’t become complacent, as that’ll be when it bites! I’ve driven my TVR’s in all weather, including snow & ice, the only time caught out unexpectedly so far (touch wood) - a nice summers day, out in the Chim with the roof down and I did a 360 putting my foot down when pulling out of a side road into traffic. Must have been diesel on the road, but lesson learned and luckily no damage done! That was with top quality tyres and an excellent set up in a manoeuvre I’d done thousands of times.
Most drivers don’t understand how quick you can accelerate and change direction so be aware for people pulling out and cutting across you, especially when passing on roundabouts and generally be aware when overtaking
Enjoy it and drive safe - they are great fun
I would also say, don’t become complacent, as that’ll be when it bites! I’ve driven my TVR’s in all weather, including snow & ice, the only time caught out unexpectedly so far (touch wood) - a nice summers day, out in the Chim with the roof down and I did a 360 putting my foot down when pulling out of a side road into traffic. Must have been diesel on the road, but lesson learned and luckily no damage done! That was with top quality tyres and an excellent set up in a manoeuvre I’d done thousands of times.
Most drivers don’t understand how quick you can accelerate and change direction so be aware for people pulling out and cutting across you, especially when passing on roundabouts and generally be aware when overtaking
Enjoy it and drive safe - they are great fun
Thanks all for the tips and advice! Especially asking the seller to show me how to stow the roof, very handy!
The weather was on my side and the car performed flawlessly (although took me a min to get used to the immobiliser).
Obviously took it easy but listening to that lovely v8 with the sun shining down, the gears snicking nicely with each change, my face actually hurts from smiling!
I’m afraid only a few quick pics as wanted to keep driving!
Edit - to add, I had to google how to lock it
The weather was on my side and the car performed flawlessly (although took me a min to get used to the immobiliser).
Obviously took it easy but listening to that lovely v8 with the sun shining down, the gears snicking nicely with each change, my face actually hurts from smiling!
I’m afraid only a few quick pics as wanted to keep driving!
Edit - to add, I had to google how to lock it
Edited by tris88 on Friday 9th May 22:40
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