What’s so bad about using it as a daily!

What’s so bad about using it as a daily!

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Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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It seases the amaze me how even hard core types think I’m mad to drive my car in most weathers and all year round, it’s a car, clean it and replace a few rotten bits every now and then then drive it somemore.
I had a shiny motorbike that looked like it had never ever seen rain, brilliant and I was not about to let it get wet either,, a year later after I was bored of looking at it and cleaning the already clean bits I sold it as what’s the bloody point of owning stuff that you don’t use cos it’s raining!
I keep thinking I’ll get a daily to save the Tvr maintenance but then you add up the cost of a daily and I can run my Tvr on that money all year easy enough,,, so I just don’t want one.
This year the Tvr has cost me a couple of thou on repairs,
1 Diff,,,, big job
2 clutch,,, not a happy boy as it was new 2 years ago
But I now have a new Diff, massive improvement in the cars overall performance and quality and the clutch should last years so real improvements in the cars future use.
Serviced it (twice) which for a bloke on an after market Ecu is cheap as you like.
So other than fuel I can’t think of any other costs, had a few running repairs like fixing my bonnet but that was just some fibreglass and had needed doing for over a year.
Overall it’s cost very little to run the Tvr

My mate says it’s too good to drive in this weather,,,,
I say it’s not worth enough to not drive it in this weather, it’s a cheap car.
All this molly coddling of cars like a Tvr seems mad to me,,, there just not worth enough to leave lying about, get in em and get on I say.

Buck the trend and enjoy yourself.

Rant over laugh


Sardonicus

18,928 posts

220 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Good for you Alun wink you get to enjoy your car daily wink however wouldn't work for me only two seats for kick off ..... thats useless in fact ....

Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
Maybe daily is a bit miss leading as i don’t need it on a daily basis really and circumstances obviously dictate other people’s vehicle needs as in seats and space.
Truth is I set out 6 years ago to have a car capable of being a daily and more I do to it the more it becomes that very thing. Capable.

My chassis will need repairs at some point rather sooner than later as I’m sure you could see Simon and I suppose until that day I might as well get the best use out of it.

I committed to my Tvr out of passion rather than economic sense and boy would I pay the price for that right now as resale prices have stalled and fallen imho
Every now and then I think I have this special car that’s rare in itself as in year etc so should look after it with kid gloves and I do really but not using it,,,
I’ve got sponges for tyres and soft shocks with a quiet exhaust and a fairly water tight cab,,,
I try and avoid rain obviously but it won’t stop me,
What I’m saying is they should be used all the time weather permitting.
I think where you live has quite a baring on how practical all this is as your personal circumstances so subjective but if you use the wonders of modern science these cars are super practical for what they are. Nothing compares,,, my mate said what about an MX 5,,, but that’s nothing like this sort of car is it, divvi biglaugh


PhilH42

690 posts

101 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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They like being used regularly and are more reliable for it.

Only time my Chim would play up was if it was left unused for too long, spend some money changing ancillaries and the key wear areas and they are a fine daily...maybe not so much in heavy traffic and are a bit thirsty of course.

Only thing is does it become less of an occasion if you use it too often.


ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

178 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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I use mine throughout the year, in fact I went for a blast in Wales last weekend and as expected..... it absolutely pished it down.

My mate in his four wheel drive Porsche 911 simply couldn't keep up with me in my very practical 45mpg 'Ol Gas bag'.

Here's me ragging my other mate's replica HMC Austin Healey 3000 with a 4.0 litre Rover V8 in it (a rental for the weekend), the HMC by the way was total dog sh*t compared with a well sorted Chimaera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuJyGFhnPBY

And to think you can still buy the far better TVR for half the price of a HMC or a poorly assembled Cobra replica, it simply doesn't make sense to me confused

Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
Hmm good question Phil. I sometimes think I’m trying to bore myself of it so it would be easier to part with hehe
Some serious milage I’ve done now and can honestly say it’s better than ever since getting the new clutch in. wink
After a few years of ownership I worked out what annoyed me about it the most and slowly with plenty of luck and good friends on my side I’ve somehow arrived at a fantastic car I can’t get enough of.

Sometimes it’s just luck as I tried some old shocks on the car and I liked the ride instantly.
I prefer a rubber bush mounted shock ( road use)
Really didn’t like 17in front wheels for awhile then found Rsinsport 3 tyre’s and played with the dia size by a few mm ( bigger) front and rear and now the car looks the nuts as they fill the arch more and better still stick like some sort of glue.
Let’s be sensible and you’ll fly off if you drive like a berk but I drove a country A road late last night in what I remembered to be horrendously dangerous conditions at anything but safe speed on Toyo T1R and pretty much any other tyre that I’d tried, nope, these cut through and I’m flying along in comparison without even flinching. It’s just safe without having to second guess the road. Super compliant and soft so ride has been improved loads, best thing ever, I feel lucky I have them.
All these little things over the years coming together, steering arm joints, little things that gain confidence and hands on feel for the car.
Ok Ecu change has been the biggest reason why all this has been so rewarding as it’s so rock solid and the engine sings on the thing but the CUX can be just the same.

