How many people use their Tiv as an everyday car?
Discussion
Used to use mine as an everyday car, did about 40k over the course of about 2 and a half years. Engine never ever missed a beat and relied on it every day.
Now due to a few worn bits that need replacing and me not having the time or money to work on it, it's been laid up for about 5 months. Started her over Christmas and all sorts of little problems have developed!! Electrics acting funny, engine sounding a little rough etc etc.
Moral of the story is
ALWAYS DRIVE IT! 
you may think your looking after it by hiding it from the winter but your actually doing more harm than good!!
>> Edited by _dan_ on Wednesday 8th February 21:32
Now due to a few worn bits that need replacing and me not having the time or money to work on it, it's been laid up for about 5 months. Started her over Christmas and all sorts of little problems have developed!! Electrics acting funny, engine sounding a little rough etc etc.
Moral of the story is
ALWAYS DRIVE IT! you may think your looking after it by hiding it from the winter but your actually doing more harm than good!! >> Edited by _dan_ on Wednesday 8th February 21:32
Mainly use it at weekends, but that didn't stop me putting 12,000 miles on the clock in 12 months. I used both my Chims as daily drivers, but bought a "sensible" car half way through ownership of my second Chim.
Even with that until recently I was doing 1000 miles/month in the TVR, but i) the weather and ii) making my second car an S3 has reduced this a bit.
A TVR as an only car is doable, but it requires love and commitment.
Even with that until recently I was doing 1000 miles/month in the TVR, but i) the weather and ii) making my second car an S3 has reduced this a bit.
A TVR as an only car is doable, but it requires love and commitment.
Use mine, and my last one, every day. Clutch cylinder leak has been the only problem in a total of 3 years, averaging 15-20,000 miles per year.
Yes, they need love, that's the easy bit, but as someone said, if you deal with niggles as soon as, then that's all you'll ever have. Treat them right, and driving often is what they like.
Yes, they need love, that's the easy bit, but as someone said, if you deal with niggles as soon as, then that's all you'll ever have. Treat them right, and driving often is what they like.
UpTheIron said:
A TVR as an only car is doable, but it requires love and commitment.
I agree.
My previous daily driver was an MX5, written off in a non fault head-on crash. I wanted to upgrade to something with more muscle and the insurance payout was more than generous (ie- adding £6-7K got me a good Chimaera).
But, I did a lot of research before I bought (that's how I discovered Pistonheads) and here I am four years later still relying on my TVR as my only car- with 80'000 miles on the clock.
I had three straight years of commuting daily in London with few problems until last year when the rocker gaskets blew, followed by needing a new gearbox (discovered whilst the clutch was being replaced) and then a cracked swirl pot needing changed which necessitated an alternative otter switch from David Beer.
I guess it's the age of the car as, I've had five coolant hoses sprout pinhole leaks- the last one went on Christmas Eve which meant I couldn't replace it until the motor factors re-opened three days later (£3 tube ride- £1.99 piece of tube
). And that's how it goes as many of you know. In a way I've been 'ticking off' these problems as they occur and I feel that's the way to treat these cars. In other words, I seldom get repeat problems but still take note of any change in characteristics.
For example, there was an intermitant mis-fire last week that I recognised from 2003. A quick call to Tim at ACT, a next day delivery of 8 shiney plug shrouds and, bingo- problem sorted.
It's important to add that the sum of last year's problems meant I only had to seek alternative transport for around 10 days. Not bad considering I usually work 6 days a week.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff