Drivers car

Drivers car

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Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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What do you specifically like about owning your Tvr. ( any model)

I'm going thorough one of those errr Tvr moments of doom and gloom laced with hope and a new lease of life,, its bust!
Thanks to having Tvr friends it's very much getting repaired but the cars not on my drive and it's been quite a feeling!
I've been thinking economics are getting worse and maybe it's time for someone else to enjoy the pleasure of my years of effort on the car as it's not easy to afford the repairs anymore.
Well a week of missing what a Tvr means to me,,,
I'd normally be going for breakfast now and meeting up with bike and car owners alike. Take the dog and roof off,you know live the dream.

That's just one thing I could mention,
It's the driving of the car though, it's not perfect, needs geo and a steering rack and chassis repairs to be happy but overall it drives so nicely I'm really missing it.
I'm working close to home so ride my bike,, at 6 am that's a fitness routine hehe so don't need the car which is nice but still,,,

People talk of Tvr as part of the family, I never look at them like that but my grandsons face said it all frown when I told him the car was 100 miles from home and broken he wasn't impressed with me, said I'm not allowed to race it anymore and I agreed, says it's for him if he gets through college,,, I've got 10 years to enjoy it then,, wink
People talk of electric and I feel very old in car terms, think I'll be outlawed but I also think the youth of today will hold a touch for these great beasts and keep them alive well after we've finished with them,, always good to have a car that's a youthful reminder of what we all were, free flowing and fast with dashing good lucks, in my case I'm lucky as I still have all these things,, biggrin
Missing my family car,,, hugely smilefrown

If your going to own it you have to be able to fix it,, so here is a young man learning a thing or two, he likes to talk cars with his school mates and even Y pieces hehe




Edited by Classic Chim on Sunday 17th September 08:59

QBee

20,903 posts

143 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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Sad to read of your angst.

I too go through these "should I sell it?" times. I was without mine for most of last winter after I broke the engine, and felt it was time to get it right and pass it on. Then I got it back, but had my sensible hat on, so trailered it over to Warrington and back for the turbo install. Good job I did - it would have broken in the Peak District in the pouring rain on the way back otherwise.....slipped a gudgeon pin after 50 miles of its first run in 5 months, and had to go straight back to base for another month and more wallet agony.

Since I have finally had it back I have re-kindled my love for it, and enjoyed a trip to Scotland in it with SWMBO.....the turbo made her love it more, not because of the extra power, but because it is so much quieter and smoother!

In the end it is so hard to know what to do, but my grandson is 9 now and is keen to get his mitts on it when I have finished with it, though I cannot see him lifting a finger to do anything on it. I thought gaining 80 extra bhp would make me want to keep it so much more....but it hasn't. It isn't a beast to drive, far from it, it is just the good handling, quick car it has always been (since Mat Smith sorted the handling back in 2012).

Keep the faith, my friend, i am sure you will soon have it back.....next Saturday or Sunday springs to mind! If another plan comes to fruition, you may have a passenger to talk to on the way down - I have offered a lift to Epsom to a guy to collect a company car.....a Nissan Leaf.

Feels like full circle in one thread getmecoat

N7GTX

7,822 posts

142 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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Owning a TVR is a roller-coaster, that's a fact wink After the prang last week I think I must be mad driving a car without ABS and airbags. Yesterday spent hours replacing a door hinge laid on my back on the driveway only to find it was the wrong part sent. banghead Today, should be at the Cars in the Park meeting but its raining on and off so just can't be bothered.
Yet on a nice day, blasting around, its addictive. And for those few days a year - yes its not financially sensible but owning one of these isn't, is it? - is the reason I have not sold it. I've owned over 70 cars, some for just days or weeks, but this is the longest I've ever owned any car. Its also the one I've ever spent so much money on. To sum up, I just can't part with it. wink

PhilH42

690 posts

101 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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Only positive thoughts Alun!

I've owned quite a few cars - some nice and quite a few not so....TVR sits on its own pedestal. It does drive you mad when something plays up, but it's almost reassuring and comforting that you can get out there close and personal, tinkering,improving and asking others for advice until you find the problem. Making it look or work better (or worse) smile always exciting when it's back in action. Generally buying a new part is great because it will either work or look better, not usually a throw your hands in the air and curse moment like other cars.