See my logic says by using it I found its faults and had little choice but address those issues, a few things have gone wrong but most the repairs/ upgrades have worked in a very good way so far.
Things don’t always go to plan in life and all that,,,,
If you have enough skills/ patience or money and preferably all three you can get these cars really on song, mostly tyres though scratchchin

I’m even thinking come the day to bodylift it the chassis components can be zinc covered and as I’ve found if you wash it all down once or twice a year can stay pretty clean anyway.

This is the thing, soon as I park it it will seize up and there’s nothing better than fresh air in the engine and hot air in the cab, keeps the old girl warm and all the parts lubricated.
Just look at Pub to Pub.
Robust cars and a great daily if you live local and don’t suffer from traffic problems to much.
Bit juicy but the sound compensates so I can live with that.
Placebo I’m sure but I serviced the car and last week used less fuel than ever for the milage and didn’t even try to be conservative so maybe I’m just a bit euphoric that all this is working so well.
I’m enjoying driving it more than the day I got it some 6 years ago,,, it’s totally bonkers smile


Trevor450

1,741 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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I don’t mind using it all year round. The only conditions I try to avoid are sustained periods of heavy rain when there will be lots of standing water and snow.

As you say, it’s there to be used. The original outriggers lasted 15 years and if I need to take the body off in another 12 years or so to repair the chassis and outriggers, then so be it. Thicker tube, better powder coat and more attentive care should make it last longer than that though.

m4tti

5,426 posts

154 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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ChimpOnGas said:
My mate in his four wheel drive Porsche 911 simply couldn't keep up with me in my very practical 45mpg 'Ol Gas bag'.
I think he was holding back in case you crashed.

ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

178 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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m4tti said:
ChimpOnGas said:
My mate in his four wheel drive Porsche 911 simply couldn't keep up with me in my very practical 45mpg 'Ol Gas bag'.
I think he was holding back in case you crashed.
By his own admission he is a city Porsche driver with limited balls out 'B' road scratching experience, his car was not tested for sure wink

But he still commented... "Your TVR is clearly the one to catch"

jazzdude

900 posts

151 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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Just got back from a trip to the UK and I was lucky that my hire car was upgraded to an auto.

If I had to drive my Chim around the area within the M25, even for a day, then I would not have been able to walk for a few days afterwards due to a knackered left leg.

And that is with my clutch servoed car, let alone a standard one. smile

So daily, yes doable, but not in the SE of UK.

ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

178 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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jazzdude said:
Just got back from a trip to the UK and I was lucky that my hire car was upgraded to an auto.

If I had to drive my Chim around the area within the M25, even for a day, then I would not have been able to walk for a few days afterwards due to a knackered left leg.

And that is with my clutch servoed car, let alone a standard one. smile

So daily, yes doable, but not in the SE of UK.
I live in the SE of the UK and use my standard clutch setup Chimaera on the M25 every week, I can only assume you have an issue with your left leg/foot?

Either that or there's something very wrong with your clutch setup, TVR wouldn't have sold many of these cars new if the clutch was as impractically heavy as you describe.





Sardonicus

18,928 posts

220 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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ChimpOnGas said:
jazzdude said:
Just got back from a trip to the UK and I was lucky that my hire car was upgraded to an auto.

If I had to drive my Chim around the area within the M25, even for a day, then I would not have been able to walk for a few days afterwards due to a knackered left leg.

And that is with my clutch servoed car, let alone a standard one. smile

So daily, yes doable, but not in the SE of UK.
I live in the SE of the UK and use my standard clutch setup Chimaera on the M25 every week, I can only assume you have an issue with your left leg/foot?

Either that or there's something very wrong with your clutch setup, TVR wouldn't have sold many of these cars new if the clutch was as impractically heavy as you describe, my brothers P6 3500s clutch is lovely for comparison but then again they have a lighter duty clutch diaphragm to the RV8 in the TVR models scratchchin
Anything more than the 500 spec clutch is a PITA to live with long term IMO (Helix etc) unless of course the clutch is fked then its going to be heavier anyway frown yes I have the 500 AP unit and its OK but nothing more rolleyes my daily has a light action and just about everything else I jump in and out of so I'm biased




Edited by Sardonicus on Thursday 23 November 11:11

Skyedriver

17,667 posts

281 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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I used my first Chimaera as an every day car for 3 years 2001-4 7 24k miles
Current one (4th Chimaera) tends to be mollycoddled in the garage far too much.

Why, well it's blocked in by my usual old Volvo on the drive plus a cycle in the garage and by the time I get it out the garage I can be at work in the Volvo.
I can throw allsorts of crap in the old estate without worry and park it anywhere without too much concern.
I do get concerned about replacing the outriggers on the TVR, or worse, if I use it over winter but that said it's been out a couple of times in the last couple of weeks and the roads were wet.

I don't find the seats as comfortable as I used to and getting in and out a little more difficult too. (My 350i Wedge was easier).

Maybe I'm just getting old. (65 next year).

