7 type car to TVR?
Discussion
Evening all,
Firstly, apologies if this has been done before. I had a quick search but couldn't find much. I currently have a kit car, an MK Indy powered by a bike engine. It's pretty quick, loads of fun, but about as practical as a wet paper bag s it has no windscreen, roof or heater. The engine is also rather revvy and I get a 6 speed sequential box for free. Which isn't always a good thing as it can be hard work in traffic. I've been um-ing and ar-ing over what t do with it for a while and am leaning towards selling it and getting a TVR.
It'll have to be a Chim if I do, as I can't afford to either buy or run anything with a Speed 6 in it, and the other half doesn't like Cerb's. The other half used to have a Chim, and she seems to think that I'll crash it rather quickly. I'm used to having a light weight nimble little car that I can drive with my finger tips.
Are TVR's really going to be a such a big difference? And if so, why? My kit car is very basic suspension wise, with the usual double A arm set up at all four corners, just as TVR's have. Has any one gone from a 7 to a tiv and regretted it? Has anyone gone from a bike engined 7 to a lazy V8 and found it too different?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Firstly, apologies if this has been done before. I had a quick search but couldn't find much. I currently have a kit car, an MK Indy powered by a bike engine. It's pretty quick, loads of fun, but about as practical as a wet paper bag s it has no windscreen, roof or heater. The engine is also rather revvy and I get a 6 speed sequential box for free. Which isn't always a good thing as it can be hard work in traffic. I've been um-ing and ar-ing over what t do with it for a while and am leaning towards selling it and getting a TVR.
It'll have to be a Chim if I do, as I can't afford to either buy or run anything with a Speed 6 in it, and the other half doesn't like Cerb's. The other half used to have a Chim, and she seems to think that I'll crash it rather quickly. I'm used to having a light weight nimble little car that I can drive with my finger tips.
Are TVR's really going to be a such a big difference? And if so, why? My kit car is very basic suspension wise, with the usual double A arm set up at all four corners, just as TVR's have. Has any one gone from a 7 to a tiv and regretted it? Has anyone gone from a bike engined 7 to a lazy V8 and found it too different?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Milky Bar Kid said:
It'll have to be a Chim if I do, as I can't afford to either buy or run anything with a Speed 6 in it, ........I'm used to having a light weight nimble little car that I can drive with my finger tips.
My first TVR was an S, then I had a Chim (both as everyday cars) but a new commute meant I needed a dull box for to/from work. Returned to S owenership as a weekend toy and it's great! Ticks the noise & soft top TVR boxes at the same time as being cheap, easy to work on and great great FUN! I loved my Chim but it didn't make me smile in the same way the S does - the S is not so refined but much more raw than the more laid back Chim, so will not be too far removed from your 7
Ask your question in the S forum and see what response you get - I think there are a couple of ex 7 owners there.....
Good luck with your search,
Longers
I've built 3 V8 Westfields sold the last one last year and bought a Tamora.
Yes the Tam is a great car & a practical sports car but it's not fast enough and it does not give the buzz of a seven type car so I am thinking about selling it and building another Westield.
I want a track focused car and the Tam is to good to wreck on track.
Yes the Tam is a great car & a practical sports car but it's not fast enough and it does not give the buzz of a seven type car so I am thinking about selling it and building another Westield.
I want a track focused car and the Tam is to good to wreck on track.
I have a bike powered Mk Indy too (R1 powered) as well as a Cerbera.
The MK Indy is a LOT easier to throw around corners but as you say, you have to rev the tits off it! As a note I have done a few track days in mine and find it tops out at 120 (13000rpm!).
The TVR is more of an occasion to drive, and even though it does not feel as quick , it is! The top end blows the MK Indy away and as for the noise.........
I also had a Chim 500 a few years back and that was a lovely car, but I would say if track days are your thing then a Caterham type car is the way ahead , as my bro in law stuffed mine into the tyre wall and a new nose cone will only cost about £200!!(no chassis damage thank god!)....
I would say try the TVR and go from there, as long as you are handy with a set of spanners then running it SHOULD not be too bad!
Lee
The MK Indy is a LOT easier to throw around corners but as you say, you have to rev the tits off it! As a note I have done a few track days in mine and find it tops out at 120 (13000rpm!).
The TVR is more of an occasion to drive, and even though it does not feel as quick , it is! The top end blows the MK Indy away and as for the noise.........