Like you It seems to be this time of the year that I feel a sense of doom and gloom, yes it's the nights drawing in, less sun and more rain but ultimately it's only really mattered noticeably since I've owned a TVR. If I don't have one around it really feels like something is missing, even for a few days. I agree they are like a member of the family or partner in crime maybe. For some I suppose this may be one and the same car, for me it's just a TVR in any guise, no other marque quite fills the bill and I've looked at a few. There's other cars I'd like as well of course but not in place of.

Would we all get the same connection with our TVR's if they were super reliable with just an oil and filter change each year? That feeling you get from starting her up for the first time in the spring....after you sort out the flat battery because someone switched of the trickle charge to plug in the mower at some point smile The intoxicating sound that brings a smile every time no matter how many times it's been heard before.Roof off even though it's frankly bloody cold but buoyed by the obscene amount of heat blown in the cabin as you burble, pop,bang or whatever your way down a few country lanes....oh and the excitable waving and pointing on the occasion you see another on the road....or maybe that's just me wavey

Most people I see that sell and don't buy another quickly regret it. How many of those have and will return at a later date as they can't fill the gap?

Definitely one to pass down to the grandchildren!!

A TVR is just irreplaceable.









Edited by PhilH42 on Sunday 17th September 10:26


Edited by PhilH42 on Sunday 17th September 10:31


Edited by PhilH42 on Sunday 17th September 10:33

QBee

20,903 posts

143 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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The things we do for fun can never be justified financially.

In a previous life I went to classical concerts, collected paintings, went to art exhibitions, went to the ballet, got very keen on gardening, travelled abroad, rode horses. None of which were financial decisions, all things I did for the joy of doing them. When I stopped enjoying them I stopped doing them.

A TVR rarely makes financial sense (if I had bought the Sagaris I was offered in 2013 for £36,000.........that might have been the exception), but it is there for the pleasure it brings. Which is why it is such extra misery when things don't go right. It's a hobby, not a part of the daily routine.

Taken that way it is a joy and a pleasure.

PhilH42

690 posts

101 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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QBee said:
The things we do for fun can never be justified financially.

In a previous life I went to classical concerts, collected paintings, went to art exhibitions, went to the ballet, got very keen on gardening, travelled abroad, rode horses. None of which were financial decisions, all things I did for the joy of doing them. When I stopped enjoying them I stopped doing them.

A TVR rarely makes financial sense (if I had bought the Sagaris I was offered in 2013 for £36,000.........that might have been the exception), but it is there for the pleasure it brings. Which is why it is such extra misery when things don't go right. It's a hobby, not a part of the daily routine.

Taken that way it is a joy and a pleasure.
Agree with those sentiments Anthony... TVR are a great hobby and not really an every day car although you can use them like that and they quite like it....BP and Shell even more so.

PhilH42

690 posts

101 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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...and I still haven't got my plugs..hey ho smile

Englishman

2,215 posts

209 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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Not sure if it will help you, but after 20 years of owning TVR’s, I had a similar moment in 2001 when, after a few mechanical issues came along, my first Griff 500 was driven away and I moved on to things Italian. I told my wife that was it for me and TVR’s.

But I never lost interest in the marque and after driving the Sagaris in 2005, all the emotion you feel for TVR’s came flooding back. I bought one, adding another Griff 500 a couple of years later. I’ve subsequently test driven lots of other good sports cars, but nothing has tempted me away.

Yes, TVR’s can be frustrating, but everything is fixable with time, patience, attention to detail and occasionally money, but once fixed they are immensely rewarding.

In fact, you could say I’ve become blinkered/obsessed/delusional etc. etc. as I've given up fighting the 'TVR bug' and expect to own TVR’s until I can’t drive any more. They are now my only mode of transport and hence used throughout the year too.

QBee

20,903 posts

143 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
quotequote all
PhilH42 said:
...and I still haven't got my plugs..hey ho smile
Have I forgotten something? Or are you referring to iridium or not?