N7GTX

7,825 posts

142 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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Sardonicus said:
ChimpOnGas said:
jazzdude said:
Just got back from a trip to the UK and I was lucky that my hire car was upgraded to an auto.

If I had to drive my Chim around the area within the M25, even for a day, then I would not have been able to walk for a few days afterwards due to a knackered left leg.

And that is with my clutch servoed car, let alone a standard one. smile

So daily, yes doable, but not in the SE of UK.
I live in the SE of the UK and use my standard clutch setup Chimaera on the M25 every week, I can only assume you have an issue with your left leg/foot?

Either that or there's something very wrong with your clutch setup, TVR wouldn't have sold many of these cars new if the clutch was as impractically heavy as you describe, my brothers P6 3500s clutch is lovely for comparison but then again they have a lighter duty clutch diaphragm to the RV8 in the TVR models scratchchin
Anything more than the 500 spec clutch is a PITA to live with long term IMO (Helix etc) unless of course the clutch is fked then its going to be heavier anyway frown yes I have the 500 AP unit and its OK but nothing more rolleyes my daily has a light action and just about everything else I jump in and out of so I'm biased

Edited by Sardonicus on Thursday 23 November 11:11
500 clutch here too and without the servo very off-putting to drive in traffic in stop start conditions. So never used as a daily or a local runabout, only for distance driving.

Matthew Poxon

5,329 posts

172 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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One of the best upgrades I did to mine was to replace the clutch. My 17 year old clutch was very stiff and started to slip. I let one of work colleagues have a go of the clutch after he stated 'it can't be that bad' and he didn't even push it down. I assumed it was a case of TVRTADTS

New AP TVR 500 clutch from TVR Power and the car is now a joy.

LOL at that video of you getting out the Healy Dave smile

Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
quotequote all
Matthew Poxon said:
One of the best upgrades I did to mine was to replace the clutch. My 17 year old clutch was very stiff and started to slip. I let one of work colleagues have a go of the clutch after he stated 'it can't be that bad' and he didn't even push it down. I assumed it was a case of TVRTADTS

New AP TVR 500 clutch from TVR Power and the car is now a joy.

LOL at that video of you getting out the Healy Dave smile
Interesting Matthew, how new is this clutch mate. Sounds like mine,,, a dream
And I bust a gut at Dave’s extraction from the Big Healy And possibly more his facial expressions hehe to be fair he’s a big lad wink

And it hadn’t gone unnoticed how the new Griffith has a small door opening, has nowone else noticed that. Maybe the door opens wide but it still looks to be tight getting in for leggy types wink

Edited by Classic Chim on Thursday 23 November 14:23

Matthew Poxon

5,329 posts

172 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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Classic Chim said:
Interesting Matthew, how new is this clutch mate. Sounds like mine,,, a dream
Bought from TVR Power and fitted by David Batty November 2015

AP Racing heavy duty clutch kit with plate, cover and release bearing (Q010125)

Classic Chim

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

148 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
quotequote all
Matthew Poxon said:
Bought from TVR Power and fitted by David Batty November 2015

AP Racing heavy duty clutch kit with plate, cover and release bearing (Q010125)
About the same time I had my new one from Powers that they fitted which was very firm and was the 500 one.

Now fecked from me resting my foot on the clutch, yeah ok!

I now have the TVR parts Clutch as advertised which has transformed the pressure required to use it, about 30% what it used to be, it’s mad and fab at the same time.
New fork arm might run smoother but can’t be why it’s so light.
Only time will tell but I’m very impressed

Matthew Poxon

5,329 posts

172 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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That is interesting. We shall have to compare next time I see you laugh

I am pleased with my TVR Power clutch but I would be interested to know if yours is lighter still.

Funny you should say about resting your foot on the clutch, easy done as there is nowhere to rest your foot in a TVR!

ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

178 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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I had the Helix clutch for a few years, a super heavy terrible thing and I strongly suspect it killed my 5th gear sychro ring. After fifth became impossible to engage without double-d-clutching, an investigation revealed a blacked (burnt up) synchro ring, that awful Helix clutch was not only heavy but for sure it was dragging too.

I now have the 500 AP unit and it's spot on, I would call it perfectly in keeping with the weight of the rest on the controls on the car, this matching of weight of the car's controls is a critical element in the pleasure I get from driving, and is often a feel element overlooked by others.

For example my car has power steering but I still wouldn't call it super light by modern standards, I've also improved my gearbox shift by deleting the the TVR linkage, using a different tail housing, and adding a Hurst Shift Kit. It's a great improvement, lovely and direct... but not what I'd call a super light action.

When I work the clutch with my leg and shift gears with my arm, I want the force required for both to feel nicely matched and harmonious. In this day an age where the connection between man and machine is being very effectively engineered out of our everyday cars, I more than ever want my TVR to have meaty involving controls you have to properly interact and engage with.

I most certainly wouldn't want to pair my wonderfully connected and mechanical feeling meaty gear change with a super light servo clutch, because I firmly believe the force required by the driver to work each must exactly match... if not the unique and very special analogue driver involvement connection these cars deliver will be broken and lost.