I also had a Chim 500 a few years back and that was a lovely car, but I would say if track days are your thing then a Caterham type car is the way ahead , as my bro in law stuffed mine into the tyre wall and a new nose cone will only cost about £200!!(no chassis damage thank god!)....
I would say try the TVR and go from there, as long as you are handy with a set of spanners then running it SHOULD not be too bad!
Lee
SP6 Animal said:
RT Phil said:
Milky Bar Kid said:
I don't want to lose the chuck-aibilty of my 7 for the sake of having a roof.
You don't want a Chimaera then.Edited by RT Phil on Tuesday 10th November 20:54
Edited by RT Phil on Tuesday 10th November 20:58
ks, A chim is very chuck abull if set up right even on standard dampers and they make a great track car.It's the numpty behind the wheel that's the problem.
Never really understood track focused cars like the 7.
Fun to drive on the streets, but terrible on a track I would have thought.
Even a tight twisty track like Brands is terrible for a seven. On a track day you aren't allowed to use the 7's ability to overtake on the bends, and even with a top speed of 120 you are severely limited on the straights compared to heavier traffic.
The last track day I was on must have been terribly frustrating for the caterham crowd. They pulled away round the bends, but by the back straight as long as you were within 100 yds of their tail you could go past comfortably before the end of the straight. Because they weren't allowed to overtake on the bends they had to wait for the cars who had overtaken them on the straights to let them past, which isn't that much fun for them.
I guess if you are in a seven only race, or a seven only trackday then things would improve, but in a world where the straight line speed wins out because of health and safety preventing corner overtaking, they must be truly terrible track cars.
Fun to drive on the streets, but terrible on a track I would have thought.
Even a tight twisty track like Brands is terrible for a seven. On a track day you aren't allowed to use the 7's ability to overtake on the bends, and even with a top speed of 120 you are severely limited on the straights compared to heavier traffic.
The last track day I was on must have been terribly frustrating for the caterham crowd. They pulled away round the bends, but by the back straight as long as you were within 100 yds of their tail you could go past comfortably before the end of the straight. Because they weren't allowed to overtake on the bends they had to wait for the cars who had overtaken them on the straights to let them past, which isn't that much fun for them.
I guess if you are in a seven only race, or a seven only trackday then things would improve, but in a world where the straight line speed wins out because of health and safety preventing corner overtaking, they must be truly terrible track cars.
I have a little experience on the impractical motoring front - Westfield and 8 sports bikes over a few years.
The 7 type car is just SO different to a TVR, be it a Chimaera, S or Speed 6 powered machine.
NOTHING in the TVR range, even when well set up, is as chuckable as a well set up 7 - the TVR is just too heavy and comparitively large to have the same levels of feel and instant response of the 7. The TVRs are good, but the 7 will be just that bit better on the seat of the pants feedback front.
Don't get me wrong...I'd keep my Chimaera over a Westfield because of the type of motoring I now want to do, but if you're still into the mad sliding around and hammering everywhere that a 7 type car offers you are likely to find it that bit harder to do in something that's half as big again and weighs twice as much - in 7 you xcan go sideways anywhere and still be on your side of the road, in the TVR you stand a reasonable chance of collecting something or someone along the way if you make a real habit of driving sideways...
On the plus side though, you can rip through Europe to a fantastic soundtrack and keep it in 3 figures all day...but if you're hacking around the lanes and doughnutting in car parks then an Elise might be closer to your practical solution than a TVR...
Obviously just my humble opinion having owned both...
Giles
The 7 type car is just SO different to a TVR, be it a Chimaera, S or Speed 6 powered machine.
NOTHING in the TVR range, even when well set up, is as chuckable as a well set up 7 - the TVR is just too heavy and comparitively large to have the same levels of feel and instant response of the 7. The TVRs are good, but the 7 will be just that bit better on the seat of the pants feedback front.
Don't get me wrong...I'd keep my Chimaera over a Westfield because of the type of motoring I now want to do, but if you're still into the mad sliding around and hammering everywhere that a 7 type car offers you are likely to find it that bit harder to do in something that's half as big again and weighs twice as much - in 7 you xcan go sideways anywhere and still be on your side of the road, in the TVR you stand a reasonable chance of collecting something or someone along the way if you make a real habit of driving sideways...
