Daily drivers - usage?
Discussion
rebelstar said:
I often read that cars used daily are generally healthier than those used as weekend cars.
My question to the daily drivers amongst us is this: what sort of usage do you consider to be "daily"?
Before I bought my tuscan 2 months ago everyone kept telling me not to drive the 4miles to and from my home to work or I would knacker the engine. So I drive 10-12miles on the way to work but tend to drive straight home. So far so good.
...about 80-100 miles per day, sometimes 200I tried a 02 Tamora as an everyday car and found it to much for daily use.
The Tamora, T350 have a wide turning circle which can be a pain if you park in multi storey car parks everyday, the cars have a pretty low stance, but I didn't have any problems with speed bumps, just going up and down steep ramps and drives.
Also the ride was very firm and used to crash and bang over pot holes and bumps, the ride was poor at low speed round town,it improved as you got out on to the open road.
I recently test drove a 05 T350 and that was much improved over my 02 car, mainly in the ride and suspension set up. I could live with a 05 model for every day use, I think
>> Edited by bumcrack on Monday 11th April 22:48
Use mine everyday and have done since June 03 - it's my only car at the moment and gets used accordingly.
I've done well over 36k since new. Car needs more TLC than 'run-of-the-mill' mass produced item but is more than up for the job. Come rain, snow or shine I'm out and about.
It is surprisingly easy on tyres, I've had pads changed all round once, disks and pads needed at next service, no problems with clutch, diff, wheel bearings, engine.
Just a couple of reoccuring niggles with the automatic window drop function (if I clean the windows too well they get stuck if the car has been left in direct sunlight - a quick close and re-open sorts it out) and tempramental speed sensor in the diff causes the speedo to regularly flick around... apart from these very small and minor problems I am delighted, not only with the car but the whole experience including the dealers etc.
Mine has only had to be recovered twice, once for a blown fuse that the AA couldn't trace and the second time when a bolt was flicked up from a lorry on the motorway that went through the front vent and punched a whole through the radiator (which obviously can't be attributed to the car). Therefore much less time spend off the road than my previous everyday German coupe!)
A number of stone-chips, some chipped paint on the rear diffuser, a thining of the trim on the driver's door (from my elbow) and unfortunatly the inevitable scuff of alloy wheel (35 profile tyres aren't great for urban use) are the only real tell tale signs of it's everyday use.
I won't mislead anyone and say it is a cheap car to run or an easy 'every day proposition' as it does take some dedication both financially and emotionally - anyone who wants a car that they can just jump into and thrash within an inch of it's life would do well to look elsewhere...
However...
..anyone with an splash of super unleaded in their veins, a reasonable budget to make sure that the servicing is kept up to date & properly done and enjoys the individuality & dare I say it, the attention, that one of Blackpool's finest provides - then these cars can be used everyday.
I'm sure that whatever I get for the car when I finally decide to sell will be a real shock to the system as it is going to have huge mileage - I am living in the misguided hope that TVR will buy it back from me in the interest of mechanical science when I trade up to a Sagaris!!
I've done well over 36k since new. Car needs more TLC than 'run-of-the-mill' mass produced item but is more than up for the job. Come rain, snow or shine I'm out and about.
It is surprisingly easy on tyres, I've had pads changed all round once, disks and pads needed at next service, no problems with clutch, diff, wheel bearings, engine.
Just a couple of reoccuring niggles with the automatic window drop function (if I clean the windows too well they get stuck if the car has been left in direct sunlight - a quick close and re-open sorts it out) and tempramental speed sensor in the diff causes the speedo to regularly flick around... apart from these very small and minor problems I am delighted, not only with the car but the whole experience including the dealers etc.
Mine has only had to be recovered twice, once for a blown fuse that the AA couldn't trace and the second time when a bolt was flicked up from a lorry on the motorway that went through the front vent and punched a whole through the radiator (which obviously can't be attributed to the car). Therefore much less time spend off the road than my previous everyday German coupe!)
A number of stone-chips, some chipped paint on the rear diffuser, a thining of the trim on the driver's door (from my elbow) and unfortunatly the inevitable scuff of alloy wheel (35 profile tyres aren't great for urban use) are the only real tell tale signs of it's everyday use.
I won't mislead anyone and say it is a cheap car to run or an easy 'every day proposition' as it does take some dedication both financially and emotionally - anyone who wants a car that they can just jump into and thrash within an inch of it's life would do well to look elsewhere...
However...
..anyone with an splash of super unleaded in their veins, a reasonable budget to make sure that the servicing is kept up to date & properly done and enjoys the individuality & dare I say it, the attention, that one of Blackpool's finest provides - then these cars can be used everyday.
I'm sure that whatever I get for the car when I finally decide to sell will be a real shock to the system as it is going to have huge mileage - I am living in the misguided hope that TVR will buy it back from me in the interest of mechanical science when I trade up to a Sagaris!!
Mine is my only car - 04 T350c, Chameleon Green. Used daily for my commute to work, 20 miles each way, but longer there and back most days ;-)
Into my 4th week of ownership, and I actually enjoy going to work! (Also helps having an understanding boss who lets me run it as my company car!
)
When I drive anywhere, it is about the journey, not the destination. Drive anywhere and everywhere at the weekends, for any old reason!
I am loving it!
Cheers
MikeGF
>> Edited by MikeGF on Tuesday 12th April 11:01
Into my 4th week of ownership, and I actually enjoy going to work! (Also helps having an understanding boss who lets me run it as my company car!
) When I drive anywhere, it is about the journey, not the destination. Drive anywhere and everywhere at the weekends, for any old reason!
I am loving it!
Cheers
MikeGF
>> Edited by MikeGF on Tuesday 12th April 11:01
Use my Tam every day in central London (varying miles, but I never stop unless it has warmed up to at least 60c which means in the winter I take the long way to/from work). Even in traffic this car is absolutely fine but I take it for a blast on most weekends. I find it to be a very good, comfortable, every day car as well as a real pants-wetting sports car when I want it to be. Of course it needs more love regarding warming up the engine properly and checking oil and water levels regularly, but all in all, so far, no probs.
Nicksey said:
Just a couple of reoccuring niggles with the automatic window drop function (if I clean the windows too well they get stuck if the car has been left in direct sunlight - a quick close and re-open sorts it out) and tempramental speed sensor in the diff causes the speedo to regularly flick around... apart from these very small and minor problems I am delighted, not only with the car but the whole experience including the dealers etc.
:
You can buy silicon spray from Halfords that is for window rubbers. It should fix this problem
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