A few questions about TVR's
Discussion
So I have been bitten by the sporty car bug and something in me has always wanted a TVR. It is a little like a scratch that wont go away.
I have been having a read on the forum and done a little searching but still have a few questions. The first is, do many people use their car everyday for commuting? I am sure this varies, so to help, I am thinking of spending about 9k ish on a Chimaera. I am not a complete performance nut and just looking for something I can potter around in making a bit of noise. However, I am not sure if I want the expense and headache of running 2 cars plus the wifes, so could I use the Chim as a every day commuter (5 miles if I go direct and dont take the scenic route home), or is this crazy?
I am not going to go into questions about reliability as I have done enough reading to know that is is variable. I am pretty handy with a spanner and love tinkering with cars and would like to do most of the maintenance myself. I don't want another run of the mill car that you see every day, hence why the TVR appeals.
Finally would there be anyone in the Windsor \ Maidenhead area with a Chim that wouldn't mind meeting up with me to have their brains picked and possibly take me out for a spin?
Thanks,
Adam
I have been having a read on the forum and done a little searching but still have a few questions. The first is, do many people use their car everyday for commuting? I am sure this varies, so to help, I am thinking of spending about 9k ish on a Chimaera. I am not a complete performance nut and just looking for something I can potter around in making a bit of noise. However, I am not sure if I want the expense and headache of running 2 cars plus the wifes, so could I use the Chim as a every day commuter (5 miles if I go direct and dont take the scenic route home), or is this crazy?
I am not going to go into questions about reliability as I have done enough reading to know that is is variable. I am pretty handy with a spanner and love tinkering with cars and would like to do most of the maintenance myself. I don't want another run of the mill car that you see every day, hence why the TVR appeals.
Finally would there be anyone in the Windsor \ Maidenhead area with a Chim that wouldn't mind meeting up with me to have their brains picked and possibly take me out for a spin?
Thanks,
Adam
Quite a few on here use Chimaeras everyday, but i have found it cheaper to buy a second car (Corsa) and insure it/run it etc rather than use the Chim every day. I can provide the maths if anyone wants, but it is cheaper to get 2 cars, as much fun though is debateable 
The Chimaeras do tend to run better when used regularly though
HTH
The Chimaeras do tend to run better when used regularly though
HTH
I agree you will become feed up with it especially in the middle of winter in the wet and snotty UK weather and it is covered in salt from the roads and is black from top to bottom will break your heart to see it dirty and you cant drive it hard due to conditions , It is cheaper to buy a small runabout for say £500 with a small engine will save a fortune on fuel so will pay for its self very quickly .
scotty_d said:
I agree you will become feed up with it especially in the middle of winter in the wet and snotty UK weather and it is covered in salt from the roads and is black from top to bottom will break your heart to see it dirty and you cant drive it hard due to conditions , It is cheaper to buy a small runabout for say £500 with a small engine will save a fortune on fuel so will pay for its self very quickly .
I think it is better to run two cars - if nothing else it probably works out cheaper than fuelling and maintaing a TVR for 10,000+ miles. However, I personally think driving in the winter is good fun. There's something about having the hood down and the heater going on a nice crisp winters day, blasting through the bare countryside, watching the wood smoke rise from passing cottages. As long as you're sensible (or possibly a bit loopy) the greasey roads actually make things a bit more fun as you can get some involvement with the car at much lower speeds. At the end of it all, give the car a quick wash off and make sure it's waxoyled regularly and it's great fun. 
Thanks for all the adive. I currently have a Honda HRV which I just use as a runabout. It is mechanically fantastic, but a bit bashed on the outside. It is probably worth about £1400 tops, so may just keep that and use it when the weather is rubbish. I am still renovating my house so it will be handy to have something that can have materials thrown in it.
I agree I would possibly get bored driving it every day, but would still like to use it in the winter on a clear day.
Everyone thinks I am mad wanting one, but I love the idea of having something different and having to tend to it and spend time getting it all sorted. The only thing that worrys me is the money I may burn through doing that.
The only other concern I have is that I am pretty tall at 6'5" and want to make sure I can fit it comfortably. I read they Chims were good for that as they are more a tourer with a little more space. I guess I need a sit in one.
I think it was Phil that said he is qutie local. Are there any meets on locally, or would you like to meet for a beer so I can pick you brains and possible get a passenger ride?