On the plus side though, you can rip through Europe to a fantastic soundtrack and keep it in 3 figures all day...but if you're hacking around the lanes and doughnutting in car parks then an Elise might be closer to your practical solution than a TVR...
Obviously just my humble opinion having owned both...
Giles
Milky Bar Kid said:
Has any one gone from a 7 to a tiv and regretted it?
No. But, I've done it the other way round and slightly regret it.Okay mine was 'only' an S3, but I've driven Chimaeras and the TVR DNA is firmly evident in both, so I think I'm vaguely qualified to comment.
There's no doubt the Caterham handles better. At low speeds (up to about 60mph) it's also somewhat quicker. It's also cheaper and easier to maintain (if you DIY). It does feel like being in a baby racing car, and on the track it's a very special place to be (as well as hugely effective). However, when you're touring around at 6 or 7 tenths it just doesn't feel special in the same way that the TVR did. More than any other car I've owned the S had soul that was evident even if you were sat at a set of traffic lights just listening to it woofling quietly at tick over.
I'd really love to have both. The Seven comes into its own on a track, but I wish I could have the TVR for fast road use. I made the switch because I wanted to do lots of track days - if you do too I'd suggest over a ton of shiny, broad-tyre'd V8 isn't the most cost effective solution. If you want a predominantly road going toy I think you're on the right track. Coincidentally, don't ignore the S (you can get a V8 version with bags of grunt if that's a concern) - they do feel more chuckable than the later cars IMHO. Still not a Seven by any stretch of the imagination, but closer.
RT Phil said:
Milky Bar Kid said:
I don't want to lose the chuck-aibilty of my 7 for the sake of having a roof.
You don't want a Chimaera then.Edited by RT Phil on Tuesday 10th November 20:54
Edited by RT Phil on Tuesday 10th November 20:58
Blimey, that's a bit more of a response than I was expecting.
Cheers for all the comments, and I feel I should say a bit more, as it would appear that the opinion is a bit split.
My current 7 is purely for road use. Yes, I could take it on a track, but I live in the Midlands and have a whole host of fun roads round my way to go play on. I would also need a different exhaust as mine is too loud. As such, my car's top speed of 125, at 11,000 rpm, is plenty. It also means I'm not fussed about doing long journeys at fast speeds, as I just don't that sort of driving.
I should also say that this car will be my ONLY car. IE, if I want to go pretty much anywhere I will have to use this. I don't mind using the 7 in the snow, although it can be a bit hairy at times. This would mean that a tiv would get driven all year round and would not be the special weekend car that so many of them seem to be.
I think it would be best to persuade someone to let me have an extended go in one and see how I feel.
Or I could get a Chim, and build the V6 engine'd single seater I was planning.......
Cheers for all the comments, and I feel I should say a bit more, as it would appear that the opinion is a bit split.
My current 7 is purely for road use. Yes, I could take it on a track, but I live in the Midlands and have a whole host of fun roads round my way to go play on. I would also need a different exhaust as mine is too loud. As such, my car's top speed of 125, at 11,000 rpm, is plenty. It also means I'm not fussed about doing long journeys at fast speeds, as I just don't that sort of driving.
I should also say that this car will be my ONLY car. IE, if I want to go pretty much anywhere I will have to use this. I don't mind using the 7 in the snow, although it can be a bit hairy at times. This would mean that a tiv would get driven all year round and would not be the special weekend car that so many of them seem to be.
I think it would be best to persuade someone to let me have an extended go in one and see how I feel.
Or I could get a Chim, and build the V6 engine'd single seater I was planning.......
Milky Bar Kid said:
I don't want to lose the chuck-aibilty of my 7 for the sake of having a roof.
Sorry, I know this is a TVR thread but really sounds like a Lotus is what you want?
Unless, of course, you want a front engine and happy tail slides.
Edited by Vlad. on Wednesday 11th November 17:50
SP6 Animal said:
Why you would crash it over the 7 puzzels me i ragged them the same.
trust me, I've seen / been in with him when he drives the Indy, and a TVR would end up down the ditch quicker than you'd blink your eyes at.He's of the opinion that TVR's and Indys will handle the same and doesn't believe me when I say a Chim will bite him back when provoked enough. Also with TVR's being much heavier than his kit car they're not going to handle the same when you get a little out of shape
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