Discussion
With the demise of my old Astra, my 3000M is now my only car. I'm currently commuting to work in it (about 10 miles each way) during the week, and then most weekends driving down to Plymouth (from just outside Reading) - about 200 miles each way.
Anyone else using/used their 3000 M like this? Any major pitfalls?
Anyone else using/used their 3000 M like this? Any major pitfalls?
Simon- I use my Taimar regualary for spells for communting 50 miles (total) daily. One problem is the restricted miles insurance policy, the only other main one is the clutch is very heavy and in traffic is a real pain (literally).
I DO have another car, which I found IS necessary long term- everytime it comes off the road for a but of work it always ends up being for longer than expected.
My clutch is hydraulic but most other M's I have seen have a cable and in the ones I tried they were even heavier!
Parking is an issue as I don't like leaving it in the road, and also all those squeaks and other little problems which you don't notice on the Summer Sunday drive really become noticeable.
It needs plenty of work to keep it looking good too.
Long term I have spent alot of time getting it sorted to make it more practical- heating, draughts, radio, seatbelts, seals, water ingress, smooth running, making sure it doesn't overheat, vibrate etc.
As one TVR M serires web site mentions- TVR's don't have the build quality and refinement of mass produced cars and all these odds and ends which need sorted can build up and become a big set of jobs to resolve.
IMO its better to drive it loads than little- iron out all the gremlins and soon you can enjoy some (reasonably)trouble free classic motoring.
I read somewhere that Ian Massy Crosse of Le Mans Grantura fame drives a Taimar everyday.
I DO have another car, which I found IS necessary long term- everytime it comes off the road for a but of work it always ends up being for longer than expected.
My clutch is hydraulic but most other M's I have seen have a cable and in the ones I tried they were even heavier!
Parking is an issue as I don't like leaving it in the road, and also all those squeaks and other little problems which you don't notice on the Summer Sunday drive really become noticeable.
It needs plenty of work to keep it looking good too.
Long term I have spent alot of time getting it sorted to make it more practical- heating, draughts, radio, seatbelts, seals, water ingress, smooth running, making sure it doesn't overheat, vibrate etc.
As one TVR M serires web site mentions- TVR's don't have the build quality and refinement of mass produced cars and all these odds and ends which need sorted can build up and become a big set of jobs to resolve.
IMO its better to drive it loads than little- iron out all the gremlins and soon you can enjoy some (reasonably)trouble free classic motoring.
I read somewhere that Ian Massy Crosse of Le Mans Grantura fame drives a Taimar everyday.
Sounds like a simliar approach to me. I've had the suspension/brakes rebuilt by Exactly-TVR and have done a number of small things myself, such as electronic ignition, halogen lights, re-wired the headlights using 2 relays etc.
I'm looking to install 2 modern fans to replace the engine driven one and the original TVR electric fan (in front of the rad...)
Also going to replace the fuse boxes with one that holds blade type fuses.
Footman James were able to change my policy from 6000 miles to unlimited (and only car...) for an additional £160 - not too bad.
I'm looking to install 2 modern fans to replace the engine driven one and the original TVR electric fan (in front of the rad...)
Also going to replace the fuse boxes with one that holds blade type fuses.
Footman James were able to change my policy from 6000 miles to unlimited (and only car...) for an additional £160 - not too bad.
Simon,
I use my 1600M as an only car and have done for most of the last 3 years, totting up about 15000 miles a year in it, including a 4 month trip to Sweden. In that time I've experienced a lot, including a wheel coming off (tyre fitter using airgun after specifically being told to use a manual torque wrench and the correct tightening torques), diff failure (not as likely in a 3000M since you've got one that can handle the power!), gearbox failure, collapsed NSF suspension (stripped trunnion threads), numerous water leaks and, three weeks ago, an engine-bay fire due to a dodgy relay.
I've found that the most important thing you can do is to make sure that you set up a thorough servicing schedule and stick to it! The car is a regular up at Exactly-TVR and I make sure that, when something goes wrong, it gets fixed with the best bits available.
I'll admit that there have been times when I have considered getting a modern car but when you're bombing down a country lane early on a beautiful autumn day, as I was this morning, all thoughts of that leave my head.
Going to have a compression test this lunchtime though...looks as though I've either blown a head gasket or the engine isn't breathing properly....the dipstick was covered in oil emulsion this morning...
Kris..
Very Yellow '75 1600M
I use my 1600M as an only car and have done for most of the last 3 years, totting up about 15000 miles a year in it, including a 4 month trip to Sweden. In that time I've experienced a lot, including a wheel coming off (tyre fitter using airgun after specifically being told to use a manual torque wrench and the correct tightening torques), diff failure (not as likely in a 3000M since you've got one that can handle the power!), gearbox failure, collapsed NSF suspension (stripped trunnion threads), numerous water leaks and, three weeks ago, an engine-bay fire due to a dodgy relay.
I've found that the most important thing you can do is to make sure that you set up a thorough servicing schedule and stick to it! The car is a regular up at Exactly-TVR and I make sure that, when something goes wrong, it gets fixed with the best bits available.
I'll admit that there have been times when I have considered getting a modern car but when you're bombing down a country lane early on a beautiful autumn day, as I was this morning, all thoughts of that leave my head.
Going to have a compression test this lunchtime though...looks as though I've either blown a head gasket or the engine isn't breathing properly....the dipstick was covered in oil emulsion this morning...
Kris..
Very Yellow '75 1600M
Good to hear about your car Kris and I hope the engine is OK. I've heard that the 1600Ms are nicely balanced due to the lighter engine.
Know what you mean about looking forward to driving the car. I get quite a lift each morning when i think about going to work in my old TVR. Luckily I live out in the country, so the drive in is down some nice roads.
My insurance was £315 when it was a limited milage policy, so I guess its about £500-ish without a limit(my premium was 'topped up' but I'd already used 3000+ miles and 3 months...).
Know what you mean about looking forward to driving the car. I get quite a lift each morning when i think about going to work in my old TVR. Luckily I live out in the country, so the drive in is down some nice roads.
My insurance was £315 when it was a limited milage policy, so I guess its about £500-ish without a limit(my premium was 'topped up' but I'd already used 3000+ miles and 3 months...).
I remember about 5 years back, doing our weekly shopping in Leytonstone, when the Vixen was our only car! Trying to get the shopping between the seats that didn't move,and spitting and burbling on the way home. What a nightmare!
Thank god for the Golf now. The Vixen comes out on days that we feel brave! Not a summer car,'cos you spend most of the time staring 'petrified' at the temperature gauge!
Why the hell do we keep the damn thing??????
'Cos we love it!
Thank god for the Golf now. The Vixen comes out on days that we feel brave! Not a summer car,'cos you spend most of the time staring 'petrified' at the temperature gauge!
Why the hell do we keep the damn thing??????
'Cos we love it!
Hmm . . .I currently run a standard MK2 Cortina and a 1700 MK1 as daily drivers, Im planning on loosing the MK1 for a Xixen . . . . .I do 65 miles a day at the moment and manage to keep both on the road quite easily.
I would hope, with Ford mechanics the TVR should be reliable (and bloody good fun)
I would hope, with Ford mechanics the TVR should be reliable (and bloody good fun)
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