KateV8

448 posts

151 months

Sunday 17th September 2017
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My view.....Kate has, in the past, tortured us with her cantankerous ways and constant determination to do anything but the right thing. Taking her on after six owners in twelve years was like taking on a very difficult foster child that had never had stability. But patience and sheer bloody-mindedness on our part combined with taking an analytical approach to identifying areas of weakness have paid off. Kate has delivered total reliability and useability for three years running now and as a reward will hopefully be getting the body-off chassis resto she deserves in the winter. Which again is preventative, there's no need yet but you know...... And what's it all been for? Well certainly not financial reward or even sense but Mrs Kate V8 and I have had so many fun experiences and seen so many places that we just wouldn't have done or seen without her. We have no plans to sell either now or in the foreseeable future but if we did would we miss her? Like missing your own child : (
Keep the faith Alan

ChilliWhizz

11,990 posts

160 months

Monday 18th September 2017
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Al, lots of good posts and advice above, and after some careful consideration I'd just like to add my thoughts....
Man the feck up, and get a paper round.

Hope this helps,
Your mate,
Chilli

Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Monday 18th September 2017
quotequote all
biggrin
See that's all it took.
I started my paper round last Monday hehe

I'll be able to pay for my toys in about 6 months,,, joking Anthony/Peter rofl

It's a roller coaster of a ride, that's a fact, overall we wouldn't have it any other way though.

A chap at this new job kept winking at me, I thought, what's your game... then today he asked me if I owned a blue Tvr hehe
A friend for life smile
He likes bikes,, good on him.
I handled the day better after that biggrin

It's much more than just a car,,, and not just to me.

Can't wait to get it back now,,,, thanks guys and gals thumbup

Squirrelofwoe

3,181 posts

175 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
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Classic Chim said:
biggrin
See that's all it took.
I started my paper round last Monday hehe

I'll be able to pay for my toys in about 6 months,,, joking Anthony/Peter rofl

It's a roller coaster of a ride, that's a fact, overall we wouldn't have it any other way though.

A chap at this new job kept winking at me, I thought, what's your game... then today he asked me if I owned a blue Tvr hehe
A friend for life smile
He likes bikes,, good on him.
I handled the day better after that biggrin

It's much more than just a car,,, and not just to me.

Can't wait to get it back now,,,, thanks guys and gals thumbup
I did a paper round for 3 years, and by the end of it I was earning that much folding (particularly taking into account tips at Christmas- the perks of delivering to a private road of ageing, wealthy mansion owners!) that it bought my first car at 17 and paid to run it for 6 months! I felt like a king rocking up at the paper shop in a rusty Mk4 Ford Escort (with a 250kg XR3 spoiler no less- that provided real downforce) whilst all the other teenagers struggled on push bikes biggrin

I had recently got my first part-time retail job by then too, and it paid feck-all compared to that gem of a paper round!

I guess what I am trying to say is... don't knock paper rounds! rotate


WillS66

90 posts

115 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
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Classic Chim said:
What do you specifically like about owning your Tvr.
It's not boring!

I've got a Chimaera and a Cayman S, and compared to the Chimaera the Porsche is so bloody dull.

Yes the Porsche is super reliable (but I've never had a problem with the TVR), yes it handles well in the wet and getting off the line is easy (zzzzz zzzz), yes the noise of the flat6 is nice, if you're into flat6 noises (which, it turns out, I'm not) but it's not a TVR.

Told someone at work that I'm selling the Porsche in a month or two due to it being boring, the look of total incomprehension was a joy to behold. Perhaps I'll replace it with a Tuscan.

WillS.

Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
quotequote all
I remember my paper round fondly wink I'd forgot about the tips,and I used to sort the rounds out for the other boys so promoted to the warmth of the shop hehe

It's not boring, how true is that, that might be it entirely, in a sanitised world, something exciting that doesn't cost the earth, well that's a bit of a fib but who's counting.