Many Thanks,
Adam
I agree I would possibly get bored driving it every day, but would still like to use it in the winter on a clear day.
Everyone thinks I am mad wanting one, but I love the idea of having something different and having to tend to it and spend time getting it all sorted. The only thing that worrys me is the money I may burn through doing that.
The only other concern I have is that I am pretty tall at 6'5" and want to make sure I can fit it comfortably. I read they Chims were good for that as they are more a tourer with a little more space. I guess I need a sit in one.
I think it was Phil that said he is qutie local. Are there any meets on locally, or would you like to meet for a beer so I can pick you brains and possible get a passenger ride?
Many Thanks,
Adam
[quote=4DDM]Thanks for all the adive. I currently have a Honda HRV which I just use as a runabout. It is mechanically fantastic, but a bit bashed on the outside. It is probably worth about £1400 tops, so may just keep that and use it when the weather is rubbish. I am still renovating my house so it will be handy to have something that can have materials thrown in it.
I agree I would possibly get bored driving it every day, but would still like to use it in the winter on a clear day.
Everyone thinks I am mad wanting one, but I love the idea of having something different and having to tend to it and spend time getting it all sorted. The only thing that worrys me is the money I may burn through doing that.
The only other concern I have is that I am pretty tall at 6'5" and want to make sure I can fit it comfortably. I read they Chims were good for that as they are more a tourer with a little more space. I guess I need a sit in one.
I think it was Phil that said he is qutie local. Are there any meets on locally, or would you like to meet for a beer so I can pick you brains and possible get a passenger ride?
There are some pretty big fellas on this forum taller than you and they fit in OK. They could just be bragging though.
As for costs I dont think they cost anymore than any other 10 year old plus car with this performance.
I have had mine for nearly 2 years now and the olny thing thats gone wrong and cost me is an oil pressure sender @ £50. Where's some wood!!
I have spent other money on the car but that was my choice.
Others have been unlucky but generally thay are not expensive to run or fix.
If you are handy with spanners then you are half way there as the odd little foible will happen more so than perhaps other marks but I dont have a problem with that as its part of TVR ownership.And luckiliy I have fixed it all my self so far.
Just go for it I dont think you will regret it. Most potential owners have the same issues with reliability etc but its all 'B*******s unless you are very unlucky and get a dud one.
Trev
I agree I would possibly get bored driving it every day, but would still like to use it in the winter on a clear day.
Everyone thinks I am mad wanting one, but I love the idea of having something different and having to tend to it and spend time getting it all sorted. The only thing that worrys me is the money I may burn through doing that.
The only other concern I have is that I am pretty tall at 6'5" and want to make sure I can fit it comfortably. I read they Chims were good for that as they are more a tourer with a little more space. I guess I need a sit in one.
I think it was Phil that said he is qutie local. Are there any meets on locally, or would you like to meet for a beer so I can pick you brains and possible get a passenger ride?
There are some pretty big fellas on this forum taller than you and they fit in OK. They could just be bragging though.
As for costs I dont think they cost anymore than any other 10 year old plus car with this performance.
I have had mine for nearly 2 years now and the olny thing thats gone wrong and cost me is an oil pressure sender @ £50. Where's some wood!!
I have spent other money on the car but that was my choice.
Others have been unlucky but generally thay are not expensive to run or fix.
If you are handy with spanners then you are half way there as the odd little foible will happen more so than perhaps other marks but I dont have a problem with that as its part of TVR ownership.And luckiliy I have fixed it all my self so far.
Just go for it I dont think you will regret it. Most potential owners have the same issues with reliability etc but its all 'B*******s unless you are very unlucky and get a dud one.
Trev
The ride out is to get bitten by the bug. A quick jump in a drivers seat (dont even want to drive) will give me an idea of whether there will be enough room. I am pretty happy with the reliability to. I have a very large garage (which needs clearing) and looked after all my own cars for the last few years, everything from cam belts to ABS faults, so as long as I buy carefully, I am hoping it will not be too bad.
The wife thinks I should go it now, even offered to take the old Honda, sell her Toyota and use the proceeds to put towards the TVR. I will regret not taking her up on this. I am too sensible and want to save a bit first.
The wife thinks I should go it now, even offered to take the old Honda, sell her Toyota and use the proceeds to put towards the TVR. I will regret not taking her up on this. I am too sensible and want to save a bit first.
TVR Moneypit said:
ph1l5 said:
once you have had a ride out you will have been bitten by the TVR bug. so lets get the passenger ride over with and then help you find a car.
The problem with a passanger ride is going to be this blokes height. At 6'5" he should really be changing his login to 'high-tower'. Even our lass doesn't have that much legroom in the passanger seat, and shes only 5'5". That dam battery sits in a right daft place.Graeme
icraigmy said:
ph1l5 said:
I am in Cippenham and can give you lots of advice.
Don't think I've seen your Chim about Chippenham before, do you hybernate 
Edited by icraigmy on Wednesday 29th July 05:39
Edited by ph1l5 on Wednesday 29th July 10:38
Tvrjock said:
TVR Moneypit said:
ph1l5 said:
once you have had a ride out you will have been bitten by the TVR bug. so lets get the passenger ride over with and then help you find a car.
The problem with a passanger ride is going to be this blokes height. At 6'5" he should really be changing his login to 'high-tower'. Even our lass doesn't have that much legroom in the passanger seat, and shes only 5'5". That dam battery sits in a right daft place.Graeme
As the others say, I've found my car reliable. I've bought nothing for it other than consumables and upgrades.
4DDM,
Go and have a sit in one
I am 6'5" and I vividly remember being terrified of sitting in my friends Griff years ago as it was my dream car and I would have been devestated if I couldn't get in.
Long story short, you'll fit fine. Peter Wheeler (RIP) saw to it that there was loads of room in the drivers seat so he could drive them! He was 6'6" as I recall.
The passenger side is worse as others have said. The battery is located in the footwell and has a vertical piece of carpet covering it. I remember being driven in my Griff and it was fine for shortish journeys though.
Go and have a sit in one
I am 6'5" and I vividly remember being terrified of sitting in my friends Griff years ago as it was my dream car and I would have been devestated if I couldn't get in.
Long story short, you'll fit fine. Peter Wheeler (RIP) saw to it that there was loads of room in the drivers seat so he could drive them! He was 6'6" as I recall.
The passenger side is worse as others have said. The battery is located in the footwell and has a vertical piece of carpet covering it. I remember being driven in my Griff and it was fine for shortish journeys though.
To the guys who've said that you will get bored with using a TVR as a daily driver. with respect you're talking rubbish.
I've owned my car for nearly three years now, it's a daily driver and I still love the car. It's still a pleasure and an event to get in and drive something so unique and fantastic to look at I still stand and stare at it and it's definately not tired. It's wanted for nothing with regards to being serviced and looked after but that should be true of any car used regularily imo. With regards to using it in all year round, yes you need to be careful in the crap weather, I won't just say winter, but that's half the fun for me and you certainly enjoy the car more if you drive it more often.
With regards to keeping it clean I spend about two days once a year cleaning the paintwork down and building up the wax and then washing is a 20 minute event and it still gets compliments even when I think it's filthy.
I'd agree that I'm not sure about a 5 mile commute being long enough to warm it up but take the longer way into work and it'll be more fun anyway. I had a second car and got rid of it purely because I wasn't driving it enough.
I've owned my car for nearly three years now, it's a daily driver and I still love the car. It's still a pleasure and an event to get in and drive something so unique and fantastic to look at I still stand and stare at it and it's definately not tired. It's wanted for nothing with regards to being serviced and looked after but that should be true of any car used regularily imo. With regards to using it in all year round, yes you need to be careful in the crap weather, I won't just say winter, but that's half the fun for me and you certainly enjoy the car more if you drive it more often.
With regards to keeping it clean I spend about two days once a year cleaning the paintwork down and building up the wax and then washing is a 20 minute event and it still gets compliments even when I think it's filthy.
I'd agree that I'm not sure about a 5 mile commute being long enough to warm it up but take the longer way into work and it'll be more fun anyway. I had a second car and got rid of it purely because I wasn't driving it enough.
V8 GRF said:
To the guys who've said that you will get bored with using a TVR as a daily driver. with respect you're talking rubbish.
+1.......... Plus the idea that a 4 ltr plus lightly stressed old school v8 with tried and tested gearbox/axle plus good quality suspension will " Get tired quickley if used every day." ??Running costs are no more than any large capacity car.Ok, the servicing is every 6mths but its not expensive in reality. Dont hide them away thats when the problems start. Use them every day and enjoy. They dont sound any different if its raining
Mitch.
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