Only when you do without a Tvr do you remember how good they are.
Ive had a long run and driven the car allover and even relied on it,, which is a total contradiction in the publics perception and still feel like it would go anywhere easily enough.
I've done a mad 24 hr drive through France 1000 miles. I get off on that sort of hardcore driving, steady 80 mph, stopping every 2/3 hrs for a rest, my endurance endeavour, loved it.
Driving through the night on smooth roads,,, waking up Reims at dark o'clock rumbling through, then driving the coastal road around to St Tropez.
Most people might never be so lucky when you think about how many Tvr even exist let alone get driven around France.
I've pushed the car hard on a drag strip,, and knackered the clutch,, 12.603 it was worth it and considering my induction set up, a blinding fast time, slowed by tyre rub too hehe

Cars been away before but only this time I've considered it more, what it means to me etc,
It's helped me forget some things for some moments,,, many moments, driving it even really slowly which is like all the time to be honest takes such focus and feel I get transported into another dimension, one I know well from a young age onwards, all the life weight lifts away and the Tvr experience is the only car experience I've had that resembles brutal bare assed motorbikes of old, just angry and able to chuck you off at will if treated badly, needs huge balls and respect to master and even then you can't be sure,,,
That's what my car used to be like, now I have Rainsport 3 tyre's it's like a go cart for grip levels and becoming very capable in most weathers.
Soft shocks so not racey but I like that too, great around town.
It's very close to what I'm looking for in the car now so it's time I took much greater care over it and stopped driving it so much.
It's now eventually becoming a toy so I can do what I see a number of other great owners doing and that's just making it better and better.
Tvr ownership when you get down and dirty with it is all about the drive, we are prepared to take them to pieces many times to achieve our own goals in that drive.
How can I have driven a car so many hundreds if not thousands of times yet always feel like it's a first,,,
I've always loved the romance of soft tops, E types etc
, in fact it started with Second World War stories of RAF pilots and two seater sports cars laden with mates and girls,,, daring everything as it might be your last day on earth,

Then how all these dare Devils became racing drivers after the war, I associated blokes with powerful sportscars as something to be reckoned with and I can only thank Tvr engineering for creating the cars we have today to allow me to still live that dream in modern times.

Wind in your hair, roof off, sun on your skin, the smell of the road and world around you,,,, if your catted biggrin with its effortless power to weight a reminder of the racing pedigree and something else close to my heart.

I'm trying to learn the drums,, the sound of a V8 is a never ending source of inspiration to get a smoother groove hehe

It's almost like the best music ever,, kinell, better not sell it then! wink

ChilliWhizz

11,990 posts

160 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
quotequote all
Classic Chim said:
Some great stuff and....

It's almost like the best music ever,, kinell, better not sell it then! wink
Epic stuff Alun...... I think of myself as half 'Celt', half Saxon, I have deep ancestral roots in Ireland and Scotland... some things that are strong run deep in you, and cannot be denied. On the subject of best music ever, listen to the link below... as loud as you can.... It stirs the soul much like a TVR can...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eSL6Nv2ZdQ

Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
quotequote all
It's fantastic to hear so many players giving it some, pure passion.
So many of the great drummers from the states played in military bands and the like as kids so learnt the rudiments really well. And that's what it's all about.
But drums are nothing without great tune and song around them.
All the musicians were rocking there thumbup
I was outside hehe seriously one year I was in Scotland working and had been watching street performers all night whilst i was in and out of pubs, great night and we could hear it from the top of the hill smile
Massive atmosphere Richard.

I play in a band that rocks a bit hehe early days but we really get into it considering we've played only a few times together, it rumbles along with pace smile and we think it sounds ace hehe
Big job is a band,, big job.
But chemistry can't be denied and in these two guitar players who gel so well and make it easy for me to play to them means we might just work on it. I'm right up for it after 20 years of saying I'd never do it again,,, never say never.
Funny how in life you fall back on what you know to re build your mind,,,, I started drumming as a way to clear my mind from everyday grind that started to overcome me and to strengthen my back.
I've had an electric drum kit for years that I set up to help with a weak lower back, went back to basics and went over those drum rudiments again and that alone set me off on a path to drumming nirvana,,, I'll get there one day and hopefully with great musicians around me smile
Tvr are like drums,,, they really are, with a beat of their own and taking a deft touch and great skill to master,,, and just like any musical player, it's in your own hands at all times, mega concentration etc love it. How come I can't add up but can play different time signatures in music at the SAME time, say 2/4 with my feet and 6/8 with my hands,,,
I learnt drum beats by listening to the songs as a youth and only now consider the actual timing,,, mostly though if you play by feel you'll be better and it sounds more natural,
Sometimes you play lighter ( ghost notes) so regulating one hand or foot pressure depending on what's required, cymbals are awesome for dynamics Too, together with good electric guitar players my John Bonham drum triplets rip,,,, hahahah.

Just like Tvr, playing music is like nothing else. Fabulous




ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

178 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
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Classic Chim said:
What do you specifically like about owning your Tvr?
  • I like the fact I drove 400 miles in mine today, I've just got in and feel perfectly refreshed
  • I like the fact it sipped half price LPG at 23.45mpg making it 47mpg petrol cost equivalent economical
  • Best of all I loved the last 20 miles down the M1 where I came upon a hapless early 1990's Porsche Carera and absolutely annihilated it in an epic 'back to the nineties' battle that left Mr Beetle Sports in no doubt a V8 (even one on gas) is mightier than any German air banger six biggrin
Hang in there and keep the faith Alun, we all have good and bad TVR days, but as I proved today the good ones always make up for the bad... and some wink

Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Wednesday 20th September 2017
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
  • I like the fact I drove 400 miles in mine today, I've just got in and feel perfectly refreshed
  • I like the fact it sipped half price LPG at 23.45mpg making it 47mpg petrol cost equivalent economical
  • Best of all I loved the last 20 miles down the M1 where I came upon a hapless early 1990's Porsche Carera and absolutely annihilated it in an epic 'back to the nineties' battle that left Mr Beetle Sports in no doubt a V8 (even one on gas) it mightier than any German air banger six biggrin
Hang in there and keep the faith Alun, we all have good and bad TVR days, but as I proved today the good ones always make up for the bad... and some wink
I had no idea your car was so good on fuel hehe
Thanks Dave, I've had a few moments like that, I'm now so confident I'm like the Audi A5 driver on the add biggrin it's actually my brakes that give me my cool vibe, just smile as I reckon I can out do most on the brakes let alone power to weight smile

I'm proper chilled in mine now, sort of feel I'm hitting the sweet spot slowly and surely.
New Dif introduced a new level of refinement on top of the world class feeling hehe I get from my Brembo brakes so in reality the cars never felt better, if I had just not gone racing,,, but still so glad I did.
It not often you mention your LPG fuel efficiency figures so I'll not say to much but for those that care and likely scoff 12.603 to beat... Cerbfest has got me worried a yellow Chimaera is after fast times, goodluck Jacko if your listening, 12.5 to push me down the leaderboard thumbup although that's easy at York,,, hehe



ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

178 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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This is what I spanked today....

https://www.jct600.co.uk/used-car-details/used-por...
  • A £65k 964 Carera 4 Targa in this case sporting a £10k (911 ***) number plate
  • The 1990 964 C4 5 speed manual does 0-60 in 5.7 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 14.0 s @ 104.4 mph
  • 'Ol Gasbag' tips the scales at 1100kg, while the 964 Carera 4 weighs a comparatively lardy 1350 kg
  • With 250hp and 220 ft/lbs Mr Pork only ends up with 183bhp per ton and 169 ft/lbs per ton
  • With 'Ol Gasbag' you get a modest 223hp but 251 ft/lbs of torque and it's 1100kg delivers 202bhp per ton and 228 ft/lbs per ton[/b]
  • I figure 'Ol Gasbag' will do 0-60 in 5.3 and the 1/4 Mile in 13.52 @ 102mph
Basically I had a 20% power to weight advantage and a huge 35% torque to weight advantage, this expensive contemporary TVR competitor Porsche (even with it's four wheel drive) really didn't stand a chance, especially in those real world mid range pulls that showed 'Ol Gasbag' to be the conclusive victor every time.

That big torque to weight advantage is what counts on the road, and made my gas powered TVR king of the all important overtaking grunt!

So you see Alun while I'm enjoying 47mpg..... my devastating fuel economy is only part of the picture wink

'Ol Gasbag' is simply a 'cake and eat it' 90's Classic yes